Time slipped by quickly. By taking extra courses during the summer of 1947, Eileen was able to accelerate her studies and join Tobias in the third year classes. They had organic chemistry and microbiology together as well.
Tobias split his time between chemistry and ancient history, earning himself a double major by the time of his graduation in 1951. Eileen, on the other hand, focused her mind on the sciences alone, taking additional courses in botany, anatomy, and advanced microbiology, learning about bodies and the ways that organisms and substances interacted with and affected the body.
Now that the school year has ended, it was time for Eileen and Tobias to enter the real world. Tobias had landed a job right out of school in a prestigious chemists working on new medicines, while Eileen returned to Mulpepper's Apothecary to brew full-time.
Tobias had an apartment near the lab where he worked in Cokesworth. Eileen on the other hand returned home, frequently visiting Tobias on the weekends. The time apart was especially hard on Tobias, who would often take Eileen into his arms, wrapping her into a warm embrace that would go on for minutes. Holding her, he would squeeze her tightly, trying to nearly touching every inch of her body to his. However, this time, on a cool autumn day, Tobias only waved at her and held her hands rather than hold her.
"What's wrong," Eileen asked. It was late Autumn, a cool breeze whipping around them, their scarves blowing into knots.
Still Tobias couldn't even look at her. He merely held her hands in his for what seemed like an eternity.
Then, it happened. Tobias dropped to his knees before her, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Eileen Prince, from the moment I first saw you in lab, I knew you were the one. The one person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, learn to be a better man from, and grow old with. You are always so confident, so sure of yourself, and it disarms me. The only thing that I was confident in after that was that you were what was missing in my life."
"Tobias," Eileen started, her voice shaking like never before.
"Please, let me finish." Tobias said, looking into her eyes, tears filling his. "You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. I have loved none but you. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes?(1). Please do me the honor of making me the happiest man on earth."
Tobias reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring, holding it out to Eileen. She looked from the ring to Tobias, not a word passing her lips. Her mouth opened and closed as if attempting to start a thousand responses, yet being able to voice none.
"Persuasion," Eileen whispered, barely above a whisper.
"I know Jane Austen is your favorite."
"I'm sorry." Eileen's throat hitched, tears in her eyes. Pulling her hands from Tobias's, she ran from him, quicker than she would have known possible.
Entering a woods on the edge of the park where they met that day, Eileen dodged trees between her tears, dead branches snapping beneath her feet. She turned to look back only once she had reached the woods from where she was able to see Tobias still kneeling looking confused and hurt. Eileen kept running, even ignoring the sounds of breaking branches that weren't coming from herself.
Eileen tripped, over a raised root, rolling down a small hill right into a clearing. She was slightly cut, her ego bruised, and dirty, a rip in the knee of the leggings she wore beneath her skirt. Pulling her knees to her chest she rocked herself as she cried. She had just rejected the love of her life.
Tobias hung on the edge of the clearing, having carefully crept down the hill quietly. He watched as Eileen wept. Carefully, silently, we went to her, sitting down beside her and pulling her to himself. She fell into his arms, sobbing quietly as he stroked her hair.
"What is it, love," Tobias whispered quietly.
"It's nothing," Eileen said, her face still buried in his strong chest.
"Alright. I have to know though," he said lifting her face to his gently. "Why don't you want to marry me? Do you not love me?"
"Tobias, no!" Eileen threw her arms around him. "I do, I do love you."
"Then why? What have I done?"
"Tobias, there are things about me that you do not know, things I cannot possibly begin to explain-"
"Try, please."
"I can't, really."
"Is your name really Eileen Prince?" He asked, holding her slightly away from himself so that he can see her face.
"Yes, its nothing like that."
"Are you mentally or criminally insane?"
"No... do I seem crazy?
"Right now? A bit." Tobias joked, trying to lighten mood. "Did you kill someone?
"No, Tobias!"
"Then what? What else is there?"
"I... can't... I need to think. I just need some time to think."
"I can live with that, but rejection will just about kill me, Eileen. Kill me."
Eileen stood up, Tobias wiping the tears from her eyes. and walking her out of the woods. When they reached the parking lot, Tobias stopped.
"When will we see each other again? I don't want to rush you, but-"
"Next week?" Eileen said. It gave her a deadline.
"Works for me. Will you ring me if you cha-"
"Next week, Saturday. I'll be ready."
"Next week then."
Tobias leaned in and kissed her before climbing into his car. Eileen stood and watched as he drove away and out of sight, then she returned to the woods. With a loud pop, Eileen had apparated back to her home.
