Well, it's chapter 3, so...smut. Seems to track for me lately. Enjoy.

Kit's leg was tapping quickly. It rang a quick staccato from the slightly uneven metal chair legs and Jude quietly laid a hand on the nervous knee. "Sorry." He stilled. Sniffled. He would blame the Massachusetts weather, but truly he simply felt dreadfully sad.

Jude smiled a gentle smile. "Yar more nervous than I am."

"I hate doctors' offices."

"I can't imagine why."

He looked at her askance. "Funny." Shifted. Again. "Aren't you nervous?"

"No." She shrugged. "I guess I'm just used to this now. We know what's going to happen, anyway."

"Maybe they've got some more information on that treatment you don't want. Could be some good news."

"I'm dying to hear it." She glanced at him askance. An elbow nudge. "Eh?"

"Jesus, Jude." He cradled his head in his hands. Chewed his lip. Ignored her dark humor. "You've had a really good month or two. Maybe -"

"Kit."

"What?"

"I really have come to terms with this." She turned to look at him fully, plucking the long sleeve of her burgundy dress from the plastic chair arm. "I couldn't have asked far a better way to end my life. With you and yar kids. It's been a magical year. And I just want to make it through this Christmas. Just a few more weeks. I just want to buy Santa gifts with you today. Just to see those babies and their Christmas morning." Hesitantly, she touched his shoulder. "And a few more weeks with you. Laughing over beers and having coffee on the porch while you cuss the icy steps." She grinned. "I just wanna be happy."

HIs forehead creased. "Well. I guess that's all I want too, then." He folded a hand over hers, still caressing his shoulder. "Jude..." He was gathering his thoughts to say something that must have been important when a kerfuffle in the hallway distracted. In unison, they looked to the office door, wondering what could cause the elevated voices and scuffling from hospital staff.

"I can't explain it either, Herb!" A man. "You want me to say it's a goddamn Christmas miracle?"

"I want you to give me more tests!" Another man. Presumably doctors. "I want this woman worked up like a science experiment. Blood panels. X-rays. A fucking vivisection. I don't care if you send a team spelunking in that pretty blonde cranium of hers. I want answers."

A rustle of paper. "Give me that. And go back to the lab."

"Answers, Phil!"

Retreating footsteps. A pause. A deep breath. The door opened. Dr. Nelson stepped in looking harried, but attempting to hide it. "Miss Martin. Mr. Walker." He sat behind his desk and his chair rolled violently to the side. He scrambled, dropping a file. Papers slid across the polished floor. Kit helped him gather them. "Er...thank you." Finally he settled. "Good to see you both. Again." An uneasy smile.

"You, too, doc." Jude crossed her legs calmly. "You seem very busy today."

"Miss Martin." He started firmly.

"Judy."

"Judy." He looked at her squarely. "Are you certain you haven't sought treatment from any other physician? Here or elsewhere? Since your last visit?"

Jude shook her head. "No, of course not. I'm not interested in treatment. We just discussed this three months ago."

"Is something wrong?" Kit leaned forward, concern clutching his throat. "Is the tumor that much bigger? How bad has it gotten?"

"How bad?" Almost manically, the balding physician threw up his hands. He laughed. "Bigger?" Shook his head. Stood to lean on his desk. "We can't find the tumor."

Kit and Jude stared at him. "I'm sorry." Jude leaned forward, now, too - fully at attention. "Can you explain?"

"The tumor is gone, Judy. The giant brain exploder we just took images of back in September is missing. It is not on any of the images we took today, and as you're fully aware, we took extra images."

"I don't understand -"

"Ditto your blood work." The doctor sat again, completely flummoxed. "Not a single elevated white blood cell. Not a single abnormal count. Read my lips:" He pointed to his lips. "NOTHING."

"But -"

"Are you saying the cancer is gone?" Kit was quicker on the uptake it seemed.

"That's what I'm saying."

"That's impossible." Jude murmured. Her eyes were glazing over a bit.

The doctor scoffed. "You're tellin' me, sister."

"So..." Kit stood. Looked between the two of them. "You're saying Jude's not gonna die?"

"Not from cancer." Dr. Nelson waved a hand. "Maybe she'll get hit by a bus crossing the street when you leave here today. Maybe she'll be in a plane crash. Maybe a bear attack. She's gonna die someday. We all are, right? But I'm telling you she's not gonna die of cancer unless she gets it again some damn where else."

"This is impossible!" Jude spoke more firmly this time.

Kit whirled to glare at her. "Stop sayin' that! What the hell is wrong with you? You wanna die? What you - you want 'em to put it back?"

Now Jude stood, too, on the verge of tears herself. "Don't be ridiculous! I'm just saying I know how cancer works and it doesn't just disappear!"

"We would like to do more tests." Dr. Nelson offered. "My colleagues and I. We would love to know what we're dealing with here because quite honestly, Miss Martin?" He handed her a rather weighty file. "Your cancer just disappeared."

"Yar not makin' Jude into some fuckin' test subject." Kit slipped slightly in front of Jude as if to protect her. "Come on, Jude. We're leaving."

Slowly - slightly numb - she gathered her wool coat and purse. Dr. Nelson followed them to his door, not threatening. "I understand you don't want to be a guinea pig. I can only assure you it wouldn't be that way and hope you'll consider what a boon this could be to science. And of course...I do recommend another check up. In another three months perhaps. Just to make sure it doesn't reappear."

Jude was nodding as Kit ushered her out the door. "Yeah, yeah."

"Call and we'll set up that appointment." Kit tucked the ample file into his coat, helping Jude into hers on the move. "Come on, Jude before another damn Nazi doctor shows up to nab ya."

