Work of Art
Chapter Eighteen: Choice
By DamageCtrl
All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own the X-Men or anything associated with it.
"Happy NEW YEAR!"
All around her, people screamed, shouted, and threw themselves into the arms of their loved ones as a thousand fireworks lit up the sky. And a thousand more lips met to seal a promise of a new year. Yet, despite the elated chaos around her, Rogue heard nothing but Remy's voice.
"Will y' marry me?"
And he heard nothing but deafening silence as Rogue stood there, frozen in her spot. Her wild green eyes were suddenly subdued as they looked down into his quickly dimming red on black ones. Pouty lips parted, but nothing came out. Remy's heart seemed to stop, just like time seemed to stop around him. There was just him and Rogue and a eternity of silence.
The longer Rogue stood there, unmoving and not speaking, the more Remy felt as if his world was collapsing around him. In his hands, in a black velvet box, was a glimmering engagement ring he had purchased for her the day after Christmas. That night, in his arms, he knew where he wanted to be the rest of his life and it was with her. He was so sure of everything that day, when he strutted confidently up to Tiffany's and told the middle aged manager what he was there for.
Suddenly, all his confidence was gone. Uncertainty filled it's gap. And as is bent knee began to hint at the pressure of being grounded into the cement, his happy smile began to fade. Then the questions began to appear.
Was it too soon? Was she not ready? Did he pick the wrong moment? Was she shocked? Was she surprised? And worst of all - Did she not feel the same way he did?
His heart was sinking fast.
Rogue stared down at him, unable to breath. In his eyes, she could see his fear and questions and the intense begging for her to say something - anything. The silence was killing him.
Her eyes began to water and she lifted her right hand to her mouth as she lowered her head. She shut them tightly and choked back a sob. Even through the celebration, Remy could hear her tears. He'd made her cry - it was like rubbing salt on his already deep wound.
"Rogue..." he said softly. "Rogue, I'm sorry..." he whispered. His eyes began to glisten with the threat of tears as he quickly stood up and snapped the box closed with his hand. "Chere, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to upset y'."
He shoved the offending object into his pocket and reached out for Rogue. She didn't move. Even has he wrapped his arms around her, she didn't move. Her shoulders heaved as she let out gasps air between choked sobs. Remy closed his eyes and willed himself not to fall apart.
"It's too early, non? Should've waited..." he began nervously as he held her tightly against him. "Too soon..."
She was shaking in his arms, but she didn't push him away. He took that as a sign to stay. As she rubbed at her eyes, desperately trying to stop crying, Remy cursed himself for his foolish lack of foresight. Of course it was too soon. They'd only been together 2 months. Hell, her family didn't even like him, what with her mother's vicious words and Kurt's dangerous threats of castration.
He buried his face against her hair. "I'm sorry, chere...I'm sorry..." he murmured over and over again, like some sort of mantra to pray for her forgiveness. "Desole..."
Slender hands encased in warm leather gloves slid down to his chest. His heart twisted as her hands pressed against him, pushing him away from her. Her down cast head sent her silken white bangs over her face, shielding her still wet eyes as she took a step back to give them more distance. Remy stared at her, pain etched all over his face.
She was rejecting him.
"Rogue..." he said softly as he willed himself not to throw himself at her feet. "Please, chere...just think 'bout it? Doesn't have t' be now." Y' idiot! Don't pressure her!
Rogue shook her head, elegant brown locks flowing around her head. No, Ah've made up mah mind... He couldn't see her face. She was still looking down.
"Is it over, chere?" Remy choked out, stumbling over the words as he did so. He shook his head slightly in disbelief. He was sure - so damn sure she would've said yes. "Y' don't wanna see me anymo'?" When she didn't answer, he felt like dying. He went and laid his heart on the line and she ripped it out. It hurt...especially when he thought she was laying hers out, too. His eyes narrowed, bitterly. "Fine...if y' don't wanna see Remy no mo', y' won't." he spat out angrily.
Clenching his fists, he turned around, ignorant to the joy all around him. Who the hell cared when his world was smashed to pieces? And God, did it hurt.
A hand shot out before he could even take one step. Fingers clamped on to his wrist like a vice, not willing to let him go. "Remy..." she breathed out in a slow painful gasp. He steeled himself for the rejection.
