Janet and Frank found their way back to the hotel. He gave the blonde their bags and kissed her lips.
"Please take those with you. Oh- except for my cape! Will use it to be a decent hotel guest at the table — hey, you're laughing at that?! Ha ha, well, so am I now... I'm going to the dining room, as we'd settled before, and I hope you'll be doing fine. Will miss you."
"I can't wait to see you", she sighed and gave him a warm embrace, held him tight in place before backing away, tracing her steps to the stairs and waving at him with a shy smile. Once he was wearing the dark cape and nearly out of sight, Janet found her way to their room. She opened the door and heard the click as it unlocked. Strange, it seemed louder and slightly more startling than the usual. Maybe becausehewas not by her side and she missed his voice, his hand to hold.
She walked in. Placed her purse on the drawer... headed to their bed and lied down by the edge in horizontal angle, her hair falling smoothly over the mattress and her hands slipping to clasp and press tightly on her chest.
She recalled it... how he had carried her. Called her a princess. They had walked so close... Her heart palpitated and she batted her eyes, an elongated smile with readiness for carnal daydreams painting her face.
Her fingers slid through her underwear, she lifted the hem of her yellow dress to help herself and let her fingers trace lazy circles through her nether lips. A tremulous gasp dripped from her throat — her mind fantasized of the fingers inside beinghis, and she increased the speed at imagining how 'Janet' sounded as he'd call to her, how he'd feel utterly spellbound and fascinated with her delight, his eyes twinkling and his voice sighing tenderly at her sight. Letting desire finish the run and consume her mind and body, she touched herself with a relentless need that drove her wild, faster, faster until she climaxed through a powerful, happy shriek of his name.
Now,thatfelt good. But to wait for him, it wouldn't be adequate to keep herself busy only in lonely touches. There was sure something she'd be creative enough to do, as she still thought of him.
She looked at her purse and pictured the notebook she kept inside. Getting off of bed and going to the restroom, the woman washed her hands and took a good look in the mirror. She... was somewhat impressed, proud of her own good looks. Not only because of rosy and round lips — which she did have — nor because of her hair or gorgeous gown. It was the face of someone... happy. Glowing.
The next thing she did was grab the notes and her pen from the purse, sit down thoughtfully. It had been a little while, but she'd always love the productiveness of annotations, the ink turning her ideas into words.
With a sigh, she started.
"My dear,
I think fondly of us. The hours we shared and innovated. How you laugh, breathe happily and fill the atmosphere with the brightest spark ever when I am around, and when I smile... it is always easy to have you respond. You talk of my eyes, joke back and forth when we have conversations, but ultimately, your sincere attention is totally captured when I engage in any topic I value with you.
I am fascinated by your reciprocation. By your need, your enthusiasm for me. The way you'll have a hard time maintaining your balance when I throw you a fun little comment to see you in a fluster. Your praise, compliments you deliver to me that seem suitable for a goddess — well, you aren't wrong, I am one!
I love it when you strut, smirk, belt and exude confidence. But I love it when you feel I'm safe for you to show your insecurity and you open up, simmer down to tell me what troubles you — that's brave. I love it when you hold me and keep me warm. I love to hold you and give you your best comfort. You trust me for all.
I think adoringly of you.
Your emerald eyes and their ambiguous forms of beauty. Always seeming so spontaneously wild, intense, deep and vast as a gigantic forest... yet somewhat royal, delicate, polished all the same. Nonetheless, they always seem to turn even more alive when you stare at me intently. Admiration looks entirely good on you.
Your thunderous, powerful cackle. Your cries when you get desperate for me to kiss you, please you.
Your dark hair naturally embellished by the most refined curls, the way they feel soft when I caress them. How you hum gently and bat your eyes at my fingers sinking there.
Your hands. And when one hand of yours takes mine. How it feels warm and right to find my fingers in your caring grip — at times, revel in your pretty lips pressed against the back of my hand.
