Epilogue.

It was a kiss without passion. It was difficult to kiss someone when you were laughing and trying not to cry, such was the overwhelming feeling that had engulfed them. That wasn't to say that after they had washed up and made another pot of tea that Harry didn't succeed in ramping up the tempo. Slowly she may have said and slowly she would get, but sitting on the sofa with the woman he had loved for so long in his arms, there was a limit to his self-control.

Ruth in turn, was wondering why the hell she had resisted the temptation for so long and was hoping and praying that Harry would have forgotten her desire to take things slowly. She had always thought that he would have been a good kisser, you couldn't possibly have lips like his and not be and she had spent more than enough time gazing at them. Imagination was one thing the reality was quite another as she clung to his back with the real fear that she might black out.

Had his phone not rung, who knows what would have happened next although in both their minds they were pretty sure that they would have been taking this upstairs.

'Yes,' barked Harry, 'if this isn't you ringing to tell me that we have a national emergency,' followed by ' oh good evening Malcolm, what can I do for you?' had Ruth in a fit of giggles.

'Sorry, are you busy?' was the understatement of the year thought Harry as Malcolm rattled on about the long awaited Ashes Tour dates and asked if he would like him to book tickets.

'It's January Malcolm, can I ring you back tomorrow because at the moment yes I am busy and I'm hoping for an early night.' had Ruth raising her eyebrows, although mightily pleased that Harry had ignored her request for restraint and that his mind appeared to be on the same track as hers.

'Well you can't blame me for trying,' he said, fully aware that despite Ruth trying to appear shocked, she was showing every indication that she wanted him as much as he did her, 'but if you still want to take this slowly you only have to say the word,' he added, with the most gorgeous come to bed eyes she had ever seen.

'Um,' was all she managed, as his lips crashed back down on hers.

Two hours later, with Harry sleeping peacefully beside her and she tucked protectively into his side, she was determined to commit to memory every moment since he had lifted the duvet and she had climbed into his bed. If rumours were correct, then everything that he had said and done could have been practiced and honed to perfection with heaven knows how many women, but she believed not. Besides which the past was just that, it was the future that mattered. From the moment that she had gone into exile until she came back he had quietly withdrawn, Malcolm and Jo had both told her that and he had certainly aged beyond his years in the time that she had been away.

He had made love to her with such gentleness, making sure that she was comfortable with what was happening. It was not something that he wanted to be forgotten in the morning, this was their future and it needed to be right for her more than anything, he had said. Corny lines or cheesy words it mattered not, it was Harry that had said them and it was Harry who had finally shown her how much he loved her. That they had wasted so many years made her feel sad, but reminding herself of her resolution to put the past behind her and to look to a future that included Harry, she finally joined him in sleep.

Harry woke up a little later than he usually did, although still far too early for most mortals. The face that he loved more than anything else in the world was still nestled into his shoulder. He breathed her in, indulging himself for as long as he could until his bladder forced him to go to the bathroom and then downstairs to make his customary first cup of coffee. It was still only 7am and he wanted to be there when Ruth woke up, another fantasy that had been with him for so long, he couldn't remember when it had first started. Carrying both his coffee and a cup of tea for her, he climbed back up the stairs and slipped into bed beside her.

Ruth had felt Harry get up and had heard the toilet flush. She guessed that he had probably gone down to the kitchen as she lay there hoping that he would come back. Hearing the door open and the clink of two cups as he put them down, she kept her eyes closed intrigued as to what he would do. Feeling the bed dip beside her she made strenuous efforts to keep her breathing even. She knew that he was close to her she could feel his breathe ghosting across her face, as his hand snaked around her waist and he edged closer. As his body moulded with hers, she felt a highly erotic sensation course through and unable to control the urge to touch him any longer she moaned quietly as if waking up and arched her body to meet his. It was all the invitation that he needed as the day began as the last one had ended.

'I think your tea's probably cold,' he said as he gazed into her eyes, a broad smile on his face, 'give me a moment and I'll go and make you another one.'

Fifteen minutes later when Harry returned to the bedroom with a tray of toast and tea, Ruth had opened the curtains and was gazing out over the snow filled landscape.

'I could get used to this,' she said looking him up and down as he handed her a mug of tea.

Had you told her twenty four hours earlier that she would be sitting here in Harry's bed whilst he served her breakfast dressed in nothing but his dressing gown, she would probably have run a mile, whereas now wild horses wouldn't drag her away.

They both had the weekend off, so unless there was a red call they would have two full days together. If they had to go onto the grid so be it, whether it was in the next couple of days or on Monday they would arrive together.

Besides which Harry had plans and even if it was the one thousand and first time, he fully intended to get his timing right.

A Very Happy (and fiction filled) New Year to one and all.