His breathing hard, Adrian slipped her dress slowly up her torso before slipping it over her head and tenderly caressing her breasts as her dress fell to the counter. As his lips trailed across her jaw, down her neck, across her collar bone, and lingers upon the top of her chest, Adrian murmured softly against her skin, "Lu.. we should prob'ly stop.. I don' know how much longer I can hold me resolve.." His lips traveling back up to her lips, Adrian whispered softly, "I'm sorry Lu.. I know we can't.. It's just.. hard.."

Lucina felt her breathing come out in sharp gasps as she rested her head on Adrian's shoulder, forcing herself to become calm again. Once she was composed, Lucina reached her hand out for her dress and covered herself again. "I'm sorry I got carried away." Lucina whispered softly as she shifted out of their embrace and stood back onto the kitchen floor.

Slipping his shirt back on, Adrian took Lucina's hand and placed a tender kiss upon her cheek before resting his forehead against her temple. "No, Lu.. Don' be sorry.. I should be apologizin' fer takin' yer dress off," Adrian whispered softly, his eyes closed as he tried to calm his heart and breathing, "Please fergive me Lu.. I shouldn' 'ave done tha'.. Especially when I know how ye feel.."

Lucina rested her ear to Adrian's chest, hearing the rapid beating of his heart as she put her arms around his waist. "Its alright." She said softly. "Just because I'm not ready for children doesn't mean that I don't want you." She admitted sheepishly.

"I know," Adrian whispered as he ran his fingers gently through her hair, "I know, love. 'n' 'cause I know tha', love, it's harder fer me t' stop.." Placing a kiss upon her scalp, Adrian murmured softly, "I'm so so sorry, love.. I promise, I'll try me best t' control meself.."

"I think its more fun when you're not completely in control." Lucina laughed softly as she ran her fingers over the length of Adrian's arm. "But if we must behave ourselves then I guess I can manage if you will." She sighed before resting her chin on Adrian's chest and giving his lips a soft kiss.

Adrian laughed as he placed a long, tender kiss upon her lips. "Love, yer far too temptin' 'n' far too much o' a tease fer yer own good. I don' want t' 'ave t' behave, love, but ye made it pret'y clear I 'ave t'. So, if I 'ave t', ye do too 'r I'll lose all resolve completely," Adrian murmured softly against her lips between kisses.

"I don't know why'd you'd suggest that I'm a tease, love." Lucina laughed against his lips before slipping away from their embrace. "You're the one distracting me from my chores." She said befoore picking up the broom again to begin the sweeping for a third time.

"Mm, perhaps," Adrian teased as he leaned back against the counter, "Bu' are ye really complainin'? 'n' really, love, who was th' one who started th' undressin'?" Adrian added with a wink and a sly grin.

"Completely your fault." Lucina teased with a laugh as she gathered the dust on the floor into a small pile.

"Oh yes, undoubtedly," Adrian laughed as he walekd over and placed a long, tender kiss upon her lips, "I'll see ye in a wee bit, love. Get yer chores done so we can relax by th' river 'n' quit procrastinatin'," Adrian added with a tease as placed another kiss upon her lips before flashing her a wink with a teasing grin before heading outside.

Lucina let out a small, girlish giggle before finishing the sweeping in the kitchen, the dust in a small pile near the door way to collect once she'd finished the other rooms. Moving to the next room, Lucina began sweeping again and humming lightly as she did so.

"Lucina? When ye finish th' floors, will ye collect th' rubs from 'round th' house 'n' take 'em outside t' th' line 'n' beat 'em? Use th' broom if ye like t' wack a' 'em.

"Of course." Lucina called back, wondering briefly why Lori didn't have to do any chores. Shrugging it off, Lucina finished the sweeping of the first floor, gathering all the dirt in one pile which she dumped into the garbage pail. Lucina placed the dustpan back in the closet before going into the living room to collect the rug. She carried the rug outside, put off by its weight as she propped it against the wall of the house before whacking it repeatedly with the broom.

