Just apologising for the sudden time skip. I figured I'd leave it to your imagination how Harriet settled in. She's officially living with Cosmo and Don and is by now very close with them.

3 weeks later

"Don's acting all strange lately. He's all glum. You got any clue why?" Cosmo asked as we sat in the music room. Cosmo was learning a new piece and I'd turn the page. He didn't enjoy learning new pieces; he liked writing his own stuff and improvising. I shrugged a little. "Well, I haven't seen that girl around for a while. You know the one. She threw the cake in Lina's face." We both giggled a little as Cosmo played the notes beautifully.

"That's true…" He stopped playing and looked up at me, "Hey… you're right! It is that girl! I think she was called Kathy Selden… Yeah, she was one of the dancers." He thought aloud. I nodded and leaned on the piano casually. I was a lot more me now. I'd grown accustomed to Cosmo's and Don's company and they were very pleasant men. I was, of course, closer to Cosmo.

"We gotta find a way to get them to see each other again…" I muttered and Cosmo hummed in agreement. Every now and then, he would play a chord or two. I smiled slightly and then it hit me. "Cosmo!" He looked up in curiosity. "We could get Don and Kathy to meet up in a movie! Kathy's a dancer and there's going to be plenty of musicals now that we have Talkies around!" I exclaimed. Cosmo seemed to be thinking for a moment. After a few moments, a smile broke out on his face.
"That's wonderful, Harriet! Genius!" He sprang up from his seat and lifted me into his arms and spun me around. I returned the embrace and laughed. He set me down and kissed my forehead enthusiastically. "You're just brilliant, darling." He complimented and then pulled me by the hand away from the music room.

"I've always wanted to see a film in the making!" I told Cosmo excitedly as we sat at the piano in Monumental Pictures' studio. He merely smiled in response and I couldn't help but fidget in my seat. Cosmo had brought me along to help him do some complex notes that he couldn't reach. Roscoe Dexter didn't know quite yet that I would be accompanying him but Cosmo seemed adamant on bringing me along. So who I was to refuse?

"Well, I've been busy." Cosmo and I looked up from each other to see Don wearing a Renaissance outfit, wig and all, with Lina standing with her hands on her hips. I grimaced and Cosmo shook his head with a smile. "And I know what you've been busy at; looking for that girl." She said proudly. I raised an eyebrow. Looking at her luxurious outfit, I compared it to what I was wearing.

I was wearing a simple blue cardigan over a white blouse and a black pencil skirt. She had pearls and diamonds and flowers all over her while I had a simple charm of a circle around my neck (a settling-in present that Don and Cosmo had bought me since I had refused anything too luxurious). I had nothing fancy on and she was donned in a beautiful gown. I swallowed and blocked out the rest of the conversation. Despite Lina's awful personality, I accepted that I would never be as famous or as beautiful as she was. I sighed and stared down at the piano keys. The muffled voices didn't make any sense to me as I thought about nothing. A louder voice sounded but I didn't hear it. It said something again, and I found myself wanting to hear what it was trying to tell me. "Harriet!" I blinked and looked up. Cosmo was looking down at me with concern. "You okay?" He asked. I nodded stiffly.

He didn't seem very convinced, and he was going to ask me more but Roscoe spoke to Cosmo. "Cosmo, mood… Who the hell is that?" I looked at Roscoe and found him scowling at me.
"Oh, this is Harriet, Roscoe. She's my new assistant." Cosmo explained with a cheesy smile. Roscoe scowled some more but otherwise ignored me. "Mood music." He instructed. Cosmo nodded to me and we scaled the notes up. I didn't really listen to what Roscoe was instructing Don to do. I was absorbed into the music, looking at what Cosmo was doing and how Don was acting. "Now, kiss her, Don!" Roscoe cooed and he did just that. Don really lived up to being a good actor; I couldn't tell he wasn't enjoying it. I only knew because of their previous conversation and my knowledge that he barely tolerated her anyway. I took my hands away from the lower chords and worked on the higher notes as Cosmo was at the top keys.

