The actual end. Unless I write a sequel . . .
Epilogue Part 2
Eva stood there in Tintin's doorway, dressed in the same travelling costume she had worn when he first saw her. He was shocked for a second, but his disjointed brain still registered that she had a suitcase as he thought so, she has come to say goodbye.
She opened her mouth, and then closed it, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. "I don't know how I should – Tintin, I – Oh dear, I had what I was going to say all figured, and now here I am making a fool of myself."
She gave him a nervous smile, and Tintin instantly remembered himself. "Would you care to join me for lunch? I just put the kettle on."
"I – yes." Eva stepped inside, a little surprised. The journalist closed the door, and then took her hat and coat.
I wonder what's gotten into him that he would forget that being alone in his apartment would be quite a shock to the landlady. I don't mind at all, I don't feel the least bit out of place. Eva's mind went from silent to turning quickly and back as she was ushered into the kitchen, and had a chair pulled out for her.
The kettle was whistling, and Tintin promptly took care of it. Turning back to Eva, he set the small table with his simple, well-loved dishes. "I apologize for the conditions of lunch, I don't often have guests for meals," he explained as he began to prepare lunch for them both.
"No, I like it," Eva smiled, looking around the sunlit apartment. "A little snug for two, but it's really lovely."
Tintin brought out a pot of tea and a plate of sandwiches after a few minutes, and refilled Snowy's water dish. Sitting, he smiled a little hollowly and added, "I've never been much of a cook, either."
Eva laughed, and took a sandwich. She paused and bit her lip, not eating. "I – I just wanted to thank you. For everything. My father – he would've liked you. Without your help . . . I don't know where I'd be." She put her sandwich down and gazed at him seriously. "Everything. I don't quite know what to say or where to begin – this past week has been so crazy, moving the orphanage to the manor – but it's the best thing that could have been done. All the children, they're . . . they're so happy. And they're happy somewhere that I was happy, and that my father was happy. That's what he would've wanted. Not for me to stay there, to shut myself in and mourn, or to leave it and –" she hesitated, looking down, and continued, "- and leave part of myself there too." She reached across the table and took his hand in both of hers, tears glistening in her eyes. "And it's all because of what you said. You didn't just find the real will and save everything my father had worked for – you saved me, too." Eva spoke the last few words quietly. After a second, she pulled back and stood up, wiping her eyes. "Sorry for intruding, I should just go, I –"
"Would you . . . would you help me with something?" Tintin stood up, almost unsure of himself.
Eva turned back, looking at him. After a moment, she nodded. "What is it?"
"It's . . . a sort of project I've been deciding on. About my . . ." He gulped, and said the words. "About my parent's house."
Eva's eyebrows jumped a little, but the sadness in her face began to disappear. "How would you like me to help?"
"Well, I – I'm going to make it into an apartment building, like this one. With fewer rooms of course. But I was planning on going over this morning, opening everything up. All the curtains, let in some fresh air. And I was wondering, would you help me?"
Eva nodded sweetly, and said quietly, "I'd like that."
Tintin made a split-second decision, and stepped closer to take her hands. "Oh Eva, you can't possibly think this whole thing has only helped you. I – I don't quite know what to say either. But please don't leave Brussels. Stay. I would like that. Very much. Please."
After a second, Eva nodded and threw her arms around his neck. Now the tears did come, but she was laughing through them as Tintin held her in his arms. "Of course I'll stay! The suitcase is because I've been moving back in here all afternoon. I couldn't bear to go. And to know that you feel the same way – why, I couldn't have imagined it. Oh, darling." After a second, she pulled back and smiled. "I won't just help you make your parent's house into a set of flats, I'll be the first renter."
In the sunlit kitchen, Tintin kissed her, and then they pulled away only to embrace again, both smiling as widely as if they had been given the world.
After a few minutes, there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Eva asked, disentangling herself from his arms as they both went to answer it.
Thompson and Thompson stood together, their bowler hats on.
"The most inexplicable thing has happened – Tintin, we need you on the story!"