Love, Leclerc (Complete)

10. Monte Carlo Marina

The night was warm, with a thin breeze twisting its way through the shuddering leaves on the trees. The sounds of faraway muffled crickets drifted in through an open window.

All was calm, still, and serene. Waves from down below lapped on the beaches. The hustle and bustle of the city died down.

The now black water of the ocean reflected the intensity of the moon, showcased in it's calm ripples.

It was dead of night. The only noise that could be heard in Charles's bedroom was the constant monotone ticking of his wall clock.

You were sleeping soundly with him, one leg and one arm hanging out from the plush blankets. Wearing nothing but a blush colored silk slip dress. Your face resting softly towards the window, turned away from Charles, but your back end scooted near him. You felt the presence of a masculine arm snaked around your waist.

Your silky brown hair curled around your shoulders. Your long eyelashes encapsulating your sapphire blue eyes. The beautiful sleeping image of you appeared as if it were from a 1940s black and white film.

The kind which your grandmother would put on on a Sunday night at nine o'clock, an ordinary night; not a holiday; but she would have croissants and hot chocolate, the dark chocolate kind, and she would let you eat on her couch and not tell anyone.

Charles was next to you under the sheets, wearing even less than you on this warm night. He was on his on side facing you, his front side meeting your back in a loving embrace. His head lazily rested on the plush pillow, his hair strewn all about in that sexy way, his resting face looked like an angel. He was comfortable with you, and vice versa. The two young lovers had tranquility among a chaotic world around them.

You were all of a sudden awoken.

You felt the masculine arm detach from it's comfortable position on your waist to gently caress your figure with his fingertips, meeting its rises and falls.

"Baby," Charles whispered gently in a crackily voice.

Your sleepy eyelashes fluttered open, followed with a sigh of contemptment at your comfort.

"Yes?" You whispered still half asleep. You felt the arm's absence and whimpered until Charles obliged and you felt it slip back into place.

"I love you Charles," You whispered, fluttering your eyes back shut. You really did love him so much, more than you could even attempt to put into words.

Charles ignored your comment, "Julia I have a crazy idea". He placed a seldom kiss on your shoulder, you felt the stipple of his mustache lovingly grace your tender skin.

"Well, what is it?" You replied, a blush gathering at your cheeks at the motion. You wanted to turn around and kiss him. To kiss him forever and ever and never stop until your lips fall off.

"Say, what do you think of taking a walk by the marina? Just you and me. We could make a date out of it."

You were caught by surprize, "But, Charles, it is the middle of the night?"

"Thats why it is the perfect time" he whispered in his raspy voice into your ear, "nobody will he there but us".

You gave in, and sat upright, outstretching your arms and letting out another sigh.

You were young. You were spontaneous. You were vivacious.

You got out of bed and stood at the end of it, "Lets do it." you said, facing him with an excited wink.

You caught him eyeing your body through your thin silk slip, which decorated your curves and made your figure appear effortlessly feminine. It only collected even more blush to your cheeks and sent you into a flurry of giggles.

"Charles, come on," you pleaded and grabbed one of his perfect arms and he followed you out of bed. "We need to get dressed," you remarked. He came up behind you and wrapped his arms around your body, bringing you into a tight hug and lifting you off the ground. He placed kisses to your neck sending you into a flurry of flirty laughter. "Do we?" Said Charles sarcastically.

In a few minutes you two were dressed, or at least, attempted to be dressed. And the two lovers headed out the door, just as Charles' monotone wall clock struck three am.

Silent footsteps made it across the grandeur of the lobby, not making a sound upon the regal carpeting.

It felt like you were just two schoolchildren sneaking out of the house, and you loved it.

Growing up in such a contained and strict environment, you never got to do impromptu or mischievous things such as this. Even at your age of twenty it felt like a crime.

Charles turned to the un-manned cherrywood front desk. A petite, expensive looking glass bowl sat atop it, half filled with Ferrero Rochers.

He grabbed one and shoved it in his pocket. He turned to you and said jokingly, "Want one?".

When you saw what the little candies were you smiled. "Nah, i've eaten a lifetime's worth of those,".

Charles held open the main door for you and took authority to lead the short walk down to the marina.

"Take my hand" Charles whispered, offering it to you. You grasped on to it, intertwining your fingers with your lover's.

Charles was right, there was nobody on the otherwise bustling streets of Monaco.

The world was quiet, as if it belonged to you two. And it sort of did.

The crisp, cool air filled your senses making you shudder. Even with the absense of cars, Charles made sure to walk on the street side of the sidewalk. His beloved girl at his arm.

The sky was wide open, dotted with an abundance of stars. The moon was regal and bright as it smiled down onto Monaco. A smile crept across your face as Charles led you down to the marina.

All of the glittering lights of the city reflected into the warm ripples of the ocean. The yachts bobbed up and down, hitting the small ripples with a thud.

You looked to the figure of Charles slightly in front of you, your hands connecting. How lucky you were to have such a sweet boy. Your own handsome man. His honey brown hair swirled in every which way, his glittering green eyes and innocent smile turned to face you.

Your sparkling eyes connected. You were sure your cheeks were a bright shade of red and not because of cold.

"Isnt it beautiful," Charles said as you two approached the end of the dock, the wizened wood squealing underneath your feet. The intense scent of ocean made its way to your nose. He pointed back to his home country of Monaco. The glittering lights were indescribably surreal.

"Yes, it is," you grabbed his warm arm, "And I am so happy that I came with you here. This is a magical place."

"I love you, Julia." Charles said underneath his breath, "You know I love you more than anyone else in the whole world,".

The scene was uttmostly romantic. The young couple stood on the edge of the dock.

"I dont want to go home, Charles. I dont want you to go away to any more races. I want you to stay here with me all the time," you said quietly in almost a cry. You loved this man more than you could ever put into words.

You turned to face him and place both your hands gently to his chest, hot tears beginning to stream silently down your face. "I want to stay with you wherever you go, Charles. My Charles".

Charles lowered his gorgeous face down to yours, your eyes meeting again for a fraction of a second before he placed a sweet kiss to your lips.

You recognized his candy flavored mouth and toungue, but it also tasted like melancholy. It was after a few seconds that you had come to realize tears were streaming down his face as well.

He swung his firm arm around you to support your back, and did not make any intent he would pull away his kiss.

The scene was bewitchingly romantic; an innocent and pure love. In Monaco under the starlight, and the warm glow from the city behind you. Tonight was an old-fashioned jazz melody.

The kind with a three man band, who would always play on Sundays after church, and keep their saxophone case open for the hope of some spare pennies.