Chapter 51
A/N #1: Sorry for the delay in updating...RL's been super busy lately, plus I was having a bit of writers block...hope this super-sized chapter was worth the wait :)
1906 Lodge
Coronado Island
Entering the room before Wyatt, Lucy came to a halt a few feet inside the door. Setting her bag down in one of the upholstered chairs in front of the fireplace, she stood perfectly still and let herself take it all in, glancing around the luxurious room with a happy sigh now that they were finally here. Born and raised in a comfortably well-off family who vacationed in Europe a couple weeks every summer once her younger sister started kindergarten, she'd certainly seen her share of nice accommodations (her mother had been very particular in that regard), but the 1906 Lodge was as lovely a place as Lucy had ever stayed in.
Intimate without being crowded and tastefully decorated, the room seemed to offer every amenity a person could want–starting with the generously-sized spa tub set in a small alcove a few feet away from the king-sized sleigh bed. Both made her mouth water, but it was the inviting tub Lucy could scarcely take her eyes from. Oh, the mischief she and Wyatt could get up to in that thing...
Wyatt shut the door behind them and set their suitcase down before dropping the key cards on top of the dresser beside the bathroom door. She felt her face flush guiltily when he looked up and (naturally) caught her staring intently in the general direction of the alcove. Coming up behind her, he wrapped his arms securely around Lucy's waist, and warm breath caressing her ear, murmured, "So what do you think, sweetheart? Should we get this special, adults-only weekend started by spending a little quality time in that impressive-looking tub in the corner? Or hey, if you wanna start off slow, the bed looks pretty damn comfortable, too. Your choice, Ma'am, 'cause I'm definitely in the mood for whatever you want."
She trembled slightly at the unabashed desire evident in Wyatt's deep voice that made her heart race...or then again, maybe it was the very persuasive feel of his strong body pressed firmly against hers. Sometimes it seemed rather unfair the way her body responded so easily to this man...would it always be like this? Lucy mused wistfully, struggling to maintain her composure–or at the very least, the ability to put together a half-way coherent response, for goodness sakes....
Taking a deep breath, she willed her heart to slow down and deliberately focused her attention on their surroundings, immediately noticing several intriguing possibilities more than suitable for enjoying quality time with her gorgeous soldier. The main problem seemed to be choosing just where she wanted to start. Would the simple words, 'yes, please,' cover everything? Lucy wondered dreamily.
She opened her mouth to answer when unfortunately, her empty stomach chose that particular moment to protest loudly at being basically ignored since breakfast. Blushing hotly at Wyatt's quiet snicker, she turned in his arms to press her very warm cheek against his broad chest. "That did not just happen...way to kill the mood, Lucy," she muttered, her voice muffled somewhat by Wyatt's shirt. She was relieved when instead of teasing her, he very gentlemanly ignored the unattractive gurgling noise emanating from her neglected tummy, merely chuckling and pressing his lips to the top of her head.
"It's okay, I'm actually kinda hungry, too, but didn't you have a big lunch meeting with your boss today?" he asked curiously, gently running his calloused hand soothingly up and down her back. Lucy felt herself gradually relax, comforted not only by Wyatt's touch but by his heart beating steadily under her cheek. Quit acting like an idiot and just tell him, she chastised herself.
"Well...yes, it was a meeting at lunch time, but no, not much eating on my part," she conceded, leaning back to gaze into Wyatt's bright blue eyes and momentarily forgetting what she was going to say. While he patiently waited for Lucy to elaborate on her rather confusing reply, she came to her senses and the words came out in a flustered rush.
"Okay, even though Denise took me to a very nice place, I was just so nervous about the evaluation my stomach was all tied up in knots and then afterwards, I was so excited, I barely ate more than a couple bites of my meal. Then once we got back to school, the afternoon went by really fast, and all of a sudden, it was time for me and Jamie to go home and finish packing...and then you arrived, and we left for Julie and Dave's and here we are in this beautiful room and I want to be with you so badly but obviously I'm starving..."
Lucy fell silent at the humiliating realization she was starting to babble, although Wyatt did look sincerely interested when she mentioned the dreaded evaluation. This weekend was going to be ruined if she didn't calm down, she thought glumly. Luckily, he took pity on her, and tipping her chin up, gave her a gently reassuring kiss.
"Relax, Lucy, and just take a deep breath. It's been a long week for both of us. Look, we've got the next two days to be together in this really nice hotel, so there's no hurry. And I don't think it's bragging to say you're gonna need to keep up your strength for all the activities we've both been planning. Why don't we go grab a bite to eat, you can tell me all about your lunch, then maybe we'll walk around a little and do the tourist thing, and by the time we get back here, you and I will both be feeling ready for whatever comes next."
