I know this is not the type of story you'd wish to see after I was gone for so long, but this is important. :)
I still do hope that you all enjoy this! :)
Lucy sets down the cup of tea she is holding, but not without taking a sip on it first. She leans her head back on the sofa, massaging her temples, feeling a headache coming in. She is currently at the parlor of the great Judge Turpin, with whom she now considers her most trusted confidant. She has shared with him the trials she is facing with her marriage, and also when she has accidentally killed the bastard child of her husband.
At first, she really has been hesitant to tell all of these to Judge Turpin or Richard- which he insists she calls him. But, once she has started telling her predicaments to him, he has understood her, showing her support instead of judgment upon hearing her stories. He has told her to be brave and to not let Ben's actions affect her greatly, for it will not solve anything but make matters worse.
He has also offered her to let him deal with Mrs. Lovett, saying that he can do something if she wants her to just disappear without a trace. He has also asked if she wants her husband to be punished, after all what he has done to her. Her only response has been that she will think about it.
But she must admit, Richard's offer has got her thinking. Can she willingly hurt her husband for the sake of revenge? Besides, the judge has not specified what actual punishment he will bestow to him.
Although she loves Benjamin, her hatred for him runs deep. What he has done to her will be forever embedded in her mind and heart. As his wife, he has made her feel so incapable of being able to satisfy him, hitting her self-confidence really hard. For him to find another woman that will do what she usually does for him, tells her that she is not good enough.
That's why, in reality, she has only led him to believe that she has forgiven him, just so that they can somehow be in peace, but she knows she will never be able to do so. It's alright though, for she's neither stupid nor blind; she can tell that he is also just pretending, pretending that he still loves her, because his heart has been fully captivated by the baker. His apologies mean nothing. They're just fooling themselves, really. The only reason she will not let go of him is because she doesn't want to give Mrs. Lovett the satisfaction of having her husband, and also that little love she has for him.
"Don't worry, dear," says the judge, his voice soft and caring. He gets up from his seat, which is across from her, and takes the one beside her. He takes her hand in his and squeezes it lightly. Looking her in the eyes, he adds "I'll always be here for you."
She smiles warmly at him, laying her head on his shoulder, thankful for being there for her. She doesn't know when they have become so close, all she knows is that he fulfills for her everything what Benjamin does not. She also knows that whenever she is with him, she forgets all her troubles, and even if she remembers them, he is always there to comfort her and make them instantly go away. She is truly fortunate to have someone like him in her life. Sometimes, she wonders why Richard has not found a wife yet; he will be such a great husband and any girl he will choose to marry will be so lucky.
Lucy lifts her head up and stares at the judge, a smile painted on her face. "I'm thankful, for all your help..." she raises her hand, cups his cheek and caresses it with her thumb " ... you know that, right?"
It is like someone is pulling an invisible rope around them, their bodies slowly coming together. The force is too strong for her to fight that she has lost all her strength, that even though she knows what is about to happen, she becomes incapable of stopping it. Instead, she closes her eyes, allowing herself to give in. The half part of her mind screams for her to not do it, to not stoop to the level of Mrs. Lovett, but the other louder half part tells her that it is alright, this is what she wants, and that she's just getting even with Ben.
Her heart beats faster and faster as the anticipation builds up. Her stomach is turning; she does not know if it is because of nervousness or excitement.
And then it happens, their lips finally meet. Her eyes automatically close as Richard gently sucks the bottom of her lips, loving the sensation. She feels his tongue grazing her teeth, asking for permission. She opens her mouth and lets him in, allowing him to explore her. He places his hand at the back of her neck and pulls her closer. She cannot help but smile at this; it's amazing how he can make her feel so wanted, after all those times her husband has made her feel so insecure for wanting another woman.
His kisses slowly travel down her jawline, her chin, and to her neck. She can sense that he is being careful of his actions, lest he cross his limits. She lets out a load moan as he plants a kiss at the most sensitive area of her neck. This has been enough confirmation for him that she does not protests by what he is doing. He nips and bites at her neck as his hand caresses the small of her back up to her stomach. She cannot help but be aroused by this. She tilts her head back, to give him more access. Grabbing a fistful of his hair, she guides him where she wants to.
