As I said things move a bit quickly but assuming how quickly they got engaged after he admitted his feelings (although that took forever. I still want to see the Series 6 alternate ending.) it's ok. I think this is possibly the longest chapter I've written. Enjoy.
"Bye! Enjoy!" Lee shouted as he waved his father off as he stood in between Toby and Paul who was on watch for him today. There was a crowd of paparazzi outside who had heard his father and others were out hunting. Today's escape was going to be harder.
Turning on his heel, Lee walked back inside, sighing as the sound of cameras quietened. Paul and Toby followed him back inside as Lee disappeared quickly upstairs into his bedroom. He needed to get ready.
By time they had gotten upstairs Lee was running around with a towel around his waist. Paul and Toby averted their eyes as Paul was uttering your majesty and something that sounded like an apology after as Lee shook it off.
"Paul you can call me Lee," he told him. Your majesty sounded a bit pompous, especially by people who knew him and he considered Paul a friend.
"Oh..Oh right."
"Toby you haven't seen my jeans have you?" Lee questioned as he grabbed another towel and ran it over his hair. He'd trimmed his beard, just enough so it wasn't stupid looking but still made him unrecognisable.
Before Toby could answer Paul spoke up," I took them down to the office. Just in case you were doing the escape again your maj...Lee."
Without having to ask Paul made an exit to get Lee's jeans as Toby turned his back as Lee started to get dressed. In the end he ended up with just his light blue shirt and underwear on as he ran around his room looking for his shoes.
"Where are you taking her?" Toby questioned as Lee located his grey converse.
"Horse riding and then maybe a walk or something. I'll make it up," Lee answered as Toby nodded his head, "have you sent money to that man?"
"All done," he reassured as he threw Lee his hair gel. When he was in public his hair had always been flat so he may as well go the opposite, just in case.
Ten minutes later Lee was ready and the nerves had begun to settle in. Picking up his backpack with two pairs of riding boots, he'd managed to find out her shoe size over text. Lucy knew not to wear anything too fancy. Lee had decided on horse riding because he didn't want to be the typical bloke who would take a woman out for dinner. He wanted to do something different and he could actually ride a horse so he wouldn't make a fool out of himself.
"Paul's going to be around just in case. Ok?" Taking a deep breath Toby answered, "you do realise you won't be able to stay with her? Your dad will go mental and he won't be willing for you to give up your royal status."
"Ok. Let's do this," and with that he made his escape. He decided to ignore Toby's comment but it had been playing on his mind.
NGONGONGO
Lee had managed to slip away successfully and without being seen. Walking down the street, no one took any notice to him, even without the cap. It seemed spiking your hair and having a beard really did change your appearance.
Walking up the stairs of the flat lee had finally realised how nervous he actually was. He knew he was little bit nervous but he didn't think he was this nervous. It was like the time he had to make his first royal visit on his own. That scared him but this was a hundred times bigger.
Taking a deep breath Lee knocked on the door. Tapping his thigh with his hand as he waited for Lucy to answer the door, he jumped when she eventually did, "hi," he greeted.
"Hi. Is this alright for today?" Lucy questioned as she stood in front of him in a white gypsy shirt and dark jeans. Lucy had let her hair down and her makeup was natural.
Breathing deeply Lee debated for a few seconds whether this was appropriate but he decided to go for it,"you look perfect." Watching Lucy blush he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. He was never usually this brave but the firsts he had achieved he felt a lot more confident. It was doing him some good.
"Thanks...you don't look so bad yourself," Lucy said as she stepped out of the flat, handbag in hand, "no cap this time."
"No cap this time," Lee repeated as he lifted his backpack more firmly onto his shoulder.
"Where are we going?" Lucy questioned as they began walking. He was feeling slightly guilty about not telling her to change her shoes. Oh well, they'd cross that bridge when they come to it.
"You'll see."
An hour later and Lee and Lucy were stood outside some stables as Lucy looked at him, "we're going horse riding?"
"Yes. Ever been before?" Lee questioned as he guided her over to a bench, before taking out the boots and handing her a pair. Slipping off her heels Lucy began to place her boots on as Lee sat beside her to do the same.
"Not since I was small. My brother got really scared and ran for the hills," Lee chuckled. It was nice to have an insight into Lucy's childhood. "I would ask if you've been but you seem to know," Lucy commented as she watched Lee go to get a horse.
Walking back over to her Lee handed her a helmet before placing one on his head with one hand, "c'mon then." And with that Lucy sighed as she stood on the bench to be able to get onto the tall horse which had a tanned colour.
"Are you getting one too?" Lucy questioned from on the horse as Lee shuffled nervously. She knew what he was going to say, "or are you hoping to get on the same one?" Lucy watched as a blush crept across Lee's cheeks. It was cute,"ok fine."
"Are you sure?" He asked as he climbed onto the bench too, putting his backpack onto his back. He had a picnic as well.