"Cut!" And we stopped. I hung my head, for some reason I do not know. Lina truly disgusted me and it disgusted me even more that I wanted to be like her. Obviously not with the personality. I wanted the grace, the looks… Not the contempt and jealousy. "Seriously, darling, what's wrong?" Cosmo murmured and I just shook my head.
"It doesn't matter, Cosmo. Just a silly thing in my head." I assured him.

"Hold it! Hold it, Dexter!" Cosmo didn't get the opportunity to tell me that it did but the look in his blue eyes told me that he wasn't giving up. Mr Simpson marched in, passing some of the cast members who greeted him. "Hello, Mr Simpson, we're already rolling!" Roscoe leaped up to him. Mr Simpson didn't seem to care, however.
"Well then, stop rolling at once." He ordered.
"Huh?" Roscoe exclaimed. Mr Simpson approached Don and Lina.

"Alright everybody, save it!" Roscoe shouted at the top of his voice.
"Save it? Tell 'em all to go home, we're shutting down for a few weeks." Mr Simpson explained.
"What?"
"Well don't just stand there! Tell them!" Simpson demanded. Roscoe was not pleased but he did it anyway.

"What is this?" He claimed after he issued his order. Don seemed confused as well.
"Yeah, what is it, R.F?" Don asked with concern. Mr Simpson seemed extremely put out and he walked to the other side of the piano, beside me.
"The Jazz Singer, that's it, the Jazz Singer." Cosmo began playing the piano abruptly and singing but I couldn't quite make out the words. I had never heard Cosmo sing but now I found myself yearning to hear him.

Mr Simpson, however, did not. "No, this isn't a joke, Cosmo. It's a mistake and the public are screaming for more." He walked back over to Don, as though expecting him to come up with a rational answer. I had not yet heard of The Jazz Singer but it sounded like a musical. "What, why?" Don questioned.
"Talking pictures! Talking pictures!"
"Oh, it's just a phase." And then something caught my eye, drawing me away from the conversation.

A man stood at the back and he was staring right at me. He wore black sunglasses and a suit and he beckoned me. Something about him felt familiar but I couldn't quite lay my finger on it… I gulped and waited for a moment. I felt Cosmo stand beside me and then after a few moments he sat down again, facing the piano instead. The man beckoned me again. I peered at Cosmo and he seemed engrossed in the piano. He won't notice if I slip away for a moment… I carefully got off the seat but I felt a hand grab mine. Jesus, that was quick… I turned to find Cosmo looking at me with curiosity. "I'll be right back. Just need some air." I replied to his inward question. He nodded and let go, watching me as I left the studio. The man in the suit followed me.

"What do you want?" I asked him as soon as I was outside. He chuckled darkly and removed his glasses to polish them. And then I recognised him. He was Xavier. My ex-fiancé.

He still looked the same as he did a year ago. His black hair slicked down with large amounts of grease, a sharp suit on wherever he went, and never without his sunglasses. He was still taller than me and he still held that dominating air around him. Xavier had always been a very controlling man. My aunt had approved of him, of course. She was drawn to evil. He was still handsome as well but not enough for me to drop everything and leave with him. Not enough to forgive him. Not enough to forget my immense dislike for him.

"Ah, Harriet. Settling in well, hm?" He skirted around my question. I didn't answer and swallowed thickly. "Answer me, Harriet, dear." I narrowed my eyes.
"Don't call me that." That was strictly reserved for Cosmo.
"Don't be like that, darling." As was that.
"Don't call me that either." He merely shook his head and smirked as he placed the sunglasses back on.

"I went to see you a few days ago at your aunt's home. You can imagine my surprise to find you no longer living there." I gulped and took a careful step back. "Of course, your aunt wasn't the only one to beat you, so I came back for my monthly taking." I hated how he called it that. He came back once a month to beat the hell outta me and my aunt would pay him. She called it 'a valuable lesson'. As though he was my tutor. "And you weren't there. I was dreadfully upset." (Imagine this guy's voice as the voice of Sher Khan in Jungle Book. I always forget the actor's name even though he crops up in plenty of films.) "And your aunt tells me that you're someone's assistant. And that you're engaged." Damn it, Cosmo!

