Short Stories

Love Prevails

Newt and Catharine wound their way out of the woods, hand in hand.

"Newt," she said.

"Hm?" he said.

"What is going to happen with my fiance?" she inquired.

"I don't know," he said bluntly.

They went up to her front door. She unlocked the door, and they walked in. The living room was full of people, so they went there.

Catharine's mother looked over to see them walking in. She quickly silenced everyone, and turned to her. She appeared crestfallen, her eyes filled with pity.

"Catharine, honey, have a seat. Hello Newt," she said.

He nodded towards her.

"Mother? What's wrong," she said.

Most of the people in the room were staring at her with pity. Those who didn't simply averted their eyes. None of her fiance's relatives were present. Her fiance was absent as well.

"It's... Henry. He is..." she stated.

"What about him? Is he okay?" she asked.

Newt put his hand on her shoulder. He squeezed tightly, trying not to appear happy. He could not believe his ears. Could this be his chance? Try though he might, a few people in the room noticed him. They were perplexed by his obvious happiness, yet said nothing. He didn't care either way. He was too ecstatic to care.

"Henry is gay, Catharine. He revealed it this afternoon. He said he was tired of hiding it, and broke off the marriage.. He wished you the best of luck. I'm sorry," she said, no longer looking at Catharine.

"Wha... How is this... I don't understand. Mother, this can't be true. Father? Uncle? Aunty? Jimmy? Sarah? " she said, looking at each of them in turn.

Everyone avoided looking her in the eye. She looked back at her mother. Her eyes were all the proof she needed. She turned. She ran upstairs to her room, tears falling from her face. The door slammed shut.

"I'll go to her," said Newt, speaking for the first time since he'd entered the room.

They said nothing, but neither did they attempt to stop him. He turned, and slowly walked up the stairs with barely contained joy.

"That poor girl," said Catharine's mother, "She's probably crying her eyes out up there. That Henry is a heartless bastard," she stated indignantly.

Newt knocked on Catharine's door. He heard her crying from inside. She yelled for her mother to go away. She wanted to be alone.

"It's me," Newt said through the door.

The door instantly flung open. A red eyed Catharine stood there, looking at him. She smiled from ear to ear, happier than ever. She grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him in, shutting the door behind him.

"I-," he began, before she kissed him.

He returned the kiss, a swirl of emotions flying between them. She broke the kiss for a moment.

"I love you," he said.

"As do I," she said.

"Marry me Catharine," he said.

She smiled even wider. Tears rolled from her eyes as she threw herself into him.

"Yes!" she exclaimed gleefully.

It was his turn to smile. He embraced her, and they stood silently. They were utterly absorbed in their love for each other.

The sound of someone clearing their throat suddenly broke the silence.

"Oh my- Mother! How long have you been there?" she stated bashfully.

"Only a short while, but long enough," she said, not unkindly.

Her mother smiled at them both.

"Who cares, though. That Henry was a stick in the mud anyways." she said, turning away. "She said yes!" she shouted down.

A storm of footsteps could be heard as everyone came running up to Catharine's room. Everyone had big smiles.

"Well then, kiss him!" her mother stated impatiently.

Catharine turned to face Newt. He stared into her eyes with a huge grin on his face. She stared back. Without another moment's hesitation, they locked lips as everyone around them cheered.

"The show must go on! To Newt!" her mother shouted.

"To Newt!" they shouted in agreement.