What was she going to do. Of course she loved him, and there was no question of his love for her. The only issue was the fact that she was a witch and he was a muggle. The International Statute of Secrecy said that she could not reveal her abilities to a muggle, not unless they were actually getting married, and until she said yes, that would not be the case. Then again, how fair would it be to Tobias if she didn't tell him before hand? And heaven forbid they had children who had magical abilities and he was unaware of her status! Then what? No! She had to tell him if her intentions were to say yes. But how?
~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~
Over the course of the week Eileen thought of the various ways that she could tell Tobias that she was a witch, and not one of them was in compliance with Wizarding Law. Not one. She could demonstrate her abilities, and then obliviate him as he ran away screaming as the Aurors came for her. She could tell him, and watch as he laughed nervously as he backed away. She could always not tell him and tell him that she can't marry him. No, that was not an option either. She loved him.
There was always another option. She could show him what she was, show him and hope for the best. The only catch was that he would have to come to her. It was settled then. She rang him on the phone inviting him to her place instead of their usual meeting spot that next Saturday. She told him that she would leave the door unlocked, and that he should just let himself in, that she might be in the middle of something when he got there and she would make lunch.
When the day finally came, Eileen made her final preparations. It was not knowingly performing magic in front of a muggle if he came at an unknown to her time and just let himself into her parent's house. It should be forgivable, an unfortunate mistake. She set her preparations, waving her wand about, starting lunch on itself and left it to cook before settling in the living room in a large comfy chair and waited, reading a book in a glowing faint light.
Tobias let himself in, closing the door behind him. He had a bouquet for her, sunflowers and some Chinese lanterns, which he hid behind his back. Entering further into the house, he saw a faint glow, which he walked towards. He thought about calling out, but wanted to surprise her so he waited until he saw her. Eileen was sitting in a large chair in the living room reading a book intently. The room was the same which held the warm glow he followed, which he now saw was emitting from tiny orbs of light, floating in midair. He dropped the flowers out of shock.
"Tobias!" Eileen said, startled by the sudden noise, she honestly hadn't heard him come in. The orbs of light glowed brighter.
"What... What is this, Eileen." Tobias had already recovered himself and was inspecting one of the orbs, poking a finger into it, and moving his hand through the light.
"I'm sorry, I got into my book, and didn't have a chance to clean up."
"Clean up... light?"
Eileen waved her hand, and the orbs of light disappeared. In the dark, Eileen could hear Tobias moving away from her. She turned on a lamp and saw him kneeling on the ground picking up the flower petals and bits that had broken off of the bouquet. She knelt down beside him to help.
"These were for you. Sorry, they had an accident," Tobias said handing her the bouquet. "Do you have a garbage can?"
Eileen led Tobias into the kitchen where a pot was stirring on its own. Tobias looked at it carefully as he dropped his handful of flower bits into the bin.
"What's that?" Tobias said pointing at the pot.
"Lunch, I made stew."
"I see that it is stew, but it's... stirring... on its own."
"Yes... about that..."
"What's going on Eileen?" Tobias was regarding her carefully.
"I'm a witch," Eileen said plainly, as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.
"A witch?"
"A witch."
"And this is...?"
"Magic, Tobias."
"Is this why you couldn't answer me? The secret you were hiding?"
"Yes," Eileen said softly, afraid.
Tobias just looked at her. Then he started laughing. He laughed and then laughed harder, before leaving the kitchen and going to the living room to sit on the couch. Still he was laughing.
"What is so funny?" Eileen had hostility in her voice.
"It is just so.. so stupid Eileen!" Tobias pulled her onto the couch next to him. "You ran away from me because of what? You thought I wouldn't be able to handle it? That I wouldn't be able to look past it?"
"Well, there is that and the fact that if you found out and changed your mind that we could never see each other again. It wasn't something to laugh about."
"Eileen, I have a horrible secret that I kept from you as well."
"Now you're mocking me?!"
"No. It is quite horrible, actually. A terrible horrible secret, something that is sure to drive you away.
"You are mocking me!" Eileen leaped up from the couch.
"No, I'm not. Well, maybe a little bit." Tobias was chuckling again. "Okay yes, I am mocking you, but only because you are being ridiculous."
Eileen was defeated. He was mocking her. Was she really being so bad, was it that ridiculous that she ran from him, that she tried to protect her identity, that she didn't want to give up what she was just for him? Not quite yet, at least.
"Alright," Eileen said, sitting beside him again. "What is your big dark secret?"