Your body — the corsets you wear showcasing its most remarkable traits. Firstly I admired it, obviously noted the physical appeal, and now I believe your body is also home. Most importantly, it comforts me. I can always have mine tangled up in yours and have you pull me for togetherness. Listen to you breathe. Sense your heart flutter. Home.
You've made me find myself. Really feel and know myself. I'm happy I've developed my potential and known myself as much as I've known you. I am strong, I have my desires, I am capable, I am free. You've made your permanent, heartening, hopeful mark in my life. And I am full of kind, warm wishes for you.
I've grown with you! By all means, it's safe to say, so did you. You've grown into your best during each hour. We are facing maturity through all stages and learning together... don't you think that's beautiful?
I cherish all about you, Frank.
I love you.
Thanks for being you. You, my dearest of all, as much as I know I am yours. Through and through, you can feel proud of who you are because you have my adoration, all of it, my love."
The final scribbles with her pen were easy: her name, Janet, neatly written, slightly bigger than the previous letters of the whole declaration in cursive — a cute blank heart drawn after the signature, pulled along from the ending of her 't'. She smiled.
Reading the text again and again was therapeutic. It was good to pour all her musings, and all the ways she'd made progress in her senses, both of herself and related to the man she loved. All by his side.
She relaxed, laying her head on her pillow as the note was still secured by her hands.
After several minutes resting there, she decided it could be best to wait for the right hour downstairs, with some company. It was dinner time and she borrowed the musical clock from the room. She could certainly find her friends there, so she walked to the dining room, and found them with a good, empty space left for her. But she did not sit down.
"Brad! Hi! Dr Scott. How are you two?"
"We're doing okay", the Dr responded and her fiancé nodded before walking closer and starting a proper conversation with a smile.
"How have things been on your end?"
"They've been all right. Frank said he'd stop by — oh, look, his cape's here. Did he forget it?"
"No. He said he'd leave it here because he had a surprise for you and that he'd... dispose of it temporarily or something. He did stop by and we talked, though it seemed he had something longer to sort out and talk with Scott."
Her eyes went wide.
"W-with him? Did they talk normally?"
"Yep! They seemed like they were willing to put differences aside for all it counts. And, well, about what I got to hear... he had a great, great deal to say about you."
"What... about me?"
"He loves you, Janet, he really does! He spoke of you in a way... I can't recall the exact words, but to sum it up, he really expects things to go right and hopes you carry on accepting and letting him know, as he put, 'the sweetest person that will ever exist'. He also mentioned something about finding beauty anywhere..."
Janet recalled it. Her comment about Christmas and the care put into decorations. A gasp left her.
"That sounds so sweet! I know what he means. And, hey... I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you this before. About... well, you know what it is now. It's unfair to have let this go on without a word, but I'm in love. With him. God, I'm so in love..."
"I figured. And, honestly? I get that you want to make sure I'm not getting hurt. But seeing you happy... it's a good look on you. I'm good. So, don't worry about it! You know, regardless of our status, you're still so important to me."
"Even if... I don't plan on our marriage anymore... will you be okay?"
"Of course. So it should work this way: we're not together as a couple. And... we'll be there for each other."
Brad extended his hand for her to shake, and she did so. They'd established their deal.
"Yes", she whispered gladly.
Scott interrupted.
"Hey... Janet?"
She clicked her tongue and stared in his direction.
"Yes?"
"I wanted to tell you not to worry. Whatever may have... uh, motivated the beginning of our strife and and ill feelings, we figured it is not the most important matter at hand. We've agreed on talking peacefully through this while, based on... something both could agree on."
"Great... well, what would it be?"
"You. We've reached the conclusion that you are someone who deserves to find your peace of mind, and you're someone we both... value. Seems like actual love on his end, funny as that may sound."
She let out a mixture of a huff and contented laughter.
"That's great, friends! Really great. I know it doesn't mean you'll become best friends, or-"
"Oh, we absolutely won't", Frank's rival guaranteed.
