that post was lovely....

Lucy was still befuddled when Robert rang later that morning to invite her to dinner that night. She was in two minds but since she did not wish to hurt his feelings, she decided to accept. It was just dinner.
Maybe, she should not have.

Robert, as usual, was the perfect gentleman, showing her all the expected courtesies and regaling her with excellent conversation. And yet, her mind wandered.
When Robert opened the door for her as she entered the restaurant, she smiled to herself as she remembered how Myles would rush to open every door for her when they dated.
When Robert selected a wonderful wine to accompany their meal, she wondered what Myles was doing at that moment.
When Robert lifted his fork to eat, she wondered if Myles had had his own dinner and if it was a healthy one.
When Robert told her amusing tales about his days at Quantico, she remembered Myles’ quick and often acerbic wit.
She forced herself to focus and present an interested face to her companion.

She finally decided, though, that she could not continue with the charade after receiving a second strange look from Robert. He had paused expectantly in his narration again and, having no idea what he had said for the last five minutes, she had guessed that maybe a small chuckle was the appropriate response. It was not! Robert gave her a suspicious glance before opening his mouth to speak.

Lucy interrupted hesitantly, “Robert, I’ve really enjoyed my date with you but …”

---------------------------------

Later, ensconced on the sofa with Sue, Lucy tried to make sense of her emotions and her actions. She had found a nice guy. She had chased a nice guy. She had then said goodbye to nice guy. Her manhunt was falling apart … well, had already fallen apart and it was all her own doing.
“He was perfect, Sue.” She moaned.
As Lucy communicated her woes to her best friend, Sue hid a slight smile. She had had a very similar conversation with Myles the previous day. If Myles was not incommunicado during this mission, she would have thouht up some ruse to have Lucy contact him. She recalled, though, that she was still helping with his courtship plans while he was away.
As Lucy paused, she commiserated, “Maybe Robert was too perfect. Maybe …” She poked her friend in the shoulder. “You don’t want perfect. It’s much too hard to live up to.”
“Or,” she continued thoughtfully, “Maybe he’s not as perfect for you as someone else?”

As Levi relaxed, his head on Sue’s knee, listening to the sounds of the friends’ voices, Sue settled herself even more comfortably back into the cushions and thought about the six tiny boxes, hidden away in her bedroom, which were delivered to her this morning after Lucy left. Having been the victim of many of Lucy’s matchmaking schemes, it was good to be the perpetrator for once.

I love Myles' plan and I'm pleased that Sue was able to help! Lucy's not going to be able to resist, is she?

Sairs

I love that Sue is in league with Myles!

Myles is such a romantic! And I love that Sue is getting to play matchmaker to Lucy.

kav

I think Sue is really enjoying having the table turned!

Jill

Guess living with Lucy has rubbed off on Sue. She seems to play the role to perfection!

Well he is such a charm-ing guy.

The next morning, an even tinier golden package awaited Lucy’s arrival. In it lay a tiny model of a posy of forget-me-nots in white gold. The delicate floral whorls shone in the palm of her hand.
The letters at the bottom of the box spelt out the following phrase:

Remember good times shared.

She lifted her hand to return the miniscule charm to its pretty container when a sudden impulse made her decide to attach it to the bracelet instead. There it, and its companion, twinkled cheerily at her before she returned the bangle to its box.

At that moment in Miami, Myles was thinking about Lucy. His scheme was a little bit corny but it just might bring Lucy back to him … he hoped.

----------------------------

This pattern repeated itself. Every morning, a golden box would be discovered on Lucy’s desk. On opening the container, she would find an exquisitely formed miniature of a flower in gold lying on a small note which depicted the meaning of the blossom. Lucy started arriving early to work eager to receive her surprise. Yet she did not wear the bracelet but always kept it hidden away. It was a secret shared between Myles and her … for now.

Thursday’s box contained a diminutive replica of the ash flower in white and green gold.
The accompanying message made her eyes well up with unshed tears.

