almost || h.s

August 22 1963

(notice i skipped a day. it would basically be the same as the previous chapter, them being in love and stuff.)

-

"Good morning beautiful."

"Good morning handsome."

"I have places I need to go today, so are you fine by yourself for a few hours?"

"Where is it that you need to go?"

"I just need to check up on a few things."

"What things?"

"You are so nosey."

"Please tell me."

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Very well."

...

His fingers brushed through his vanity, searching for proper attire for the frigid temperature outside. He landed on dark jeans with a brown trench coat. Sliding his clothes on, he gave a quick peck to my forehead before fleeing out the door and through the hidden entry placed along the alleyway.

I got up, ridding myself of my previous bedtime wear and slipped into the shower, letting the warm water soothe my worrisome demeanor. I let the water cascade around me until the steam began to shorten my breath.

I turned off the faucet and stepped into a freshly washed towel. Drying myself and putting on a pair of fresh clothes, I trudged to the kitchen and fixed myself a cup of coffee.

It would be hours without Harry and I had no real idea of why he had gone so sudden. The disappearance left a heavy weight on my shoulders that seemed to remain until he returned.

...

I heard the door click and a pale Harry met my eyes before rushing towards the bedroom. Although I was happy he was safe and here with me, I knew something unfortunate had happened due to his depressing state.

I tiptoed towards his upright body, sitting at the edge of his side of the bed.

"Harry?" I whispered, inching closer to him.

"I just need a minute." I heard him sniffle, making his voice crack and sound weak.

"Did something happen?"

"I said I need a minute." He bit, making me jump from the venom laced in with his words.

"O- okay." I took small steps back, a sudden shock and fear ran over me.

I returned to my cup of coffee and copy of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. I continued my deep read, but quite distracted as to why Harry had acted so bitter and emotional.

I wanted an answer but I knew that if I continued my pestering towards him, I would never get a proper answer. So I did what I knew would let him cool down, give him some space.

...

It was exactly two hours and thirty six minutes. I had waited that long for Harry to find his composure. And here he was, a grin planted firmly on his face and his comfortable clothing covering his body. He looked just like he did yesterday, happy and content.

"Hello beautiful." He placed a kiss to my forehead once again before filling a glass to the brim with tap water.

"Hi Harry."

He sat down across from me, a frown fixated on his face.

"What's wrong, love?"

"I'm worried about you."

"What's there to worry?"

"You didn't look like yourself when you arrived hours ago. It frightened me."

"Don't worry, Elizabeth. I'm absolutely fine. I was just a bit startled by my encounter in the real world."

"Do tell me why."

"Like I said, it's better for a different time."

I nodded my head, drifting my attention to the far-more interesting book in front of me.

The pit in my stomach never left as he began to ramble on about a new song he heard on the radio. I was beyond worried as to what has occurred and why he was in fact startled by it.

Was it a robber? Or maybe his parents found him. Ideas began floating throughout my brain, leaving my head pounding from all of the possibilities.

I couldn't get the situation out of my mind as we continued to discuss random things, wasting our time. But the thing that had bothered me the most, was that he had acted like nothing had happened and he was unaffected by it.

I was clearly affected by it, despite not knowing exactly what it was to be affected from.

"And then the maid used too much wax upon the granite and I feel flat on my bum, leaving a bruise there for a good two weeks." We both erupted in laughter, searching for air from the outburst.

Harry always knew how to make me smile, no mater what he did. From his slight misbalance to his hair getting in his eyes and him being unable to see.

Spending time with him was something I will forever cherish. Being with him is like finally finding your puppy that ran away only a few days ago. Its so familiar, yet relieving and exciting. You know your puppy has been there somewhere, you were just waiting for it to return at your doorstep, bringing you joy.

I could say that Harry is my puppy, seeing that he held those adorable eyes and fluffy hair. But he is much more than a puppy, he is someone I spend every waking moment with and love with every molecule in my body. He is the sun to my rainy day, the sea to the my barren desert, the bright city to my dull farm town. He is the something I have been on a constant search for my entire life. The love of my life, in simpler terms.

...

"Elizabeth?"

"Yes?"

"Say you'll stay with me until my last breath."

"Only if you promise to stay for mine."

"I'll try best."

"As will I."

"I love you so much, Elizabeth."

"Harry, you're using filler words."

"But I mean every word I said."

"Then I love you so damn much, Harold."

"It still brings shock to me when you use such foul language under my roof."

"Goodnight Harry."

"But I'm not tired."

"But I am."

"Will you sing me a song, Elizabeth?"

"But you know I can't sing."

"That's why I want you to sing."

"You're odd. But here goes."

(Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley. The link on the side is how I imagine her to sing it.)

Love me tender,

Love me sweet,

Never let me go.

You have made my life complete,

And I love you so.

"You're voice is beautiful."

"Are you tired yet?"

"Sing a little more, love."

Love me tender,

Love me true,

All my dreams fulfilled.

For my darlin' I love you,

And I always will.

Soft snores could be heard from Harry's side of the bed, refraining me from singing further. I left a kiss on his cheek before whispering a sweet goodnight in his ear. And we fell asleep in each other's arms, hopelessly in love.