~~ 2 Days Later ~~

Elizabeth pulled her robe shut, and pushed the heavy wooden door open. Quietly padding into Lucky's room. He grinned and immediately threw down his magazine. 'Car and Driver' would have to take a backseat to the matter at hand. The beauty before him.

"This mean they're lettin' us share a room?" Lucky asked hopefully, his eyebrows rising with suggestiveness.

"Something Better," Elizabeth sighed, biting her bottom lip. She moved closer to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek, letting her skin brush against his for a moment longer than anticipated.

"They're letting us out of here!" She squealed upon finally breaking away.

Lucky's mouth dropped open as he looked towards the ceiling. "Finally!"

He'd had just about as much as he could take of hospital meat that tasted NOTHING like chicken and hospital Jello that mysteriously failed to wiggle. Elizabeth giggled aloud as he sat up, throwing his arms around her waist and pulling her to him.

His lips found hers only a second later, kissing her between words. Suddenly not understanding why people needed words to speak anyway. The whole concept of speech was a complete nuisance at the moment.

"This...mean...you...got...a....clean...bill....of.......................health?"

They'd both been admitted to General Hospital for 'tests,' upon arriving home in Port Charles. Lucky'd protested adamantly against his own admission, but had been too concerned about Elizabeth's own welfare to put up much of a fight. She hadn't truly eaten in days, and God only knew what Helena could have put into the sparse amounts of water she'd been given.

Elizabeth wove her fingers through his messy hair and let her tongue travel lightly over the seductive fullness of his bottom lip before answering. She'd almost forgotten how sexy he looked with bed head.

"I'm...perfectly healthy...just need one more thing..."

"What's that?" He asked, pulling away immediately. Worry lacing his features in an instant.

She brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead and placed her lips there while she cupped his face. "My cure-all."

"And that would be?" Lucky asked, tilting his head to the side.

Just that look had turned her knees to jelly. How the Heck was she supposed to hold out for another couple of hours...or however long it took the hospital to draw up their release forms.

"You," she sighed breathily. Her lips returning to his. Their usual rosy hue having returned full force in their days out of the compound.

She felt him tug at the terry cloth knot that bound her robe together. Maybe they wouldn't really have to wait that long?? Maybe they could just fool around in here...a little??

An instant later his fingers succeeded in their mischievous task of loosening the belt of her robe. He slowly slid his fingertips up towards her hips, massaging her through the hospital gown that she still wore.

She moaned against his mouth. It had been far too long...

"How....'bout....you?" She tried asking, his lips continuing their gentle assault, his hands sending tingles down and over her entire body. "Are...you...ok?"

Lucky pulled away and licked his lips quickly before returning to her. He sat up, bringing her closer. "I'm good...even better now..."

"The poison?" she asked breathlessly, remembering how hard it had been for him to breathe when they'd first arrived here. Noticing how she was the one facing that particular problem now.

"Dr. Quartermaine insists I'll make a full recovery," he blurted quickly, drawing back the sheet that separated them. "Come 'ere," he growled.

Elizabeth did as he bid her and quickly perched herself over his legs. Sighing contentedly against his mouth as his hands slid under the cotton and along her bare thighs. Flesh that had ached for his touch. Yearned for his tender caress.

She moaned as his strong hands came to rest on her backside, pulling her forward on his lap.

"Lucky, where are we gonna live?" She asked. The question springing out of her before she had a chance to call it back. Where the Hell had that come from?

She didn't even really care! All she cared about right now was kissing him...making him feel her again. Feeling HIM again.

The look on Lucky's face caused her an unrepentant smile. "Something about being homeless, funny to you Mr.?" She asked, lacing her fingers behind his neck. She played silently with the soft hair at his nape and he shivered involuntarily.

He brought her face to his, forehead to forehead. "Elizabeth Webber...I don't care where I live. As long as it's with you..."

She grinned and opened her eyes, kissing him slowly. Letting him know that she felt the same.

"So, you'd set up shop with me in the boxcar if I asked you to?" She teased seductively.

He pushed against her and her body stilled at the feeling of his growing excitement against hers. "Wherever you are Elizabeth...that's where I am."

The words elicited a throaty laugh from her, and she slowly ventured back to his mouth. Parting the seam of the most luscious lips God had ever created with the tip of her eager tongue. "Where I am, huh?...."

Lucky growled from some deep, hungry place in his gut. A place that suddenly knew that satisfaction was just around the corner. Not simply the satisfaction that sat on his lap in the form of Elizabeth - but the satisfaction of a life yet to come. For the first time since his miraculous return from the Great Beyond, he felt...at home.

He moaned in unison with her as his hands met her breasts beneath the hospital sheath that she wore.

Elizabeth imagined them living from day to day, on the run like some odd reenactment of days long past, and then thought about what they were doing...and WHERE they were doing it.

"I take back everything I ever said about you being sensible," she whispered, grinding her hips against his.

Lucky's hands dropped back to her hips and he looked into her eyes. "Did you just say what I think you said...AGAIN?"

Her mouth dropped open and she shook her head. "No...no...I - I didn't. I was taking it back. Lucky I took it back - "

Elizabeth's voice gave way to squealing as he jumped from under her, and flipped her over. Pinning her to the tiny hospital bed beneath them, like some crazy wrestler. "I take it back! I take it back!" She giggled, his hands tickling her mercilessly at her sides.

She was nearly in tears by the time the door swung open. The laughter instantly coming to a halt.

"Oh..I'm - I'm sorry," Nikolas rambled quickly, glancing at his shoes and pulling the door closed.

