A/N: I wanted to capture those moments right after the end of the last book. I think we all wanted to experience their first kiss, so this is one of two scenes I wrote. I hope you enjoy!

I raced for the stairs.

"Lockwood, wait!"

I caught up with him on the landing where he'd been held up by an irate George.

"Lockwood, have you read this clause down here?" He shook the papers irritably. "It's preposterous!"

Lockwood shrugged. "I know it's unfair, George, but we don't have much choice. Barnes won't let it go, and neither will I for that matter. Take your time to go over it, but it's got to be signed and turned in to DEPRAC no later than next week."

He met my gaze as I stood trying to regain my composure. I didn't know if it was working. Containing the huffing from my hurried descent was proving to be difficult. He smiled.

"How'd you find the paperwork, Luce? Any complaints?"

I stepped toward him, fingering the necklace. "Actually, I found them to be quite beautiful. Thank you."

His eyes dropped down to my neck and his whole countenance lit up with that megawatt grin. My heart proceeded to melt into a puddle.

George's mouth gaped. "What?! Beautiful? Lucy, you've gone completely bonkers!"

Ignoring George, I came to stand in front of Lockwood. "You know, I've been thinking, and I've come to two conclusions."

He nodded, suddenly solemn. "Okay."

"One is that we never listen to each other. I tell you to quit sacrificing yourself but you don't and then you tell me to stay behind and I don't. It's just the way we are. Frankly, I think we just like sticking together."

Lockwood ducked his head, his hair flopping over one eye as he chuckled. "Yeah." He met my eyes again. "And two?"

I steeled myself for this one. Swallowing thickly, I said, "And two… is that I love you, Anthony Lockwood."

The alteration to his face was imperceptible. Like ghost touch slowly spreading, the humor was replaced with surprise, seriousness, and then something else I couldn't quite put my finger on.

Without looking away from me, Lockwood said quietly, "George, you might want to leave just now. Fair warning."

George scowled, indignant. "What are you talking about? I was here first! I have serious grievances to hash out here and not to be rude or anything, Lucy, but - "

Without another word, Lockwood took me in his arms and kissed me, planting those lips onto mine that had so often smiled and grinned at me, broken me and filled me with sunshine, whispered warnings and assurances, scolded me and delivered threats to our enemies. He was kissing me.

Somewhere behind us George made a choking, squeaking sound. "I – I – There were definitely a few donuts downstairs I wasn't going to share with anyone. I think I'll just check to see that Holly hasn't stolen one." His footsteps quickly retreated down the stairs.

Alone at last, Lockwood pressed me against the wall and my arms found their way around his neck as our kiss blissfully continued. The necklace his father had given his mother had signified everlasting devotion. That's what he was giving to me now and that's what sung in my heart louder than anything.

Sadly, reluctantly, after what felt like an eternity or maybe no longer than a few heartbeats, Lockwood pulled away. He leaned his forehead against mine. "Do you think we scared him away?" His wolfish grin had come out.

I lightly punched his arm and he laughed.

With a delicate touch, he smoothed a stray, white-streaked clump of hair behind my ear. "Lucy Carlyle. I tremble to think what my life would be like without you."

I don't know what he was talking about with the trembling. He looked as cool as a cucumber. My knees were still wobbling.

"I'm grateful you struck out on your own, that you found Lockwood and Co., that you left for my sake, and even after that you came back for me too. You've saved my life more times than I can count, and I'm not just talking about from ghosts. I'd jump out of any burning house, off any warehouse roof into the Thames, fight ghosts side by side with you any and every day of my life." He took a deep breath. "You, Lucy Carlyle, are a force to be reckoned with, and I don't want to imagine spending a moment without you."

The blush had completed its circuit of my face, but I still managed a small, insecure laugh. "Why, Lockwood, what are you trying to say?"

He blinked a few times. "I love you. Didn't I say that?"

I laughed louder and pushed away from the wall. "No. And yes."

Just then the bathroom door cracked open and Holly peeked out. "Are you guys finished?" she whispered. "I didn't want to interrupt, but it's been ages, and I've got a lot of work to do downstairs."

We all laughed, some more awkwardly than others. I grabbed Lockwood's hand and we headed downstairs into the bright and cheery kitchen where there were still enough donuts for all.