"I play the accordion."
"Oh gosh," Eileen said with a laugh. "That is horrible!"
"So, about what I asked you last we-" Tobias started carefully before Eileen kissed him firmly on the lips, preventing him from finishing.
"Yes!" Eileen kissed him again as he pulled her into his lap, straddling him. They kissed passionately until Tobias gently pushed her away.
"Where do we go from here, Eileen?" Tobias was serious now.
"What do you mean?"
"What do we do know? You are a witch, can do magic, and can hopefully make my accordion sound good. What next? Obviously there is something, since you were so cautious in telling me."
"Well," Eileen began carefully. "Wizarding society has laws to protect us and non-magic folk - Muggles as you are called. One of those laws is a Statute of Secrecy, we are to keep our magic a secret unless there is a union between a wizard or witch and a muggle."
"So that is why you couldn't just come out and say it?" Tobias was thinking carefully, trying to understand the new situation he found himself in. "That's why you wanted to meet here, wanted me to just let myself in."
"Exactly. Then, it was an accident. But since we are together, it is fine that you know."
"What would have happened if I went screaming for the hills?"
"This," Eileen said, pulling her wand out of her pocket. "I would have had to erase your memory. Every memory of magic, this place, our time together, me. All of it. Gone."
"Well that is all the convincing I would have needed to come crawling back. I cannot imagine my life without you in it, Eileen."
"I love you, Tobias" Eileen nestled into his chest, as he kissed her gently.
~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~
On a cool, brisk spring morning Eileen was with her friend Faywen from Hogwarts. She sat nervously, staring at a clock waiting for noon. At noon, she would start her new life. With only minutes to go, Faywen helped her into her veil, and they took their positions. Tobias was already at the altar, standing beside a preacher and a high warlock of the wizarding community.
Everyday Eileen was more and more impressed with how well Tobias took the new changes to their life. Just the fact that magic was possible was not even a cause for concern for him. As Tobias put it anything is possible, who am I to deny it or worry about it unless it is posing a specific threat to me. Eileen couldn't deny the wisdom in those sentiments, they had saved their friendship and were now allowing them to get married. Tobias was embracing their new life, honest about his feelings, and open to her world. She longed for the first time she would take him into Diagon Alley or to Hogsmeade and show him some of her favorite places.
Soon the wedding march began, accompanied with an odd sound of wizard instruments as they attempted to match the tune. While the sound was quite unpleasant, she loved it. Faywen walked down the aisle with a man named Augie who also happened to be married for a witch, a friend of theirs from school. Tobias didn't have much family, and no one really in the area to attend the wedding so it was very small. Eileen's father was there to walk her down the aisle, while her mother sat in the front row to cry happy tears. Eileen's grandparents were their smiling approvingly, her grandmother calling Tobias a "dish, for a muggle". Then there was Augie and his wife and Faywen. She had sent an owl to invite Tom, but he did not reply. That was it for their happy day, with Tobias's lack of "wizarding" relations Eileen stuck by the statute of secrecy.
When Faywen and Augie reached the front of the small chapel, Eileen started down the aisle. She was so nervous that she kept her eyes on the floor, watching to be sure that she did not trip over her own feet. When she reached the front she handed her small bouquet of lilies to Faywen and joined hands with Tobias, looking at him for the first time. His face was streaked with tears, which she wiped quickly with a thumb, him blushing brightly. Just as the preacher was about to begin a hooded person walked into the chapel and took a seat in the shadows at the back of the chapel hardly to anyone's notice.
"It is love that gathers us here today," the preacher said. "Love between a man and a woman. Love stronger than the hatred during which they were brought together. With the Second World War raging, two young people chose to attend a university already damaged by the war, a university that may have been seen as less than idyllic. Yet, even in the darkest of places, one can see a light. It is this light that they saw in each other, emerging strong together. I would ask that if there was anyone here that knows of a reason that these two should not be wed, that they speak now, but judging from the crowd, I do not think it is necessary."
At this, Eileen's father chuckled as Faywen shot him a fierce glance at the sudden noise. Eileen's mother wept quietly, unable to control her happiness.
"At this time I invite you to profess your love for one another and exchange rings," the preacher said. "Tobias, we will begin with you."
"Eileen, from the moment that I first saw you, I knew that you were the woman that I wanted to spend my life with. I love you with all of my heart and I will spend the rest of my life showing you how grateful I am that you love me too. I love you." Tobias smiled, his eyes ready to burst with tears of joy.
