Lucky scratched the back of his head and stood in the doorway for a moment longer than the messenger had. Reviewing the address on the large manila envelope with dread and suspicion.

The bottle of champagne that he’d removed from ice, dripped suddenly on his bare toes and brought him quickly back to the reality he’d left for a few moments…Or maybe, Lucky thought unfortunately - he’d returned.

Wallace wouldn’t send anything – wouldn’t interrupt the last leg of his honeymoon – unless it was absolutely necessary. Unless it were extremely important. And that’s what scared Lucky the most. Whatever the large envelope contained, was something that his best friend had considered pressing enough to intrude open his honeymoon.

What could be so damned important, and big enough to warrant a manila envelop?

Something regarding work? No…once upon a time, Wallace would have interrupted with something of that nature, but he knew where Lucky’s priorities lay these days. Work stuff could wait. Work stuff HAD been waiting for the last few weeks.

Hell, if Lucky really wanted to be honest…it had taken a back seat for MONTHS.

It had taken a back seat to the girl who napped in the other room. He’d been just about ready to wake her with a nice glass of champagne and a bowl of strawberries…among other non-edible (not necessarily) things - when a messenger had come knocking on their private chalet door. A chalet where no one had dared interrupt since they’d arrived two days before.

He’d still wake her, but something told him he needed to open whatever was in the envelope before doing so. Lucky sat down on the couch in front of the fire and took a deep breath as he slipped his finger under the edge of the package. He cursed aloud when he came away with a paper cut. Sucking at it, he continued to peruse the vile interruption.

It came in the form of a newspaper, with a neon pink Post-It note attached to it in Wallace’s handwriting:

Hey Lucky,

Ok, so you know I wouldn’t send you anything or call or even send a fucking telegram right now unless it was extremely important. I realize that at this moment you probably want to see me dead for interrupting whatever it was that you were about to do (do you see how mature I’ve grown? How I’m not even ASKING…although that could just be because I’m now getting some too…but that’s a whole other story). Ok, back to you…

Anyway, I consulted with Lucinda on this and she thought it best for you

to know. Just know that it wasn’t me man! I didn’t tell ANYBODY. I would rather have cut off a major appendage – not including arms or legs – than tell anyone about your marriage to Elizabeth. So basically – don’t kill the messenger man. The NY times did it, not me…turn to the society section.

Lucky covered his eyes and shook his head. Fuck.

He laid the note aside for a moment and bit the inside of his lip. When he opened up to the page Wallace had book marked, he groaned aloud.

"Shit."

"Oooh, how cold is it at home? We can’t be going back to anything colder than France."

He looked up into her eyes. Her lingerie clad body framed in the doorway across the room. Ordinarily his hard swallow would have been in simple biological response to the glorious way she looked. Pale blue satin draped over perfect, glowing, skin…but right now his throat tightened for other reasons.

"Well, the weather doesn’t seem to be effecting you much," he said. Trying for levity. "There’s nothing I love more than you ability to put on lingerie as it snows outside."

She grinned and glanced at the window. The snow sparkled as the French sun began it’s decent.

"I thought since it’s our last night, I’d wear something extra special…and see how long it actually stayed on. I’m beginning to think that from now on, I should just wear ‘pretend’ lingerie. It’ll be invisible and we can just pretend I have it on before you rip it off."

He was supposed to laugh at that, or at least give her an all-knowing glance, but all she got in response was a weak smile and then a drop of his head.

When he looked up again, she saw something in his eyes that she hadn’t seen in weeks… since before they’d gotten married….panic. It was panic that he instantly tried to suppress once she noticed it for what it was.

Elizabeth crossed the room and sat down on the couch next to him. He folded the newspaper in that split second.

"Lucky, what is it?"

He looked down at the folded paper in his hands and shook his head. Damn it…damn it.

"Lucky?"

It was their honeymoon. He wasn’t supposed to look like this. Not stressed. Not like his stomach hurt. Not like he’d just lost his best friend.

She smiled softly and reached for his hand. "I heard somebody at the door…did they bring this?"

"I’m sorry he woke you," Lucky whispered absently. Still not looking at her. They’d been married less than 4 weeks and already he’d failed her as a husband. Failed to protect her from the exact things he’d said he would. The things he’d PROMISED he would.

Elizabeth smiled strangely and shook her head. She’d already been awake by the time she heard the knock on the door. She’d just been having a little trouble actually getting out of such a comfortable bed. Her body had needed the rest. It seemed living a life of sex, eating, and then more sex – could tucker you out.

Then of course she’d had trouble closing her eyes again without him lying next to her.

She smoothed her hand down the length of his arm now and curled up next to him. Bringing her legs up atop of his lap. More than eager to snap him out of whatever dark mood had settled upon him.

"That’s ok," she whispered seductively. Cooing next to his ear. "I wanted to wake up anyway…’napping’ is no fun without you." She rimmed his ear lightly with her tongue, and he pulled away.

Her eyes looked sad when he rose and turned to her but they were about to look so much sadder. Damn it, he should have insisted upon complete silence from the staff at the hotel. He should have used an alias in the registry.

But he hadn’t thought of any of that. He’d just wanted to get married.

Elizabeth sat back against the sofa. Watching his expression.

"Whatever’s in that paper can’t be that bad, can it? What happened? Did I get a bad review this time? Even though I haven’t danced anywhere……Jeesh, credits can be so harsh."

Ok, so by his reaction, he obviously wasn’t going to be laughing at anything any time soon. Even at what she thought had been a pretty good joke. One that had a least warranted a smile…a grin…maybe?…Nope.

Instead he blurted what he’d been holding back for the last two minutes.

"Somebody at the Bellagio told the Times that we got married. It’s everywhere. Wallace sent me the article from the paper."