"...but to know you'll both remain on decent terms, with no animosity, means everything to me. And he was willing to do that in spite of it all... I love him!"
The young lady looked at the clock she had in her hands, and then... it dawned on her.
Ten minutes left.
"Hey, hey! I'm sorry to be cutting this conversation short — I should go see him! He'll be waiting for us to meet!"
"Off you go", both men said.
Taking the opportunity after the conversation, Janet took off her wedding ring, carefully placed it on the table and saw Brad calmly take hold of it. Having explained in good concordance how the situation would remain between them both, she no longer saw the reason to be maintaining the public image of being engaged to the man in glasses that she'd known for long.
She ran so excitedly, so certain of looking again into the eyes of the one she cherished the most. Opening the door, her eyes found a rather quiet night, not many people roaming, which was understandable consdering the hour.
Waiting for him out there felt slightly cold in her dress. She was not abnormally bothered by the chilly breeze, however, as all she wanted was to see him again, speak to him, hold him...
She heard the clock strike nine with its standard tune.
Then came her surprise.
Oh.
The place where stood the tower they had visited hours before was gradually, then absolutely lit up. She looked in incomparable wonder as it was covered by bulbs shining their lights in various, vivid colors, from warm tones of red and light pink and yellow to soothing, delicate tones of green and cerulean blue. On the very top of the tower, a notable star placed on the center started to glow too, with little extensions resembling the tails of a shooting star. A beautifully organized decoration. The lights flickered in entertaining speed, and she jumped, clapped her hands in joy from where she witnessed the beloved spectacle. Then, a familiar voice rose.
"Oh! How I missed you, Janet!"
That was all she heard before he was delightfully glowing from afar and taking determined steps for her impressed sight, the lively lightbulbs vaguely reflecting on his figure drawing closer and closer.
Frank was back! The navy blue corset she'd helped him choose earlier became highlighted through the somber shade of the night. The pink details stood out brighter in sparkles. The heart pendant from his necklace was remarkably visible with the rays that shone on it as he strutted. He had a new addition to display: a golden cape printed with tiny blue stars. A smile graced her flushed face through the meek bites from the cold that teased it, and small tears threatened to form in her hues, showcasing their sprinkles of gold and the happiness that transpired all over her soul.
He pulled her in with all the energy his body could contain. His arms moved and fumbled quickly to hold her, and so he kept her still once he felt her breathing ease down, and both found themselves in good comfort.
She rubbed her face against his neck and felt him tense and hum in a visibly happy note. A giggle from her.
"I missed you- Frank! You're phenomenal! What is that I've been looking at? Fascinating light show, oh! Beautiful..."
He then hugged her from a further range to speak.
"It's a little gift I had to give you. Ever since we had that talk on the bench... I figured I was begging for a way to show you, you are right. We can find beauty in unexpected places... andyougave me that. Through gloomy stages of my existence. You are... you are my brightest star."
"Thank you! Thank you, my darling. Look at yourself! Shining in your words, all over your face as much as your clothing... it's worth making you sure: you're the one I want to exchange my light with."
His astonished laughter extending through their surroundings, he got one hand on her cheek and the other one around her waist, having her incline, meet his face. He kissed her emotionally, attentively, wanting the moment to prolong itself through their mutual love.
Her lips matched the passion in his, she was brimming with pride at the contact, but eventually broke it and warned him:
"I love your decorations so much, but we better get inside now... I mean, out here, it feels a little cold, right?"
"Oh, please, let me take you up there if you can? I've got this, actually, to put it around you and keep you warm", he noted, removing his gorgeous cape.
"Aww. I see you're efficient in all departments! Go on. Put it on me, that makes me more than glad to walk with you there."
He did so, and it was a cute difference, how the cape seemed somewhat oversized on her. It felt perfect to protect her body, and she nodded in confirmation.