Lucky rolled his eyes and Elizabeth pecked him quickly on the mouth, translating that it could have been worse. They could have been doing something a lot less innocent than tickling when he'd come in.

"Wait...Hey...Stay a minute," Lucky said reluctantly, getting up and smoothing out his own gown.

"No, I can come back later...really." Nikolas asserted, shaking his head.

"Just stay alright," Lucky said, gesturing with his hand. They needed to talk, and the sooner they did it, the better. Even if he did have the world's worst timing.

Elizabeth tied her robe and caught Lucky's eyes. "I'm gonna go get something to drink...Do you wa - "

"No," Nikolas said looking up at the both of them. "I think you should stay...I think we all need to...clear a few things up here, right?.......At least, I know I do."

Elizabeth glanced nervously towards Lucky and he nodded. "I'm only gonna wind up telling you everything anyway."

She nodded in silent agreement and sat down where Lucky had just been. He reached for her hand and she took it, weaving her fingers through his in act of reassurance as he looked towards his brother.

On the long list of hard conversations that he'd had in his life, this was sure to rank right up there. She had no idea how they were ever supposed to make it through this. How they'd ever be brothers again after everything that happened.

The air was thick. The tension palpable.

Lucky closed his eyes for an instant remembering back a few months prior. The night he'd come back to Port Charles. New Years Eve - Another night spent in a hospital room with Elizabeth and Nikolas.

Not knowing what had happened to Elizabeth and not understanding what had happened to his relationship with his brother. At least this time around he had half the battle won. He knew that he and Elizabeth would be fine. Would be more than fine. That he was sure of. The other...

How could he ever be sure of that again? He and Nikolas' relationship had only just begun when it was stolen from them. And then when he'd returned...nothing had been the same.

Nikolas voice broke through his thoughts. "My uncle is facing charges. Not only for what he did to you, but for holding our mother hostage..."

"I know," Lucky asserted. "Mom was in here earlier."

Nikolas nodded and licked his lips, unsure of where to start. 'What do you wanna bet, most people would say: on your knees Cassadine,' he thought silently. Knowing that what he owed Lucky went far beyond groveling.

He looked up into his little brother's eyes, and new instantly that something had changed. That no matter what happened in this room - he'd be fine. Probably better than fine. Lucky would always land on his feet.

The blue seas of turmoil looked somehow calm though. Serene. He'd found his peace.

Nikolas glanced towards Elizabeth and then back to his brother, each of them waiting for him to say something. Something to make it ok. Even though they all knew he couldn't.

"I used to think that maybe I'd been adopted," he began, looking down at his feet. "That maybe I didn't belong to the family I'd grown up in. That somehow Laura was mistaken...that I wasn't a Cassadine at all...but I think I know...beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am now."

Elizabeth started to interrupt and he held up a hand. "And I'm not saying this to get pity out of you guys. I'm not. I don't deserve that and I know it.

"All I'm saying is that...That I was never able to understand how my uncle could be so...completely obsessed with our mother...I always thought about how pathetic and crazy it made him...What I realize now is that I let the same thing happen to me. Only it wasn't obsession...it was jealousy."

Lucky glared at him incredulously. "Of what!?"

Nikolas threw up his hands. "The same thing I've ALWAYS been jealous of Lucky, - YOU!"

Lucky shook his head. "Man, if you're about to sing that same old song please spa -

"I'm not! I'm not!" Nikolas asserted. "I know, it's old. I realize that, and I'm even sick of myself...but I gotta tell you the truth here. You had everything I wanted - "

"I had nothing!" Lucky shouted, moving closer to Nikolas as Elizabeth's hand dropped free of his. "You wanna know what I had? I had a small bed, a steel plated room, and a wallet sized picture of the love of my life - "

The silence thickened for a moment before Nikolas spoke. His voice deathly quiet, but aggressive none the less. "And in all that, Lucky...you still had more than me."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and looked down at the floor. She opened them in time to see Lucky's fists unclench by his sides. Had he just accepted some part of what Nikolas had said? A part of the convoluted truth as seen through Nikolas' eyes?

Nikolas' swallowed around the lump in his throat. Not allowing himself any tears. "I didn't know how to love my brother and want everything he had at the same time...So, when you came back...I did what was easiest. I did what I knew how to do, what had come so easy to the both of us at the beginning - I hated you.

"And I did everything I could to get you to hate me too - that way it was even easier! If you hated me, than I was free to peruse everything that you had...even Liz," he sighed, gesturing towards her.

Elizabeth's bit down hard upon her lip. "She has loved you since the moment she set eyes on you Lucky. Everything I ever said about her...about what supposedly 'happened' while you were gone...was a lie. A fabrication of my own doing - meant to build me up, and tear you down."

"I know," Lucky stated bluntly. "I let some crappy homemade video tapes and my brother's 'word' convince me otherwise...but I know that now," He looked down into Elizabeth's eyes. "And I'll never question that again."

Elizabeth looked down and closed her eyes, the tears quick in coming.

Nikolas rubbed his hands together. Now unable to stop his own. "I'm sorry Lucky."

He glanced towards Elizabeth and said the words again. "I'm sorry for hurting you too. I should have never said or did any of the things I did. I'll be sorry for all of it, for the rest of my life."

She nodded silently and turned away, unable to respond just yet. Nikolas turned as well, pulling the door open. His hand stilled against the handle when he felt a strong hand fall against his shoulder.

He turned around, meeting his brother's truthful gaze.

