Unusual though it was for time to seem to move so slowly for the dark-haired woman, there was no denying that ever since that night where she'd been able to fall asleep in his arms for the very first time, Adelaide hadn't been able to stop looking forward to that date they had set. As silly as it seemed, the French woman had awoken with a start in her own bed and quickly glanced at the little daily desk calendar perched there on her oak nightstand. She would be lying if she'd said that her heart hadn't nearly leapt from her breast when she realized that it was finally Saturday. Tonight was the night that Taylor had promised to cook for her, and it was in remembering this promise that she was thrust back two nights ago, when she'd stolen away to his small apartment without telling Townsend exactly where she'd been. It was a night that she knew would stay with her for the rest of her days, and it only seemed to feel like just last night that they had taken so many firsts together. No, that had certainly not been the night of their first kiss. That night, standing there beneath a starry sky on that little hillside with all the city lights glittering like a reflection of the heavens below, that had been the night of their first kiss. And, like two nights ago, she would always cherish the memories from that night, how they'd chased after one another in the dark with their laughter dancing through the night when they had slowly made their way back to where the Harley was parked, the way that he'd told her the desires of his heart... how he'd wanted to be the man that was worthy of her, when even in that moment, there had been no one else in either the past or present that would ever be all that she saw in Taylor. She knew that he wanted to be more than he was, and if ever there was a soul that reflected so much of the same determination and desire that burned brightly within her own, it was his. Perhaps that was why there had been that near instant connection between them all those nights ago that seemed like both an eternity ago and mere moments ago in the very same breath. And yet, that memory fades quickly into the moment where she'd surrendered entirely to the roguishly handsome man. She remembers how he'd laid her there on the couch, the way that he'd touched her bare skin, the flames of desire that climbed ever higher until that moment when they'd become one. She'd lost all sense of time, and even then, it didn't matter in the least to Adelaide as they made love for the very first time. The ecstasy, the hunger of their kisses and the way that their bodies collided together, it all paled in the light of what had truly happened that night. That night, they're professed the love once hidden in their hearts and yet seen so often in those shared glances, the coy smiles and teasing words so often given when she'd been sure that the Englishman wasn't looking. He had told her that he loved her, and she had eagerly met his confession with her own.

Making love with Taylor, giving herself entirely to him in body, heart, and soul had been amazing, that went without saying. But, it had been only the tip of the figurative iceberg. Falling asleep in his arms with the soft sound of his heartbeat to pull her gently into the embrace of slumber, knowing that there was so much more between them now even when neither had decided to ask "the question" as if they were two awkward teenagers caught up in the whirlwind of unbridled hormones and first-time feelings. In all reality, there really was no need to ask that question when it was clear that they felt so strongly for the other by the likes of which Adelaide had never felt before. Even with Julien, this was different. It was gentle yet passionate, honest and heartfelt. Taylor, he truly cared. She could see it, feel it, hear it in those tenor tones that she yearned for always to brush against her ears. He wasn't trying to be some superhero to save her. He knew that she wasn't a damsel in distress waiting around for the fabled Prince Charming so many women wasted their days daydreaming of. No, he wanted to live life with her. He didn't want to cage her like Julien who'd proven to be nothing more than her father's puppet. Instead, he was like the wind beneath metaphorical feathered wings, carrying her ever higher as he had promised that first morning when she'd allowed for herself to reveal the hurt and the longing that she'd kept buried in the deepest parts of her soul that even her dear William knew nothing of. There weren't enough words known to mankind, written in all the books to be found or spoken from every being that called this planet home that could ever come even remotely close to expressing just how much he made her feel. While the dark-haired woman had always had that fire, that untamed spirit that would always make her own path in this life, even before Taylor, he only seemed to further ignite it. She had always believed that there wasn't anywhere she could not go, that there wasn't anything she couldn't do if she wanted to badly enough, after all, if not for that fierce if not stubborn determination that burned like wildfire in those depths of glittering sage, she would not have been able to escape her father's estate or the boundaries of France. She hadn't truly needed Taylor to show her that, but rather, now that he was in her life and a part of it that she hoped never to lose, she wanted to share in everything with the man that had so captivated her, so easily won that fragile and broken trust of hers that had taken so long to repair only for Adelaide to have been so certain that she would never give it to anyone again. It left her mystified and breathless, knowing how he had stepped into her life and changed it in a way she never would have thought possible for her.

