Chapter 3: Elaine Lorne Rider
Once they returned to the house there was only time enough for a quick breakfast before a cab pulled up in the driveway and Elaine Rider, followed closely by her husband and sons, emerged.
"Answer the door dear," Grace urged Evan, her expression making it clear she was looking forward to her daughter's reaction.
With a sigh, Evan complied - there was no way to put this off in any case. "I'll be right back," he told Prue before heading for the front door. He felt the need for a bracing breath before he pulled it open.
"Evan!" Elaine almost squealed when she saw him, dropping her bag and throwing herself into his arms. "I've been so worried!"
"Lainee," he smiled, hugging her tightly and dropping his head to her hair. Seeing her brought back a little of the darkness he'd been under when he'd seen her last.
"Let me look at you," she demanded, stepping back but keeping hold of his hands. "Wow - you look good," she said, surprised. "Are you ... is everything okay now?" she asked, confused.
Evan looked past her to where Drew and the boys were watching. "Listen, let's get the boys inside first. Then I'd really appreciate it if we could talk, just you and me. Okay?"
Elaine frowned, searching his expression for a moment before she nodded.
Drew, ever in tune with his wife, only stepped forward then. "Evan," he held out a hand, shaking Evan's firmly. "This is a pleasant surprise."
"For me too," Evan slapped a hand to his brother-in-laws shoulder. "I thought I'd have to use up a few days travelling to see these two little rascals," he added, squatting just in time to catch two human missiles. Laughing he hugged Jon and Matt close, rising to his feet with them still in his arms.
"Did you come to see me Uncle Evan?" Jon asked with childlike certainty that all the events around him must have something to do with him. Matt was babbling in Evan's other ear, one out of every few words somewhat recognisable.
"I would have," Evan explained, "but you saved me a trip. Pretty clever trick there sport."
"I'm cle-ver!" Jon declared, laughing in delight.
"You are," Evan agreed. "Now," he said, hoisting them up a little higher to get a firm grasp, "are you two ready to come inside. There's someone I really want you to meet."
"We already knowed Grandma Uncle Evan," Jon pointed out with earnest helpfulness.
"I know that sport," Evan laughed. "This is someone else okay?" He looked to Elaine and Drew, brow raised. Elaine nodded, her eyes narrowed as she tried to work out what was going on. "Let's go," Evan tightened his hold on his nephews as he ducked low through the front door and headed for the living room.
"Grandma," Jon called out as soon as they got close enough. Wriggling his little body he stopped to kiss Evan's cheek as though making sure his attention had been equally divided between all the people who loved him. Evan carefully lowered him and Matt to the floor, enjoying the way they ran to Grace without hesitation, getting the kind of welcome only a grandmother could deliver.
Moving to where Prue sat, he took a seat beside her, putting a hand over where hers were clasped tightly in her lap. "Relax," he murmured, waiting for her to look at him and nod. "Time for introductions," he said a moment later when it seemed Matt and Jon had run out of steam. Taking Prue's hand he pulled her up to stand beside him.
"Guys," he drew the boys attention, knowing Elaine and Drew had already been aware of the stranger in their midst. "This is my friend, Prue," he said, squeezing Prue's hand.
"Is she your girled friend?" Jon asked innocently.
"She is," Evan agreed, smiling.
"She prit-tee," Matt giggled, ducking his head into his grandma's shoulder when Prue smiled.
"She is," Evan said again, grinning. "Prue, this is my sister Elaine, her husband Drew and their two boys - Jonathon and Matthew."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Prue smiled warmly but Evan didn't miss the way she kept close to him or the fact that she was holding herself tensely.
"You too," Drew was the one to speak first. Stepping forward he offered her his hand, forcing her to move from Evan's protectiveness to return the greeting. "Evan mentions you in his messages home all the time - I feel like we know a lot about you already."
Evan smiled, grateful for Drew's easy manner and open friendliness. Elaine was keeping back, her expression thoughtful as she assessed the situation and Prue.
"He talks about you all too," Prue returned. "Especially his nephews. I can see why now."
Drew probably couldn't help the proud father smile that emerged at her words. "They're pretty charming," he commented, watching his sons who'd already gotten bored with adult small talk and were taking toys from a crate Grace kept in the living room for just this kind of occasion. "When they're not being little pests," he added with a chuckle.
Elaine still hadn't said anything and Evan knew he'd have to talk to her before the silence got awkward. "Prue, can you sit and talk to Drew for a few minutes?" he requested.
Prue nodded, her eyes going to Elaine before she looked back to him. "I'm fine - go and talk to your sister," she murmured.
Touching a hand to her shoulder he looked at Drew, the unspoken request obvious. "Look after my girl - and be nice!" Drew nodded, looking more than a little amused. "So tell me Prue, what is it you do at this base you and Evan work at?"
Shaking his head, Evan motioned for Elaine to walk with him. She didn't hesitate, following him towards the kitchen after the briefest of shared looks with her husband.