"You helped me," Lucky began, not forgetting anything that Nikolas had done to hurt him during the last few months, but also remembering what he'd done in the last few days. "Without you I probably wouldn't have made it out of that compound alive."

Nikolas shook his head. "Your father was there...and Sonny, and Jason...You would have been fine. Hell, Lucky you would have been fine in there on your own."

Lucky licked his lips and nodded. "That might be true, but I didn't have to do it alone...You risked your life Nikolas...and for that I thank you."

Nikolas nodded solemnly and smiled a bit. "Thank you...for still believing in me."

Lucky smirked. "Well I never said I believed in you...I just said thank you."

"That's good enough," Nikolas returned, a cautious smile pulling at his lips. He continued at the reinstated silence.

"Um, this isn't going to happen for a few days...but I wanted you all to be the first to know that I'm leaving town."

"Where are you going?" Lucky asked, taken aback.

Nikolas shook his head. Flattered that his brother even cared anymore. Or at least pretended to care. "Away," he answered simply. "I'm gonna get out of Port Charles for a bit. See where the road leads..."

"Stephan's not going to have any problem with that?"

"A wise man once told me that if I ever wanted to get out from under my uncle's shadow that I'd have to make a break for independence," he paused for a moment and Lucky looked down.

"Besides, my uncle is in jail. Exactly where he should be. I don't care what he thinks. My inheritance doesn't go into effect for another couple of years. I figure I can vacation in Europe like every Prince does until that time."

"So you really are going away," Elizabeth asserted, standing up next to Lucky.

A few months prior, the thought of losing Nikolas would have hurt. He'd been her only friend when she'd pushed everyone else away. But at that very moment, she didn't know how to feel.

"Yeah," Nikolas answered, nodding. "But there's something I'd like to give you guys before I go."

Lucky's eyebrows rose in suspicion and he tilted his head to the side. Nikolas held his hand up before he even said a word. "I know the thought of me giving you two anything is ludicrous right now...and I hope that you won't think of this as a present or a gift...because it's something that I need to do for me. I need to get out of here. Start new - start fresh...." he pulled out a set of silver keys from his pocket. "If you want it...it's your's."

"The Jag?" Elizabeth asked, confused.

Nikolas smiled a bit. "No - my house........the cottage." 

~~~~~~~

"How are you feeling?" Laura asked timidly, approaching Luke's bedside.

He closed his 1987 version of Ranger Rick magazine and looked up into her beautiful baby blues. "Bored to tears - thanks for stopping by Darlin'...Did you bring Lu to see her daddy?"

Luke craned his neck around her, checking to see if his daughter was waiting in the hospital corridor. He was so tired of being cooped up in this room he could scream. He HAD actually screamed a few times, to the dismay of the entire GH hospital staff.

The ideal patient Luke Spencer was not.

Laura shook her head and sat down slowly in the chair placed next to him. "No, she had a spelling test in class today, so I didn't take her out...but she'll be so excited to see you tonight..."

Luke shook his head for a moment. "Oh, I don't know if it's such a good idea that Lu come over tonight Darlin,' I haven't seen my place in weeks...God only knows what's growing in the refrigerator."

"Who said I was bringing her to your place?"

"Surely you don't expect a victim of poison to come visit YOU?" He asked incredulously.

Laura rolled her eyes. Knowing he was perfectly well, and even if he hadn't been given a clean bill of health he would have come to see his daughter anyway.

"No, I don't expect you to come for a visit at all," she whispered, stressing the word 'visit.'

Luke stared into her eyes for a moment. The meaning of her words sinking in. "Laura..."

"Come home Luke," she began, tears welling in her eyes suddenly. "I want you to come home. Your daughter wants you home....I want to be a family again."

"Laura..." Luke began, shaking his head. Wanting so badly to believe the words coming out of her mouth were true. That she really meant them this time. "Do you know what you're saying? Baby..."

She leaned forward, pressing a gentle hand to his cheek. "I know what I'm saying Luke...and I know it's hard for you to believe me. I've done things and said things that I know make it hard for you to trust...but, I swear to you that I'm willing to spend the rest of my life winning back that trust if that's what it takes...if that's what I ha -

Her words were stifled in the back of her throat, as Luke's lips came down passionately upon hers. He held the sides of her face, smoothing his thumbs across her skin. As he pulled away, he gasped to catch his breath and she smiled.

"Are you sure Laura? 'Cause let me tell you - if you're not...Baby, if you're not sure about this...I can't go through this again. There can't be anymore secrets. You can't go back to - "

"Never!" Laura exclaimed, interrupting him. Her eyebrows rose with the intonation of the word. "He knew Luke...he knew all along where our son was and he never said a word. He never uttered a single syllable to help save him..."

Luke's fists curled into tight balls atop the white sheet that covered him. He swallowed hard. When she'd told him the news a day before, he'd lost it. Saying that he would kill Stephan. That this was the last time he would meddle in his family's lives. Knowing that he was in lockup at the moment was his only solace. He'd be there when Luke was released from the hospital. He'd still be there....

"Laura," Luke began slowly, looking down at her hands. "Is that the reason? Is that why you want to come back to me? The fact that Stephan betrayed you? That you've finally found out for sure what a slimeball he really is? Because if that's the only reason...then I can't do this. I won't."

Laura shook her head, and placed her hand atop her husbands. "I love you Luke. I always have, and I always will...I've been such a fool for so long...it simply took me finding this out, to shake some sense into me. To make realize what I've known all along. What I've known since we met...I belong with you. Mind, body, and soul - I belong with you."

Luke smiled weakly and ran a hand through her golden tresses, bringing her head to his shoulder in a tight embrace. "Good, I'm glad you finally came to your senses woman...because I'm never letting you go again." 