"What now?" he hissed being gritted teeth. Her response was so quiet, he almost didn't hear her.
"Yes."
"Do you see them?" Jean shouted over the noise as she scanned the crowds for the happy Southern couple. Betsy was on a wine induced buzz.
"Is that them?" Betsy shouted, pointing in some random direction. All eyes followed.
"Zhat's a tree, Betsy." Kurt sighed as he rubbed his forehead. Kitty laughed as she jumped up and down with the count down, each time screaming out a number.
"Oh...what about that?" Betsy beamed a smile as she pointed towards on edge of the pier. The group turned to look and they saw the two love birds. Rogue was smiling brilliantly as she threw her arms around Remy's shoulders and kissed him.
"Aww..." Kitty and Jean cooed.
"Ugh..." Kurt grumbled. Piotr chuckled and slapped his back good naturedly.
"Here it comes! 5!" The girls screamed. Kurt and Piotr began to count along with them. The whole time, Kurt kept his eyes on Remy and Rogue.
Kurt's face began to pale. Remy pushed away and smiled. He slid down to one knee. Kurt's eyes widened. Remy reached into his pocket and pulled out a little box.
"1!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Kurt screamed, horrified.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Betsy and Jean hugged each other and jumped as Kitty attacked Piotr with an onslaught of kisses. Kurt's eyes rolled back and he fainted.
This time, Remy froze. Yes. He suddenly went blank. What was he supposed to do now? Yes. His heart began to quicken. Yes. His hand turned over and grasped hers in his. Yes.
"Remy?" her voice was trembling. "Remy...Ah..."
"Y' mean it, chere?" he asked softly. "Y' want t' be wid me...'til death d' us part?"
Rogue closed her eyes and squeezed his hand. "And then some, sugah..."
He turned around, still holding he hand in his. Beseeching eyes searched hers desperately for reassurance that she really meant that. He found himself drowning in it. "Rogue..." he whispered, breathlessly.
"Ah love yah, Remy LeBeau," Rogue said was she smiled. Joyful tears slid down her flushed cheeks. "And Ah'd be honored ta marry yah..." She closed her eyes tightly to keep herself from bawling. "Nothing would make meh happier..." She choked out.
Remy swept her up in his arms, crushing her against him as he buried his face in her hair. He began mumbling random, incoherent English and French as tried to contain himself. Rogue's arm wrapped around his body tightly as she molded herself against him.
His head lifted off of hers and a hand reached down. It cupped her chin gently and brought his lips down against them. Rogue felt the tears slipping out of the corners of her eyes as she whimpered against his mouth. Her body flooded with warmth as she felt his hand leave her chin and cup the back of her head gently. Slowly, she felt him pulling away, tugging at her lower lip slightly before letting her go.
Her eyes fluttered open and a lopsided smile graced her lips as she looked up at sparkling red orbs. "Thank y', Rogue... thank y'..."
"Fo' what?" she sputtered out, still lost in his eyes. The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled down at her.
"Fo' everything, chere," he searched her eyes and studied her soft, flawless face. His hands cupped her face and slowly, his thumbs stroked her tear stained cheeks. "Y' don't know how much it means t' me t' hear y' say yes. Dis Cajun can't be happier..." He let a slight chuckle as he realized he must've shed at least a few tears. "Y' had me scared for a second, Roguey."
Rogue let out a giddy laugh and wiped her eyes once more. "Ah didn't know what ta say, Remy...Ah'm scared of something so serious..."
"There isn't anything t' be scared of, chere? I'd never hurt y'. Not if I can help it...If I hurt y', Rogue...I think I'd die..." he admitted softly. "I never felt dis way befo'...Not 'til I met y'."
There were now two parts of Rogue's brain: One was saying she was so happy, she should stop crying, the other saying she would melt soon. Either way, it was a good feeling. She pressed her head against his shoulder and sighed contentedly. "Ah love yah, Remy...so much...Ah just..."
"Shh..." His hand gently stroked her hair a he placed his head on her chin and smiled to himself. "We can think o' de specifics later, chere. We have mo' important things t' do."
Rogue sniffled a bit and opened her eyes. "Oh mah Gawd! We fo'got about the others!" Rogue gasped Immediately, she pulled away from him and began scanning the crowd.
