doc-hayward:

He had been ready for her to completely shut the idea down, and though she kind of did after some deliberation, the fact that she had bothered to entertain it at all brought a smile to his lips.  ”Well then no pyrotechnics, just the wine…and the us…”  Luke let his statement trail off and linger.  As much as he really wanted to spend time together, he wanted her to decide how, where, and what it was they were doing.  Luke wanted to feel like she wanted this time as much as he did.  He needed to know there was something there that was still worth holding on too.

He was pulled back out of his mind by the lazy grazing of a hand on his leg.  Luke moved his gaze down to where the contact had initiated and found a pair of warm brown eyes immediately locked on his own.  He barely registered her question.  The answer was ‘no’ but that was nothing new.  Shelby was hardly the type to use her words; she let her actions speak for themselves.  And right now they spoke volumes.  Luke brought his hand to cover his fiancee’s, stilling its ministrations in the process.  He bent down and brought them face to face.  This, right here, right now, was all he needed to keep his hope alive.  ”I know.” he said, and without further hesitation he closed the distance between their lips.

Luke’s warm breath was something that Shelby missed feeling against her. It was familiar and a sense of home that she had been missing. It was little things such as this, that reminded her of what she had right in front of her. She was surprised but didn’t let it show, when their lips had met. Only because  truth be told she couldn’t remember the last time they had shared a kiss. Her lips were still for a moment, just taking his breath in until her body relaxed from all of its worries. Her fingers felt warm beneath his and secure. Shelby gently ran her thumb against the fabric of his pant leg and slightly parted her lips to kiss Luke back. It was subtle, and loving, and a part of her didn’t want their lips to part, but when they did, Shelby’s chocolate hues trailed from his lips and up to his closed eyes. A light calming sigh escaped her lips and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. 

doc-hayward:

Luke laughed internally at the battle of emotions playing out before him.  It was one he had played witness too before.  Over confident Shelby versus self-doubting Shelby.  Over confident won almost every time. Almost.  He had been there the handful of times it hadn’t to hold and comfort her, to reassure her that every one is human and allowed mistakes.  Luke knew that Rachel was still a sore subject for her and he understood why Shelby tried so hard when it came to Beth.  Every once in a while, however, he found himself needing to remind that both girls weren’t in fact one in the same.  Beth would never compare to Rachel and, she shouldn’t have to.

Luke watched the brunette’s brow furrow in confusion at his last question.  ”Yes, honey tonight.  You said you wanted to do something…together…”  It hurt him to realize that she’d forgotten about their plans, when it had been her that suggested they make some in the first place but, he refused to let his disappointment show.  Instead he nodded as she said no crowds.  He tilted his head as he thought for a bit and then offered an idea of his own.  ”Well how about a compromise.  We take our wine out to the terrace and enjoy the fireworks display from the comfort of our own home.  No crowds, just you and me.”

The idea of Luke’s lingered in her mind. It was a great compromise between what she tossed around in her bottled mind. She had battles with herself every now and then and she knew Luke knew about them. He knew her all to well. Her petaled lips pursed and the brunette nodded. “That is a wonderful idea actually. It will be nice and relaxing in the comfort of our home, as well as with you. Although I have got to say…fireworks in New York City…really? I mean don’t get me wrong. I love fireworks but….what if someone thought the fireworks were an attack on the U.S…or what if they burned down a building…just me looking at all angles of things.” Shelby shrugged her shoulders and her free hand slid along her leg up to her knee. Her fingers reached out and lightly ran against Luke’s leg. She stayed quiet for a moment. Her warm eyes trailed up her fiances legs and up to his hues. “Have I told you that I loved you today?” She locked her gaze to his and quietly sighed. “I do.” She said reassuringly, knowing that she hadn’t told him in a while. She knew that she wasn’t the best person when it came to showing emotions for another and expressing how she felt.