He stilled himself for her reaction. What could he possibly say to make this right? He’d have to take some kind of decisive action right away. It probably couldn’t wait until they got home.

She sat quietly for a moment looking up at Lucky who stood in front of the brick fireplace. It sparkled and crackled behind him and had seemed the perfect setting for a seduction scene just moments ago, but now the ambience made the tension more awkward.

"Who would tell them?" Elizabeth finally asked quietly. "I mean we only had family and –

"Maybe an employee? Hell, maybe that old couple that we were keeping awake by being so noisy that night."

"We weren’t that noisy."

Lucky shot an ‘are you crazy’ glance in her direction. Tilting his head to the side.

"Ok, so we were noisy…that doesn’t give them the right to….." her voice trailed off and she ran a hand through her hair.

His eyes were on her. Intensely focused on what her reaction would be…and suddenly – after a clueless moment – she realized why.

Her parents.

He was waiting for her to lose it about her parents. Waiting for her to stalk off into the next room and barricade herself inside…And who could blame him for being worried about those things? When she’d given him every reason to expect such dramatics in the past.

She got her bearings and nodded slowly. Letting it all sink and then processing it internally before she spoke. These were the times when she’d hurt his feelings before. By saying something that she thought would only hurt herself, she’d taken aim at him as well. She wouldn’t do that tonight.

Elizabeth Spencer wouldn’t do that to her husband, because it had been weeks since she’d given more than a second’s thought to her parents.

"There’s a chance that they’ve heard by now," she said finally. Calmly. "My mom likes to pretend she’s this sophisticated woman and has read the New York Times for as long as I can remember…even though she’s never been there…It was the first place I ever read about Broadway….sitting next to her while she drank her coffee.

"And my step-father…well," she paused. "Reading is probably all he has to busy himself with at the Treatment Center."

Lucky inhaled through his nose and nodded. "Yeah…"

When she was silent once more, Lucky approached. He knelt in front of her and placed his hands on her legs. The short negligee she wore, didn’t even reach her knees. Her skin felt cool to his overheated skin.

He shouldn’t have had to think about this now. Any other time her little ensemble would have already been on the floor…..just like she’d joked.

"I’ll figure out what to do. I’ve been thinking this anyway…and there are tons of facilities overseas. We could always have the as – you’re stepfather shipped somewhere. That way you’d still be helping your mom and –

When her hands cupped his face, his mouth stopped. His eyes locked in on hers when she spoke. The fire behind him flickered in the bright blue pools as he waited…

"I don’t care."

He wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly. And even if he had…what the heck did she mean?

"You don’t care?"

Elizabeth licked her lips and used one hand to brush lightly at a few sandy strands of hair that had fallen forward onto his forehead. They had lightened so much from their weeks on the beach. Ah, the various beaches of the world…

She couldn’t wait to tell someone – anyone – they’d all be jealous. Hell, maybe she wouldn’t have to. The New York Times had already beaten her to the punch. For all she knew there were some naked shots of her lying around on some editor’s table just ready to be slipped into the Enquirer. Photos that would attest to the wonderful time they’d had on their beach adventures.

The thought made her cringe, but she held back from voicing it. Lucky was already upset enough. About to have aneurysm over how upset he thought SHE would be.

There were people all over the United States that had already seen her naked. A few more wouldn’t matter? Right?

‘Elizabeth you’re getting ahead of yourself!’ She thought then. She couldn’t afford to do this now. ‘It’s just an article. The only picture in there is an old one of you two at FAO Schwartz during the Road Fury 2 contest…that’s it. Relax and reassure your husband…that’s your job now. He’s done it enough times for you.’

She whispered her next words and used her thumbs to caress his cleanly shaven cheeks.

"It doesn’t matter…Lucky my parents have been running my life in one way or another, my ENTIRE life – that stops now…And it stops because of you."

Lucky waited for her to explain. What did she mean it stopped because of him? He hadn’t done a damn thing to stop any of this.

"Do you know how happy you make me?…Lucky, I am officially ‘disgustingly’ happy," she said with a grin. "The only thing that I’m going to worry about is the amount of women that will throw things at me on the streets of New York when they see me now. I’m gonna be the envy of every woman from here to the end of the Earth.…the bane of every female existence.

"Lucky," she continued at his sober expression. Her voice softened. "I’m too happy to care what they think, or even what they try and do with this. I’m happy for the first time in my life and I’m not going to let anybody – ANYBODY – ruin that. Do you understand what I’m telling you?……WE’RE not going to deal with this."

"But Elizabeth don’t you think we should take some sort of pre-emptive strike here? I mean –

She kissed him and it set off a white-hot blaze deep inside him. It burned hotter than the fire that snapped like a whip behind him and Lucky lost all trace of what he’d wanted to say. The point he’d been trying to make.

It turned to smoldering ash.

"I just made one," she sighed as she pulled away breathless.

Lucky’s eyes were still closed and she brushed her lips against each eyelid. "The only thing I want you to do right now is make love to me…Do you think I could get my husband to do that?"

He opened his eyes and could see nothing but her. Nothing but the all encompassing beauty that he should have seen when he’d first spotted her in the doorway. There was nothing left of newspaper articles or asshole stepfathers. There was only Elizabeth.

Satin against skin, fresh scented hair falling against her shoulders, and lips that felt like snowflakes warmed against his flesh. He buried his head in her neck when she returned to kiss him. Groaning at the sent of her.

Lucky moved forward. His large hands slid up her forearms and then her biceps, easing her back against the couch as he slid in closer to her lower body. As her thighs parted for his kneeling form.

Elizabeth’s breathing rate doubled at the mere feel of his hands sliding up her legs and beneath the negligee. She wore the flimsiest of panties and they felt non-existent beneath the scorching touch of his fingers.

