Time, Death & Scar Tissue...

Sorry this has taken so long......life has been intervening most inconveniently.
psyche b

43. To Follow you

The guests left soon after he rejoined the group. No one made comment about him being gone, but that didn’t really surprise him. They had all been very involved in their own conversations when he left and while he had been polite he was not one to be the center of attention. He watched Kathryn and Minerva as they picked up napkins and glasses.

“So when is Sarah due?” Kathryn asked casually. LaCroix found himself watching her move, listening to the intonations in her voice.

“Due?” Minerva asked.

“Oh come on, you didn’t notice?” Kathryn smiled a little and stacked several coffee cups on a tray. Minerva stopped what she was doing and thought for a moment. Slowly, a smile spread across her lips.

“And you say you aren't intuitive.” Minerva said, dialing the phone quickly. He brought several plates over to Kathryn's tray. She stood on her toes and kissed him, LaCroix slid his arms around her waist for a moment.

“Sarah, it's your grandmother. Why didn't you tell me?” Minerva said, her back to them. He took the opportunity to hold Kathryn close and she snuggled against him. In that moment, the letter was less important than the woman in his arms.

“Well I imagine he would be. What did you say?” Minerva's back was still turned. Kathryn's head rested against his chest.

“Are you alright?” She whispered.

“Of course. Why?” He asked, her arms tightened around him.

“Are you certain he's right for you? He's very different than your other relationships.” Minerva seemed to be giving them privacy and LaCroix took full advantage.

“Because you've been looking at me differently since people started leaving.” She murmured, her eyes closed.

“I've never seen how graceful you are in a crowd, and I realize that I'm a very fortunate man.” A soft blush colored her cheeks.

“Have you set a date yet?” Minerva asked. Kathryn wasn't paying attention, the tension was leaving her body. As many times as he felt it, he still enjoyed the sensation of her relaxing against him.

“I'm the lucky one. You didn't have to do this.” She murmured. He rubbed the back of her neck softly. Her muscles tended to knot there and she shivered softly. “I should take these things in to Bridey, she'll wonder what's taking so long.”

LaCroix lifted her chin and kissed her softly, his lips lingering softly on hers for a moment before he released her.

“Well you should have the wedding here then, you know how beautiful the yard is in the evening at that time of year.” Minerva turned around as Kathryn picked up the tray. “Well, think about it and let me know.”

LaCroix sat down and when Kathryn returned Minerva sent her upstairs to get changed. When Kathryn was gone, he looked at Minerva.

“You've known from the beginning.” He said simply.

“Since she mentioned your name, yes.” Minerva sat across from him. Her heart was pounding.

“Have you told her?” He asked, his body still, uncertain how he was going to proceed.

“Of course not, that's not my place.” She was telling the truth, and LaCroix began to relax.

“What is your place?” His voice was still guarded and bordered on cold.

“I don't know.” She looked older in that moment, and for the first time since he arrived that steady gaze was uncertain. “It used to be to support Octavia. Then she died and I had to raise Kathryn. Now that she's found you, I'm not certain where I fit in anymore.”

LaCroix considered this carefully. Severing ties with family was usually difficult, but somehow that seemed wrong in this instance. The fact that she knew was a complication that he hadn't decided how to deal with yet.

“You need each other.” He said simply, he heard Kathryn coming out of their room. “The rest we'll discuss later.”

********

Kathryn was jarred awake by her cell phone. It was Corey's ringtone and as she answered she wondered why she hadn't turned it off.

“Corey, you had better be at death's door.” Kathryn mumbled. He growled softly and Kathryn moved to get up. His arm held her tightly in place.

“Well good morning to you too.” She said.

“What time is it?” She asked.

“Just after eleven, you have to help me.” Kathryn could tell that Corey was excited about something.

“Are you in the hospital?” She asked.

“No, but-”

“Are you in jail?”

“Well, no but-”

“Then you don't need my help right at this moment.” Kathryn said. “If you want to talk later tonight, I'll call you-”

“I met a guy.” Corey said.

“Well that's hardly front page news.” Kathryn said, his hand was massaging her unbruised breast. His touch was soft, but she could tell he was annoyed. She was too.

“I know, I know. But this is a NICE guy. My dad hired him a few months ago and he wants me to go to C.W.'s party with him. I don't have anything to wear and I don't even know what to buy. You HAVE to help me.” Corey was excited, and deep down, in some part of her mind that was not upset with being awakened from a sound sleep, Kathryn was excited for her. All of her mind was awake enough to notice the shift in the way she talked about her father.

