AN: Please R&R. Cannot express how great it feels to know that people are actually reading my story. Whether it's criticism or praise or just a hello… it makes my day. Any suggestions, advice, etc… feel free to share.
Chapter 15. Voice Lessons
Now I knew why it was called falling in love.
I was falling. Deep. Farther into the depths of bliss, where the skies were endless, and everything seemed as if I were seeing the world for the first time.
I had never truly known I could feel like this.
"The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful,
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above." (1)
His voice sang to me in sweet lullabies, lulling me in and out of my dreams.
For once, reality promised more happiness than my dreams.
"It is still so early…" I grumbled, unwilling to open my eyes.
"I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life." (1)
He wrapped his arms around me, pressing me close and whispered his words to me. Never did I imagine love would feel like this. In a world of darkness, I had found my light. And it surrounded me now.
There was no darkness that could penetrate the light of love.
"And rain falls
Angry on the tin-roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival
You're my living proof
My love is alive, not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above." (1)
Never did I imagine I would hear such words… such poetry… directed my way.
Never knew I could feel like this…
Stuck in bed with the man of my dreams…
His voice singing a promise…
As he trailed kisses upon my face…
…Never knew I could feel like this.
"And I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life." (1)
When he decided to claim my lips, I could not help but smile. In his arms, I felt complete. No longer did I need a facade. No longer was it imperative to mask my vulnerability. Not with him here. Security at last. A promise that was sealed with a kiss.
"And I've dropped out
Burned up
I fought my way back from the dead
I tuned in
And turned on
Remembering the things that you said." (1)
"Don't stop now," I murmured, pulling myself closer to his body for warmth.
"I'll be your crying shoulder.
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
The greatest fan of your life
The greatest fan of your life." (1)
"Never knew I could feel like this…" I began a new song as I opened up my eyes to be welcomed by his own. (2)
"Like I've never seen the sky before." He replied softly. (2)
"Where were you all my life?" I questioned, reaching to brush aside the hair that had fallen over his forehead and touched his eyebrows. "Mon amour."
"Want to vanish inside your kiss." (2)
He grinned, kissing me fiercely and passionately. When he finally released me, enabling me a moment to breathe, he only set his hands upon my cheeks and kissed me again. Softly. Shortly. Sweetly.
"Everyday I love you more and more." (2)
Were I not to have placed my hand upon his mouth, he would have fed me more savory confection. Spun me more gold.
"We need to talk."
His response was a kiss upon my palm.
"We cannot proceed on like this. It is not proper."
"When has lovers ever been proper in Paris? It is the city of love after all."
"What purpose have we to follow the crowd? Whether everyone engages in such happenings or not, the matter is entirely unmoral."
"Beau," he kissed me gently on the lips and then tenderly upon my forehead. "Ne pas s'inquiéter."
"I cannot go back," I closed my eyes, pulling myself deeper into his arms. "I cannot face Harod. Or Cecille. Or Gregory. What shall they think of me?"
"When has mon amour become afraid of what other people might think?" he teased. "There are plenty of explanations for a young woman being out alone that does not connect to us…getting together… in the night."
"And what explanation could there be?"
"Well…" he stopped his talking for a moment to think of a good plan.
"I cannot go back…" I moaned in despair.
"Voice lessons!"
"Voice lessons?"
"Yes," he sat up, thinking and talking fast so the idea would not escape before he had time to tell it. "You had a sudden interest in singing to impress your Duke and decided to give me a visit. We were so caught up in the singing that we had fallen asleep and woke up to find us atop our music."
"What a ridiculous story," I snorted. "Harod lives off of telling lies. Whatever makes you think he shall fall for something like that?"
"Because you can sing," he kissed me again, quite pleased with his plan. "Harod has never heard you sing. As far as he knows, you could not hit a note before you met me."
"How would you know that? No one knew I couldn't sing before…" I grew suspicious.
"It is not much of a surprise," he laughed. "For if Harod had heard you sing, Cecille would surely be out of business as a new Sparkling Diamond emerged."
"Wait…" I stopped, looking at his cautiously. "…how do you know Harod?"
"How?" he shook his head. "Why, beau, you told me only moments ago that you would not be able to face him. What reason then did I have to doubt that you associate with him?"
"I don't know…" I closed my eyes, unable to believe that I had so carelessly given away so much about me.
"What is wrong?"
"I am doing such a tremendously wonderful job at making matters worse."
"Don't worry," he kissed me, his lips brushing over my face. "It will all work out. There is no way anyone shall know of us. Not yet, at least. The plan will work. Believe me, mon amour."
And so began another person's attempt to plan my life for me…
1. Edwin McCain "I'll Be"
2. Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman "Come What May"