There was something equal parts wrong and right about sneaking out to see your own husband Georgie thought to herself as she made her way down the twilight-covered streets. It had taken an act of supreme willpower not to just run to him all during the Spencer party and just hold on to him for dear life, but that might make her situation a bit obvious, she supposed.
Already Alexis was suspicious something was going on. Whether it was the other woman's questioning nature or the fact that while she was on medical leave from her DA's position she had nothing to do but watch the soaps and rot her brain, but Georgie recognized the questioning look her future stepmother had on her face during most of the party. Robin had questioned her sudden love of necklaces and rings the few times they had seen each other in Paris. If Elizabeth hadn't been so distracted by the upcoming custody case and keeping track of her own babies, Georgie was fairly sure she would have suspected something was up with a total stranger's near fanatical need to stay near her the entire party.
It would be easily solved if she just took a breath and told her father that not only had she met someone in Paris, she had met The One and had married him. Of course that would probably require her calling 911 for an ambulance and sneaking Steven right out of the country once her father recovered from the coronary she gave him. Twisting her precious wedding and engagement ring right back onto her finger from her pocket, she felt calmer once they slide back to where they belonged. She had to tell her father. He'd be mad but eventually he would get over it. He loved her too much not to. And someday he'd see reason and even learn to love and respect Steven. He just had to.
Trying to keep her walk casual she made her way up the driveway towards the Hardy house. She rehearsed her story one more time just in case Audrey answered the door and not Steven. Her request for a recipe would buy them no more than a few seconds, but it would have to do. Of course if his grandmother had already gone off to bed, then there could be more time. Raising her hand to knock, she prayed that if she couldn't have more time with Steven at least he could answer the door.
Steven watched Georgie walk cautiously up the steps and laughed out loud. He heard his grandmother moving behind him and quickly turned to wink at her. "I was going to get something from the kitchen. Do you want something?"
"No. No. I'm fine." Audrey shook her head. There was a knock at the door so she said nothing more. "Georgie?"
"Hi Mrs. Hardy. I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Georgie shifted nervously from one foot to the other.
"Not at all." Audrey waved away her concern. "Would you like to come in?"
I don't want to intrude. I just stopped by for a minute." Georgie stepped cautiously inside the front door, catching Steven's eye almost as soon as she crossed the threshold. Keep the dopey grin in check here Georgiana, she told herself sternly.
"Steven, don't be rude." Audrey scolded her grandson. "Offer Georgie something to drink."
Even though he had seen her coming up the walkway, he was completely awestruck by how amazingly beautiful she was. "Yeah. I'm sorry. Georgie, would you like something to drink?"
"No, no. I'm fine thank you." Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, she turned her attention to Mrs. Hardy. "Mrs. Hardy I'm sorry to bother you like this, but I was wondering if I could get that recipe for those amazing apple tarts you make? Alexis loves them and I want to do something nice for her."
"I know where you keep the recipes, Grams." Steven cut in. "I'll get them."
"Nonsense. I'm not an invalid Steven Webber." Audrey headed for the kitchen with a nervous Georgie behind her.
Seeing Audrey move safely out of eye shot, Georgie moved over and smacked Steven hard in the chest. "You'll get the recipe? You really think I came here for a recipe you big dolt?"
"Did you say something Georgie dear?" Audrey inquired as she rummaged through her box of recipes.
"Nothing." She called out. Turning towards Steven she whispered fiercely at him. "You are terrible at this sneaking around thing."
"And you're better?" Steven raised an eyebrow at her.
The phone rang, startling them all. "I'll get it. Steven, do you think you can find...?" Audrey's voice trailed off as she returned to the living room where she had carried the handset.
Breathing out a sigh of relief, Georgie felt her shoulders sag. "That was too close you know."
"Saved by the bell quite literally." Steven laughed, reaching for her.
She relished the feeling of him holding her tightly to him. Of all the things she missed about that tiny hotel room in Paris, his being constantly close enough to wrap his arms around her topped the list. "I'll never doubt people for having a landline again."
"You can say that again. Better yet, don't say anything." Steven held her face between his hands, carefully tilting her head back. "One kiss." He promised, knowing he would sooner cut off his own hand than let go of her once he got a good hold.
"Only one. Your grandmother could come back at any second." For all the problems keeping this quiet entailed, this moment was more than making up for it.
Instead of kissing her mouth, Steven brought his lips down to her neck and lovingly tugged her skin into his mouth. "One kiss is never enough."
"We're going to get caught," she warned him even though her voice and body betrayed how little she cared about that at this exact second.
"This is killing me." Steven admitted lightly tracing his thumb across the hem of her top.
"Me too." She whispered against his lips, running her own hands up his shoulders. "I can't stand being away from you."
"We've got to tell them and soon. I don't know how much longer I can take this."
Nodding quickly, she bit her lower lip. "I know. I know. I just don't know how."
The swinging door flung open and they had just enough time to release each other before Audrey caught them. "Steven. I thought you were going to get that recipe."
Steven shook his head. "I couldn't find it Grams."
"It's fine." Georgie spoke up. "I can come back."
"I'll walk you out. This town's probably full of crazies." Steven muttered.