"Is it your touch, or your kiss,
Or this single night of pleasure
Or was it magic?
Yes, there was magic
And I deserve magic..."
-from "Magic" written by Scott Alan

    Edmund closed the door behind them, laying her on the ornate brass bed. She nearly shuddered at the touch of his strong fingers tracing her lips and jaw. She felt his lips on her neck and Marie reached up, her hands shaking as she unbuttoned his shirt. He pulled it off and she ran her delicate hands down his torso, resting her hands on his strong back. All she could hear was his breathing and the rapid beating of her own heart. 
    "We don't have to do this," Edmund said softly.
    "I want to forget." She whispered.
    Edmund slowly unlaced the back of her dress. He slid it off, very slowly, exposing her slender arms and her pale shoulders. The moment she felt his lips on her bare delicate skin she melted in his arms.    

She had almost forgotten what a kiss tasted like, how good having warm naked skin against hers felt. She wanted to forget her pain of losing the first man she truly loved. She had been longing for that feeling for so long. For that night, the two of them lost all track of time, never noticing the white light of the lightning. They never even heard the rain stop. It was late, and they knew it was time to sleep. As they lay together, bathed in the moonlight that crept out from behind the rainclouds, Marie felt Edmund's strong arm wrapping around her, holding her close against his warm body and then his lips kissing her on the back of her head and down her neck to between her shoulder blades. She held his hand and, for a brief moment, she felt like she was holding Enjolras's hand again. She felt the same way she felt when she was with him; happiness, joy, and something she had until now only ever felt from her baby.
     "Edmund?" she whispered in the darkness and turning to face him, sleep threatening to overtake her. "Is this what love feels like?"
    "I hope so." He said, smiling at her and running his fingers through her hair, putting his hand on the back of her head. Marie brought her face close to his; so close.
    "So do I." Marie whispered against his lips.

    Edmund waited with her for the coach to take her back home. Just before she left, Edmund put his arms around her, kissing her on the forehead. He said three words that Marie wasn't ready to hear so soon.
"I love you."