“That sounds great, I'll call you tonight and we can go shopping tomorrow.” Corey sounded dejected but said her goodbyes. Kathryn turned the phone off and curled up against his chest again.

“Sorry.” Kathryn murmured. His arms tightened around her and his lips found the top of her shoulder. She gripped him tighter and whimpered softly when his teeth scraped over her skin. She tensed, he stroked her back and his lips moved gently. In seconds she remembered nothing but that warm, safe feeling.

*********

Kathryn helped Corey pick out a simple but flattering champagne colored strapless gown with just enough beading on the bodice to give it some sparkle. With any luck, Corey would mind her manners and sparkle too. She got back to her grandmother's later than she planned though and she had to hurry to get ready. Lucien wasn't happy with her, but after they were seated his anger faded. Once again, he had arranged private seating for them, but that was no longer a surprise. Kathryn had heard music from the Magic Flute, but she had never seen it. The performance was a pure delight and she was sorry for the pause of intermission. When the houselights came up she excused herself.

“That's a lovely shade of lipstick.” A woman said. Kathryn hadn't notice her there when she entered the ladies' room, but there was something vaguely familiar about her long dark hair and curvaceous figure. “What color is it?” She asked. The little smile on her lips unsettled Kathryn somehow.

“I'm not sure.” She took the tube out of her bag again and looked at the bottom. “Night Red Rose.” She read.

“It suits you.” The woman moved closer. Kathryn noted that the woman's heavily sequined dress seemed rather garish in comparison to most others she had see that evening, and it bared more cleavage. “You're Kathryn Paige, aren't you?”

“Yes.” Kathryn's voice was guarded and she backed away a bit. The woman smiled benignly.

“Don't look so frightened, dear. I'm a client of your father's, he has a picture of you in his office.” Her smile reminded Kathryn of Lucien's in that she revealed only the barest hint of her teeth.

“Of course.” Kathryn laughed and felt silly for being so nervous. Still the fact that she and this woman were the only ones in this part of the restroom seemed unusual. “I'm sorry, I haven't met many of his clients.”

“I'm Elsbeth St. Martin.” She extended her hand and Kathryn took it. She was surprised by the woman's grip and the fact that she held on.

“It's a pleasure to meet you.” Kathryn still felt inexplicably nervous.

“Your father talks about you often.” Elsbeth's dark eyes were intense, Kathryn began to subtly try and remove her hand.

“Does he? That makes me curious what he could possibly have to say.” She pulled harder.

“Just little things from time to time, like the fact that you write.” Elsbeth's tongue caressed her full lips. “I write a bit myself you know.”

“Are you published?” Kathryn could feel her heart beating faster and the blood rushed in her ears. She pulled more firmly on her hand.

“Not yet. It's mostly a hobby, but I always enjoy talking to others with similar interests. We should get together some evening, and have a drink.” Several women came in and shattered the moment. Elsbeth released her hand and Kathryn felt like she could breathe again.

“I'm afraid I'm only in town for a few days and my time is committed. It was a pleasure to meet you though, if you'll excuse me my companion will wonder where I am.” Kathryn walked out of the restroom quickly and returned to her seat. At first he looked upset with her for being gone so long, then that upset quickly changed to a look of concern.

“Are you ill?” He took her hand when she sat.

“No, I think I'm just a little tired.” Kathryn rested her head against his shoulder for the rest of the performance.

*******

The encounter with Elsbeth St. Martin lingered on Kathryn's mind, though why she couldn't say precisely. She hadn't done anything particularly strange, but Kathryn had learned that when she had a bad feeling about someone there was probably a good reason. When she and Lucien went to Sleeping Beauty Kathryn found herself scanning the crowd for her. After only a few minutes, a similar flashy gown with a plunging neckline caught her eye.

“Are you looking for someone?” He asked when he caught her staring.

“No, I thought I saw someone I knew from school, but it's not her.” Kathryn wasn't even sure why she lied, but as soon as the words were out she knew that he could tell she wasn't being honest. He didn't push the point and Kathryn remained with him during intermission.

As they were leaving the woman caught her eye again and this time she thought she saw Lucien react as well. His eyebrows drew together almost imperceptibly and his light blue eyes seemed to darken for a heartbeat. Someone who didn't know him as well wouldn't have noticed. In the car, Kathryn considered asking him about Elsbeth, but he held her hand more tightly than usual and she was sure she noticed some worry around his eyes. Kathryn rested against his shoulder and remained silent.