His chest was smooth and open to her, and when he lifted her foot to his shoulder, she took the time to let it travel over him. To feel the satin beneath her heel, her arch settling upon the shoulder. Her toes treated to raw delight.

Again he moved closer to her, and used his hands to stealthily glide beneath her bottom and pull her towards the edge of seat cushion.

She dug her nails into the soft upholstery and waited with baited breath. Staring into the fire as his tongue found her center. Her eyes crossed from the instantaneous rush.

When it left her just as quickly, she shut her eyes. Letting her head fall to the side of the couch. Counting down the seconds as he removed her panties. He used his teeth to do it, and she was caught between wanting to scream and wanting to shake him.

Not teeth…no…it always took longer when he used his teeth. God, she wanted it now!

He knew what she wanted…and knew just how long to make her wait. He drew down her panties with such agonizingly slow precision, that it made her crazy. Inch by inch he curled the lace over her hip bones and down, until even he grew impatient. He had to use his hands to pull them down the rest of the way and throw them across the room.

When they landed in the fire, they both laughed out loud. A burst of giggles breaking through the heat.

"Panties of fire…I think I like it," Lucky remarked.

She jolted nearly out of her skin, when his tongue met her center in the next second.

A flash of pleasure so exquisite shot through her that she wasn’t sure if the light she saw in her eyes was that of the flames consuming her underwear or the ones he’d just ignited in her body.

Her panties…they’d just flew into the fireplace. The thought couldn’t even register. Nothing could when he was busy tasting her. Nibbling at her as if she were the most delicious piece of candy.

Lucky moved closer to lick and love her. Worship this woman who had become stronger and even more admirable in the last 5 minutes. Even more worthy of the desire that grew in him like a thick vine. He wanted to devour her…and he very nearly did.

Elizabeth trembled as he grabbed a hold of her thighs. Wrapping his arms around them as he positioned her against his shoulders. Her feet now dangling loosely at his upper back as he licked and probed. Made her crazy with want. Made the entire honeymoon flash before her eyes like some erotic movie.

Looking up at her through hooded lashes, he watched as her skin grew tackier with every passing second. The lace cups of her negligee now clung to her undulating flesh. Her nipples grew tight and stiff beneath the barely there fabric. His dick responded in kind within his own black satin pajama pants.

Unable to wait until she came this time, Lucky stood up quickly. Leaving her dazed and confused for just a moment as he disrobed. Shedding his pajama pants in less than two seconds. The next time his hands were on her, they were pushing her knees up to her chest. Lifting her hips as he entered. His first thrust inside her from a slightly bent over position.

Elizabeth shouted an obscenity she wasn’t even quite sure she knew before this moment and clung to the arms of the couch as he pulled out only to plunge back in with the assuredness of a stallion taking it’s mare.

She gasped and slowly eased her way towards the back of the couch before his thrusts pushed her there or she fell off the edge. Though it was cold and snowing outside, you would never know it. It felt like the beach. Like Greece and Rio De Janiero and Bora Bora

Lucky hooked one of her legs around his hip desperately and pumped on. Bracing himself against the headrest of the couch. He met her eyes and nearly came at the look of pure, and utter passion in them. She urged him on, by meeting him every time. Lifting herself by using those fabulous dancers’ abs of hers. Her hips met his over and over.

How did it remain possible for this to get better every single time? Surely there would be a point at which they would simply tire of this right? Surely after weeks of honeymoon, he would grow tired of…

Lucky shouted her name as he came, and Elizabeth bit her lip. Reveling in it as she shuddered as well. Her body humming with the vibrations of each of them. Waves it swirled until they started to slow.

Whatever she’d just been thinking was nonsensical. Absolute and complete idiotic thoughts brought on by a temporary bout of insanity caused by sleep deprivation and the New York Times.

She would never get tired of his hands on her or his body inside of hers. And God willing he would never get tired of her flesh either.

"Have I…told you that I can’t get…enough of you?" He panted the words. As if having read her thoughts. Gently he scooped her legs up on his lap as he climbed onto the couch. Slowly curling up behind her. Elizabeth curved back into him, though she could barely move. His softness felt good behind her.

And he was warm…so warm. Like something melting against her.

His voice sent the same warm ripples through her as he spoke into her ear. "Every single time I think I can let you be…for just a minute…I lose control all over again."

Elizabeth felt him snuggle against her shoulder. His fingers moved to pull the moist ends of her hair away from her skin. He kissed her shoulder and slid his finger under one of the straps of her negligee. Lucky marveled at the delicateness of the fabric. Not nearly as soft as her skin though.

"Do me a favor?" She responded finally.

"Anything."

"Never stop loosing control…Never get tired of me."

He turned her over then. So that she lay on her back. Her body perpendicular to his.

"You’ve gotta be kidding me."

Somewhat embarrassedly, Elizabeth covered her eyes with her hands. Her face flushed from their passion and from the new heat that the topic brought to her cheeks.

"Elizabeth I could never" His voice was soft. His hands gentle on her face.

"I just had this thought…when we were…I was just thinking of how wonderful this is. …Every single time…and how out of this world – fantastic ALL of it is and how quickly it all…"

Lucky caught her meaning and nodded. "You’re thinking that because everything happened so quickly for us that someday it’s what?…It’s all just gonna fall apart?"

"No, I –

She sat up then, and he followed suit. Looking at the back of her head as she raked anxious fingers through her hair. When finally she turned to him, he saw the pain in her eyes that she hadn’t let appear at the sight of the newspaper article just moments ago.

Damn it.

"Elizabeth, what is it?"

Slowly she turned her body towards him on the couch. "I just – I just don’t think I could bare it if I ever did anything to ruin things for you."