They hustled down five flights of stairs and through the airy lobby, not slowing until they hit the sidewalk outside. Kit turned and grabbed Jude's shoulders. "You fucking heard that, right? Jude! You don't have cancer!"

"I heard." She spoke quietly, staring at nothing.

"Jude..." He glanced about. "Come on. Let's get someplace warm and...talk."

There was a diner a block down, beside the parking lot he'd chosen. He ushered her inside and to the farthest booth they could find. Even after sitting, Jude seemed to be in complete shock. A waitress approached and Kit ordered coffees. "Hey." He brushed a finger against her jaw. "You okay?" Personally, he could barely contain his grin, his utter joy.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She blinked a few times. "I'm...I'm fine."

"Fine and cancer free." She chewed her lip. Kit chuckled. "Disappointed you're not gonna kick the bucket anytime soon? That yar gonna be stuck washing my greasy clothes and cooking for -"

"Kit."

"Yeah, Jude?"

"I -" But the waitress showed up and thrust two steamy mugs before them. A pitcher of creamer followed with a thunk and a slosh, followed by a sugar dispenser that must have weighed as much as a chunk of dark matter.

"Anything for breakfast?" She smacked her gum.

Jude shook her head. "No, thank you." Kit looked up at her. "I'll take the check, though." She clunked that onto the table, too, swayed away.

"Wow." Kit looked back to Jude who was crying now. Not gentle tears on a pretty face crying, but full fledged heaving with snot seeping through fingers and half a restaurant staring crying. "Heyheyheyheyhey!" He grabbed a napkin from the dispenser on the table. It tore, so he grabbed another, dabbed at Jude's hands hiding her face. "Stop now. Come on, Jude. Look at me. Look at me!" Now he tugged at her wrist. She swatted him away. He tugged the other. A brief and awkward slap fight ensued. "Dammit!" Kit finally won, taking both her fluttering hands in his. "Jude, let's just - let's just relax." He took a deep breath. "Come on. Take a deep breath with me." She did. For a moment, their table sounded like a yoga class. "There." He rubbed at her hands now on the table. Watched her collect herself.

She reached for a napkin. It tore. She reached for another. It also tore. Suddenly, she was laughing. And Kit was laughing. Painful paroxysms that had them hunched over the table, clutching each others' hands and their own bellies.

Slowly, they regained control. Kit managed to extract another intact napkin, and Jude used it to dab her eyes and wipe her nose. "They're gonna call the funny farm on us." She muttered.

"It'll be a walk in the park," he assured. They laughed again. "Jude."

"Yeah."

"You good?"

She prepared her coffee, still comporting herself. "Yeah, Kit. I am. I'm good. I'm just..." She waved amorphously. "I just can't believe it, is all."

"It's incredible." His excitement was endearing to say the least. "What are you gonna do now?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you had all these plans for what you wanted to do before you died, but now yar not gonna die so..." He shrugged. "What's next?"

She drank her coffee. "The same things."

"Same things." He nodded. "Shopping, kids, Christmas, beers, coffee, happy."

She smiled. "Yeah, same things. Well -"

"Well what?" He expected more.

"Now I want..." She looked out the window. "I want to celebrate."

"Hell yeah!" That was what he wanted to hear. "Let's get reckless!"

She grinned. "I wanna get my hair done in one of those ridiculous salons like on TV."

"Yeah!"

"I want dessert for lunch."

"Crazy woman!"

"I wanna go dancing."

"Let's do it."

"I wanna get a tattoo."

"Okay, that's -"

"I wanna do bumps of blow in a back alley and body shots off a stripper named Ginger."

"Um..."

"I want to climb into a big bathtub with bubbles and a bottle of bourbon. And when I get out, I want a strapping lad to measure my legs with his mouth."

"Jesus Christ, Jude. I was -"

"I wanna get well laid. In a giant bed. With a fantastic view of this shithole city. I wanna wake up with a bad back and sneak out with no shame."

"Jude -"

"I'm joking, Kit." Her eyes sparkled. He flopped back against the booth and let out the breath he'd been holding, started to laugh. "Well. About most of that, I'm joking."

He shook his head, smiling at her. "Jude. You're a real piece of work."

"I know." She winked. "I'm a goddamn Christmas miracle."

They'd already planned to spend the day in Boston after Jude's doctor's appointment. Kit had money saved for Thomas and Julia's Christmas gifts, and Jude was excited for that particular shopping. The miraculous news that morning had only boosted their spirits into the stratosphere, so they hit up Jordan Marsh on Cloud 9.

Kit pulled his truck up to the massive department store's awning. "Hey. I'm gonna find us a place to park. Why don't you go on in and find that fancy salon you were talking about?" He slipped a bill into Jude's hand. She looked at it aghast.

"No! Kit this money is far the kids!"

"I got plenty of money, Jude. I'm tellin' ya I was savin' for this." He pressed the bill harder. "I want my Christmas miracle to get her hair done right proper. So I can take her out for a nice dinner latah." She opened her mouth to protest. "No arguments." He looked in the rearview mirror. "Go on! I'm holding up traffic."

She went. The salon was easy enough to find. On the first floor. The Christmas shopping rush was in full swing, so there wasn't a great deal of activity in the salon, especially right after opening. She was quickly seen to.

It felt divine, having other hands wash her hair. The head massage was most welcome, and the cool towel over her eyes gave her ample time to process. She wasn't dying. At least not yet. And she had a suspicion - an inkling - as to the reason for this, but... she wasn't exactly certain she wanted to share that. She began to wonder where Kit was at, hoped he wasn't buying the kids' gifts without her.

The stylist who trimmed and curled her hair was named Anita. She was skilled and sweet. They talked about normal things. The holidays. A good deli. Comfortable shoes. Absolute banality. It was fantastic. She was sitting under the dryer when she finally saw Kit approaching. She was relieved to see he had no bags. He slipped into the dryer next to hers and picked up a Vogue magazine, crossing his legs exaggeratedly. She laughed, slapping his knee.