Rem laughed and took her left hand in his, pulling her back to him to get her attention. "They can wait a little longer," he chuckled. He reached into his pocket once more and took out the little black box. He held it up and shook it enticingly in front of her. Rogue's face blushed as she struggled to keep a hold of herself.
If he keeps smiling like that, Ah'm gonna drag him back ta his place... she thought to herself.
Remy brought her gloved left hand to his mouth and gently bit the very tip of material over her middle finger. Slowly, he pulled it off, the entire time his eyes watching her expression. As the glove slipped off, he grasped it with the hand holding hers. Slowly he brought her hand to his lips again. A deep, drawn out kiss was placed just above her ring finger.
He felt Rogue tense quickly and then relax as he brushed his tongue across her soft skin. He smirked to himself as she blushed and began chewing on her lower lip. His free hand opened the box and plucked out the ring from between the fold. Gingerly, with his thumb and forefinger, he held up the ring for her to admire once more.
Rogue's heart skipped a beat as she followed the glittering diamond down as he slipped it on to her finger. Her legs felt as if they were going to give out from under her as he cupped her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. His warm breath caressed her skin and she closed her eyes tightly. This was it...she was engaged. She let out a whimper, unsure whether it was in disbelief or sheer joy.
She lifted her hand and stared at the ring. "Remy..." she whispered. "It's beautiful."
He smiled, his eyes still watching her expression lovingly. "Mais oui," he chuckled. "It's only fitting."
She looked up and met his gaze. Without another word, she jumped up and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him against him as she sealed her lips over his. Against her mouth, she heard him give a slightly laugh before returning the favor deeply.
When Rogue finally pulled away and reached for her glove and began putting it back on. As she did, Remy cocked his head to the side and frowned slightly. "Ah don't want ta tell the others yet," she admitted. "Jean and Betsy and Kitty will all freak out and go wedding happy...and..." She looked up at him, worriedly. "Ah really want Kurt and momma ta get ta know yah better befo' Ah tell them."
Remy looked down at her and nodded. "I want t' tell de whole world, chere," he told her seriously as he took her gloved hands back in his. His thumb gently caressed over the bump of her ring finger. He could feel the diamond and the band beneath the material. "But if it makes y' happy, Remy'll woo y'r mere and frere first." He grinned and gave her a wink.
Rogue smiled brilliantly and Remy resisted the urge to smother her against him. Her smile literally lit up his world. "Ah knew yah would, sugah," Rogue beamed as she gave him a quick kiss. "Speaking o' mah brother, we better find him and the others-"
"Holy crap! KURT!"
Rogue's head turned to the side as she heard that name. "Kurt! Kurt! Wake up!" Jean and Betsy were kneeling on the ground, on either side of a passed out man on the ground. Rogue paled as she saw them.
"Oh mah Gawd!"
"Let's go, Rogue," Remy's hand tightened around Rogue's as he began to weave expertly through the crowds. As everyone was singing to the music blaring from the speakers, the couple slipped through the swaying bodies towards the lamp post where the group had gathered. When they reached it, Kurt was propped up against the post, with Kitty trying to get him to drink from a bottle of water. "Mon Dieu...what happened here?"
"We don't know," Jean said worriedly. "We were all counting down and all of a sudden, Kurt fainted!"
"Is he drunk?" Rogue asked, confused. No way Kurt of all people would be drunk. Not after Raven went ballistic the first and last time he came home drunk.
"No, he didn't drink anything." Piotr said, scratching his head.
"Maybe the fire works surprised him?" Betsy suggested.
"It's New Years Eve, Bets," Jean sighed as she rolled her eyes. "How can he not expect them?"
"And where were you two?" Kitty said, eyeing the couple suspiciously. "You missed the count down."
Rogue immediately blushed as her mind struggled to come up with a functional, not-quite-a-lie excuse. Before she could come up with one, Remy spoke for her. "Didn't get here on time, so we stopped over dere," he said motioning towards the shoreline. "Den made out." He added with a wink. Kitty giggled as Piotr shook his head knowingly.
Rogue was also shaking her head as she knelt down beside her brother and swept back his hair. "Kurt...Kurt!" Rogue called. When he didn't move, she smacked his face a few times. "Kurt! Wake up!"
A painful moan was the only response and Rogue smiled. Remy knelt down next to Kurt. "Y' okay, homme?"
