A/N – After watching the show today, I have to apologize a little for having Johnny shot in this story! Having the actual mental image makes it so much worse! This is the last chapter of this night! Never fear, there will be another night coming your way shortly! Thanks for reading!
Chapter 6 – Peaceful Feeling
Lulu couldn't breathe. No one had ever said something so beautiful to her before. She knew the words she wanted to say, but was having a hard time finding her voice. Johnny was staring at her and she could feel his love in his gaze.
"I didn't mean to scare you," Johnny said lovingly. "I'm not looking for anything by telling you I love you. I just wanted you to know how I feel."
"I know," Lulu nodded.
"I obviously just really bothered you," Johnny sighed. "I won't say it anymore if that's what you want. Will you just tell me what you're thinking please?"
"I'm thinking about how stupid I must look right now," Lulu laughed. "The whole time you were in surgery I promised myself over and over that when you woke up I would finally just be brave and tell you how I felt, but you beat me to it and now you think that I don't want to hear you say you love me when really it made me so happy and now I'm rambling because that's what I do when I'm nervous."
"Why are you nervous?" Johnny asked.
"Because I love you too and I don't know how to say it," Lulu answered.
"That was pretty good," Johnny laughed and Lulu realized what she had said.
"I wanted to say it special like you did," Lulu sighed. "I just threw it out there."
"Say it again," Johnny prodded.
"What?" Lulu questioned.
"Say it again," Johnny repeated. "Tell me you love me again."
"Why?" Lulu wondered.
"Just trust me," Johnny smirked.
"I love you, Johnny Zacchara," Lulu offered and he smiled. "I love the way you make me feel, the way you hold me and the way you talk to me. I never expected to really fall in love. I expected to settle for someone, but I don't have to because I have you."
Lulu breathed deeply and realized everything she had just said was what she had been trying to say earlier when Johnny had first told her he loved her. She had finally professed her love for him and he was sitting quietly on the bed in front of her.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Lulu asked.
"I'm soaking it in," Johnny smiled. "I never thought I was worthy of love and I still don't. But I know I have it from you and I want to remember this moment."
"You are worthy of it, Johnny," Lulu replied.
"Come here," Johnny requested, lifting his covers slightly and patting the bed beside him.
"You're supposed to rest," Lulu reminded him.
"I only sleep well with you in my arms," Johnny smiled.
"When you say it like that, how can I say no?" Lulu laughed.
Lulu climbed cautiously into bed and laid her head on his uninjured shoulder. He wrapped one arm protectively around her and leaned his head against hers. They laid there quietly for several minutes both lost in thought about the night they had experienced.
"Are you asleep?" Lulu asked.
"No," Johnny answered. "I can't stop thinking about how scared I was when I thought I might lose you."
"Same here," Lulu responded.
"You're not going to lose me, Lulu," Johnny promised. "I'll always come back to you."
"Good," Lulu said softly. "Get some rest."
"Yes ma'am," Johnny laughed. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Lulu replied. "Night."
"Goodnight."
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Lucky sat across from Jason in the waiting room. Both men were deep in thought about everything that Lulu had been through in the last few hours.
"Maybe one of us should check on her," Jason suggested.
"I guess," Lucky agreed. "But first I want to ask you a few things."
"Go ahead," Jason breathed.
"Have you met Johnny?" Lucky asked.
"Briefly," Jason answered.
"And?" Lucky prodded.
"He loves your sister," Jason smiled. "That was clear. He would do anything he could to keep her safe, which he showed tonight. As far as I can tell and the little that Lulu has told me, he's a really good man."
"Is him doing anything he can enough?" Lucky questioned. "Will she really ever be safe with him?"
"I don't know," Jason replied. "If he's in the mob, she's not safe. But I get the feeling that he wanted a better life, but his father kept him from it. Maybe if you put Anthony away he'll get out of the mob. In that case, I would say that she would be safe with him."
"One more question," Lucky said and Jason nodded. "Will you let me know about Lulu? There's been tension between us for awhile and I don't think she'll want me to be a part of her life with Johnny, but she will want you to be. I'd like to be kept informed about how she's doing."
"I think you underestimate your sister," Jason responded. "A lot may have happened, but what you did tonight will go a long way with her. Especially if you lock Anthony up for good. I think she'll come around, but if she doesn't, I'll be sure to let you know how she is."
"Thanks," Lucky said, offering his hand to Jason.
"You're welcome," Jason said, shaking hands with Lucky.
The two set off to find Lulu and check on her, but they soon realized she wasn't going home. They peered in through Johnny's window and saw both Johnny and Lulu sleeping soundly together in his bed. After everything they had been through, Jason knew it was the best thing for both of them and he couldn't help but be happy for Lulu. She was finally getting the happiness she wanted with the man she loved.
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Johnny woke first to find Elizabeth checking his vitals. He looked down and saw Lulu still resting comfortably and he couldn't keep the wide grin from spreading across his face. She loved him, he loved her and now they were going to be together forever. Nothing and no one would stand in the way of their happiness.
"Do you need anything," Elizabeth whispered.
"No," Johnny shook his head. "How long before your shift is over?"
"About twenty minutes," Elizabeth answered.
"So I have to wake her up?" Johnny asked.
"It's probably a good idea," Elizabeth replied.
"Thanks for letting her stay," Johnny smiled.
Elizabeth just nodded and left quietly. Johnny looked back to Lulu and began stroking her hair with his hand to gently wake her. She stirred slightly, but only curled her body closer to Johnny. Johnny laughed and placed a kiss to her forehead and Lulu yawned.
"Why are you waking me up?" Lulu groaned, keeping her eyes closed.
"I wanted to talk to you a little before you had to sneak out," Johnny answered.
"Why would I have to sneak out," Lulu questioned, finally opening her eyes.
"Elizabeth's shift is almost over," Johnny sighed. "I don't want you getting in trouble."
"Okay," Lulu sighed and started to get out of the bed.
"Hold on, beautiful," Johnny laughed. "I think you forgot something."
"What?" Lulu asked and Johnny leaned over and kissed her sweetly on the lips.
"Good morning," he breathed, pulling away.
"I can't believe you're free," Lulu smiled. "Now we can wake up like this every day."
"It's strange," Johnny noted. "We don't have to hide anymore."
"I can't wait to show you off, gorgeous," Lulu smirked.
"Sounds like fun," Johnny replied. "As soon as I get out of here I'm taking you to the best restaurant for a fancy dinner and dancing and anything else your heart desires."
"My heart desires you," Lulu said softly. "The rest will just be bonus."
"I love you, Lu," Johnny said, placing a soft kiss on her lips.
"I love you, too," Lulu smiled.
