This is the last chapter I'm afraid guys. But don't worry. I have another couple of story ideas floating around in this brain. I'll get to writing them out soon enough. Enjoy, comment, critique. You know the drill by now :)

ps...I cried when I wrote the ending, so y'all better cry after reading it! LOL

Chapter 19

Lydia had such an amazing time. She drank too much champagne, danced drunkenly with John, kissed Maryse, much to the amusement, and enjoyment she thought, of John and Mike and generally tried to forget that this time tomorrow she would be back to her normal life and John would be gone. She didn't want to think about that right now. All she really wanted to do was get John back to the hotel and make him hers again.

Back in the limo, Maryse and Mike were too wrapped up in each other to notice what Lydia and John were getting up to. He took the chance, he could feel her desire, and it mirrored his own. He wanted her so badly. He wanted to see that dress slip down over her body and land on the floor. Even though it was satin, it still felt like a huge barrier between them. He positioned himself so that his body acted as a shield, keeping prying eyes from seeing what was going on. Gently he gathered her dress up, exposing her thighs, and keeping his eyes on her at all times, he gently slipped a hand under the garment and travelled up. To his surprise, and arousal, she wasn't wearing any panties. He looked at her, raising an eyebrow quizzically. She smiled a devious smile at him and laid her best come to bed eyes on him. Which wasn't hard to do. Taking that as a sign that he was free to continue, he gently ran his fingers along her , making her gasp slightly, then inserted his fingers. Immediately her head rolled back and a gentle moan escaped her lips, as her hips responded eagerly to his touch. He loved watching her, how she became like putty in his hands. He loved the feeling of control that she gave him. Feeling the heat inside of her rise, Lydia became brave and slowly slipped her hands under his kilt. To her joy she found that he had gone traditional after all, she looked hungrily at him and he nodded, as if knowing what her next move would be. She didn't need any more encouragement and gently took him in her hands, being careful not to be too rough, they still had quite a bit of time together first, she moved up and down his shaft, varying the intensity..."I love this girl" thought John to himself as his body started to move rhythmically to her touch. He hoped that the limo driver had the panel up. Forgetting the people outside, watching as a black limo with steamed up windows rolled on by.

How they made it to the hotel room without being arrested for indecent behaviour Lydia never knew. Walking through the lobby, waiting for the elevator, in the elevator. They pawed at each other. Hungry for more of what had happened in the limo. Lydia wanted this man completely, and he wanted her just as much.

Finally getting through the door and closing it, they ripped at each others clothes, not wanting there to be any barriers between them, and right there and then, on the table by the door, he took her. He couldn't wait any longer. Drawing deep raggedy breaths, he took her with such passion, that she screamed his name as a deep, guttural, almost primeval moan escaped his lips.

Still beside the door, their bodies entwined as they took deep breaths, their bodies glazed with a sheen from the passion at which they found themselves at the mercy of. Lydia pulled Johns head up to her, she was still breathing hard, shaking from the intensity of it all. She smiled at him and kissed him, he showed renewed urgency. His tongue probing her mouth, as if he was hungry, and her taste was all that was satisfy him. They untangled themselves and made their way to the bed. Lydia motioning for John to lay down. He did so, watching her every move as if held in a trance. She knelt down between his legs and giving him that mischievous look again, did the only thing that she could do in that position. He gasped sharply at first, then began to move with her, that primal urge taking over once more. Then she straddled him. They both moaned in unison as she lowered herself onto him, before finding their rhythm. John could think of nothing more, except the intense feelings he had for this woman. His mind went blank and nature took over...Eventually they both collapsed, exhausted but satisfied.

The next morning it was John who woke first. He smiled as he looked down on Lydia sleeping. She looked so peaceful and beautiful as she slept. She was laying on her front. Her long blonde hair whipping around her like some golden Medusa. Then he felt it. That horrible sinking feeling you get when something is inevitable. It gnawed away at him incessantly. Today he would have to say goodbye to her. He didn't know if he had the strength to. He wasn't sure how long they would be apart for. He had trouble being away from her for more than an hour. How would he cope without her being there? He decided that he didn't want to deal with the main dining room today, so ordered breakfast to be delivered to the room. At least he could make it as private as possible for them both. After laying the phone down he looked and found Lydia awake. She was looking at him and smiled when he turned to face her, but already he could see a sadness there, and he knew it must have been reflected in his own face.

"Good morning sweetie" he leaned in to kiss her. "I ordered breakfast to be delivered. I thought it would be better..." he trailed off.

Lydia nodded. She understood. The time they had left was precious, he didn't want to share her with anybody else right now.

