"Come here, baby... good boy." 

Echo watched as Adelia threw another toy for Baby to fetch. Maru dropped him off yesterday and she was glad, having missed the small dog. She'd initially thought to bring him with her when she moved in but with everything going on and the wedding, Maru had volunteered to watch him until she was settled in. Adelia had instantly taken to the little guy, apparently, Luke had never liked the idea of having a pet before. 

She sighed as she thought of Luke, silently remembering the way he'd woken her that morning. No one told her that being married would be quite like this. Was every married couple like this or was Luke just a very passionate and affectionate man? She couldn't picture it. She couldn't picture another man who could stir up all the things he did in her. Without realizing she was doing it, she closed her eyes and traced her collar bone with her fingers, gently letting them glide back and forth across her shoulders, just the way Luke had that morning. 

She thought about his smile, that breathtaking smile he greeted her with as she work up, the way the back of his fingers traced against her skin, the tickle of his stubble against her chin and neck. She didn't even mind the scrape of his whiskers, there was something about it that made her toes curl. That morning, she spent a good half hour running her hands along his shoulders and down his back, kneading and pinching that the muscles, admiring his sinewy grace. Oh lord, he was a beautiful man, perfect despite every imperfection. That look in his eyes when he was going to make love to her, the one that made all words unnecessary, was everything. Just thinking of it made her thighs shiver and suddenly, it was warm... despite the cold chill of a winter morning. 

"You look happy." Marco said, approaching her from across the lawn. It was true, she did. He almost regretted having to interrupt her as she was obviously lost in some blissful day dream. She looked up, opening those pretty eyes and smiling as he grew closer. For a second he remembered Maru's eyes, the same doe like glance, and he wondered what their parents had done to create five such perfect daughters. Echo certainly looked beautiful, more every time he saw her and she looked particularly ethereal poised on the stone steps that lead onto the garden where Adelia once again threw a ball for the small dog. 

"It's a nice morning." Echo said, reaching over for a mug that sat next to her. She was growing used to Marco's visits, aware that he was checking in on her by Luke's orders. Usually, however, he came by in the afternoons so it was a surprise to see him here so early. She thought it was a bit much for him to come by every day, especially considering that there were two men on guard at the house almost constantly, but she didn't mind it. She liked Marco, could understand and see why Luke liked him so much, and she very much wanted to consider him a friend. 

"Hi Marco!" Adelia waived from across the lawn, turning back to the puppy. He waived as he sat down next to Echo. 

"I heard he finally moved in." Marco said, watching the small dog run around excitedly. 

"I'm so glad to have him, although I get the feeling Luke doesn't really love dogs." She said with some humor. 

"I've never seen him have any pets but it's not like he can object to one if he gave him to you." Marco said and Echo laughed. 

"No, you're right. I bet he's regretting that one." She said, thinking of the socks Baby had most recently ruined. 

"I think if you're happy that's more than enough for him." Marco said, making Echo blush. She thought so too if she was honest. Luke might not say it, maybe he didn't quite feel it. Echo did not expect Luke to fall as in love with her as she was falling in love with him. Still, he certainly showed her that he did care for her, and that was enough. 

Echo looked down, noticing the paper bag in Marco's hands. 

"What's in the bag?" She asked curiously. 

"Christmas presents." Marco replied with a smile. Echo raised her brow. 

"Christmas presents?" She asked, thinking she had already seen a couple from him underneath the giant tree in the foyer. 

"For Baby." he said, whistling and prompting the dog to turn in his direction, before sprinting towards him. 

"For baby?" She repeated in surprise as he began to take out a few balls and chew toys. 

"Oh these are so cute." Adelia said, picking a couple up. 

"That's too sweet." Echo said with a laugh as Marco held one firmly as the dog tried to tug it with a playful growl. Echo didn't have many toys for the pup just yet. 

"Some of these are bigger than he is." Adelia said with a chuckle. 

"Thank you." Echo replied, turning to look up at Marco and catching his eyes on her. 

"You're welcome." he said, breaking the glance and looking back towards Adelia who was now throwing another toy for the dog. 

"I'm glad you're here. I need your help." She said. 

"Everything alright?" he asked, a note of concern in his voice. 

"Everything's fine..." She said with a sigh. "I'm just having trouble trying to decide on a gift for Luke."

"And you're waiting until a week before Christmas?" He asked, surprised. 

"I already got him a few things but nothing that I'm really excited about." She said. "Hoping you had a suggestion. So far I have a new coat, a few bottles of that whiskey he likes, a..."

"Books." Marco said, interrupting Echo. 

"What?" She asked, raising her brow. 

"Books. Luke loves to read." Marco replied. 

