Yours are the sweetest eyes, I've ever seen

[docconstantine]

(Marchen, ten years ago, late February)

"My dear, you'll love it, absolutely love it!"  The matron at my side prattles on.  'Not very likely.'  I think to myself as we enter the lobby of a restored theatre.  I look around at the extravagance and shake my head.  So much in this world needs to be rebuilt, fixed.... a theatre seems like such a waste of

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[mistresswanda]

The curtain falls and I nearly slump with relief. The last show of a month long run. Happily, I fly backstage to my dressing room, crowded with too many rose bouquets, peel off the costume and wash off the makeup.

Wanda, we're off to the pub, then to the seaside by train tomorrow! You'll be coming, yes? Analise calls to me as she passes my door with some others from the cast. "Yes! Heavens yes! I need a vacation!" I call to her, hanging out my door, laughing.
Throw on a green silk dress, pin my hair up loosely, touch of make-up....
YES! I'm free! A week of hiding down at the seaside with friends, no obligations--
"Wanda, my dear. Madame Worthington is here to take you to supper. You know Madame Worthington, our patron?" Bernard, the theatre's owner, takes me by the elbow, leading me to the stage door. "No, no, no Bernard! I'm on holiday!" I whisper hotly, dragging my heels. "Please, what have I done to deserve....." Turn on the smile

[docconstantine]

Well, going backstage with no flowers for the leading lady will never do. I leave Madame Worthington and sprint down the street, looking for flowers, any flowers, at this time of night...
in February.
Spot a bouquet on a table in a cafe' throw money on the table, and sprint back to the theatre. Slip in the stage door that was pointed out to me, and see Ms. von SacherMosch is already talking to Madame Worthington, trying to make her excuses, just as I did. I can't help it, I start to laugh, but try to cover it with a cough.
Doesn't work, for the leading lady turns to look----

She has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. Flashing, vibrant green, I could stare into her eyes for hours. She comes over to me, and I can't help but smile. She smiles in return, and I hold out my hand, offering her the only flowers I could find... she probably has a garden in her dressing room, what could a few measly little---
For me? You brought me sunflowers. She says happily, and the warmth of her hand over top mine is like the sun shining

[mistresswanda]

"Would you do Madame Worthington and I the honor of joining us for dinner?"
Wait, what? No. This can't be. I turn to look at Madame Worthington and then back to the young, blond haired vision in front of me. He can't be a doctor. I can't be that lucky---
"I am Doctor Lucien Constantine, at your service." Oh, he bows and kisses my hand, and I blush when I squeeze his fingers back.
"Wanda von SacherMosch, but please, call me Wanda. The rest is such a mouthful, Doctor." I beam at him as he straightens up.
I turn back to Madame Worthington, but I don't let go of Lucien's hand.
"I suppose a late supper won't keep me from leaving tomorrow, now will it. I would be happy to join the both of you, if the invitation still stands."
Of course it does, m'dear. Madame Worthington smiles, gliding foward to take Lucien's arm and to lead him out the door, away from me. He gives me a little shrug over his shoulder and a wink, and I grin. I can see the widow has a soft spot for the young doctor.
Dinner's gonna be a real bitch, ain't it?"

[docconstantine]

Dinner was..... it went just about how I imagined it would. Madame Worthington lording over the table, in between Wanda and I, completely dominating the conversation. Wanda sat there, graciously smiling and answering questions, but her eyes would keep sliding to mine, making my heart skip a beat every time.
Two hours flew by, and Madame Worthington offered to give Wanda a ride home in her carriage. Of course she agreed and too soon we pull up in front of a lovely brownstone. 'Thank you for dinner, I had a lovely evening.' Wanda says, laying a hand on Madame Worthington's before descending the carriage.
"Wait, I'll walk you to the door!" I call out, quickly following and laying a hand at the small of her back as we cross the street and climb the stairs.
"Thank you for making what would have been a miserable evening one of the most enjoyable I've ever had, Wanda." I take her hand again and bring it up to my lips, trying to find the courage to ask to see her again, without the chaperone.
I'm going to go in, change, and make some tea. See

[mistresswanda]

It seems like forever I'm sitting at the window, waiting. Maybe he's not coming back? Maybe he's not as interested as I thought, just being kind for the old woman's sake. I've just about got the curtains knotted between my fingers, when he runs up the steps. I don't even wait for him to knock, I just fling open the door and lead him inside. He sits on the couch next to me, I'm sure he can hear my heart hammering in his chest

[docconstantine]

.........
I sigh and try to stretch out my body, which seems uncommonly cramped up for a regular nights sleep, and I can't because of the weight of the blankets up against me and around my legs and...

wait a minute, I don't remember leaving last night... Open my eyes slowly. Sure enough, I'm still on Wanda's couch, with a lovely redhead stretched out alongside of me, sleeping soundly. We never made it off the couch last night, or out of one anothers arms. We alternated all night between talking and kissing. I remember her propping some pillows up at the end where our heads now lay, and we reclined, stil talking, still kissing

[mistresswanda]

I slowly wake up, aware that I am being held, and that I'm warm and content.
Lucien.
I raise my head and look up into those gorgeous blue eyes.
"Good morning, it seems I crashed on your couch last night, hope you don't mind."
He says so politely and I can't help but grin wider. "I do mind, here I was plotting on having you crash in my bed." I tease, winding my arms around his neck and pulling his lips down to mine.

Another ten minutes pass before we come up for air.