~~~~~~~ 

3 Days Later...

Elizabeth slumped down on their new window seat and yawned. Stretching her arms over her head. "Who knew one bedroom could hold so much stuff," she sighed. Referring to the huge haul they had made from Audrey's.

Luckily she hadn't brought all of her things with her Jake's. Only her clothes, and her paintings. But there would be plenty of time to create new paintings. New art.

She'd gone so long without feeling the desire to paint. So long without inspiration, that it felt almost strange to have it back now. Almost as if the paintings that had been destroyed had been taken in an action of fate. It was time to start fresh. Start a new. And everything was much more beautiful than it had been just a few months prior.

Inspiration moved slowly from across the room.

A weak smile pulled at the corners of Lucky's mouth as he left his place by the mantle and walked quietly over to her. He rubbed his palms against his thighs as he made his way through the mess of cardboard boxes that lay strewn on the hard wood floor. For a long moment he seemed lost in the view from outside.

The snow was beginning to melt away, with the first signs of a new season. The world starting over. Starting fresh.

He looked down into the deep blue eyes of his love as she tugged on his hand from her seat. Her words soft and questioning as they emerged. "Are you sorry?...That we said yes?"

"No," Lucky asserted, shaking his head. Yet his eyes told a different story. There was something bothering him.

Elizabeth recognized it instantly. "I'm sorry Lucky...if it weren't for me, you would have never agre - "

Lucky cut her off, bending to kiss her tenderly upon the lips. He lowered himself to his knees in front of her after a moment. "You're right. If it weren't for you I would have never agreed to take this place off of Nikolas' hands. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here.....Elizabeth, if it weren't for you -

Elizabeth, if it weren't for you - I wouldn't be alive. You saved my life...and I am happier at this moment than I've been in a long time."

She smiled crookedly and looked down into the azure sea of his eyes. "How can you say that Lucky? I left you. When you needed me most...I walked out of there....I didn't save your life," she added sadly, looking down at the floor.

Lucky tilted her head upwards with a gentle finger. "I told you to...Elizabeth, you were only doing what I asked. I could not have made it if you would have been standing there...watching what....MIGHT have happened," he sighed, placing a hand to his chest.

"I also couldn't have made it without knowing that you were waiting outside for me. Waiting to love me for the rest of my life," he finished, his voice cracking with his last words.

Elizabeth swallowed hard against the growing lump in her throat, and wiped an errant tear from Lucky's soft cheek. "Then why do you look so sad?...You've been so quiet Lucky..."

He reached up to smooth the back of his hand over her cheek. "I've been so quiet because I don't think there's any way that I can ever make any of this up to you."

"Any of what?" She questioned, completely taken aback by the statement. What could he possibly have to make up for. He'd given her everything in life that was worth anything. He'd given her a soul. A love that could never, ever be taken from her again.

"Everything, Elizabeth," he asserted resting his hands on her thighs. "Everything that I THOUGHT happened with Nikolas. Everything that I let happen to you when I left you that night at Jakes. Elizabeth I will never forgive myself for that. I am so -"

It was Elizabeth's turn to cut him off as she bent at the waist, wrapping his beautiful face in her hands, and kissing him full on the lips. His precious, gorgeous lips.

"Lucky," she panted, pulling away for a split second. While still holding his face tenderly beneath her fingertips. "You have nothing to be sorry about. You have never done, or will ever do anything to hurt me. All you've done is love me....

"Lucky you're the reason I know what love is. You're the reason I got through the past few weeks. You're love is the reason I survived the months you were locked away in that damned cell.

"I want you with me for the rest of my life...Do you want me?"

Lucky licked his lips and moved his splayed fingertips up her thighs. The denim under his hands sending tingles through his entire body. If she only knew...

He'd never wanted anything so badly in his life. He wanted to spend the rest of his life waking up in her arms. Smelling her hair, and feeling her skin. Listening to her heart beat next to his.

"Yes," he answered softly. His breath catching in his throat as he stared into her eyes.

She immediately slid closer to the edge of the window seat that fate must've known would be there's someday. "Then show me."

His arms swooped behind her back and pulled her downwards to the floor without hesitation. Her body straddling his as he sat back on his haunches. Their kiss ignited under the flame of unyielding passion. Engulfing them both in it's long awaited fire.

Elizabeth rose to her knees as she continued to kiss him. Letting her mouth explain without words, how much she loved him. How nothing else mattered but the here and now.

The past irrelevant. The future guaranteed.

Lucky's strong fingers slid up the backs of her thighs and over her tight rear, pulling at her shirt as he reached the waistband of her jeans. He untucked the material and let his fingertips glide over the smooth flesh beneath.

He'd never been to heaven. Had never even imagined it in any great detail. But he was sure that this woman - this angel hovering over him - was everything it looked, smelled, tasted, and felt like. She was his heaven personified. And he never wanted to leave.

It didn't matter where they were. Where they lived or who they lived near...it only mattered that they were together.

She said once that she would have followed him to Istanbul. He would follow her anywhere.

Elizabeth reached down towards his collar, attaching her eager fingers to his top button and then to the second. Letting them travel to the last slowly. As she slipped the fabric down his shoulders they finally came to rest upon his collar bone. His hands wove through the silky mane atop her head as she bent to kiss the delicate bone again and again, trailing her lips from end to end in an effort to impart some small fragment of the pleasure he'd given her in the short time they'd been lovers.