"Judy?" Anita lifted the dryer. "Let's get those rollers out."

Kit waited at the front desk, watching each long golden curl unfurl on Jude's head. His smile never faltered. And when she finally slipped her arm through his, he caught a whiff of heat and shampoo. "Ya look amazing."

"Thank you." She squeezed his arm. "I was worried you started shopping without me."

"Of course not! Besides, you have the Santa lists in yar purse."

She was reminded that Kit was a solid twenty years her junior, give or take a few. He was like a child himself, filled with delight at every toy. "Look at this!" He pointed, dodging around displays with guns, pretending to ride a hobby horse, bouncing a basketball down an aisle. Jude laughed, humored him and herself because...so recently she'd known this would be her last Christmas. Her last shopping trip. Her last snowfall...

But now.

"What about this? For Julia?" He was holding up a super hero mask and cape.

"Ya have to get one far each of them." Jude reminded, grabbing one in a different color. "So one can be the villain."

"Yeah. Probably Julia."

"She does have a mean streak."

"Where it counts."

"I'll help her sharpen it up."

"I bet you will."

"Here." She pulled a huge box from a bottom shelf. "They'll lose their little baby minds when they see this." A giant art kit.

"Agreed."

An enormous stuffed bear. A doll that peed itself. A magnifying glass. Junior cooking set (for Thomas). A baseball set. The adults revisiting their childhoods happily built bags of stocking stuffers, setting aside favorite candies for themselves to enjoy later. Their cart was loaded to capacity by the time they found a cashier's station.

They ate in the department store cafeteria, seated at the fountain like teenagers. "I can't wait to see these kids tear into this stuff." Kit grinned, licking ketchup from his thumb. "You're gonna love it. Christmas morning is always the best. And they get better every year because the kids just get more and more excited."

"I don't know who's worse. You or them." Jude smiled.

"I can't help it! This is gonna be their best Christmas yet. I could never really afford to spoil them like this before. Jude. You know it's a lot thanks to you. All the sewing money and the cake money. It's such a big help. You've been..." He shook his head. "More than just the money, Jude. You've been such a great gift to us."

A french fry hovered before her mouth. She was frozen. "You mean that, Kit?"

He looked into his plate, suddenly fascinated by the remnants of a club sandwich. "I - We love ya, Jude." A hard swallow. "That's why it's been so hard, you know? Knowing you were gonna die. Knowing I was gonna have to tell the kids. That we...we wouldn't be dancin' with you anymore or..."

He stopped. She watched him break, look away from her. She felt her own throat tighten and passed him a napkin. A whole one. "Kit..."

"I just didn't wanna lose another person I love. I don't think I could have."

"I'm so sorry, Kit." She rubbed his arm, took his hand in both of hers. "I've been so selfish. I just thought..." A rueful laugh.

"What did you think?" He asked, turning to her. Eyes red. "Because not once did it seem to bother you."

"That's not true." It was hard - showing him her vulnerability. Weakness in front of men had never served her well. "I tried not to think about it. I couldn't. I was finally happy for the first time and..." Fuck it. She let the tear fall. "Thinking about it being over - when I couldn't change it - just seemed so unfair. I felt so angry. And I - I didn't want to spend my last days on earth angry." She shrugged. "I wanted everything to just be...like it was."

Slowly, he nodded, seeming to understand. "Well. I guess now it will be."

"Yar stuck with me far a while longah."

"What a shame." They looked down, realizing they were holding each others' hands now. "Gonna be rough eating your amazing cooking and laughing til we almost puke on family game night."

Jude chuckled. "God, those kids suck at Candyland!" She wiped her face, collecting herself.

"We should head out." Kit gestured for their check. "See what other trouble we can get into." They began gathering parcels.

"What are we gonna do with all this stuff, Kit? Is it even gonna fit in the truck?" Jude was giggling behind a brown paper-wrapped bear half her size.

"Yeah, yeah." They stopped at the escalators. "Tell you what. Will you do me a favor, Jude? While I run this stuff to tha truck?"

"Whatcha need?"

"I need a dinner jacket." He wrestled for his wallet, handing it to her. "Nothing crazy."

"I thought you had -"

"A black one." He shrugged. "I want a gray one. You sew all our clothes, so you know my measurements. Will ya find me one and meet me under the awning?"

"No problem, Kit." Odd, that he wanted a suit jacket. She'd only seen him wear the black one once, and that was to a funeral. But who was she to ask?

Men's wear was relatively deserted - not a big draw for Christmas clearly. And she found a reasonable gray dinner jacket relatively easily. In fact, she was waiting under the awning for a few minutes before she saw Kit. "Where's the truck?" She handed over his jacket, neatly wrapped on its hanger.

"I already parked it."

She blinked, confused. "Parked it where? And what is that?" He was holding a bag, still - not from Jordan Marsh. It read Mme. Chesneau and looked fancy.

"Is this an interrogation?" He took her elbow, starting to hustle them across the street.

"Kit, where are we goin'?"

"A little surprise. Come on!" Horns blared as they dodged traffic, turning left on the opposite sidewalk. "You're always a practical lady, Jude. I'm gonna appeal to your sensibilities here."

"What sensibilities?" She was panting, trying to keep up with him as they ducked through crowds and past shop fronts.

"Your um - travel sensibilities."

"I don't travel much," she reminded.

"Exactly. But you don't like driving in the snow, or in the dark."

"Not particularly." They finally slowed to a walk.

"Right. So maybe I did something impetuous." He'd stopped them in front of an obnoxiously gilded hotel lobby.

"What are you talking about?" Her cheeks were pink and she blew a shank of curl out of her mouth.

