In These Arms

Chapter 31

· Chapter Thirty One

"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Lucy asked Ian as she figured out what to pack for her work related trip to Vegas.

Ian smiled and gently shook his head, "I'll stay here with Jack."

"Why?" Lucy pouted, "My friends love you and Kurt's coming so you won't be the only guy."

"I know," Ian replied, "but I don't want Annie to feel like the fifth wheel."

Lucy shook her head, "She wouldn't, we wouldn't let her."

Ian smiled, "It's inevitable Luc, there'll be a point when Claire and Kurt are together and we're together and Annie will feel left out. Besides, I just got back from the East Coast where I hung out with my friends; you should do the same with yours. It's only for a few days and then we're both going to Tennessee."

"You don't mind?" Lucy asked, "I feel like I'm abandoning you."

"You're not," Ian said brushing his lips against hers, "go have fun and I'll see you in a few days."

Lucy nodded and pressed her lips to his once more, they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Did you give Annie the door code?" Ian asked.

Lucy nodded and went to stand up, Ian shook his head, "Pack, I'll answer it and send Annie in here to help you okay?"

"Okay," Lucy said turning her attention back to her packing.

"Hi," Annie said as Ian opened the door.

"Hi Annie," Ian replied, "Luc is in the bedroom trying to figure out what to take."

Annie Smiled, "Yeah that sounds about right," She put her own bag down by the front door and turned to face Ian, "Are you sure you don't mind driving us to the airport tomorrow?"

Ian shook his head, "I don't mind Annie, honestly."

"It's not going to be one of those tear jerking goodbyes is it?" Annie asked a slight smile forming on her face, "

Ian laughed and shook his head, "I promise no emotional goodbye, she's only going to be gone for two nights."

Annie smiled, "I promise I'll take good care of her."

"I'll see you in two days," Lucy said as Ian dropped them off at the airport.

"Yes," Ian replied as he picked hers and Annie's bags out of the trunk, "I'll pick you up."

Lucy smiled, "I'll call you when I get there."

"She'll most likely contact you from the plane," Annie said chuckling slightly.

"Maybe I will," Lucy replied standing on her tiptoes, she brushed her lips against his chastely conscious of the people around them, "I love you."

Ian pressed his lips against hers again, "I love you too," he replied, "now go have fun."

Lucy smiled and pulled the handle up on her bag so she could wheel it along. She kissed him again, before they both headed over to the desk to check in.

"But not too much fun," he shouted after her.

Ian threw himself onto the sofa and looked around, it was now the afternoon of August 29th and even though Lucy had been gone for a little over twenty four hours he was missing her like crazy the apartment felt empty without her. He looked over towards Jack, who was laying in his bed his head hanging outside and resting on the floor.

"You miss her too don't you Jacky?" he asked.

Jack raised his head slightly, before promptly putting it back down. Ian knew how he felt. "How about we go for a walk and then go over and see Sarah?" Ian asked. He watched as Jack's ears twitched slightly, but the dog still didn't move. Ian sighed and stood up, "Come on Jack," he said, "or I'll go without you."