He found the clasp of her bra beneath the t-shirt that she wore and unsnapped the garment in one swift motion. There would be no more waiting. No more having to find the right time or moment. No one to tell them that they couldn't or shouldn't. No one waiting in the wings to steal their lives from underneath them.

They were the it, all, and everything of one another. No longer tied to what ifs or hows. Only tied to each other. Infinitely.

Elizabeth pulled away for a short moment to allow him access to her shirt. Allow him access to the skin beneath as he quickly pulled it up and over her head. He brought her back to his lips, smothering her with the heat they both wanted and needed to feel.

Lucky's hands drifted slowly from her neck to her shoulders, pushing the straps of the peach colored bra down to her elbows and then completely off of her body, letting it join the heap that consisted of her shirt and his. The pads of his fingers molded themselves to her shoulder blades as he brought her to him. Chest to chest. Heart to heart.

His yearning hands continued their exploration of the warm flesh of her back as hers sought out the button fly of his pants. Wanting to free him. Touch him. Love him with all that she had. All he was willing to let her give tonight. In their home.

He moaned loudly against her neck and she let her head fall back in ecstasy. His lips traveling down towards the soft swells of sweetness that beckoned him forth.

After just a moment of the bliss created by his lips, she pushed at his shoulders, wanting to return it all. Give him more. Her lips pressed into his toned chest, moving along the center, downwards to the place her fingers had been trying to get at before. She kissed him through the fabric and he jolted against her. He ran a haphazard hand through her hair as she carefully released him from the binding constraints.

Lucky's excitement grew to new heights as he wrapped his arms around her and suddenly leaned over her. Laying her down against the floor and using one free hand to sweep away the boxes at her head and at their sides. Her legs fell from around his waist, allowing him access to the fastener of her own pants.

His fingers slipped inside the waistband a second later pulling them down her thighs ever so gently, as her hips rose in aid of his task. Elizabeth breathed deeply through her nose and looked towards the ceiling, as his body covered hers. His chest hard and panting against hers. It'd been so long since she'd felt this safe.

Lucky reached absently for his jeans. A heap of denim that had somehow made it's way to the corner of the sofa. His fingers wrapped around a small plastic package in the pocket as she pressed her lips to his neck. Over and over again.

He pulled away slightly, whispering for her to stop for just a moment. She smiled when she saw the glint of silver between his fingertips.

"I'm prepared this time," he laughed, tearing the material open with his teeth.

Elizabeth bit her lip with anticipation and sighed breathily. "When did you have time to buy that..."

"The hospital turned out to be good for something after all..." He answered quickly, returning to her neck as his hands slipped downwards into his boxers.

A moment later his hands splayed against the floor beneath her, and he moved closer to her, bending his head to her tender breasts once again to feast on her rosy buds.

His body, hard against hers. She writhed beneath him in answer to his unspoken question. Wanting everything that he wanted.

"Are you ok?" He asked. His voice deep with yearning. "On the floor I mean?...That can't be comfor - "

Her lips ended the question without another peep from him. Letting him know in no uncertain terms that she wanted him. Right here, right now. He wasted not a moment more as he pulled her delicate lace panties down her small form, feeling her completely naked beneath him for the first time in what seemed like ages. How had he ever gone without this feeling?

Lucky pushed tenderly into her body and sighed aloud at the feeling of being one with her once again. How had he lived without THIS feeling? He never wanted to know another day that didn't include it. Her. ALL of her.

Elizabeth moaned softly as he thrusted his generous, giving body inside of hers time and time again. Leaving and returning like the waves of an endless sea lapping against the shore. A phenomenon that would return for eons. A love that would endure forever.

His hands roamed over her body, in a tour of the places he wanted to visit again. Places he'd visit more frequently in the future...places he'd cherish for the rest of his natural life. And she did the same, knowing that her heart, body and soul would live for his until the day she ceased to breath.

Like a big wave crashing to the shore, they both came as one. A wash of something more beautiful than anything either one of them had ever felt splashing over them in wave after perfect wave. Pleasure unmatched. Sweetness like no other.

Lucky ran a hand through her soft locks and looked up into her eyes through hooded lashes as he descended from his high. How was it possible that she was even more beautiful than she'd been just a moment before.

"I love you..."

"I love you too," she whispered. Her voice and eyes, equally fatigued. She watched as he pulled a chenille quilt down from the couch. He rose a bit to wrap the warm softness around her body and his. Gathering her into his arms a moment later.

She smiled to herself as he whispered in her ear, "Wanna find out what the couch feels like?"

Chapter 62

Lucky wrapped his arms around the soft, warm body next to him and brought it closer. Snuggling against her as the morning sun began to filter through the cream colored blinds that hung over their bed. He smoothed a gentle hand over her cheek and she turned towards him. Her lips brushing softly against his palm.

He hugged her to him and kissed her forehead as she murmured something unintelligible in her last few moments of sleep.

It would be the first morning since they'd moved in that they wouldn't be sleeping in till mid afternoon. It had been wonderful while it lasted, but it was long past time that they both become wage earners again.

Unfortunately man could not survive on love alone. Lord knew if Lucky could, he'd be spending the rest of his days and nights in bed with Elizabeth.

'Ah in a perfect world,' he thought to himself. Running his fingers continuously through the silken strands of her hair. She whispered something into his bare chest, tickling him as he combed his fingers through her hair once again.

