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"Wait, are you being serious right now?" Lockwood inquired, almost spitting out his tea, his tone on the verge of offended. A form of shock. "Are you mad?!"
Whomever said he could be an actor wasn't wrong. Because damn he could have. Lucy could swear he was born for the stage.
"Yes. I'm very mad for the fact that I've never been on the London Eye. This is a huge emergency that must be fixed right now." Lucy rolled her eyes. "Who cares about cleaning up the problem when Lucy Joan Carlyle has never been on the London Eye?"
It was supposed to be another normal day, as normal as possible. After the raid led by the Winkman's and Rupert Gale. After finding out the truth behind the Problem. After the end of the Fittes legacy and the Fittes building. After…everything. It was time for new beginnings and time to heal. Things would never go back to normal, but as normal as possible.
The inhabitants of 35 Portland Row found themselves especially struggling to heal but working through everything that happened within the past few weeks. The breakfast was the same as always, even in the middle of the half broken but slowly improving kitchen. It was the heart of Lockwood & Co.
Holly and George teamed up that specific morning to make a full at home buffet for pancakes. A rare, almost never to have happened before experience at Lockwood and Co. So of course everyone was taking advantage of it. Including Kipps, Flo and Holly's girlfriend, Clara. It was a full house, but full of laughter. Lucy could truly never ask for anything better. These were the moments she dreamed about having years ago. The reality of the situation was so much better though.
"Holly do we have any plans tonight or tomorrow?" Lockwood suddenly asked, derailing his conversation with Lucy, leaving the latter quite confused. His gaze never leaving Lucy's. She was giving him a look, an eyebrow raised, all while he was looking at her like she put the stars in sky.
"Um, not that I can think of. Why?" Holly replied, moving away from her girlfriend's embrace and grabbing the infamous Lockwood and Co. notebook full of the current week's schedule. Ran and updated by Holly Monro, of course. The best assistant any agency could ever ask for.
"Perfect. We're taking two days off to rest and recuperate." Lockwood declared, much to everyone's relief. Lucy could see how relaxed the crew felt, hanging out and just able to rest knowing they didn't have a fight to deal with.
"We all know the real reason for this break is for you to take Lucy to the London Eye." Flo joined in, raising her eyebrows and then laughed at Lockwood's guilty facial expression. "You aren't as smooth as you think you are, Locky."
"You know I can take away this break, Flo. That means you won't have much time with George. You know I won't hesitate." Lockwood shrugged.
"He also won't buy you anymore licorice either for the next month. George will also be banned from buying you any." Lucy interjected, joining in on her boyfriend's teasing. She'd normally not take Lockwood's side, but she found this cute. "Although Lockwood, Flo is right. You really aren't as smooth as you think. I can see right through you."
"She can read you like a magazine, Lockwood." Kipps' shrugged, very monotone and serious, something that caused everyone to burst out into laughter.
Soon enough Lucy felt someone wrap their hands around her shoulders and figure, giving her one comforting squeeze. She enjoyed and found peace in the embrace, knowing it was obviously Lockwood. He smelled a bit like honey and sandalwood, a dangerous but comforting scent in her opinion. Resting her head on his shoulder, she found herself getting comfortable near his chest.
"Hi, Lockwood." Lucy smiled, looking up at his face and watching him gaze at her face softly. His smile was bright, and he was looking at her as if she was the only girl in the entire world. If you asked her years ago if she'd have ever expected to get this lucky and be with Lockwood she would've said no way.
And yet, somehow she got lucky enough to find Lockwood. A reckless but hollow boy who only needed love after losing all his family. He found himself finding comfort in Lucy though, one thing he thought he forever had lost. After years of the same thing, repress, repress, repress, he found her. He could've died multiple times in his life but with some luck he didn't. Fate led them to each other and that wasn't some funny consequence. It was a sign. Lost souls always find the better half.
"Hello, Luce." Lockwood smoothly replied, her nickname smoothly rolling out of his mouth, his voice still a little bit husky from sleep. "I see you still have the necklace."
"Of course, I do. I love it." Lucy smiled again, somehow she always found herself smiling when around him. Weird. "I hardly ever take it off, except for showers, jobs and sleep. Otherwise, I'm wearing it."
Undying Love and Devotion. Lockwood had said. What Donald gave to Ceila Lockwood when they were young and in love.
Lucy couldn't help but wonder if she and Lockwood were the young Donald and Ceila? If their love story mirrored the romance of Lockwood's parents. Honestly though, she didn't mind that. She actually loved that factor. And the feeling of being loved felt…right.
Lucy never knew what love was. She did know that love was not being hit or having empty beer bottles thrown at her. Being used for money at a young age. Love was not what she grew up with. Love was what Lockwood had. The thing Lucy didn't receive until Norrie and then after Norrie, she had Lockwood & George.
"I'm glad, I thought you'd…like it." Lockwood shrugged, his tone happy and light. "So ok, anyway, how about this? Me, you, and the London Eye? Just the two of us?"
