After the Rain Stories

After The Rain

Simon stood in the rain, not feeling the water seep into his clothes nor the chill of his skin to the change of the weather. The only thing he could feel was her, the only thing he could see was her, everything was her. She held his gaze for a moment longer, her eyes begging him to say something, anything, after she had poured her heart to him. Her eyes drifted to her dress that was drenched through and through, and she caved. She would not force him to talk, not force him to do anything ever again, and so she turned towards the staircase to give him the space he needed.

He watched her walk away as she began pulling the pins out her hair, and his heart suddenly felt like it would burst out of his chest and chase after her if he did not. Simon knew he loved her, like he knew the sun would rise everyday – never ending, and bursting with light. She pulled him out of the dark, her mere presence around him pulled him towards her light, and in befriending and falling in love with her, he joined the light with her. His thoughts halted his foot that was slightly lifted off the ground, ready to go after her, and stopped him. Would he be able to forgive her for what she did? Would he be able to believe himself worthy of the things he desires to have with her, despite how much he tries to convince himself he does not want? Would he be able make a new vow, to the one he loves, rather than the one he despises? It took him all about 3 seconds to think, yes, yes and – yes. Simon was able to move his body this time, the fear of losing her giving him the courage he needed to say what he was going to say, as he strode after her.

"Daphne," he yelled urgently over the rain, his steps quickening to meet her at the landing of the first set of stairs. Daphne stopped, her wet hair swinging across her shoulders as she turned to face him. Simon took the stairs two steps at a time, resting on the one just below where she stood on the landing. He was taken aback a moment by her, the way her lip trembled, her eyes hopeful but scared to trust that hope at the same time, it made him realize how afraid she was of losing him as well.

Simon took a steadying breath, his nerves were coursing throughout his veins, and he did not want to stammer at such an important moment. Daphne slowly reached her hand up to his cheek, cupping it, and his skin burned at her gentle touch. This was her silent way of telling him she would be patient, would not rush the words out of him. Simon brought his hand up to cover hers, then took it and laced theirs together against his heart that was beating faster than it ever had before.

Taking a shaky breath, Simon dug the words that have been hidden deep in his heart since the evening he told her to call him Simon, and decided to believe that love conquers all.

"There has never been a choice for me to love you Daphne, it chose me, rather than I it. When I told the Queen that you bring me joy, when I told you to call me Simon, when I told you that I was yours, when I told you that I burned for you, when I reached for your hand under the painting - those were all indirect ways of me telling you what my words were too scared to speak directly," he paused, his emotions threatening to pool in his eyes. Daphne's eyes mimicked his own, her breath coming quicker than before.

"And now, the only thing I am afraid of is losing you, Daphne. My best friend, my wife, my love, light and life. The mother of my future children. Without you, I do not know to be the man I know I can be when I am with you, for our family," he paused once more, the words he has not spoken yet ringing in his ears, and closed his eyes as he thought of the words to come, but came up with nothing more than to simply say, I love you.

Simon opened his eyes, the love pouring out of them as he prepared to speak the words he had been too afraid to make real, and the ones she wanted to hear the most.

"I love you Daphne," he spoke softly as he squeezed her hand that was resting on his heart, his face full of relief as he finally let the words free from his heart.