Then Tobias slipped a ring on her finger. Eileen returned his smile brightly.
"Tobias," Eileen said. "I knew from the moment that you suggested we leave the chemistry lab that you would be trouble. You never let me down in that respect. You always surprised me and found ways to get me to let my guard down. I needed that as much as I need you now. I love you, and love that I finally get to share with you something that makes me almost as happy as you do. And… I should be saying something about love but I'm lost… I'm rambling aren't I?"
Again there was laughter from Eileen's father followed by a quiet "that's my girl".
"Yes," Tobias said, tears in his smiling eyes. "Tell me you love me."
"I love you."
"Tell me we will always be together."
"Always," Eileen said before whispering the word again.
She slipped a ring on Tobias's finger after which he held her hands tightly. A robed figure approached them as the preacher sat down, a wizard presider over marriage.
"Tobias Snape and Eileen Prince have professed their love for each other and exchanged rings. At this time we will perform a handfasting ceremony, tying them together always." With that, the wizard produced an elaborately knotted rope from a pocket of his robes and looped it around their hands firmly.
"The promises made today and this binding strengthen your union. You will be eternally bound. Do you wish to enter this ceremony?"
"Yes," Tobias and Eileen said.
"Tobias, please look into your love's eyes and meet Eileen's returning gaze."
"Tobias, will you share in Eileen's pain and seek to alleviate it?" With these words the binding rope began to glow, growing brighter with each vow. Yet Tobias did not waver, he responded to each with 'I will'. "Will you share in her laughter and see her positive radiant goodness? Will you share in Eileen's burdens? Will you grow with her spirit and aid her through the hard times? Will you honor Eileen as your equal, as an equal partner in this union? "
"I will." He said these words for the last time. With that the bright glow of the bindings faded, sealing his vow.
"Eileen, will you share in Tobias's pain and seek to alleviate it?" Again the binding started to glow. "Will you share in his laughter and see the good inside of him? Will you be a source of strength for Tobias in the difficult times that may lie ahead? Will you be the rock that will steady him when he wavers? Will you honor Tobias as your equal, as an equal partner in this union?"
"I will." The bindings once again faded.
"And so the binding is made. Tobias and Eileen, as your hands are bound together, so now are your spirits in an eternal bond. Matrimony is not formed in these cords, but by the life you now go on to live. 'May these hands be blessed this day. May they always hold each other. May they have the strength to hang on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. May they remain tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. May they build a relationship founded in love, and rich in caring. May these hands be healer, protector, shelter, and guide for each other(2)'.
"At this time, I invite Father Michael back," the wizard said as he moved back to a seat at the front of the alter.
"A beautiful union has here been created," he said facing those gathered. "On behalf of those present and the beautiful love present here, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may seal your union with a kiss."
Tobias lifted Eileen's veil and gingerly grabbed her chin, pulling her face upward before kissing her passionately, with much taste for the ceremony. Eileen, on the hand, grabbed him by the head when he broke away and pulled him back in for another one before wrapping her arms around his neck allowing him to hold her.
The ceremony over, Eileen and Tobias Snape processed out of the chapel with Faywen, Augie, his wife and Eileen's parents and grandparents. They had a small picnic in a nearby park where they ate lunch. Eileen's grandmother enchanted the area to be undetectable by muggles other than Tobias and Augie before conjuring some floating orbs of light 'which must be where Eileen' got it according Tobias. They danced the night away until it was late, the older folk already gone, it was just Augie and his wife, Faywen and the happy couple. Tobias alternated dancing with Eileen and Faywen who was currently unattached. Eileen even conjured an accordion for Tobias to play, which he did happily as he jigged, the group of them laughing hysterically at the noise before joining in the revelry. When they had finally exhausted themselves, the ladies removed the enchantments as the men cleaned up before they returned to their homes.
Upon arrival, Tobias rushed around the car he drove them home in and opened Eileen's door for her like he did when they first started dating, before Eileen started trying to get it open before he could make it there. She let him win their silly game this time.
He held out a hand to her. "Mrs. Snape."
"Mr. Snape," she said taking it and allowing herself to be helped out of the car.
Tobias scooped her into his arms and carried her to his apartment where they agreed they would live until they found a proper home. When they reached the door, Eileen produced her wand and magically opened the lock without a word as he carried her over the threshold and straight into the bedroom.
~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~
Eileen awoke the next morning to find she was still in her dress, one shoe still on with a throw blanket covering her alone in the bed. She blinked as she looked around the room before finding Tobias awake sitting in a chair, his long hair as disheveled as his clothes. It was obvious that he slept there.
