Had anyone seen Harry Harper that hot June day, they would have been surprised to say the least. He was meant to be attending a lecture in Paris on 'Emergency Medical Procedures' however he had found himself outside of Paris, Disneyland to be exact. Accompanied by four of his children, his oldest choosing to sit this one out, and Lara. Who after clashing with at first. He had grown to respect. The respect turned to like, the like to protectiveness, and the protectiveness to love. Love. On both their parts. They had now been dating for several months, after what Harry had taken to calling 'A cooling off' referring to when they had been pushed into the lake on their first date.
After a busy morning off going on the rides offered Lara and Harry were both grateful so sit down and grab some food. She looked over at him, watching him with Kizzy. She realised that this was one of the few times he was totally relaxed. He still wore a shirt, but it was loser, and white the top two buttons undone, in place off suit trousers he chose to wear white denim jeans, an element of smartness about them, but still casual. It was hard to remember the same man who only a few days ago had taken control of a busy recuss department.
A small hand reached out taking some chips from the cardboard tray in front of Lara. Lara heard a small giggle, similar to one she heard the munchkins made in the wizard of oz. She glanced down to see Daisy, her mouth full of chips. She grinned picking up the little girl in front of her, "Was that you trouble?" she asked in mock sternness
Daisy shook her head giggling as Lara lifted her into her lap. Harry watched the pair fondly. He watched how at ease she was with all of them how they had accepted her not as a replacement for Beth, but as a person in her own right. Who was there to help guide them through life, and brighten up the situation when they needed it the most.
"Harry…Harry" she almost shouted his name a third time He looked over at her and smiled apologetically
"Sorry world of my own" he explained a smile on his face
She laughed as she walked over to him moving her arms around his shoulders and kissing his cheek gently "We're ready to get going"
He smiled and stood up taking her hand in his own as the kids led them through the amusement park. They stopped on a pavement watching as the daily parade made its way past. Harry stood behind Lara his arms wrapped around her waist drawing her close as he whispered into her ear softly. "I love you"
She smiled leaning back onto his chest. She looked up at him, and creased his cheek gently "I love you too. I don't want to lose you. Ever"
He smiled, kissing the palm off her hand "Then marry me"
She looked up into his eyes shocked, but happy. Trying to make sure she heard what she thought she had heard. She took a deep breath getting ready to answer. A familiar scream interrupted them. Harry rushed over to where is youngest was sitting, crying. He knelt down beside her blood coming from a cut on her knee. Lara watched mentally kicking herself for not being quicker, for not realising reality, as he tended to Daisy's injury as gently as he could.
It was later in the day and Harry had decided to show his kids and Lara to the 'Musée des Antiquités nationals' deciding they would probably enjoy the family oriented museum. They walked around the dark room hand in hand in a comfortable silence as the looked at the different exhibits in glass cases Lara took a deep breath readying herself for the answers on the subject she was about to broach. "Harry" she forced her voice not to tremble to sound normal.
His attention was on the exhibit in the box as he answered her "Yeah"
"About earlier" she gulped slightly cursing her self for not buying that bottle of water when she had the change her mouth had gone as dry as the Sahara "Will you marry me?"
He looked up at her his attention focused on her his eyes sparkling. As the word formed on his mouth a shrill alarm sounded and water hissed down on them from the sprinklers which had been installed "Jordan, Ollie, Kizzy, Daisy" he shouted for them worrying in case they were left behind. He needn't have worried as soon as the alarms had sounded they made there way to Lara and Harry oblivious to what event was happening between the two.
"We're here Dad" Jordan informed him as the water hailed down on them. Harry picked up Daisy
"Right then" he glanced over at Lara who had picked up Daisy before looking around checking everyone else over. They were all get wetter by the second "Lets get out off here"
It was later that night; Lara and Harry had been instructed to attend a formal evening to 'Promote good will and co-operation between hospitals' were the words used by the medical director in instructions given to Harry; he just rolled his eyes and informed her that this was only a local hospital not 'Invasion plans for D-day' However Lara was now going through the wardrobe for the dress she had bought for the occasion. Taking it out the wardrobe she looked it over. It was a sheath silvery grey, a halter neck top defined curves in the right places and the end of the skirt rested at her ankles. As she zipped the back up she felt a hand wrap around hers taking her hand away from the zip before gently kissing her shoulder "Beautiful" he murmured
She smiled "Thank you. Kids settled"
"They are in the room watching a video, with other ones nearby. They have been fed and have sweets"
She giggled turning around to face him taking in his appearance for the first time he was dressed in a tuxedo which was pressed to perfection, however he had chosen to wear the bow tie loose giving him a roguishly handsome look. "You scrub up well Mr. Harper" she grinned at him as he offered his arm as they made there way out
"Why thank you Dr. Stone. We ready to get this show on the road?"
She grinned and winked at him "I'm always ready"
It was later in the night. And Harry and Lara made there way though dimly lit streets in Paris the evening had gone fine and for the first time that day they were alone enjoying each other company. Stopping by a park entrance Harry leaned on the gate and smiled at Lara moving a hair from her face. "Right, no kids. Check. No sprinkles in sight. Check. No alarms. Check. No ponds, he looked over at the park. Close enough." She laughed at him wondering where this rambling was leading. "Right then. Lara Stone." He held her hand "I love everything about you. From how messed up your hair is in the morning, till how your eyes crinkle when you yawn." He took a deep breath sinking to one knee and reaching into his pocket for a box "They say third times a charm. So Lara will you marry me?" she grinned not giving a second glance at the box and kissed him softly "Yes!"
A tugging at Harry's hand brought him out of his memory and into the real world. Looking down he saw his youngest daughter all ready for bed he picked her up sitting her on his knee "Hey munchkin"
She looked at him her eyes wide with a childlike innocence "Go see Lara. She's upset. Cheer her up"
He smiled at her "Do you think she'd want me?"
Daisy just nodded her head, giving Harry a kiss on the check before climbing down of Harry's lap. Standing up Harry made his way up to the master bedroom knocking gently he went in.
Lara was stood at the window her face to the door; gently Harry closed it as he walked in. She turned around on hearing the click her eyes red from crying a moment of silence passed between them. They both spoke at the same time
"I'm sorry"
"I'm sorry"
Harry chuckled weakly and held out his arms as she made her way across the room. He held her close to him in silence for a few moment the only sound the beating of each others hearts. She was the first to speak "I'm sorry Harry. I guess I'm just more emotional now"
He smiled holding her closer stroking her hair gently "It doesn't matter. Am I forgiven?"
She looked up at him "If I am"
He titled her chin towards him capturing her lips in a tender, loving kiss. Conveying all the emotion that he felt for her, his love, how he missed her when they were fighting even though it had only been a few hours. As they parted they stood in the silent room just holding each other close.