Starlight

XVII: Being Alive

Make me confused,
Mock me with praise,
Let me be used,
Vary my days.
But alone is alone, not alive

- 'Being Alive,' Company

xx.xx

The whole family, Professor Hidgens included, leaned in, anxiously anticipating Finn's news.

"I've been nominated for an award!" They all burst into a warm cheer, and Amelia began clapping.

"Well done!" She squeezed his hand. "What for?"

"Godspell. The opening night of which..." He gestured toward the two friends huddled together at the little table. "Is when Robbie and I met Professor Hidgens, as they were both guests of the cast. Now that they're writing a musical together, I figured it was only appropriate that they should continue to be my guests and accompany me to the award ceremony."

Robbie flipped the envelope over: To Professor Henry Hidgens and Miss Robbie Franks.

Finn sat back down with a flourish. "It's on New Year's Eve. Your tickets are in there. It's a black tie event at a hotel, so dress fancy, it's gonna be amazing. Your meals and drinks are all paid for."

"Finn..." Robbie ran her finger along the edge of the envelope. "You shouldn't have."

"Hey, don't mention it. After all, I'll have a much better time with you there. Both of you." He winked at Robbie and she realized that the real gift he'd given her hadn't been the tickets at all - he was, in fact, providing her with the opportunity to have an incredibly romantic evening.

Henry caressed the embossed lettering of their names on the ticket. "I'll have to pull out one of my old suits. I think I have a tux somewhere..."

"And I'll have to buy a nice dress. I'm guessing that my usual jumper and jeans won't do."

"Oh - I'm so sorry," Hidgens began, and for a dreadful moment Robbie feared that he couldn't make it to the ceremony, "But I haven't gotten you anything in return. I planned to, I really did, but I didn't think I'd get to see you for another week, so..."

"You bastard." Jan tried to fake anger but broke, giggling half way through. "No, really, Professor - we're just glad that we got to spend Christmas with you. Robbie and Finn think so much of you; we couldn't let you spend it alone."

Under the table, Robbie felt something brush against the back of her hand.

He had held her hand before, a friend act to give her encouragement in times of emotional distress or difficulty. But this was different. He was hiding it from the others. He caressed her. This wasn't a platonic friendly act, this was...

Suddenly he tore away, startled as Tilly brushed past his legs and zoomed across the room, barking at the piano.

"You play, professor?" Poppy swung around to look at the little dog, who was circling and wiggling.

"I do! Not well, but..."

Amelia pushed her plate away, crossing the room the scoop up her dog once more. "Sorry about her, she's just excited by the change of pace."

"Well, we'll have to leave pretty soon to be back in time for Nana." Jan checked her watch. "I hope we've not been too much of a bother."

"Not at all." Henry squeezed Robbie's hand under the table and it felt like a thousand butterflies had been set loose in her stomach. "Before you go... how about I play something?"

The tiny crowd erupted into a chorus of encouragement and he stood, stretching his hands. "Now, it's been some time since I've played for anybody. A really long time. But as I haven't been able to get any of you a gift, and it's Christmas..."