A Matter of Marriage
Author's Note: This is set soon after Effie and George are both rescued from the events in Everything is Broken part 2, but doesn't attempt to solve the plotlines in the episode. I'm leaving it to the professionals to conclude that story, and am basing this story on the assumption everything works out in the end.
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"I'm so relieved to finally have you back with us," Ruth gushed. "I was so, so worried."
Effie found herself once again at the Newsome Estate, as she had every day recently. Ruth hadn't stopped repeating how happy she was for them to be re-united. Nor had Ruth let her out of sight since since she'd been rescued from Amelia and Dorothy Ernst's plot to get rid of her. Effie never asked how the constabulary had found her, nor how they had saved George. The less she knew, the less she had to think about. The memory of Inspector Brackenreid pulling her free was the only information she needed. She'd been saved, George had been saved, and Dorothy and Amelia had both been shut away in prison. All she wanted was to forget the whole thing had ever happened.
"George is here to visit you, that should be fun," Ruth smiled uncertainly, watching her cousin for a reaction.
Somehow Effie couldn't bring herself to smile back. Her heart sank as she realized she had no idea what to say to George. Not long ago she'd been so sure of herself and how he felt about her. Now she felt uncertain what place she had in his regard, or even what place he had in hers. She wasn't so sure anymore if she was ready to push their relationship.
"I'll just go bring him in, shall I?" Ruth asked.
George hadn't been the one to save her. Effie wanted to kick herself for thinking such a thing, but it was too late to take it back. She wasn't a damsel in distress. She never waited for Prince Charming to come rescue her. She shut her eyes as Ruth walked away, trying to find some strength in the brief darkness.
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George was convinced the time had come to move forward and make his dreams reality. If enduring a second kidnapping had taught him anything, it was that life was too short to wait. At least something good had come from the experience; it showed he had friends who looked out for him, and it finally let him get shot of Miss Ernst. He'd never been more glad to see the back of someone. After all that time he spent thinking Dorothy was the woman who kidnapped him, it was a relief to finally be proven... well, perhaps not right, but surely close enough.
"George, so good of you to drop by," Ruth greeted him.
"I was hoping I might see Effie," George said. "I've had such a hard time getting in touch with her of late. Has she been unwell?"
"She needs a little cheering up, that's all. I'm sure that seeing you is just the thing. Come along now, we mustn't keep a girl waiting," Ruth yanked his arm ferociously.
Effie hardly glanced up when Ruth hustled George before her.
George hesitated, worried by her listlessness. "How have you been?"
"I've been just fine, George," Effie told him curtly, and busied herself with her teacup.
George looked over his shoulder where Ruth hovered anxiously.
"Oh," Ruth started at his expression. "Why don't I give you two some space."
"I was wondering if perhaps we could finally have that dinner," George suggested, but he couldn't keep from frowning with concern.
"I'm not sure if now is the best time." Effie said.
It seemed he would never have the romantic setting he craved.
"If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go rest up for a bit," Effie stood and turned away.
"Effie, wait," George stopped her. "I realize things have been rather strenuous of late, but I think we need to talk. What happened to both of us was terrible, and I never meant for any of it. You should know that it hasn't changed the way I feel for you."
Effie waited for him to finish, still not speaking.
He'd planned to make a scene by going down on one knee with the ring in hand. Somehow it didn't feel like the appropriate gesture right now, not judging from the look on Effie's face. She wasn't the sort of woman to be distracted by frivolity when there were honest words to be spoken. Longing and anxiety bubbled up in his chest, ready to burst. He knew if he didn't tell her his feelings today, he never would.
"It's my dream to just be there with you, no matter what... To spend our lives together. I want to marry you, Effie. That is, if you'll have me." George confessed.
"You want to marry me," Effie repeated, as if asking for clarification.
"You don't seem surprised," George noted. "If you'll forgive me for saying so, you don't seem very happy either."
"It's not that I'm unhappy, I just need a little time to think about it, that's all," Effie told him.
"Yes, of course," George slumped dejectedly. "Take all the time you need."
He watched her leave, and sat in her empty chair with his head in his hands.
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Effie walked into station house four and up to Constable Higgins-Newsome's desk.
"Miss Newsome, I take it you're here to see George?" Henry asked.
"As it happens, I'm here to see you. Ruth sent me on an errand. Apparently the baby went down for her nap without a fuss today, and Ruth wanted you to have a slice of cake to celebrate." Effie placed a wrapped parcel on his desk.
"That's awfully kind of her," Henry said, though his brow wrinkled in confusion. "but why send you?"