I promise that you will be safe with me

It surprised her how much she wanted this to be true.

On Friday, she received an immaculate reproduction of the showy camellia in a rose-colored gold so perfect that it was hard to believe that it was not giving off a fragrance of its own.
Lucy was not insensitive to the compliment. Her hand trembled as she held up the short message.

Lucy - Perfected loveliness

These charms were also gently fastened onto the shiny bracelet.

---------------------------------

On the days of the weekend, she awoke to find that first a tiny bachelor button flower had been brought. It lay on a note with the sole word

Hope.

Lucy was impressed by both the care and the thought which had gone into these gifts. She had never known Myles to put such consideration into a present before.
She began to believe.

Next she received a charm depicting the loveliest dahlia she had ever seen, flawlessly fashioned in pink and white gold. Lucy wept as she read the note which came with it.

Forever thine.

She put on the charm bracelet.

All it's missing is a

I have always known there was more to Myles than met the eye... I guess this is what he really is like when he lets his guard down! I can't wait to read about his return to DC, to the bullpen, to Lucy.....

Beautiful post! I think Myles has won Lucy's heart, I hope they have a wonderful reunion when he returns from Miami.

Sairs

Can't wait to see the reunion!!!

Jill

It's so lovely, romantic !!!

I think Myles wants so much Luce back... believe him!

Can't wait for more!!


Restie

Should this declared as PG? One strong-ish word.



Countdown – Day before V-day

On Monday, Lucy attached an exquisitely formed petite jonquil flower to her charm bracelet. The note attached read:


Is my love unrequited?

She mulled over the question in her mind.

Myles was returning from Miami today, impulsively Lucy decided to meet him at the airport.

--------------------------------------

Myles was impatient for the plane to land. A week had passed since he had last seen or spoken to Lucy. He fiddled with his seatbelt as the plane descended. His fingers tapped on the hand rests as the plane taxied to a stop. As he disembarked, questions raced through his mind.
Did she accept his gift to her?
Did she need more time?
Was Robert still in the picture?
Could he use his contacts to get Robert sent to Siberia?
Was all this a little too late?
Did she think him too aggressive?

He was moving as slowly as his heart allowed him to.
He wanted to sweep her off her feet … carry her away to paradise … kiss away all her doubts … convince her to love him. He hurriedly collected his luggage and walked into the arrival lounge, anxious to get to Lucy. He did not notice someone approaching him quickly.

----------------------------

As she waited on her husband’s arrival from Oregon, Catherine Marshall, an ebullient former girlfriend from Harvard, spied Myles across the lounge. She rushed across to him.
Never known for her reserve, she yelled, “Hi Myles!” wrapping her arms around his neck. “It’s great to see you after such a long time!”
Astonished, Myles had to wrap one arm around her waist to stabilize himself from the force of her exuberant impact. He still managed to respond calmly and with some sarcasm.
“Hello Catherine. Still as sedate as always, I see.”
Catherine grinned at him. He had always been so staid. Mischievously, she smacked a noisy kiss on his cheek.
“Gee, you’re still as pompous as always, I see!” She declared gleefully.

It was at that moment that Lucy spotted Myles … and the woman in his arms.

Lucy was stunned. Her heart squeezed suddenly and painfully. Her legs felt wooden and wouldn’t move. Nausea seemed to rise up from her gut.
Not again!
Her hands clenched. She wished she could wrap them around the aristocratic neck in her view.
She took a few quick breaths and turned to walk away.
Her Grams had always taught her to act like a lady even under the most trying circumstances … but …her rage was too great.
She stalked up to Myles, still in the clinch of the guileless Catherine.
“This is the last time I’m going to be fooled by you, Myles. I should have known that you would do this. You bastard!” She gritted out of clenched teeth.
Myles looked at her nonplussed. Lucy was here! His mind slowly registered the fact that she was shaking like a leaf. He smiled and opened his mouth to greet her but got no chance.
Her eyes flashed fire at him.
“Thanks for all the lies.” She threw the charm bracelet in his face.
“You can have him, you trollop.” She muttered to an astonished Catherine.
Lucy flung her hair back, squared her shoulders and stomped off leaving a speechless Myles and Catherine behind.

