For Fake and For Real

12. Can You Come Back?

Lucy was EXHAUSTED, and the director kept asking for more takes of their final scene of the night. Noting how tired Lucy looked, Tim asked for a ten minute break.

"Thank you," she said breathlessly and heavily sunk into her chair.

As he took his seat beside her, he clasped her hand. "We all needed a break. You could've asked for one."

"I was willing to power through."

"You don't quit, do you?" He smirked.

"Never," she smiled back and took a sip of water. "Listen, babe, when we get home, I'm taking a bath."

His heart swelled at the way she called the house they were sharing as "home"- it was the first time she said it, but it felt right. He was certain they were meant to share a home, and maybe it all started under strange circumstances, but he didn't care, and she didn't show any interest in leaving or feeling stir crazy anymore. "Okay. I'll take care of dinner while you relax."

"Excuse me? You're getting in the tub with me," her eyes darkened a little.

"Is that right?"

"Unless you don't want to."

"I don't think I'd ever pass up something like that," he started undressing her with his eyes, and she bit her lip as heat spread throughout her body from the way he was staring.

She leaned in to kiss him to stop him from LOOKING at her like that.

"PLEASE! I am NOT redoing your lipstick again. Just save it for when you get home," the makeup artist called over to them, more than a little annoyed at the sheer number of times she had to retouch Lucy's makeup due to the RIDICULOUS quantity of kisses the costars shared between takes.

Tim chuckled and picked up their clasped hands to kiss her knuckles to avoid ruining any makeup.

They both heard the markup artist continue a hushed conversation with another member of the crew about "newlyweds".

It stopped bothering Lucy now. It had been a little over a month of the incessant rumors about the "Chenford" engagement or elopement, and at first she didn't like the assumption, but now, she didn't mind.

••••••••••

Once the tub was filled with warm, soapy and bubbly water, Lucy hung up her robe and slipped into her bath. She shut her eyes, already feeling more relaxed, but what she really needed right now...it seems she would still need to wait, but she wasn't feeling very patient.

"Baby? Aren't you coming?" She asked and closed her eyes once more.

A few minutes later, she heard footsteps, then clothes falling to the floor, and she finally opened her eyes to look over at him.

He saw the way she was staring, and raised his eyebrow at her, but didn't say anything.

She scooted forward to give him space to enter behind her, which he did, and immediately pulled her to his chest. Settling back against him easily, she ran a hand down his arm until their fingers were intertwined. NOW she had everything she needed. It hit her in waves sometimes how much she loves him. Like she needs him more than air. And it was NEW and DIFFERENT and shouldn't she try to slow down from falling too hard to protect her heart? Maybe. Was it even possible, because it's TIM? Not at all. She'd seen her friends go through tough breakups, and her parent's relationship, although they seemed to love each other, was nothing shy of a rollercoaster. Was that what she was signing up for with Tim? She assumed this was something unique that could only be experienced by the two of them- a special relationship that didn't necessarily follow normal conventions. With that calming thought, she let herself enjoy the stillness only he could provide.