"Well, I had some work to do in the area. I'm making preparations to re-open my office, though I may think twice about hiring another assistant." Effie told him.
"Forgive me for being forward, but are you making any other sort of preparations in your life? I only ask because George is my friend." Henry pressed.
Effie hesitated a moment. "I haven't decided yet. Would you marry George Crabtree?"
Henry shrugged. "George is great, but I prefer women. Besides, I'm already married."
"No, I didn't mean that. I never meant to suggest you would do anything untoward, or indecent, or anything like that. I only meant, that if you knew a woman who was looking to wed, would you suggest George." Effie hastily corrected him.
"Well, I suppose," Henry said. "George is a decent enough chap and he works hard, but he tends to be a romantic. It works against him more often than not."
"Alright Higgins, that's enough." George burst out as he stepped into view, making both Henry and Effie jump. "And what exactly is wrong with being romantic?" He demanded.
"Well, you know. You get your heart so set on someone. Then when your dreams don't match up with reality you get hurt by it." Henry pointed out.
Effie winced at that comment. "I should be going," She said, and turned away quickly.
George slumped into his chair. It seemed he'd done the wrong thing by Effie once again.
"You should go after her, George," Henry urged him.
"She said she needs time. Besides, she seems so nervous around me of late I thought I ought to give her some space." George sighed.
"If I've learned anything being married to Ruth, it's that what women say and what they want can be two different things." Henry said.
"Pigs will fly the day I take courting advice from Henry Higgins," George declared, throwing up his hands.
"According to you, pigs already have flown, in air machines as I recall." Henry pointed out.
George picked up a pencil and flung it at him. Henry giggled as it bounced off his shoulder.
George couldn't bring himself to join in on the laughter. The days seemed so empty of late. Rather than the sweet anticipation of waiting for his lover's reply, he felt only a cold certainty that his life would remain lonely and unchanging until the moment he died.
"You know, I thought things were perfect between Effie and I, and that we were ready to take the next step. Now, it seems we've had some sort of falling out. She hardly looked at me when I last spoke to her." George confided. "This whole ordeal has left her completely changed. I hate to see her like this. She's lost her confidence."
"So what are you going to do about it?" Henry asked.
"I'm not sure if there's anything I can do," George said. "I wasn't there for her when she needed me. I was too busy needing a rescue of my own."
"George, you know that none of it was your fault," Henry tried to reassure him.
"I suppose," George said without conviction.
"Is there some sort of problem, constables?" Watts asked, leaning on George's desk.
"Detective, not at all," George straightened and put his hands on his typewriter as if he'd been in the middle of writing something all along. The charade only lasted a few seconds; he realized he didn't have any paper.
"You misunderstand me. I'm not here to reprimand either of you for your lack of work, although there is obviously that. No, I just couldn't help noticing a distinct miasma making its presence known in this area." Watts gestured vaguely in George's general direction.
"George is having some lady troubles again," Henry piped up, ignoring his friend's annoyed glance.
Watts gave him a puzzled look.
"If you must know, Effie hasn't accepted my proposal," George muttered. "It's all leaving me to wonder if I'm just not suitable for marriage."
"That's an overly harsh judgement to make about yourself," Watts encouraged him. "You possess a charitable and understanding disposition, you don't hesitate to offer compassion to those in need, and your kindness and tolerance to your fellow man is unrivaled. These are all traits many find attractive."
George blinked at him in surprise. "Well, thank you. When you put it like that, I'm suppose I'm flattered." He thought on that before going on, "Why then, do I not have more success with women? I mean, I've had my fair share of courtships, but a great many of them have ended in heartbreak for me."
"Women are possessed of suspicious minds. At least, in my experience. While my own understand of women may be limited, I have recently learned that is possible to be wooed by the same person twice," Watts said, giving him a suggestive nod.
"You think I should try to charm her again?" George asked.
"It couldn't hurt to try," Watts said, and ambled off.
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Effie joined Ruth and Henry for dinner at their estate just as Henry was coming home from work.
"Thank you for the cake, my sweet Fairy-face," Henry kissed Ruth. "and I have a delivery for you as well, Miss Newsome."
He handed over an envelope. She turned over the blank packet curiously, but it gave no clues. Inside was a handwritten note with no signature at the bottom to reveal the sender.
My Dearest Effie
What would I do without you? I would spend my life as a man alone if not to have you by my side. All my accomplishments would be hollow, and certainly far fewer, if not for your support. More than that, if it weren't for you I would have never known true joy, as can only be found in your company. Not even wild Venusians could take away my love for you.
"Oh, George," Effie smiled despite herself.