"We're not driving back home tonight, Jude."

She struggled, getting frustrated. "Kit -"

He turned her, parcels bumping her arms. "We're staying here tonight. And we're having a really fancy dinner."

She looked up. The hotel was enormous, and clearly expensive. "Kit, don't be ridiculous. We can't afford this. We can't do this!"

"We can do whatever we want. Come on! You gotta see this joint."

She was speechless. Or almost. Whispering tensely in the lobby. "Kit. Everything here is in cursive or marble. This is too expensive."

"I won't disagree. But look at that fountain!"

"Anyplace that has a fountain in the middle of the building is overcompensating. Holy shit, look at that chandelier."

"Was I wrong?" Kit was giddy with excitement. Tugged her to a bank of elevators where several other patrons waited. Very fancy looking patrons.

"Kit. That lady's coat was alive yesterday." They snorted, huddled close to laugh in secret. "I don't think we meet the dress code."

"That's why I wanted a suit jacket. For dinner." He whispered back.

"Well, I hope they don't mind my gingham skirt at this dinner. And Kit, neither one of us brought a change of clothes, you know. Or a toothbrush."

"Shhh." The elevator dinged and Kit swept her inside. They were joined by an elderly couple that looked like they might have actually owned the hotel. "Wait til you see the view I got."

"Kit. When did you do all this?"

"Oh. While you got your hair done. Then I moved the truck when you bought my jacket."

The elevator kept climbing. At the ninth floor, the older couple disembarked. "What floor are we on?" Jude asked.

"The tip top one."

She was biting her lip. "I can't believe you did this."

"You said you wanted to celebrate."

"Kit, this is too much."

"Is it?" He faced her squarely. "To suddenly find out you're the woman who beat cancer? Who has this glorious second chance at life? Is it too much of a start? Or is it just a start?" The elevator stopped. "This is it."

The hallway stretched forever. The carpet swirled a dizzying blue/green pattern, softly lit by golden sconces. "All the way down." He pointed. "Room 1520." He pulled the key from his coat pocket, ready when they reached the heavy white door.

He pushed it open for her, held it with his foot while she entered slowly. "Oh my God..." She breathed, fingers covering her gape. "Kit!" The view was the first thing she'd seen. A huge picture window revealing all of Boston spread beneath them. "It's beautiful. Amazing." He came to stand beside her, a side hug. "I can't wait to see it at night. With the Christmas lights on!"

"I have a feeling it's gonna be epic."

At the sound of a loud pop, Jude startled, turning from the window. "Is that -"

"Champagne!" Kit enthused. The crystalline libation was chilled - just as the concierge had promised - and he poured it into the two flutes. Jude's cheeks were a high pink, and her lips were swollen from all her nervous chewing. She accepted the flute he offered and raised her glass with him. "To my goddamn Christmas miracle. Betty. Judy. Jude. Whoever you are. You've made my life - and my kids' lives - a damn sight better. And I'm glad you're gonna continue to do so. For a long damn time." They drank.

"Whooo!" Jude fanned her face. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had champagne and the bubbles went right to her brain. "That's wonderful. What the hell is that!" She walked past him, to the bathroom double doors. "Mary, Mother of God. Kit! Have you seen this bathroom?"

"Actually I haven't." He followed her. "Jesus. We could fit three people in that tub with us!"

A slight double take from Jude. "Um..."

"Plush ass towels, too." He was rubbing one. "Check this place out."

They wandered the hotel room for a moment, removing heavy coats and hanging them in the closet. "This is not bad," Jude sighed, lounging on the brocade chaise in the little seating area. Kit dropped into the wingback across from her. "Kit."

"What?"

"Thank you."

He reached across for her empty flute. Refilled it. "Stop thanking me."

"Tell me where we're having fancy dinner, then."

"Here." He gestured amorphously. "This hotel has a famous ass restaurant."

"Kit. I hate to mention this, but I don't think I have the right attire for this kind of eatery."

He snapped his fingers. "Damn. You're right. Oh, wait!" He craned his neck around the back of his chair. "Why don't you take a look in that bag on the bed there?"

She looked. Had forgotten the mystery bag. He watched her approach it hesitantly and pull out the delicately wrapped parcel inside. "What is this?"

"Open it." Watched her face shift.

"Kit. What the hell." Fingers over her mouth again, she stared at the dress on the bed.

"I know your measurements, too, ya know."

"Are ya sure?" A fluttering touch played with the rich, thick velvet. "Because this looks awfully small."

"It's supposed ta fit." He stepped behind her, whispered near her ear. "You're gonna be a bombshell in it."

She lifted it. A rich indigo blue. It had sleeves, but no back - just a sensual drape of fabric. It would fall just above her knee, with conservative slits on each side. Jude shook her head. "It's um..." She wouldn't be able to wear a bra with it, for one. Or garters, for two. This was a very modern style. "I've nevah worn anything like it."

"Do you like it?"

"Um." She wasn't sure how to answer. Wasn't sure how she was feeling at the moment. "I like that...you like it."

"I fuckin' love it." He drained his second champagne. "The shop girl said it's designer. Whatever that means."

"It means you spent too much money. Again. Are these shoes, too?"

"Yeah."

"Kit!"

"What? The ones you have on don't match!"

Jude removed the shoe box lid only to snap it back on. "Oh hell, those are gorgeous."

"Aren't they?" Kit took the box, grinning. It was a short heel, but she was a tall lady. A mess of sparkly, velvet straps. "They're gonna turn those legs into murder weapons."

"Kit." She sported a high powered blush.

"Listen. Before you get distracted talkin' about how much money I enjoyed the fuck out of spending, I'm gonna take a shower in this palatial bathroom and get dressed for a nice dinner." He was removing his western-style oxford. "Would you do me anothah favor?"