And just like that, Lucy could feel her nerves easing (although her faced warmed slightly at the naughty way Wyatt deliberately stressed the word activities). Still, he was absolutely right. While it was tempting, there really was no need to jump right into making love, not when they were both maybe a little tired and hungry and needing a break.
"You know what? That sounds perfect. You are a very wise man, Wyatt Logan, just one of the many reasons I love you so much," Lucy told him gratefully, caressing his stubbled cheek, her heart beating faster when he turned his face to place a soft kiss in the palm of her hand. "Why don't I unpack the suitcase and put our things in the dresser while you check out restaurants within walking distance?"
Wyatt readily agreed, and after scooping up their suitcase and putting it in the middle of the bed for her, sat down in one of the chairs and started scrolling through his phone. Once his attention was diverted from her and what she was doing, Lucy stealthily reached into the suitcase for something she'd picked up on her lunch hour earlier in the week and stashed away for the trip. Inside the small pink and white bag from her guy's favorite lingerie store was a pale sage green slip with delicate spaghetti straps and a hint of lace trim. Although her favorite color was pale pink, Lucy had fallen in love with the lingerie the moment she saw it, and hoped Wyatt would like it, too—not that she'd be wearing it for any length of time, a tiny voice in her head that sounded very much like her sister's helpfully pointed out.
Still, as her late mother liked to say, 'presentation was half of the surprise.' She laughed softly under her breath at the thought, since it was highly doubtful the rather proper Professor Preston was referring to sexy lingerie, but whatever, because it worked for her, and Amy had given the dainty but sexy slip two very enthusiastic thumbs up (along with an entire row of alternating flame and heart emojis) when Lucy texted her a picture. Carefully tucking the bag in the very back of the drawer, she finished putting away their things just as Wyatt looked up from his phone.
"Hey, what do you think about pizza for supper? There's a place not too far away called the Village Pizzaria that looks pretty good." After assuring him that sounded great, Lucy carried their toiletry bags into the bathroom so she could freshen up while Wyatt stowed the empty suitcase in the closet. The charming black and white bathroom was spotlessly clean, with a very roomy shower stall that looked quite promising. (Lucy thought ruefully it was a real possibility she and Wyatt would unfortunately run out of time before getting around to experiencing everything this place had to offer couples.)
Standing at the bathroom counter, Lucy quickly washed and dried her hands and hastily fluffed her hair before eying her reflection critically in the long, oval mirror hanging above the sink. The bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked woman staring back at her seemed to radiate happiness and contentment. I guess that's what loving-and being loved by-a good man like Wyatt Logan did for a woman's soul, Lucy considered with a satisfied nod, feeling ready at last for 'whatever comes next'...as long as it was with him.
When she came out of the bathroom, Wyatt handed her one of the key cards to hold onto and slipped the other in his jeans pocket. "Ready to get this party started, sweetheart?" he asked with a charming grin, taking her hand in his after Lucy picked up her bag. Impulsively tugging him close, she wound her arms around his neck and pressing her body tightly to his, kissed Wyatt thoroughly, pleased beyond measure at the dazed expression on his handsome face when they came up for air. And that, Master Sergeant, was just a little preview of what you can expect the next time we're alone, Lucy thought in feminine satisfaction, hiding a proud grin at Wyatt's stunned, barely audible, "wow."
"Now I am," she quipped smugly, heading for the door without a second glance, fully confident her guy would manfully recover and be right behind her. Once they left the hotel, they leisurely walked hand in hand a couple streets over to the island's main thoroughfare, Orange Avenue. Although the fragrant air was warm enough now, with maybe an hour until the sun set, there was still a faint late spring chill to it, enough that Lucy was glad she'd worn a thin sweater over her summery dress. They found the Village Pizzaria easily enough, and were soon seated at a table on the outdoor patio under white twinkling lights criss-crossing the open air above their heads, sharing a pitcher of beer and eagerly perusing the menu.
Pretending to be engrossed in the restaurant's enticing selections, Lucy bit her lower lip and casually wondered aloud, "Hmm, maybe we should just order one whole side of the menu, 'cause I'm starving." When one of Wyatt's brows raised inquiringly, she teased, "Just trying to be practical...after all, I need to keep up my strength to fully participate in all those tempting activities waiting on us in that gorgeous hotel room." Lucy was amused–and yeah, maybe a little aroused-when he narrowed those dark blue eyes at her in silent warning as he appeared to carefully consider her words.