John got up off the bed and went to the wardrobe. He had to pack. He pulled down his suitcase from the top and opened it on top of the very table on which their passion had reached an earth shattering climax last night. He opened the wardrobe door, and not quite knowing what to do he stood there, looking in the wardrobe and sighed. Immediately he felt tender hands snake around his bare torso. Light kisses being planted on his back and shoulders. He turned to face her.

"I don't know if I can do this" he told her quietly, as he hung his head.

Lydia ran a hand through his hair and cupped his chin, raising his head. She didn't say anything, just smiled at him and leaned in, resting her head on his chest. He held her tightly, afraid to let go in case she disappeared forever. He felt like he wanted to cry, but he knew he had to hold it together. If he wanted to cry, how must she be feeling?

"You have to do this" she said softly. He almost didn't hear it as she was buried into his chest, but hear it he did and it broke his heart all over again. She was right of course. He had to. He had a life and a career in America. But it meant nothing if Lydia wasn't with him. He ran a hand through her blonde hair, kissing the top of her head. She looked up and smiled.

"I'll help you pack" she said quietly. She turned on the TV for a little background noise and a video was playing. She almost laughed at the irony. Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown "No Air" filtered into the tiny room. Tears pricked her eyes, she didn't want to go through with this. She looked at John sadly and slowly sat down on the bed. Instantly he was sitting beside her. He knew this would happen. He'd been close enough himself, and now seeing the pain etched on Lydia's face, it became all too much for him and he did finally cry. They held each other, sobbing. Knowing that this would happen, but always hoping it could be delayed further. Lydia broke their embrace first, looking at John's tear stained face through tears of her own. She wiped his tears and kissed him, smiling a small smile at him to prove that she was OK. Of course he didn't believe her, but he played along anyway. He kissed her again and stood up, walking back to the wardrobe.

The waiter knocked the door loudly, making them both jump. They'd been packing John's suitcase in silence. Not sure what to say in case it caused the other to break down again. It felt strange, not being able to say exactly what they wanted to the other. They'd both been so used to just saying how they felt. Lydia let the waiter in and John tipped him. They both stared at the breakfast table. Neither were hungry. John spoke first.

"I erm...I have to go down to Mike real quick. He has a couple of my shirts in his wardrobe" he kissed her softly. "I'll be back real quick OK?"

Lydia nodded. "I'll finish off here" she smiled at him. He smiled back and went out the door, down to Mikes room.

Lydia sat down on the bed. She felt so empty. Suddenly a knock at the door made her jump. She got up and answered the door to see Maryse standing there. That was enough to set Lydia off once again.

"Oh hey, c'mon now" Maryse hugged her after she'd closed the door. "It's not that bad. You'll see each other again"

Lydia sniffed. "It just feels strange Mar. It's like there's a distance between us this morning. I don't know if it's because we're trying not to set the other off or what, but it's not the same"

Maryse sat down on the bed with Lydia. "Oh it's definitely the same. John's down in Mikes room tearing up as we speak. He doesn't want to leave you, he's scared that this will be the end for you both. He loves you Lyds. He doesn't know how to handle all this though. With Melina he was always with her, and then that thing happened and he was on his own for a long time. You broke down his walls and he's not used to it. He can't bear to be away from you for more than a couple of hours. He's worried about how he'll cope without you there" She smiled at Lydia. "That man is a keeper, you are so lucky. He loves you a lot"

Lydia returned the smile. "And I love him. I know all this is hard. But we both knew it was going to happen. Doesn't make it any easier though" she shrugged "He cried on my shoulder earlier."

"There you go then. I don't know many men who would show their "weak" side" Maryse replied. "Keep smiling babe, it'll be OK" she hugged Lydia again

John came back in the room. His eyes were red and he sniffed quietly as he came back in.

"I'll leave you to it" Maryse winked at Lydia and smiled at John as she walked past. Lydia and John both mouthed "thanks" at Maryse as she closed the door.

Lydia was the first to speak. "Feel better?" she asked

John nodded. "Yeah. I didn't know what to say to you without causing you to cry again. So I'm just going to say it and I'm sorry if I make you cry. Lydia..I love you. I can't picture my life without you. I'm seriously thinking about not getting on that plane. I can't manage for more than a couple of hours without you by my side. I'm scared that this will be it. That you'll lose interest in me because I'm not around, or that you'll find someone who's HERE" He put emphasis on the last part.

Lydia shook her head. "John that's never going to happen. I love you, I've loved you for the longest time. I know what you mean though. I can't picture my life without you. But you have to get on that plane. Look at it like this. It's a necessary evil to get our long term goal. I want to be with you as much as you want me to be with you, but we have to work at it. And we will. We'll make it. I'm never going to forget this weekend and I'm never going to forget you" she walked towards him. "I love you John Hennigan" she kissed him then, long and deep and he responded by wrapping his strong arms around her. Of course they'd be OK. They both knew it.

