This is the final chapter of Going Out. I have really enjoyed writing it, and I hope you have enjoyed reading it. I've started another couple of stories so I'll be working on them for the time being and hopefully publish something very soon.

Back at the hotel

Several hours later...

Lee was playing with Lucys hair, gently twirling a lock of it around his finger as she rested her head on his chest.

They were both exhausted, their skin flushed and covered in perspiration, their breathing still slowing down.

"Lee?", Lucy whispered, sounding somewhat sleepy but sated and content.

"Hmmm?"

"Do you think it will always be like this, with us?".

"How do you mean?"

"I mean, the not being able to get enough of each other, physically".

"I hope so".

"I've never wanted anyone as much as I want you, you know. It almost scares me how much I want you".

"Me neither, I'm completely addicted to you Luce. I mean, by all accounts a man of my age shouldn't even be able to manage sex this many times in one day. I should be worn out, but somehow you keep me going".

"You've got impressive stamina for a man who's nearly Forty I'll give you that. It must be all the exercise you're doing with me".

"Not so much of the nearly Forty thank you, I prefer to say I'm in my Thirties. It sounds younger".

Lee let go of Lucy's hair and she moved then, planting a brief kiss on his chest before settling at his side, entwining her fingers with his.

"Forty isn't old, I went out with a man in his Fifties remember".

Lee turned onto his side to face her. The reference to Guy made him feel slightly uncomfortable all of a sudden.

"Yes, I remember, though I'd rather not be reminded of that smarmy git. God, I hated him".

"I know you did, you made that very clear. You were right though, he was an absolute arsehole. I don't know what I ever saw in him".

"I do, you told me enough times when you were dating him. You told me he was charming, that he was an excellent lover".

"Yeah, well, I thought he was at the time, but that was before I'd...been with you".

"Am I a better lover than Guy then?"

Lucy turned to look at Lee then. She had assumed he was just fishing for compliments but noticed he looked serious for once.

"Of course you are! Lee, why are you even having to ask me that? Do I detect a hint of insecurity?"

"I dunno. It's mainly curiosity I suppose, though maybe there's s bit of insecurity".

"Why?"

"Sorry, I can't help it. Guy was handsome, suave and sophisticated, and I'm never going to be any of those things. And he was probably a far more experienced lover than me".

Lucy sat up in bed then, and Lee followed suit. She thought for a few moments, then spoke,

"Right, listen to me. Firstly, you are handsome, you know how much I fancy you. Not only that, you're charming, sexy, caring and romantic. Maybe even more importantly, you're fun to be with, and you have a sense of humour. In all the time I was with Guy I hardly ever saw him laugh you know, and I'm not sure he ever made me laugh. I used to spend time with him sometimes, maybe something would amuse me, then I'd look at him and he'd be stoney faced, not even cracking a smile. At those times I'd find myself thinking about you, about how if I'd been with you we would've been laughing together. Sometimes I'd come back to the flat after spending the day with him and immediately my mood would pick up. I'd see you and feel happier and more relaxed straight away. I couldn't really be myself with him".

"I never knew you felt that way. If I'd realised how unhappy you were with him I'd have tried to intervene sooner".

"Yeah, well I probably wouldn't have listened to you, you know how stubborn I am. You see, Guy may have been suave and sophisticated but he was also boring, not to mention controlling. He tried to tell me what to wear, what to eat, what stuff I should like doing. He wasn't always that nice to me, and I never felt comfortable with what he did for a living. And, he may have been more experienced in the bedroom but he could learn a thing of two from you believe me".

"Oh, okay. Look Luce, I'm...".

Lucy could hear the relief in Lee's voice. He felt guilty now, guilty for asking questions about Guy and making Lucy dig up obviously painful memories. She interrupted,

"I never loved him you know, I was infatuated maybe, but I never loved him. I do, however, love you. So, can we please stop talking about Guy now, he's threatening to spoil what's been a perfect day".

"Yes, and I'm sorry for making you talk about him. It's just that sometimes I still find it incredible that you want to be with me, I mean...I'm not stupid, I know I'm punching way above my weight here. You're by far a better person than me in every conceivable way so I just worry occasionally that you're going to come to your senses and..."

Lee was unable to finsish his sentence, as his words were cut off by Lucy, silencing him with a kiss, her lips soft yet insistent against his. She felt him smile against her mouth then respond, opening his mouth to hers and deepening the kiss. Some time passed before they broke the kiss, and for a few moments they could only stare into each other's eyes, trying to catch their breaths.

"You're wrong you know, you are stupid", Lucy whispered.

"Oh, thanks! I admire your honesty but you didn't have to be quite so blunt. I've got feelings you know".

Lucy could hear a playfulness in Lee's voice now. Thank God he realised she wasn't really insulting him. She observed a look of mock affront on his face.

"You are stupid, for still believing you're not good enough for me, even after all this time and everything that's happened between us. I need you to get your head around the fact that you are good enough, once and for all. I love you, and I'm going to marry you.. I know it's natural to have insecurities...everyone has them but know this...you are all I've ever wanted and will ever want, so I'm not going anywhere, you're stuck with me for life I'm afraid".

Something changed for Lee at that moment, as he listened to Lucy's speech, her words, so heartfelt and powerful, finally extinguishing the nagging doubts and insecurities that had refused to leave him until now. He tried his best to fight back the tears, but he was overcome with emotion, bursting with happiness. He loved Lucy so much it hurt, and it had truly sunk in now, that he wasnt dreaming any of this. He was actually going to marry and spend the rest of his life with the woman of his dreams.

"Lee, are you crying? Did I make you cry?"

"No, I'm not crying, there must be something in my eye", Lee choked, not sounding at all convincing.

"Oh, right", Lucy said, chuckling.

She gently wiped his tears away with her thumbs, then wound her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Lee pulled her onto his lap, and held her close as they continued to talk.

"Promise me from now on, well forget about the past, and concentrate on planning a future, our future", Lucy whispered.

"I promise", Lee replied, bending down to kiss the top of Lucy's head.

"Starting with our wedding?"

"You want to start the wedding planning, right now?", Lee asked.

"Not right now, when we get back from our holiday. Right now I think we both need to get some sleep".

"Now, that sounds like a good plan", Lee replied. He could feel the tiredness starting to wash over him, the excertions of the day, emotional and physical, finally getting the better of him.

They lay down on the bed, Lee settling behind Lucy, draping an arm around her waist. She placed her hand on top of his, idly stroking her fingers over it.

"Goodnight Lee", she whispered, but didn't get an answer. Lee was already asleep, softly murmuring in her ear as she drifted off...