A/N – I hope this update finds everyone well! I thought I better get this out before I get wrapped up in watching tennis! Leave me a note to let me know what you think! Oh, and there's a reference in here, so if you get it, I really want to know! And no cheating!

Chapter 25 – Priorities

"Johnny," Lulu sighed as her back hit the hard surface of the door to their bedroom. "Don't stop."

Johnny bit down on her neck roughly as he hoisted her into his arms, making her wrap her legs around his waist.

"I wasn't planning on it," Johnny whispered in her ear before blowing kisses along the side of her face.

She made quick work of his shirt as he continued to kiss and suck on her neck, doing his best to leave his mark. The last two weeks of living together had been nothing but pure bliss. That morning alone he had woken her up with kisses that had led to their first round of love making. She had interrupted his shower which led to more. And finally her teasing him about getting dressed at all had led to their current activities.

"I can't get your belt," Lulu groaned, fiddling with the buckle as Johnny moved to the other side of her neck. "Help."

"I'm busy with my clothes that you're wearing," Johnny replied, using one hand to undo the buttons of his dress shirt that she had thrown on earlier.

The passion between them was interrupted suddenly as someone knocked fervently against the door Lulu was lodged against.

"Mr. Zacchara?" a guard called through the door.

"Go away," Johnny growled, making Lulu giggle.

"Mr. Hagen says it's very important," the guard muttered.

"He always says that," Johnny said, rolling his eyes and pulling away from Lulu. "I'll be right there."

Lulu let her legs fall to the ground and she watched as Johnny quickly gathered his shirt from the floor and buttoned it once more.

"I'm sorry about this," Johnny offered, turning back to Lulu. "Hopefully I won't be long."

"Don't worry about it," Lulu smiled. "I could actually use a nap. You've already worn me out this morning."

"I can have breakfast sent up to you if you want," Johnny suggested.

"You don't have to take care of me," Lulu smirked.

"I like doing it," Johnny replied.

"Well, I like taking care of myself from time-to-time, too," Lulu laughed. "Now, go downstairs to your meeting with the mysterious Mr. Hagen and I will be fine."

"Alright, but there's going to be a guard outside who will be instructed to follow you, even inside, so don't freak out about it," Johnny said seriously.

"I need a guard inside?" Lulu countered, frowning at him.

"I'm not taking any chances," Johnny answered, leaning down and dropping a kiss against her lips. "If you need me, you know where my office is."

"And even if I didn't, I'm sure my inside guard could help me find it," Lulu muttered sarcastically.

"I love you, too," Johnny called over his shoulder as he left the room.

He headed downstairs quickly after giving instructions to the guard he wanted posted outside of their bedroom. Johnny entered his office and found Tom Hagen waiting on him with a bemused expression on his face.

"You knew about this meeting, John," Tom chided.

"I did," Johnny agreed. "And I felt like being late, so I was late."

"Do you expect me to believe that?" Tom asked.

"I expect you to do your job and not try to run my life," Johnny said pointedly, taking a seat behind his desk. "Now, what's the urgent business that is the cause of this meeting in the first place?"

"The shipping lanes you asked me to acquire months ago before your extended vacation, or whatever we're calling it, are finally within our reach, should you still want them," Tom answered.

"What took so long?" Johnny wondered.

"Well, in the beginning I thought it best to wait for your approval of each move made in the quest," Tom explained. "Then I realized that was going to be quite the task with you out of contact for so long."

"Fair enough," Johnny muttered. "I would like to push ahead and take charge of the lanes, so long as it won't create an unnecessary disturbance in the balance of power. I've got enough to deal with as far as safety is concerned right now without starting a war with one of my enemies."

"I wanted to speak with you about that as well," Tom noted. "It's my understanding that the doctors at Shadybrook are reporting your father to be in his final days. Why is it that you've instructed the guards to be on high alert and to not let him in this house under any circumstances?"

"You know how my father feels about sharing my affections," Johnny bit out. "If he were to encounter Lulu, he would try to kill her."

"Yes, but I can't imagine him being able to leave the facility," Tom replied. "I haven't seen him personally, but the reports-"

"Reports can be falsified," Johnny said simply. "You of all people should know that, given that's part of your job."

"True," Tom conceded.

"Is there anything else?" Johnny wondered.

"I have left several documents on your desk that need to be signed once we go over them," Tom answered. "And there's one other matter I would like to discuss."

"A threat?" Johnny questioned.

"In a manner of speaking," Tom sighed. "These last two weeks have been interesting, to say the least, for all of your employees."

"If you're going to tell me that there's no room in my life for a relationship, you can get the hell out of my office right now," Johnny warned.

"Quite the opposite," Tom laughed, taking a seat across from Johnny. "John, I've been around the family for a long time. I remember you as a child, laughing and playing with your mother before she was taken from you in the worst way."

"Is that why you quit working for my father all those years ago?" Johnny asked.

"Yes," Tom nodded. "I don't pretend to be a man of honor, not with the line of work I'm in. But what Anthony did, that was too much."

