Lucky to Love

***Author' note***
Just a short little story I wrote ages ago inspired by the song Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillait.
***End of note***

She was hiding behind her fan, trading tidbits of the lasted gossip, when she heard it.
"-coming home tomorrow."
She had to hear this herself. Excusing herself quickly, she swished her extravagantly decorated skirts over to the speaker behind this particular snippet.
"Excuse me, did you say the soldiers are coming home tomorrow?!"
"Why yes. Around dawn, I believe."
She was stunned. They were coming back. It was over. Was he okay? Would he want to see her? She had to meet him.
"Mother? Mother!"
"What is it? I'm in the middle of throwing a ball."
"I need to go home."
"What?!"
"Please, Mother. It's important."
"I highly doubt that. You go back to your little friends now and wait til this ball is finished."
No. It couldn't be. She needed to leave to get ready. She couldn't miss when the boats pulled up. She needed him.
The ball slowly wound down. As some of the more important figures left, she begged to leave again. Wish finally granted, she swept out of the room and rattled home in her horse drawn carriage. She had to find the perfect dress, the perfect hat, her best jewelry. She frantically went through every last article of clothing she owned. Exasperated, she flung herself onto her bed and announced she had nothing to wear.
Dawn approached.
She picked a mint green gown. The flowered hat and pale satin slippers. The slim golden chain.
Still an hour left, she snuck out to her private carriage. It rattled over the cobblestone streets and she let her thoughts wander to him.
He had looked so brave in his uniform. So tall and proud. He had given her flowers. Tucked one behind her ear. A white lily, like the ones on her hat. She arrived at the docks and began to shoulder her way through the crowd, ignoring the indignant protests from the other watchful people.
The boats were docked.
Where was he?!
There.
He scanned the crowd.
She shoved some more, almost at the front!
No.
What?
Who?
There had never been anyone else!
No.
Not a kiss.
He wouldn't.
He did.
No.
It wasn't happening.
No.
She felt sick.
No. No. No.
She turned and fled, shock fueling her footsteps.
Not fully conscious of her actions.
Ripping at her clothes.
Splattering through puddles.
She ran.
Her hat had been lost many steps ago. She found an alley and slid, sobbing and shaking down the wall.
Footsteps.
No.
No one could see.
She didn't need rumors or their pity.
"Why did you run?"
Him.
"Who is she." It was a statement spat onto the ground as forcefully as possible.
"I used to see her. I don't fancy her."
She wouldn't look at him. She couldn't.
"Listen to me! SHE kissed ME. I would never do that to you."
She raised her tear-stained face to meet his eyes.
"I love you. Not her. Never her."
She moved as a blur. Crushing herself to him. Lips to lips, forgetting all other things. Only he mattered now. He was all that would ever matter.