Chaos. Hope. Love.

Losing Hope

I woke up in Achilles's arms. It was still night, but he'd stroked his fingers over my shoulder. It had woken me. I looked up at him. The city's light pooled through his room's window and played over his features, bringing them into sharp relief. 

He smiled softly. "Sorry."

I shook my head and stretched, loving the feel of his strong body against mine. We snuggled then, with me resting my head on his chest. His music was so beautiful. Still strident, but somehow, it formed a harmony with my own heartsong. 

I closed my eyes, listening. "How will Hope take this?" 

"She'll probably be thrilled. She likes you." 

"Really?" 

"Really." A comfortable lull settled between us. Just us and our music. I couldn't help smiling. It was nice, being liked. 

I glanced up at him. "Hope said she doesn't have a mother." 

"No, she doesn't." He kissed me deeply and whispered against my lips. "Let's not talk about it now. It's not a happy story." 

Yeah, it wouldn't do to spoil our first night together talking about anything unpleasant. "Okay." 

We kissed again and moved on to much more pleasant uses of our time together. 

* * *

Moving easily through the air, I checked that everything was ready for customers, then re-formed by my counter. Enjoying the buoyant mood I was in, I inhaled the rich scent of the books around me. A whole week had passed, and I'd spent every single day with Achilles and Hope as soon as I closed up shop. 

They welcomed me. They loved my company. It was the most amazing thing. They liked me even when they knew all of me. 

I hummed and all but danced to the front door so I could unlock it. By the time I was back inside packing wood in the fireplace, the bell rang.

"Hello!" Betty called from the front door. 

"Done with all those books already?" I asked over my shoulder. 

"No, dear, but there are some nice surprises in them." She primly sat on one of the nearby sofas. "Speaking of nice... What happened with Archie?" 

Her eyes shone with interest. Oh, she was enjoying this, but then, she had done her little bit to help. 

I grinned, causing her to laugh with glee. 

"Oh wonderful!" She clapped her hands. "You better invite me to the wedding." 

"Wedding! We've only been dating for a week." Betty flapped her hand as if my point was an annoying little fly. "You two are perfect for each other. And you make a beautiful couple." 

I could only chuckle. "Would you like some coffee?" 

"Why not? Got nothing to do but read." 

Betty said it smiling, but her voice shook. Was her loneliness the reason why she'd pushed Achilles and me together? I always liked Betty. She was such a lively, honest sort. Didn't mince words and didn't sit around moping. But in the two years she'd come into my store, I'd never seen her with anyone else. 

I understood loneliness. Before, I'd never have tried to help, but Achilles had made me see everything wasn't my fault. It changed things. I went to make the coffee and brought it back to the coffee table by the fireplace. Betty helped herself to a mug. 

"Why don't you come work here?" I asked over the rim of my own. 

Betty frowned. "You never needed help before."