"She's the one who hurt you?" Elaine said as soon as they were alone. "She's the reason you were so ...," she trailed off, wanting to say 'broken' but not wanting to remind him of how bad it had been.
Taking a seat Evan waited for her to do likewise before he answered. "Indirectly, yes she is," he said simply. "I wish I could tell you the full story so you'd understand what Prue did for me, but I can't."
"Because it's classified," Elaine sighed, hating the military all of a sudden. A few weeks ago her brother had been as low as she'd ever seen him. Now it was as though it had never happened, but Elaine was certain Prue had been the cause. At the time she'd been convinced Prue had been killed but clearly that wasn't the case. She must have left Evan willingly - she'd hurt him - worse than anyone ever had - and Elaine wasn't sure she could forgive that. How could she trust that the same thing wouldn't happen again?
"Yes," Evan confirmed. "What I can tell you is that it wasn't Prue's choice to go ... but it was her choice to come back. She gave up a lot to do that ... and I trust her implicitly."
"And you want me to do the same," Elaine frowned, trying to read between the lines.
"I do. I know this is frustrating as hell for you," Evan shook his head. "Just give her a chance, okay?"
"Of course," Elaine returned. Leaning forward she put her hand over his. "I'll keep an open mind because I can see how important this is to you. But if you let her hurt you like that again I don't know who I'll be coming after first - you or her."
"It won't happen like that again," Evan said confidently. "So, you ready to start over?"
"Lead the way," Elaine jumped to her feet, threading her arm through the elbow he offered her and smiling at his gallant gesture.
"Prue," Evan drew her attention, "this is my sister Elaine. Lainee, this is Prue," he introduced the two like it was the first time.
"It's really nice to meet you Prue," Elaine said, letting go of her brother's arm so she could offer a hand to Prue.
Prue looked at Evan and he nodded, smiling as he gestured for her to respond. Her answering smile was radiant as she turned back to Elaine. "It's really nice to meet you too."
After the stilted greeting Evan could be forgiven for not realising that Prue and his sister would hit it off so well. They had little in common besides being the kind of women who'd stand up instead of sitting back, who'd defend what they believed in. No, it seemed the only real subject they had to talk about was him, and both of them seemed more than keen to do so. When Grace Lorne excused herself to get ready for work it only got worse.
"You won't stop them," Drew murmured, amused as Evan protested again that Prue didn't need to hear any more stories about him as a kid.
Evan looked at the woman he loved, her eyes shining as she sat on the couch beside Elaine, hanging on every word. "You're right," he caved abruptly. Elaine's stories were mostly harmless and how could he deny Prue the chance to bond. "I don't have to listen though," he decided, motioning for Drew to follow him. "Time for a little play time," he grinned, heading for where Jon and Matt were still playing.
The boys were more than keen for 'man time' as Drew called it, the four of them going outside with a couple of balls to play catch. Standing beside his brother-in-law Evan was content to just throw the ball and watch Jon and Matt scramble after it, giggling as they stumbled over themselves before racing to bring it back.
"So ... Prue," Drew commented.
"Yep," Lorne glanced at his friend before turning his attention back to his nephews. "Go on, say whatever it is you want to say."
"She suits you."
"That's it?" Evan asked incredulously after a few moments of silence.
"What, she doesn't suit you?" Drew queried.
"Of course she does," Evan shot back. "I'm just surprised you're not all over this - after years of my commenting unfavourably about settling down."
"Is that what you're doing, settling down?" Drew smirked when Evan frowned.
"I guess," he shrugged.
Drew knew how to use silence to get Evan to open up - after more than a decade he'd honed the skill to the point he hardly had to say anything before Evan caved and told him what he wanted to know. This time would be no different.
"Fine," Evan declared abruptly. "I'm crazy in love with Prue and as soon as she's ready to hear it I'll be popping the question. Happy now?"
"Are you?" Drew asked quietly.
"Hell yes," Evan grinned suddenly. "And don't think I don't know that's what you wanted me to own up to. I've got secrets no amount of silence could weed out of me - you know that right?"
"This is great," Drew laughed, ignoring him. "I am so looking forward to telling Marcus and the others that the last hold out to matrimony has crumbled. Evan Lorne has finally met his match!"
"Hey, I'm not ... we're not," Lorne stopped, gathered himself. "I haven't asked her yet."
"What's stopping you?" Drew seemed genuinely surprised.
Evan watching Jon and Matt chasing each other around the yard for a few moments, his thoughts back to the city he couldn't tell Drew about. "Prue and I went through something pretty horrific," he offered quietly. "She needs time ... and so do I."
"Maybe," Drew agreed, "or maybe you both just need to know how the story ends."
Evan's brow rose as he considered his friend's words. "Maybe," he allowed, a faint smile playing over his face.
"Uncle Evan!" Jon ran up to his Uncle, grabbing his hand and pulling insistently. "Come and play with us."
