AN: Thank you so much for the reviews! I love all the ideas I'm getting. I have about three more I'd like to write (now, where to find the time, LOL). Uncle Henry is coming along, but it isn't quite finished. My 10 year old decided to make a romantic dinner for my husband and I and wouldn't let us have our phones for a few hours last night. We were supposed to talk! Crazy, huh? Everyone can hope that the library isn't busy today, so I can finish. Ha!
Anniversary
She sat next to him on the park bench outside of the science building. It was late in the fall, and the crisp wind swirled the leaves around their feet. Henry watched Elizabeth hold her sandwich, but not take a bite. She only stared into her lap. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" he finally asked.
She shook her head. "Nothing," she mumbled.
"Well, nothing is making you not eat, so it's definitely something." Henry pulled her against him, wrapping her up in his arms. "But if you don't want to tell me, that's fine. I just want you to know I'm here." He pressed a kiss to her temple.
Elizabeth snuggled up into his side hoping he could warm her. She felt so cold, so empty. She'd been alone in this pain for so long, hiding it deep within her. "What would happen if I let him in? All the way in?" She took a deep breath and spoke softly, "Tomorrow is 6 years."
Henry immediately shifted so he could see her face. "Your parents?" She barely moved her head and he pulled her close. "I'm so sorry. What can I do?"
"There isn't anything to do. It just happens. I remember it all. All of the pain. The loneliness. I just sit with it until it passes." Elizabeth slipped her hand into his and squeezed it.
"Then I'll just be there to sit with you," he said, squeezing her hand back.
The next night, Henry snuck into the dorms with a bottle of wine and the rest of his wares. He knocked and waited. It took her a minute, but Elizabeth finally answered. She gave him a small smile. He could tell she'd been crying, but tried to conceal it from him. He kissed her cheek. Elizabeth let him in. "I brought us something that may help," he said, pushing her chair under her desk.
He spread the blanket out on the floor. "Sit with me." She sat and Henry scooted in close. He pulled the wine out, along with the glasses, cheese, crackers and grapes.
"You went to a lot of trouble. I'm afraid I'm not much for company tonight,' Elizabeth lamented.
"You're always the best company," he whispered in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. He poured the wine and handed her a glass. "Tell me a story about your parents." It took a bit of coaxing and the entire glass of wine, but she opened up and talked about her parents for hours. She laughed and she cried and she started to heal.
The bottle was empty, the food was gone and Elizabeth was nearly asleep. Elizabeth looked up drowsily and found Henry staring down at her, the love in his eyes penetrated her soul, and she knew that she didn't want to spend another day without him. "I love you," she whispered. He smiled at her and helped her to her feet, then into bed, tucking the covers in tight around her.
He kissed her lips chastely and said, "I love you too." Then he sat by her side running his fingers through her hair and drawing circles on her back until she drifted off to sleep.