Glowing red eyes on black were the first things Kurt saw when he opened his heavy eyes. At first, he squinted, unsure of what he was looking at. As the fuzzy scene before him cleared and he realized who was talking to him, Kurt snapped.
"Der Drecksack!" Kurt let out his version of a war cry was he lunged forward, arms extended, hands clawed, and aiming for Remy's neck.
"Kurt!" Rogue yelled as she and Betsy reached forward and restrained the man. Remy jumped back and looked down at Kurt in surprise. "What is wrong with yah?"
"Vhat's wrong with ME?" Kurt shrieked frantically. He looked at his sister incredulously. "vhat's wrong vith you?"
"Ah'm not the one trying ta kill Remy!" Rogue growled with a frown.
"He proposed to you!" Kurt shouted, pointing accusingly at Remy, who was now standing behind Rogue's knelt figure.
"HE PROPOSED TO YOU?" Immediately all attention was off of Kurt and on his sister as Betsy practically dropped Kurt back against the lamp post to reach over and hug Rogue. Jean clapped her hands together and hugged Kitty as they jumped up and down behind Betsy ecstatically.
"OhmiGod, congratulations, you guys!" Kitty gushed.
"No!" Rogue said, shaking her head and praying that she was blushing as hard as she thought she was. "He... he didn't..." She mentally swore. Hiding it would be more difficult than she thought.
"Of course I did." Remy said with a proud grin.
"So you did?" Jean asked, eyes twinkling with excitement. "I KNEW IT! I knew you'd ask her!"
"Oui, I did," Remy said. Rogue stared up at him, horrified. He looked back down at her and gave her a reassuring wink. "I asked Rogue t' be my model."
"Congratul-..." Jean froze. "What?"
"Model...?" Kitty asked weakly. Rogue couldn't help but laugh. Kitty sounded as if she were a child who thought was going to get a toy for Hanukkah, only to find out she was getting tube socks.
"Yep," Rogue said as she stood up. She looked down at her brother. "Is that what yah saw? Remy asking me ta be his model for a statue he's commissioned ta do fo' Xavier's?"
"Well...he..." Kurt's eyes darted from one to the other. "He bent down on one knee!"
"Everyone knows he's dramatic," Rogue said with a grin. She stood up and felt Remy's arm wind itself around her waist. "Jeez, Kurt...yah didn't have ta faint."
"I did not faint! I passed out!" Kurt grumbled as Piotr helped him stand up. He grumbled as he brushed off his clothes and then turned to study the couple further. "I saw him get on vone knee and ask y-"
"Did you HEAR him ask meh ta marry him?" Rogue asked as she crossed her arms and glared at her brother. Kurt looked away.
"Vell no...not exactly-"
"Then?" Rogue snapped. "Yah are always over reacting, Kurt."
"I do not," Kurt grumbled defensively. He narrowed his eyes at Remy, who was looking away and pretending not to listen as one of his fingers lazily made little circles on Rogue's hip. "Are you SURE he didn't-"
"Kurt," Rogue glowered. "Apologize ta Remy."
"WHY?"
"Ah heard what yah called him. Now apologize!" Rogue demanded. She shoved Remy in front of her. Grumbling, Kurt said a low apology in German. "In a language he can understand, Kurt!"
"Sorry."
"No harm done, mon frere," Remy said and extended his hand. Kurt shook it reluctantly. "Now...whose up fo' a club?"
Rogue opened her eyes tiredly. Light was flooding into the room and she groaned as she looked up and checked the clock by her bed. It was not even nine yet. She began to snuggle deeper into her bed when a hand rose up and stroked her upper arm.
She had forgotten she wasn't alone.
"Remy, Ah'm tired..." Rogue mumbled as she buried her face in the pillow. "Yah wore meh out..." The hand stopped and moved over her body, pulling her against heated, solid male flesh. She felt the whiskers of his unshaven face rub against her neck as he kissed it.
"I just want t' know what y' want fo' breakfast, chere." Remy said softly in her ear.
"Ah don't know..." she shrugged. "Surprise meh," As soon as she said it, she regretted it. She could already just see him smirking and the perverse thoughts running through his head. Her eyes flew open. "Wait-"
"Too late," Remy beamed. "Time t' get up, Roguey!" He threw off the covers and the pajama clad woman immediately curled up into a ball.
"No! It's EARLY!"
