Always

Chapter 18: I'm Not Letting You Go

Christmas Day. Just one week after the incident in the bathroom. Severus took great care of Beth in the Hospital Wing. She was floating in and out of consciousness that whole week and she was very grateful. She woke up around 9 am, and she saw Severus rubbing her left wrist very gently. "Good morning.....are you alright?" He asked her as she nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay. Thank you for taking care of me." She said as Severus looked at her pale face. "Do you remember what happened a week ago?" He asked slowly as his voice got firm and dark. "Um.....um.....um....well......I was in here. With you. I was just fine, but my lips.....they started burning for some reason. I don't remember anything after that. Now, I'm back here in the Hospital Wing. With you." She said as he slowly scratched his chin. His black eyes stared at her as if trying to figure out what happened to her. Should he mention the words on the mirrors? He exhaled as he stated "I found you.....on your back, unconscious, in the center of the bathroom. On the mirrors, was the written word 'Liar'. Who is the liar, Elizabeth?" She gulped as she had a hunch who it was. "I.....I......I....don't know who the liar is. I don't." She sighed as he glared deeply at her. "I am certain you know who the liar is Elizabeth.....but I wish for you to rest. Do not think about it now, as I will get to the bottom of it. However....." He mumbled as he reached down for something. Beth wondered what he was reaching for. He then gently gave her a wrapped box that had red and white striped wrapping paper. "For you, my dear. Happy Christmas." He whispered as she took the box. "Happy Christmas? I thought it was Merry." She spoke as he shook his head. "The British do not say merry......it is happy." He answered her as she smiled. "Then by all means.....Happy Christmas." She smiled weakly as she gently opened the box. Inside was a medium-sized teddy bear that was light brown and had a big red bow on its neck. "Oh my goodness.......it is adorable! I love it!" She said as she smelled the bear. "It smells like you!" She said with a soft giggle. "And what is that smell?" He asked. "Like.....old shoes and grease." She replied as he laughed deeply at her. "I do not know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult." He mumbled as they shared a tender moment.

"Severus.....I just want to say.....how much I love you." She spoke as he smiled at her. "The feeling is mutual my love. That is why I am so concerned about what happened a week ago. You do not remember most of it, and I am certain I need to find out soon. You could get more hurt." He said as she nodded. "I'm so sorry......I was supposed to buy you a Christmas gift that day but......I got preoccupied." She said as he gently held her cheek. "You do not seem to understand, Beth.....you are my gift. A gift that I wish to hold and cherish for the rest of this life. I need nothing, want nothing.....other than you." He whispered as she nuzzled her face into his warm large hand. "I will still buy you something, Severus." She smirked as he gently rolled his eyes. "I will not stop you then, my love." He said with a subtle shrug as he asked her "Are you hungry?" She nodded. "I will find something to eat for you." He said as he stood up. "Thank you, Severus...." She said softly as he gave her a quick nod and he left her.

She tried hard to remember what happened a week ago. She slowly sat up and looked around the lit-up room. The morning sun was coming in, but she felt cold in the room. She got up and went to the window. She was amazed. The snow was heavily falling and it was such a beautiful sight to see. A magical Christmas morning indeed. She watched the snow smiling as she rubbed her head. It was half-wrapped from when she hit her head. She had not seen snow this heavy before, so she glued herself to the cold window and watched it fall. The smile never left her soft and gentle face as Severus returned 20 minutes later. He was holding the tray of food, and he saw her by the window. He tilted his head a little and smirked.

"Have you not seen snow before?" He asked as she turned her head seeing him walking towards her. She walked back to her bed and sat up with the covers up to her hips. "Not this much, no." She answered as he gave her the food. "Will you eat something?" She asked. "Not at the current moment." He replied as he watched her eat rather quickly. "Can we go play in the snow Severus?" She asked as he sighed. "Do you not recall what happened to you a week ago? You froze." He said sternly as Beth sighed. "But you will be there with me! And I promise I will wear something warmer! Please? Please? pleaseeeeeee?" She begged as Severus held a hand up to her lips. "Very well, very well. Stop begging, it is irritating to my ears." He said as she squealed happily and hugged him tightly. "Ugh....." He sighed as he moved her breakfast plate aside and he wrapped his large arms around her small waist. He moved her legs so that she could wrap them around his waist, and she smiled happily. She cuddled into his chest as he rubbed her back and he reached around her and placed a warm blanket on her. She turned a little red. He treated her so kindly, compared to other people. She felt so toasty and warm now, being against Severus Snape. He looked down at her and smirked to himself. She looked like a small child in his arms. So innocent. So pure. So full of happiness. He held her closer as he looked out at the snow. She then finally got the gist of it. "You're just holding me like this and making me comfortable because you don't want me to go outside. Isn't that right?" She asked looking up at him. "No. Why do you believe such a thing?" He asked in return. "Because......Severus.....you are not as smooth as you think you are." She laughed as she poked his nose and he slightly twitched from her doing that. "I want to go outside." Beth said again as he looked at her slowly. "Are you worried?" She tilted her head. "Perhaps." He mumbled as she held his cheek. "My beloved.....I will be careful." She whispered as she kissed his lips softly, almost barely touching them. He then agreed reluctantly and he let her go. She got up and she reached out her hand. "I need to change...but I would like you to come with me." She smiled as he got up and kissed her forehead. "Lead the way, my darling." He said as they walked to her quarters.