"Anything." She accepted his wallet again.

"Run down to that Walgreens next door. We're gonna need toothbrushes. And a hairbrush if ya don't mind."

"Deodorant?" She quirked a brow.

"Or we can smell real funky on the drive home."

"I'll be back."

"I'll try to be dressed." He was untucking his tee shirt, dangling the room key before her.

She took it slowly, met his eyes. "Don't put yarself out on my account."

Back in her winter coat, she meandered back to the elevator, still marveling at the beauty of the Parker House. In the marbled lobby, she was anonymous. Kit was right. She could be Betty here. Or Judy. Or Jude. There was a freedom in the feeling.

Alone on the wintry street, she decompressed in the rush of the crowds - an odd juxtaposition. She hadn't truly processed yet her cancer's sudden disappearance, hadn't even had a moment to absorb the meaning behind it. Her death sentence was revoked. But how?

She had an inkling, remembering the strange magic of Eunice's Halloween visit. The goosebumps and the lightheaded levity that she chalked up to the tumor itself. She'd been so convinced it was a hallucination. But now... What had Eunice done? Had she taken the cancer? Is that what she'd meant when she'd told Jude "not yet?"

In the busy Walgreen's she zoned out staring at hairbrushes. She felt so selfish all of a sudden. Hadn't realized how Kit might have been affected by her illness. Hadn't thought that he might have come to care for her. But here they were - in a million dollar a night hotel. Eating at a million dollar a plate restaurant. And that dress was probably a million dollars, too.

She grabbed a hairbrush. Two toothbrushes and paste. A bar of Speed Stick. It occurred to her she had absolutely no makeup to speak of. At least a mascara then. A compact. A low key pink lipstick.

At the checkout she fussed her head. Why bother with any makeup? It was Kit. He was doing this to spoil her. To celebrate with her. True that dress was...a questionable choice for a woman 20 years his senior and basically a housekeeper slash nanny. Right? And he had complimented her legs, yes, but... Well, she did have killer legs. Always had.

The cold didn't offer any extra clarity. Surely he didn't entertain any salacious thoughts about her. He couldn't. Again, 20 years was a significant gap and she wasn't one of those waifish things one typically saw in those dresses like the one he picked. She wondered if he would be terribly disappointed. Might be for the best.

She knocked softly before entering their room. Kit gave a quick, girly scream near the bed, startling her. "You ass," she muttered, looking away. He was wrapped in a towel from the waist down, slung a bit low on the hips. "Here." She dropped the Walgreen's bag on the bed and wandered back to the window.

It was nearly 4:30 and lights were beginning to awaken on the street below. "Hey." A gentle touch at her lower back. He was partially clothed now. "I got ya a bath ready."

"Seriously?" Grinning, she skittered to the bathroom. "Oh my God, Kit!" He watched, laughing, as clothes flew through the cracked doors.

It was the biggest bathtub she'd ever seen and piled high with bubbles. There were candles lit, even in the shower stall across the way. They cast flickering forms on the tile walls. "Ooohhh, that's fucking perfect." She sank into bubbles and hot water, feeling her chilled toes start to tingle.

"Did I do okay?"

His voice was close. She looked up to see him standing in the doorway, staring. Not that there was anything to see - she was censored by bubbles. "Yeah. You did great, Kit. On...everything."

"Cool." The candlelight deepened something in his eyes. "We got dinner reservations at 6, so ya have time to relax."

"Mmhm. Will you bring my dress in here?" He nodded. She closed her eyes and let her hair fall over the back of the tub. Just perfect...

So perfect she may have drifted off. By the time she jolted herself awake, her water was cooling. "What time is it?" She called.

"About 5:30."

She reached for the towel hanging on the rack nearby. "You should have gotten me out earlier. I've got to pin up a whole mane of freshly washed curls here."

But hair became the last of her worries. There were bobby pins scattered throughout her purse like autumn leaves. What she really needed to focus on was underwear. "Um..." She could wear the pair from earlier, true. They were fine. But the velvet dress was unforgiving in a multitude of ways, including showing every miniscule line. "Oh, yar kidding," she whispered to herself.

"Okay in there?"

"I'm fine!" She tossed the satin and lace ball onto the bathroom counter in a huff. It would have to be no underwear, then. At all. Ridiculous. Hair then. Quickly pinned into a soft bun. A little mascara. Touch of powder. Pinched cheeks. A sleek of pink lipstick. She sat on the closed toilet to fasten herself into the complicated shoes. Smoothing the blue debacle over her hips she stepped back from the vanity mirror and turned to the full length one behind the door.

"Oh." She blinked. That was not at all what she'd expected. A half turn and a full smile began to form. Not bad at all.

The heavy folds of velvet hid any effects going braless might create and framed her back nicely. The long sleeves contrasted her bare legs. She gave a test walk. Lovely flow. Feeling herself now, she took a deep breath, and opened the bathroom door.

Kit was waiting. In fact, he'd turned the wingback to face the bathroom. She gave him a full turn. "Ta da," softly - still a bit self-consciously. He didn't say anything and she felt herself growing warm under his scrutiny. He licked his lips, brought fingers to steeple against them. "Well?" She couldn't wait anymore.

"Mm." He grunted.

"Is that a good mm or a bad mm?"

Finally he stood, walked toward her. Circled her, in fact, taking a rather close look. "That is a very...very...good mm, Jude."

Her heart fluttered and her throat tightened. "Thank you."

"We should leave. Now." He opened the door. "After you, madam."

In the hall, she took his arm. "I'm excited, Kit."

"Yeah, me too, sister." He chuckled.