"It's Saturday, chere," Remy said as he stood up and walked around the bed. Blindly, Rogue's hand was extended and trying to find the blanket. He sighed and knelt down in front of her. "Didn't y' say y' had work t' do today? Some appointment. Y' don't want t' be late, do y'?"
Rogue's eyes widened and she shot up in bed. Her heart began to race as she looked down at his face and remembered what she was supposed to do that day. At noon, she was supposed to meet up with Julien to have her portrait done. Her heart sank. She hadn't told Remy about it, for fear he wouldn't let her go. If she didn't go, Raven would cancel the dinner she would be having with the couple tomorrow night.
"Yah'r right..."
"Oui, I know." Remy grinned and gave her a quick kiss before standing up. As he did, Rogue's hands reached out quickly and took his. He turned and gave her a questioning look.
"Hey Rem..." she said softly as her eyes lowered. "Umm..."
"What is it, chere?" Remy asked as he gave her a reassuring smile. His other hand slowly went over hers and gave her a gentle squeeze. "Y' know y' can tell me anything."
Rogue nodded. "Ah..." She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Instead, she sighed and looked up at him. "Ah love yah."
A wide smile crossed his face. "I know," he winked. "I love y', too." Her hand slipped out of his as he walked towards the bathroom.
Rogue watched his figure disappear inside. She closed her eyes and fell back against the cushions of her bed. She wanted to tell him, but she knew if she did, he'd immediately tell her no and she didn't want to go against his wishes like that. She groaned and slammed her fists against the bed. Perhaps she should adhere to the old adage "it's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission".
Engaged fo' less than a week...Ah really need momma ta give Remy a chance...
The bathroom door opened and Remy strutted out in jeans and a sweater to keep himself warm from the cold air that waited for him outside the snug and warm bedroom. "Breakfast will be ready in 30, chere." He said casually as he slipped out.
Reluctantly, Rogue got up and took a quick shower. She dressed in jeans and a long sleeve shirt and slipped her feet into her favorite green fluffy slippers before walking outside.
Jean was drinking coffee while on the phone and pacing the living room. She mouthed 'good morning' to Rogue as the brunette came from the hall.
"Mornin' sugah." Rogue smiled back. She walked into the kitchen and greeted Remy with a quick kiss before helping set the table for three people.
"Y' missed it, chere," Remy grinned as he fixed some eggs. "Jean was jumping up and down - her lawyer called."
"And?" Rogue asked, pausing and looking up at him. He looked over her shoulder at Jean, who just put the phone down. Rogue looked at her worriedly in case it was bad news. "Jean...?"
Jean looked up, her face flushed. She smiled widely. "I got the house," Jean said, shocked that she actually got it in the settlement. "And...I'm going to sell it."
"Sell it?" Rogue asked. She opened her mouth and nodded. It made sense. There were too many bad memories in that house. "Well, congratulations, sugah." She couldn't help but find amusement in Scott now having no home.
"I have to go meet up with Tessa and sign some papers," Jean said giddily. "So I'll talk you two later okay?" she said. She was already putting on her jacket and getting her purse.
"All right, bye, Jean!" Rogue gave a little wave just as the door closed. She looked down at the table where Remy was placing the food. "Looks like it's just us."
They sat down and began the hearty meal. Remy was telling her about his family. "As soon as y' tell y'r family, chere, I'm gonna call mine up and tell dem the great news!" He gushed as he swallowed his food.
Rogue looked up at him and smiled weakly. He was probably bursting at the seams with excitement. He must've really wanted to tell his family. She sighed heavily. "Family is really important ta yah, isn't it, sugah?"
"Very," Remy said with a wide smile. "Y' part o' it now, chere. Dat makes it even more important."
Guilt was tugging at her again. It was gnawing at her, telling her to tell him. "Yah'd do practically anything fo' yahr family?"
Remy paused for a moment and thought. He slowly nodded his head. "Probably...yes."
"What if someone yah loved didn't want yah ta do something...but in order for another person they loved to accept a part of their life, would yah do it?" Rogue asked slowly.
Across from her, Remy's eyes squinted slightly as he chewed on his food. Slowly, he swallowed and looked at her thoughtfully. "Is something going on, chere?"
"No, no...Ah'm just saying!" she said nervously. Remy raised an eyebrow.