Without warning, she pushes him on his back and straddles his waist. This is very uncharacteristic of her, for she usually just lies down and let Ben do what he wants whenever they make love, but right now, she wants to be in control. She takes off his jacket and unbuttons his shirt, running her hands through his chest. Richard closes his eyes and places his hands at the back of his head, purring at her every touch, like that of a cat. With her pointer finger, she draw circles on his chest, letting it slowly travel down. When she reaches his belt, she quickly unbuckles it and pull it, throwing it to the side. Then, she stands up, and kneels in front of him, smirking as she sees his breath getting quicker. Pulling his pants down, she frees his manhood, which is already hard.
She is about to taste him, when someone enters the parlor, startling both she and Richard. She quickly stands up, patting her hair and righting her dress, while Richard does the same, scampering to get his belt on the floor. When they are both somehow presentable, they face the unwelcome intruder, who looks really scandalized. Emma-the maid, stares at them with her eyes wide like saucers and mouth in 'O' shape. She stays unmoving on her spot, seeming to have forgotten what she will say.
An awkward silence fills the room; everyone looks like they wish to be anywhere but there. Just as Lucy is about to tell Richard to speak, he clears his throat, once again regaining his composure. She stands behind him, still feeling the embarrassment from getting caught. She is just thankful that it has only been Emma who has seen them. If it has been the Beadle, then she will surely hang herself in humiliation.
"What is it that you want?" The judge asks the girl, raising an eyebrow. She is impressed at how he doesn't look phased at all; it's as if nothing has happened.
"Uh-uh, th- the Beadle, sir, he's asked me to tell you that you're needed in court. He said it's urgent, sir." Replies Emma, bowing her head.
"Okay, you can go now." Richard replies dismissively, flicking his hand in a shooing manner. When the girl turns around to leave, he calls for her again, "and Emma," He grabs something from his pocket, a coin purse, and walks towards the maid, handing it to her, "you saw nothing."
When they are already alone in the room, he turns to her, a smile plastered on his face. He walks towards her, stopping just a foot in front of her. Cupping her cheek, he says, "I do hope you feel no regrets."
That's the problem; she feels not an ounce of regret. She should be feeling ashamed of herself for doing what her husband has done to her, yet, all she can think about now is how greatly unsatisfied she is. Not even an hour has passed and she already longs for his touches and kisses, how she wishes to grab him by the collar and carry on with what they have been doing before they have been interrupted. But she knows that he has important matters to attend to, hence they cannot pick up from where they left off.
She holds his hand and leans in to his touch. Only now has she noticed his scent; it is a not so strong perfume, fitted for a man in his stature that tickles your nose and lingers in your brain. "I don't."
"Lucy, may I take you for dinner tomorrow night?" the judge asks, his demeanor swiftly changes into seriousness. "There's something I want to tell you."
She smiles at him then nods, quickly agreeing at his offer without thinking of what her husband's reaction will be upon knowing this. "Yes," she answers.
"Where are you going?" Her husband, whom is sitting quietly on his barber chair suddenly speaks, startling her which causes the hair brush that she is using to fall.
She bends down to get the brush that has fallen to the floor and turns to him, smiling saccharinely sweet. "I'm just going out with a friend, dear."
Ben stands up from his seat, a scowl plastered on his face; he looks displeased "It's already late, why must you go at this time?"
Of course, she has expected this to happen; her oh so protective husband tends to overreact whenever she chooses to spend time with someone that's not him. Fortunately, she knows the right things to do and say to get him to calm down.
Standing up, she slowly approaches him; while adjusting his cravat and brushing imaginary dirt from his shirt, she answers, "because we're having dinner, silly."
"Who is this friend?" he asks, showing no signs of him permitting her to go. It seems like her charm is not working. Nonetheless, there is no way she will let him ruin this night for her; she still has some few tricks under her sleeves. She will get to see Richard no matter what.
Trying to hide her irritation, she circles him, stopping behind him. She hugs him from behind, nuzzling the side of his neck with her nose. She feels his stiff posture slowly relaxes, and she cannot help but smirk as this is a good sign that she's going to get what she wants.
"Anna," she whispers in his ear, the lie easily coming out of her mouth. She's not stupid; she knows if she tells Ben that she will be seeing Richard, he will do everything he can to forbid her, just as she will do everything she can to go to this dinner. "She will be sending a carriage for me, for my safety."
He turns Ben around to face her. She run her hands through his hair, smiling as she sees the defeated look on his face. Planting a kiss at the corner of his mouth, she adds, "I will be back shortly."
"Okay, I will be waiting for you," is Ben's response as he in turn kisses her and gives her a hug.