"Well, now, that sounds like a challenge to me, Miss Preston," Wyatt drawled lazily after a few heated seconds, just a hint of natural Texas twang seeping into his deep voice. Secretly, Lucy loved the extremely sexy, seldom-heard accent of his and shivered when he took her hand and began gently rubbing his thumb across the back. Girl, you are playing with fire now, the 'Amy' voice in her head noted approvingly. Regrettably, before things went any further, though, the server returned to deliver a basket of warm bread sticks and take their order–a reminder they were in a very public place at the moment.
After the guy departed, Wyatt topped off their glasses, and with an encouraging smile, asked Lucy how her evaluation went. Taking a sip of her beer, she set the glass down and reached for a bread stick, involuntarily moaning in appreciation at the first delicious bite—and judging by his hoarse little cough, catching her companion off guard. She nearly laughed out loud at the clearly interested expression that almost instantly popped up on Wyatt's face once he caught his breath, but thought the better of it since the man had devious ways of retribution that made her body positively tingle all over. Focus, Lucy...
"Okay, so we had lunch at a place I'd never been before called Stratford at the Harbor in Oceanside, and the food was amazing...well, the little bit I was able to swallow," she confessed with a shrug, "Maybe we can go there sometime, just the two of us, when I have a better appetite." Taking another sip, Lucy smiled ruefully, "And about the whole 'no appetite' thing, I have to admit that you and Rufus were both right that I was getting myself all worked up for nothing. The evaluation went great, in fact, lots better than I'd even hoped for...
Flashback
The two women chatted casually during the drive to the restaurant about school things, mostly Denise filling Lucy in on various end-of-the-year responsibilities, including stuff like final grades, but also a variety of activities, too, like the upcoming Field Day, when students competed in fun outdoor events and were treated to a pizza party afterwards. Once seated at a table under a brightly-striped umbrella on the spacious outside deck overlooking the water, they ordered lunch and settled in to discuss Lucy's first year teaching at Palm Grove Elementary.
"First of all, Lucy, since you appear to perhaps be a little anxious about the evaluation, please don't be-because not only am I as your immediate supervisor personally very satisfied with the first-rate job you've done this past year with the kindergarten class, but our school board members are quite pleased as well," Denise informed her with a genial smile. Lucy was stunned by the unexpected compliment, but it turned out her boss wasn't finished.
"In fact, they're so impressed with your performance, I've been authorized to offer you a new three-year contract with a decent salary increase if you're interested and available. Nurturing, qualified, competent teachers aren't easy to come by, and you've more than proven your dedication to our young students. All of us especially appreciate how quickly you settled in, and the way you seem to intuitively understand that being a kindergarten teacher is about more than making sure a classroom of five- and six-year-olds learn to read and write properly. It's also about social skills and laying the foundation for what will hopefully be a lifetime of learning–and luckily for the students at Palm Grove, my instincts about you last summer proved to be correct. So, what do you say, Miss Preston? Think you'd like to stick around San Diego for another three years and be a permanent member of our faculty?"
Lucy stared at her boss in shock, truly at a loss for words. Sure, as the days and weeks rapidly passed since that first day of school last September, it had felt like the year had gone pretty well, so she'd been hoping for a fair review, but this? Not only an excellent evaluation, but the offer of a three-year contract and a raise? You were never offered anything beyond a year at a time at your previous school, the Amy voice in her head reminded Lucy. The tension in her shoulders instantly began to lessen and a gratified smile slowly grew on Lucy's face as she hastily responded (quite emphatically) in the affirmative...
End Flashback
"Whoa! A three-year contract and a raise? Really? That's great news, Lucy! Congratulations!" Wyatt exclaimed warmly, reaching for her hand and squeezing it. "And for the record, I never had a single doubt because I've seen first hand how great a job you're doing with your students. Seriously, I am so proud of you." And with Lucy's success in her new teaching position here in San Diego, one more piece of the puzzle fell into place for their future together, he mused in satisfaction, gazing into her shining eyes.
The noise and chatter of their surroundings faded away as they sat there holding hands and smiling intently at each other. After a long moment, Wyatt squeezed Lucy's hand one last time before releasing it, and concentrating on his drink, cleared his throat and asked as casually as he could manage (considering how hard his heart was thudding at the moment), "So, um, I guess this means you'll be sticking around San Diego for the next couple of years?" not quite able to meet her eyes.
At the sound of Lucy's delighted laughter, Wyatt's hand froze with the glass halfway to his lips as he stared at her with a slight frown. "Are you laughing at me, Miss Preston? It was a legit question," he asked gruffly, setting the glass down, acting like he was offended but actually secretly thrilled to see her so lighthearted. Wyatt's heart yearned for her to say yes when he proposed this weekend because what he wanted more than anything was the chance to make Lucy Preston laugh like that every single day for the rest of their lives.
