Nikushimi

  Chapter 84:

  In Each Others Arms

  (Elizabeth's POV. Spice/Smut)

  Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth steadied herself. Her arms folded, she contempted not making the call. However...it was the first thing that Lucas ever really asked for. How could she refuse?

  Her mind fshed to just moments before at breakfast. The firm gaze. His hand upon her chin. The tone in his words as they now echoed in her mind. "Good girl~."

  It was enough to make her knees weak.

  Biting her lip in arousal, she leaned against the railing of one of the garden balconies. Overlooking the city, she felt a gentle touch upon her back, a shiver running through her body. At the same time, another hand reached up towards her face, thumbing her lip softly.

  "Getting cold feet?" Lucas asked as he pulled her to him, moving his hand on her back to the front of her chest, caressing her breast lightly with just the tips of his fingers.

  She shuddered, pressing back against him.

  "You py unfair," she muttered breathily.

  "Make the call," he told her with a whisper that rang like ecstasy in her ear.

  Her resolve to resist wavered as his hand trailed under her shirt, coming in contact with her skin. She gasped, gncing back at him with a pout.

  "You're...not making it easy," she told him, yet made no move to stop him.

  "Consider it..." he paused, lips brushing against her neck before his words whispered in her ear, "An early reward~."

  She swallowed hard. If this kept going, she might not be able to make the call at all, which wouldn't be good. She wanted to please him. To make him happy, and he knew exactly what he was doing. She loved this.

  Gripping her phone tightly in her hand, she pulled up her contacts and found the name she loathed. Julian. With a single press of a button, it began to dial. Pcing it to her ear, she waited on the ringtone. As she did, Lucas didn't stop.

  Her breathing quickened as he kissed her neck sensually, hands dancing along her skin with expert diligence. "Come on, you piece of shit...answer the phone." she threatened Julian silently, trying not to lose herself before they answered.

  Lucas's left hand rose higher under her shirt, pushing it up to reveal her stomach to the cool wind of the autumn season. His right hand traced along her abdomen, sending a shiver that wasn't caused by the wind through her body. She felt warm.

  His left hand found her breast, grasping it with purpose, and just as she felt a moan escape her lips...the phone picked up.

  "Ms. Falcrest!" Julian's overly cheery voice answered excitedly.

  Elizabeth quickly stifled her moan, catching in her throat as she caught Lucas smirk. "Gods...that smirk~." she swooned, face burning up as she did her best to compose herself.

  "I apologize for not answering right away," Julian continued, "I was just getting out of the shower...not that you needed to know that."

  "No...I don't," Elizabeth answered in her head, trying to keep her composure as Lucas began to py her like she was his instrument, and damn was he good. His fingers found all the right spots, pinching with just the right pressure as to cause a gasp to escape her lips...only for his own lips to catch it before it got further than breath.

  For all the times that she teased him, he was getting his payback.

  "Right...anyways," Julian chuckled nervously due to her silence, "You rarely call. Is everything alright?"

  Her lips were still preoccupied with the sweet taste of Lucas that she couldn't answer...until his eyes shifted to the phone and he pulled ever so slightly away, leaving her near breathless.

  "Answer," he spoke softly.

  "Ahem," Elizabeth cleared her throat, lost in a daze as she looked into Lucas's eyes, her reply was...a little breathy, "Yes, everything is...perfect."

  "I see!" Julian sounded pleased to hear this, not that Elizabeth cared, "Did you just get done working out, you seem out of breath."

  "You could say that..." Elizabeth answered, watching as Lucas slowly walked around to the front of her, "Have to keep up appearances..."

  "I know what you mean!" Julian excimed with exasperation, "So many people expect us to look a certain way, act a certain way...but hey! It helps keep people smiling, and that's what matters. It helps that I also enjoy it!"

  "Right..." she tried not to let her annoyance of Julian peak through in her voice, which was made a little easier by Lucas's distractions.

  He had moved his hands away from her breasts, now lightly running them along her sides as he began to kiss her softly upon the neck. Ever so purposefully, he moved his hand back up her sides towards her breasts, just at the same time that he made his lips kiss down towards them.

  She held back a gasp as her shirt was pushed back up again and his lips found her breasts. Between his teeth, his tongue pyed with her. She tried to suppressed the urge to moan, biting her lip as he gazed up at her with amusement.