"Positive."
Mounting the horse, Lee sat behind her as he reached his arms around her waist to grab hold of the reins, Lucy's arms resting on top of his. Smiling slightly to himself he tapped the side of the horse as he began to trot off. They followed a country path as they rode the horse.
"What's his name?" Lucy questioned as one hand let go of the reins to smooth the horse.
"Oh his name's Tim," Lee answered and could just about see Lucy smile. It was one of the best sights he'd seen.
"That's my brother's name," she informed,"you never struck me as someone who rode horses."
"Ah well, I was forced into it in the beginning by my family but I've come to love it," he explained as Lucy's expression turned into a frown. Why would you force a child to do something they didn't want to do?
"Oh," was all she could say to that.
"There's this place just over this hill, next to the river. I've got a picnic if you fancy it?" Lee asked.
"Perfect."
NGONGONGO
Hoping off of the horse, Lee tied the rope around a branch before going back to Lucy who was beginning to jump down. Risking it, Lee placed his hands on her waist and lifted her down from the horse. After she was firmly on the ground he retracted his hands as Lucy looked up at him, removing her helmet.
"Ugh, I bet you I've got helmet hair," she complained as Lee chuckled whilst taking his off. Luckily his spikes jumped straight back up.
"It's just as perfect as when I saw you earlier. I promise," he said as he then bent down to retrieve the picnic blanket.
Last time he had used this he was wearing it as a cape and running around the gardens. Placing it to lay flat on the floor next to the tree Lee then went and sat on it, waiting for Lucy to do the same. Looking around as he extracted their food he could see Paul just at the top of the hill, in sight for Lee to see him but out of sight for Lucy.
"I made a variety. I wasn't sure what you'd like," he rushed out as Lucy smiled appreciatively. He'd made an effort and no one had ever done anything like this for her before.
"It looks great," she reassured as Lee breathed let out the breath he didn't know he was holding. The nerves had nearly vanished but some were still present because he'd never taken a girl he'd actually really liked out before.
NGONGONGO
Lee being the gentleman that he was, offered Lucy to walk her back to the flat. They walked side by side in silence, through the darkening streets of London.
They'd spent hours on the picnic blanket, talking and they'd even fell asleep for an hour, Lee ending up on his back as Lucy's head resting on his stomach and her legs sprawled out in front of her.
This was the first time in his life where he felt he wasn't responsible for anything major other than his own life. He could do what he wanted and his parents didn't know so they couldn't stop him. He was just hoping Toby and Paul could keep it quiet and that Lucy wouldn't notice.
Only ever once did the royal parade come up in conversation and Lee feigned some innocence. He had asked her if she was going and she'd said most likely not because of work commitments. He couldn't blame her for not going, he didn't really want to go either. Then the next problem popped up, Lucy would find out who he was either way. Oh shit. But he was going to be naive and carry on with the pretence that he was no one important for the time being.
Lucy liked him...liked him a lot. She'd never had butterflies in her stomach because of one man before or goosebumps when their hands accidentally touched. It was as if bumping into him was fate. And now she'd gone cheesy but she couldn't help it. He was cute and polite and made sure she was happy before going ahead with any ideas that he had. Lee was the first man she had honestly felt like she could be herself around and that made him special. Plus, he wasn't bad looking.
Blushing, she dipped her head as she walked. Lee had been brave and initiated some contact maybe it was her turn. Flexing the fingers of her right hand she held her hand open before scooting a little closer to Lee, her hand coming into contact with his as her fingers intertwined with his. Not seconds later she felt Lee's hand close around her. Peering up at him her heart fluttered as he beamed back.
Within half an hour they were back at the flat, standing outside the door as Lucy shuffled awkwardly, "thank you for today. I really enjoyed it."
"Me too."
"Uh...would you like to come in?" Lucy questioned as she pointed over her shoulder with her thumb.
"If..If you'd like me too," he'd gone nervous again, his palms had gone sweaty and his heart rate had increased. He had to calm down. But he couldn't as she answered.
"I'd like you to."
Breathing deeply through his nose, Lee waited patiently as Lucy opened the flat door. Walking in behind her he placed his bag on the floor next to the coat rack. Standing up again he rubbed his palms against his jeans, God he was nervous.
Slipping off her heels next to his bag Lucy smiled up at him and offered him a drink, to which he refused. Nodding her head she guided him over to the sofa as they both sat down, nerves, excitement and a bit of apprehension as to what could possibly happen.
Maybe it was because he was braver, maybe it was the nerves, maybe it was because he knew this might be his only opportunity and maybe it was because of a numerous amount of other factors but he leaned in and captured her lips, pulling back immediately to see her reaction. Lucy was blushing but she had a small smile and that gave him the reassurance to lean again and kiss her properly. He'd never done this before, never thought about kissing someone because it was what he wanted not because of what others wanted and it felt good.
He was happily surprised when things didn't end there...