When she arrives at the restaurant, she instantly notices that it is not just another Inn. Everything looks fancy and judging by the dresses of the people who are eating there, they all belong to the higher class. She is quite nervous for this is her first time going to a place like this. She and Ben are not poor, but they certainly aren't rich, too. They simply cannot afford to go to places like this one. She feels like she doesn't belong here.
Before she gets any more anxious, an attendant move towards her offering his assistance. He introduces himself as Simon and he inquires if she has made a reservation on the restaurant or if she is with someone else. She informs him that she is with Richard Turpin. At the mention of the judge's name, Simon's face blanches and he hurriedly guides her to where Richard is.
They veer away from the people, walking towards a long hallway that leads to sets of doors. In this area, no noise is ever present. In fact, only the clicking of her boots on the marble floor is what she is hearing; this makes her more the conscious. Simon, who is a couple of steps ahead of her suddenly stops at the last door in the corridor. He faces her and nods, pointing at the entrance with his open hand, palms up.
She is now more nervous than ever, although she does not know why. She is just going to see the judge, there's nothing to be worried about. Nearing the door, Simon gently opens it for her. Taking a deep breath, she enters the room. Richard, who appears to have not noticed that she has arrived, is looking at his pocket watch while tapping his foot impatiently on the floor.
"I'm sorry I'm late," she says out loud, grabbing his attention when she reaches him. He immediately stands up from his seat, and grabs the bouquet of red roses that's sitting on the table. He takes hold of her hand and kisses the back of it, offering her the flowers. She cannot help but blush when she takes it, feeling like a silly little teenage girl.
"Sit down." He says as he moves the chair for her, taking the seat across from her once she's settled. They sit in silence for a while, merely just staring at each other without saying anything; a smile playing on their lips. She has been so nervous a while ago, but right now as she looks at Richard, she is calm and relaxed. It seems that he has this effect on her; he puts her at ease.
Richard is the first one to break out of the trance. Clearing his throat, he looks at someone behind her and snap his fingers. She raises an eyebrow as if to ask what is that all about, and he just says, "We should eat first."
"I have them prepare the food before you arrived so we wouldn't have to wait long for it to be served. I do hope that you'd like the dishes that I chose for us." he tells her smirking, looking like he knows something that she doesn't.
"I do trust your judgments," she answers, laughing slightly.
Thus, they begin to eat.
Both Richard and Lucy are now standing on the balcony of the restaurant, her head on his shoulder and his hand wrapped around her. They have just finished dinner and have decided that they continue talking outside, as to have some privacy for themselves.
Lucy looks up at Richard, "You said that there's something you want to tell me, what it is?"
He exhales deeply, closing his eyes. He appears to be on edge, which she doesn't have a clue as to why. Grabbing her shoulders, he turns her to look at him, a scowl plastered on his face. She traces his brow smoothen it, liking how he instantly seems to instantly relax at her touch.
He is now fidgeting with the cuff of his sleeve, his gaze focused on the ground. It is the first time she has seen him like this, and she is left to wonder why he is acting so strange. She lifts his chin with the back of her hand, forcing him to look at her. Cupping his cheek, she asks, "What's the matter?"
"L-Lucy," he says, taking something out of the inside pocket of his jacket. "I understand that what I'm about to ask you is absurd, sudden and maybe… impossible, but-"
He shows her what he is holding, a small blue velveteen box. She gasps in surprise as he opens it, revealing a plain golden ring; she now has an idea on what he is about to ask her, and he is right, it is definitely preposterous!
"Will you be my Mrs. Turpin?" he questions her. He is staring at her expectantly, waiting for her to answer.
She gawks at Richard, her eyes wide and mouth hanging open. She is in too much astonishment right now to answer. Her mind is screaming at her, urging her to speak but there's no sound coming out of her. Only when she sees his expression gradually morphing into that one of worry does she come into her sense. She allows a grin to slowly spread across her face, it is so big that it reaches her ears.
She jumps a little as she wraps her arms around his neck, unable to contain her joy. Pecking his lips she answers, "Yes, I will be your Mrs. Lucy Turpin."
I wanna know your reaction about this chapter. :D
This story is about to finish, and I cannot promise that it will have a good ending (Or... I don't know, we'll see.) But I am making a sequel after this. Very sorry for the long wait, I just lost inspiration. I'm back now, though. I hope I haven't lost my dear readers! :)
Reviews are L.O.V.E. :))