"Why, yes...yes I am, because you better know the answer to a silly question like that, Wyatt Logan," she pretended to scold. He shrugged unrepentantly and muttered something under his breath about 'not wanting to take his girlfriend for granted,' which only made her laugh harder–music to his ears. Their teasing banter was interrupted by the arrival of supper. Eagerly digging into the steaming pizza, they tentatively discussed plans for the summer, which included Jamie's tee ball season starting next week and the annual invitation from the Baumgardners to host a cookout for his birthday in early June. While they were kicking around the idea of taking the little boy on a short vacation later in the summer, Lucy suggested they might think about a trip to Disneyland, since father and son had never been to the amusement park up in Anaheim, and she thought six was a good age for a first visit, plus it was only a couple hours away.
Finishing off his beer, Wyatt grinned sympathetically when Lucy leaned back in her seat and groaned, "Okay, I probably had no business eating a third slice, but that pizza was delicious." She wiped her mouth, and dropping the napkin on her plate, sighed in contentment. "And now I'm stuffed and don't feel like moving." Since Wyatt felt pretty much the same, they sat quietly in the cool early evening air while the sun set in a blaze of warm colors, wholly content to just be with each other.
"Oh, look, Wyatt, at how beautiful the sunset is this evening," Lucy remarked suddenly, gesturing behind him with an entranced smile. Obediently glancing over his shoulder at the sky, he couldn't help but think that pretty as the setting sun looked, it couldn't hold a candle to Lucy Preston. Gazing across the table at her, Wyatt thought nothing or no one was as beautiful as the woman he loved. And then, without warning, like a bolt of lightning, it came to him...the perfect time and place to ask Lucy to marry him. Signaling their server for the check, he was suddenly very impatient to get the rest of the evening started.
They decided to walk off hopefully at least part of their large supper by meandering up and down a few blocks of the famous Orange Avenue that ran from most of the length of Coronado Island all the way down to the Hotel del Coronado, window shopping for now and vowing to return to look for souvenirs for at least the little ones either tomorrow or Sunday before going home. There was a nice variety of inviting shops along both sides of the nearly mile-long avenue, all attracting decent-size crowds on this Friday evening in late April. Naturally, his teacher girlfriend seemed especially interested in an place called Bay Books—although they both agreed a visit to Geppetto's Toys was definitely top of the list when it was time for some serious shopping.
The lengthening dusk was fading away to a soft, chilly darkness when they arrived back at the hotel and slowly climbed the steps to the second floor. Conscious of a silent Lucy pressed against his side, Wyatt swiftly unlocked the door so she could enter first, following her when she crossed the room to stand in front of the dresser. Coming up behind Lucy, he reached around her to drop the key card on top of the dresser, smiling affectionately when she held onto his arm for balance and toed off her flats with a weary sigh. Sweet Lucy...all tuckered out after her exciting day...
He helped her shrug out of her cardigan and laid it over the back of one of the chairs before tugging Lucy close and wrapping his arms around her. They stood entwined for a long, peaceful moment before Wyatt suggested, "Listen, I know it's still pretty early, but why don't we go ahead and get ready for bed...we've both had a long week, and you look about ready to drop, sweetheart," pressing a kiss on top of her raven curls.
"I'm fine, Wyatt, really, hardly tired at all," she immediately protested, frowning and shaking her head stubbornly, although her words were belied by a robust yawn she hid against his shirt. "We've been waiting for months now to be here in this amazing room," Lucy fussed, gazing up at him with an adorable little pout, "and I don't want to waste a minute of it..."
Wyatt summarily overruled her objection by delicately nipping at that alluring lower lip before cupping her soft cheek and responding soothingly, "Hey, I'm not talking about sleeping the whole night away, just a little shuteye to recharge our batteries. Believe me, I want to get the most out of this weekend, too, but I think anything we feel like doing won't be near as much fun if we can barely stay awake–plus there's plenty of time still before we go home on Sunday. So how about I help you out of that pretty dress you're wearing and we try out that very comfortable-looking bed behind you?"
Blinking at Wyatt sleepily, one corner of Lucy's lips slowly curved in a fond smile. Turning her cheek, she pressed a gentle kiss on the palm of his hand. "Pretty convincing argument, soldier, so I guess a nap it is. You take such good care of me, Wyatt Logan," she declared with a tiny yawn, moving past him to open the top dresser drawer and pull out something light pink and silky to sleep in. "And while I quite appreciate your generous offer to help get undressed, I got this...just give me just a second."
