AndithFest was such fun and I was excited to see others continuing to post after. I'm a bit slower, I'm afraid.

For those in other lands, yes Harvey's destruction really is as bad as it looks on the telly. Even worse! I don't live in that area but do have family and many friends that have been devastated by it. I know many Europeans have no real feel for the size of the US and might think that since Texas is just a state, the area impacted isn't that large. For reference, Texas is larger than most European countries. France could fit inside easily. The area impacted by Harvey is even larger than many European nations. And that's not including those affected across the state border in SW Louisiana. I know many in other parts of the world have a negative impression of Americans. We are different. Perhaps it is because not too many generations ago we were still carving a civilization out of wilderness. And I know our politics make no sense to you; they don't to us either right now. But my point is that the videos you have probably seen of people coming together to help one another in the worst of circumstances, regardless of who they are, are real. Those are who Americans really are. People have left every corner of our very large nation, carrying food and supplies along with equipment to aid those who have lost everything. They are still in rescue mode in a lot of places and there are even a few spots where the rivers haven't crested yet and there is more flooding expected as they do. While loss of life does not even approach that of Katrina 12 years ago (thank goodness), the devastated area is much greater. Rebuilding will take years, well into the next decade.

I'm writing this, first to explain that my posts will be even a bit more sporadic for awhile for awhile as we concentrate on getting help to our family down there. But more importantly I am asking for your prayers and good thoughts for the people who are dealing with this disaster. There are so many horrible things happening in our world, some man made and some not, I think it is important for us to occasionally take a break and consider all that is good in the midst of the the bad. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts with you after what has been a terrible week.

And now, on with the story...


The happy couple picked up a light take away lunch and spent the afternoon at Anthony's flat, settled in the library on the sofa. After finishing their meal, Anthony settled comfortably against the back of the sofa with a paper and Edith settled against Anthony with a book she snatched from his shelves. Soon, his arm dropped and encircled Edith, holding her closer to him, the two forming their own little cocoon.

While Anthony tried to concentrate on the newspaper, his mind kept wandering, fretting over what had happened to Edith in the street that morning. The fear that still churned inside him made it abundantly clear to him how very much she had come to mean to him. He marveled at how quickly she had taken up a great deal of space in his heart, giving him hope he hadn't felt in years.

At times, he felt a tad guilty that he had allowed their relationship to develop into something more than just an odd acquaintance, but having her here, close to him reminded him of the healing she had brought to his very soul. If her presence didn't remind him, then her recounting of her encounter with Celeste and Karen certainly had. Edith had shared a detailed account of the acid attack and the conversation with the two women.

Anthony would prefer that Edith would never meet any of the women he'd dallied with over the last few years but he supposed that it was likely that more would appear as time passed. For all its size, London could be a few small community at times. And if they travelled much, they were likely to encounter another woman of his past or more. So, as he stared at his paper, regrets filled him.

As if she could eel his thoughts, Edith turned slightly and gazed up at him. "Are you alright?"

A worried smile quirked at the corner of his mouth. "Yes."

She studied his face and then sat straighter. "I don't believe you. What is wrong?"

With a sigh, Anthony grimaced. "It's just…. What happened this morning. It could have been so much worse. I suppose it is making me realize just how important you've become."

"Oh." Then snuggling up to him a little, she almost purred. "Just as you have become to me."

"Are you certain? About us, I mean? I'm a bit past what might be considered as normal in terms of age for someone as young as you."

"Or perhaps we might turn that. Perhaps you should be uncertain of me. I am quite young for a seasoned, sophisticated man like you."

"My fear exactly," he moaned. "Except I wouldn't call it sophisticated. More like jaded. And you'll grow weary of me."

"Jaded? No, I think adrift would be a better fit. At least, that was my impression that first day in the graveyard. You seemed lost and…. Haunted. "

Anthony considered her description. "Yes, I'm sure I did. You've saved me, you know. Given me back my life… a life. I know that this is good for me, that I will be extremely happy to have you with me for the rest of my life. But I worry that it will not be a good thing for you, that eventually you'll grow tired of me, an old man chained to you like an albatross."