"Good morning, Mrs. Snape."
"You slept in the chair?" Eileen questioned him.
"I put you in the bed and then went to the bathroom, by the time that I returned you were already asleep. I couldn't bring myself to wake you. Besides, you are beautiful to watch sleep."
"You were up all night?" Eileen said rising finally, trying to undo her dress on her own.
"No," Tobias said as he rose to help her with the ties at the back. "I fell asleep pretty quickly, but you slept a little late. I actually started preparing breakfast, if you would like?"
It was at this moment that Eileen realized that the apartment smelled slightly of cooking bacon.
"Just let me slip into something a bit more comfortable."
"I'll let you dress," Tobias said kissing her forehead before leaving the room, closing the door behind him.
Eileen dressed quickly, pulling on a green knit sweater and a pair of pajama pants. She scurried to the kitchen only to find Tobias already at the stove frying eggs in a pan. The table was set for two. A large plate in the center had bacon, there were two glasses of orange juice, two cups for tea, a jar of honey, and a plate set for each of them. Eileen rubbed his back as she passed him reaching for some bread to make toast as he finished the eggs which he plated for them. Sitting down at the table, Eileen and Tobias sat down for their first meal as a couple.
"Merlin's beard, I had no idea I was so hungry," Eileen said her third piece of bacon still being chewed with her eggs half gone. Then she looked panicked, Tobias simply looked at her and smiled. "Oh my goodness, what am I saying."
"Why, Mrs. Snape, you are blushing most fiercely." Tobias mocked her.
"I just let it out. All this time I've been with you, I always have to think before I say things, make sure I don't give anything away, and I just blurted out 'Merlin's beard' not even thinking about if you would even know what I meant or if you would think it was weird and I half expected a Howler to show up and-"
"Eileen," Tobias interrupted her.
"Yes?"
"My dear, you are rambling."
"Sorry."
"Don't be. If I don't know something, I'll ask, just be yourself, you don't have to hide anymore. We don't have to hide anymore. Not from wizards anyway. You said that things were taken care of, so that is how I see it."
"Of course, silly really, I guess I didn't think things would go so smoothly."
"I didn't think it would either, but I graciously accept it." Tobias said between bites. "Actually, things are going quite well. Just last week I had an interview in Cokesworth to be a quality inspection manager for their factory expansion."
"Really?" Eileen was intrigued. "How did it go."
"I got the job. I can start in a week, but they will give me up to two if I need extra time for relocation."
"That is excellent, Tobias," Eileen said as she reached across the table to hold his hand. "Let's finish breakfast and then we can run down the realtors and see if there are any for sale in the area."
"Actually, as soon as I got the job, I did that. I've got the listings right here."
Tobias rose from the table and returned with a rolled booklet with small black and white photos of houses in the area. He had already looked through the listings and made notes in red pen beside them with a few of the listings circled or Xed out.
"I've thought about what I could afford now with my savings and what my salary will be. I think I've narrowed it down to these three," Tobias said pointing.
One was a small yellow house, one floor on the outskirts of the city. Beside the listing Tobias noted long commute, looks friendly, schools far away, large backyard, good for when we start a family. Another was a two story white house with large windows with the notes that is listed as a fixer-upper to which Tobias had noted small backyard, nice garden, barely affordable, schools far away, and mold issue in basement. The last one was a brown brick building with small windows right that was park and river adjacent. Tobias had noted great commute, most affordable, nice view, good schools.
"Well, this one seems like it is the one, now doesn't it? Eileen said pointing to the brick house.
"But why?" Tobias asked smiling.
"Well, it is the closest we are going to get to affordable."
"That is not a very good reason." Tobias was smiling again, as if he knew the answer he was looking for.
"Well, which one do you think?" Eileen asked.
"The brick one."
"Why, smartarse?" Eileen asked smacking him playfully in the arm.
"It looks unloved," Tobias replied matter-of-factly.
"Unloved?"
"Yes. Don't laugh," Tobias looked a bit hurt. "The white one was cared for, there is a large garden in the back, look in the window, it is open and welcoming. The yellow one is gorgeous, a family of five lived there."
"And the brick one?"
"A little old lady. We can be the ones who love that house."
"Alright, the brick one it is," Eileen said smiling.