"Let me just... take this clock back to where it belongs", she chuckled awkwardly. And he waited patiently for her to arrive again.
Their walk towards the tower felt cheerful. They would find excuses to touch the other's hair, tug at the clothes, laugh it off in their best mood.
They got up through the sinuous stairs. At the top, it was an interesting sight, the lights he had placed all over the building simultaneously decorated the inside.
"You thought of everything..! And found enough time to purchase and organize those. Impressive."
"Oh, don't forget, I'll do anything for you. By the way... you're also a clearly unforgettable sight wearing your dress so dazzling at night."
"Ha ha... well, thanks."
"You see this standing in the corner? Ever noticed?"
She took a look to where he pointed. A small wooden chest with jewels embellishing the front.
"Why, no... it looks pretty! Maybe old, too. What's it for?"
"I've been here before many times and this is a container of what made me company through all visits. Wanna open and take a look?"
"Sure."
Her fingers unlocked it. Inside, there were several books, all with ancient, sophisticated covers. He took one, opened it and blew a bit of dust away from the pages.
"I want to read a little for you... if that's fine", Frank offered.
"My pleasure!"
"Amazing, then! Uh... let me start from here.
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door—
Only this and nothing more.""
Janet listened to the entire recitation in amused silence, admiring the sonorous, dramatic interpretation he presented. By the end, however, she surprised him. There was little left for him to conclude it, and he enacted:
"And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor..."
"Shall be lifted—nevermore!" She exclaimed ardently.
"Huh! That was on point, do you know the whole poem by heart?" The young man jumped.
"Obviously. Famous, acclaimed, besides, I love plenty of Edgar Allan Poe's works."
"Interesting. I could've guessed you would, my intellectual little rival. Surely knows more of books than I do, ha ha. Science enthusiast got those pretty things to learn."
"Hmm... who knows? What I know is, your theatric rendition of it was marvelous. Intonation, emotion... Worth each word!"
"Honored to hear that from you, princess."
"Mhm. Ready yet? Her Highness wants to read to you, too."
"Go ahead. Pick whichever one looks good to you, my dear!"
It took her five seconds for her whole facial features to turn into pure glee.
"I'll borrow... this one."
The crimson cover was adorably detailed with flowery drawings. She opened it resolutely and began her reading.
"In a country very far from this is to be seen a great city wherein trade flourishes abundantly."
Frank wondered which story would follow from the amazingly enticing starting words.
Soon, it was clear to him, the tale was a renowned, old one. Both of the main characters' names gave it away, they revealed the book to be the French fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast.
Although the simplified, basic points constantly delivered by people in casual light during regular conversations were present, to hear Janet Weiss read the tale in its entirety, in her melodious yet assertive tone, made his experience heartwarming and memorable.
"So, now, she tells the Beast she's... fully accepted her love for him? And wants to marry", he mused, intrigued.
"Precisely. She openly states it... it saves him. And here, they will become King and Queen, and their tale will be written and retold through the ages."
She read the final chapter, closed the book shut with one steady move. Before his opinion arrived, she pointed a finger to him and added:
"Just praising something small: I have read many versions of this cute tale. I don't think most beat Villeneuve's original, but... I'm moved that he nearly dies of grief due to her absence, and she professes she cannot live without him later. All following spins keep focusing on the prince's eternal gratitude, for a maiden with striking beauty and good heart as her, to have seen him in that form, desired taking him for a husband and handed genuine love for him when no one else would."
"Something about that... makes me oddly sentimental. I get it! It's a children's tale. Still, I suppose I feel comforted that a grand author as Villeneuve found a way to address that during her days. Acceptance... empathy... ultimately, they go hand in hand with love."
They spent good minutes talking, analyzing the tale, minutes that extended into an hour. She laid her head on his chest and he made his own head rest on top of her hair. Eventually, he called for her attention.
"Shall we go back now? I'm proud we could do this. It's starting to get late now though."