Lucky shook his head and blinked hard. "Elizabeth what the heck are you talking about? All you do is make everything better. You make my mind better, my heart better…you make my body feel better," he added with a grin. "Every time."

Elizabeth smirked and looked down at his naked form. She could no longer imagine a day when her hands wouldn’t want to venture over every inch of him.

"I mean like that newspaper article Lucky…You were so busy thinking about what it could do to me…Did you even stop to think about the possible ramifications for you?"

Without a word, he pulled her towards him. She lay against his chest. Her body covered his. A full body embrace.

"What exactly?" He began. Smoothing a hand down her back. "Do you think it’s going to do to me?"

She propped herself up. Not wanting to become distracted again. She’d let herself get caught up in him before she’d brought it up, but this was serious. Something that they needed to discuss.

"There are a number of things," Elizabeth explained. "I mean, it could effect your job – you didn’t tell anyone but Wallace that we were getting married –

"And I only told Wallace because he was my best friend and best man…How is it anyone else’s business?"

"Lucky, I know that sometimes you forget about what I was when you met me, but other people won’t let it go so easily –

"What you were when I met you? Let it go?…Elizabeth I haven’t let ANYTHING go. I know exactly who you were and what you ARE…You’re the same beautiful, intelligent, sensual, attractive, woman that you were then." He asked, separating each adjective with a kiss on her neck.

She pulled back. Forcing herself to remain focused in spite of his mouth, and his naked body beneath hers, and the way his arms tightened around her. The way his hands clasped tightly at the small of her back and then started to descend lower.

"Lucky I was a stripper."

"Really? I wasn’t aware. I thought it was a convent…What with all the sequins."

She wanted to laugh – he could tell – but she didn’t.

Lucky took a deep breath. She wasn’t going to let this go.

"Yes you were a stripper, Elizabeth. Indisputable fact…But it didn’t say anything about that in the newspaper, and unless I’m mistaken you never took out an ad and announced it before the wedding."

"Lucky –

"AND," he added, returning to his statement and cutting off her interruption. "Even if you HAD and even if they HAD talked about it in the article, it wouldn’t matter."

"How would it not matter, Lucky?…You design CHILDREN’S games for God’s sake. People WILL care about this. This could effect the success of Road Fury 2 and all your future projects. I mean, maybe we should have really given this some more thought. Maybe we should have planned our wedding for after –

He rolled over on her. Trapping her beneath him and effectively shutting her up.

"Woman, have I not made myself abundantly clear? What in God’s name are you talking about? And WHY are you talking about it when we’re supposed to be making love again? I mean…seriously Elizabeth, I must NOT have done a great job just now if you’re able to form words and deep analytical thoughts about my life…or life in general…"

She giggled loudly as he attacked her neck. His lips and tongue and teeth going to work on the sensitive flesh there. She squealed and playfully pushed at his chest.

"I’m trying to be serious here and you’re…Oooh God," he grew hard against her stomach. "You’re trying to seduce me when I’m trying to discuss something very…Oooooh," she paused. His fingers found the moisture he’d created just minutes before.

"Elizabeth, I really think we should talk about this later…you know, when we’re 70 and we’ve already been married for 50 years…then we can talk about our timing and how it sucks," he groaned. Stripping her of the top half of her negligee.

Finally…that took too long. Damn it, he had standards to live up to.

"I – oooooooh," her voice and thought process faltered at the closing of his mouth around her nipple. "Ok."

Upon her agreement, Lucky broke away and lifted her into his arms. Carrying her out of the room and down the short hall to the bedroom. He rounded another corner and the huge hot tub that they hadn’t had a chance to visit since the first night, came into view.

Last night they’d been too busy entertaining them selves with the Road Fury game they’d found in the video system. Of course deciding to play it ‘strip’ style, had added to the fun. Every time either one of them missed a chance at points, they had to take off an article of clothing. Since they’d never gotten out of their pajamas in the first place, it hadn’t exactly taken long.

A good time had been had by all.

Lucky couldn’t think of a time in his life when he’d had more fun traveling with anyone. Not even when he’d been on the run with his parents!

‘Scary thought Spencer…don’t think about them now.’

Elizabeth felt herself being stripped bare again as Lucky lifted her hemline and slipped the negligee she wore, up and over her head. She bit her lip and waited giddily as he turned to allow the steaming hot water to fill the massive tub. She cozied up to him from behind. Easing her hands up his bare chest and then down. His body had begun to swell once more.

"I’ll be right back," she whispered. Rising on her tip-toes. Lucky nearly passed out from the feel of her against his back. "I’m gonna go get that champagne we talked about earlier."

He watched her naked behind sashay away down the hall. When she came back he was already sitting in the tub. His arms outstretched on the brown marbled ledge. His eyebrows twitched in appreciation as she started to climb in. And he wasn’t appreciating her choice in beverage.

Elizabeth stepped into the hot tub and bit the inside of her lip. Lucky looked up at her from the step, reaching up to help her inside. "Is it too hot?"

She found his eyes. "It’s perfect."

With two hands he aided her in, and she swiftly sat next to him. The water swirled just around the tips of her breasts when she sat on the bench, and Lucky gazed as she leaned back.

As if the little sneak, didn’t know she was already driving him crazy…

He turned around to pour her a glass of champagne.

She reached up out of the water for the glass when he turned back to her. But she never got a chance to taste it. For she tasted his mouth instead, when it sought hers. Lucky held the glass just out of reach as he kissed her. It was as slow and steamy as the bubbles that swirled around them…a replica of what was happening inside each of their bodies.

His wet chest pressed against her and his muscled thighs moved between her legs. Easing them apart with the passing flow of water. But he didn’t enter her, he held back something as he kissed her and she wondered why.

