PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

lxx. how it happened

"I am so sorry, Charlie." It's not a matter of time before Patti's distress call has took a toll on Harry. His fingers are shaking as he places his laptop inside his backpack, so as his voice that wavers at the end of every sentence. He barely manages to get any word out as his brain projects worst case scenarios.

His Dad is rushed to a hospital just an hour prior to the phone call. The doctor hadn't explained what's going on with their father yet, but Harry's terrified. He couldn't lose his father -- not when Charlie is already in his life.

"Hey," Charlie's soft voice tries to sooth Harry's unnerved behavior while placing a hand on both his arms, folding her legs to the floor so she's eye-level with Harry who's perched on the frameless mattress. "What are you sorry for?"

"Sorry for ruining everything. We've barely settled ourselves in and here, I am already going back to England." Harry curls his fingers to his hair, resting his head to the palm of his hands as he looks to the floor.

Charlie looks away for a second, looking at the white-painted wall of their deemed master's bedroom. She cannot imagine how in spite of such a difficult time in their family, her fiancè is still thinking about her.

So she pulls his chin up and makes him look at her in the eye again. She remembers how captivating his green eyes were the first time they met. They still are. She remembers how these eyes look at her with so much intent, she could almost drown. When she caresses his face, she remembers the first time she poked his dimple on his cheek and how his lips stretched to a smile when she did it. She's so in love with Harry with not enough words to describe it.

"You were always there for me, Harry. Number of times, when I needed a friend, you always managed to be there -- and that's despite being busy administrating and whatever it is that you do in your airplane company," She pauses as, finally, a small hint of smile shows on Harry's face. "It was unbelievable how you could be my Aiden and their Harry at the same damn time, but here you are..." She takes a deep breath. "Needless to say, I think this time, it's just fair that I'd be the one to be there for you."

"How about the wedding?"

And that's when a realization hits her. Truth be told, she haven't thought about the wedding much after flying back to America. It was always the topic of discussion between her, Harry, and Anne when they were still in England, but inevitably, after the tiresome travel and unpacking dozens of boxes, it had slowly fade away.

"The wedding can wait, Harry. We'll plan everything when we get back."

Harry chuckles humourlessly.

"What?" Charlie asks through a light laugh, her brows furrowing in curiosity.

"It's just that it's only the start of the new year and there's already so much going on."

"I know," Charlie pulls Harry to a hug, resting her chin on his shoulder. "And there are probably more...but we'll be there for each other through it all." She assures him.

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EHMEGEHD!
I'm so eggzoiteeeed. =]

Glyz xx