Yuku free message boards

Continued from Maximus' thread

[Suddenly the noise of a car reversing at speed makes both Maximus and Clarity turn their heads...John winds down the window and bellows in a most un-Biebe-like way...]

Clarity? Get in this car...now! We have to talk....

"John? But what…?" [But, although he's never used that tone on her… until now, she knows better than argue or even ask questions. Looks like he's had a bad day. A very bad day.

So she just does as she's said and goes to the other side of the car, sending interrogative looks at Maximus, Maximus who looks himself… relieved? She opens the passenger's door and is immediately overwhelmed by the unusual but very pleasant scent of expensive man's perfume coming from the inside of the car… coming from John. Just then, she notices how beautiful he looks. He's always beautiful, but in that suit… he's magnificent! Still in a very bad mood, but magnificent.

She doesn't remember him telling her that he was going to the court today though. But it's true that she hasn't understood most of his explanations, with those specific police abbreviations she never gets.

To the court... in a suit she's never seen before and expensive perfume? She just can't help…]

"My, my, Sheriff Biebe! Is this your new… regulation uniform for court? I like it, very much. And the perfume… "

[But John bends over the seat, grabs her wrist and drags her almost forcefully into the car. She almost doesn't have time to close the door before he starts the car, making the tires screech.

She's never seen John like that. He looks angry, upset... but so sexy! Just then, she remembers what he said: he wants to talk. Talk? About what? Not about his work surely, he has had bad days at work before and never behaved like that with her because of it. No, it must have something to do with her. But… but she hasn't even seen him or talked to him since this morning, and, as long as she can remember, he looked pretty happy when he left her.]

"John... You angry at me? Have I done something wrong?

Except scratching Uma's car. Just a little!"

[Time seems to have stopped inside that car.

During a few seconds, she stays completely still, staring at him with mouth and eyes wide open in amazement. Oddly she hadn't seen it coming.

After what feels like an eternity, she finally moves.

He looks so… oh so… !!!

In slow motion and without a word, she captures in her smaller and colder ones those large hands that he was unconsciously and nervously running up and down his thighs, raises them to her face, caressing them softly with her cheek, and kisses tenderly one hand, then the other.

She can feel his strength, his doubts, his hopes, his fears... and she loves him for all of those. And more.

How can she tell him...? But there will be time later for words.

For now, delicately, as if they were a fragile treasure, she puts his big hands down on her own lap. Then, still very slowly but intently... and still silently, she takes his face between her hands, attracts it down to hers, and gives his half open and so sensual lips a kiss, very tender, at first...]

[What she was about to say gets swallowed into that other kiss, his this time, a meaningful, powerful yet tender kiss, full of all those feelings that he generally finds hard to word, full of promises of happiness for both of them.

But, when they finally have to come up for air, and she manages to get a grip on reality again… along with the ability to speak again, she answers him.]

Yes? Yes to what question? [She smiles teasingly] Let me think… I've heard you tell me about how hard Uma and you have worked to prepare something that you finally did for someone else - and excuse me, but it would really make me laugh… if it hadn't obviously hurt you - BUT I can't remember you asking me any question... so far. Have you? [He's making such a face that she's finding it hard to go on, but she does anyway, as always trying to hide her deepest emotions under attempts at humour] You don't think that I'm going to let you get away with this, do you? I can't let Paul be the only one who gets all the benefits of that hard work of yours and Uma's (and knowing Uma, I'm sure it was something!)... although I'm glad that he didn't get that kiss!

[She becomes serious again and, before he can speak, she puts a finger on his lips.]

Seriously… I'm really touched that you went through all that trouble… for me. More than you can know. All jokes aside, I know how hard it must have been for you. And I'm sorry I've spoiled it all. But… as much as you look breathtakingly handsome in that expensive suit, I would love you any way. Just you. Only you and all of you. As you are. The beautiful natural way you are, outside and inside, each day and every day.

But maybe… maybe we'd better talk before I answered that very important question that you haven't asked… and before you got yourself into something you might regret later...

She's been through so many different but intense feelings in the past few minutes -including fear that he would walk away from her- that she doesn't know if she feels more like laughing or crying at that precise moment.

Both. Equally.

And it's precisely doing both that she throws herself in his arms, bumbling: "Oh John! It's the most beautiful proposal I ever got. I love you too. I love you so much!"… hitting his knee in the process and almost making him, making them both fall in the dirt. "I'm sorry… did I hurt you? I'm sorry!"

But John is a strong man who doesn't lose his equilibrium that easily, so he catches her deftly and he doesn't seem to feel any pain when he does.

She covers his face with kisses, then takes his hand and stands up, encouraging him to stand too. Without letting go of his hand, she opens the little velvet box sheltering the symbol of his love. It's beautiful!

Uma has probably helped John to choose it too, and it's perfect… even if probably way too expensive for his sheriff's wages. But it's not too heavy, not too big, too ostentatious. It's just… beautiful.