The elevator stopped at the 12th floor, the 9th, and the 6th. At each floor, they gained a passenger or two. Kit was amused to see every male eye on his companion. Not at all surprising although she seemed completely oblivious. The female eyes were also amusing; he couldn't decide if it was envy or desire reflected there. Possibly both?

At the ground floor, they departed to the left. Jude's heels clicked delicately on the marble. "If I'd known how much attention that dress was gonna get I might have picked a different one."

"Awww." She frowned playfully. "Maybe a longah one?"

"Maybe a fuckin' habit." She laughed freely, leaning on him. He liked it. The restaurant - The Dauphine - was as gilded as the front of the Parker House. A maitre 'd stepped from his podium to greet them.

"Good evening. Have you reservations?"

"We have," Kit supplied. "Under Walker."

"Mr. Walker." The lanky gent was prepared. "Please follow me."

Inside, more candlelight. In fact it was so dim, the couple had to stay as close to their guide as possible. He led them to a table near a bank of windows. "A view of the square, as requested, sir. Madam?" Smoothly, he seated Jude, who was already distracted by the Christmas tree outside.

"Shall I bring a wine list?"

"Please." A bow and he was off. "You like it?"

She finally looked from the tree to his face. "It's beautiful, Kit. All of it. Everything." She felt the tears threatening and blinked them back. "The lights are so pretty. And this hotel."

"You know what I think is the prettiest part?"

"What?"

"You." He took her hand on the table. "Judy, you're fuckin' deadly in that dress. Honestly. You um..." He shook his head, lost words.

"It makes me feel beautiful," she confessed quietly. "You have made me feel...better than I've ever felt in my life, I think. Kit. You know, I could still be dying tomorrow and I would feel like I'd lived aftah tonight."

"Well, I'm glad you feel that way because I'm on the fence about the menu here." They giggled.

The maitre 'd was back, like a ghost in his white suit. Swift and silent, he dropped a paper on the table and a crystal bowl of glossy rolls. Then he was gone again.

"Jesus. Even the bread is pretty here." Jude picked up a roll. She pulled it apart and offered Kit half. "Hm?"

They chewed quietly, Kit perusing the wine list. "Can't pronounce half this shit. You uh - you want blanc or rouge?"

Jude shrugged. "It's all grape juice either way."

"True. I think the blanc will match your dress." He flipped the paper. "This one says it's from the south of France and pairs well with cheese."

"I love cheese."

The waiter appeared, nearly as ghostly as the maitre 'd. "I hope you're both having a pleasant evening. I'm Frederich, and I'll be seeing to your needs this evening."

"All of my needs?" Jude asked, surprised. Kit snorted into his elbow.

"Um..." Frederich floundered. Jude saved him.

"Can we have one of these southern French wines, Fred? Which one Kit?"

"This um - Chateau Deauville, I think."

"An excellent choice." Frederich was jotting.

"Good job, Kit," Jude congratulated him.

"Thanks!"

"A list of hors d'oeuvres we are offering this evening." Frederich handed the list over his elbow as if it was up for auction at Sotheby's. "I shall return momentarily with your wine."

"Jude, you want some of these little fancy foods?" He shared the list. "Fromage. I think that's cheese."

Jude shook her head. "I don't trust it if I can't pronounce it properly. Besides, I'm getting a little worried that this place can't afford to pay their light bill."

Kit tried to hide his laughter behind his hand. "You think we're about to get fleeced?"

"To say the least. Oh, shit. Here comes Frederich."

Frederich poured their wine. "Any hors d'oeuvres for you?"

"No, thanks Fred." Jude leaned toward the waiter. "What's um...what's for dinnah?"

"To begin, a soupe de poissons or salade de chèvre chaude, with tomates farcies. Gigot d'agneau or lamb is a main offering, with potatoes de provence and artichoke. Or there is braised duck breast with an onion souffle. There are green beans with almond, as well."

The couple stared at him, eyes as glazed as the rolls. "So...is that um-"

"I'll have the duck," Jude smiled. "With the soup to start. And he'll have the lamb with a salad."

"Beautiful." Frederich was jotting. "Enjoy your wine. I shall return soon with your meals."

"Thanks for taking over there, Jude. I was feeling a little overwhelmed."

"Ya got the food panic."

"You saw it!" They laughed as easily as if they were at the dinner table at home. Joking about the crowds walking by, the unpronounceable menu, the bald guy four tables over. Suddenly, Kit sobered. "This makes me miss the kids."

"Were they upset we weren't coming home?"

He scoffed. "Hell no. They weren't even there. They'd gone with Mr. Whaley and their brood to a carnival. Having a blast without us."

"I hope they have fun." Jude sipped her wine. "Oh, that's really nice."

"Yeah?" He sipped, too. "Aw, damn. Yeah, that's good."

"Kit. I have to ask ya..."

"What?" He sat back, studying her in the candlelight.

"Well, it's not that I'm being prudish or...I don't know. I was just curious how you planned for us to sleep tonight?"

"Hmmm." He made a show of thinking, really considering her quandary. He leaned on the table, gestured for her to do the same. "Did you think you were gonna be sleeping tonight, Judy?"

She froze, a hot flush creeping up her neck and face. Her mouth opened, but no sound emerged. She really had nothing for that, and that meant it was time for dinner to arrive. She was grateful for the timing, but completely flustered for the remainder of the meal.

And Kit enjoyed the hell out of it. "Wanna taste my chops?" He asked, offering his fork.

"Mm." She accepted the bite. "That's amazing! Here, try this souffle."

He waved off the souffle. "I'd rather get my lips around your tender breast. Come on. Let's have a bite."

Jude cleared her throat. His teasing was discomfiting her just enough to keep her pink. "Here. It's good."

"Everything is good." Kit enthused. "I can't wait for dessert." Jude paused mid-chew and Kit grinned. "That wasn't innuendo. I'm really excited about the desert." She smiled, relieved. "I mean sex, too, but...sweets first." She stared at her plate.