Her fingers danced their way up the line that traveled up the center of his back. Feeling water droplets slide just beneath them as his flesh did. Her hands curved their way up to his shoulders and squeezed. Trying to bring him closer, but he smiled against her mouth. Not ready to budge yet.

But she felt his thickness against her thigh. New he was ready.

What was the little sneak up to?

"I want you again," she murmured. Sighing as his tongue began to do wicked things right next to her ear. So busily was she trying to get him inside of her, that she failed to realize he was trying to distract her as he reached behind her. His hands busily searching for something to the side of the Jacuzzi.

"I want you too," he whispered back. And the coolness of his voice against her ear, with the hot water enveloping her, nearly caused her to orgasm right there against him. "But I…I want you to do something for me first."

With eyes closed and head tilted back against the ledge. His lips on her collar bone,

Elizabeth moaned an answer that sounded like ‘whatever you want.’

One of Lucky’s hands found her thigh and rubbed, massaged her as he brought back his other hand from behind her.

"I was going to give this to you on the way home…as a sort of end of Honeymoon gift…but you –

He seemed to get a little choked up as Elizabeth looked up at him. Their eyes connected and he looked down. He couldn’t believe that she had been worried about the article – but not entirely for herself – for him.

From the very beginning, it was always him who had pretended to be the most confident guy in the world. Sure and certain that he and Elizabeth would make it, against all odds. But there had often been doubts. Like the time he’d come home to find her packing her things to leave. Like the time they’d almost lost each other after a party at Sullivan’s and a night apart.

There were times, if someone would have asked him – he would have said that Elizabeth would never love him the way that he loved her. But caring for someone else more than you cared for yourself, was more than enough proof of that.

Elizabeth watched in silence as he pulled the rectangular velvet box from somewhere behind her head. When had he bought a gift for her? They’d never left each other’s side, the entire honeymoon!…He was amazing.

But then she’d already known that.

"I hope you like it," he whispered. Right before revealing the most stunningly beautiful necklace she’d ever seen in her life.

The delicate chain, held one exquisite, square cut sapphire just in the middle of it. Elizabeth’s jaw dropped wide.

"Lucky…"

When she was finally able to draw her eyes away from the box, he spoke.

"I’ve been spending this entire honeymoon staring into those eyes of yours and I finally nailed the exact shade down while we were in Italy…There’s a guy in Verona that has all these rare shades of sapphire from the cliffs there…But now," he paused. Comparing the color of the pendent to that of her eyes when he glanced back up. "Now I’m not so sure…because your eyes…they just got darker. Maybe I was wrong –

Her silence at his rambling, cut him off. But he returned to it when she said nothing at all. "I could probably call the guy back. Get him to send over some more samples…I want to get it right."

"You got it right," she sighed. "You get everything…right."

Slipping off of the bench. She came to him in the middle of the tub and the water rose to her neck. "Do you mind helping me on with it?…I think I need some help."

Lucky licked his dry lips. "You’re sure you like it?"

"Lucky put it on me," she instructed soberly. Not bothering to answer his question.

He did as she wanted, carefully taking it out of the box and placing it to the side. Lucky held the necklace above the water, and watched as she turned her back to him. Her hair was up in a clip, but tiny wisps fell around her neck and he let his fingers toy with them as he hooked the tiny clasp at the back of her neck.

Elizabeth turned to him and wordlessly, placed her hands on his shoulders as she lifted herself against him. Wrapping her legs around his waist. She reached between them and helped him inside before he even had time to comment on the necklace – or anything else…again.

Her hips pulsed towards him and his hands finally registered what was happening, easing their way around her legs and under her bottom. He hoisted her up a bit. Watching as her necklace came into better view…among even more beautiful things. One hand rose to her upper back and he pressed her forward so he could kiss the center of her chest.

"I love it Lucky," she sighed breathlessly. "I love you…I love everything about you."

Lucky tried to keep his legs steady as he stood in the water, her body bucking against his at a slow, rhythmic pace. He focused on her eyes and the feeling became so intense that his breath caught. Elizabeth took that moment to grind against him deeply. Her knees pressed against his hands in an effort to open more widely…accept him deeper.

He couldn’t stand it anymore and slowly maneuvered them back around to the step. Easing her atop of it, and easing himself deeper within the walls of her body. His hands slid up her wet arms and his fingers came up to weave themselves with hers above each of their heads. The necklace glistened with water against her skin and sparkled under the dim spotlight above the tub.

Her mouth was wet and he kissed her. Slowly and deliciously as his body moved restlessly inside.

"Vous etes plus beau que quelque chose je pourrait vous donner."

She shut her eyes at whatever beautiful words he’d just uttered next to hear ear. She didn’t understand it, but let herself receive it. Receive him as he took her places that made the water change colors around her.

But he whispered it in English at the next ear a moment later. His voice and the light sound of lapping water between their bodies were all she could hear aside from the pounding of her heart.

"You’re…you’re more beautiful than anything I could…ever give you."

She nearly sobbed as she strained against him. Her nipples sprouting to attention, aching to be touched. And when his chest slid against her she quaked around him. Coming as he still sought his own release.

"Hold on to me," he whispered. Tightening his grip on her hands as his hips pistoned wildly at hers. Harder and faster as her body continued to shiver. His mouth sought the side of her face, her neck, her chest. Quickly and intensely he rode each of them into delirium. "Je t’aime Elizabeth…Je t’aime."

She tried to lock her ankles around his waist, but her muscles grew heavy. Tired and euphoric with pleasure.

He reached behind him with one hand to help her…to help himself. He held them together, yet still had his other hand locked on hers. His body was in such close contact with hers, that just the right amount of friction was created beneath the water and she came again…at the same moment he did.

