We went back to the mansion just in time to see the sun set over the water. For dinner, I made fried chicken and Lucien helped me bake a homemade chocolate cake and icing. I couldn't resist making a handprint with flour on his butt. We chatted and laughed and joked around and played with Venus as if nothing had changed, but I knew it had. Just a slight shift in the whole mood around us. It wasn’t sad or angry, it was just serious.

I changed into sweatpants and took off my bra without taking off my tank top. Lucien walked into my room like he owned the place and strode into my bathroom.

I looked at Venus as she watched the door close. “Lucien, what are you doing?”

I heard the water turn on. “Taking a shower.”

I crossed the room swiftly and twisted the door knob, leaning on the door frame. He was in the middle of undoing the button on his jeans, already shirtless.

Damn.

“Don’t you knock?”

“There’s two other full bathrooms.” I informed him as I was trying, and failing, to concentrate on his eyes. How could I look at his eyes when his perfectly sculpted body was standing right in front of me, unbuttoned jeans hanging low on his hips, and his boxers playing peek-a-boo as he shifted slightly.

Damn.

Lucien seemed amused by my wandering eyes. “I know. Any problems?”

I threw my arms up and stormed out after grabbing my brush and then closing the door. While he was showering, I stood in front of my huge mirror and brushed the tangles out of my ridiculous hair. When I was finished and all the tangles were gone, I smiled. I stood tall as always, with my hair falling down my back to my butt. I also wasn’t used to wearing so many bright colors. In life, I had usually worn dark colors, like black or navy or pine. I still looked the same, except I knew I should be extremely toned with all the physical activities I’ve done.

Venus, who was basically fully grown, hopped off the bed and stood next to me. I petted her and watched our reflections in the mirror. I ran my fingers through my hair once more and put it up into a messy bun so it was out of the way.

“You know, if you hate your hair so much, you could cut it. The only problem is, it won’t grow back.” Lucien had emerged from the steamy bathroom, a towel around his waist.

“Venus! Shield your eyes!” I laughed, then said to Lucien in a fake stern voice, “There’s a child in the room.”

“Venus is a dog.”

“But she’s my baby.”

“You seem to think a towel is decent.” He reminded me.

I glared at him. “Just go get dressed… In another room.”

He chuckled as he left and I jumped into bed and slid under the covers, Venus sitting on top of them. Lucien appeared wearing a white t-shirt and pajama pants.

“How cute.” I mocked.

“Oh, I know.” He slowly walked closer and sat on the end of the bed. I patted a spot to my left and he rolled over my legs to get to it. I laughed at him.

“I’m tired and lazy.”

I didn’t say anything because I didn’t feel the need to do so.

“Why are you shaking?”

I looked down at my hands in my lap. I really was shaking. “I don’t know.”

“Are you alright?”

“I feel fine.” I clasped my hands together and forced myself to stop shaking.

“Are you sure you’re--”

I kissed him to make him drop it. Lucien reacted quickly; sitting up and running his hands through my hair, finally deciding to rest his hands on my cheeks. I linked my arms around his neck and softly pressed my nails into his skin. He pulled away and placed his forehead against mine.

“First kisses are magical, or so I have been told.”

“This isn’t the first.”

“So I didn’t imagine it!” He smiled and dear God, he was so gorgeous when he smiled. He wasn’t the person I thought he was the first day I got here. Lucien is so complex and wonderful that I wonder if I will ever get used to him or if he will keep surprising me everyday.

I smiled. “Yeah, you didn’t.”

“Aimee?”

“Yes, Lucien?”

“Stay with me.” He closed his eyes and then said even quieter, “Please stay.”

“Lucien…”

His shoulders drooped a little bit but he asked, “what?”

“I’ll stay.”

A weight seemed to have been lifted off of my shoulders when I said those words. Much like when I observed the treaty being signed. I hadn’t even known this weight had been on me. So right then, I promised myself I wouldn’t think of Reven, or the life I once had, or anything else I can’t get back. “Just please, don’t ever leave.”

He kissed me again and again and again. “Oh, Aimee. I won’t, I promise.”

Lucien fell asleep next to me. I stayed awake and thought about all the things I could have done if I hadn’t killed myself. How would my life with Reven turn out? Would we have kids? Funny how I never imagined it until it wasn’t an option anymore. I had promised him I would come back, but I knew I was too far gone. I belonged here with Lucien now. I missed Reven -- I would always miss Reven. He was my first love.

I could grow to love Lucien. The seed had already sprouted.