Thanks everyone for the reassuring reviews. I got a bit nervous yesterday! Here's a short bit to tide you over as I've had to work today. Also, I am working on the M rated piece for the last chapter, but so far I've only managed to get Ruth's shoes off. It'll be posted sometime this weekend though, I hope!
Ruth was coming back to herself slowly. She ached everywhere, but in a very good and satisfying way. It had been a long time since she had felt this happy. When she opened her eyes she jumped. Lucy was watching her with wide hazel eyes. Ruth looked and was relieved that the duvet was covering everything that could possibly scar a child for life, before she turned back to the girl who was still watching her. "I'm… hungry Ruth," she said in a very small voice.
"Okay," she replied with a smile. "Go on downstairs, and I'll be there in a minute and make you breakfast." Lucy smiled broadly and skipped out of the bedroom. Ruth quickly looked around the room and found Harry's dressing gown hanging on the back of the door. She slipped it on, over her naked body and paused a second as it smelt so wonderfully of him. She looked at him sleeping on and smiled. She wouldn't wake him. After last night, he needed his rest, she thought with a smile.
Harry had just about let go of sleep but his eyes were still shut. He was reliving some of the more vivid moments from the night before. She had been even more beautiful than he had imagined. And he had imagined plenty before now. He rolled over and put his arm around her. Only she wasn't there. His arm had fallen onto cold sheets instead of her warm body. He couldn't have dreamed it could he? He opened his eyes but she definitely wasn't there. He sat up in confusion and then caught sight of her green bra on the floor, where it had been thrown the night before, and he felt sweet relief flow through him. It hadn't been a fantasy, it had actually happened. He threw some of his own clothes on and quickly went in search of her. It didn't take long for him to find Lucy, Ruth and Scarlet in the kitchen, all clearly having their breakfast.
"Morning," he said to the room at large and Ruth in particular. She smiled at him and then blushed as her thoughts were clearly less than wholesome.
"Hello Daddy," Lucy said with her usual cheeky smile. Harry ruffled her hair and then approached Ruth, who was sitting down. He kissed her cheek softly, feeling anything further was inappropriate in front of Lucy.
"Hi," she said quietly. "I borrowed your dressing gown, I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not," he said. "Looks infinitely better on you anyway."
"I don't want to overstep," she said. "If you want to spend time on your own with Lucy, I completely understand, but she was rather insistent that I join you two when you go to the park and feed the d-u-c-k-s later."
Ruth spelled the word ducks so that Lucy wouldn't catch on. "You are more than welcome," he said with such sincerity that she knew he was telling the truth. "But don't let a three year old talk you into it. I'm sure you have more important things to do with your Sunday."
"More important than spending time with the two of you?" Ruth said with a raised eyebrow. "No, I don't think so. But I would like to stop off at my house for a change of clothes first."
"Perfect," Harry said. "Although the idea of you walking around my house n-a-k-e-d is quite appealing." She blushed deeper than he'd ever seen and he chuckled.
Making sure Lucy was occupied with her eggs and soldiers Harry nodded to the door and Ruth got the point. They left the girl alone and closed the kitchen door quietly behind them.
"I was robbed of waking up next to you," he murmured.
"I know," she said. "Just means we'll have to do it again at some point in the future doesn't it?"
"Mm," he agreed. Then the amusement faded from his face. "Did you…"
"Shut up," she interrupted. "You don't need to ask that question Harry. Yes, I enjoyed it. Immensely."
"Good," he said, planting a soft good morning kiss on her lips. "Go home and get changed. It'll take ages for Lucy to be ready anyway. You're sure you want to come?"
"Yes," she said. "I even have half of a stale loaf of bread at home. If she really wants to feed the ducks."
"Ducks!" they both heard Lucy shout out in the kitchen, clearly hearing that word above all others. Harry kissed Ruth softly again before letting her go.
"I'll see you in an hour. Ish." He smiled and then returned to the kitchen while Ruth reluctantly left the blissful sanctuary she'd only so recently found.