They hold each other all that night. Usually he will stay for a little while and then slowly disentangle himself, gently kiss her, caress her for one last time. Not tonight; it is her who gets out of bed, begins to wash her face, and dress. For the first time they have allowed themselves to fall asleep together, and she knows he will have to leave, almost immediately or someone will spot him leaving her room, and she knows "We're going to get married" will sound a lot better than "Mrs Hughes said we have to get married" but for one brief moment she wants to watch him there, in the dawning light, in the bed they have shared together many times. He rolls over a little, waking, though still very drowsy, moving into the warmth she leaves behind her. When he opens his eyes it is to the sight of her standing in her slip at the washbasin, her hair untidy, falling down her back, smiling at him. She steps softly back to the bed, kneels down by its side so that she can kiss him.
"It's nice having you here for a whole night," she told him quietly, "But if you don't go now I think we'll be announcing our engagement with Mr Carson watching us very sternly."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"You're probably right."
Getting out of bed, he stepped back into his pyjamas and she thinks for a minute it is almost strange to see his body in the even half light. She smiles, thinking that it almost certainly won't be strange for very long.
As he turns to go, he turns back to her, clasping her hand in his for a second.
"You are sure?" he asked her.
She squeezed his fingers for a moment in hers.
"Of course I'm sure," she replied, "You make me feel safe."
End.
(And it actually is the end this time)
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