Desert came on a cart. Frederich wheeled it over like a drug pusher and Kit rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Alright, then, Freddy. Show me your wares!" Jude watched, chuckling as Kit struggled with decisions until he absolutely couldn't. "You know what? If we don't eat it down here, we'll just take it to our room. Right, Freddy?" The long-suffering waiter agreed. "Cool, cool. In that case we'll take one of those, that chocolate thing, the lemon thing, and one of those caramel doo-dads. Sound good, Jude?"

"Sounds outrageous. May we have a coffee?"

Frederich brought a whole silver service of coffee. Deftly he served them in elaborate china cups while delivering the check in its neat leather portfolio. Kit waited until the ghost waiter left to check the damages.

"When they put it in its own leather bound book like that you know it's bad." Jude winced. "Are we gonna take out a second mortgage?"

"Nope." Kit slipped some cash into the folder. "If we hurry we can be gone by the time he realizes most of that is Monopoly money." They laughed. "Jude. I've had a ball with you tonight and the night is still young. You wanna hit that strip club? I bet Ginger's set is about to start."

Another full musical laugh. "Ginger can start without me. I've had fun, too. And everything was delicious." She patted his coffee-warmed hand. "I don't know how ta thank ya, Kit."

"I'm sure I could think of something." She swallowed. He drained his cup. "Let's go, Jude."

She took his arm again on the way to the elevator. Leaned her head against his shoulder. The stares were back in the full elevator, and Kit smirked through them. "You know," he murmured into her curls. "We could go for a walk if you like. Check out all the lights."

The elevator stopped at 6 and a couple left. "Mmm. That sounds lovely, but...I think I have to refuse."

The elevator stopped at 7 and a man slipped out. "Why not?"

The elevator stopped at 8. Another couple. "I might get too cold."

The elevator stopped at 9. Two ladies disembarked. "We got our coats."

Only one couple remained. Jude leaned up to whisper in Kit's ear. "I couldn't wear panties undah this dress."

Kit's nostrils flared. He turned slightly, lips close to hers. "You for real?"

The elevator stopped at 11. Jude nodded as the last couple walked past them. The doors slid closed and Kit's lips slid to hers. "Mmmm," they moaned into the kiss and his hands smoothed down her hips. Fingertips slipped into the dress slits and up, testing flesh until he knew the truth. "Oh, shit you are for real. " He broke the kiss and Jude took hold of his hands when the elevator stopped.

She was shivering on the way to their room - not from the cold. Kit opened the door, holding her hand when they entered as if he feared she might bolt. She let him tug her close. The second kiss deepened, Kit growling when he had to pull away. He pressed his forehead to hers. "I have to pee," he whispered.

"Me, too," she whispered back, smiling.

"Ladies first." He gestured her past.

By the time Kit left the bathroom, shedding his oxford, Jude was standing in front of the window again. He could see the curve of her smile in the twinkling lights from below. Could tell from her hugged arms that she was uncertain again, self-conscious.

"It's a beautiful view."

He sat on the foot of the bed, removing his shoes. "I agree." He was staring at her.

"Kit?" She looked so small there, outlined by the picture window and backlit with holiday lights and Boston skyline.

"What, Jude?"

She turned from the window to face him. "What are we doin' here?"

"Stayin' the night," he smiled.

"With one bed?"

He flopped back onto said bed. "You think I snore?"

She scoffed. "I don't know what to think."

"Jude."

"What?"

"Yer not a stupid woman."

"Of course not!" She crossed her arms.

"We were kissin' like teenagers two minutes ago.That dress is killin' me."

"Kit-"

"Ya know? When I thought you were dying, I tried to shut it down. Tired to make myself forget it or ignore it."

"What 'it,' Kit? What are you talkin' about?"

"Whatever it is that makes me want you." He sat up again. "We're both adults, Jude."

"Kit. Yar crazy." She was pacing, no real place to go.

"It's up to you, Judy." He slapped his knees and stood, untucking his tee. His belt popped when he sleeked it out of its loops and Jude jumped.

"What are you doing?" She hissed, still not fully accepting that this might happen.

"I'm gonna get naked and get in these fancy ass sheets. And if you wanna join me, you can take that dress off right there in front of that window, so I can see the lights on yar pretty skin."She stared at him, chewing her bottom lip. "I promise ya I'll get ya well laid, Jude." The bedding flourished when he pulled it. Throw pillows were thrown. When he removed his tighty whities, she half turned away.

But only half.

And she peeked through her fingers.

He was hard. Very hard. And generously sized. Jude swallowed. "God, Kit..."

He bounced into the bed. "Comfy." Patted the place beside him. "Come on, Jude. Time to start livin.'"

Her eyes watered. "Kit. I'm -"

"Fuckin' gorgeous." He gestured to the window. "We covered all this at dinner, Judy. I'm tired of talkin.' I'm ready to prove all the shit I said was true. Come on."

She hesitated, fingers toyed with a dress sleeve - not quite pulling it down. "What if -"

"What if we make a deal? Huh?" He fluffed four pillows behind his head, preparing to supervise. "If I get you wet in five minutes, we sin for the rest of the night. Sound like a fair shake?"

Her face softened. It read mild disbelief but acceptance. A wry grin. She stepped further in front of the window. "Hell, I'm already wet, Kit. Here?"

He licked his lips. "There is good, yeah." Finally, she tugged a sleeve down her shoulder, baring skin. "Face me," he murmured. A half turn. She slid the other sleeve down until her bare breasts were revealed. Kit grunted. "Damn, Judy..." She had no choice but to hip shake. The dress clung, heavy velvet caressing her thighs as it fell. She stepped out of the velvet pool gingerly, looked at his face for the first time since her unveiling. "Nothin' to be shy about," Kit whispered. "Take your hair down."

