I love it, love all the post, since the Corinthians (my parents are in a church choir and they sing mostly at weddings a song made with this words, so I love the song and that for the words ), to Myles' words soo romantic ones till the end of the post

Tere

Josy that was wonderful insight into Lucy's emotions running rampant, warring with her heart, at Myes' beautiful words. I know her heart is going to win. And Myles' agony over whether she will be able to truly forgive him just jumps off the screen. And I loved the picturesque description of the old couple still in love. What an exquisite Valentine's Day post.

Lynn

Ladies...Enjoy
I promised more later tonight
Josy
~~~~~~~


Love is an act of endless forgiveness
A tender look which becomes a habit
~ ~ Peter Ustinov ~ ~



Discreetly, she tried to remove her tears. Like by magic, a white handkerchief appeared under her eyes and a wide smile spread on her lips. Without a mirror, she couldn’t see the damage cause by her running mascara. She heard a chuckle.

“Is it not supposed to be waterproof?” quipped the Bostonian. She wrinkled her nose but couldn’t hide her smile. She giggled and he wrapped her shoulders in a warm embrace. It was nice to laugh with him. She saw the doors of the restaurant but Myles stopped walking. He turned and took the hankie from her fingers and tabbed gently her eyes.

“It is all gone, darling” he said putting back the tissue in his pocket. She tilted her head and smiled to him. He replied by a tender gaze. Lucy grabbed his elbow and sled her arm under his. In silence, they entered the restaurant where a maitre d’hôtel was standing, patiently. His unruffled composure contracted with the frenzy of the room. Captivated by the whirl of movements and words, Lucy didn’t hear Myles speaking in a hush tone to the maitre d’hôtel.

Then, she felt his hands on her shoulders. She removed her coat and felt his eyes on her. She blushed deeply as she turned and met his regard: a flame of desire and appreciation quickly replaced his surprise. That dress really underlined Lucy’s delicate musculature, her slender and her dark beauty. He leaned over her.

“I never forgot this dress” he whispered in her ear and that simple statement gave delicious shivers to Lucy’s soul.

Soon, she was following the maitre d’hôtel to an alcove where a table was waiting for them. A bit isolated from the crowd, Lucy appreciated their privacy. A comfortable silence settled between them for a few moment. Soon, words replaced the peace. Subjects of conversation swirled and changed but it was never dull. Slowly, Lucy opened her heart as Myles let her became closer and closer of his solitaire soul. They shared about their families, their deceptions, and their dreams…

Coffee and desserts soon replaced wine and meals. His arm was laid nonchalantly on the table and dark fingers intertwined with his. The light touch lifted his soul. He caressed her knuckles with his thumb and felt the softness of her skin. A finger was pressed against her wrist and he sensed her heartbeat quickened. Her eyes darkened as she tucked some hair behind her ear. Her gaze caught a glimpse of the rose snuggled against her hand. The petals were velvety.

Silence enveloped them. With a finger, she nudged her bottom lip as some questions flustered in her mind. She hesitated to ask them. Myles sensed her faltering and plunged his blue eyes in hers.

“What is it Luce?” he asked gently. She sighed as hesitation danced in her eyes. She needed to understand.

“Why did you betray me?” she asked in her whisper. A veil of shame covered his eyes but he didn’t let go of her fingers. He stayed quiet, desiring to tell the right words, not excuses but facts.

“You remember earlier I told you that for a man to love, he has to be courageous” he said, still brushing her knuckles. She nodded and waited with apprehension.

“I was terrified because I realized that I was becoming more and more attach to you and I didn’t know how to handle that. I was losing control of my emotions, of the situation and I refused to accept that reality. I don’t say it was the best way to bow out of that relationship. I have been a coward and I admit it. I have been despicable and I don’t deny it. I never truly apologize for my behaviour, for my decision and for my words. This week, I wished to redeem myself,” he said, almost holding his breath.

In his entire life, he never allowed someone to be that close. All his life, he fought to keep everyone at bay so they wouldn’t see his wounds. However, he came upon realization that he couldn’t continue this way: he would finish more solitaire than ever, embittered and cast out.

Lucy lowered her gaze and let it wandered on the scene unfolding on the front of her: their table was clean except for the rose and their fingers interlaced. Her darn skin contracted against his pale skin. She felt his anxiety exuding from his being. He opened a part of his heart that he had locked. He trusted her with his emotions. She should trust him with hers. He told her he would wait.

“Why now?” she then asked, referring to all the presents. He remained still until she lifted her chin and met a soft smile.

“With all the new love surrounding us at the bullpen, I saw behind your smile, a shadow of…” he stopped and he smirked. “I wouldn’t say envy…no…I prefer to say impatience. You were genuinely happy for Sue and for Tara but you felt left out” he explained and he tightened his hold on Lucy’s wrist.

“And I realized that Jack, even if it took him more than three years, was more courageous than me. He stepped on his fear of change and declared his love to Sue” he stated with a sad smile.

Again, his words touched a sensible cord of her heart. A melody with words she couldn’t understand came upon their ears. A dreamy smile stirred on Myles’ lips and Lucy was curious.

“Do you understand the words?” she asked and he nodded.

“He is a French artist named Francis Cabrel and the song that playing is “Je t’aimais, Je t’aime et je t’aimerais”. The English translation is “I loved you, I love you and I will love you”, he said with a hush tone. Then, his gaze turned soft and hopeful.

“Luce, I loved you back then but I was too recreant to admit it. Today, I can truly and without fear, tell you that I love you.” He got interrupted by her misty eyes. Under the dimmed light of the candles, they shone like the stars. He held her fingers and brought them to his lips. Light, the touch created shivers along her spine.

“And my deepest desire is to love you, always, to be on your side and to discover together what the future is willing to unveil” he declared with a husky tone. Emotions that she forgot she could feel, danced and swirled in her soul. Trembling lightly, she lowered her gaze. She didn’t remove her hand.

She didn’t know what to reply. He didn’t expect an answer. He stood up and winked.

“Luce, if you want to enjoy “Les Miserables”, we better hurry otherwise, we will be late” he teased. Huskily, she looked at her watch and gasped: only thirty minutes before the representation.

They left Le Paradou and walked, fingers interlaced, hope beating the same rhythm of their hearts, towards the National Theatre.

With Myles' words I almos forgot Les Miserables, I love the musical too! Enjoy the show Lucy and Myles!

Tere

Ladies, as promised. Only one post to go...
Enjoy
Josy
~~~~~~~~