He nodded, enjoying the gentle sway of her shapely hips as Lucy disappeared into the bathroom. By the time she reappeared looking both sinful and angelic in her dainty little slip (and hopefully wearing nothing under it), Wyatt had turned down the bed and undressed down to his boxers. Slipping under the thick bed covers, he held out his hand with an inviting smile. Once she joined him, he gathered Lucy's slender body in his arms, smiling when she pressed her cheek against his bare chest with a happy sigh.
"Get some rest now, sweetheart," Wyatt coaxed, lovingly kissing the top of her head. She hummed her agreement and within maybe a minute, her breathing slowed and the woman was out like a light. He waited a little while longer to make sure she was truly sleeping soundly before carefully extricating himself from her inviting embrace. Wyatt froze for a second when she frowned slightly and mumbled something before rolling on her side away from him and burrowing under the covers. He grinned at the slight mound Lucy made in the middle of the bed. Hardly tired at all, my ass...
Patting her hip lovingly, he swiped his phone from the table beside the bed and ducked into the bathroom to call down to the hotel front desk. After he requested a wake up call for around 5:15 a.m., along with a couple of large coffees and the loan of a blanket, the friendly clerk assured Wyatt everything would be ready and waiting on them. He thanked the woman and ended the call, holding tightly to his phone. Taking a deep breath, Wyatt was actually surprised by how calm he felt now that his spontaneous plan to ask Lucy to marry him at sunrise had been set in motion...
Once back in bed and curled protectively around the unmoving Lucy, he closed his eyes and tried hard to fall asleep, even for only a short while. Unsurprisingly, however, his mind was racing furiously as Wyatt tried to figure out what he wanted to say in the morning. Choosing just the right words to make his proposal memorable and special and well, worthy of the woman who'd stolen his heart was extremely important to him. Sure, this was Lucy Preston they was talking about, and yeah, knowing her the way he did, probably anything a step above throwing her over his shoulder and crudely demanding, 'you, woman, marry me,' like some hulking caveman would be fine. Shaking his head wryly in the darkness at that mental image, Wyatt pressed himself closer to Lucy's back and inhaling the sweet fragrance of her skin and soft, dark cloud of hair, resolutely willed himself to sleep. The words would take care of themselves when the perfect moment arrived, he decided, finally drifting off.
Wyatt stirred in the hushed stillness of the hotel room at the sensation of Lucy tenderly caressing his stubbled cheek. She'd rolled over to lay facing him, their warm bodies barely touching (but still within easy reach). Blinking open sleepy eyes, his breath caught at the unguarded emotion shining in her solemn dark amber eyes as she wordlessly gazed at him. Damn...a guy could willingly drown in Lucy Preston's beautiful eyes when she looked at him like that.
"Hey," he rumbled softly, unwilling to break the dream-like spell enveloping the two of them as they lay cocooned together, happily ignoring all traces of the world outside their room. Eventually, Wyatt turned his face to place a gentle kiss in the palm of her small hand, enjoying the shiver Lucy couldn't contain. "You know what? I love you, Lucy Preston," he informed her gravely, "more than I ever dreamed possible."
A breathtaking smile–the one that was his alone-bloomed on Lucy's face before she leaned in close and whispered, 'I love you, too,' her sweet lips leisurely teasing his until Wyatt's body tightened with desire. When he eagerly cupped the back of her neck to deepen the kiss and began to roll her slim body beneath him, Lucy placed her hand firmly on his bare chest and commanded in a husky, breathless voice, "Don't move, soldier. I'm in charge now. See, you were right...I really do feel so much better after my nap, and know exactly how to repay you for your kindness."
Since Wyatt Logan wasn't a stupid man, he instantly obeyed the tempting order, his amused grin at her determination quickly turning into a low groan as Lucy's hands and lips moved possessively over him, her sure, tortuous touch leaving behind a trail of fire up and down his body. Just when Wyatt thought he might explode from wanting her, his naughty school teacher relented, and hitching the sexy lingerie higher around her hips, draped that delectable little body over his and got down to business. Thank God...
Again and again, she leisurely brought him to the brink, alternating between hot, frantic kisses and delicate caresses until finally, they surrendered to the roaring desire threatening to consume them. Bonelessly collapsing on his chest with a muted sigh, Lucy trembled against him as the delicious aftershocks gradually subsided. Jesus...if the rest of their weekend went like this, he was gonna need a stretcher to get home, a dazed Wyatt thought with a shiver.
"Damn, sweetheart," he panted in admiration, his still shaky hand tenderly stroking her bare back, "You're pretty good at expressing your appreciation. I kinda like take-charge Lucy–she's hot." He bit back a chuckle when she mumbled, 'get used to it,' against his damp skin and promptly fell asleep. Carefully moving her limp, sated body to one side of his, he tugged the covers over them, and wrapping himself around Lucy, quickly followed her, dreaming of beaches and sunrises and engagement rings...