~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~SS~
In just one week, Tobias and Eileen had moved their most necessary possessions to the new house. Tobias still had three weeks in his lease, so the rest of his things were there. It was right across from the river on Spinner's End in Cokesworth. It was a medium sized village, full of families that worked mostly for the textile mill just outside of town. The downtown was bustling and full of life with little shops and a farmers market for fresh veg daily. Each morning they would have breakfast together and pack their lunches before Tobias would take his car down the lane along the river to the farthest bridge before crossing over to the mill. Eileen would take the opportunity to go to market to get some things for dinner and bring them home before apparating in to work herself.
Tobias's hours were longer than Eileen's so after work she would apparate back home to move more things to the house. Tobias went back to his apartment on the weekends to pack as well. Between the two of them they had almost as many books as a small library. It was nothing to worry about, though. The house that they shared was nice. It had solid wood floors, and built-in bookshelves in the sitting room. One of the bookcases popped out to reveal a staircase up to the second floor, a feature that both of them thought was wonderful. The first floor had one bedroom, a restroom, the sitting room and the kitchen with a small attached dining room. It also had two staircases, the one behind the bookcase that led to the second floor, and one beside the back door in the kitchen that went down to the basement. The basement had a washer and dryer set, and an odd little tool room which Eileen was set upon turning into a potions laboratory. The second floor housed three rooms and another bathroom. From the outside, the house seemed very plain, but inside, it was marvelous.
As Eileen settled them into the house during the free hours, she began to bring out the building's natural grace. She put lace curtains up in the windows which were thick enough to give them privacy, but not so thick as to block out the natural light. She treated the wooden shelves of the bookcases to bring out their earthly glow before placing their books neatly on the shelves. When they first looked at the house, they looked at the bedrooms, the one downstairs would be a perfect guest room, and the three upstairs were perfect for them and if they had any children. They selected the largest room, and moved Tobias's bed into it since he had the larger bed. The closet was large, with two sides and full length mirrors for the doors.
On the last day of his lease Tobias arrived late from work. Coming in, he carried a large box covered with a sheet. He snuck into the house ignoring Eileen calling out to him from the kitchen and instead set out to work on his prize. He walked past her to the basement where he had a large ladder and brought it up.
"Just wait in here, don't ask any questions," Tobias said as he passed her, ladder in hand.
Eileen continued cooking them dinner with a puzzled look on her face. After about twenty minutes Tobias passed by again with the ladder. There was some banging and constant opening and closing of the door, but Eileen ignored it all. She already knew it was better that way than to ask questions when Tobias was working on a "surprise". When she was finally done, she set the table with two plates. Setting small oval glass bowls of potatoes and cabbage on the table alongside a plate of corned beef and some buttered bread. With nothing left to prepare, she went to the doorway to the sitting room.
"Dinner is ready," Eileen said, not looking in.
"Close your eyes," he said, a playful grin on his face. Eileen could feel him moving around him, placing his hands over her eyes. "Now carefully go into the sitting room."
Eileen walked forward, Tobias guiding her. He turned her around to face him.
"Now sit down," Tobias said.
Eileen eased herself down to what she thought would be one of their two hard folding chairs that they had in there temporarily, holding his hands for stability. However, when she reached the seat, she sunk in. Tobias let go of her hands and she could hear him moving away from her.
"Okay, open your eyes."
Eileen opened her eyes to find Tobias sitting on a large stuffed couch. She herself, was sitting in a large overstuffed armchair. A small wooden table was beside them, with a 1930s style cloisonne lamp with a black shade on it.
"Look up," Tobias suggested.
Eileen looked up, and attached to the ceiling was a small 1930s style art deco chandelier lamp. Lighting it was all of the candles that used to be their primary source of light in the house since they did not yet own any lamps or lights.
"Where on earth did you get these lamps?" Eileen said laughing.
"One of my coworkers was getting rid of some stuff and asked for help. I went with him and saw the lamps and asked how much for them and he let me have them for free."
"And the couch and chair?"
"I got those at the furniture store. I got my first paycheck today. I thought it was a good investment and didn't take me that long. I know they aren't the most elegant, but they were the most comfortable for sitting. I thought about it, and sat on a lot of couches and even curled up like you do on some to see if they were any good. These were the best."
"I love them."
"After dinner, do you want to break them in?"
Chapter Notes
This is a quotation from Persuasion by Jane Austen. It is from Frederick Wentworth's letter to Anne Elliott. If you haven't read it, DO IT! Of course, I own nothing of Jane Austen's works or characters, blah blah blah legal stuff, please don't sue me, I wish homage only!
The Hands of the Couple, Traditional Handfasting Prayer, unknown
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