"I totally agree! Will be good to return there with you. I loved doing this in your company."
He took her by the hand, her cape flowing with the breeze, and turned the lights off. It was advantageous that the building hadn't been of use to anyone for ages. They made that place their own to adore.
Once they were back inside, they went to the room they shared and she walked ahead, opening the door. He was apparently nervous.
"Listen, Janet?"
"Yeah?"
"I wanna... give this to you. Thought it'd look special and repay you for the necklace!"
From inside of his corset, he pulled out a ruby ring. She shook her hands in merriment, extending her left hand for him to place it on her ring finger.
"Are you serious that you've really done all that? A real sweetheart! How did you afford?!"
"See. First I thought of... borrowing some money from your purse as we embraced? But I figured even if it belonged to me before you, I didn't want to take any. Wanted to leave all for you. All the necessary for my surprise was thanks to Dr Scott's contribution. We agreed on my surprise. He helped."
"H-he did?! What he said was true then. You two are willing to be polite and coexist for good."
"Sure thing. I'm no hero in his eyes, but it will be favorable for calm and toleration to prevail."
"I couldn't be more radiant and thankful for what you did. But let me tell you, it's a great gift too, having you here with me. If you knew how I craved it..."
"I feel the same. I feel... it's going to bethatpart of the story."
"Which part?"
"The one where I take you, pretty, to the top of my tall tower!"
He giggled playfully and lept forward, Janet squealing and letting out her own noises of amusement as she paced hurriedly through their place, wheezing as he seized and lifted her with both hands on her waist.
"You're... a funny companion", she complimented, breathless, "but let's not strut loudly any longer, and remember, my dress is delicate, refined clothing that can't be ruined. Be careful, my prince!"
"Yeah. Go on..."
The Transylvanian started by kissing her left cheek, her right one, then her collarbone and at last, placed a light kiss on her lips. He brushed her hair off her face with one hand.
"All in you is beautiful", his comment arrived in a dulcet tone.
"It's... all yours. You're beautiful to me too", she assured him and felt him enter her. It made Janet gasp for air.
He was surely inspired by her motivation, thrusting promptly and kissing the spot below her ear, then gently taking the earlobe between his teeth. She chuckled at the way it tickled her flesh, then her slender fingers cupped his face and she advanced and kissed his lips one, two, three times, knowing the way he chanted dreamily whenever she did it. The loving gestures he provided, tasting the skin on her neck and pecking her face, were way too thrilling to handle combined with the friction in each push of his, speedily making her come hard and whine in his arms. He felt an invincible, throbbing impulse that drove him to finish too.
"Fantastic", she said tunefully, then he took off the cape protecting her back, pulled out and helped her return to the floor. As her feet touched it, Frank smiled kindly. Janet would've lost herself in the moment, in the tingles coursing through, were it not for his request:
"Now... I feel... we're both relaxed. Hmm... could you show me whatever was that thing you said before?"
"Oh. Sure!"
She ran to her purse, found the pages with the notes from her wait and handed them to him. He seemed dumbfounded, but soon enough, his senses allowed him to kiss her temple.
"Never dared to fool myself into thinking anyone would write of me in this nature. You reached to this depth in me that I hadn't granted to people. You're a real, living, breathing dream."
She brushed one hand against his face and yawned.
"Huh... I guess even dreams like me need their rest. I feel that I need some rest..."
"For sure! I want to rest too. May I... please hold you? I remember... when I silently told myself that I love you. You had your body reposing over mine..."
"I, too, recall that night! Say no more. I'll sleep that way with you."
"...I don't feel like putting my old clothes on. Think I'm going to remain undressed."
"Me too. Sounds like a plan."
Positioning themselves in a tight embrace, skin against skin, the blonde having her figure all over his, they could feel each other's serene respirations pervade the room and elevate their will to fall asleep.
"Good night", he pronounced as his last words of that night.
"Sweet dreams", she responded as their unconsciousness arrived in harmony.