One word frees us
Of all the weight and pain in life,
That word is Love
~ ~ Socrates ~ ~


They left the Theatre. His hand lingered on the small of her back. Her eyes were twinkling like a millions of stars. A sigh of contentment escaped her lips. Her dreamy gaze wandered aimlessly to men and women leaving the theatre. She felt his hand. She felt his eyes on her during all the presentation. She felt his fingers brushing the palm of her hand. She felt like a princess tonight. She felt unique and exceptional.

The presentation met all her expectations: she cried, she sighed, and she quivered and just loved that piece. They were walking back to his car. He respected her silence. It was an aspect of him she appreciated: he was not afraid of silence. Breathing deeply, she sensed the cold wind pinching her skin. Snuggling her nose deeper into her scarf, she felt Myles’ arm tightened his embrace.

“Happy?” he asked softly. She turned her head and nodded with a wide grin. His arm squeezed her gently and she felt his lips on her hair. Her head rested in the crook on his shoulder and she believed she was in heaven. All the words he declared, all the regards she sensed and all the silence waltzed and swirled in her heart. They walked back to the rink. It was empty: only the white Christmas lights were on.

“Luce?”, he said in a whisper. She lifted up her chin and met his blue eyes. She blushed and bit her tongue. Nudging gently on the tender flesh, she had the impression to see him under a new light. Caring, considerate, soft and gallant, he showed her another side of him. She believed him. The rose was still in her hand and she raised it to her nose. Smelling the subtle scent, she looked at him through the veil of her eyelashes. She removed her gloves and tenderly, she brushed his jawbone and let her fingers finished their course on his neck. He titled his head in a hurry and soft chuckle left her mouth.

“Still ticklish Myles” she teased tenderly and the affection he perceived in her voice made him blinked. Holding his breath, he approached her. At his turn, he removed his gloves and his fingers caught some Lucy’s hair. Nudging them behind the nape of her neck, he searched for her eyes. When he met them, he felt that he had been punched.

A total abandon, peace and love filled them. She was not afraid anymore. She forgave him. She was ready to trust him again. Mesmerized by his ocean-blue eyes, she felt her heartbeat quickened. His gaze wandered on her delicate features: her high cheekbones, her dazzling dark eyes where he saw love, her full lips quivering lightly. She didn’t dare to move as she felt his breath of her sensitive skin. Their noses just touched together and they eyes locked together. Her respiration rose up a notch and her blush grew deeper. She read desire and deep care in his eyes. Afraid but comforted by the sight of the man she loved and still love, she waited. Slowly, he leaned and brushed his lips against hers. This light touch ignited a fire long time buried in his soul. Her lips were velvety, warm and intoxicating. She felt his lips moving slowly, delicately and she replied passionately. His fingers caressed the nape of her neck and shivers ran along her spine.

