AN: A quick update tonight as I have a pair of slippers to finish crocheting by Christmas and it was more than a hectic day at work. Hope you enjoy.
They stand in the open doorway, starring at one another, neither knowing who is more surprising; Ruth in her fleece pajama pants covered in silly cats and an old t-shirt, Harry in his casual clothes with his hair askew. And for Harry, things are even more interesting as Ruth holds a baby that she hadn't had the day before. At least as far as he's aware.
And he's much more aware of what's going on in her life; both work and person; than he's willing to admit to anyone. Especially her. Rubbing his eyes, he blinks once, twice, three times to make sure he's not dreaming, but a pinch to his arm has him confirming he's really awake and Ruth is really holding a baby.
"Hi," he says a sheepishly as he continues to stare.
"Hi." Her answer back is just as sheepish as she fully realizes he's there because of her, because she's hung up on him without any type of warning.
They don't have time to say anything else as a little blonde haired girl comes running into hall screaming for Ruth, something about eggs and water.
"You know, you can put him down," Harry says, turning to look at her from his place at the stove. He's boiling the eggs for her as she butters toast one handed.
"Where? I don't have a cot, I don't have one of those pen things, and if I set him on the table, he could roll off," she says back, looking up at him. "It's bad enough he slept in a clothes basket last night."
"Why didn't you call?" he asks, turning back to the eggs to fish one out. "Last night," he clarifies. "I would have helped."
"How can I," she asks, turning back to the toast as her voice drops to a mournful tone, "when I pushed you away out of fear?"
He stops mid-scoop, and turns back to her. "Ruth, you should know that I would do anything for you."
That stops her, and as she stares at the toast, Ruth realizes that perhaps Harry's feelings equal hers. Placing the knife down, she looks at her nephew before turning back towards Harry. He's still starring at her, his eyes unguarded for the first time in months, and she has to smile.
"And I for you," she says softly, looking down briefly before smiling at him again.
Before he can say anything, he feels a tug at his shirt. Breaking eye contact with Ruth, he looks down to see the blonde girl called Margo pulling at him, a hesitant look on her face.
"Mr. Harry can I has an egg now?"
Hand ruffling her hair, he smiles and turns back to his task of boiling eggs. "We'll talk later Ruth."