"Love makes people do crazy things, Rogue," he told her serious as his eyes dropped back to his food. "When dey think dey're doing de right thing, nothing can stop 'em. So just be careful."
It was subtle warning and Rogue looked down at her breakfast. As he poured himself another cup of coffee, he heard her whisper softly. "Ah will."
When she left her apartment, Remy was finishing going through some of her files from work. He was looking at the sketches of the interior, trying to figure out what images would work best where. She told him to lock up before he left, which he was preparing to do.
Jean had returned just as Rogue was leaving, holding some copies of the legal documents and separation papers in her arms.
"I think I'm going to be in the whole day. Want to go out to dinner later?" Jean had asked in their brief meeting in the hall way. Rogue nodded.
"Sure thing, sugah. Ah feel like...Cajun." she grinned from ear to ear with her joke as Jean laughed and shook her head.
"Honey, you've been spending way too much time with Remy. You even have his smirk now." Jean laughed as she gave a wave and walked down the hall.
Rogue walked to the nearest BART station and sat down, watching the tunnel walls pass as she looked at the address of Julien's studio. Sure, she hadn't said anything to Remy, but apparently he understood.
Maybe he would've understood better if yah actually told him what yah were doing... Her mind chastised. Rogue cringed and tried to push the thought out of her mind. No, she was doing what she thought was right and Remy understood. End of story.
She looked down at the crumpled piece of paper in her hand. She had to get off at the next stop. Sighing heavily, she looked the window as the train came to a stop at the station. She gathered her purse and stepped out on to the cement platform. As she rode the escalator up, she reached into her pocket and took out her phone.
One missed call.
Rogue flipped it open. Jean had called from their apartment. "Hey, Rogue, your mom called. Something about waiting for her. She'll go with you to that portrait sitting. She sounded worried. Anyway, call her. She's at the office and doesn't have her cellular phone with her."
Rogue frowned and shook her head. Leave it to her mother to believe that she couldn't handle a simple sitting alone. If not that, Raven would think that she wouldn't go. Rogue scowled. She wouldn't break a promise when she knew what was riding on it. In spite of the urgent sounding call, she decided to call Jean back first. At any rate, Jean would keep wondering if Rogue got the message until she was called and assured. The phone rang once...twice...three times...and then the answering machine picked up.
"Hey, sugah, just got off BART," Rogue said. "Ah got yahr message. It's about noon," she added as she looked down at her watch. "Ah'm already late. Listen, if momma calls again, just tell her that Ah AM going to Mr. Boudreaux's for a sitting. AND that Ah don't need her there ta make sure Ah am. Ah'll call her at the office. Thanks, sugah."
On the other side of the line, the machine made a little beep signaling the end of the message. From the bathroom, Jean came out and was about to run for the phone when she saw someone there.
Remy stood by the phone, his eyes staring down emotionlessly at the blinking '1' on the LCD screen. "Umm...Remy, did Rogue call back?" Jean asked curiously. "Did you answer the phone...?"
His hands clenched at his sides as glowing eyes narrowed with fury. Without another word, he turned around and grabbed the trench coat that was on the back of the couch. He shoved his arms through as he stormed across the room and straight to the door. He passed Jean and didn't say a word. His jaws were locked tight as a thin line on his lips and glaring eyes warded their friend away.
Behind him, he could barely hear Jean calling out to him as he pulled the door open and slammed it behind him. Confused, Jean walked over to the answering machine and pressed the play button. Rogue's message repeated itself and Jean scratched her head. Outside the apartment, she heard the loud roar of an engine and walked to the window. She peered below and watched Remy's bike screeched loudly as he turned sharply and pulled out of his spot.
A second later, he had disappeared down the street, cutting off cars as he drove recklessly.
Rogue looked down at the piece of paper and then up at the building. It was restored old building with many windows. It didn't look shady. It was in a nice neighborhood and during the bright and sunny day, she didn't see anything foreboding about it. She slowly walked up the steps of the building and knocked on the door.
She waited a few moments, casually looking over her shoulder and around the outside of the building. The door suddenly opened and she jumped back.
"Miss Darkholme?" Julien asked as he offered his hand. "Welcome t' my studio."
A.N. - Thank you all for being patient. I will try to get another chapter up by Monday. Yes, I am evil. :D Thanks for reading!