"Now, tell me, who is the person I am going to be challenging?"
"You won't do anything to him! Stay away from him!"
"Tell me a name and I shall." I was not falling for that. I had done once. Never again.
"No. Stay away from me, Xavier. We're no longer engaged or in a relationship. Get on with your life." I made to walk away and he grabbed my upper arm. He pulled me back to him and sneered.

"No, I think not. You are mine." I pushed him roughly and he stumbled back.
"I am not yours." I hissed and walked back inside quickly, ignoring the redness of my arm and the fact that it would bruise quickly. I sat back at the piano, beside Cosmo, and didn't bother hiding how angry or upset I was. He'd see it no matter how hard I tried to conceal it. He looked up at me and immediately he sobered. "What's happened, darling?" I swallowed.
"Xavier." I said shortly and closed my eyes tightly to keep the tears from falling.

I noticed that Don, Lina, Roscoe and R.F had gone but I didn't comment on it. There was hardly anyone left. Frankly, I was surprised that Cosmo was still there. I voiced my question and he shrugged sheepishly. "I had to wait for you, didn't I?" He had a valid argument but I could have walked home. "Now, tell me, who's Xavier?" He questioned, putting an arm around my shoulders and pulling me closer.
"He was my fiancé." I muttered bitterly. "He used to hit me, like my aunt." I felt him tense and then he pulled me even closer and hugged me to him.

"He said that he went back a few days ago for his monthly beating and my aunt told him that I no longer lived there. She also told him that you said I was your assistant and your fiancé." Cosmo cursed quietly and shook his head.
"I'm an idiot…" He mumbled to himself and I shook my own head in defiance.
"No you're not. You didn't know." I replied lowly. We sat by the piano for a long time and then we finally went home.

Musicals were sweeping the nation. Everywhere you go, there's a musical playing or being advertised. Some of them were cheesy and others were just plain nonsensical. Cosmo took me to see one involving toy soldiers. They actually rather frightened me and Cosmo teased me constantly for the next few days.

Cosmo and I were watching the filming of 'Beautiful Girls'. Mr Simpson was behind us with the directors, commenting on the girl on the singer's right. I peered closely at her and immediately recognised her. I nudged Cosmo and he looked down at me, since I was sitting on the floor with my legs crossed. "That's Kathy!" I whispered and he glanced at her as well. He seemed to recognise her as well and he grinned.
"Nice eyes, darling." He then offered his hand down to me. I took it and he pulled me up and then gently settled me onto his knee so that I wasn't uncomfortable sitting directly in his lap. "It's a little weird talking downwards, although I'm used to it by now with you, what with you being so short." He teased and I stuck my tongue out at him childishly. He laughed and we were shushed by the young woman on Cosmo's other side. She sneered at me and I raised an eyebrow.

I then turned back to Cosmo. "Shouldn't we let Don know?" Cosmo smiled again and stood up, dragging me with him. "Excuse me!" Cosmo said happily and tugged me along to go find Don.

We found him near the entrance, just listening to the song. "Don, you won't believe what's happened!" I exclaimed happily. Don gave me a hug and put his arm around my shoulder. I didn't shrug it off; I had grown accustomed to his friendly behaviour. Cosmo squeezed my hand and pulled me away, Don laughing in the process. "I'm messin' with ya." Don chortled and Cosmo grinned but didn't let go of me.

"So, what's happened? What's got the both of you all excited?" He asked with a teasing glint, "Cosmo finally popped the question?" He winked and I blushed. Cosmo went along with it.
"Nah, not just yet. Waiting for the perfect moment." He joked, wrapping his arms around me from the back.
"Careful, Xavier might hear ya." I warned with a bemused tone. He shrugged effortlessly. Don frowned.
"Xavier?" I shook my head.
"Tell ya later. Anyway, there's something you gotta see!" I grabbed his arm and pulled him along while walking awkwardly because Cosmo refused to let go. "As much as I love you, I'm having trouble walking, darling, would you let go for a moment?" Cosmo threw back his head and laughed.
"Nice touch! That's the first time you've called me darling, darling." I just grinned cheekily. He let go and instead walked beside me with his hands in his pockets. I missed his contact but I did need to drag Don too.

