Hey guys, so chapter 8's done! Hope you all enjoy it, feedback welcome as ever. Much love to all.
Chapter 8
Eddi almost squealed with excitement, knowing that her shift was over. Luc had finished an hour prior to her so he would be waiting in his caravan. She almost ran there before stopping short as memories of the last time they'd agreed to meet there flooded through her mind. He wouldn't leave again, would he? Surely not after the afternoon they'd just had. Eddi sighed, realising the trust issues she now had to combat. She convinced herself he'd be there and proceeded, although she couldn't help but close her eyes as she rounded the corner. Relief rushed through her veins as her eyes lay set on the campervan in front of her. She grinned before walking up to the door.
Luc saw her walking up to his van and couldn't help but smile. This woman, the woman he was crazy about, appeared to be crazy about him too. At least crazy enough to spend and evening in his company. He watched adoringly as she climbed the steps to his campervan and opened the door.
"A-du-du-du turn around." He told her grinning, watching her eyebrows furrow in confusion.
"What? Why?" she questioned.
"We're going out" he replied, still grinning a slightly lop sided smile that just made Eddi's heart melt; not that she'd show it of course.
"What? Luc? Where are you taking me?" she pestered.
"It's a surprise" he said, bundling her out the door.
A surprise. Eddi recalled Luc's last surprise- he'd taken her to his lab. And kissed her. She had to admit that had been pretty decent in the way of unexpected. Still, she was excited to see what he had to offer this time round. Luc strode off into the night, leaving Eddi jogging to catch up.
"You're a slow coach McKee!" he joked. Eddi was not amused.
"Oh shut up Hemingway" she told him sternly, before grinning.
Eddi followed Luc for several minutes, content with just being in his company. She was so busy gazing up at him, she didn't notice the puddle in front of her. She stepped forward, he blue converse instantly filling with cold, muddy water.
"Eeuuggghhh Luc what is this?" she demanded, eyes glaring.
"It's called nature" he told her, trying not to laugh.
"It's called gross" she replied angrily, looking at the state of her shoe.
"Don't be so negative. Where's your sense of adventure?" he teased.
"Uuhh back in the city where it belongs" she said sarcastically. She took in her surroundings, realising she recognized none of them. The pair were completely surrounded by trees and seemed to be, at least to Eddi, in the middle of nowhere.
"Chin up, we've got a way to go yet" he told her, starting to set off again.
"No way Luc, I am not setting another foot on this ground" she told him stubbornly. Luc was unfazed.
"Well then I guess I'll just have to carry you" he smirked, grabbing her and lifting her over his shoulder in a fire-man's carry.
"What? NO! Luc put me down!" she shrieked while laughing and wriggling.
"Nope" he replied with a smirk and firm hands.
"If you drop me, I'll sue you" she threatened.
"I think I'll take that chance"
"There could be bears for all you know" she continued "We could get eaten out here in this forest place"
Luc audibly laughed at this. "Eddi, I have been here countless times and I can assure you that I am yet to have a run in with any such bear. Now would you just relax?" he asked her.
Relax? This was such typical Luc. What was wrong with the conventional date to a restaurant or the cinema? She sighed, although secretly excited about where they were going. That was the thing about Luc; he could be so unpredictable.
"Here we are" Luc said setting her down and holding her up.
"I can manage thanks" Eddi said proudly, trying not to stumble as she took a step away from Luc. Luc just smirked watching her. Eddi's eyes widened as she examined where she'd been brought. They'd reached a clearing in the forest with a few tree stumps that could act as seats. There was a small stream running through the middle, twinkling with the reflection of the moon. The only noise that could be heard was that of her breathing and the occasional tweet on an owl. Above her, the stars shone like she'd never seen before- there were no street lamps around her to block their glow. The setting was remarkably beautiful.
"Oh Luc…" she murmured, breath taken.
"How did you find this place?" she asked, genuinely interested.
"I'm a wanderer, meandering through life and all its glory. I guess I just liked the freedom of exploring- and that's how I discovered this." He told her.
"It's so beautiful" she stated honestly.
"It's funny, you can travel anywhere in the world, and yet sometimes the most beautiful things can be so close to home" he told her, starring right into her eyes. Realising he was no longer referring to their surroundings, Eddi tilted her head up and kissed him passionately. The pair stayed comfortably in each other's arms for a while before a thought occurred to Luc.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"I guess, a little" Eddi thought for a moment "I didn't know you brought food" she said, confused.
"I didn't" Luc replied simply.
"Then why…" Eddi was interrupted.
"Wood sorrel- want some?" Luc asked, him picking what vaguely resembled a clover and popping it in his mouth.
"That's disgusting" Eddi said matter-of-factly.
"Tastes like apple-try it" Luc insisted.
"You're mad Hemingway" Eddi smiled, while messing with her hair.
"I'll force you" he teased her.
"Well then you'll be responsible for my death" she grinned, planting a kiss on his lips. Luc smiled back.
"It's not going to kill you- it's actually quite nutritionally beneficial"
"It might" Eddi argued stubbornly, gathering she was beginning to look slightly ridiculous.
"Well I just ate one and you just kissed me; feeling the grim reaper's presence yet?" Luc joked.
"Oh whatever" Eddi tried to look annoyed, but failed. She sighed.
"You know, it really is amazing here." She paused. "Thank you"
"For what?" he asked.
"Showing me this place. Letting me in." Luc just grinned at this.
"Lie down with me" he instructed. For once in her life Eddi did as she was told. Together they gazed up at the night sky above them.
"Wow" Eddi breathed.
"Can you see that star right above us, shining especially brightly?" he whispered, as if not wanting to interrupt mother earth at her finest.
"Uh-huh" Eddi whispered back.
"That's the North Star, and just up and to the right of it, that's the Big Dipper" she might have guessed Luc would be an astronomy expert on top of everything else.
"That's incredible" she told him. They lay like that, side by side, appreciating beauty of nature for several moments. Then Eddi turned so she was facing Luc, using her arm for support.
"This has been one of the best nights of my life" she said, stroking his hair with her free hand. Luc paused.
"It's not over yet" he spoke before grinning. He stood up and Eddi accepted the offer of his hand.
"Come on Mckee, I'll race you back to my van"
"You're on, and I never lose!"
"We'll see…. Ready, steady…" Luc began sprinting before saying go.
"You're a cheat Hemingway!" she shouted after him, playfully slapping him when she caught up with him as he stopped next to a tree.
"I still won" he teased her.
"Yeah, through cheating. There's a forfeit for that you know"
"Really? And what is this forfeit, may I ask"
"I want a piggy back home." Eddi demanded. "Oh and…." She whispered something in his ear. Luc raised his eyebrows, before smiling.
"Your wish is my command" he told her, allowing Eddi to clamber onto his back.
At last the pair arrived back at Luc's van. Luc led Eddi up the steps and inside, shutting the door behind her. He put his forehead against hers so he was looking right into her eyes.
"You look so beautiful tonight" he told her truthfully, amazed he ever managed to land a girl like this. Eddi grinned shyly and kissed him. And with that, they picked up where they'd left off earlier in the locker room, Luc well aware that he still had to fulfil the other half of Eddi's forfeit.
