Author's note: Big thanks to Rhona Garcia-Glavey for suggesting the question "If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?" as it brought out such a loving moment between Grace and Lucas!

Huge thanks to Wilma Dueck for suggesting a song "Rose of my heart" by Johnny Cash as it fits perfectly for Grace and Lucas!

—--

As their laughter quieted down, Lucas decided to stay laying down with his head in her lap. Grace smiled softly at him as her fingers slowly started to weave their way through his glorious hair.

He looked up at her and for a moment, they were both silent, just enjoying each other's company.

"Alright, my turn", Lucas thought for a while, staring at the landscapes that passed by in front of the train window, then looked back at Grace "What foreign language do you speak? And which one you don't, but would love to know?"

Grace gently smiled.

"Well, I speak French and a bit of Spanish…And which one would I like to learn? Hmmmmm…", Grace squeezed her eyes thoughtfully then looked back at him "Greek. I love the sound of it. It's so melodic. And I adore Greece."

Lucas smiled gently.

Good to know.

This game was turning out to be quite informative.

"Have you ever been to Greece?", asked Lucas.

Grace nodded.

"Once. In Thessaloniki. I took two kids to their adoptive parents. They weren't able to travel due to their jobs so they arranged for me to bring the children", replied Grace "I loved it there. I am still in contact with Nico and Voula, the couple who adopted Sarah and Patricia. I loved them, they are such warm people. And I loved Thessaloniki, Greek cuisine, culture, history…", she looked down at him "Sorry for digression, I always get carried away."

Lucas shook his head.

"No, no I want to hear it", he watched her carefully as he asked "So, you've never been to Athens or any of the islands?", as Grace shook her head, he said "It's beautiful. Athens is one of the most beautiful places I've been to, although it's a tough call between it and Barcelona. And the sea and beaches on the Greek islands are unreal."

Grace smiled.

"Oh, I agree with you about Barcelona! Gaudi just takes my breath away with his work!", she said and Lucas nodded enthusiastically.

"Right? Did you see that there are no straight lines on La Sagrada Familia? Oh, my God, the architecture is amazing!", he gasped, his palms gesticulating in front of him.

Grace let her head fall against her seat and breathed out:

"And Casa Batlló! You can't believe that a human's mind could come up with such a beautiful thing, let alone make it!", exclaimed Grace.

Lucas looked at her, smiling widely.

"Did you drink water from the faucet in Ramblas street?", he asked.

Grace nodded, her smile widening.

"Yes!", she exclaimed excitedly.

Lucas grinned happily.

"So did I! That means that we'll go back there someday!", the words were out before he even realized what he said.

Her eyes widened just a tiny bit as she looked down at him.

His heart soared and he gently caught her chin between his fingers, slowly pulling her head down. She went willingly and kissed him as he picked up his head a little bit, and they met halfway.

Lucas kissed her slowly, lovingly, pouring his heart out to hers. Grace cupped his cheek and gently ran her fingers through his soft beard as she kissed him back.

As they pulled away, they both felt the air between them change… Like their relationship moved up to the next level.

Trying to calm her thundering heart and the dreams of a future at Lucas' side, Grace quietly said:

"Your turn."

Lucas put a hand under his head as he nestled comfortably on her lap.

"Well, we both know I also speak French", he winked at her, making her giggle sweetly, her cheeks blushing prettily. He smiled lovingly at the sight of it and carried on "I know a little bit of Spanish and Italian. And I'd love to learn Chinese."

Grace looked curiously at his eyes with her lips curling up.

"Chinese?", she asked.

Lucas nodded.

"It's so intriguing to me, especially their letter, all those symbols. Asia itself tickles my imagination, Shanghai left me completely breathless and in awe. There are so many amazing places in this world to see. I'd love to see pyramids in Egypt, they fascinate me", replied Lucas, inhaling deeply, her sweet scent filling him with such a peace that he closed his eyes and relaxed.