Needless to say, it had been one of the hardest things she had done, waking up in those arms she wanted to have around her always only to know that it had to end until the next moment they could steal away together. Gods knew that Adelaide could have laid there in that bed beneath those covers with her head on his chest all morning and afternoon, clear into the next night where they could relive everything from last night. It had nearly brought upon the young French woman a physical ache as she begrudgingly dressed and stood there in the entryway of the apartment with Taylor in a goodbye that came far too soon for her liking. They'd shared one last kiss that still seemed capable of electrifying Adelaide before she'd waved down a taxi and taken that long ride back to Dupont Circle. She fully anticipated a firm talking to, if not a furious Englishman, and for that very reason, she had told Taylor to take the next two days off to spend as he desired. The last thing that she wanted was for Townsend to direct his attention to Taylor when it had been of her own accord that Adelaide had done what she did. But she was a grown woman, and by the gods, she was going to do as she so pleased. She could still remember those last words Taylor had whispered to her just as she'd drifted away in his arms that night... "I would never ask you to give up your big comfy house. Plus I'm sure Townsend would miss taking care of you"... Oh, if only he knew how quickly she would give that big house up to remain forever in that small apartment. And yet, she also knew that there was a time and place for everything, and now was not that time or that place. It was not that she feared things would not work between her and Taylor as their relationship blossomed and grew. No, instead it was for the fact that she didn't wish to encroach on the man so quickly. They had both been through heartbreak before, been hurt and betrayed. Even if she felt wholly certain that what they had was only promised to become stronger as time would pass, she wanted him to know that just as he had told her before they'd taken a lovers' embrace on that couch, she was in this for "the long haul" as well. She remembers arriving home, and sure enough, Townsend had been waiting there at the door, his expression the furthest thing from amused or pleased. It was only when she'd stepped into the house, greeted by Rose and Reginald, that the very conversation she expected had begun. Perhaps "conversation" wasn't the best word for it... Rather, it was more the Englishman fixing the defiant young woman with icy blue eyes narrowed as he expressed his less than approving thoughts of the little vanishing act that she'd done the night before.

Remembering well the conversation that took place that morning, the French woman couldn't help but smile to herself as she rose from the comforts of her bed and made her way into the master bathroom."Miss LaBelle, you simply cannot disappear like that, especially with that man. You both should consider yourselves lucky that I did not alert law enforcement and have them bring you home", the Englishman had stated, clearly struggling to keep his accented tones level despite the look he gave her. Ah, but it was only met by Adelaide's equally fierce gaze, safe depths burning with defiance as she, too, battled against the fires of frustration."Townsend, I am not a child. I am a grown woman capable of making my own decisions", she had replied with every ounce of defiance that was beginning to rise within her. However, Townsend was far from ready to give in just then."You may be a grown woman, but he is not good for you", he persisted then, but those very words had awoken in her something much more defiant â€" if such a thing were even possible."You don't know that. You've hardly taken a moment to truly try and get to know him. You and I may have been together most of our lives, you may be my nearest and dearest friend, but you will simply have to accept that he will be a large part of my life now and nothing is going to change that", she'd replied coolly, accented voice taking on a level yet clear note that nothing the Englishman could or would dare to say had the power to change her mind. And, as always, there was a moment of tension where neither of them said a word, their eyes locked in something not too unlike an unspoken challenge. In the end, it had been Adelaide who had won. It almost always was when it came to that which she was most passionate about. It was when she saw the subtle surrender in his gaze that she dared to take things one step further, her mind having been made up since the night before on yet another matter that she knew he would be far from pleased with as well."And since you don't want me to 'disappear', I will respect your wish by telling you my plans for the next week. I will be having dinner with Taylor at his apartment Saturday night. And afterwards, he and I will be taking a small road trip. So I suggest that you book a boarding kennel for Rose and Reginald and perhaps fly back to England and visit your family so you don't spend your time worrying, since I'm sure you will", she continued on in that nonchalant tone as she offered Townsend a nearly innocent smile, the flames of her determination still burning wildly within eyes of glittering sage. She had seen the look of astonishment light up the Englishman's features then, and it was clear that he had wanted nothing more than to tell Adelaide that she would be doing no such thing, but he knew in that moment that there would be no winning with her then."As you wish, Miss LaBelle", he answers smoothly before giving her a small nod and turning to disappear down the hallway and into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Things had been quiet for most of that day, and she knew it was his way of showing her that he was not the least bit happy with her, but she knew that he would recover in time. He would have to, because she was not about to change her mind on anything, not when it came to Taylor.