“Is that you, Kathryn?” Minerva called from the sitting room. Kathryn couldn't help but smile a little. There was no one else that would be coming in at that hour. He kissed her temple lightly.

“Yes it is.” Kathryn held onto his hand and stepped out of her shoes. She stood on tiptoe, kissed him softly and joined the older woman in sitting room.

“So, how was it?” She set her needlepoint aside and accepted Kathryn's kiss on the cheek.

“Beautiful.” She sat with her legs drawn up under her.

“The strings were a bit off in several places, I thought.” He sat down next to her.

“You've got a better ear for that than I do.” She smiled at him. “I get too wrapped up in the spectacle of it to really listen.”

“The dancing more than made up for it.” Kathryn wasn't sure if he was serious about that last remark, but it was polite.

“Oh your package arrived this evening Kathryn. I put it in your room.” Minerva had picked up the needlepoint again. It was a perfectly hideous flower arrangement that Kathryn knew Minerva intended to give to Mira for her birthday. It was part of the tradition of contempt between the two women.

“What package?” Kathryn asked.

“The one from Millie's. I thought you stopped there when you were shopping with Corrina the other day.” Minerva looked as confused as Kathryn. Millie's Armoire was Kathryn's favorite lingerie shop and she usually bought something while she was home. This time she just hadn't gotten there yet.

“No, Corey had something that suited the dress and we were already late.” Kathryn retrieved the flat box from the bedroom and took the lid off as she trotted down the stairs. In the sitting room she pulled aside the tissue paper and and was shocked to find fine quality red lace made into the trashiest g-string and peek-a-boo bra she had ever seen. Her eyes widened and color bloomed in her cheeks. She put the lid back on the box quickly. “This is a mistake, or someone's idea of a bad joke. I'll take it back in the morning.”

Lucien reached for the box, and after hesitating Kathryn handed it to him. One eyebrow twitched as he looked at the contents.

“I didn't think Millie's sold those kinds of things.” Minerva had gotten up and was looking over his shoulder.

“Could this be Miss James's crass idea of a thank you gift?” His voice was even, but Kathryn could tell that he was angry.

“There's a note.” Minerva plucked the single red-bordered white sheet out of the tissue. “' For Inspiration. E.'. That's a rather cryptic message.”

“It's creepy if you ask me.” Kathryn said, unable to look at the scraps of lace in their tissue paper nest.

*************

Kathryn relaxed against his chest, her eyes closed. It was her favorite part of the day, these few minutes when she felt his cool skin melting her warmth. No more had been said about the strange 'gift', but Kathryn was certain that he hadn't forgotten it. He never forgot anything. Kathryn wasn't certain that she wanted to let it hang in the air around them anymore. His fingertips lightly rubbed the small depressions just over her kidneys and a soft, purring sigh slipped from between her lips. His soft chuckle made her arch against him. Her lips grazed the front of his chest and his hand moved lower, to cup her bottom.

“I don't know anything about the package.” She spoke softly, the rest of the house didn't need to hear their conversation.

“I know that.” He moved her carefully so that they were facing each other, he laced his fingers with hers. His eyes held hers and Kathryn let them draw her in. “Do you know anyone with that initial?”

“A step-cousin called Edwin, but I only met him once and that was several years ago.” Kathryn felt as if her lips were barely moving, and she wondered how her voice was so clear. “And there was that woman I met at the opera, her name started with an E, but we barely said hello.”

“What woman is this?” His voice lulled her, she barely felt the bed beneath her.

“I don't know, she said she knew Daddy. A lot of people do, so I wasn't too surprised.”

“Do you remember her name?” His fingers tightened slightly.

“El-something. It was ordinary, but not.” She felt as if she were swimming through thick fluid as she searched for the answer. “Like Elizabeth, but I can't remember.”

“Yes you can.” His voice sent a soft vibration through her, but there was nothing frightening in it. Kathryn took several deep breaths.

“Elsbeth.” Her voice trembled and he stroked her cheek softly.

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“Because she was just someone who asked me about my lipstick. If I told you about everyone who spoke to me in a public place that's all we would ever talk about.” Kathryn was starting to squirm. He pulled her against his chest again.

“It's alright, my Kathryn.” The swimming feeling left her but the comfort and deep relaxation remained.