The Borrower and Her Bean (complete)

Part 19

Melina studied Henry, the stubbled lines of his Jaw, the dimpled chin and the fine smile lines around his eyes. She would never get tired of this face. As much as she liked watching him sleep her excitement had her wriggling. A rough voice broke into the silence "Morning my little sprite" a smile broke on her face as he opened his eyes. He chuckled as she wriggled some more as he pulled her into his embrace. Kissing her forehead he whispered, "so what is causing your bubbly demeanour this morning?" groaning at his question she buried her head into this neck mumbling "you know" his strong arms wrapping around her as he whispered "Happy Christmas"

The two beans and their furry companion carefully made their way downstairs to the living room. It had been 4 weeks since Melina had become a bean, each day both she and Henry had made a conscious effort to step lightly, and move cautiously. It had not been an easy transition, she recalled the first time she had accompanied Henry to a supermarket. She had been in awe of all the different food and products. When walking past the ice cream she had seen her favourite flavour and pulled out a small tub putting it in her pocket. When they got to the check out Henry had to ask her for the ice cream. Wondering why he wanted it she had said "Why don't you get your own?" he had laughed at her and then said quietly "we have to pay for it, Lina, this lady scans the item and then tells me how much money I owe her. Then I pay for it. We don't borrow in Bean's world." She had handed it to him and watched as the lady did exactly as Henry had said. Once she had scanned the lot she gave Henry a figure and he handed her some paper and metal things that looked like buttons.

It had taken her a while to adjust to not being able to just take what she needed. Thankfully Henry had been there to help her not get into trouble. The fun part of being a bean though was having access to so many amazing things. Especially around Christmas! her family celebrated Christmas they would get a small branch off a tree and put tinsel on it. This year she had gone with Henry to pick a tree, it was amazing seeing all the different sizes and colours. Last night the night before Christmas the whole family Mum and Dad, Carson and Greg along with Pam and Elisha and their parents had gathered downstairs and helped to decorate the tree.

Dad had insisted that they climb the branches of the tree so they could thread the lights through to the perfect spots. She had to admit it had looked great once the lights were turned on, it was perfect. She and Henry had hung the ornaments, and the boys with the help of their girlfriends had threaded the tinsel through the boughs of the tree. It had looked magical as the tree was finished. Henry had smiled at Lina as he picked up the last piece, an Angel that was small with a sparkling gold dress and real feathers for wings. He had placed it in her hands, then lifted her by the waist allowing her to place the final piece on the top of the tree. Nothing could replace that feeling of warmth as he had wrapped his arms around her as they both gazed up at the tree.

Standing in the kitchen She and Henry had been cooking most of the morning, well Henry had been cooking she had been fetching mixing and sneaking bites. Right now she was preparing the meals, the little plates were full of pork, apple sauce, mash potato, stuffing, and salad. In little mugs, they had mulled wine. She smiled as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her his hot breath tickling her ear as he said "You ready" together they carried the food out to the coffee table there on top of the table was her family sitting around a small table they had bought that seated 8 borrowers. With delicate fingers, she placed the meals before each one along with their drinks as Henry placed their food at the end of the table. Both beans sat on the floor, Kal laying next to his master hoping for some Christmas treats. 

Melina smiles a broad smile at her family, she was still getting used to no longer being able to hug her mum or dad, or having Greg being her protector. The tables were turned now, she along with Henry were their protectors. Henry cleared his throat holding his glass of mulled wine out "A Toast, to Family, and to true friends who become family." the group held out there cups a collective small cheer rising from the middle of the table. Melina's Dad stood up holing his cup out " I would like to Toast to new and old friends, to Love and second chances" this bought another cheer and chuckles from the table. Chatter followed as the friends and family ate, drank and celebrated together the festive season.

Stomachs full and minds fogged by mulled wine, the group made their way to the Christmas tree. Henry put a Santa hat on and went to the bottom of the tree pickup and handing out the gifts. Each borrower received new sets of clothing including a fancy dress for the girls and suits for the men. They also received a new rope and three-pronged fish hook rig each.  Melina received a new journal from her parents who had help from Henry in purchasing it and the young adults had chosen three new dresses for Melina also with his help. There were two boxes left under the tree, one was big and one was small.  Melina went to the big box and laid it before Henry, grinning he removed the paper the non-descript brown box gave nothing away as he began to open it. Inside was a glassless frame bordering a sketch of Kal stretched out sunning himself in the garden.

As Henry studied the intricate scene he looking past the large dog, there he began to see hidden amongst the garden images of the borrowers peeing out at him all in different poses. He smiled up at Lina and spoke in a hushed tone "Lina, this is amazing, you have a real talent." the praise lit a warm spark inside her. She had secretly been working on it and did not know if it was something he would love or not. Henry stood and walked to the tree picking up the small package, he walked back to Lina and knelt before her. Looking up into her eyes, he watched as a softness filled the sweet pools that he wanted to get lost in. 

Taking a deep breath and stilling his erratic heartbeat he grabbed her hand as he spoke  "Lina, For a long time I have been searching for something that would bring me a sense of completeness, I thought it would come once I reached a level in my fame and work. There was a sense of satisfaction but it still felt hollow once the high faded. It wasn't till I met you that I began to feel peace, contentment, In your arms I am home. I asked your father for his blessing and now I am asking you in front of your family. Would you have me, whether I am big or small, would you consent to be my wife?"  As he said the last few words he opened the small box to reveal a small ring nestles into a velvet pillow, delicate with three small pink diamonds winking up at her.        

Waiting but a breath Melina's eyes swam with tears and she whispered, Yes, as he placed the ring on her hand. Both lost in each other, they missed the collective gasp from the borrowers as two delicate voices chuckled behind them.  Standing tall and willowy the Star fairies smiled at the Borrower and her Bean as they turned their faces showing fear and curiosity. The Bell-like voice of Nightsong spoke "My little starling do not be afraid, we have been with you your whole life. Your voice has drawn us to you time and time again. We come to celebrate with you, you have both experienced life big and small. We would like to give you a gift, you can choose how you would like to live. Which will it be? A Borrower or a Bean?    

A/N oooooo what would you choose?