Showered and dried, Adelaide wraps herself in her robe of white silk, wet locks of rich dark cocoa tied up in her towel, she moves out of the bathroom and to the opened backpack at the foot of her bed. It was already partially packed after last night, the young woman's excitement having gotten the best of her when she retired to her bedroom for the evening. Finding another smile dancing across her lips, she retrieves her phone from its resting place on the nightstand and slides a slender finger over the slick screen and clicks on his name. See you at eight o'clock tonight, my love. Pressing the "send" icon, she sets her phone down on the bed beside the bag and moves over to her walk-in closet, selecting a pair of faded blue jeans she'd purchased the other day, completing her casual ensemble with a fitted white tank top and a black leather jacket she'd also purchased from a popular American department store the other day. It was different from her usual attire which typically consisted of clothes from France, but with this new life she was embracing, she had decided that such a new chapter called for new clothes. Slipping on a pair of calf-high black leather heeled boots, she moves back into the bathroom and finishes drying her hair, all the while unable to keep herself from willing that time move faster. She still needed to stop by the bistro to ensure that Killian had everything he would need to take care of the bistro while she was away, trusting the Irishman fully with her business matters with how well he was doing as the bartender, but it was almost an afterthought as she resumed filling her suitcase with just enough clothes and other necessities that she would likely need. She knew that there were still several hours that would need to pass before dinner, but she was bound and determined to be ready. When at least she finished her packing, she zips the backpack closed, slings it over her right shoulder, and departs from her bedroom and descends down the stairwell, where she can see Townsend's own things already packed. She reaches the bottom of the stairs, and just as she does, the Englishman appears from the hallway with both beaucerons on either side of him, the leashes attached to leather collars. Still, she can see the dislike in her companion's features, but she chooses against acknowledging them, instead offering Townsend a warm smile."Have a safe trip, mon ami. Tell your parents hello for me, won't you?", Adelaide says sweetly, even in spite of the look that she is given by the Englishman."I shall do my best. Don't forget our agreement", he replies almost sharply, the French woman giving him a simple wave of her hand."Yes, yes. I will be sure to call you each night and let you know where we are", she answers easily before moving to place an affectionate kiss on the man's cheek, sage eyes glittering."I shall see you when you return", she says finally before turning and walking down the hallway to ensure that everything was in its proper place before she left, the sound of the front door closing announcing that at last, she was alone. Now, it was simply a matter of forcing herself to be patient over the next few hours.

After what almost felt like days rather than hours, having long since stopped by the bistro to ensure that Killian, Elain, Abigail, and the rest of the staff were clear of what she expected of them, Adelaide glances towards the clock on the wall of the bistro. She'd taken to sitting there at one of the small tables outside, the early spring weather pleasing as sage eyes cast themselves contentedly over the vast blue ocean to watch the sun set in the distance, but as soon as the clock read 7:30pm, she rises from the table and makes her way back into the bistro. Most of the customers have left by now, the dinner rush done and over with, Elain cheerfully humming to herself as she cleaned the vacant tables while Killian tended to the bar. Retrieving her backpack from behind the place she'd sat it by the main entrance, she smiles warmly to her remaining staff."I shall see you all in a week's time. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call me. Adieu", she says to them, each turning to wave her off and with their own friendly farewells before the door closes behind the French woman. She moves to the sidewalk, waving down a taxi cab. When at last one pulls over to the sidewalk and she climbs in, requesting to be taken to that very much familiar address she had memorized despite only having been there once before, the man in the driver seat smile and gives her a kind "yes ma'am" before they set off towards the provided destination. She stares out the window, feeling her heartbeat begin to quicken as the cab passes familiar landmarks, the excitement of the surprise she had for Taylor making it ever harder for her to sit still as she fidgeted with her own fingers. The sun had almost set entirely when the cab pulls into the parking lot for Taylor's apartment, the Harley immediately found by Adelaide as she steps out of the yellow sedan. Paying the gentleman and offering him a quick "merci" followed by a small nod from the man, she grabs her backpack and, placing it over her right shoulder, she walks over to the door, unable to keep the bright smile from her lips as she knocks softly on the wooden surface. The only thing the roguishly handsome man expected was dinner, but how she couldn't wait to surprise him with so much more. After all, they've spoken often of going somewhere, anywhere, of how he'd promised to help her experience all that she could, but those moments had been nothing but wistful thinking. Now, they were about to become reality.