Only the very top of her head peeked out from beneath the comforter. "What'd you say Sweetie?" He asked smiling. "I couldn't hear you in your little burrow down there."

"I said I don't wanna get up," she said. Grumbling as she smoothed her hands up his chest and around his neck. "I just wanna stay here with you...all day."

He slid his hands slowly up her bare back and into her hair. Causing a shiver to run through her entire being as he leaned in to kiss her lips. "I want that too Elizabeth...be we gotta get back out amongst the living if we wanna afford this place, no?" He added, raising his eyebrows.

Lucky bit his lip, thinking about the the full reason for his anxiousness to work. He was going to have to afford more than just their home soon.

He'd pay back every red cent of the cash advance he'd just requested of Jason.

It took only a second for Elizabeth to realize just how hard it would be to persuade him to stay in bed, as she slid one smooth leg over his. Moving in tighter against him, she reminded him not so subtlety of what he stood to miss if he left.

Elizabeth pressed her naked flesh against his. Moving in for a long, lazy kiss. "I want you again Lucky...Make love to me." She sighed seductively.

Lucky's groaned inwardly at her request. How the Hell was he supposed to spend even a few hours away from her? It was as if he'd suddenly forgotten how to be without her. How to breathe without her in reaching distance.

He slid a hand along her thigh, clasping his thick fingers around the juncture of her hip and turning her gently to her back. His voice emerged from somewhere deep inside his gut, an octave lower than his usual morning tone. "My pleasu...

The shrill sound of the phone cut through the melodic sexiness of Lucky's voice, causing Elizabeth to sigh loudly. Lucky removed one hand from her body and reached for the phone at the night table. "Hello!" He barked.

"Lucky!"

"Dad, what the Hell do you want?" Lucky growled, silently shushing Elizabeth as she giggled beneath him. The annoyed look on his face, much to amusing to remain silent.

"I need you to come to the club!" Luke bellowed.

"Wh - when? Why?"

"Right now, and I'll let you know why when you get here."

"Dad, I gotta get to work - "

"You weren't workin' on Jack - I hear Elizabeth over there in the background! Now put some clothes on and get over here!"

Lucky grumbled under his breath as he hung up the phone. "My dad wants to see me..."

"That's good," Elizabeth smiled, as he settled between her legs again. "You two need to talk things out...It's been two weeks..."

Lucky sighed, rolling off of her and onto his back. The subject of his father, a surefire mood killer. "Why?" He sighed.

"You know precisely 'why'," she whispered, turning to her side to look into his beautiful blue eyes. "Please...For me?"

A grin tugged at the corners of Lucky's mouth as he turned to her. "Well, for you...for you I'll try."

"Thank you," Elizabeth whispered, closing the short distance between them with a searing kiss. "Now get out of here before I change my mind."

Lucky rolled slowly out of bed in nothing but his birthday suit. He guffawed in laughter at the sound of Elizabeth's catcalls as he walked towards the bathroom.

Truthfully, seeing his father was the best thing that could have happened this morning. There was no time like the present to spill his big news.

~~~~~~~

"You've gotta be kidding me," Lucky sighed, sinking down into the chair across from his dad.

Luke stood up and crossed over to the small bar. Pouring himself a stiff drink. His son not having reacted in the way he'd hoped. After everything that had happened between them as of late, he hadn't thought that Lucky would still be this angry.

"I'm NOT kidding you. Why would I be kidding you?"

Lucky shook his head from behind. "Well, Dad I hate to steal your thunder but...

"No..." Luke said, turning around suddenly. "You weren't...No way!"

The merciless tug at the corner of his son's mouth told the story. He was going to do it. For real.

"You were," Luke smiled, answering his own question.

The grin that had threatened just a moment ago, spread over his son's face as he stood up. Luke continued. "Well...you won't be stealin' anybody's thunder - 'cause at least I already asked."

"And she said?"

"What do you think she said boy?! You think your father just goes around town throwin this question out right and left without knowing he's gonna get a 'yes,' in return?! She practically threw a ticker-tape parade!"

Lucky tilted his head to the side in doubt. "Come on Dad."

"Ok, ok - fine. No parade, but it was very well um....RECEIVED, shall I -

"Ahem!" Lucky coughed, clearing his throat. His brows furrowed and he shook his head. "Way too much info....Congratulations Dad," Lucky asserted.

He tentatively moved towards his father, wrapping his arms around the man that had loved him all his life. Despite disagreements. Despite let downs. Despite everything they'd been through in the past year in a half. "Congratulations," he sighed again. His head against Luke's shoulder.

Luke swallowed hard and gave his son a manly pat on the back. A manly pat that quickly gave way to a full fledged embrace. "Well...I feel like I just won the lottery," he said softly. Not referring to his upcoming nuptials at all.

He pulled away from his son a moment later, tenderly grasping the sides of his face. "I'm more proud of you than you'll ever know, Son...You are the man that I always hoped I could be Lucky."

Lucky glanced down at his shoes and sniffled. "Sorry about that."

Luke brushed it off with a gesture of the hand. "Aw man, don't worry about it. If it had to be somebody, I'm glad it was you...Damn, glad it was you," he sighed, bringing his son to him once again.

Lucky closed his eyes, and took a leap that he hadn't taken in far too long. "I love you Dad...Thank you for saving my life down there."

"Oh no," Luke whispered. "You saved yourself Lucky...I may have had a hand in it, but it was the least I could do. You saved MY life long ago my boy."

~~~~~~~

Later that evening...