"He does?" Echo asked. This was certainly new. She and Luke had talked about how Echo was writer, he had never mentioned that he liked to read.

"Yeah, haven't you seen his study yet? Piles and piles of books, unorganized and just tossed about. I've told him he should turn one of the spare rooms into a proper library but he doesn't give himself the time for it." Marco said. 

"Wow." She muttered. "I didn't... I wouldn't have guessed. Does he have any favorites... something he doesn't own?"

Marco seemed to think about it for a moment. 

"I can't say for sure. It's a mess in there but I know he enjoys Gulliver's travels." Marco said. 

"Okay... well thank you. That's really helpful." Echo said, "I think I need to make sure to explore his study today."

"Any time." Marco said, rising slowly. "But I have to get going." 

"Oh, okay. Will you be by later?" She asked, reaching her hands out to him so he could help her up. 

"Should be." He replied as she stood. 

"Then I'll see you later..." She said with a smile before leaping forward and wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him. "And again, Thank you."

Echo had been wondering what she could get Luke, fretting over it almost. Now, thanks to Marco, she decided she would take to the task of organizing his collection and if time permitted, she'd get her hands on something special for him. 

"Luke!"

The sound of Adelia's voice made Echo and Marco turn, their arms still around each other as they did. 

"Hey!" Echo said with a smile, slipping away from Marco and moving to meet Luke as he moved across the lawn. Marco straightened himself out and turned, noting that Luke was watching him as he did. "You're here... very early."

Luke wrapped an arm around Echo as she approached him, allowing her to kiss his cheek but his eyes still on Marco. 

"I thought I'd join you two for lunch today." Luke said, glancing down at her. 

"That's a nice surprise." Echo said, "But I'm not sure lunch is ready yet."

"That's okay." he said, turning to Marco. "I thought you were heading into the city."

"I am." Marco said, "Just stopped by to drop off some things."

"Yeah, Marco brought by some toys for Baby." Adelia said, picking up the dog and cuddling him in her arms. Luke turned, a raised brow at Marco. 

"That's nice." Luke said.

"Yes, but now I really have to go." Marco said, moving across the lawn. "I'll see you later."

"Bye!" Echo called, turning back to Luke and noticing he was frowning. 

"Adelia, will you take the puppy inside, please?" Luke asked after Marco had passed the gate. 

"Yeah, I'm getting cold anyway." She said, moving towards the house. 

Echo stepped back from Luke, noticing that his lips were pressed together tightly. Was he upset?

"Something wrong?" She asked, crossing her arms. 

"I didn't realize Marco was spending so much time here." He replied. Echo shrugged. 

"Not really. He just comes by in the afternoon, talks to the men and then sits with us for 15 or 20 minutes." She said, "You know. He's your security guy, right?"

Luke sighed. Every afternoon? He'd told Marco to keep an eye on her but was he really coming by every afternoon?

"It's a little early." he replied. 

"Well he was dropping off the toys for baby. Is something wrong?" She asked.

"No, come on." He replied, reaching for her hand and moving towards the house. 

"Wait... are you jealous?" She asked, pulling him back. 

"Of course not, Marco is my best friend." He said, looking at her. Echo nodded. 

"He is. I thought you'd be happy to see us getting along." Echo replied. Luke sighed. He didn't know why it bothered him, of course he wanted Echo and Marco to be friends. He wanted her to fit in and feel comfortable. 

"You're right." Luke said, stepping towards her and pulling her close. "I guess I was just jealous that I haven't had time to spend with you."

Echo sighed into him, relaxing her body and enjoying the embrace. 

"It would be nice if you were here more often." She said, looking up at him. 

"I'm working on it." He said with a grin, "making sure we don't have to worry about anything before our honeymoon."

"There you go." She said, patting his chest gently and beginning to step away. "Now come on, let's go inside."

Luke pulled her back, a little roughly, surprising her but she instantly recognized the grin on his face and her heart began to speed up. 

"Echo, you're forgetting something." He said, his voice that deep baritone she adore. Echo felt herself blush as he wrapped his arms tighter around her.

She didn't moved, she only looked away nervously, wondering if she would ever get used to the way he looked at her.  How was it that they'd been so intimate and he still managed to steal her composure?

"What?" She asked, trying to focus. 

"You forgot to greet me properly." he said, enjoying how she squirmed nervously. 

"Well, there was people around." She said. 

"I know... but there isn't anymore." He said, licking his lips, his eyes staring at hers. She sighed, feeling her heart beating frantically.  So many different emotions when it came to him, how could she handle it?

"Oh Luke." She said with a sigh as she placed her hands on his shoulders and pulled herself up. "What am I going to do with you?"

Her voice was a whisper and the words were barely audible as her lips grazed against his. 

"I have a few good ideas."