Thanks so much for being patient with me! I started a new job and it was a bit of a transition. Plus I've been working dilligently on another story, well a couple actually, so I hope to have those up soon. Im not sure if this is quite the ending to this story, it depends how you as readers react lol if you'd like me to continue I can or if you like the ending ill leave it at that, pm me and please review :) thanks!
Tuck's POV:
"So what exactly did you want to be when you grew up?" Her voice cracked a little as she sat up next to me, resting on her elbows.
God she was beautiful, the way the moon came through the window highlighted her beauty.
"Hmm..a fireman." I chuckled.
"Ooh that could be a fantasy we could act out." She smirked with a giggle, hinting towards another lustful night that I waited anxiously for, despite the fact that just moments ago we acted out quite the lustful scene, but I couldn't get enough of her.
"But seriously, what was it? What did little Tuck really wanna be?"
"I..I don't know, it might sound stupid but I wanted to be a husband." I confessed, glancing down at her, hoping not to met with too harsh a gaze, but instead she met my eyes, listening attentively.
"I wanted a family I could call my own, my parents weren't the warmest people and especially after their deaths I just wanted something I could call my own. And I spent so much time with Franklin's family well because they invited me in, with welcoming arms, I wanted that, one of my own." I felt her arms slip around my neck as I finished, burying her face against my neck, she radiated with warmth.
"I'm yours." She whispered, taking my heart.
"Forever, love." I replied, the smile never leaving my lips.
"So now tell me what did Charlotte from Wyoming aspire to be?" I poked at her sides, making her giggle as she settled back down onto her elbows.
"Hmm well I've always wanted to be a writer you know that, but at first I really wanted to be a cop." She stated, perching her lips she waited for my response.
"I could see that, my little hot tempered princess." I joked. She shook her head with a smile as she began to fidget with the hem of the sheet.
"It was my older brother Landon who got me interested in it. So it was him and I, left for training camp, moved from the little town in Wyoming to New York, for all the action." She lowered her eyes, my concern grew.
"We surprisingly both made it, by the skin of teeth that's for sure. He was so passionate about it, boosted his ego in a way I guess. It was one day we were sent out to bring in a guy for questioning. We had him in cuffs, leading him out to the patrol car when we were approached. I wasn't worried though, we dealt with thugs all the time, no biggie, until I saw the knife and before I could say anything...it..it was deep in Landon's side." She choked on her words, biting her lip harshly.
"I tried to save him, but it was too late. That's why I moved to Massachusetts, New York reminded me too much of him..reminded me that I failed to save him." She tried desperatly to hold back the tears. I instinctively pulled her close, I wrapped my arms around her tightly, I hated to see her upset.
"Shh, sweetheart you did everything you could." I attempted to soothe her as I rubbed her back, feeling her breathing mellow out. She stayed huddled against my chest, the sound of our even breaths filling the room.
"You know, he would have liked you." She brushed her nose against my neck.
"I wish I could have met him, I'm sure you two were a lot alike." I replied, kissing her temple.
"I really love you." She whispered with a yawn.
"And I love you." It felt so good to say, felt so easy to let it slip off my tongue.
"Char-" I began only to be stopped by the sound of her light snore, I couldn't help but smile.
She woke to the gentle sound of rain and a sweet aroma that moved through the air. She opened her eyes slowly, taking in her surroundings, to find a beautiful bouquet of wild flowers sitting on the night stand. A smile slipping onto her lips as she sat up, leaning over to smell the flowers.
"Oh Tuck, you cheese ball." She giggled, stretching as she sat up. She scanned the room for any sign of the British cutie, and was answered with the sound of rustling coming from the kitchen. She eased out of bed, pulling on a clean pair of underwear and one of Tuck's flannels, she continued her way out to the kitchen.
"Well good morning, Sleeping Beauty." Tuck flashed her that beaming smile.
I could get use to this, she thought to herself as she padded over to his position next to the stove.
"Morning Tuck." She whispered before leaning up to place a kiss on his full lips.
"Someone's in a good mood." He smirked.
"Someone had a good night." She hinted with a giggle, taking a seat on one of the bar stools.
"Speaking of good things, our agency called, they're bringing us back a week early. So pack your things love, we're leaving this afternoon." Tuck sang, placing a full plate of food in front of her.
"Really?! Oh I'm so excited." She grinned, it was when she began to clap her hands in excitement that she felt her heart drop.
"Charlotte what's wrong sweetheart?" Tuck asked with concern when he noticed her smile fade.