  "Cheeky boy..." she chided lovingly to herself, loving every moment of this, even as Julian prattled in her ear.

  "You know, you give hope to a lot of people," Julian said, their tone becoming rather warm and genuine, "Myself included. I'm sorry, I'm just honestly excited to be talking to you!"

  Elizabeth couldn't help but roll her eyes. It wasn't like she didn't know Julian was a fan of hers. They made it clear at almost every opportunity. Perhaps because of this, Elizabeth didn't really care for them. She only wanted one person fawning over her...and he was currently busy paying her quite the attention.

  Lucas's lips softly kissed her skin, moving from her breasts down to her stomach. There, he began to kiss tenderly around her belly button, his hands lingering upon her breasts. A shiver ran through her body. She took slow, steady breaths so as to control herself...which was a rather difficult task.

  "Yes, well...we all must do our part," Elizabeth replied, struggling to remain cordial, let alone coherent, "There are many who look up to you as well, you know."

  "I appreciate that," Julian said happily, "It's not always easy, but I do what I must. It's my duty as an idol, and I enjoy seeing people smile."

  As much as she detested Julian for their over the top grandeur, they were a good person. She really couldn't argue with that. Even if she wanted her, her mind grew distracted as Lucas moved further down on her, his hands trailing down her sides to the hem of her pajama pants. Her breath caught in her throat as she realized what he was going to do.

  "This boy..." Elizabeth mused, eyes locking with his in anticipation. He smiled with devious intent, quickening Elizabeth's heart with excitement.

  Kissing just above her pelvis, Lucas slowly, and with purpose, pulled down her pants to reveal her bare lower half. She felt the cool wind upon her skin, but more than that...she felt the warmth of his touch grip her thighs as he pushed her legs apart, and the heat of his breath as his mouth moved between them.

  His fingers moved aside her underwear as he finally found the spot he had been seeking. She was flooded with arousal as his mouth closed around her. She couldn't contain the gasp from escaping her lips.

  "Is everything alright?" Julian asked with concern, "Did something happen?"

  She couldn't speak immediately, biting her lip as her legs trembled slightly. He knew what he was doing, her mind going bnk for a brief second. Fed by instinct, she ran her free hand through her hair, gripping his head firmly, and pressing him harder against her. She could feel his hot breath against her wetness, which invited him...welcomed him.

  His eyes looked up at her with devoted desire, hungry to please and amused to see her struggling.

  "Ms. Falcrest?" Julian's concerned voice rang in her ear.

  "Yes..." Elizabeth answered through another gasp that was barely contained, "I just...dropped something."

  "Oh, thank goodness," Julian let out a sigh of relief, "I thought something was wrong."

  "No," Elizabeth told them as she swallowed her, legs locking around Lucas's heads as his fingers dug into her backside, "Everything is perfect~."

  Elizabeth's eyes rolled back into her head as she enjoyed the sensation of Lucas's tongue working wonders. He knew every spot to lick, with just the right amount of pressure and speed. She was at his mercy, and she loved it. So much, in fact, that it wasn't long before she felt the rising of her climax...only to be denied.

  She wasn't the only one sensing she was close, as Lucas felt her legs tighten and body begin to tremble. Just as she was about to finish, he pulled back with a devilish smirk. This left her wanting, pouting as she looked down at him. Even as she tried to push him back between her legs, he shook his head.

  "No," he whispered, teasing her with his fingers tracing along her thighs, "If you want to finish...do what I told you to."

  She whimpered, aching for him. "Gods...I want him." Her thoughts were heavy with desire, and if she wanted more...

  "However..." Elizabeth continued, stifling another whimper as Lucas teased her entrance, his fingers having found her warmth, "I did have a favor I wanted to ask..."

  "Oh! Of course!" Julian grew excited, "Anything I can do, I'll definitely try!"

  "Perfect~..." Elizabeth muttered, more to the feelings of Lucas than Julian, but she didn't care at the moment how it was interpreted.

  All she cared about was the feeling of Lucas's fingers now inside of her. He knew just how to move them, her legs trembling from the pleasure.

  "I heard...you have an impromptu concert," Elizabeth said, struggling to withhold a whimper as Lucas brought his mouth back to her, working in tandem with his fingers.

  "Yes!" Julian grew even more excited, "I figured that after everything that's happened, the people deserve a break. We sold out almost immediately!"