"They are SO cute," Elizabeth gushed, staring at Lucky's parents as they toasted each other for the final time that night. News of their engagement hanging from every banner in the club. In a few weeks they'd be renewing the vows that they'd taken 20 years prior.

"Aren't they though!" Emily squealed, turning her head to give Lucky a wink and a smile. Lucky took a deep breath and swiftly threw his friend the evil eye.

"Sweetie, you wanna dance?" He asked, rising from his chair.

Elizabeth grinned like the cat who'd eaten the canary. The canary did indeed look good enough to eat tonight in his black suit. Good enough indeed.

"I thought you'd never ask," she sighed, extending her hand to him. Emily chuckled as they twirled out onto the dance floor. Her friend Elizabeth Webber, oblivious to the world. About to become the happiest woman on the face of that faded world.

Baby I've been searching like everybody else
Can't say nothing different about myself
Sometimes I'm an angel
And sometimes I'm cruel
And when it comes to love
I'm just another fool.

Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Lucky's neck, as he placed his hands gently against the small of her back. Bringing her close to him. She sighed, and placed her head against his shoulder as the music slowly led their feet.

Yes I'll climb any mountain
I'm gonna swim the sea
There ain't no act of God girl
Could keep you safe from me

My arms are reaching out
Out across this canyon
I'm asking you to be my true companion
True companion
True companion

"I hope that's us one day Lucky," Elizabeth whispered longingly. Staring at the happy couple across the room as they began to say goodnight to their guests. The club, slowly clearing out for the evening.

She could stay here in his arms forever. She would if he asked.

'Who are you kidding girl?' She thought to herself. 'With as hesitant as you were about moving in with him in the first place, back when he first asked?...It's going to be a long time before Lucky gets up the nerve to ask you anything like that ever again.'

"It's going to be," he sighed, tightening his arms around her. "Minus all the crap of course."

She tensed in his arms before remembering what she'd said out loud a moment ago. That he hadn't read her mind, but simply responded to her earlier statement. She giggled against him upon the realization. "But of course."

So don't you dare and try to walk away
I've got my heart set on our wedding day
I've got this vision of a girl in white
Made my decision that it's you allright
And when I take your hand
I'll watch my heart set sail
I'll take my trembling fingers
And I'll lift up your veil

"I wonder why your parents aren't dancing," Elizabeth said aloud. "This song is..." her voice caught in her throat for a moment. "It's beautiful."

Lucky licked his lips and closed his eyes. Suddenly more emotional than even he would have predicted. 'Hold it together Spencer,' He thought to himself. 'She's gonna know something's up if you burst into tears before you even get this thing started.'

"They probably thought it was time someone else took the floor."

"Aah, sorta like passing the torch, huh?" She asked smiling, as he twirled her around.

"Exactly," he sighed. His breath tickling her ear with a sweet warmth.

Then I'll take you home
and with wild abandon
Make love to you just like a true companion
You are my true companion
I got a true companion
True companion

"Hey Mr.," Liz sighed, bringing him closer. Pressing herself to him as they swayed. "You got something in your pocket, or are ya just happy to see me?"

Lucky laughed out loud, smoothing his hands up her back. "What if I said both?"

"Well, I'd say I was a lucky girl,"

"Damn, straight you are," he sighed.

When the years have done
irreparable harm
I can just see us walking slowly arm and arm
Just like that couple on the corner do

Elizabeth closed her eyes, as Lucky's voice began to float over the melody playing above them. His was still the most beautiful voice she'd ever heard.

'Cause girl I will always be in love with you
And when I look in your eyes
I'll still see that spark
Until the shadows fall
Until the room gets dark
Then when I leave this Earth
I'll be with the angels standin'
I'll be out there waiting
For my true companion
True companion
True companion

Elizabeth opened her eyes, realizing that the music had stopped. Yet their they were, still drifting together in the middle of the room - completely alone.

"Where'd everybody go?" She asked suddenly looking around, as Lucky stepped away from her.

He turned around, looking for signs of any stragglers. "Hmm," he said, scratching the back of his head. "You know my Dad...the celebration probably traveled to a new location."

Elizabeth smiled, and gestured towards the door. "Well do you wanna catch up with them? Claude probably knows where they went."

"Nah," Lucky said, shaking his head. "I got my own party to attend."

"What?" Elizabeth questioned, his eyes catching hers as he turned back to her. Relating something she wasn't quite sure of. "Mind clueing me in on this little party?"

Lucky nodded his head. "Yeah, I think I'm actually gonna have to," he began, his brows knitting together. "Because, without you...Well, it wouldn't be very much of a party at all."

Elizabeth breathed in deeply, through her open mouth. Not quite ready to allow herself to believe what her gut was shouting in her ear.

The silently asked question in her eyes, was all the cue Lucky needed. Wordlessly, he took her hands in his and kneeled to the floor beneath them. Never taking his eyes away from hers. Eyes that were already misting up.

The words "Oh My God," fell silent on Elizabeth's silent, trembling lips.

Lucky licked his lips nervously. "See," he began, scratching the back of his head. "Somethin's been kinda rollin' around in my head and I can't ignore it anymore...

"Elizabeth...It's impossible for me to imagine wanting to be with anyone else...and I was kinda hoping you'd consider being my wife."

She covered her mouth immediately. Nodding her head in vigorous approval. Her eyes brimming with huge tears. "When?" She mumbled.

Lucky laughed out loud, and shook his head. His own eyes shining in the dim light of the club. "Is that a yes, Miss Webber?"