What genuinely felt like maybe only seconds later, Wyatt was abruptly jerked from a very pleasant dream when his phone began to beep rather insistently in the quiet darkness. The hell? Rolling away from Lucy (who never stirred even a little at the noise) and reaching blindly for the bedside table, he smacked it a couple of times before finally landing on the pesky device. "Yeah?" he answered hoarsely, running a hand over his face tiredly as he listened to an unknown woman on the other end inform him in an 'entirely too cheerful for it not being even daylight yet' voice that it was 5:15 and the two coffees and blanket he requested would be waiting for him at the front desk within the next ten minutes.
Thanking the clerk rather brusquely, a now wide-awake Wyatt ended the call and set the phone back down. Taking a deep breath, he stared up at the ceiling. This is it...what he'd been looking forward to for months. Deciding to let Lucy rest for as long as possible, he slid out of bed and grabbing the clothes he'd worn yesterday from the top of the dresser, ducked into the bathroom. There would be plenty of time for a shower (hopefully shared with his new fiancé) and a big breakfast afterwards, he promised himself. Yawning at his reflection in the mirror over the sink, Wyatt felt surprisingly at peace now that the moment he'd been dreaming about—one that would change the rest of his and his son's lives forever-was upon him. Get your ass moving, Logan, it's go time...
"Lucy...hey, Lucy, I need you to wake up now..." Wyatt's deep voice, along with the gentle touch of his large hand smoothing back the rumpled hair from her forehead, eventually began to penetrate Lucy's dreams. "C'mon now, sweetheart, open those pretty eyes for me," he coaxed. Blinking drowsily, with some effort, she was able to focus her gaze on Wyatt, who for some weird reason, was already dressed and crouching beside the bed. Good grief, it was still dark outside. What was going on? Was something wrong?
Clearing her throat, Lucy asked uncertainly, "Wyatt? What time is it? Is everything okay? Is it Jamie?" Still kind of groggy, she was puzzled by the amused grin Wyatt wore. Sitting on the side of the bed, he drew the nice, toasty covers away from her scantily-clad body and leaned down to kiss her.
"It's not quite 5:30 and everything is fine," he assured her with a quick shake of his head. "I have a surprise for you, but we're on the clock here, so I need you to get dressed pretty quick, okay?" 5:30? On the clock? What the hell does that mean? When a bewildered Lucy opened her mouth to argue, Wyatt put two fingers over her lips and shook his head. "Sorry, Ma'am, that was purely a rhetorical question, so no response necessary. I just need you to trust me...do you trust me, Lucy Preston?" he asked, dark blue eyes watching her intently. Even still half asleep, Lucy thought that was the goofiest question ever...
"Well of course I do," she answered crossly, frowning at the satisfied, yet oddly eager expression Wyatt wore. She sniffed indignantly and pushing at him to give her some space, got out of bed and padded across the plush carpet to the dresser. Shivering faintly in the air-conditioned coolness of their room, Lucy pulled a tee shirt, jeans and underwear from the second drawer and stepped into the bathroom, Wyatt's amused 'Don't dawdle now, Lucy, it's really important' drifting through the almost closed door behind her. Why was he being so secretive (and annoying)?
With a stoic sigh, she stripped off the silky pink slip and quickly dressed. Digging through her toiletry bag, Lucy grabbed an elastic band and gathered her unruly hair in a haphazard knot on top of her head before reaching for a toothbrush and hurriedly brushing her teeth. Taking a couple seconds to splash some warm water on her face, she patted her skin dry with one of the soft hand towels hanging beside the sink. Cursory toilette complete, Lucy peered closely at her reflection, grimacing at her pale complexion and remnants of shadows beneath her eyes. Ugh...looking good there, Preston. She shook her head in dismay, hoping wherever Wyatt seemed hell-bent on taking her that no one else would be around.
She bared her teeth at the brisk knock on the bathroom door. "Tick tock, Lucy, we need to move. I'm sure you look fine." The placating tone of Wyatt's voice was the last straw. Jerking open the bathroom door, Lucy glared up at her boyfriend, who—big surprise—managed to look his usual gorgeous self, even at this ungodly hour (though at first glance, it looked like he was wearing yesterday's clothes and probably got less sleep than she had).
Before she could bite his head off, however, Wyatt grinned knowingly and thrust the flats she'd worn yesterday at her. "Yes, I know you're sleepy and I'm being all mysterious, but just go with it, okay? And don't worry, you look great, sweetheart-now get your shoes on. We really need to go," he cajoled, clearly able to read her sleep-fogged mind—which she would find sweet if she wasn't so damn worn out because making love to her man was pretty exhausting (if done right) and she really could use a couple more hours of sleep. Despite her fatigue, though, Lucy could tell whatever the stubborn man had planned, it was obviously extremely important to him.