"Like a date?" Lucy inquired, raising an eyebrow, making things harder on Lockwood, all on purpose though. Of course she was.
"Yes, a date. Not like a date. But a date, an actual real date."
"You know," Lucy started, shifting her face closer to Lockwood's, "I quite love that idea."
"You better, I spent a bloody few minutes thinking about this idea."
———
Lucy logically knew that riding in the back of a cab with Lockwood on the way to the London Eye might not have been the best first date location. It was perfect to her though. She never liked those posh fancy restaurants. She liked exploring, doing new things and just being around Lockwood.
They should've gone on a date weeks ago, but Portland Row wadl recovering, they were recovering. They were in the midst of the healing process. Finding out everything they knew was a lie had a huge effect on everyone. They trusted Penelope and yet…she was all a lie. Fittes was a lie. They were never the heroes. Maybe in their own bloody mad fucked up story, but not realistically.
"Did I ever tell you that I used to do this all the time with my family growing up?" Lockwood suddenly said, clearing the silence that had lingered in the cab.
"You did?" Lucy inquired, trying to get him to say more. To spill a little bit of his childhood. Sure she only got fragments, but those fragments would someday come together to form a full story. She just had to wait, and one day all will be worth it.
"I did." Lockwood confirmed. "Everytime my parents got home from another one of their research trips they'd take Jessica and me to the Eye. It started right when the Eye was opened. We'd get in our Pod and just relax looking at the wondrous views of London. Afterwards, we'd go to a nearby café, get some tea and just talk."
"That sounds like it was really fun." Lucy said, grabbing one of Lockwood's hands and interlocking it between her hands. "I'm glad you got to experience that."
"I can't wait for you to experience it, Luce. It's life changing really." Lockwood added. He was truly at peace, she could tell. Although there was a hint of sadness in Lockwood's tone. A bit of reminiscence and some regret. He really missed his family, she could tell. She knew his regrets.
"Can't wait." Lucy smiled, straightening her shoulders so Lockwood could rest his head against her, she could tell he wanted to. "You can lay on my shoulder you know, if you want to get closer, go ahead. I'm here, I'm here to stay."
He squeezed her hand harder, but didn't move his head. She didn't mind though, hand holding was their thing. Kept them grounded, and made each other feel safe. Lucy wasn't sure when exactly the hand holding started, but she was beyond glad it did. His hands fit perfectly when intertwined with her's. "I know, I trust you, Luce."
Trust. Trust was a fragile thing, hard to get, easy to break. What did she even do to deserve that trust she'd wonder. Obviously, she trusted Lockwood. But why trust her? She knew she loved him but…what if. What if she became that region of terror who she called her mum.
Lucy just smiled back, not saying anything. Just jumping off that cliff into silence. Not that weird kind, the one with the metaphorical crickets. But instead that comforting quiet. The one where nothing needs to be said. So she took advantage of that, looking out the left side window in the cab. Her hand was still wrapped around in Lockwood's hand, giving him a squeeze but continuing to hold them.
Love was how Lockwood treated her, Lucy realized. Romance was never just a made up fantasy like she used to think. Romance wasn't just that dream the best of the best receive and the non deservers suffer without.
———
The wait was hell and a half, ok maybe not hell exactly-she'd be to a technical hell, but this was pretty damn close. Lucy found the line to be a huge waste of time. She'd admit the Eye was extraordinary. A huge ferris wheel but with Pods. The pods would go up and down in one circular motion all while getting the best view of the tourist side of London.
"The wait is bad I know, but it'll all be worth it. I promise." Lockwood said, knowing exactly how that'd make her feel. He was trying to get Lucy all hyped up. Although she had the opposite reaction. She could feel her stomach twisting in some sort of anxiousness. It seemingly came to her for no reason, and she wasn't scared. Ok maybe the Eye was a bit scary for its size. But she's done worse, if she can survive any cases, she sure as well can survive the Eye. Plus she was with Lockwood, maybe it'd be a fun experience.
"I believe you." Lucy replied simply, trying to glance at her boyfriend, whose body was shining in the light. He really did represent the light, all things shining in the light. Grabbing his hand, she gave him a small smile, which he returned ten folded. It was her smile, she realized while she felt a light red blushing creeping on her cheeks, her heart racing. Lockwood had many smiles. His I-didn't-do-anything smile and his I'm-the-leader-of-this-agency smile, to name a few.
Lockwood then moved closer to her, almost embracing her in a hug but went and gave her forehead a light kiss, his lips softly and reassuringly comfortable. "I'm glad we're doing this."
"Ye- yeah," Lucy replied, her tone casual. Well atleast she was trying to be casual. "Maybe we could make this a tradition?" She suggested. "I know I'm not your parents or Jessica, but…I just thought. You know what, nevermind."
"Luce, stop." Lockwood began, going to give her another quick forehead kiss. "I'd love that. You are Lucy fucking Carlyle, my bloody girlfriend and I love you. It's perfect, just us doing this."
