Getting very schmalzy now!
They both stood outside his front door.
Ruth felt desperately nervous.
Harry felt desperately elated.
The door swung open.
"I should carry you over the threshold."
"Please don't."
"Good. The mind's willing, but the body's a little reluctant, Ruth."
She laughed and crossed into the hall and then before she knew she had said the first thing that came into her mind.
"As long as you don't say that later on!"
He looked at her and she looked at him and she wished the moment reversed by several seconds so that this time she could shut her mouth.
Harry shut it for her.
He pushed her gently but firmly against the wall and met her mouth with an eager, passionate kiss. And then gently he eased his lips away and whispered,
"I promise you that there is no chance on god's earth that I will be saying that later on."
And as she struggled for breath he took her hand and led her into his house.
Into their house.
As they walked into the living room what breath she had recovered was stopped again.
"Harry!" she gasped.
"Hopefully it'll do for now, Ruth."
She looked and blinked and disbelieved.
"…but Harry….how?"
"Is it okay, Ruth?"
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Have I told you I love you?"
"Yes, but please don't let that stop you," he smiled.
"Thank you, thank you Harry," she said.
And she looked around the room that he had filled with her things.
Her ornaments, her photos, her belongings.
And they did indeed belong.
And sitting on the sofa, by a very excitable dog was Fidget, contentedly licking her paw.
"I wanted you to feel at home," said Harry.
She put her hand on his chest.
"I am home, Harry."