She stared down at her left hand, the silver band glistening against the light.
"I..I guess I should take this off." She whispered, running her thumb against the metal.
"Well..I mean you don't have to, you could keep it on..that is until we get you a real one."
Her eyes widened as his words sunk in. He bit his nervously, trying to keep his cool all the while his heart began to pound as his mind continued to race.
"Tuck, are you saying what..what I think you're saying?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"I mean it. Charlotte I love you, we've spent 6 straight months with each other, some may think its crazy since we just met but Char, sweetheart I know everything there is to know about you. I know your true dream is to become a writer, I know you love the smell of oranges but can't stand the taste, I know that you love to dance even though you have no rhythm but you look so damn cute when you try. And I know deep down you're afraid I'll walk out on you like your mom did to your dad, but Charlotte the only way I'll leave your side is when this heart stops beating." He poured out his heart, watching as tears weld in her eyes along with a wide grin that let him know his words really meant something to her.
She couldn't hold it any longer, she felt as if her heart was going to explode, the butterflies in her stomach going crazy. She jumped up and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, never wanting to let go. She felt his lips slipped onto hers slowly, savoring the softness as he brought her into a toe curling kiss.
"I'll get started packing after breakfast." She panted, her smile glowing as she took her seat on the stool.
"Sounds like a plan, love. I'm going to jump in the shower." He leaned over to kiss her hair. She watched as he walked down the hallway, her smile never faltering.
Charlotte's POV:
Like a fairy tale...a twisted slightly backwards fairy tale, one that involved a handsome knight who loved all my faults.
I sat the dirty plate in the sink, figuring I'd do the dishes after I finished packing when it hit me. Tuck lives in California..I live in Massachusetts.
A swift motion passed the window diverted attention, the sight of red hair faintly familiar.
Knock. Knock.
"Tuck!"
Cecilia, the red hair that hung under her black tresses yesterday wasn't because of a bad hair dresser. No it was because she was that familiar red head on the bench...the woman in the strip club, she was working for Nigel!
"Tuck.." I gulped, praying to God that I'd hear his footsteps echoing through the hallway. My prayers were answered...sorta, my eyes widened at the sound of a second pair of foot steps. If it was even possible my eyes grew larger at the sight that met me around the corner. Tuck, shirtless, it obvious that he had stripped down to get a shower but was interrupted by the man that now held a gun to his back, leading him out to the kitchen. The thought of Tuck getting even remotely hurt, tore my heart. Too caught up in the horrific images that flashed through my mind, I barely noticed the second person enter the room from the front door.
"Aww, two lovers, assigned to undermine my operation. Well thank your superior officer because now you both will die, together." The man's voice sent a shiver up my spine, the same voice that hissed in my ear that night at charity ball.
"Aww don't look so scared Bambi, you won't suffer, the bullet will be quick." He took a step from behind Tuck, cocking his head to stare me up and down. Little did he know I wasn't scared of what he'd do to me, that never crossed my mind, I kept my eyes on Tuck's baby blues.
"Charlotte.." I heard his husky voice whisper, Tuck saw my hand move back towards the counter, inching towards the knife that sat next to the cutting board.
"What a pretty name-"
"Touch one hair on his head and I swear-" I had grabbed the knife and held it against the tall red heads neck, holding her in an iron grip as the blade hovered over her skin.
"You'll what? Cut her throat? You don't have it in you. Weak, so very weak, just like your parent said, you couldn't even save your brother that let that thug stab him, over and over. Nope Charlotte you're weak, you'll always be weak." Nigel's words cutting their own knife into my tender memories. It had been 6 years since the attack, Landon's pained expression still haunted me.
"Let's not forget you're just another dumb American, who decided to play cop and got her brother killed-" His words halted as Tuck leaped forward, catching the older man off guard. They both struggled to gain the upper hand, wrestling over the gun, a shot fired. The sudden sound causing everyone to freeze.
"Charlotte!" Tuck jumped up, running to my side he stopped once he noticed it was Cecilia who had taken the shot. She gasped loudly, wiggling out of my grip to clutch her side. Tuck picked up the gun quickly off the floor, pointing it directly at Nigel as he lay speechless on the floor, shock written across his face.
"Charlotte..go..go call Collins, tell them we bagged the limey bastard." Tuck's voice husky, he continued to stare Nigel down.
So I did what I was told, my hands shaking as I relayed the message. So much for a peaceful last day in Britian. Now I'll be ordering a double of scotch for the flight home.