"I love you too." She smiled again, even harder though this time, and her heart racing 10 times larger. Charmer.
"Are you ready? We're on the next pod." Lockwood said, his tone getting more excited, animated. It was that voice young kids have, this childish excitement, but it wasn't childish. Lucy loved his excitement, glad she was here with him. This was one thing that must've meant alot to him, and now she was here with him, sharing the tradition. It was cute, he was cute, she'd admit. The way he just hung onto her in the mornings whispering for only five more minutes, on repeat knowing she'd never refuse him. The way that after missions he'd go hug her, harder. And on the days one of them was especially reckless it became harder to pull away.
Lucy never believed she'd find love, that she'd find Lockwood. Yet, she did. And she knew she'd never let him go without a fight. He was an arsehole, but her arsehole. She loved him. Really loved him.
"Yeah, I am." Lucy said, content and happy.
Before they knew it, they both stood inside the Pod, waiting for it to go up. Lucy & Lockwood found themselves clustered around with about 28 other people, but it felt like they were the only ones there. She loved it so much.
The view surrounding the red painted pod's windows was breathtaking. She could literally feel that ghost-lock, the freeze creeping up on her. She couldn't do anything but stare both in awe and shock. How could a place so haunted by ghosts also be so magnificent? It didn't feel real. Was this London back before the problem? How long until they could restore London back to its former glory?
"This is beautiful, Lockwood." Lucy said, grabbing her boyfriend's hand. Lockwood, the boy in question, just laughed a little bit. More of a chuckle really, but she didn't care. What even was the difference between a laugh and a chuckle? There really wasn't one, in her opinion.
"It really is. Although I think I have the best view." Lockwood replied, placing his free hand in her hair, moving a big strand right behind her ears. Again, he was a charmer. She knew that about him, always trying to flirt and impress others. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. But she knew he was loyal, he'd never cheat. He just wanted his way after all.
Lucy rolled her eyes jokingly, her expression becoming softer. "Wow. How original."
"It was something my dad taught me, said it always worked on my mom. Thought it might work on you, guess not." Lockwood shrugged, before Lucy went in attacking him with a hug.
"It worked alright, you simp." Lucy shrugged, going back to admiring London all the way from above, right now they were looking around towards the London Bridge. Although she never escaped free from the hug.
"I'm your simp, though." Lockwood corrected before laughing. Of course, that arse. Of all things he had to say. "You realize I could watch you for hours and never get bored."
———
"So what did you think?" Lockwood asked when they got to the restaurant near the Thames. Apparently this was the place Lockwood and his family used to go after their trips on the Eye.
The place was called Jonathan's, a cozy and comfortable establishment overlooking the Thames, which laid on the left side with a road simply there as a way to keep people from falling in. No wonder the Lockwood's loved the place, it was simply relaxing inside. There was nothing extravagant about the restaurant, but light chatter could be heard around the room. Lucy automatically knew this was her type of place.
Although, with Lockwood there the place was so much better. Lucy would admit that.
"It was fun, I really loved it." She opted for the reply, giving him a light smile before taking a sip of her tea, with the perfect amount of 4 tablespoons of sugar, making the tea exactly right. She loved the amount of sweetness and the honey in the tea, it was the perfect ratio. Sweet and a bit overly sugary but the Earl Gray had the best favour. "I'm glad you took me out to do this."
"I am as well, Luce. I'm so insanely proud of myself for taking you here. And just getting to be with you once again, all alone and away from ghosts. This reminds me how I feel, how happy I am we're both here together. So thank you. Thank you for giving me that happiness I didn't know I deserved after Jess…"
"Of course, Lockwood. Look at me," Lucy said, trying to get his attention and out of that regret spiral. "It wasn't your fault. You were a kid and wanted to play, you didn't think that would happen. Don't blame yourself, please." She didn't want to say it, but her heart ached for Lockwood, having to deal with ghost lock like she did. Lockwood went through so much, she knew. It made her sad, really. Oh the things she'd do to fight his ghosts and change his past. Yet she couldn't, but she had Lockwood now. A reckless daft idiot, but he meant everything to her.
"I love you, Luce." Lockwood replied, looking her straight in the eyes. "I love you, I always have and always will. I'm so glad to say I've found you and the fact that I can brag to literally everyone that you're my girlfriend. The fact that you've always been here."
"I love you too, Lockwood. You know this by now. I love you, so so so much. Sometimes I feel crazy, but I'm glad you're here. Now, are you ready to head home?" Lucy inquired, taking the last sip of her tea and paying that check they received using the company credit card.
"I am." Lockwood answered getting up and off the bed before offering a hand, so he could pull her up. She accepted gracefully and let him pull her up before she lightly shoved him away.
"Ok, let's go." Lucy replied afterwards, grabbing Lockwood's hand while leaving the establishment.
They were back on their way home. 35 Portland Row, the one place that forever changed both of their lives in the best way.