After hitting the dorm Carter and Lucy decided to hit a grocery store outside of town to pick up a few items for Lucy to make dinner.
"Luce you don't have to make us dinner? We can just go out" Carter said as they pulled into the parking lot.
"John I want to. It will be fun. Picnic dinner. If we're staying in the rest of the day we need, what did you call it? Sustenance?" Lucy smiled.
"Again you're the only Sustenance I need." He said seductively, grabbing her hand across the console and kissing it.
"Well at some point you will need actual food. I plan on giving you a workout tonight" she said winking.
Carter raised his eyebrows and grinned. "Bring it on. Let's go get some food" he chuckled, as he opened the door to get out.
Once in the store they both had fun pushing the cart and grabbing items. It was such a basic thing that Carter had never done with a woman before, yet with Lucy it felt so natural, and actually fun.
" Oh wait we need to go down this aisle" Lucy said as she turned down the cereal aisle.
"Ahhh your really trying to win me over aren't you?" John laughed.
"OK pick out your favorite. You never told me what kind you liked best " Lucy grinned.
John fidgeted, for some reason embarrassed to tell her his favorite kind.
"John are you embarrassed to tell me?" she smiled, walking towards him and wrapping her arms around his waist
"Yeah just a bit" he whispered
Lucy thought it was enduring. She tickled his stomach looking into his eyes, "I swear I won't laugh. It's ok John. Hey I love Lucky Charms. So just pick it out."
Carter looked down at her and kissed her quickly, "OK but no judgement. And no psycho analysis either" he said as he broke free of the hug and walked over to the Fruity Pebbles box. He grabbed it and put it in the cart and then slowly looked back at her.
"See that wasn't so hard"
Carter grabbed her again, hugging her and kissing her slowly, "You tell anyone about this and I will have to take retaliation " he smiled.
"Your secret is safe with me. Fruity Pebbles hah? Never took you for a Fruity guy" she giggled.
"Hey it was the first sugary cereal I ever ate. The maid bought it for me and would give me a bowl when my parents were out of town. And just like you said I loved just eating it and watching cartoons. "
"You just did your own psycho analysis. Hey I get it. I happen to love Fruity Pebbles myself. No judgement here" she said, as they kissed a bit more in the aisle.
Little did they know but a pair of eyes had been watching them from a far. Those eyes had spotted Carter and Lucy walk in the store holding hands, and now kissing in the aisle. The eyes weren't shocked, but they definitely didn't expect to see what they saw. Now that they had though, they knew it could be useful at some point down the road.
After they finished shopping Carter told Lucy there was one more place he wanted to stop at since they were in the area. He had never brought anyone there before, but somehow it felt right to bring her.
They drove for a bit and Lucy got curious,
"So is this like your secret hangout?"
"Kinda. I go there often. To think, to ponder, and reflect" he said seriously.
"Ooooh. More about John Carter to analyze and dissect." Lucy joked.
" Lucy you already know more about me then anyone. Consider that a compliment"
Lucy smiled at him and then took notice of where they were entering. Was he really taking her here?
"Um John. This is a cemetery. Do you take all your first dates here? This may be a bit over my head to analyze"
John laughed. "No Lucy. You're the first girl I've ever brought here. Just wait. You'll understand in a sec"
" Should I feel flattered?"
Carter turned to look at her and grabbed her hand, "Yes"
John drove to the far back of the cemetery and parked. He looked across at Lucy and she looked a bit bewildered.
"Come on. I want you to meet someone " he said, opening his door and then walking around to open hers.
Lucy knew John's parents and grandparents were still alive, so she was a bit confused as to who he was talking about.
He grabbed her hand and they walked for a bit. The cemetery was beautiful Lucy thought. Family vaults, amazing statues, and large trees blanketed the grounds. They finally came to a large stone and Lucy noticed the last name Carter in huge etching. She saw no other name until he pointed and Lucy saw the plaque on the ground.
"Robert 'Bobby' Carter. Beloved son and brother. 1967-1980" she read out loud. "John who is this?"
"Lucy meet my older brother." He said, leaning down and dusting the leaves off the plaque.
"I didn't know you had a brother. He died so young. What happened?" she asked, touching her hand on Carters shoulder.
"Leukemia. He was 12. I was 9. He's why I became a doctor. I wanted to save others since I couldn't save him." John said sadly, bending down and starring at the plaque.
"I'm so sorry John. That must have been hard on you at that age."
" As my fathers namesake, I should have taken over the family empire. But I had no desire for any of that. Bobby would have though. He was my mom's favorite. I always knew that growing up. So after he died she became like a ghost to me. Now I never really see my parents. You were right Lucy. I rarely ever saw my parents together, let alone show any kind of affection towards each other, or me. So that is why I'm, what did you call it? Closed off and not in touch with my feelings?" he chuckled, rising back up to look at her.