  "So I heard..." Elizabeth looking pleadingly down at Lucas to continue, feeling herself begin to reach climax once again, "Which is why I'm calling."

  "Did I do something wrong?" Julian inquired, sounding a little disheartened, "Is it not the right time to-"

  "No!" Elizabeth excimed, unable to contain herself as Lucas stopped moving his fingers, slowly removing them as he edged her.

  Her face burned with embarrassment as she realized she had just yelled, while Lucas looked up at her with coy amusement, trying not to ugh.

  "Oh! That's good," Julian sounded relieved, if a little confused, "If there was an issue with the concert, I could figure something out, but if there isn't...what can I help you with?"

  "Well..." Elizabeth was finally able to catch her breath for a moment, "I have a little sister, adopted...she was really looking forward to seeing the concert, and...ah~!"

  The breath that Elizabeth had been able to gather was lost once more as Lucas began to tease her entrance before suddenly, he slid his fingers inside her once more. Her legs were already weak, and she was far from recovered. Shaking, she fell against him as he was relentless in his movement. She felt his hand grip her backside, pulling her to him as his mouth once again joined his fingers.

  "Mmm~..." Elizabeth's eyes rolled back into her head, losing herself for a moment.

  "...Are you sure everything is alright?" Julian asked, sounding a little...flustered, "I apologize, but you don't sound good."

  "I'm good," Elizabeth assured, taking a breath as she composed herself for a moment, "More than good. I just feel...sad for her. She wasn't able to get any tickets."

  Elizabeth could barely contain her moans as Lucas moved with more purpose. She colpsed against him, struggling to stand now as the pleasure began to rise once more. She didn't want him to stop. She was almost there...and so, struggling between gasps, she continued to speak.

  "I was hoping...you could, ah, do me a favor," Elizabeth said, fingers clutching at Lucas's hair, "Is it possible...to, ah, get a couple? I know they're...ah~, sold out. It's just she was...really~ looking forward to it. A big fan."

  As if to reward her for asking, Lucas moved his fingers in such a way as to pull her to him, pressing against her inner walls that sent a wave of bliss throughout her body, arousing her even more.

  "Oh! Uhm, yeah!" Julian was beginning to sound even more flustered, "I can do that for you! How many do you need?"

  "Four," Elizabeth answered, barely holding consciousness, "It'll be her and a family member...as well as myself and Lucas~."

  She let a moan escape with his name, unable to contain the desire built up inside of her.

  "Wait...you're coming!?" Julian seemed shocked at this revetion.

  "Yes...I am~," Elizabeth could no longer contain it as Lucas pyed with her, toying and teasing...but he didn't stop.

  His fingers grew rougher while his tongue grew hungrier. Her breathing became rapid as the rising ecstasy overtook her. Her entire body trembled as her legs could no longer support her. Falling upon his fingers, he didn't let up. He continued as she convulsed in pure bliss, gasping as his lips suddenly found her mouth, now that she was on his level.

  "Yeah, I can get those tickets to you!" Julian excimed with excitement, but Elizabeth was no longer paying attention, her mind completely bnk from the taste of herself mixing with the taste of Lucas's lips, "Just send me the details and we'll get that sorted!"

  Elizabeth melted against Lucas, completely at his mercy. For the first time in a long while...she had lost this battle. Her mind overcome with euphoria. Left breathless, Lucas pulled back from the kiss and took the phone from her.

  "Perfect," he spoke to Julian, "Thank you. We'll get the information to you as soon as possible, but right now...I need to take care of my wife."

  "Oh!" Julian's voice excimed, surprised and flustered once more, "You must be Lucas, of course...I'll, uhm, let you do that! Tell her I can't wait to meet her!"

  "I'll do that," he smiled deviously down at Elizabeth, a glint of triumph and hunger in his eyes, "I'm sure she'll be more than happy to do so, won't you?"

  He held the phone up to Elizabeth's face so she could answer.

  "Yes~," she responded in a daze, pleased and with a voice ced with rapture.

  "See, there you have it," he told Julian as he took back the phone, never taking his eyes off of Elizabeth, "I look forward to it as well. Take care."

  "Uhm, yes, you too!" Julian's voice sounded flushed before ending the call.

  Looking at the phone, Lucas smiled as he set it aside.