The orgasm was explosive. A powerful burst of energy flowed from him. It pulsed with every throb, just like the water that was pushed from the jets to all sides of them. Elizabeth felt it move through her entire body. It took hold of her and released her with such intensity that it felt like she’d float away as she came down.

But he wouldn’t let her float away. His body still stood rigid against hers. A part of him soft now, but the rest of him hard and slick with water. Her hands slid up his chest and down his shoulders. Running over his nipples as he panted hard against the cradle of her neck.

Wet and tired, he withdrew some moments later. Scooping her up into his arms. His legs having grown steady again as he carried her up and out of the water. Aside from water droplets, the necklace was all she wore. They both dripped as they made their way across the floor and onto the carpet.

There were thick terry cloth robes somewhere with their monograms on them, but who needed them? They’d keep each other warm.

He carried her inside their bedroom. Another fire blazed in the corner, and he lay her on the plush rug in front of it. The heat of the flame would help…a little.

Lucky covered her partially with his body. His leg draped around hers as she pillowed his head with her chest. His hand eased down the front of her, to rest on her lower abdomen. The only light in the room, from the fireplace and the candles that flickered in the corner, lit their skin in a watery glow.

He homed in on the necklace once more. Toying with it. Slipping his finger beneath the pendant and moving it back and forth as she lay there watching him. He looked happy again.

It made her smile.

"So I guess you really do like it then," he deadpanned.

Elizabeth burst out laughing. When she finally caught her breath and spoke it was in a whisper. Almost permanently hoarse from all the laughter and well…moaning they’d shared over the past few weeks.

"Yes…I love it. I think I’m going to wear it everyday for the rest of my life."

Lucky smiled down at her suggestively. "Are you gonna wear it exactly like this?…I think there’s already enough traffic in New York City."

She turned towards the fire, gripping his forearm as she did. Pulling him with her so that he spooned up against her from behind.

"No, I’ll probably put some clothes on with it."

Lucky slipped his leg around hers. His arm slipped under hers and his hand wove together with hers. They both fiddled with the necklace.

"That’s probably a wise decision…but at home –

"At home I’ll wear it just like this," she reassured.

Lucky let his eyes linger over the curves of her body, the swell of her hip that gave way to silky, water dappled legs. He would never ever tire of seeing her just like this. Naked and blissful.

"You know…all those times I fantasized about you…" he paused to kiss her shoulder. "I don’t think anything quite prepared me for how wonderful it would be…how wonderful YOU would be."

Elizabeth lifted his hand and kissed the back of it. Then the inside of his palm. She then teasingly let her tongue travel down the length of one long finger. Lucky shivered behind her and moved closer. His body fit hers like a hard glove.

"Well, it was your own fault you know…I would have had sex with you long ago."

Lucky bit her shoulder and she laughed. "Yeah well you know I didn’t just want…sex."

Elizabeth turned to him. Lying on her back. The firelight flickered against the blue of his eyes. The beauty of his words and the silent words that God had written in that azure honesty nearly made her cry.

"Thank God."

His smile grew playful. His finger traveling from her nose to her mouth. Water still clung. "Wow….you are awfully wet, aren’t you?"

As his finger traveled lower, her skin puckered. He circled her nipples with one finger and slowly walked them back up her chest. Her legs shifted a bit as the tightening of her inner muscles began.

"More than you know," she sighed.

He came closer and Elizabeth lifted her head slightly. Her tongue flicked at his damp collar bone.

"You are too." Her mouth puckered against it and she kissed him there, letting her lips move from shoulder to shoulder, in their journey.

"I bet," he said nearly inaudibly. Reaching down between her thighs. "You’re wetter than I am."

Elizabeth gasped and her hips lifted immediately. Her body urging her to get closer to the source of satisfaction. Slowly, Lucky retreated and she mewled from somewhere deep in her throat. Complaining without words.

"Ne vous inquietez pas, mon amour." Don’t worry my love.

He turned her back over on her side. Lying behind her as he had before. His hand returned to her center from this position, his fingers stroking through damp folds. Finding what she desperately wanted him to touch, rotate, rub…her breathing hitched and then quickened as he did all of that and then some.

Lucky watched her from behind. He slipped his left hand under her side and around her. His fingers pinched lightly at one nipple while his other hand still played her like a well tuned fiddle down below. She was lying practically with her back on his chest. Her body open for him to manipulate to his will.

He was hard and throbbing behind her. She could almost feel the blood rushing through his stiff rod as it grazed her behind. It teased her as his fingers did the work she wanted it to do.

Biting his lip he brought her closer to the threshold of ecstasy. Waiting for her to begin to tremble. His fingers grew firmer on her nipple and she called out his name. Her thigh growing restless, opening wide and then closed atop his hand, trying to force his finger inside her. Silently begging him to ease the ache that built and built within her.

Lucky headed her silent request. Slipping one finger and then two inside her warm depths as he rubbed her clit with his thumb. She was close…so close it hurt to not be inside her when it happened.

But that would come next.

"Wetter Elizabeth," he breathed the words into her ear and she nearly sobbed from her quick in coming orgasm. "I need you wet."

"Oh…oh God, I am…I a – am…" She repeated the words time and time again and they became nonsense. Gibberish as the quaking took over. Riddling her words into some untranslatable puzzle. "I – I’m s – so wet…f- for you Lucky…for you…"

That was it. The final straw.

Lucky withdrew his hand even as she trembled around his fingers and gripped her thigh with that same hand. Turning them both on their sides, she in front of his body. He drew her right leg back and over his hip as he dipped to meet her center. He thrust upward into her, on one long uninhibited stroke.