"Hey, Kathy!" Don shouted with glee. Cosmo and I walked behind; he no longer needed to be tugged. I smiled at his eagerness. Sometimes, I felt like such a mother to Don. He was a love-struck fool already and it made me happy. "Kathy Selden!" I smiled at the sight of her. She certainly was pretty. I was about to greet her as well when again, something caught my eye. No, someone. Xavier had returned.

"Cosmo…" I whispered. He looked back at me with a big grin. I had to tear my eyes away from his lips quickly. "He's here." Immediately, the grin was replaced with an indifferent line. I pointed discreetly to him and Cosmo looked at him. He tensed and I blocked out the conversation going on between Simpson, Kathy and Don. "Does he know it's me?" He murmured. I shook my head. His arm snaked around my back and drew me in front of him, resting his chin upon my head. "Then let's let him know." He mumbled and then his smile was back in place and I put mine on as well, as though it were a mask.

Simpson and the directors moved away and I realised I had missed the entire conversation. It seemed that Kathy was hired. "Gee, I'm glad you turned up, we've been looking inside every cake in town." Cosmo said with a smirk at Don. I laughed and turned to Kathy.
"It was nice to meet you." I mumbled shyly and I allowed Cosmo to tug me away to give them some privacy.

It was only going to be a short peek… Nothing too imposing. Besides, it was Cosmo's idea! I just went along with it! I mean, how could I say no? Not when he's done so much for me, flirted with me, made me feel happy and made me fall in love with him… Oh, I didn't mention that? Well, now you know. I've known him for 3 weeks now and he's been nothing but a sweetheart to me. But this whole 'fiancé' thing might make or break us. I don't want it to be false. I want it to be real. I mean, where we're not in public, just in the house, he acts the same as he does when we're outside at the studio. That has to mean something! Right?

I'm getting off track… Ahem, anyway, Cosmo had pulled me over to the studio we saw Don and Kathy disappear into. He pushed me inside gently and we hid behind some backdrops. Don was singing to her. I smiled and then chuckled a little. "What?" Cosmo muttered with a little smile.
"I feel like such a mother… Don's all happy because he's finally found Kathy again. He's fallen in love and he hasn't even realised it yet… And Kathy returns the feelings." I explained with a small giggle. He chuckled deeply.
"Yeah, sometimes, I've felt like Don's father. Especially when it comes to love." Cosmo informed me.

Cosmo then looked at me mischievously. I raised an eyebrow as he moved away for a moment, holding out his hand. "Care for a dance, darling?" I grinned and nearly laughed out loud. I had to cover it up in order to not disturb the two lovers. "Of course, darling." I replied cheekily and took his hand. He pulled me to him effortlessly and we waltzed around silently, even though the music didn't fit our dancing.

Every now and then, we'd peek around the backdrop. At one point, I pulled Cosmo over to the edge and he stumbled, nearly falling on me, but he caught himself. Don and Kathy were dancing as well, but differently to how we were. They seemed to be letting the music take them. I smiled at them. Cosmo took me by surprise by pulling me back behind the setting and we danced like the two lovers were on the other side. A few steps here, a couple of jumps there, pulling the other over and repeat the process.

The dancing ended with closely dancing beside each other. Instead of finishing the dance completely, I hugged Cosmo tightly, one arm around his shoulders and the other resting on his left shoulder, the hand cradling the back of his head close to me. He was surprised but his arms settled around me anyway. We didn't part until Kathy and Don had left.

Bit shorter, but hopefully you guys don't mind. I hadn't intended for Xavier to actually be in the fiction but because I don't have subtitles and I'm viewing the movie on my laptop, it's difficult for me to get the exact words in, and you all know what a stickler I am for detail. I'm even going to introduce a song later, a well-known one of course, and I'm going to describe the dancing and everything. Same with another song. One of my favourites :) Anywho, hope it's satisfactory. Cheers folks. Adios.

Luna