  "You did good," he praised, making Elizabeth rather happy, "Thank you."

  "You're welcome~," Elizabeth replied with stars in her eyes.

  "Now then..." he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I believe I promised a reward~."

  "Yes~," she giggled, wrapping her arms around him, "Reward me."

  She was completely enraptured as he took her right then and there. Among the flowers of the garden, she was made to lose herself over and over again, succumbing to all of her desires. This moment would be burned into her flesh, her mind, and her heart. A moment that bound their two souls ever further.

  (End of Spice/Smut)

  -----

  (Elizabeth's POV. A While Later)

  The scent of flowers mixed with Lucas's sweat. It was an intoxicating aroma that did wonders for her senses. She y against him amid a field of flowers, her head on his shoulder as he stroked her hair. Her fingers pyed with his chest, content in her reward.

  "Someone's happy," she muttered, gncing up at him to see a satisfied smile on his face.

  "Of course," he replied softly, a warmth in his eyes as he looked at her, "I finally won."

  "Heh, that you did," she chuckled, nuzzling her head against him as she turned her gaze to the garden, "First time for everything."

  She teased, of course. While this may be the firs time in this life, there were many times he had won before, and there would be plenty of times he won in the future. She would make sure of that.

  "Come on," he pouted, "This can't be the first time, can it?"

  "No, it's not," she giggled, shaking her head, "Maybe in this life it is, but overall? No."

  "Well..." he took a breath, tightening his arm around her, "Just so long as you know."

  "Oh, I know~," she smiled, remembering fondly every moment she's ever had with him, "Trust me, I know."

  He blushed, but smiled, pulling her ever closer. His fingers running through her hair, they took a moment to enjoy the silence. Not like she could move even if she wanted to. After their shower this morning, and now her reward this afternoon...she was well and truly content. It was the first time in this life that she actually felt satiated.

  Even so...she wouldn't mind having more.

  "Don't even think about it," he suddenly stated, realizing that her hand was beginning to trail south along his body, "Even with your miracle medicine, I'm not a Pyer."

  "Hmph, now who's the mind reader?" she huffed, retracting her hand as he chuckled, "It's just, when it comes to you...I'm just insatiable, and who knows when I'll have you all to myself again."

  "All you have to do is ask," he told her, kissing her gently on the forehead, "You know that."

  "Hehe...I do," she smiled, snuggling up against his body, "You're so warm."

  "I should be!" he excimed pyfully, "That was a workout."

  "Oh, shut up," she teased, softly hitting him, "You know what I mean."

  "Yeah, I know," his words were gentle, resting his head against hers, "I could y here all day...and to be honest, I might do just that."

  "That sounds lovely~," Elizabeth responded, already practically purring, "However, I sense that we won't be able to."

  "Well..." Lucas shifted against her, looking around for the phone, "We do need to get the info to Julian for the tickets, and...I think they might have realized what we were doing."

  "So?" Elizabeth shrugged, "Let them. I don't care unless you do."

  "No, not really," he shook his head, thinking for a moment, "Though it was rather fun to see you try and suppress yourself. Made me want to try and get you to react."

  She glowered at him teasingly. She knew he enjoyed it, and honestly...so did she. If that's what he wanted, then she would do her best to py along.

  "Though..." he continued, a hint of mischief if his voice, "You did tell me to make sure the world knew you were mine. So, if they hear you, they hear you. Let them be jealous."

  "Hmm, okay~," she was more than happy to accept that, as she was his in all things.

  "I will say this, however," he stated, pcing a finger under her chin before tilting her face up towards his, "Your body is mine. I won't be showing that to anyone outside of Maya."

  He then kissed her deeply, savoring a moment of bliss between the two of them. As he pulled away, she smirked.

  "Oh, she's already seen it~," she told him devilishly, amused to see him raise an eyebrow in surprise, "Did you really think she hasn't? She's my best friend. You think we've never changed clothes in front of each other, or that she's not helped me dress?"

  "Well...no. I did figure you have," he shook his head, letting out a gentle scoff, "It's just the way you said it, but I assume you were teasing me."

  "Yes, and it was fun seeing your reaction," she ughed, much to his embarrassment, "Just think, one day...you'll have the both of us next to you like this."

  His blush deepened, though his gaze grew distant. Her heart ached to see a hint of distress upon his face.

  "...Still worried about her?" she asked, to which he nodded.

