After

                                    

                                          
LUCY
                          
"Lean forward more, you'll have a better vantage point if you do." I instructed Kevin. After I left Lockwood and co. I returned home expecting to start a new life of freelance agent work. But what greeted me instead was a line of parents with there talented children asking if I would train them. I of course was shocked by such but agreed to do so. I have about 11 kids in my morning classes and 7 at night. The morning kids were the beginners. The night kids were the more talented, older set of kids who needed a place to practice. 
                          
"Straighten your shoulders Gina; watch your step Augustus." I yelled across the room. 
                          
"Keep that up Lacey!" I congratulated my youngest trainee. "Keep your elbows in Josh!" I shouted. This was exhausting  
                          
"Miss Lucy?" I heard a boy say from behind. I turn to Tyler and smiled. " yes?" I asked. 
"Im having trouble, could you show me a demonstration of the half lunge?" 
"Of course darling." I said walking over to 
his floating dummy. I unhinged my rapier and showed him in slow motion at first; then I sped it up. He nodded and took my place. 
                          
"Straighten your back" I spoke lightly leaning down to his level. "Keep your arms in a head up. Don't be afraid." He nodded and lunged. I smiled. 
"Amazing job. Keep that up!" I said before beginning to walk once more around my students. 
                          
"Miss Carlyle?" I heard my employee Larry say from behind. I turned around and saw not only Larry but, Lockwood. He smiled. I stared. I soon gained conciseness and smiled before before bringing my fingers to my lips. I let out a shrill whistle and everyone stopped to face me; rapiers at their sides. Everything was quiet. 
                          
"Everyone please make your ways upstairs to the classroom. I will join you in a few. Rack your swords one by one to avoid injury." I said. Everyone followed. "Hey Larry would you mind watching them for a few. There should be a 10 min video on the screen for them." He nodded and left without another word. Then it was jus me and Lockwood. 
                          
"Carlyle."
"Lockwood." 
"Carlyle"
"Lockwood."
"Carlyle." 
"Sponge bob." I smirked.
He laughed. 
"What brings you down this way?" I asked. 
"Wanted to stop in and say hi, its a nice place you got here." He spoke. 
"Thank you." I smiled
"Do you like it?" He asked trying to keep the conversation going. 
"Its... Entertaining." I said shrugging. 
"Its nice to see you again." 
"Same here." 
We lapsed into silence. 
He stared at his shoes while I looked around my studio. 
"Lucy?" Lockwood said finally, breaking the silence. 
"Hmmm?" 
"You know thats not why I came down here right?" 
"Yes."
"May I ask?" 
"You may." 
"Have you thought about rejoining?" He spoke softly. 
"Im not going to lie to you, yes Lockwood. I have. But I can't. I have this business to run and people to teach and with my wedding coming up in a week-"
"You're what!?" He screamed. His voice boomed off the walls. 
"Im getting married Lockwood" 
He flinched. 
"But you haven't even been gone for a year! How can you be marrying someone that quick?" 
"It's an arranged marriage, I don't have a choice." 
Yes it was true. My mother was forcing me to marry an evil man named Percy Halm. Halm; what an ugly last name that will soon be mine. I tried to stop it. Not only because a didn't love the man but I was frightening because of his... wishes. He wants a big family. And in his mind he believes that woman should either be in the kitchen or in labor. I hated him for that. He wanted one think from me and I couldn't stop that. He was three years older than me and I barely knew him.  
"Why didn't you tell me?" Lockwood asked. 
"We need to talk." 

                          
"Wow." He whispered. I pretty much filled him in on everything about the wedding. 
I couldn't stop a tear from running down my face. Lockwood noticed and brushed it away, bringing me into his chest. He held on to me with his strong arms. Oh how I missed this. How I missed him. 
                          
"Who is this!" I heard Percy growl at me. I wiped my head up as Percy rushed to me. He shoved Lockwood away and looked at my tear stained face 
"What did you say?!" He screamed at Lockwood
"I did nothing to her!" He yelled back. 
"Then why is she crying?" 
"Because she's marrying your ugly-" Percy screamed and lunged toward Lockwood who of course backed away. Percy kept swinging and Lockwood kept dodging. Percy swung again and instead of hitting Lockwood, he hit me. I yelped and fell towards the floor before two pairs of familiar hands grabbed me. Lockwood hugged me by the waist as I clutched my face. 
"Honey!" Percy said 
"Dont call me honey." I growled. 
"This ends now. I don't care what you do to me but hurting her was a huge mistake." Lockwood said. He released me and went after Percy. 
"Call your friend off Lucy!" Percy wailed. 
"No." I said 
Lockwood swung and clocked Percy in the jaw. 
He came back over to me and picked me up. He held me in his arms. He kissed the top of my head. 
"Im sorry." He mumbled. 
"Thank you." I said back. He tilted my chin up and kissed me softly. 
"No one hurts you and gets away with it."