After a quick breakfast that neither of them enjoyed, or wanted. They finally had to leave. Making sure they both had everything, John took one last look around the hotel room before closing the door. Mike and Maryse were coming towards them down the hallway.

"Everything OK guys?" Mike asked. Genuine concern on his face.

Lydia smiled. "Yeah every thing's fine thanks" she replied. Maryse smiled at her and nodded.

John took her hand and walking down the hallway for the last time, they headed for the elevator that would take them to the waiting limo.

After packing everything into the boot of the limo, all four got into the limo and headed for the airport. Lydia could feel her heart getting heavier the closer they got to the airport, and looking at John's face, she could see that he felt the same too. But things had been much better between them since they'd had that talk. John looked over at her and smiled. He looked drained already and it wasn't even 10.30am in the morning yet. She returned his smile and grabbed for his hand. He held her hand and looked out of the window. He didn't want Lydia to see how upset he was.

Finally the moment they had been dreading had come. The limo driver unpacked all their bags and after instruction from John waited for Lydia to get back. They walked through the airport as slowly as they possibly could, trying to put off the inevitable. Unfortunately luck wasn't on their side today, and in no time at all they had arrived at the departures lounge. Mike and Maryse gave Lydia a huge hug and told her to call them any time. Maryse especially wanted to keep in contact with her new friend. Then they went through the gate to their flight.

John sighed and wrapped Lydia up in a huge hug. He still had second thoughts about going, but Lydia had insisted. That's what he loved about her. She brought out the best in him every time.

"I love you Lydia" he whispered in her ear

"I love you too John" she whispered back. John released her from the hug and kissed her. A long, lingering kiss. The type that he knew she loved from him.

"I promise I won't stay away too long" he looked into her eyes. "I'll be back the next opportunity I get" he smiled. "Or I can send for you. As long as we're not apart for too long"

Lydia nodded "I'd like that. I promise I won't forget about you and I won't find anyone else. You're the only one for me" she grinned at him. He laughed, in spite of the heaviness he felt around his heart. Overhead a final call sounded.

"That's me" he sighed. The time had come. "I love you" He kissed her one more time. Then turned, walking towards the gate.

"John!" Lydia shouted. He turned round and smiled. She signed "I love you" at him. Pointing at herself for the "I", making a heart with her thumb and forefingers for "love" and pointing at him for "you". He nodded and copied her, smiling widely at her. Then he was gone.

Lydia ran to the window, feeling the tears prick at her eyes again. She tried to sniff them away, unsuccessfully, a elderly woman with grey hair smiled sadly at her and offered her a Kleenex which Lydia took gratefully. She watched as the plane taxied, and kept watching as the plane took off, until she could no longer see the plane. He was really gone...

She walked back to the limo in a daze. The driver opened the door and smiled at her. "May I say something miss?" he asked as he looked at her.

Lydia looked at him. "Sure"

"If my wife loved me half as much as he loves you. I'd be a very happy man. You won't be apart for long. I've seen some couples in my time, but I've never seen them as in love as you and he are" his smile widened and he helped her into the limo and shut the door. After getting into the driver seat, he asked her where she would like to go. She told him the arena and sat back. It felt strange being in the limo on her own, reaching into her bag she pulled out the box that held her tiara. She opened it up, and a small note fluttered out. She picked up the note and read it, fresh tears filling her eyes. The note simply read

"I Love You My Queen" and was signed with a simple "J" and several x's for kisses.

Getting back to the arena, she thought again about how it had all started 48 hours previously. She got out of the limo, thanked the driver and simply stood there for a few moments, taking in the air and looking around her. There was Bertha. The only car in the place. Lydia dropped her bag on the back seat and sat in the driver seat for a minute or so. Everything would be alright she told herself. This wouldn't be the last time that they would spend together. Pulling out her cell she dialled Amanda's number. She needed a friend right now, plus she needed Connor to make her laugh, he was always good for that.

On hearing Amanda's voice she sighed slightly. "Manda?"

"I knew I'd be hearing from you today. How are you babes?" Amanda asked

"I'm OK. I'm coming over. Is Connor there?" Lydia wanted to know

"He sure is sweets. I'll put the kettle on" Amanda could read her mind so well.

"I'll be there real soon. Bye" Lydia hung up.

She started the car and her favourite song blasted out of the radio. As she left the arena car park, she was singing at the top of her lungs. Sure she was upset now, but that would fade. She would get over it, with a little help from Connor, and she would see John again. Of that she was certain.