Smiling, Lorne made a play at being reluctant, loving how determined Jon was as he pulled his Uncle into their game.
Elaine watched Drew and Evan leave the room, smiling once they'd disappeared from sight. Finally she could grill Prue without Evan jumping to her defence.
"So tell me, what really happened back in July?" she asked bluntly.
Prue froze, her eyes shooting to Elaine's before she looked away. "What did Evan tell you?"
"That it wasn't your choice to leave him but that it was to come back," Elaine summarised.
Prue smiled wistfully. "He's such a good man," she murmured, looking for all the world like she'd forgotten Elaine was even there.
Elaine didn't want to be won over so easily but she could see the admiration and respect Prue had for her brother and it warmed her - it gave the two women something crucial in common.
"I'm not sure if you know this," Elaine began, after arguing with herself internally over what she could in all good conscience reveal, "but the last time Evan was here - after whatever happened happened - he was as close to broken as I've ever seen him. And that's with losing our Dad and him losing close friends along the way. It scared me, seeing him so ... vulnerable. I don't ever want to see him like that again."
"And you're worried I might do the same thing sometime in the future, leave him like that?" Prue queried.
"Wouldn't you be, if our positions were reversed?" Elaine replied.
Prue thought for a moment and then seemed to come to a decision. "You know there are things I can't reveal, right?"
Elaine nodded.
"What I can tell you is that your brother is the bravest man I'll ever know," Prue said earnestly. "He was willing to give his life to save me and everyone on the base - I'd come so close to losing him already and I just couldn't let that happen. In the end we were lucky." She stopped, eyes locked on the carpet, deep in troubled thought. "If it ever came down to something like that situation in the future, I'd make the same decision if it meant he'd live. Even more so now I know he has a loving family to help him survive."
Elaine was speechless, for once having no comeback in the face of such intensity. "You love him," she finally got out.
"More than anything," Prue replied simply. "He's forgiven so much, more than I deserve. He's too good for me."
"No," Elaine said firmly. "It sounds like you're perfectly suited to each other."
"So I have your blessing?" Prue asked, her expression hopeful.
Elaine felt suddenly guilty - for her actions having led to Prue thinking she needed a sister's approval. "You don't need my blessing."
"No, but you're important to Evan," Prue explained. "I want you to like me because it will please him. He won't admit it but I know he'll be upset if he thinks there are issues between us."
"I can see why Evan is so taken with you," Elaine smiled, touching a hand to Prue's arm. "How can I help but welcome you to the family?"
"Really?" Prue's eyes misted over, her smile trembling suddenly.
"Really," Elaine felt overly emotional herself, the two women spontaneously hugging before breaking apart with matching watery laughs.
"Tell me more about you," Elaine requested. "Do you have family here in the States?"
"No," Prue admitted. "I lost my parents a long time ago and I never had any other family."
"Then it's lucky for you that Evan comes with strings attached," Elaine declared. "Now you have our Mom and me and my boys, not to mention all the friends Evan's made over the years. You'll have so many new connections you'll probably be overwhelmed."
"That sounds wonderful," Prue wiped at her teary eyes, laughing again. "I need to calm down before Evan comes back inside, otherwise he'll think I've been crying for the wrong reasons."
"Men never understand happy tears," Elaine said with a chuckle. She gave Prue a few moments to compose herself before changing the subject. "So tell me ... how do you feel about marriage as a general rule?"
"Marriage?" Prue's face went blank.
"Yes, as in you and my brother committing to live the rest of your lives together, preferably in the near future," Elaine clarified.
"We haven't talked about anything like that," Prue said dismissively.
"I can see we're meeting at just the right time. You my dear, are in desperate need of a future sister-in-law's guidance then," Elaine almost rubbed her hands together, her expression calculating. "Evan's smarter than the average male so he'll work out pretty quickly what you're up to. In fact, all you really need to do is mention that I asked when you guys were getting married and you didn't know how to answer and then sit back and watch the show."
"We don't need marriage - we're happy as we are," Prue insisted.
"Every girl needs marriage," Elaine countered. "And Evan loves you."
"I know," Prue smiled, clearly still amazed by that one simple fact.
"Well then?" Elaine looked at Prue expectantly.
Prue laughed, delighted with Evan's sister.
"What's so funny?" Drew asked, walking back into the room with Evan close at his heels. Each had an exhausted little boy in his arms.
"It's a girl thing," Elaine declared, exchanging an amused glance with Prue.
"That's it - it's all over buddy," Drew nudged Evan, motioning for him to put Matt on the couch. "Run while you still can."
Evan laughed, eyes locked with Prue's. She looked so happy ... and comfortable in a way that said she felt like she belonged, something he'd never seen in her before. "I don't need to run," he said simply, earning himself an even more radiant smile from Prue.
Looking at Elaine, Evan nodded, silently thanking her for whatever it was she'd done to convince Prue she was welcome. Elaine smiled back, giving him an approving nod in return.