She could hear a far away giggles, she could pick up voices that mingled but mostly, she heard her heart stumbling with force in her ears. With regrets, he pulled back and looked intensively at her. He scrutinized her eyes, her visage, looking for any sign of regrets or shame. However, he could only see tenderness and love. All the fear left his shoulders. A door of new opportunity had opened. He had the blessing to redeem himself and she accepted his apology.

A soft smile stirred on his lips and quickly, she kissed him. He loved her impulsivity. Leaning his forehead against hers, he drowned his gaze into hers.

“I love you Lucy…those three words have my life in them.” he declared. He felt her now cold fingers on his cheeks.

“I love you too Myles” she replied softly and joy overpowered him as he closed his eyes and enjoyed this renewal in his life. This life that became brighter with Lucy at his side.

A long lost text that he read many years ago resurfaced in his mind:

You will never know true happiness
until you have truly loved,
and you will never understand
what pain really is
until you have lost it

He lost her and his pain had been almost unbearable. She came back and now, he was truly happy.

Beautiful!!!

(^ ^) What she said. That was... wow!

I agree

Tere

Ladies, there is the last post. Thanks for your comments!
You are great and I had a huge fun to write that story!
Now, I have to get back to my other story in BC since I neglected it too much.
I discovered that writing two stories at the time, it's too much for me!!
Enjoy
Josy
~~~~~~~~~~


The most precious possession that ever comes
To a man in this world
Is a woman's heart.
~ ~ Josiah G. Holland ~ ~



Epilogue

A beautiful sun peaked through the curtain. The rays tinkled her eyes. Far away, she heard a shower running, a low whistle and some nails on the wooden floor. Slowly, she opened her lids and met some black eyes and a pink tongue. Giggling, she moved and an apricot fawn pug climbed on the bed. His black mask gave him a funny look. Excited, the little puppy licked her face and she giggled louder. She turned away her face and her eyes felt on a glassy globe. The sun reflected on the artificial snow surrounding the Eiffel Tower. She sensed her puppy snuggling on her pillow and soon after, a light snore came to her ears. Her focus switched back to Paris. In few months, she’ll go…with her husband. He promised her and he will keep his engagement. Her eyes traveled to the solitaire decorating her third finger: the white-gold ring with the diamond contrasted on her dark skin.

A dreamy smile stirred slowly on her lips. She never regretted her choice. Trusting him again had been one of the best decisions in her life. Everyday, with a simple regard, a word and even with a silence, he showed her how unique she was at his eyes. Relaxed and comfortable under the sheet, some drowsiness enveloped her. Still smiling, she closed her eyes to recap all the details she had to do today and tomorrow. Tomorrow, it will be Saturday and it will be Jack and Sue’s wedding. The whole team have been granted an exceptional day off today to help the couple into the last-minutes details. Sue and Jack would be the first couple to get married. They chose a date in July: it supposed to be warm and sunny. Then, Bobby and Tara had chosen a date in September: it will be a colorful and intimate wedding. Finally, Myles and her: she dreamed for a wedding in May: the month of renewal, of the tulips and where love seemed to float everywhere.

Myles told her that Paris was magnificent in May. They planned to visit not only Paris but also, Venice, Florence and she succeeded to convince him for adding Vienna into their itinerary. She realized that the shower stopped. Soon, a peppermint scent filled the bedroom and she sensed a regard on her. Keeping her eyes closed, she waited for him to approach. A smile floated on her lips and soon, his scent became stronger as he leaned over her and captured her lips into a tender kiss. Droplets fell in her neck and the cold touch made her giggle.

“How come my kiss made you laugh sweetheart?” teased a husky voice, his lips still on hers. She glimpsed through the veil of her lashes and looked dreamily at the man she loved. His features changed into shock when he realized that her puppy was sleeping behind her. He lowered his gaze. His ocean-blue eyes twinkled of amusement.

“I thought we reached an agreement: no Teddy on our bed” he quipped, unable to hide his smile. She pout as the pug jumped in her arms: she took his face between her fingers.

“How could you be that cruel? Tell me…can you really resist to that face?” she kidded, hiding behind the animal. She saw him rolling his eyes to the sky.

“He is so ugly” stated the Bostonian with a laugh in his voice. She shrugged and kissed Teddy’s muzzle.

“Yes but he is so ugly that he is cute” she quipped back and laughed heartily. Drying his hair with a towel, he shook his head, defeated. She admired his naked and muscular shoulders and with a sigh, she asked:

“What time is it?” as she stretched like a cat.

“7:30 and the shower is your” he mumbled and she sat straight into their bed. Pushing the sheets and the puppy in a hurry, she ran to the shower room.