Elizabeth wove her fingers in the rug beneath her. Clenching tightly as he drove into her. Pushing her forward. Her mouth was half buried in the carpet, as one arm lifted her

slightly at the waist. Bringing her into closer contact with him from behind. His other hand still handled her breasts. One large palm massaging her even as he lost control inside her.

She’d been right. She was so wet. He was drenched in her already. She glistened at their juncture. The hand that held her waist so securely, couldn’t resist the temptation and dipped between her curls to find a home in her thighs.

Her mouth fell open and she gasped as he began to stimulate her with his fingers. All the while pumping into her. She reached behind her to touch him. Her fingers found every muscle taut and straining. She knew that even in this wild state, he held back all he wanted to give.

From her position she tried to move her hips in accordance with his, but it was difficult. That fact somehow broke through Lucky’s haze of lust and penetrated his brain.

Without a word he maneuvered her once more. This time to her stomach.

Elizabeth fully extended her arms and held on as Lucky took the leg of hers that had been lying on the floor and wrapped it around his waist. She placed her cheek against the rug as he drove her on. Someone, somewhere had just turned up the heater to 100 degrees.

She called out loudly. Shouting his name into the dim light of the room.

His fingers pressed into the front of her thighs, his thumbs lying at the backs as he held her steady. Bending over slightly now to reach her innermost depths. He kissed her back, every inch of her spine. She was already coming again by the time his fingers slithered up to play teasingly at her center.

She felt herself break into tiny ecstatic pieces at the same moment in which his body went completely rigid and he shot himself into her. Panting into the carpet, she waited for him to relax completely after convulsing. Waited before trying to pull her legs from his grasp. He’d been holding on so tightly, she was sure she’d have fingerprints on her thighs by morning. But she didn’t care. She’d wear them with a sense of satisfaction. Better even, than her necklace.

A sigh of complete contentment escaped her as he released his grip and smoothed his hands over the places his fingers had been. His face came to rest on her back as he slid out of her saturated middle.

Elizabeth reached back to link hands with him at her sides as he lay with his chest to her back.

"I’m going to crush you…"

"Don’t move an inch," she quietly demanded.

They fell asleep there on the carpet in front of the fire. Their bodies tired and aching from one another, after it had been for one another. Skin slick with the moisture of various sources. Water, passion, sweat. Neither of them minded. Each of them relished it. And relished it being one another who made them feel out of control and slightly invincible. As if each of them could face anything now.

Newspaper articles, magazine photographs, dysfunctional families.

Amidst all of those things they would have each other, and that was all either of them needed anymore. They were sure of it. So sure of it that they slept soundly for hours, on that carpet in the buff. They moved about – slept in various positions, but for the first time they didn’t wake up with a sense of urgency in the middle of the night. The need to make love so overwhelming it was as if they believed the other would be gone by morning.