"There you are. Whatever are you holding?" Ruth said as Effie joined them at the table.
Effie blushed a little bit when she realized she was still carrying the love letter. "It's a note from George."
"Is he asking to marry you? Let me see," Ruth stuck her hand out.
"Ruth!" Effie scolded. "That's hardly your business."
"Oh, fine," Ruth pouted. "but at least tell us what you'll answer. Or have you already told him no again?"
"I haven't said no, I just haven't decided if I want to say yes," Effie chastised her. "I haven't made up my mind if I want to marry George."
"Oh, I hear he's wonderful!" Ruth exclaimed sarcastically. "When Henry and I were courting it was always 'George Crabtree this' and 'George Crabtree that'. I thought it would finally end once we got married, but no. My Henny-Penny still insists upon going on about his little friend."
Henry scoffed. "You mean this entire time you disliked George because you're jealous?"
"Shouldn't I be?" Ruth asked pointedly.
"I am not going to court George!" Henry insisted.
"No, of course you're not. That would be silly,' Ruth said hastily, but she gave a relieved little smile all the same.
"Well, at least if you do marry George, we can all finally move on from this silly little game where you keep avoiding him. Honestly, it's so tiresome," Ruth told Effie.
"That's the reason you sent me to the station house?" Effie asked.
"Of course it was. At least somebody noticed my little scheme, even if you didn't." Ruth reached for George's letter again, in case Effie changed her mind about sharing.
Effie looked once more at the paper in her hand. She could help wondering a little at the honesty in his words. "He did say something about rather marrying this Emily Grace woman."
Henry hung his head a moment. "Wait, George never said that."
Effie looked at him in surprise. "He didn't?"
"No. I'm the one who did. I opened my mouth without thinking, and I didn't realize the hurt I caused. I never meant to come between the two of you. This is all entirely my fault, and I ask that you please accept my apology." Henry said.
"Hmm," Effie murmured thoughtfully, and slipped the letter into her pocket.
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Effie kept an eye on the restaurant doors. It was a bit uncomfortable sitting at a table all alone. She imagined she now had some idea what George had felt when he'd waited for her in vain on the night of her abduction.
"This is quite the place you've chosen. I must say, it's not every day I get invited to dinner by a lady," George commented as he joined her.
"Being a lady doesn't prevent me from knowing whose company I desire," Effie informed him.
George grinned back.
It was almost like old times, before all the stress Miss Ernst brought upon them. Maybe she would never feel exactly the same as she once did, but she'd had enough of letting that prevent her from living her life. She wasn't going to ignore what happened, nor spend her time hoping the past would go away if she made herself forget.
"I'm sorry I avoided you these past few days," Effie started.
"Not at all," George hastened to assure her, but the way he shifted in his seat revealed his nerves.
"When I told you I needed time, what I meant was that I needed time to sort out my feelings. I think I've realized now I can't do that alone." She took his hand in hers, hoping her touch would communicate what her words left out.
Effie hesitated again, trying to find a way to express what she felt. "I didn't particularly enjoy being in need of a rescue."
"No, neither did I," George agreed.
"I wasn't certain if anyone would come for me, but what scared me the most was not knowing if you would come," Effie finally admitted.
George flinched at that, but his hand tightened around hers. That little squeeze was all the confirmation Effie needed. He wasn't about to pull away from her when things got hard.
"While I wouldn't wish that kind of thing on anyone, I learned something important from the experience. We can get through this, you and I. I'm no damsel in distress, but I'll let you be my prince." Effie said. "Assuming that's what you want."
"Of course that's what I want, more than anything," George insisted.
"In that case, I'm ready to let you know I've come to a decision," Effie leaned close, and spoke her answer for only him to hear.
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George all but ran into the station house when he showed up for work that morning.
"Listen up everyone! I have a declaration to make, for sure this time," He shouted.
Heads turned to him expectantly.
George clasped his hands together in excitement. "Effie Newsome and I have decided to wed. We haven't set a date yet, but I can assure you that when we do, each and every one of you is invited to the wedding."
The constables whooped loudly, and a few wolf-whistled.
Inspector Brackenreid clapped him on the arm. "Well done, lad!"
"Yes, congratulations, George," Murdoch shook his hand.
"We'll both be married to Newsomes. With the four of us all one family, you and I will practically be related." Henry slung his arm around George's shoulder.
George considered that remark. "That particular thought never occured to me, Higgins."
George didn't need to think on it for long. He knew nothing would keep him and Effie apart, not his past, not another woman's jealousy, and not even Higgins' silliness.