Author's note: I know next to nothing about Governor's Ball and I already described a dress for Grace and Wilma prepared photos. So, there will be no black and white dress code.
The day of the Governor's Ball came and the sky was filled with gray clouds, but luckily, there was no rain.
Everything was ready. The orchestra was set up to arrive around two o'clock. Both the ballroom and dining room received a nod of approval from Helen as she glided through them, determined to help her son in any way she could.
Gustave's team was the busiest team today as the French chef started to work on the meals early on. The Menu was made by Gustave personally, including some of his cousin's favorites, but also mouthwatering specialities from the best Paris' cuisines.
Bill was up early, him and Marcus talking to men who were in charge of security for the Ball. Balfour was still nowhere to be found so Bill and Marcus didn't want to leave out any possible dangers.
Lucas left the bathroom, dressed in a bathrobe, wiping his wet hair. He felt relaxed, rested. Lately, his sleep was getting better and he noticed it. His mood also approved, he was able to concentrate better on his work. He felt energized, ready to face the future.
Even Gustave stopped acting like Mother-hen once Lucas started to eat properly and healthy again.
He was able to enjoy everyday's moments again. He felt the sun on his face again. He could go back to reading books in his library before going to bed, enjoying a cup of tea as fire crackled happily in the fireplace.
He enjoyed playing chess with Henry again. They could sit and talk for hours over chess board.
He enjoyed talking with Bill. Judge's quick wit and dry humor were priceless. They could spend hours in silence and still feel comfortable around each other. When they talked it was honest and friendly talk.
And now his parents were here. His Father's strong spirit calmed and grounded him. His Mother's care and warmth comforted him.
Lucas went back to the bathroom and took out a shaving kit. Taking care of his beard always calmed him.
He foamed his cheeks and worked quickly. Satisfied with the job done, he splashed some water on his face and wiped his face with a towel.
Putting on his aftershave, Lucas closed the bathroom doors and took his suit from the hook.
It was time to get dressed.
He was just buttoning his shirt when he heard the doors of his room opening.
Lucas opened the doors of bathroom a bit and peeked out.
A small, warm smile curled up his lips at the sight of his Mother coming in his bedroom.
"Mother?", he called out and Helen smiled warmly.
"Lucas, darling", she quickly walked toward him "I just came to…", her delicate fingers fixed his dark, thick hair. She smiled nervously "I came to see how is my son doing".
Seeing his Mother's eyes shining with unshed tears as she fixed non-existed wrinkles on his shirt, Lucas gave up on putting on a vest and instead took his Mother's palms in his.
Looking warmly at her, he silently asked:
"Mother? What's the matter?"
Helen blinked, few tears escaping her eyes.
Lucas was really worried now.
He gently wiped her tears with his thumbs, holding her gaze.
Helen took a deep breath in and caressed her son's face.
"It is such a blessing to see you at peace again. To hear you laugh again", she swallowed, a small, silent sob escaping her "I am sorry, darling."
Lucas enveloped his Mother in a hug. Leaning his cheek on her hair, he whispered:
"No, I am sorry, Mother, for all the pain I put you and Father through".
Helen pulled back, looking at him incredulously.
"Nonsense! It was not your fault! It was that lying, selfish, cheating, self-absorbed self-proclaimed princess that lied to you and hurt you", Helen took a deep breath in "I cannot imagine the pain you felt".
Lucas took a deep breath.
"I never lied to you, Mother, and I won't start now. Yes, it hurt. It hurt terribly. I really wanted to have a life with her. When we were on that train station she literally ripped my heart out and stomped over it. I didn't think that I could ever recover", he shrugged, letting out a breath "But, day by day, with help of many good people, I somehow pulled through", he gave his Mother a small smile "I still don't know or understand why it happened, but it did. And I have to live with that. Learn from that. All I know is that I feel better now. I won't let the past destroy my future, I never allowed it and certainly won't start now", he gently caressed his Mother's shoulder "So, don't worry, alright? I am sleeping better now", grinning, he added "Mother-hen Gustave makes sure that I eat properly and healthy. And I am not loosing myself in job to ease the pain anymore. I delegated tasks so I can spend more time with my family and friends…"
This was a moment Helen was waiting for.
She took her son's palms in her hands, silencing him in the process. He looked at her, confused.
Helen gently smiled.
"And Grace?", she whispered.
Helen watched as he froze for a moment and she continued gently and cautiously:
"I can't remember when was the last time I heard you laugh so much", she gently caressed Lucas' cheek "Just take your time to heal. Be patient with yourself now. She will wait for you as long as she has to", at her son's surprised look, Helen took a deep breath in "I know. Trust me. Take care of yourself…and take care of her", with a soft smile Helen let her words linger as she slowly turned away and left the room.
—--
Grace was sure that she would choke.
"It's too tight", she mumbled, fidgeting.
Lillian glanced at her sister's reflection in the mirror.
"Grace", she warned as she placed another pin in her sister's hair.
Grace closed her eyes, fidgeting.
Lillian gently shook her head.
"You have nothing to be nervous about", taking another pin and putting it in Grace's curls, she continued "You look beautiful".
Grace looked down at her hands, palms crossed in her lap.
"Maybe I shouldn't go. You can go and present the orphanage by yourself. Plus, you won't be alone. Henry, Gustave and Bill will be there. They can introduce you to people and…", Grace rambled on , until Lillian had enough and slightly stabbed her sister while she put a last pin in her hair. Grace yelped "Ouch! Why did you do that?!"
Lillian took two steps away from Grace and said:
"Get up", as Grace pursued her lips and stared down at the floor, Lilian warned "Now, Grace".
Dragging her body up, Grace stood up and turned toward her sister.