Their bodies were spent, and their minds and hearts had been comforted by one another’s strength. Married life was good. Married life got more wonderful with each passing day.

~~~~~~~

Hours ago, when the sun had finally made it’s presence known, Lucky had gotten up and carried both of them wearily into bed. Her body lay curled up next to his beneath the voluminous soft white comforter. Seeking his warmth in the cold French winter.

It reminded him of what sleeping with her at home would be like now. It was a bed they’d never made love in, but would definitely have to…first thing.

He lifted a hand from beneath the covers and pushed a few strands of hair away from her face. Her eyelids fluttered, but stayed shut. She looked…peaceful.

What a miracle.

No dreams, no screaming, no barricading herself in a room. And this complete calm had managed to come after discussing her parents and doing the thing she’d feared the most for so long…making love.

He tried not to touch her again now. Limiting himself to smooth caresses of the bare shoulders that lay partially uncovered by the comforter. No lower than that. At least until she woke up. He’d seen the subtle bruising on her thighs revealed by sunlight this morning and had cursed him self.

He was gonna have to learn to control himself to some degree.

A smile danced over her lips in her sleep and he shook his head. Sometimes he really thought maybe she lived inside his head and knew every thought that passed through the twists and turns of his brain.

It was the first time he’d ever seen a smile during sleep before. Before her expression had been calm and not plagued by demons, but this was the first time he’d seen an actual grin.

He wanted to trace her lips, but knew that would awaken her immediately. Instead he just stared. Knowing the intensity of his eyes on her would probably wake her as well in just a few minutes. But he could lay here forever and simply watch her sleep. Watch her enjoy herself…be comfortable with herself. Feeling loved.

That first night in Vegas was still so clear and vivid. The way they’d danced in the hotel room, the way she’d looked while sleeping in the next bed. She’d been so achingly guarded. A wall so thick, had been put up around her that you could barely get past it to see everything there was to see. All the depth and love and talent that she had to offer the world. Everything he’d always wanted in a woman stared back at him now and he couldn’t quite believe it.

Maybe when they got back to New York – back to the real world, things would seem more believable. He’d return to work, a married man. Hell, he’d be returning to his dog – a married man. It nearly made him chuckle aloud to imagine Foster’s expression when he carried Elizabeth over the threshold of their penthouse.

And he WOULD be doing that again. Lucky had decided he liked that tradition a lot. It made him feel sort of dashing. Sort of like the prince she swore up and down he was. No one had ever made him feel like that…until her.

Lucky’s lips curved into a smile. A fleeting thought planted roots. A prince…A toystore…Hmm…what an interesting place that would be to spend the night again. Married this time. Having made love more times than he could count now…

Interesting indeed. He’d have to get to work on that as soon as they arrived home.

What else would he need to do? The question popped into his head as he fiddled with a piece of hair on her head that wouldn’t lie flat after the mischievous night they’d had.

She needed an area to rehearse. Lord knew that with all the great reviews she’d gotten from one night on stage, she’d be getting more jobs soon. She’d need a place to come home and stretch and do all those things that had driven him absolutely insane for months.

Now the idea of coming home to find her stretching in the living room was creating all sorts of lewd fantasies in his mind…..he couldn’t wait. A quick ‘honey I’m home,’ and then down to business.

But perhaps he needed to rethink they’re living arrangements? A penthouse wouldn’t work forever. He loved his place, and he knew Elizabeth loved it too. Even Foster had formed a certain attachment to it, but they’d need more room eventually right? When they had kids……

The thought struck like a blow. As if it were a completely novel idea. Had they ever even discussed kids? Lucky glanced at Elizabeth and his eyes widened.

"Wow," he couldn’t hold the word back. It fell from his lips due to the surprise revelation. They hadn’t had they? Maybe in passing, but never in any real non-hypothetical depth. He racked his brain. Running through every conversation they’d shared. Nope…no real discussions about having kids. Kids in general maybe…but nothing about whether THEY should have them.

Of course she’d want them right? I mean – she had to know that HE wanted them. He made video games for God’s sake. If that wasn’t a clue, he didn’t know what was.

He thought about how good she’d been with Lulu even when his sister had been acting like a complete brat. Elizabeth had known exactly what to do and how to handle it.

Damn, she’d make a great mother.

Maybe it wouldn’t be a big deal. Maybe she’d wake up and say that she’d always wanted kids. But something told him that it wouldn’t be that easy. Something in the back of his mind told him that it might actually be difficult.

The way she was raised. The things she thought about parents in general…it had to have left her with some bitter feelings about parenting.

‘She might surprise you Spencer. Just like she did last night…don’t assume anything.’

Lucky bit the inside of his lip and as if on cue – as if she knew that he needed her to wake up – she did. Her eyelids flickered under the weight of sleep and then began to open.

"Morning Sleepyhead," he kissed her nose and leaned back. "How did you sleep?"

Elizabeth smiled and stretched luxuriously. He watched the sheet get lower and lower until he had to force himself to look at her eyes.

Seeing the sunlight pour through the windows, Elizabeth blinked against the glare of the white snow piled up outside. It was breathtaking. "I guess I slept wonderfully…what time is it?"

Lucky glanced to the clock on the nightstand behind him. "Almost noon."

"Wow."

It reminded him of his own use of the word just a few seconds before. His face stilled, and her brow creased.

"What is it?"

Lucky licked his lips. "Nothing…I was just lying here a little bit ago…thinking about things. Some things that you and I – I guess we never really…talked about."

Elizabeth rubbed her eyes. She hadn’t even had her coffee yet, and he wanted to have a deep conversation? Was this about last night again? Her parents?

"We’ve only known each other a few months…there’s probably a lot of things we haven’t discussed………Any major allergies?" She joked.

He smiled and kissed her deep. "Yeah," he paused. "I have strong reactions to not touching you for extended periods of time…it’s not pretty."

She eased one hip over his. "Well we’ll have to rectify that in just a moment…I know the perfect medicine."

God, he loved her.

"Listen," he whispered. Kissing her. "We know most things about each other. We know how each other operates. We know more about each other’s hearts that anyone ever has…That’s a lot more than most couples have. Couples who have been married for years and knew each other a lot longer before they tied the knot."

"So what is that worry in your voice about?…You starting to regret being so damned spontaneous?"

Lucky sobered and shook his head vehemently. "Never."

Elizabeth smiled. "Good…So what is it then?"

"Kids."

Elizabeth’s brow knit in confusion. "Kids?"

"Yes. As in do you want them?"

She lay back. Her head against the pillow. Her eyes on the ceiling. Well…he’d certainly gotten to the point.

Lucky took a deep breath. Stilled him self for what was to come. The wheels in her head looked to be turning at a mile per minute.

"You know," she began quietly. "If you would have known me a year ago, and had asked me the same question…I think I would have said, ‘no.’…Weirdly, no one has ever asked me that before."

"No one?…How is that possible?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "I don’t know…but having children has always been a strange concept to me. It’s something nice that other people do…you know?…My family…my family obviously didn’t do it right – so it wasn’t for me. I enjoyed children…but I wasn’t cut out to be a mother."

"I think you’re wrong."

"So do I."

Their eyes met and Elizabeth’s lit up as Lucky’s did. "Lucky, I don’t know myself anymore."

His brow creased. "What?"

She tried to explain it. Tried to get the words out quick enough to accurately describe the revelation.

"Lucky, During these last few months, I’ve gone from someone who didn’t think she could get anywhere in life, to someone who has danced on a real stage in front of people…WITH her clothes on – mind you. To someone who walked down the aisle with the most beautiful man imaginable…I feel like I don’t know myself and maybe…maybe I never did. Maybe it’s you that’s shown ME to me."

Lucky inhaled through his nose and let out a long sigh through his mouth. "Heady stuff for morning conversation."

"You started it Husband."

He smiled and gathered her into his arms. "I think I need one of your killer cups of coffee to even process what’s going on here."

She grinned. "See…even that!…All along I thought it was just the beans."

"Uh-uh. Never tasted that good when I made it…Foster’s the only one who liked my coffee."

Elizabeth pursed her lips. "Not touching that one……But, I guess it’s a good thing we’re going home tomorrow, huh?" She snuggled against him. "I can make you some coffee. Start playing wifey," she giggled. "Maybe start wearing a gingham apron from the Better Living catalogue."

"As long as you’re naked underneath, I don’t care what kind of apron you wear."

"When the kids come I’ll probably have to put some clothes on though."

Lucky’s eyes lit up again and he responded to the answer to his original question with a deep kiss. "Yeah…" he sighed as he pulled away. "I guess you’ll have to get dressed then…..but not a moment before."