Disclaimer: not smart/creative enough to own Ella.
A/N: Thanks to andreaaft, who was my only reviewer. I didn't expect it either. :D it just seemed to work.
So this chapter is dedicated to andreaaft.
Chapter 12
The kitchen door burst open.
"Mandy?" She whipped around. A handsome young man was standing there.
"And you are?"
"Jerrold."
"Ah." She turned back to her washing. "Yes?"
"I just want to know…"
"About El?"
"Yes."
"Well, you need to understand. She'll never do anything to hurt Daria. And if it means throwing herself into the power of another man, she'll do that. And she has. Don't feel guilty. You weren't to know." Mandy gave Jerrold a reassuring smile.
"Is she… happy?" Jerrold didn't know how to feel. He wanted El to be happy. But did he want her to be happy without him?
"She's not miserable."
Jerrold pondered this answer.
A gasp from the door made both Mandy and Jerrold look up.
El stood there, eyes wide in shock.
She's so beautiful. Jerrold gaped back at her. Her long hair was loose around her shoulders, and her eyes were jewels in her pale face.
What is he doing here? El blinked hard as painful memories flooded back.
Time to make a quick exit. Mandy sighed.
"I have to deliver something to your father. Entertain my guest for a while, lass." Mandy left the room before El could understand what was going on.
"Mandy, no!" It was too late; she had gone. El turned and attempted to make a hasty exit, but Jerrold crossed the room and barred her way.
"We need to talk." He grasped her wrists firmly, and led her to a seat. She followed him, limp and unresisting. "El."
"Jerrold."
"Did you do this for Daria?"
"Not one for beating around the bush, are we?" Jerrold smiled. Just to hear her joke, even slightly, made him feel so happy.
"Answer the question."
"Yes."
"Are you happy?"
"Should I be?"
He stopped.
"I don't know."
"I'm not happy. But I'm not miserable. Peter is a nice person."
"Nice. Such an ambiguous word."
Jerrold pulled her closer, and looked into her eyes.
"Promise me that you'll be happy with Daria."
"Wait. There's one thing I have to do."
He leant in and kissed her gently. She closed her eyes, and clung to him.