A Henry & Diana Romance: What should have happened near the end of Splendor

By PurpleMouseWCB

Henry Schoonmaker stood on the pier, a massive ship looming over him. But he was not alone, had never been less isolated in his entire life. He was with his beloved, Diana Holland, even though they both knew that he didn't deserve a girl like her.

Diana squeezed his arm, awakening his senses.

"Di…" He began softly, unsure as to how to formulate the perfect sentence.

She tilted her head ever so slightly, her short brown curls darting about her face, gesturing for him to continue.

"I love you. I want to…marry you. Will you come back to New York and not go to Paris so we can get married?"

Her large eyes widened further at this prospect. "Oh, Henry…I don't think…I couldn't bring myself to marry you, not here…" Diana's sweet and refined voice trailed off into the unkown.

Henry, aghast, let out a small squeak. "But I thought that was what you wanted," he finally said.

"No," she replied sharply. "Don't you see? Marrying you in New York, being your second wife, having people despise me for the rest of my life…It's not what I want, Henry. I love you, but I can't do this."

Sighing, Henry said, "Then I will come to Paris with you."

Diana smiled primly, layers of remorse hidden beneath her façade. "Henry, you're meant for New York. You will find love someday, don't worry. But go now. This is what I want."

He caressed her smooth jaw line and ran his fingers down the length of her broad neck. "Di, I can't leave you. When I – we – were apart, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about you. I don't want Penelope – I want you, and only you."

He took a deep breath, breathing in the humid July air, full of possibilities and unexplored terrain. The air had been to places he had only dreamed of, and seen remarkable things. He wanted to experience those things with the love of his life.

Henry decided that he would write a letter to his mother asking her to divorce him and Penelope. He knew Penny wouldn't mind, what with her infatuations with the Prince of Barvaria.

Grinning and speechless, Diana grasped his hand. He entwined his fingers in hers. This is how it would be, forever.

The horn from the gigantic boat echoed across the still air, filling the two lovers with the prospect of freedom at last.

Hand in hand, the lovers ran across the pier and onto the gangplank, leaving their old life behind and creating a new one for their own.

THE END