Elizabeth began nodding again, as she threw herself to the floor. Wrapping her arms around his neck before he could speak another word.

"Yes!" She cried, pressing her moist lips to his. She pulled away, only to begin kissing his entire face. "Yes! Yes! Yes!!! A million and one times - Yes!...And don't you ever call me Webber again!"

Lucky smiled and cupped her face in his hands, bringing her once again to his eager lips. His heart beating so fast, she must have felt it racing in his lips.

"Oh wait!" He said, swallowing against the lump in his throat that would not leave. "I forgot something."

"You didn't forget anything," Elizabeth stated adamantly, shaking her head. She let her fingers linger against his damp cheeks as he dug into his front pocket. Watching while he tried to catch his breath. Bringing the small, black box into view.

Lucky's strong fingers fumbled against the velvet. "Wow," he mumbled to himself. "It's funny how smoothly these things always go when you imagine them in your mind...

Elizabeth breathed in deeply and moved closer, kissing him full on the lips. Feeling his hands completely still against his knee. "You're perfect Lucky," she whispered upon backing away. "Everything about this moment...is perfect."

Closing his eyes for the briefest of seconds, Lucky got his bearings. Taking a deep breath, he gazed into her eyes and knew she was telling the truth. That this, and that THEY would be perfect in every way.

With steady hands, he finally opened the tiny box. Revealing yet another shining example of perfection.

"Oh My God," Elizabeth sighed. This time the three words actually finding sound. "How...how did you...." Her voice trailed into oblivion, as Lucky removed the tiny ring from it's encasement.

Everything they'd lost in that damnable fire, replaced in a split-second.

The diamonds creatively designed in the shape of a train - their boxcar, shining brilliantly under the lights of the club. Two, sapphire music notes sitting luminously in the middle. The exact hue of her eyes.

"I thought it was 'us,'" Lucky sighed, smoothing a hand over her cheek as her tears begun again.

"It's SO us," she whispered. Trying to keep her hand from shaking, as Lucky glided the small band down her finger. Placing it gently atop the ring that was already there. The first symbol of a love never-ending.

"An hour," Lucky said suddenly, licking his dry lips.

"What?" Elizabeth asked, completely confused as she paused in her admiration of the second most beautiful piece of jewelry ever created. The most special piece, given to her by the most special man she'd ever known.

Lucky took both of her hands in his and brought her to her feet. "Marry me...tonight."

"What?!" She yelled, looking around. "Lucky! Are you crazy?! You can't just say 'hey, I'm getting married tonight, and that's that!' There are arrangements to be made. Plans to be -

Her words were cut short as his mouth crashed against hers. Sending her knees into a liquefied state of mush. He pulled away slowly. "You think this is just some random question that I just pulled from the sky?....Oh no, Elizabeth," he sighed. "This was planned....

"From the moment I saw you in that desert...Just waiting for me like some kind of heavenly mirage...I knew. Once I had you in my arms again - I knew."

Lucky noticed her sudden quiet. The look of utter shock that filled her eyes. "Oh - God Elizabeth...I'm - I'm sorry...Is this...Is this too much? Damn, Elizabeth - I'm sorry...If this is too soon -

It was Lucky's turn to have his words smothered by the fevered kiss from the woman who would gladly marry him on any day, at any time, in any place. The woman who would marry him on this very night. And every night after that for the rest of her life if he so desired.

A woman who'd spend the rest of her life, kissing him and loving him until he had no choice but to marry her over and over again.

"I would be HONORED to become your wife. Tonight Lucky."

Lucky took a deep breath through his open mouth. "You sure Elizabeth? This is a life long commitment."

Elizabeth smiled seductively and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You promise?"

Lucky bit his lip before brushing it against hers. Tugging slowly on the fullness of her top one with the both of his. "That's a promise," he sighed.

For the second time that night, her knees went weak and she reluctantly backed away from him. Their fingers still laced together, swaying between them as they smiled.

"So...an hour from now - I am to be, Mrs. Lucky Spencer..." she beamed proudly. "What does one do to get ready for a wedding she had no idea about - in just one hour - 'Mr. I Planned It All by Myself?'

Lucky smiled broadly and looked towards the sky. Thanking God and the heavens above that she was going along with what he'd known from the beginning was a crazy idea. That she seemed as absolutely ecstatic as he did.

He swallowed once again and closed his eyes. "When you walk out that door. There's going to be a car waiting for you...From there - my mother, your grandmother, and Emily are going to do with you what they will," He laughed. "I have no idea what that means, but that's what Emily told me to tell you."

"After that?" Elizabeth giggled.

Lucky sauntered closer to her sexily, hovering mere centimeters from her lips as he spoke. "After that...Well...We'll just have to see now won't we?"

Elizabeth could only nod slowly in agreement as he closed the gap between them. The suspense already killing her. His fingers laced tenderly behind her head as he kissed her with all the love he was capable of.

With every promise of miracles yet to come.

Breathlessly, agonizingly she pulled away."I guess I better be going..."

"I guess," Lucky answered, his yearning hands having lingered down to her hips. "See you in an hour...

Elizabeth moved out of his grasp, their fingertips clinging to one another's as she stepped slowly backwards. "An hour," she sighed, biting her lip.

"An hour," he nodded again, finally letting go one finger at a time. One second at a time. Reminding himself that they'd have years together. A lifetime of kisses and handholding to come.

A giddy shiver ran through Elizabeth and she blew him a kiss on her way out the door. Lucky caught it swiftly in his fist and pressed it quickly to his heart.