Lucas was in his office, going over some files when the phone rang. He picked it up, still writing something down.
"Yes?"
"Governor, I have the Mayor on the line for you", Simon's voice was heard.
Lucas slightly grimaced. The invitations were sent two days ago and he expected to hear a reaction from the Mayor - or, better to say Mayor's wife - about the date for the Ball.
"Thank you, Simon. Put him through", said Lucas and waited until he heard the line being connected before he politely greeted "Good afternoon, Mayor. How are you doing?"
A slight huff was heard from the other side of the line before Mayor himself spoke up:
"My wife is pretty upset that you are organizing the Ball while we are not here, Governor."
Lucas swallowed his laugh before clearing his throat to make sure his tone of voice matches his next words:
"You will not be here? I didn't know that, Mayor!"
Poor Mayor was so worked up from his wife whining ("We will miss the Ball! Why are they throwing it NOW?!") and nagging ("You call that man and tell him how we loath their decision!") that he barely let Lucas finish his sentence before he spoke again:
"Well my administrative assistant told the member of your security team that we are going away to see our son", the Mayor rambled on.
There was a knock at the doors of Lucas' office. He looked up to see who is it and a warm smile brightened his whole face as he saw Grace entering. He stifled a laugh as he motioned with his palm for her to hurry up and listen to the conversation he was having.
Creasing her eyebrows in confusion Grace quietly shut the doors and tiptoed quickly to Lucas.
He winked at her before he exhaled a frustrated breath out and spoke:
"Yes, I just got aware of that this morning and I issued a suspension warrant for him for not telling me such important information. Miss Bennet and I are truly sorry that you and your lovely wife will not be able to attend."
Grace's eyes widened and she turned away from Lucas, trying with all her might not to burst out into laughter. Lucas shook from suppressed laughter and covered a phone receiver with his palm, to cover up any possible chuckle from the annoyed party on the other side of line.
"Yes, well… Thank you, Governor, but that still doesn't help the situation I am in", the poor Mayor's voice was practically begging for help.
Lucas cleared his throat, straightening up his shoulders before he replied:
"I know, Mayor. Please, accept our deepest apologies. However, please be sure to pass on to your lovely wife that my fiancée will host a dinner for my esteemed politician colleagues' wives once you get back."
Grace pressed her lips tightly together, desperately trying not to laugh, only to salute as a soldier in the next moment, nearly making Lucas to burst out into laughter.
A sigh of relief could be heard from the other side:
"Well, that is comforting news. Thank you, Governor."
Lucas slightly nodded, his entire being shaking from laughter that dangerously bubbled up in his throat.
"You are mostly welcome, Mayor. I wish you a safe trip and hope you have a lovely time with your family", he listened as the Mayor said something "Yes. I will. Thank you. Goodbye."
The second he hung up, both of them bursted to laughter. Lucas placed his palms on the table, laughing his heart out while Grace stumbled across the office, doubling over from giggles.
Wiping the tears that rolled down his cheeks from laughter, Lucas exhaled and looked up at the ceiling.
"Thank God this wasn't face to face talk! I don't think that even my poker face is that good", he said, still laughing.
Grace shook her head, giggling madly.
"Oh, imagine how worked up dear Valerie must be over all this!", she managed to squeak out.
Lucas laughed, still wiping his eyes.
"I cannot imagine. I actually felt sorry for the poor Mayor", he said "I don't think that she will ever get over the fact that they won't be able to attend the Ball. It's going to be a looooong holiday for the poor Mayor!"
Grace playfully huffed.
"Well, it serves her right. After what she said to you, she should be grateful that she will ever enter this house again, let alone attend an event that I am hosting! The nerve of the woman!", Grace's smile faded away as she remembered what Valerie said to Lucas and she crossed her arms, mumbling seriously "If she is going to talk like that to my man, well, then, she should be ready to bear the consequences!"
My man.
Her words hit the target, even if Grace was too upset at the moment to even realize what did she say.
But, Lucas heard it.
And his heart swelled at hearing and seeing her getting so worked up over something he had to deal with.
His lips curled up in a gentle, lip-closed smile as he slowly walked from behind the desk and went toward Grace. He placed his palms on her forearms causing her to snap out of her mood and look up at him. He gently uncrossed her arms and intertwined her fingers with his.
"What she doesn't realize is that I have my own guardian angel, undercover agent and little warrior who takes care of me", he watched as anger slowly left Grace's face and bringing her hands up, he gently kissed her knuckles "I heed my angel's advice and the problem was solved."
