I do not own Power Rangers: Jungle Fury

Dom and Fran are adorbs.

Places in Books

One Last Thing


And then, just a little reluctantly, they're back on another train again.

Back to Brussels.

By way of Luxembourg.

". . . Chocolate House?"

"Dom, I know Europe is a place of magic and wonder, but you just have to tell me the truth. Is this house actually made of chocolate or is it a house that sells chocolate?"

"Guess you'll just have to wait and find out, Frannie."

And Liege.

". . . open their homes to strangers!"

"That's what's great about this bike ride! Every few miles, there's a farm of people to talk to."

"And they keep giving us food samples!"

And Ghent.

". . . place called again?"

"Prinsenhof."

"Prinsenhof. I like it. It's so quiet and peaceful."

"Yeah, nice break, huh?"

And Antwerp.

". . . out of this tunnel system?"

"Yeah. Nobody ever gets permanently lost in the Ruien. Well, mostly."

"Mostly?!"

And Bruges.

". . . -iant plastic whale jumping out of the canal?"

"Yeah. Cool, huh?"

"Uhhh, yeah. I just didn't . .. expect . . ."

"I know, right?"

And Ostend.

". . . Paul McCartney have to do with Napoleon Bonaparte?"

"I don't know. Just one of the many curiosities of Fort Napoleon, I guess. You know it never even saw any action during the war . . ."

And finally, finally, finally, a little too early but just at the right time, really . . .

"So, ready to go home tomorrow, Fran?"

They're standing together, on a picturesque little footbridge in the heart of beautiful Brussels.

Tweeting birds in the trees and the sunlight sparkling down through the green leaves.

Cobblestones beneath their feet.

And European delightfulness all around them.

Home?

And Francis Faye Fugleman finds his casual statement utterly surreal.

To Ocean Bluff?

Leave here?

Well, gee, uh, . . .

"Yeah, I mean, I guess."

She attempts a lighthearted laugh.

"Can't run away to Europe forever, huh?"

Dom grins.

"Well, yeah, actually we can. But, you know, . . ."

Shrugs.

"Is there anything you haven't gotten to do that you wanted to? Before we go?"

And she's done and seen and experienced so much she honestly can't think . . .

"Oh, uh, gosh . . ."

. . . of a single outlying thing.

". . . no, I mean, I've already gotten to see and do so much."

And suddenly she bursts into speech.

"And that's all because of you, Dom. I would have never gone on this trip and seen all these wonderful things and or even left Ocean Bluff at all if it wasn't for you."

Spontaneously reaching out and up, grabbing him 'round the neck and hugging him in so close a manner she never would have been able to imagine at the beginning of this whirlwind trip.

"Thank you, Dom. Thank you so much. I mean it. I just can't . . . You've shown me the whole world and I'm so grateful for it."

He laughs.

"Oh, we haven't seen the whole world. Not by a long shot."

Hugging her back.

"But that's okay. There'll be more trips. We can see it all if we want."

Oh, the dream. To be a world traveler, all the places she's only ever-

We?

And then she realizes she's still hugging him.

Oh.

And lets go.

And tries to . . .

"So, uh, ahem, is there anything else you've been wanting to do before we go?"

. . . calm the sudden flush in her cheeks.

But Dom . . .

"Yeah, actually."

. . . closes the distance between them again.

"There is, Fran."

And gently cups her face in his strong, warm hands, tilting it up just a bit.

Just enough.

"This."

And brings his face, his lips slowly down . . .

Oh.

. . . to hers.

She closes her eyes the second after he closes his.

And the moment holds.

She's had so few kisses before.

Most of them awkward and so cringeworthy.

My.

But this isn't one of those.

His lips are warm and soft.

Pressing just the right amount for a first kiss.

And . . .

Dom.

. . . gone.

She opens her eyes, world slightly out of focus and afuzz.

Then it clears.

And she sees him.

Dominic.

Gazing down at her, blue eyes sky, upturned mouth fond.

Just maybe a touch of blush to his cheeks.

Then he speaks.

Murmurs, really.

"I've been wanting to do that since Prague, Fran."

And as loudly as her blood is pounding in her ears, she still manages to hear him.

And respond . . .

"You have?"

. . . with the slightest bit of dazed incredulity.

That was weeks ago.

And Dom's face is open. Honest.

Soft.

"Yeah."

Well, maybe a touch more than a bit.

"Oh. W-well . . . why did you wait so long then?"

Whirlwind courtships, love at first sight.

All that jazz.

She's been raised on it.

TV. Movies. Books.

He shrugs.

"I was enjoying getting to know you first."

Her heart's fluttering, all of her insides are trembling with excitement and joy.

"Really?"

And he grins, big broad Dom grin.

"Yeah, Fran."

Maybe a touch softer.

"You're really special to me."

And then . . .

"I am?"

. . . he chuckles low again.

"Yeah, Fran."

And dips back in for another gentle kiss.

Oh.

Yeah.

This is much better.

Maybe more than one.


Whelp, that's it! Hope you enjoyed!

This was a fun little summer project and even though it didn't get much traffic, that's okay.

Sometimes it be like that. :)

Thank you to those who did take the time to read.

Thanks to DinahRay for so graciously reading and reviewing something that wasn't enough her wheelhouse except she excels in support and kindness. :)

Thanks to Seth A. Mincberg for your input and conversations.

And hey, you never know what the future may hold for Fran and Dom.

Take care, gentle readers, safe travels and happy reading of whatever you like. :)

Bye!