Grace opened the doors of the mansion's garden for Lucas who carried the box with records while she carried a bag with their skates and his notebook.
"Watch your step", Grace warned him as they reached the stairs. Lucas gave her a pointed look, making her crease her eyebrows with a curious smile on her lips "What?
Lucas shook his head as he started to climb up the stairs that led to the front gate.
"Sweetheart, after all those falls on the ice, the stairs to our home are no challenge at all", and just as he said that, his left leg stumbled slightly at the fifth step causing records to shake in the box and Grace to grab his arm to hold him up!
"Lucas!", she yelped.
Lucas straightened up, a cocky smirk on his lips.
"Just testing your reflexes, angel", he said and winked at her.
Grace gasped and she playfully hit his forearm.
"Lucas!", she laughed as she scolded him gently for teasing her so.
Lucas pretended that he was losing balance from her playful kick.
"Hey, hey!", he yelped but couldn't keep up charade any longer and grinned "Do you mind?"
Grace rolled her eyes, her smile growing at her handsome fiancé's antics.
"My silly man", she commented as they reached the doors.
Lucas' heart warmed at her words and he smiled softly at her before saying:
"Take the keys from my pocket, please. I don't want to wake anybody. They worked so hard these last few days."
Grace nodded and reached for the right pocket on his coat. Lucas waited until she put her palm inside and then he said:
"No, they are in the other pocket", he fixed the hold on the box and watched, barely holding a smile back as Grace reached under the box to get to his other pocket…only to look up at him as she didn't find the keys there either.
Lucas quickly schooled his facial expression into a serious one and acted like he just remembered something.
"Oh, they are in my suit jacket! I never put it in my coat, you know, just to make sure I don't lose them", he scrunched up his nose with a small sniff and cleared his throat as he moved the box slightly to his left "Do you think you can get it?"
All of a sudden Grace's eyes twinkled as she started to realize what was he doing.
She gave a slight kick to the box.
"Move it to the left", she murmured as she looked down at the two row buttons on Lucas' coat and started to unbutton the first row, barely stifling her laughter "A bit more to the left…", she pretended to struggle to reach the second row of the buttons "Bit more…no the other side…no, wait", by now, they were both starting to lose a battle with laughter and Grace kicked the box with records as she gasped through giggles "Will you, PLEASE, put that stupid box down?!"
Laughing, Lucas did just that and straightened up, his eyes sparkling as Grace cleared her throat and murmured as she went back to unbuttoning his coat.
"Now, please. Be serious", she deadpanned as she unbuttoned his coat and asked "This is a serious matter. Where are your keys?"
Lucas' lips twitched.
"I think that they are in my left pocket", he watched as Grace reached inside his pocket and his lips curled up in a smile as she pressed closer to him while she inspected his left pocket. She peeked at him under her eyelashes as she found the pocket empty and slowly checked his right pocket, her breathing fastening up as he inched closer to her face, his breath warming her lips.
"It's not there either", she whispered and licked her dry lips with the tip of her tongue "I"ll have to check your inner pockets, Governor."
She slowly moved her hands inside his suit jacket and it was in that moment that Lucas descended a warm, sensual kiss on her rosy lips, making her gasp quietly in pleasure. Her palms rested on his chest as he slowly devoured her mouth, making her head spin and causing a soft whimper of pleasure to escape her.
As he slowly pulled away he reached in the inner pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out the keys, never breaking eye contact with her.
Grace smile grew.
"You knew where they were all along", she murmured quietly and sighed softly as she felt Lucas' hands pulling her closer to him. She wrapped her hands around him and closed her eyes, her entire body tingling as he kissed her again. She kissed him back, her heart pounding so fast and
loud at his loving caresses that she was certain he could feel it as he held her close "You will drive me mad, you know that, don't you?", she asked quietly as she gently tightened her hold on him.
Lucas leaned his forehead on hers as he breathed heavily.
"Good", he whispered as a small smile curled up his lips "It wouldn't be fair that I am the only one who will end up insane until February 14th."
Grace let out a shaky laugh.
"Oh, trust me, you won't be the only one!", she whispered and whimpered in delight as Lucas kissed her again, interrupting her words in the most delicious way ever. She felt her mind turn into a mush and she pressed her palms into his back, pulling him closer to her, her knees buckling as she felt every part of his hard body against her soft curves. A silent moan escaped her and she gasped "Lucas…"
His forehead was full of lines as he struggled not to lose control. He slightly pulled away from her, but their foreheads still touched and he closed his eyes, letting out a shaky breath.
"I don't know how I will let you go today, Grace…", he whispered, his voice etched with emotions "This place doesn't feel like home without you in it anymore."
Grace felt her lungs ache with emotions and she could sense the tears forming in her eyes. She cupped his right cheek, prompting him to open his eyes to her warm, loving smile.
"I will be back", she murmured gently "Do you hear me? I will be back. You will never be alone in the big house again", as those words left her lips she could see it in his eyes that she hit the target "Remember what I told you? We won't live like your parents did. Even if we had to work 20 hours per day, we would still find time to cuddle with our family. Because at the end of the day that's what's most important", she saw his entire face change as warmth entered his dark orbs and she smiled "You are all that's important", and with those words she stepped on her tiptoes and kissed his lips, feeling how he relaxed under her loving caress.
As they slowly broke the kiss he swallowed hard and looked at her, emotions written plainly on his face.
"That's all I ever wanted", he gently kissed her forehead and added "Come on. Let's go inside."
—--
Lucas was sitting on the sofa as Grace rushed to Victrola and took of the record that just finished playing. She rummaged through the box and pulled out Bessie Smith's record. She put it on and as the record started to play, she made a small ballerina twirl, her hands up in the air.