“7:30! Myles, I’ll be late, why did you…” but a gasp of pain interrupted her statement as she hit her small toe against the bed leg. At the same moment, a strong arm encircled her waist. Comforting her, he kissed her gently on her neck.

“Are you okay, Luce?” he asked softly. She nodded as the numbing pain resonated through her whole body. He let her go and followed her into the shower room as he needed to shave.

Quickly, she took her shower and scolded her fiancé.

“Myles, I have to meet Sue and Tara at the restaurant for breakfast at 8h! I asked you to wake me up at 7h!” while she washed away the shampoo.

“You were too cute!” was his reply and Lucy stared at him through the shower curtain.

“Leland!” she scolded and a deep laugh replied. She lowered her head and she smiled but refused to show it. Sue won’t mind if she fifteen minutes late, especially is she called her on her cell phone. She felt a draught of air enveloping her body and Myles’s head peeked through the curtain.

“I already called Sue to tell her that you would be late sweetheart” and closed the curtain as she blushed. Yes, he was thoughtful. In a hurry, she finished her preparation for today and the slumber party that will happen to Sue and Jack’s place tonight. The guys will be at Bobby and Tara’s house. All her stuff for tomorrow’s wedding were already to their place. Lucy and Sue shared their apartment until well, tomorrow but Myles convinced her to move with him after Sue’s wedding.

“You have already half of your stuff into the house and the bathroom looked feminized enough” he stated. “I don’t see the point for you to waste money on an apartment you won’t live in anyway as you spend more and more time here” he said with a convincing tone. She agreed.

Myles was waiting patiently for her. He walked Teddy and now, the puppy was in his carrier. Lucy was taking him with her: Levi was very fond on the little pug. Myles took the carrier and her bag from her hand as she locked the door. She walked to the car. Leaning against the car in his beige pant and his pastel blue polo, he looked relaxed. He watched her approaching, her summer yellow dress that contrasted with her dark skin, she simply looked dazzling. He didn’t move and he grabbed gently her fingers. He felt her engagement ring against his palm. “He was a bless man”, he mused with contentment. Sighing, he plunged his gaze in her eyes where he met love and caring.

“Did I tell you today that I love you” he asked in a whisper. Shivers ran along her spine despite of the warm weather. She never regretted her choice to trust him again…never. A teasing smile lifted the corner of her mouth and she tilted her head.

“No Myles, I don’t think you did” she replied softly. He raised an eyebrow and slowly, he leaned and stopped at one millimeter of her lips.

“I love you Lucy Dotson, soon Leland” he stated with a husky voice. She couldn’t respond as he captured her lips into a passionate kiss. The sun appeared brighter, the breeze felt warmer, the birds sounded chirpier and she sensed that her heart was ready to explode of happiness.

Yes, she was glad that she forgave but mostly, that she trusted him again

FIN

What a beautiful couple!!

Congratulations Josy! and thank for share

Tere

That's so Myles


Thank you!

That was great!

Kim

I do like happy endings - and as much as I was prepared to NOT like Myles when I first started watching, I grew to love him in the end, and have always wanted he and Lucy to get back together. I think they're the only ones that can handle one another!

Thanks for a great story! Looking forward to more from you!

Regina

Josy, this was so wonderful!!! There were so many touching, thought provoking passages. One that just jumped out at me was this:

I'd never thought about it that way, but it was so true.

Thank you for sharing your talent with us! Great work!

Josy, it was wonderful to watch Myles and Lucy go down their individual paths to eventually merge together in happiness!! Both had a lot to work through and they both did so admirably!!!

Thanks so much for sharing this with us!! It was amazing!!!

Joy

Oh Josy -- do you realize you actually gave us a shower scene? Tina's whining...I mean pleading...all over this board must have influenced your writing! Myles' declaration of love was so romantic -- and very grand , very Leland! And I'm so happy because Lucy deserves this kind of happiness and I can tell that Myles' dotes on her (well, the way you write him anyway). Now I just have to catch up on your BC story!!!!

kav

Thank you for a great story.
Terie

This story was filled with little gems that made my heart sigh and put a smile on my face. Wonderful job!

Catching up on this beautiful story Josy. P7-103 - That is one of the most romantic revelations, getting a glimpse of Lucy's soul!

P7-105 - This whole post was beautifully written Josy, especially the ending P8-109 - What a perfect ending to a wonderful story. At last, Lucy has found happiness with Myles and in such a wonderful romantic way! Thank you Josy for taking the time to enter the challenge and share this incredibly romantic story.

Lynn

Finally was able to take some time to read the Valentines Challenge.
Loved the story, I always did like Lucy and Myles togeather.

Dianna

That was beautiful.




Hope ~