  "I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't be thinking-" he began, and she cut him off by kissing him again.

  She held the kiss for a long moment, stealing his breath until she knew he wouldn't argue with her.

  "You're right," she said as he looked at her in a daze, "You shouldn't be thinking such useless things as apologizing. She is a part of us now, and it's okay to think about her."

  "That's not what-" he began again, and once more she cut him off with a kiss, holding it for longer this time.

  Running her fingers through his hair, she held his head firmly. Her tongue danced with his as she took every ounce of resistance out of him. As he fell back in a daze, she leaned atop his chest, smiling down at him with devilish intent and love.

  "I can keep going," she told him, "The question is...can you?"

  "Ellie..." he breathed her name, looking at her with a darkened gaze, "You're pying unfair."

  "Oh?" she slid herself over him so that she was completely ying on him, "I don't think you get to say that after earlier. Do you really want to sully your victory with a loss so soon after?"

  "...No," he grumbled begrudgingly, "Damn it, I just can't help it, alright?"

  "I know," she poked his nose softly, gazing into his eyes, "You're just a big softy, but that's what I love about you. I just want you to know that it doesn't bother me. I wanted this. For you. For us. I've had my time with you, and I will continue to have my time with you."

  As she spoke, his arms wrapped around her and tightened into a warm embrace.

  "I love you, Ellie," his words shot through her heart, causing her to immediately melt from the genuine intensity of sincerity within them.

  Rexing against him, she brought her face close to his as she did her best to embrace him in return.

  "I love you, too, Lucas," she whispered with the depth of a thousand lives; an endless sea of obsession, "Always and forever. That will never change."

  "Always and forever," he repeated, and she could feel the depth to his words; the truth in them and she could no longer hold herself back.

  She took his head in her hands and kissed him once more. Passionate. Tender. Warm. She drank him in and washed away the worries that pgued him.

  Nothing could destroy her love for him. Certainly not his anxiety.

  In fact, she found it rather cute. Which is why she rewarded him in that garden of flowers. She made sure that every single muscle in his body rexed, just as he had done for her.

  -----

  (Lucas's POV)

  Elizabeth slept soundly against my chest, breathing softly. My entire body felt like jelly. Moving was difficult, but more than worth it to run my hands through her hair. Its silky strands fell through my fingers like sand through time, reminding me of the many lives she lived.

  I felt her love through every touch. Her kisses held the depth of infinity. I pondered such devotion, feeling incredibly blessed. I could have never imagined that such a woman could cherish me so much. It made me a little jealous that I couldn't remember my past lives.

  I knew that it protected me. I knew that she was doing everything she could to keep me safe...but even so, I couldn't help but feel curious. How many memories were locked away?

  "Well..." I pondered, looking down at her peacefully sleeping face, "It's not so bad. I don't need to remember. Just knowing is enough."

  I took a deep breath, taking in the scent of her. A hint of fme and cinnamon mixed with the floral aroma of the garden. It was intoxicating.

  "Mmm..." Elizabeth shifted, turning to lean on me as her eyes opened, "Morning, my love~."

  Her words practically hummed as she smiled warmly. I returned the smile, brushing stray strands of hair out of her face.

  "Morning, love," I replied, caressing her face much to her delight, "Though, it's quite te in the day."

  Elizabeth gnced over to the window, seeing that the sun was setting on the day. The glow of orange basking the city in its warmth.

  "So it is," she mused, nuzzling against me, "If only this moment could be frozen in time..."

  An ache in my heart rippled through my body as I felt the desire in her words.

  "If only," I agreed, kissing her upon the forehead, "We just have to make time for more of these moments, won't we?"

  "Mhm," she nodded sleepily, "How are you feeling?"

  "Better," I told her sincerely, "Thank you. What about you?"

  "Oh, I'm perfect~," she chuckled, pushing herself off my chest as she sat up, stretching, "After today, I finally feel satisfied."

  "Do you, now?" I asked with a ugh, taking in every inch of her as I looked upon her fondly, "Forgive me if I don't quite believe you."

  "Oh, shut up," she smiled devilishly, pushing me pyfully on the shoulder, "I mean it. I really needed this, and I think you did too."

  Gncing down at me, I saw the tenderness in her eyes. All pretense dropped as I nodded.