Grace's lips slight twitched.
"What kind of advice?", she asked quietly.
Lucas smiled as he leaned his forehead against hers.
"To give Mrs. Mayor a taste of her own medicine", he said, his smile growing.
Grace smiled, looking intently at his warm dark eyes.
"And? Did it work?", she asked teasingly.
Lucas cupped her right cheek and whispered:
"Like a charm. My beautiful fiancée gives very sage advice", he whispered, hovering his lips over hers "I may just hire her as my Chief Advisor."
Grace let out a shaky breath as she recognized her own teasing words.
"She sounds like a remarkable woman. I would love to meet her…", but before she could finish her sentence properly Lucas kissed her hungrily, causing Grace to hold onto his forearms as her knees buckled. A silent moan escaped her as she mirrored his passion with her own and quickly hugged him around his neck, her lips eagerly kissing him back.
She felt his hands pulling her closer to him, so close that she could feel his heartbeat. One of her palms sneaked into his hair and he silently groaned in pleasure, their kiss deepening up to a feverish level.
Grace shivered deliciously from the heated love Lucas washed over her and pulled him closer, never wanting to let him go. She nearly broke apart in his passionate embrace right there and then as she felt his hands caress her spine with so much tender love and care.
Breaking up their kiss, Grace breathed heavily, still not pulling away from his warm body.
"That material on my dress must grate on your nerves, Governor", she whispered and felt his palms pressing more gently into her back, causing her soft curves to go flush against his hard muscles, making her quietly gasp at the feeling "Too bad it doesn't have a slit on the back."
She watched as his eyes sparkled and his smile turned seductive.
"So, can I presume that you liked my gift?", he quietly asked, gently nuzzling her nose with his.
He watched as she closed her eyes and sighed happily at his gentle touch.
"I do. Thank you so much", she whispered before opening her eyes and locking her gaze with his, she lazily smiled "And can I presume that you are aware that you are going to pay for that, Governor?"
Lucas grinned, slowly leaning down to kiss her again. He hovered his lips over Grace's, his palms never ceasing to caress her back before he softly mumbled:
"I thought that I might. But, I think it's worth it", giving her a smouldering look accompanied with a smile he whispered "And I can't wait, Miss Bennet. I just can't wait", and with those words he kissed her again…again…and again.
She kissed him back, her heart singing out to his heart. She could see their future written in every kiss they shared, every loving caress he gave her, every warm look that he sent her way…Words were not needed when he poured out his heart to her in the most beautiful way.
He inhaled deeply, her sweet scent filling his senses, his soul and his heart with utter peace and love so strong it made him feel like he could conquer the world…as long as she stands at his side. He could see years ahead filled with love and laughter and sheer joy…all these things she brought to his life with her loving and caring heart, with her warmth that wrapped around him like the sun itself.
As their lips parted slowly, his palm went to cup her cheek as he breathed her in, their foreheads touching, their eyes closed.
"Grace…I can't wait for the day when you won't have to leave this house", Lucas murmured softly, his fingers slowly moving to her hair, gently caressing it "I can't wait to make a home with you."
Grace smiled, her eyes opening and releasing a few tears.
"I can't believe it that I found you", she whispered "I was so sure that I will stay alone for the rest of my life. I was so scared of love…and you sneaked into my heart with your tender loving care. With you, everything makes sense, my Lucas", she gave his lips a small, gentle kiss "Everything."
Lucas smiled into her kiss.
"Sometimes I still can't believe it that you are real, my beautiful Grace", he said softly and after giving her lips another short, gentle kiss he added quietly "And I am the luckiest man alive because you let me into your heart."
He kissed her then, slowly, gently, sensually, melting his lips into hers, his entire being warming with love he felt for this beautiful, amazing woman who loved him as much as he loved her. He knew she was his forever. She knew he was hers forever.
It was written in the stars.
And they could see it in each other's eyes.
It was love. A true, abiding love.
Once in a lifetime love. Two parts of one soul finding each other.
And never letting go.
—--
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word, you can light up the dark
Try as I may, I can never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall
You say it best, when you say nothing at all.
All day long, I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near you drown out the crowd
Try as they may, they can never define
What's being said between your heart and mine.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all.
Oh, the smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all.
That smile on your face, the truth in your eyes
The touch of your hand lets me know that you need me
You say it best, when you say nothing at all.
("When you say nothing at all" - Alison Krauss)