Hanging onto his arm, a resigned Lucy shoved her bare feet into the flats even as the experienced dad dropped a grey Stanford University hoodie over her head at the same time and deftly worked her arms into the sleeves and pulled it down over her chest as if she were a child. Hastily swiping his wallet from the top of the dresser and stuffing a key card into his pocket, Wyatt grabbed Lucy's hand and off they went.
Arriving downstairs in the empty, dimly-lit lobby, he told her to 'hang on a second' and walked purposefully toward the hotel front desk. She frowned in confusion when the smiling clerk nodded and right away held out a blanket and a cup carrier with two tall cups. What did they need a blanket for? Lucy wondered blankly, followed immediately by, God, I hope there's coffee in those cups...
Wyatt approached her with a confident, dimpled smile, and handing Lucy the cardboard carrier, said lightly, "All set, sweetheart, let's go." They exited the hotel in the pre-dawn darkness to find a valet standing beside Wyatt's jeep holding the keys. After exchanging a couple bills and a thank you in return for the keys, he stowed the blanket in the back seat and helped Lucy get settled in the front with the cup carrier. "Thank you, Ma'am," he murmured, taking the cup she offered as he drove out of the parking lot and after a couple blocks, turned left onto Orange Avenue.
Taking a cautious sip of the hot, thankfully fortifying coffee, Lucy glanced absently out the window as they sped along the practically deserted street past some of the shops they'd seen last night to an unknown destination. Just minutes later, the fairly straight avenue curved sharply to the left, and Lucy gasped as the famous Hotel del Coronado came into view. Wow. Was this where Wyatt was taking her? Biting her lower lip uncertainly, she was about to ask when he turned into the entrance of the vast hotel complex and drove past a sign with an arrow marked Hotel del Coronado Beach to a vacant, brightly-lit parking area.
Parking the jeep, Wyatt exhaled roughly, and paused briefly before removing the keys from the ignition and turning to Lucy with a rather secretive smile (that frustratingly revealed nothing), "We're here. Let's leave the coffee. Not gonna need it for what I have in mind," Well, now she was really curious. He got out and retrieved the blanket from the back seat before opening her door. After unexpectedly handing Lucy the blanket (which of course she nearly dropped), Wyatt reached behind her while she was wrestling with the bulky thing and swiftly opened and closed the glove box—although what he was after, she honestly had no clue.
Shutting the car door and taking the blanket from Lucy, Wyatt reached for her hand and carefully led her through the crisp early morning air along a well-trod path to the secluded beach. Not quite sunrise, daylight was just starting to lighten the edge of the horizon when he came to a stop several feet back from the water. Dropping her hand, he quickly spread the sturdy hotel blanket on the damp sand. Once they were seated comfortably in the center, shoulders touching, Wyatt pulled out his cell phone with the other hand to check the time, remarking, "Almost daybreak," in satisfaction before falling silent, keeping his eyes on the water.
Aside from the random squawk of a seagull here and there and the tranquil swish of the bay's tide ebbing and flowing, it was so still, Lucy swore she could almost hear her heart beat. Stifling a yawn, she openly stared at his beloved profile for a few seconds before venturing cautiously, "Um, so that's why we're here, Wyatt? To see a sunrise?" A puzzled Lucy noticed the beginnings of a smile teasing the corner of his mouth at her tentative question.
"Among other things," Wyatt replied cryptically, thoughtfully wrapping his muscular arm around her shoulders when she involuntarily shivered in the cool air and pressing a gentle kiss on the side of her head. "I thought it might be sorta nice for us to take a little time and watch the sun come up over the bay together." Seemed like a reasonable enough answer–though somehow, she couldn't shake the vague idea there might be more to this sudden little outing than just that. Nevertheless, it actually was kind of nice, Lucy considered, romantic even, to be here, just the two of them, all cuddled up and waiting for the new day to officially get started.
As the minutes quietly passed, delicate rays of sunlight began to gradually spread over the sparkling water towards them, painting the sky overhead in soft pastels. Doing her best to be patient, Lucy tried but couldn't help shifting a bit restlessly, hesitant to break the peaceful silence, yet growing more curious by the minute all the same about what was really going on here. Perhaps sensing her building frustration, Wyatt angled his body to face Lucy and began to speak in a low intimate tone.
