PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

lxi. last resort

A quiet dinner has taken place at Anne's humble abode, celebrating the return of her only son and welcoming a new daughter-in-law. Liam arrived late, a beautiful lady in tow. He introduced her as Sophia, a girl he's been dating for almost two months now. They took seats and were also glad to meet Charlie, Harry's wife-to-be.

"Ah, so you're the famous Charlie. If only I get a penny each time I couldn't stop Harry from talking about you, I would have been half as rich as him." Liam bellows heartily, but Harry remains quiet. He doesn't enjoy his riches as his cousin thinks, though he knows Liam didn't mean offense by it.

"Anyway, mom..." Harry's head turns to face his mom at the head of the table. She quickly regards him, having to be so aware at everything that's happening and what everyone's saying for she can only lip-read to be able to understand the conversation. He releases his knife and fork on the plate, and draws a sign language in the air his mother could understand, though he also accompanies it with spoken words. "I hope you don't mind us staying for the night. I don't think Charlie would be comfortable at my pad, neither in a hotel --"

Anne waves him away and answers, "Stay as long as you like. I'm happy that you're here."

Charlie's heart leaps when Anne points her. She doesn't understand sign language and she doesn't like being in the spotlight in normal occasions, so when someone points at her, she instantly feels nervous.

Harry's hand squeezes Charlie's on the table and grants her an endearing smile when Anne tells something again. Her fiance watches in confusion.  Liam, on the other hand, suppresses his laughter by sipping his water.

"What's that?" Charlie asks, gripping his hand back to draw Harry's attention. She glances at Liam as well, but he only shrugs, remnant of a playful smile still in his eyes.

"That's really old, mom, but okay. This is your house anyway." Harry doesn't use sign language this time. He turns to face Charlie who is waiting for an answer. "She says we have to be in two separate rooms. You stay in mine, I'll share with Liam...just like when we were kids." He rolls his eyes at the end of that.

She suddenly let go of a breath she's been holding for so long. She seems relieved. "Really?" She grins widely. "I was worried about sleeping arrangements this whole time."

"Seriously, Charlie?" Harry frowns.

"Baby, it's not that. I move a lot. And I've --"

"It's okay. I was just hoping you've told me. I don't want you to feel obligated or pressured about things. I understand, okay?"

She nods, smiling tightly. Harry scoots closer to her and brushes a kiss on her forehead.

The other witnesses in the room watch closely, admiring the couple like two characters in a popular romantic film.

-----

Later that night, they all get ready for bed -- Charlie, at least, since her body clock tells her it's time for bed. They all share one bathroom upstairs, at the far end of the hallway, in the middle of the rooms.

The blonde clutches her toiletries by her hips, donning a pair of pyjamas and hair pulled up in a bun. She's just done washing up and heading to her room -- the one Harry owned when he was a kid -- when her fiance slips out of the room across hers.

"Hey, you okay?" Harry asks as soon as he sees her, touching and studying her face as if tracing for some sign of something that might be bothering her. He wants to make sure she's fine.

"I'm alright. Stop worrying." Charlie reassures him with a sleepy smile. "Just tired from the flight and all. After some sleep, I'd be bouncing around like a ball." She chuckles.