She released the golden curls, dropping bobby pins on the windowsill behind her. "Perfect," he breathed. "C'mere." But she bent slightly, raising a foot to remove her shoes. Her nipples were hard and sensitive in the window's chill. A peek beneath curls and she gasped. Kit was fisting his erection slowly. "Judy, stop. I said c'mere."

She lowered the leg and stepped toward the bed. Kit sat up, scooched to the edge. He gestured for her to come closer and she stepped forward. He wasn't shy at all. Cupped one firm buttcheek to maneuver her and slid his fingers up her inner thigh.

"Shit!" She lunged, catching hold of his shoulders to steady.

"Jude." His fingers lingered on the periphery of her soft trim fur. "You'd tell me to stop if -"

"Don't stop." She bent her head and he caught her lips in a kiss as his finger slid quick from dripping slit to swollen clit and she gasped in his mouth. She nipped his lip, thrusting for more contact and Kit tossed her to the bed.

"Yeah, you're wet as a mermaid. Judy?"

"Yeah?" She was practically seated in the pillows.

"All I could think about when I bought those shoes was fucking you in 'em."

"Really?" She draped her arms over his shoulders, reality starting to set in. "Kit, you really want me? This way?"

He paused over her. Took her jaw in one hand. "I wonder if you'll believe me when I'm buried up to my balls inside you?" Her eyes widened, mouth opened to respond, but his thumb silenced her. "Let's find out."

It was slow going. Torturous slow going. The temptation to take her was incredible - to pound her into the bedding. But she gasped and tensed and whined so sweetly he restrained himself, frequently kissing her, barely breaking eye contact. "You feel so good, Judy."

"Like you imagined?" She whispered, shaking.

"Mmm. Bettah." Reaching the edge of control, he nudged her thighs, encouraging them up. "I just need ya to spread these pretty legs a little wider for me, kay?" She nodded, breath catching when he hooked her knees over his elbows. "That's bettah." He slid a little deeper and she arched. "Hurtin' you?"

Her eyes clenched tightly. "It's fine." The burn would pass, she knew. Would soon translate to a thrumming delight.

"Believin' I want you yet?" A little deeper...

"God! Yes!" She cried. She adjusted on her own this time, relaxing her thighs, opening further for her young lover, calling him home. "Oh, Kit!"

The shift was instantaneous. His hips flushed against hers and she jolted against him. The heels of her diabolical shoes poked his fleshy ass. It felt incredible. He set up a long, rhythmic thrust, drawing almost completely out of her before plunging slowly back in. Jude gasped and panted, rolled against him, seeking that deeper pleasure. Kit noticed. "Not quite?"

She shook her head. "It's good, Kit." They were sweating.

"Don't lie to me, Judy. You're gonna come tonight. A lot. Hear me?"

And maybe it was his voice, the salacious things he was saying, but yes something was zinging a suspicious curl of fire in the base of her spine and it was threatening to spill. "Yes, Kit."

"Hold on," he said, gripping her suddenly. She squealed when he rolled them. "There we go." He took her hands, helped her settle in the saddle. "Good girl." He stroked up her ribs, cupped her swaying breasts. "I wanna watch you ride for a while."

"Fuck yes, baby." She leaned back on the leg he raised. Rare, that a man would let her have this position. Rare for one to give up control that way. But Kit was just that, she supposed: rare. She gripped his knee behind her and found a lunge that worked, moaned. "That's it, Kit. Oh!" Kit grinned, watching the rapture unfold on her face as he pinched her clit. "Shit. I think I'm..."

"Are ya?" He asked. She was. And she did, stilling his hand against her mons when the touch became too much. She shuddered through a prolonged orgasm. "Pretty," he bit out. Jude groaned, catching her breath. Her muscles relaxed and unstitched one by one. But she didn't get a moment to relax before Kit was rolling them again.

She was lax now, satisfied to hold on while he took her hard. He grunted with every thrust, intently watching her face. "Fuck, Jude thisfeelssogoodshitI'm -" A guttural growl into her neck as he pumped everything into her.

He peppered her neck with soft kisses as they both caught their breath. She curled her fingers in his hair, caressing. "Mmm. That was nice, Kit."

"Nice?" He looked at her, grinning like an absolute idiot. "That was um...religious."

She laughed. "An epiphany."

"I saw angels and shit."

"Four horsemen?"

"Maybe five." He rolled to the side, cupping her against him. "Oh, Jesus. D'you know how much better I feel now?"

Jude was fussing with the shoes still on her feet. "So if I'd died - hypothetically - would you -"

"I woulda regretted the rest of my days never having fucked the hell out of you."

"I don't know if I should be flattered or mortified."

"Doesn't feel that much different does it?"

She stretched, kicking the last shoe off the bed. It clung to the duvet. "What do you mean?"

"This. Us. Now." He gestured to them in the bed. "Kinda just feels...normal."

She thought a moment. "Hmm. I guess. If normal is stuck to a man twenty years younger than you with a sore vagina."

"Aww. Is it really sore?"

"It will be." A kiss on his shoulder. "But I don't care. I have a feeling the rest of me will be sore by morning."

"I like ta be thorough."

"Of course."

"How about..." He sat up, pulling her with him. "We have a soak in that big ass tub together. Then I'll worship your body like a moon goddess while I dry you off. And we'll get back in the bed, and I'll kiss your sore vagina."

She considered. "Sounds like you have the cure for what ails me."

He rolled out of bed. Pulled her to her feet. "Come on, Christmas miracle."

The bathroom doors closed behind them. The colorful lights outside cast dancing designs on the walls of the hotel room. A strappy blue heel finally fell off the end of the bed.