Too beautiful for her.

She's grave again when she looks in John's clear eyes, a tear running down her cheek, then slowly picks the precious ring from its case, opens his hand and cautiously puts the jewel on his palm, like he did a while ago with the box.

But when she looks up again and sees disappointment and sadness invade his beautiful eyes, she gets it: he thought that…

"NO! I mean yes!" She puts her hand on his still open palm. "Oui… OUI! Yes, I want you to put that beautiful symbol of your precious love on my finger and make me yours. I want to love and cherish you forever. Yes, I want to be your… wife, John Biebe!"

The important things she wanted them to talk about before, her doubts, her fears, her questions, all of them are buried, or rather drowned deep under a huge wave of happiness.

For now.

What I can see in you? Even a blind woman would see all that's beautiful in you, John Biebe, inside and outside. [She snuggles against him, tenderly kissing his chest though his brand new shirt, and indulging herself in his intoxicating scent.] And that lucky girl here is far from being blind… or lacking any other sense.

Don't you worry about having to propose to anyone again. You think I have any intention of ever letting you go? No way. No in this life. Not in the next either. You're mine now!

Or will be, as soon as you'll say "I do". Unless…

[After that decisive moment when her heart has taken over and spoken louder than her mind, giving to John the answer her whole being was craving to give him, that crazy mind of her takes revenge and comes back to bother her…

Should she be honest and give him a chance to stop it all now, before they went further? Instead of simply giving in to the pleasure of that great evening he's planned for them, should they talk right away about those important things that keep worrying her and might become a problem between them?

Oh, she won't take back her yes! She meant it, each letter of it and will never ever regret it. But maybe he will, when she tells him...

There are plenty of things that bother her and that must be talked about before they take that big step into marriage. There is the problem with her illegitimate status. And she must tell him about her plans for a new job... and what goes with it. She also should tell him about her poor experience a few years ago, that left her wary of marriage. Or should she?

Nothing in there that love can't overcome. Except…

Except the very thing that could drive them apart.

The book. She must tell him about that book she's found while wandering randomly through the Internet. She knew that some movies were made from books, but she hadn't thought that books could have been written after those men's movies. That could change it all. For him. For them. And for others too. Well, not that very book she's found, it isn't an original.

She wonders if Ann knows about that book. And what it would mean for Terry if an original ever showed up in the Library?

If that book exists, then others might too...

Her biggest fear, after the one of losing John, would be to see him forced to make a choice between this life and his former one. Between his family, and… She would never want to put him through that. And, to be honest, she's not sure she would have the strength to face his choice if he ever had to make one. But what's sure is that she wants him to be happy, and at peace. At last. Even if it had to be without her.

But maybe she's worrying for nothing. Maybe there is no book made from John's movie?

In that case, if she can selfishly keep John forever, she silently promises to those poor little boys and their mother lost somewhere in time-space continuum, that she will take good care of that wonderful man they all love, and will always respect the big place they will forever have in his big heart.

Just then, she feels John's soft mouth gently kiss another tear she hasn't even felt on her cheek.

She smiles at him and takes his hand.]

Yes, let's go feed that poor stressed sweet man of mine. Champagne you said?

I want to thank those who were involved in your wonderful surprise anyway, on purpose or not. Thank them, and apologize to them for having unwillingly put them in uncomfortable positions sometimes.

And there's also the thing about Uma's car. Not that there is much damage done, but I guess that on a car like that any repairing must be pretty expensive… meaning that I'm not done yet working at the Phoenix to reimburse the bill.

[She puts her arms around his neck and smiles at him.] But it was worth it. At the end, the lucky girt that I am got the most beautiful proposal, and the most wonderful man in the world." [Her worries are still in a corner of her mind, but she thinks she's probably spoiled enough of that sweet man's happy moments for now.]

Yes sure, the one you're going to cook for yourself mon chéri, I'm late already. Don't make that face, your cooking is not so bad! Um, particularly if you're hungry.

By the way, I'd better tell you now: if you're marrying me for my cooking talents, I'm afraid you might be disappointed very soon.

Unless you like honey.

But it's still time to change your mind and marry a better cook, you know. What about Andy? [She laughs and ducks before he throws something at her.]

After the brunch meeting…

She's noticed how close to her John stayed during the whole gathering, always feeling his big reassuring hand on her. And she's also noticed how worried he looked when he arrived a bit late at the meeting. Still does. She softly runs her finger on his frown as to try and smooth it.

"You okay, John? Is this because of all that's been said?… Or not said. If you need to talk about it, I'm here. And if you don't, I'm here too. Ring or no ring, I'll always be here for you, you know that, don't you? No matter what our strange world has in store for all of us, even when our bodies are separated, I want you to remember that there will always be a smaller heart beating in unison with yours. Close to you. So very close…" She gently taps her fingertips on his chest, in rhythm, and smiles. "Can't you feel it?" Then she looks up into his eyes... "You'll never be alone again. Never."