"I've told you before about spending summers at my grandparents' farm, and how early we'd get up to take care of the animals, me and Grandpa, while Grandma made a big breakfast. Most mornings, even though there was always plenty of work waiting on us, my Grandpa insisted we 'sit a spell' and watch the sun come up together. 'Isn't it beautiful, Wy, how God paints the sky with his best and brightest colors every morning to welcome the new day? Remember, son, that every day is a clean slate, a chance to live life to its fullest and be the best person we can be, and we should never take that for granted,' Grandpa would say, and naturally, being a little kid, I would usually yawn and nod my head in agreement, truthfully wanting nothing more than to get the chores done so we could head back to the house and eat. As I got older, though, and matured, I grew to appreciate his endless wisdom."
Wyatt exhaled softly and with a pensive smile, said, "I never forgot the precious memories of those Texas sunrises and the promise of each new day they brought. That's what being with you–loving you-is like for me, sweetheart...a sweet, enduring promise that every new day together will be better than the one before. I've told you before that after Jess was taken away from us, life was dark and sad for a long time. What I haven't shared much though, is that even when the grief lessened over the years, under the surface appearance the world saw, I was actually pretty damn lonely–but I kept myself busy raising Jamie and working hard at my career and pretended to myself and everyone around me that my life was full enough."
"All that miraculously changed, however, when my son started kindergarten last fall–and I met his smart, kind, beautiful teacher, a woman who just happened to be making a big change in her life at the same time by moving from San Francisco to live here in San Diego. No matter how I tried to deny it, I was drawn to you from the moment we laid eyes on each other and—okay, this is a little embarrassing to admit—I fought like hell against it at first, perturbed by the strong feelings you stirred up in me, the kind of feelings I never thought I'd ever experience for another woman ever again. For the first time in years, I truly began to want and need and hell, just feel, and that's all because of you. You have brought so much love and happiness into my life, into my son's life, since we met, Lucy Preston, that I can't even begin to picture a future without you."
Lucy's breath caught sharply in shock, heart pounding fiercely as she struggled to absorb the meaning of his sweet, but completely unexpected words. Before she could respond, Wyatt shook his head abruptly and murmured, "Hang on a second, there's one more thing." Digging into his front jeans pocket, he pulled out a small grey velvet box and snapped it open to reveal a ring–a solitaire engagement ring. Blinking back tears of emotion, she stared in disbelief at the exquisite oval diamond set on a slender band of gleaming rose gold. Never once had it occurred to Lucy that a marriage proposal at sunrise was the secret Wyatt had been keeping from her...
"I love you with everything I am and want the chance to keep loving you for the rest of our lives. I want more than anything in this world for you to be my wife and Jamie's mother and hopefully, grow our family in the years to come. Will you marry me, Lucy, and make a future with me and my son?" Wyatt's azure eyes glowed with hope and love when she immediately nodded and stammered tearfully, 'yes, yes, of course I will.' As if in a dream, Lucy watched as the man she hadn't even known a year ago—and now couldn't imagine living without—took her trembling left hand in his much larger one and carefully slid the elegant ring on her finger, where it sparkled with as much promise as the encroaching sunrise.
Throwing her arms tightly around Wyatt, she breathed against his neck, "That was the most perfect marriage proposal ever. I love you, too, Wyatt Logan, and can't wait to marry you and start building that future," and then the need for words was over as he cupped her cheek and leaned closer to kiss Lucy and "seal the deal." Her lips instinctively parted under the firm pressure of his warm mouth and everything around them disappeared. Finally needing air, they broke apart, panting lightly and grinning at each other like a couple of crazy people (or rather, two people crazy in love with each other).
They were engaged...she was going to marry Wyatt Logan and be his wife and spend the rest of her life with him, Lucy thought in amazement, her heart filling with a joy so intense she could hardly breathe. Suddenly, at that very moment, the sun burst brightly through the clouds, bathing the two of them and their surroundings in light and warmth and peace, and Lucy knew without a doubt she would remember this perfect moment, especially this particular sunrise, for the rest of her life...
A/N #2: She said YES! Lol, like there was ever any doubt. Wow. To be honest, Timeless friends, this chapter kinda gave me fits (that's why it took so long to write). I wanted so badly for the payoff to be worthy of the long buildup to Wyatt's proposal—and hopefully (fingers crossed), I've succeeded :) I sincerely appreciate those readers who are still hanging in there with me on this story. I was really hoping to finish First Steps by today, June 14, the FOURTH anniversary of posting chapter one back in 2017, but the journey has taken quite a bit longer than I anticipated. Still, anniversary or not, there's plenty more to come as Wyatt and Lucy enjoy the rest of their romantic weekend and begin celebrating their engagement and sharing their joyous news with family and friends-especially a certain five-year-old who wanted a second Mommy so badly. Aww. Finally, my deepest gratitude to everyone for your favorites, follows, and encouraging reviews. You continually make writing every word so rewarding :))