Catherine turned to Myles, with an amused smile.
“Sorry, Myles” She apologized. “I think I’ve offended your girlfriend.”
Myles lipped curled. Lucy came to meet him … AND she was jealous. The thought pleased him for a second but he was then overwhelmed by an almost paralyzing fear. He knew he needed to set her right immediately.
He untangled himself from Catherine and picked up the precious bracelet.
“It has been ... an experience meeting you again, Catherine.”
He said as he dashed off after a fleeing Lucy.
“Invite me to the wedding, Myles.” She yelled after him.

His chase was cut short, though, by the actions of a fellow passenger towing a heavy suitcase quickly behind him. Stopping abruptly to look at his ticket, he unthinkingly released his hold on the moving luggage. What with Newton’s Laws of Motion and all, the baggage continued to move … right into Myles path.
Myles, his luggage and the errant suitcase tumbled into an untidy heap.

As quickly as he could, Myles unraveled himself and his luggage, leaving a chuckling Charlotte and an abjectly apologizing luggage owner behind. He hastened to the exit.
There was no sign of Lucy!

Typical Myles!

I don't like this type of experiences...

You have to find her and explain her everything!!!! GOOOOOO!!!!!

Restie can't wait for more!!!


Restie

Oh dear! Well this can't be good.

Was so enjoying the romance and then WAM. this does not look good. Please fix this soon,
thanks,
Terie

oh no...one huge misunderstanding...

Oh no oh no oh no!!! This is bad, really bad! Lucy, get back here!!!!!

I was standing there with Lucy and I saw what she saw and even though I understood what she saw I still felt my heart drop and my tummy flop and

kav

Lucy rushed back to the apartment. She wanted to hide … somewhere, where Myles couldn’t find her. She needed to get her bearings so that she could handle this situation. She packed an overnight bag and headed for the caring arms of her grandmother, leaving a note for Sue begging her not to let Myles know where she was.

Once there, her grandmother listened to Lucy’s outpouring of anger, regret and then anguish. It was easy for Mrs. Dotson to perceive how strong were the feelings which tormented her much-loved grandchild and she consoled her, as much as she could, with her love and heartfelt words of experience and wisdom. As they talked, she realized that Lucy had never really gotten over her first break-up with Myles. She would keep her safe tonight but tomorrow Lucy would have to sort this out herself … with or without Myles. Even so, as she heard her grandchild’s restless tossing all night, her heart ached for her.

----------------------------

Lucy’s dry-eyed rage finally changed into painful heartache in the early hours of the morning and she cried. She cried then because she had begun to hope … because she had once more allowed herself to be fooled by Myles … because in the three years since they broke up, she had not let any other man affect her in that way … but mainly she cried because she was in love with Myles … again.


Valentine’s Day

Very early the next morning, hiding eyes red and puffy from lack of sleep and crying, Lucy went in to work. She planned on spending as much time as she could hidden away in the FBI basement archives alone, researching new cases. The more time spent away from prying eyes and sympathetic faces, the better.
Today, Valentine’s Day, the day when love and lovers were celebrated, was not going to get any better for her!

But the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
----------------

As soon as he arrived at the Bullpen, Myles went in search of Lucy. Sue had begged him to give Lucy some time alone last night. It had gone against his every feeling and had taken every ounce of willpower he had. But if it was the best thing for her … and for them … then he had to do it. He had spent all of last night awake, rehearsing in his mind what he would say to her in order to clear up the misunderstanding. If she did not believe him then …
As he left the Bullpen hell bent on salvaging their relationship, he acknowledged Sue's sympathetic smile.

He had to find Lucy … now.