" John I'm so sorry. You went through a lot as a kid. But look at you now. An independent, successful doctor who doesn't need his family name to define him. You should be proud of yourself. I know Bobby would be. And I am."
John starred at her. She really had a good heart. And even though this thing between them was so new, he felt like she really did understand him. He felt at ease in her presence, and sharing parts of his life he had shared with no other woman before.
He reached for her and took her hands, "Thank you for coming here with me. I haven't been here for awhile"
"I'm glad you trusted me enough to bring me here. Thank you John" she said softly. She then turned around, "It was nice meeting you Bobby" she said towards the plaque. " I hope your brother will bring me back again soon"
John smiled at her sweet gesture and turned her back towards him, bending down to give her a soft kiss
"Thank you Lucy"
"For what?"
"For just being you" he chuckled. "Let's get going. Back to Weavers for picnic dinner and alone time. This may be our last chance to spend a bit of time together "
"OK."
They walked hand in hand back to the Jeep and drove back towards Weavers house. Lucy felt like she had gotten to understand Carter a bit more. Why he had such a passion for medicine and helping people. And why he was closed off with his feelings. He never got shown any love growing up, so how can he know how to show it? Lucy had been raised by a single mom who made Lucy the center of her world. She never felt unloved. She couldn't imagine what kind of childhood John must have had.
Once back at Weavers Lucy started to prep an early dinner as John went through the classifieds at the kitchen table. He found a few that looked promising and called to schedule tours.
"OK now that that is taken care of lets add some music to this party." John got up from the table and walked over to Kerri's sound system, putting in a cd.
" Something else you don't know about me Luce is that I love Jazz and old time music", he said as he came up behind her at the counter and wrapped his arms around her waist. The slow sounds of Nat King Cole echoing through the room.
Lucy turned in his arms. "That doesn't surprise me" she smiled
"Yeah why? Carter said, pulling her close to him and leaning into her body. "A psych analysis please Doctor Knight" he joked.
"Well you said your grandparents basically raised you. I would assume this is the type of music they listened too. It's the music you relate to "
John wrapped his hand around her waist and begin to slow dance with her. Lucy wasn't that familiar with dancing but it felt good to be in his arms again.
He raised his head to look down at her. "Right again Doc. I think this just may be your calling?"
"Analyzing you or dancing?" she joked.
"Both" he laughed.
At that moment the song changed, and Doris Days "It's Magic" started to echo through the room. Lucy leaned in and rested her head on his chest, both swaying to the soft tune. They were quiet, reveling in the song, the moment, the feelings they both were having. This felt good. This felt right. Carter pulled his head up to look at her, their eyes locking on each other. She was beautiful. Not just on the outside, but her soul too. Carter leaned down to kiss her gently, their lips doing a slow dance to the music as well. This time Carter didn't want to rush. He wanted to savor the moment, the emotions she was making him feel. The kisses began to deepen, and soon their hands began to roam. Carter broke the kiss and stared at her. That feeling of magnetism radiating again. He wanted to touch her, hold her, love her. A feeling he had never felt before. As the song ended, he grabbed her hand and lead her towards the door to the basement.
"John what about dinner?"
"Is anything cooking"
"No. No yet"
"Then let it keep. I want to do a little cooking of our own." He smiled, as he led her down the steps towards the bed.
Tonight he wanted to go slow. Savor her, and the feeling of being one with her. He slowly undressed her as they kissed sensually. He laid her down on the bed gently, removing his own clothing to lay beside her. This time though it was tender, it was emotive, it was something Carter had never experienced before with any other woman, and as he entered her body and slowly moved within her, one word permeated his thoughts. Could this be what it felt like? He never thought he had been in love before. Cared about somebody, yes. But this feeling was unlike anything he had ever experienced, and for once it didn't scare him. And as they both reached their climax, the feeling of being one with the other was mutual. And after, they both were content to just hold each other and savor the moment.
"John I wish we didn't have to work tomorrow. This time with you has been amazing" Lucy finally spoke, as their hands gently stroked the other.
"I know. It's going to be hard not to touch you, kiss you"
"Well we can just keep our distance. Assign me patients and let me go. Less chance we do something suspicious if we aren't around each other."
"Yeah. I may have to be mean to you though to deflect the others. Just know I don't mean it. It's all part of the act" he said, smiling down at her.
"Hey I can dish it just as well as I can take it " Lucy joked, kissing his lips softly.
" So will you stay with me tonight? Tomorrow I will drive to work and you can take the El. Let me get to the hospital before you?"
"That sounds good. And when we get off work?"
"Weaver's comes back tomorrow night so we have to go our separate ways until I can find an apartment. Don't worry Luce, it won't be long. I can't live without this, without you, for too long" Carter said, kissing her deeply.