  "You're right," I told her, reaching up to run a hand along her back, marking every freckle upon her body with my fingers; feeling her shiver pleasurably under my touch, "I did...thank you. Though, I don't think this can be a daily occurrence."

  "Aww~," she pouted teasingly, "What a shame."

  "Honestly, how are you even moving?" I asked with a ugh, and she simply smiled, "A Pyers stamina is something else."

  "It's more than that, you know," she told me as she turned and leaned over me, "When it comes to you...I have all the energy in the world."

  I blushed, for I knew just from her words that it was true, and the actions to back it up.

  "I'd love to say the same, but..." I looked away bashfully, "I don't think I can move."

  "Heh, that's fine," her smile turned devilish, "I know you would if you could. Just leave everything to me~."

  With that, she kissed me deeply. I melted into her, savoring the sweet taste and gentle softness of her lips. As she pulled away, I felt that there was nothing in this world except for me and her in this moment.

  "What matters, my love, is that your heart never wavers," she pced a hand on my chest as she spoke softly, "Something I know will not happen. You're mine~."

  "Always and forever, Ellie."

  She smiled and nodded, kissing me once more. This time, I found myself lifted from the ground in her arms as she stood. Wrapping my arms around her, I held tight as I fell into the abyss of bliss. Begrudgingly, I pulled away and opened my eyes to see hers locked onto me.

  I gazed into them, losing myself in their hues.

  "How could I have gotten so lucky?" I wondered out loud, caressing her cheek, "Gods, you're lovely."

  She blushed and smiled, carrying me over to one of the garden chairs, which were more like an outdoor divan than anything. There, she set me down and walked with purposeful steps over to her phone. Her movements were hypnotic, gncing over her shoulder with a coy glint in her eye to see if I was watching...and I certainly was.

  Leaning down, she made sure to do so with intent.

  "Showoff," I teased, pleased with the view.

  In response, she made sure to show off everything as she spun around, raising her arms so that her hair cascaded in them and revealed herself to me. She was absolutely gorgeous.

  The way the light of the dwindling day illuminated every curve and the subtle muscles of her toned body enchanted me. Her hips swayed, the shadows upon her cvicle enticing. Her smile devious and knowing.

  "Now this is showing off," she stated and I only nodded in a daze as she returned to my side; pcing a finger under my chin, she gently tilted my head up towards her, "You're adorable, you know that?"

  "I know that you are," I answered, her face turning slightly red, "I could watch you all day."

  "I'm sure~," she chuckled, leaning down to pce a kiss upon my forehead, "Now, I need to finish my problem. Julian needs info, right?"

  "That would be useful. You distracted us earlier."

  "Oh, I distracted us?" Elizabeth scoffed, an amused glint in her eye, "If I recall, you weren't compining."

  "I never said I was upset about it," I corrected her, "Just that you distracted us."

  "Hmph," she huffed with smug pride, "It was indeed pleasurable. Now then..."

  She turned her attention to her phone, pressing a couple of buttons and typing something into it. After a moment, with one final button press, she let out a sigh and tossed her phone on the nearby garden table.

  "There, now we have all night together~."

  With her task finally complete, she id down and draped herself over me. I held her close as we enjoyed the sunset together.

  "It's beautiful..." she whispered, and I agreed...though I was looking not at the sunset, but at her.

  She glowed in the light of the dwindling sun. A golden hue making her seem almost ethereal.

  "Do you think we'll have more moments like this?" I asked softly, to which she tightened her hold on me.

  "I'll make sure of it," she promised, "Moments like these...we'll have many more. Maya can even join."

  "Heh, that would be nice," I felt her press closer to me as I spoke.

  "It would be, yes," she agreed, resting her head against my shoulder, "When all of this is over, I hope you're prepared."

  "I don't think I'm ever prepared, my love," I chuckled, and she smiled.

  We didn't talk much after that. Simply sat in each others presence. Thinking of the future made me hopeful, yet pgued with the invisible guillotine hanging above my neck. For the moment, I felt its hold loosen upon me and breathed easily.

  Next to Elizabeth, I felt safe. I felt like things would truly work out, and yet...I couldn't shake this gut feeling that something was wrong. That it wouldn't be as easy I hoped.

  Pushing those thoughts away for now, I simply embraced Elizabeth and held her close. For now, it would be better to simply focus on the present, difficult as that was.

  -----

  Nikushimi