---------------------------

He sure has!!! And Lucy, just give him time to talk, and listen to him, really listen!!!!

Luce, I understand how you feel now but please, try to think clear...

Myles, you don't have to go away without her forgiveness!!!!


Restie

Myles you can do it! Sue interfere just like Lucy would if it were you and Jack!

kav

Was there something he was supposed to look at on that digital camera???

Okay......time to kiss and make up!

Jill

nooooo lucy miles loves you come back and listen to him please

I modified the previous post a little in order to simplify this one.

The final post ...


He finally found her … between rows of shelves filled with old folders.
At the end of the narrow passage, Myles halted. Lucy seemed engrossed in her perusal of a case file.
“But she must have heard me approach.” He thought. He called to her gently.
Lucy.
Still she did not turn around.
He called her again, a little more insistently this time.
Lucy turned around hesitantly.

From where he was, Myles could see her reddened eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. There was a sharp pain in the pit of his stomach. As he looked at her, all the words that he had rehearsed the previous night were forgotten, he could only speak from his heart.
“I did not cheat on you, Lucy.” He said quietly.
“I am telling you the truth, look at me.” He continued, his shoulders slumped and his feelings showing in his eyes.
It seemed, at first, as if she would continue to remain silent, but then she blurted out:
“How could you do this to me again, Myles? I was starting to believe … in you … in us.”
Tears glittered in her eyes.
He hastened to explain. “She was an old friend.”
At her skeptical look, he continued urgently wanting everything to be plain and clear between them. “Listen to me, Lucy. She was an old girlfriend from Harvard. We dated for two months in my second year. Up until that moment in the airport, I had not seen her for many years. She, as always, was overly exuberant in her greeting. She has always been like that.”

As he spoke, Myles moved closer. He could see quite clearly that she was trembling, but she was listening.

Not wanting to give in, Lucy responded sarcastically. “And you needed to have another go at her … for old times sake?”
“She was at the airport waiting for her husband to arrive.” Myles stated bluntly.
Lucy looked up into his eyes, her own wide with hope.
Myles spoke into the silence, watching intently as she digested what he said.
“I would not do anything to harm us … again, Lucy. The past three years have been torture … being near you but not being able to be close to you.” He looked deep into her eyes and pleaded, “How can I survive another three years without you? I can’t get you out of my heart.”

Myles persisted, “If this relationship is to continue, then you are going to have to trust me as I trust you … with my heart … with my life and, if you will let me,” he looked deep into her eyes, “with my future. Do you trust me, Lucy?”
He stretched out a hand to her. He could not breathe.

Lucy looked into his eyes. His hand shook. She could see the earnestness in his face.

She believed him.
She took the one step which separated them and wrapped her arms around his chest.

Myles expelled the breath he was holding and clutched her to him as if his very life depended on it.

They held on to each other.

-----------------------------





For several minutes, they clung to each other, each needing the comfort and the completeness that only the other could provide.
Her head resting on his chest, Lucy listened to the heavy thudding of his heart. Her own heart was pounding so wildly, she was sure that he must hear it as well. She looked up and was instantly captivated by the startling blue eyes which always made her breath catch in her throat. She could not speak.

Myles’ glance moved down from her eyes to become riveted on her mouth. She watched with infinite fascination as he drew closer. So burning was her need to taste the tempting lips that she lifted her head up to meet his. His lips claimed hers and moved against them gently … persuasively … passionately until her lips parted …

It was only the sound of footsteps drawing closer which made them pull apart breathlessly … and reluctantly.