Lillian's eyes shone with loving tears.
"Oh, Gracie", as her sister looked up at her, Lillian whispered "You look stunning", noticing uncertain look on Grace's face, Lillian took a step closer and silently asked "Sweetie, what are you so afraid of?"
Grace wringed her hands.
"What if I say something stupid? What if I trip on this dress and fall down that grand staircase? What if nobody asks me to dance? What if I make a fool of myself? What if I…if I...", she stammered.
Lillian creased her eyebrows.
"What if you what, Gracie?", she asked.
Grace looked up and Lillian's heart broke at seeing sadness and fear in her little sister's eyes.
"Lillian…", she whispered "What if I disappoint him?"
Lillian's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth gaping open in shock.
She took a breath in to clear her head and pulled Grace toward the settee.
"Alright. You need a reality check and you need it now. So I'm gonna answer your questions one by one. And you will not interrupt me", she warned, took hold of Grace's hands and started to speak "First, you are a smart woman, you will not say anything stupid. Second, hold your dress a bit up like you always do when you go upstairs and downstairs every single day in our home", Lillian raised her eyebrows, looking pointedly at Grace before she continued "Third…nobody ask you to dance? Really? You do remember who invited you to the Ball, don't you? Fourth, you will only make a fool of yourself if you don't go. And fifth - disappoint Lucas?!", her voice was silent and comforting to Grace's nerves "Gracie…Can't you see the bond that you have with him? He completely transforms in your company! You are the only one who can make him open up about the deepest pains and sorrows! You are the only one who can make him laugh so hard that he isn't able to stand or breathe! Gracie", she gently caressed her sister's shoulder before slowly saying "You are the only one he looks at when you are in the same room. Of course, he looks at other people, but his eyes never stay away from you for long. And when he thinks that nobody sees it, he looks at you with warmth that would melt ice. You saved his life, but you are also saving his soul. You are healing his wounded heart. And he may not be aware of that yet, but…", she gently smiled "...but, I see it. Bill, Gustave and Henry also see it".
Grace let out a shivering breath.
"See what?"
Lillian's eyes sparkled.
"That you mean a lot to him. That he cares about you. I think that even his parents suspected something. Helen was looking at you like you are an angel from heavens above", she gently pulled her sister's hand to get her up from the setee "Are you ready to go?"
She watched as Grace took a few breaths before nodding, causing Lillian's face to brighten up with a happy smile.
"Alright. Lets go", whispered Grace.
—--
The orchestra was playing The Blue Danube waltz by Johann Strauss. Lucas was talking with Henry, his eyes stopping on his parents as they went toward the dance floor.
Lucas warmly smiled. His Mother was a vision in a dark red dress, her blonde hair curled and picked up in an elegant hairdo, with few curls brushing her shoulders. His Father was very handsome in his suit and the two of them made a glorious couple as they danced a waltz in a loving rhythm that came from the years of marriage.
He heard Henry excuse himself to go and talk to Bill about something. Lucas nodded politely and took a sip of champagne before he looked around the ballroom and toward the entrance.
And his heart stopped at the vision coming down the grand staircase.
She was here.
Oh. My. God.
She was absolutely stunning.
Breathtakingly beautiful.
Angelic.
Lucas' felt his feet moving on their own accord. He barely noticed Gustave and Lillian as he passed them by, giving Lillian a short greeting and welcome, his eyes never leaving the woman in a long, light blue dress.
He smiled at her, completely enthralled by her beauty.
She nervously smiled back, whispering:
"Good evening".
Lucas' face softened as he noticed how nervous she was.
His voice was velvety and warm as he greeted her back.
"Good evening, Grace", he smiled gently to calm her down "Thank you for coming".
She nodded slightly, her lips curling up a bit.
"Thank you for inviting us", she looked around but Lillian and Gustave disappeared.
Sneaky.
She quickly moistened her lips with tip of her tongue and said:
"Everything looks beautiful", she smiled, willing herself not to fall apart at the sight of him so dashingly handsome.
His eyes darkened a bit and Grace felt her heart skip a beat as he took a step closer to her.
"You outshine all of that", he whispered, his deep voice pulling on her heartstrings "You look beautiful, Grace. Breathtakingly beautiful".
Her blood felt like lava in her veins, burning her skin and sending blush to her cheeks.
She smiled, completely lost in his dark eyes.
"Thank you", plucking up courage, she whispered "You are looking very handsome tonight as well."
Lucas smiled warmly.
"Thank you", he said and his eyes sparkled "May I ask the most beautiful woman in the ballroom for this dance?"
Grace's heart skipped a beat.
"Yes, you may. I'd love to dance with you", as he offered his arm and led her toward the dancing floor, she whispered "But, I am hardly the most beautiful woman in the ballroom", she swallowed, her nerves showing up again.
Lucas slowly twirled her into him as they stepped on the dance floor.
He took her palm with his, placed the other hand on her waist and gently pulled her closer to him.
Closer.
She could feel his warm breath on the porcelain skin of her shoulders.
He looked deeply in her eyes, his eyes sparkling.
In the next moment he leaned his cheek against her cheek and whispered in her ear:
"You look perfect tonight".
—--
I found a love for me
Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes you're holding mine
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favourite song
When you said you looked a mess
I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it,
Darling, you look perfect tonight
Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a love to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own
We are still kids but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time
Darling, just hold my hand
Be my girl, I'll be your man
I see my future in your eyes
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favourite song
When I saw you in that dress
Looking so beautiful
I don't deserve this
Darling, you look perfect tonight
No, no, no
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favourite song
I have faith in what I see
Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect
I don't deserve this
You look perfect tonight.
(Ed Sheeran - "Perfect")