One Wild Night

Instead of taking a cab, Lucy decided that they walk down to her home since it was only a short distance away from the mall, and since they were both wearing comfortable shoes, there was no need for a cab.

While Tom carried the bag containing the clothes they had taken off at the clothes shop with his right hand, he held Lucy's right hand in his left as they walked together.

"Do you realize we've never really taken a stroll together?" Lucy asked, and Tom thought about it for a moment.

"You are right. Well, there is hardly time to take strolls with all that has been happening," Tom said, and Lucy nodded.

"I hope things change in the near future and we have more time to do such little things," Lucy said, and Tom smiled.

"Sure. Don't worry, soon we will have all the time we need to do whatever we want. And if you want us to jog to the office from either of our places, we will do it," Tom joked, and Lucy giggled.

"See that bookstore over there? A bakery used to be attached to it. You could read books for free while dining there. An old couple used to run the place. It was called the Perkins Store. Mrs Perkins made the absolute best muffins," Lucy said, pointing to the building.

"Really?" Tom asked conversationally to encourage her chattiness.

"Yeah. We used to go there a lot. The three of us. Sonia, Lucas, and me. Sonia had always been a fan of novels. She sort of made me start reading novels. We would go there on our way back from school and hide in a corner to read romance novels when we didn't have enough money to buy any snacks, and each time Mrs Perkins caught us, she would give us muffins. She always made some extras for us," Lucy said with a grin.

"I guess that was before the incident?" Tom asked, and Lucy nodded.

"Yeah. Why?"

"I thought your family moved away from this neighborhood after the incident?" Tom asked, and she smiled.

"It's not the same house. The place we lived before was not that far from here, so we often passed through this route on our way from school. Uncle Brown helped us find this house," Lucy explained, and Tom nodded.

"So what happened to the old couple? Did they relocate, or did the business crash because Mrs Perkins was giving too many freebies?" Tom asked, returning to the subject.

Lucy shook her head, "No. Mr Perkins died, and Mrs Perkins just couldn't stand it, so she packed up and left," Lucy explained sadly.

"We were all so sad when she moved away. We helped her pack. She even gifted us some books before selling off the others," Lucy said with a nostalgic sigh.

"Did Lucas read romance novels too?" Tom asked, and Lucy giggled as she shook her head.

"Nah. He read comics and books like Harry Porter, Star Wars, and stuff," she said, and Tom nodded.

"That's more like it," he said, and she raised a brow.

"Why? What's wrong with him reading romance novels?" Lucy asked, and Tom shrugged.

"I don't know. It's not like anything is wrong with it. It's just that it's more of a feminine thing," Tom said, and Lucy shook her head.

"Guys."

"So, what else did you like to do?" Tom asked not only because he wanted to continue the conversation but because he was curious to know more about her childhood that didn't revolve around her trauma.

He wanted her to remember the pleasant aspects of growing up and to also enjoy those memories with her.

Lucy smiled as she thought about it, "I loved skipping and skating. Did I tell you I was a cheerleader in high school? Sonia and I," Lucy asked, and Tom stopped in his tracks to look at her.

"You?" He asked in disbelief, and she giggled.

"Why do you look so surprised? Because I'm not blonde or brunette?" Lucy asked, and Tom shook his head.

"We both know that's not it. You just don't seem like the type," Tom said, and Lucy smiled as she pulled his hand so they would resume walking.

"What type do I seem like? Shy and introverted?" Lucy asked, and Tom shrugged.

"I told you I wasn't always this way," she said with a sigh.

"I wasn't exactly the partying type, and I wasn't crazy either. But I was like any other teenage girl you can think of. I liked to get the attention of the guys a lot," she admitted with a grin.

"I had a crush on a couple of guys, too. I wanted to be Prom Queen," Lucy said, and Tom raised her hand to his lips even though they were still walking.

"You are a queen, prom or not," Tom assured her.

"Queen of what?"

"Queen of the my empire, baby. Want me to get you a crown and that stuff you wear across your shoulder?" Tom asked, and Lucy laughed.

"You mean a sash?" Lucy asked, and Tom smiled.

"Whatever you call it," Tom said, and Lucy grinned.

"And what would you write on it?" she asked, and he grinned.

"Tom's Queen? Or Queen of Tom's Empire? Depends on how much space there is," Tom said, and Lucy giggled as she led him through an alley.

"You seem to be in a really good mood today. What's up?" Tom asked, and she shrugged.

"I'm merely enjoying my man's company," Lucy said and then waved at a lady who called out to her when they got to the other side of the alley.

"That's my home," Lucy said as she pointed to a house with a picket fence.

Once they arrived at the house, the door opened before Lucy could ring the doorbell, and Janet stepped out with a wide smile.

"Before you ask, I saw you through the window," Janet said as she embraced Lucy and then Tom.

"Your dad is in the garage. Come in, and I will go get him," Janet said as she walked away to go get Andrew.

"You're welcome to our home," Lucy said to Tom as she shut the door behind them.

"Wow! It feels like ages since I was last here. It's kind of different being here now," Lucy said as she looked around the living room.

As much as she loved the place and cherished every memory there, it didn't give her the homely feeling anymore. This was no longer her place.

"To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?" Andrew asked as he joined them, and then he paused when he noticed they were both wearing matching outfits.

"I wanted Tom to know where you live. We won't be staying for long since we are on a date," Lucy explained.

"Nice outfit," Andrew said with a grin, and Janet giggled when she realized for the first time that they were wearing similar clothes.

"Thanks," Tom said with a grin.

"Oh, my! I didn't notice that before. I was just too excited to see you both," Janet said in amusement as she admired their outfit.

"You are welcome to our home, Tom. Please make yourself comfortable," Andrew said, very pleased to see that Lucy had brought him home.

After exchanging pleasantries and conversing for a while about their time at Brown's Salon, they all turned to the television when they heard Wilson Peterson's name being mentioned on the television.

"Oh, my!" Janet exclaimed as they watched him collapse.

"Looks like something out of a movie," Andrew said with approval.

"I take it you are behind this?" Lucy asked as she turned from the television to look at Tom.

"Not exactly. I was aware of the plan, but Harry handled it," Tom said, and Lucy nodded.

"I almost feel sorry for them," Lucy said as she returned her gaze to the television.

"You shouldn't. They deserve this and more," Janet said with delight, and she felt even happier that her sister, Sara, had been mentioned in this mess, and the reporters were wondering about her connection to the case.

"Lucas is calling. I guess he sensed that you're here," Andrew said with a grin as he received Lucas' video call.

"Your sister is here with Thomas," Andrew informed him the moment he received the call and turned the camera so that Lucas would see Tom and Lucy.

"Matching wears? Sweet!" Lucas said, and Lucy giggled as she rose to take the phone from her father.

"How are you doing?"

"I want to say hello to Tom," Lucas said, and Lucy passed the phone to Tom.

"I heard about your grandfather's death. Accept my condolence," Lucas said, and Tom gave him a nod.

"Thanks. How are you doing? Are you coming back soon?"

"I just started a six-month program, so I should be back by the end of the year for Christmas. Why? Are you getting married soon?" Lucas joked, and Tom chuckled, but before he could respond, Lucy spoke.

"Talk to dad and mom. Our time here is limited. If you want to talk to Tom, call me or call him," Lucy said as she took the phone from Tom and returned it to her dad.

"Would you like to see my bedroom?" Lucy asked Tom since she wanted them to hurry so they could continue on their date.

"Sure," Tom said as he rose to follow her while her parents conversed with Lucas.

As Lucy led him away from the living room, she made a mental note to give Lucas a call later at night so she could tell him about her change of mind.