---------------------------

The demands of the busy day did not allow them more than a few tender glances, some surreptitious caresses and quick whispers to each other as they performed their normal duties.
So that it was not until the end of the workday, that Lucy found herself blissfully snuggled up to Myles on his sofa, having been properly and thoroughly kissed.
She reflected happily as the twinkling charm bracelet on her wrist caught her eye, a new charm in the form of a perfect rose, for eternal love, had joined the rest. A day which had started so horribly had now ended up with her in perfect happiness. “Two weeks ago,” she recollected, “she had started on her quest to catch Mr. Wright but had, by pure good fortune, ended up with her Mr. Right … Myles.”
She sidled a mischievous glance at him.
“Should we send Catherine a thank you card? She did play a part in bringing us back together.” Lucy teased and then continued quickly in a casual manner,
“So, who broke it off, anyway? You or she?”
Myles smiled.
“She did. She called me an arrogant conceited bastard and fool.”
Lucy giggled, as she kissed him on the cheek, “You’re no fool.”
Myles responded seriously, as he wrapped his arms even more closely around her and nuzzled her hair,
“Maybe I have been. We lost three years together because I messed up. I’m not making that mistake ever again!” He turned her around to look directly into her eyes. “I love you, Lucy” he whispered.
Lucy looked into the face of the man who was now so dear to her and felt the joy swelling up inside. She saw how he made himself so vulnerable to her as he waited for her response. She loved him so much. Gently she held his head in her hands and said simply,
“I love you, Myles. Never stopped loving you and always will love you.”
She touched his lips with her own using the most delicate of pressures and then teased him with light kisses as she moved seductively across his mouth. Myles groaned and easily pulled her into his lap.
“Vixen!” he murmured against her mouth. His mouth moved from hers on a journey across her smooth sweet-smelling cheek, then along the side of her neck sending shivers down her spine. He quickly returned to claim her mouth, passionately demanding a response she was only too eager to give. The world around them disappeared as they were soon oblivious to anything but each other.

In the top drawer of his desk, lay a yellow notepad with a short list written on the first page. The last item on that list was now encircled by a bright red heart.

THE END

That was so beautiful! You have touched on so many emotions here. I could feel their pain as well as their joy!
Fantastic job!

Sorry to see it end.

The good thing......I can go read it again!

Jill

It is amazing that a day, that started so bad for both of them, can end in complete happiness and total bliss...

You've done a great job, Gin!!

The airport reunion didn't go as planned, but it did all work out for the best because they finally admitted their feelings for one another and it now looks like they've got a wonderful, if not tempetuous future together.

Brilliant story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Thank you for sharing,

Sairs

What a beautiful ending. I loved how you got inside both Myles and Lucy's emotions. I was worried there for a bit, but you gave us a ending. Couldn't ask for more.

kav

Thanks for all the support! I really enjoyed writing this story and I'm glad that you liked reading it.


P.S. Can someone let me know if and how I can change the story description to read - COMPLETED? Thanks!!

Very touching story ... so many emotions ...

Gin, I just caught up again with your posts!! What a beautiful story!!

I love the bracelet idea and the flowers and notes!! I really loved Myles using Sue to help him out!! It shows that they have come a long way in their friendship!!

That was a very touchy situation toward the end, but you brought everything together amazingly and gave us a very happy ending!!! **sigh**

Now, did you mention that you were going to do a story on Jack and Sue???

Joy

Completed......just PM Janet and she'll take care of that for you.

Jill

Great story.
Absolutely loved it.
thanks,
Terie

That was beautiful, Gin. Truly an inspiring story! Love never truly ends....it goes on forever............

Great finish!!!!

Thanks for this tender story!!!


Restie

Gin, I'm a little late but still here! I loved the ending, a tender, passionate moment between the two of them. I'm glad they agreed to trust each other, they need it!
wonderful story!

WOW!

Gin, you had me entranced from beginning to end. I loved being able to read it all at once, even though I wanted to comment so many times on the way through. lol. I totally fell in love with your story, and can't wait to read more of your writing! You have an amazing gift!

I don't know why I stopped reading this in the first place. I guess I burned out and forgot about it. ^^;

Anyway, I love M/L so I loved this. Very well done. Cute read.

Very cute and very well done. I love the reverse Manhunt. Sort of neanderthal..."Man...hunt...for woman....huh...." Tee hee. And you laid it out so very beautifully.