Grace smiled as she watched him, her heart swelling as she saw how relaxed he was.

To be able to bring him that sense of peace made Grace so happy and she promised to herself that she will always try to do that.

Her fingers moved slowly through his hair and for a moment, she thought that he had fallen asleep.

But, then his lips moved and he asked, his eyes still closed:

"What? Don't tell me you ran out of questions already, angel", his lips curled up.

Grace smiled softly.

"I thought you had fallen asleep", she mumbled gently, her fingers still getting lost in his dark hair.

Lucas slightly shook his head.

"No", he opened his eyes "Just relaxing", his eyes looked warmly at her.

She smiled gently.

"Good. You need to relax, especially with the job you have", her lips curled up "And I'll see to it that you always relax."

Lucas' eyes softened and he felt warmth washing all over him at hearing those loving words from her.

Grace smiled.

"Now, let's see…", she thought for a moment, then smiled "Oh, here's a good one, my fellow tumbleweed!", her heart swelled at his warm smile as he remembered how both of them called themselves a bit of a tumbleweed "If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?", her eyes were shining with such warmth that Lucas could literally feel it caressing his heart.

And he knew his answer right away.

"I don't bond for places", he mumbled silently "In my experience, it's not the town or townspeople that make you a home and a family. It is that one person that gives you that. A home. And a family. And that's all that matters to me", with those words, Lucas slowly sat up and turned to look at her "So, to answer your question", he took her hand and with his other palm cupped her cheek and whispered "I wanna live wherever you live."

Grace let out a shuddering breath and moved instinctively, meeting him halfway for a long, sensual kiss.

Pulling away slightly after few moments, Lucas caressed her cheek and silently asked:

"And you?"

Grace smiled through her tears, her fingers caressing his bearded cheek.

"Do you really have to ask?", she whispered as she swam in the warmth of his dark eyes "I wanna live right here. In your arms, my Lucas."

As those words left her mouth, Lucas thought that his heart would burst. His throat tightened with emotions and he leaned in to kiss Grace's lips, wrapping his arms around her waist.

She kissed him back with all that she had, all that she felt. Grace knew that she completely opened her heart to him and wore it on her sleeve, totally exposed, but she didn't care. She knew that he wouldn't hurt her. She loved him and wanted him to know just how much.

Her whole body tingled as she realized from his kisses and caresses how much her words actually moved him. He couldn't let go of her and she felt like melting, feeling warmth around her waist where his arms wrapped around her like a warm blanket on a chilly night.

Once the desperate need for air made them break the kiss, Lucas gasped, his eyes looking down as he willed himself not to propose to her right here and now.

He looked back up to see her eyebrows creasing in confusion and concern at his silence and avoiding her gaze.

His heart skipped a beat as he cupped her cheek once again.

"Remember what I told you, angel. You and I will last forever", he whispered passionately "Never doubt how much I love you."

He watched as her face brightened with a warm smile and she quickly closed the space between them, kissing him lovingly, her heartbeat mirroring his own.

—--

We're the best partners this world's ever seen,

Together as close as can be.

Sometimes it's hard to find time in between,

To tell you what you are to me.

You are the rose of my heart,

You are the love of my life.

A flower not fading nor falling apart,

If you're tired, rest your head on my arm.

Rose of my heart.

When sorrow holds you in her arms of clay,

It's rain drops that fall from your eyes.

Your smile's like the sun come to earth for a day,

You brighten my blackest of skies.

You are the rose of my heart,

You are the love of my life.

A flower not fading nor falling apart,

If you're cold, let my love make you warm.

Rose of my heart.

So hard times or easy times, what do I care,

There's nothing I'd change if I could.

The tears and the laughter are things that we share,

Your hand in mine makes all times good.

You are the rose of my heart,

You are the love of my life.

A flower not fading nor falling apart,

You're my harbor in life's restless

storm.

Rose of my heart.

Rose of my heart.

("Rose of my heart" - Johnny Cash)