Edith smirked. "Well, I'd hardly characterize you as old. Seasoned yes, but not old. And you seem to forget that I will grow older right along with you."

"Yes, but not as old…"

"True. But we have no way of knowing what the future will bring. You know that better than I do. And whether we have only a few years together or if you live to such a ripe old age that you see me into my own dotage, I want to spend every moment of my life with you for as long as possible. It will hurt when I have to watch age take you away from me, but I will never grow tired of you. You see, you're giving me a life too. And while we are on the subject of new lives, I do hope we create a few new ones along the way."

Anthony's jaw dropped. "Children? You want children?"

Edith giggled. "Yes, you silly man, I want children; your children."

"Oh, I hadn't really thought…. Considered…. I suppose that was rather foolish of me. Of course you want children." He paused a moment in consternation. "Erm…. Just how many do you think we might be talking about?"

"Oh, I'm not certain. More than one but not as many as a dozen. "

"A dozen!" Anthony was aghast which only brought more giggles from Edith.

After she regained control of her amusement, Edith took his hand and held it close to her. "Why don't we start with one and see where that takes us, hmmm?"

"I think…." Anthony gulped. "I think I can manage that…"

Edith giggled again. "I hear that creating babies is ever so much fun. Of course, according to you I haven't any experience, so you'll have to teach me how it is done."

"Erm, yes… I, ummm…. Right. Yes, once we're married."

"Yes, once we're married," she agreed. "And perhaps we'll wait just a little while before we begin production. I do want some time to have you all to myself. And I mean that literally, the part about having you."

Anthony's eyes crinkled as his lips turned up into a contented smile. "As do I, my darling…. As do I."

That evening they returned to the Lion and the Lamb. There was a small group playing music and John had cleared part of one room to create a little dance floor. Anthony watched Edith as she watched the few couples dancing and when the band struck up a song with a rhythm he thought he could manage, he asked her to dance.

When the music changed, a younger bloke approached intending to ask Edith for a dance. Edith merely smiled as she explained to the fellow that she only danced with her fiancé.

"And your father, I see," the young man replied, eyeing Anthony.

Edith saw Anthony's discomfort as he struggled to respond and she answered before he could. "He's not my father. This is my fiancé and I have no interest in dancing with anyone else. Now bugger off," she said with an angry huff.

For some reason, Edith's response seemed to relieve Anthony of his distress and he laughed. "Edith, that really wasn't very fair to the insolent chap. I am as old as your father, you know."

"You might be the same age, Anthony," she answered, "but you aren't nearly as old as my father. Now, I'd like another dance, if you please."

"I would like very much to please…." And with that, he took her in his arms, held her close and they began to move with the music. By the end of the evening Edith was wondering how she would be able to part from him when he returned her to her hotel. It seemed Anthony was wondering the same thing.

They were the last to leave the pub just as John and Anna were closing it down. Anthony walked her to her door in the hotel and as they lingered there in the hallway, he smiled at her. "I feel like a schoolboy, walking my date home and hoping for a kiss."

Edith smiled back. "Oh, I'll wager you hoped for more than a kiss…"

A frown creased his brow as he seemed to be thinking back. "You would probably win that wager. I erm…. I was always awkward around women but…. Well, always have found them very interesting."

"I'm sure," Edith giggled. "I just hope you find me equally interesting."

"Oh yes, much more so, in fact. Very interesting indeed," he said as he leaned in for a kiss. With a sigh, he withdrew after the second one. "I really should go now."

"You don't have to, you know," Edith offered.

"Yes, I do," he replied with emphasis. "I'll come for you in the morning?"

"Yes, usual time?"

"Right," he answered as he captured her lips once more. And then hesitantly, he pulled away, gave her a warm smile and whispered "good night," before he turned to head for the lift. Edith sighed as she watched him disappear behind the doors. Then she turned and disappeared behind hers.