"So, why did you come back to work for me when I took over?" Johnny inquired.

"I wanted to make sure you didn't become crazy and consumed by power, like your father," Tom smiled. "Not that I was ever really worried. And I'm less worried now that Ms. Spencer is in your life."

"Then why the coming lecture?" Johnny wondered.

"Because people's lives depend on you and your focus, John," Tom said seriously. "Now, I'm not asking you to give up the woman you love, but since she's moved in, you've barely been in this office. That just won't work."

"What would you have me do?" Johnny questioned. "Ignore her until she leaves on her own?"

"No, not at all," Tom sighed. "I don't even mind you being late to morning meetings with me. I remember what it was like the first few months of living with my wife. It's hard to get out of bed in the morning."

Johnny blushed slightly and Tom chuckled.

"All I'm saying is, there are a lot of people whose lives depend on you making good decisions and you can't do that if you're never spending any time on the business," Tom finished.

"I'm doing enough," Johnny mumbled defensively.

"For now," Tom nodded. "But in tenser times, you're going to have to work more. And I think perhaps you and Ms. Spencer need to prepare yourselves for that."

A few hours had gone by and Johnny and Tom were still going over the papers that Johnny had to sign. Johnny had to admit, a lot had built up that needed his attention but after a hard working morning, he was all finished.

"John, about what I said earlier," Tom began.

"I heard you," Johnny muttered. "But I'll do things how I want, just like I've always done."

"I really do like her," Tom promised. "She makes you happy."

"And I plan on staying that way, which means seeing more of her than I see of this office," Johnny replied.

"Just don't forget your responsibilities..." Tom pleaded, trailing off as he heard the door open.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Lulu offered, trying to back out of the room after hearing Tom's words.

"No, Spencer, stay," Johnny smiled. "We're done here."

"It didn't really sound like it," Lulu noted. "Plus, I just came in here to see if you wanted me to make you a sandwich for lunch. I should have knocked, I'm sorry, Mr. Hagen."

"Nonsense, this is your home," Tom said, offering her a smile. "I was just leaving."

Tom gathered the documents Johnny had signed and exited the office just as Johnny was pulling Lulu into his arms.

"I missed you this morning," Johnny whispered, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips. "But I'm going to make it up to you. I think we should both make sandwiches and go find a private spot outside somewhere to have a picnic."

"What did I walk in on?" Lulu asked curiously.

"Just Tom, who you can call Tom by the way, being overly anxious about things, per usual," Johnny shrugged. "Which, I guess I shouldn't complain about. That is what he's paid to do. Now, about that picnic."

"What exactly is his job?" Lulu wondered.

"He's a consultant of sorts," Johnny answered. "Why are you ignoring my picnic idea?"

"I'm not," Lulu muttered. "So, what is he anxious about? Your father?"

"No," Johnny said, shaking his head. "Actually, he's anxious about you and your effect on me."

"And all the time we've been spending together when you weren't working?" Lulu guessed.

"Were you listening in?" Johnny questioned.

"No, I've just been thinking the same thing," Lulu admitted. "I mean, like going on a picnic this afternoon. How can you have time to do that?"

"Because I've been working my ass off this morning," Johnny replied. "Plus, I'm the boss. I make my own hours."

"Johnny, you can't just spend all of your time with me," Lulu sighed.

"Do you not want me to?" Johnny asked.

"No, that's not what I'm saying," Lulu said, taking his hands.

"Good, because I like spending all my time with you," Johnny smiled. "You are number one in my life and I want you to know that."

"I do," Lulu promised. "And I expect it to stay that way. But just because I want to be your number one priority doesn't mean I can't understand that you have other priorities as well. I don't want you to make a mistake or miss out on an opportunity because you're not paying enough attention to your work."

"First Tom, now you," Johnny groaned. "Maybe I should build a bed in here."

"That's not what I'm saying and I'm sure it's not what he was saying either," Lulu giggled, pressing a kiss to his lips to ease his tension. "I'm just letting you know that it's okay with me if you have to work more than you have since I've been here. Just as long as I get to fall asleep in your arms every night, I'll be fine."

"Okay," Johnny relented. "But we're still having that picnic."

"Johnny-" Lulu started.

"Ah," Johnny said, cutting her off and putting his finger to her lips. "Like I said, I've worked very hard this morning, so I deserve the afternoon off. Plus, it could be one of the last perfect days we have this year. Before too long it will be freezing outside and I want to enjoy this day. So, I'm having a picnic whether you come or not. Although, I'm sure I'll enjoy it a hell of a lot more if you're there."

"Fine," Lulu agreed. "But, you know, it's already starting to get colder out. We should bring a blanket to cover up with, too."

"Spencer, it's like 70 degrees, why would we need a blanket to co-" Johnny started to ask, stopping when he saw the gleam in her eyes. "I'll get one while you pack the picnic basket."

"Good thinking," Lulu smirked, kissing him once more.