"Lu, when yer done, come look a' these sketches," Shinorah called with a warm smile as she placed the finishing touches on another wedding dress sketch, "I'd like yer opinion on 'em fer yer weddin'."

Lucina simply nodded as she wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. Picking up the rug, Lucina carried it back into the living room and laid it across the floor with the broom resting against the doorway. Lucina made her way over to Shinorah and looked over the sketches, amazed by how excellent of a drawer Shinorah was.

"Wha' d' ye think, love? D' ye like any o' them? 'n' ye don' 'ave t', love, I can make more," Shinorah promised with a warm smile.

"I love this one." Lucina said with a loving sigh as she looked over an ankle long dress with a beaded bodice and thick straps. "Its beautiful." She smiled happily as she showed Shinorah the design she loved the most.

Shinorah smiled as she took the sketch, "Perfect! Would ye like t' go t' town with me 'n' pick out th' materials? T'morrow, o' course," Shinorah added with a wink, knowing she and Adrian would be sneaking off for the rest of the day, "By th' time ye get back it'll be too late t' get t' town 'fore th' shops close. So, 'til tomorrow, I'll sketch up some bridesmaids dresses. D' ye know how many ye'd like, love? D' ye 'ave anyone in mind?"

"Uhm, no." Lucina said. "I won't have any bridesmaids." She said softly, feeling guilt leak through her for Shinorah not knowing the truth about her past.

"Ah, well, no need fer 'em m' dear. They'd simply take th' attention away from ye," Shinorah said warmly with a smile, "Besides, it'll give me more time t' make me own dress 'n' Lori's dress! No' t' mention get a suit made fer Adrian."

Lucina smiled softly as she sunk in one of the nearby chairs. She felt embaressment fall over her that she had no friends to speak for. Even if it was an impossibility for them then to be there, it would've been nice for her to at least know in her head that she had friends.

Reaching over and placing a hand upon Lucina's knee, Shinorah sighed sympathetically as she spoke softly, a warm smile upon her lips, "Lucina, are ye alrigh'? It's alrigh' no' t' 'ave bridesmaids.. Is somethin' else botherin' ye?"

It was then that Adrian came in and leaned against the doorway, unknowingly walking interrupting the conversation. "There's me lit'le procrastinat'r lazin' about thinkin' o' dresses," Adrian teased with a wink at Lucina as he noticed the sketches around she and Shinorah, "Finished yer chores 'n' th' basket already?"

"I just have to make the sandwiches." Lucina laughed, rolling her eyes playfully as she stood from the chair and made her way to the kitchen. Pulling out bread, ham, and lettuce, Lucina began making sandwiches for their picnic.

"Adrian, sumthin's botherin' Lucina," Shinorah commented softly as she began designing a dress for Lori, "D' ye know wha' it is?"

"Aye, Mum, nothin' t' concern yerself with I promise," Adrian said with a warm smile before placing a kiss upon his mother's forehead, "It's just pre-weddin' jitters, Mum, she's nervous 'bout 'avin' no fam'ly but 'er new fam'ly persent."

Shinorah nodded with a sigh, "Th' poor girl.. We really mus' see 'bout gettin' 'er parents 'ere a' least."

Nodding, Adrian pacified his mother with a warm smile, "I'll talk t' 'er, Mum, I promise."

Without another word, Adrian headed out into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Lucina's waist, resting his lips upon her neck. Placing a number of long, tender kisses upon her skin, his tongue caressing the smooth surface beneath his lips with each kiss, Adrian murmured softly, "Lu, Mum's worried 'bout ye. I told 'er it was 'cause ye were worried 'bout no' 'avin' any fam'ly bu' yer new fam'y present a' th' weddin' 'n' now she 'as it in 'er head t' try 'n' get yer parents 'ere fer th' weddin'.

"Now, I'm sure tha's no' wha's wrong, 'n' if it is then it's not all tha's wrong. Love, will ye tell me wha's wrong?"