Harry Dresden (dresdensluck) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-04-19 11:18:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, elaine mallory, harry dresden |
Who: Harry and Elaine
Where: The Mallory House
What: Harry and Elaine have a long overdue talk
When: After this log, Wednesday, 04/17
Warnings/Rating: PG-13
Status complete
Harry held Elaine close, snuggled close to her in her bedroom, late. It had been a good evening, with dinner a group effort with Cora, and with a lot of camaraderie. Once again, Harry felt a surge of love for these two, and knew, without a doubt in his heart, that this was where he wanted to be, to live, to breathe. These two were who he wanted to be around.
And so he smiled as he kissed Elaine again, grinning at her.
“I love you.”
She kissed him, nestled in blankets, pillows, and Harry’s presence. She appreciated his willingness to help out around the house, and he was quickly becoming an active part of her daughter’s life...and it just felt natural. Like he belonged there.
“I love you, too. Thanks for letting Cora help with dinner. She loved that.”
Harry smiled softly. “You know, she and I have been talking.” He paused, then started again. “I was wondering... do you think, by chance, that someday, you might be open to a certain question, one involving rings?”
“I might be.” Elaine said, smiling softly. She had seen the wedding gown ‘designs’ in some of her daughter’s sketchbooks. “Has Corazon been whispering ideas in your ear?”
“No. I planned... I was hoping for a chance to talk about it with you.” Harry chuckled. “I did ask her how she felt about it, too.” He smiled softly. “I want to make this a family... sometime, you know, if you might be interested.”
She liked that he had talked to Corazon. Not everyone would have asked their partner’s kids first. “You’ve been around enough know what my life is like,” she said, “You know that I rushed into things, the first time around. But I know myself a little better now, and if you still want to try...” She shrugged, snuggling more closely against him. “I can’t promise you when I’ll be ready, but I’m not going to dismiss the possibility out of hand.”
Harry grinned, then. “Well, in that case... how about this?” He paused and nibbled one lip. “How about you ask me, when you’re ready?”
He liked the idea, and he loved this woman.
“You’re willing to wait on me?” she asked, giving him a hopeful smile. She didn’t know how long it might take her, but she was trying not to get hung up on the things that had kept her from expressing and acting on her feelings for him in the past.
“For you? Forever.” Harry nodded softly, and kissed her gently. “I love you, and I just found you again. As long a you’ll have me, I’m not going anywhere.” He nodded.
Elaine closed her eyes, leaning into that kiss. She didn’t want to pull away again, like she had
done before. “Thank you,” she said finally. She wanted to find out if they could work. If they could last. “If there was anyone I ever imagined another shot with, it would be you.”
Harry smiled at her and kissed her nose, gently. He stroked her face, her hair and smiled. “Completely not on that subject, and on another... “ He paused, then simply asked. “Is Corazon my daughter?”
Elaine’s heart turned a somersault, using her stomach for a trampoline--though whether in a good way, or a bad way, she wasn’t quite sure. She swallowed hard, and hoped she didn’t look as guilty as she felt. How many times had she asked herself the same question, but never been able to get it out when she had talked to Harry?
“I don’t know,” she said at last, and it was the truth. “At least not for sure. I was such a mess back then, I never knew if she was yours, or...” The words started tumbling out in a defensive rush, and she had to force herself to slow down, and take a breath. “I was scared, and confused, and If I could go back, I would have handled the news of my pregnancy so much differently. But we never did a paternity test. I don’t think he wanted to know if she wasn’t his.”
Harry gently hugged her and kissed her. “It doesn’t matter in the long run, to me, except this. I love her, too, as a daughter. If she is or isn’t my blood daughter, that doesn’t change that.” He breathed and smiled softly. “I would like to know. But it won’t change that fact that she is already the daughter of my heart.” He’d been thinking about those words for awhile, and he nodded.
Elaine shivered as she felt the tension suddenly drain out of her body, snuggling closer to Harry for comfort as much as warmth. “You have every right to know,” she said, “And I’m sorry I didn’t come right out and tell you when I found out I was pregnant, that there was a chance she might be yours.”
Sure, there was a chance that taking a paternity test now might complicate things with her ex, but it was time to set things right. “I love you, Harry. I think I always have.”
Harry slid his arms more about her, holding her close, loving to touch and feel her near him, against him, and knowing he was okay, she was okay, they were okay. And hoping they always would be. The anger he felt was something small, and the feeling of loss could be survived. “It’s okay, Elaine. I admit... I feel a little like I lost years I could have had, but I also believe in you, trust you, and love you. Nothing will change that.” He breathed her in as he kissed her forehead and temple.
He kissed her back. “I’m pretty sure I’ve always loved you, too. I just never realized how much I needed you, until this place and time.” He bonked his forehead against hers, very lightly.
It hurt to know that she had cost him--and herself--those years, but if Harry could forgive her, then maybe she could finally forgive herself. It was a cleansing feeling to have everything out in the open. No more secrets, or questions. No more wondering what if?
She was ready to seek out the answers that she’d been avoiding for so long.
FIN.