Lucas smiled warmly as he watched her enjoying the music.
"Oh, I LOVE this song!", she said happily as she danced her way back toward the sofa, but instead sitting down she twirled her way behind it and stopped right behind Lucas. She hugged him around his neck from behind and as he leaned his head on the back of sofa she smiled gently at him "And I love you more than this song."
She felt him take her palm in his fingers and smiled as he kissed her knuckles. She could see vulnerability in his eyes and it made her even more determined to assure him that she will never abandon him.
She placed a warm, long kiss on his forehead and gently squeezed his fingers with her own.
"Even if you would try to live the way your parents did, I wouldn't let you", she said gently "I would immediately set you back on the straight path", she felt his fingers slightly tightening their hold on hers and her heart swelled with love for this amazing, wonderful man who was wronged so badly in the past "And you know how stubborn I am when I decide to do something", her heart warmed up as she saw his lips curling up ever so slightly. She let go of his hand and quickly twirled her way to the sofa. She sat down and pat her lap "Come here", she smiled warmly as Lucas slowly laid down on the sofa, his head resting on her lap. Nodding slightly Grace slowly started to weave her fingers through his dark hair, causing him to close his eyes and sigh. She smiled gently and she took his palm in hers and just rested their joined hands on his chest.
His eyes opened slowly and he quietly called her name:
"Grace?"
She gave him a gentle, encouraging smile and he exhaled deeply, his eyes fluttering closed again.
"Thank you", he whispered.
Grace smiled sadly as she continued to caress his hair. She could feel how he relaxed under her loving touch and she vowed to herself to always make sure he doesn't feel alone or abandoned with her around.
The record played on and on and Grace fell silent, thinking that Lucas may fall asleep. As the record ended he opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Wanna listen to Sidney Bechet now?", as she nodded, he tried to get up, but Grace stopped him.
"I'll do it. You stay here and enjoy", as Lucas sat up she wiggled her way out and playfully and gently pushed him back on the sofa "I am just going to the bathroom. I'll be right back", and with those words she went toward Victrola and put Sidney Bechet's record on.
She glanced at Lucas with a smile as she went toward the doors of the library and her heart warmed as she saw him closing his eyes and placing his right hand under his head, completely relaxed.
Grace walked through the long corridor and after she finished with the bathroom she quickly went back to the library, hating the thought of Lucas being alone.
And as she stepped inside and closed the doors, her heart melted at the sight of her beloved fiancé.
He was fast asleep.
Grace's eyes filled with tears as her heart went out to this amazing man. For the life of her she couldn't understand how people could treat him the way Elizabeth and his own parents did in the past.
He was always there for others, always eager to help and so loving toward everybody.
He deserved the best of everything.
Not wanting to wake him up Grace tiptoed toward the sofa and she sat down on the floor, looking at his dear, handsome face.
"Sleep, my love", she whispered "I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."
—--
Sun was setting down and its last tracks coloured the library in the shades of orange and purple.
Lucas moved slightly and his eyelashes picked his eyelids up as the sleep slowly left his senses. He inhaled deeply, feeling so rested and relaxed.
And warm.
He glanced down and noticed that he was covered with a soft, warm blanket…but his heart warmed even more as he saw an arm across his waist and in the next moment, he felt it move and gently squeeze his side.
He turned to his left, a happy, lip closed smile on his face as he saw the love of his life looking at him.
"You're here", he whispered.
Grace smiled as she knelt beside the sofa and murmured gently:
"I am", she leaned down and kissed him longly, lovingly, pouring all her love into their kiss. She heard him let out a sigh and she whispered "Who in their right mind would leave you when they could watch you sleep?"
Lucas felt warmth washing over him and he stretched his right hand, slightly grimacing as it felt numb from him laying on it.
"Did I snore?", he asked quietly, his lips curling up.
Grace slowly caressed his chest, her lips hovering against his.
"No, my love", she whispered "You were a dream coming true."
Grace watched as his eyes softened and she smiled before leaning down and placing another gentle, sensual kiss on his lips. Lucas moved to the back of sofa and he gently pulled her up. She went willingly and snuggled beside him, never breaking the kiss. He wrapped his left arm under her back and around her waist as his right hand gently caressed her shoulder, going down her arm, stopping at her ribs and traveling downwards across her hipbone and her leg. He felt her gasp quietly into their kiss and arch into him, causing him to almost lose control.
He broke the kiss, his right hand wrapping itself around her waist too and he closed his eyes, breathing heavily, his forehead leaning on hers.
Grace gasped for breath as she felt him so close to her and her heart swelled with love as he once again managed to stop before they both got lost in the whirl of passion.
She cupped his cheek and kissed the lines on his forehead, her heart beating in the rhythm of his own.
"I love you, my Lucas", she whispered.
He let out a breath and opened his eyes, his warm gaze caressing her with so much love that it nearly made her cry from joy and she heard his quiet, deep, velvet voice:
"I love you too, my angel."
—--
A new day has come
A new day has come
I was waiting for so long
For a miracle to come
Everyone told me to be strong
Hold on and don't shed a tear.
Through the darkness and good times
I knew I'd make it through
And the world thought I had it all
But I was waiting for you.
Hush, now
I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe I've been touched by an angel with love.
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come
A new day has come.
Where it was dark, now there's light
Where there was pain, now there's joy
Where there was weakness, I found my strength
All in the eyes of a boy.
Hush, now
I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe I've been touched by an angel with love.
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come
A new day has come.
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come
A new day has come.
Hush, now
I see a light in your eyes
All in the eyes of the boy
I can't believe I've been touched by an angel with love
I can't believe I've been touched by an angel with love
Hush, now
Rain come down
The rain come down.
("A new day has come" - Celine Dion)