First of all, I have to admit that I am not a native speaker, so there might be a few mistakes, but if you write me a message to tell me about them, I will correct them as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Level 5, and I don't earn my money with these stories.

Waiting Together

Angela was startled when she heard the front door open. Even after years, she wasn't used to hearing her husband come home.

"Angela, I'm back," Henry called from the hall.

Angela put down the book she had been reading on the table next to the sofa and went to greet him. "How was your day?"

Henry had put up his coat and was now taking off his shoes. "Busy, as usual." He stood up and looked at her evenly. "I'm sorry I'm late."

"That's alright," Angela said. "I know how much you do. I just wish I could help."

He stepped closer and placed his hands on her shoulders. "You're doing enough. With all the events you organise to keep the citizens happy, you're a vital part of Monte d'Or. You are the soul of the city."

"And you are the heart."

He smiled at her. "We make a good team, don't we?"

She returned the smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. She hadn't truly smiled in years, not since...

"I made you dinner," she said. "Let me quickly heat it up again." And she hurried to the kitchen.

During dinner, they told each other about their day, what Henry had worked on, what Angela had contributed. There was a lot to do in a city that never slept, with more tourists than residents. Angela liked this; it was a wonderful distraction.

"The food was delicious," Henry announced when they had finished. "Thank you."

Angela nodded and went to the living room to continue reading. As was their routine, Henry tidied up the dining room and washed the dishes. He actually enjoyed cleaning; it was his way of coping with their world, and he wanted to share duties with Angela. At first in their marriage, Angela had protested, saying that this was the woman's job, but he had convinced her, and now she could enjoy the quietness of the evening.

He joined her in the living room when he had finished up in the kitchen. He took a book from the shelf and sat down on the sofa next to her.

Angela looked up in surprise; normally he would sit in the armchair.

"Do you mind?" he asked.

"No, of course not." His behaviour was unusual, but Henry had always been kind to her and over the years she had started to appreciate his presence.

They read for a while, but Angela couldn't concentrate on her novel. She kept wondering if it meant something that he was sitting so close to her. Their marriage was platonic, out of protection, and despite a kiss on the cheek on their wedding day, they had never been intimate. She wasn't even sure she would call them friends. They were partners and given the choice she would stay with him – being lonely together was still better than being lonely alone – but maybe Henry had started to have feelings for his wife?

"You don't have to stay in with me."

He looked up from his book in surprise. "What, do you mean?"

"If you want to go out... and meet people, I don't mind." She felt uncomfortable to talk about this. Since their marriage, she had stayed faithful to her husband due to her love for Randall, and she had the feeling he had too. On the one hand, she didn't want him to feel trapped and lonely because of her, on the other, she didn't want her husband to cheat on her even if their marriage was only a sham. She couldn't bear the gossip.

"No, I'm fine here with you." He looked at her briefly, then continued to read.

Angela could have left it at that, but she felt guilty. "Henry. Don't you ever... want to be with somebody?"

He looked at her confused until he understood. Instead of answering, however, he asked: "And what about you? You also don't have to stay in but can explore our wonderful city and meet someone. I told you when we got married that the moment you found someone you loved, I would set you free in an instant."

Angela smiled at that, she remembered how sweet he had been on their wedding day and because of him, she could endure being married to someone she didn't love. "And I told you," she said sadly, "that for the rest of my life there will only be Randall in my heart."

"I know," Henry said, then took a deep breath. "You know. I feel exactly the same."

Angela looked at him surprised. "You mean... you...?"

He gave her a sad smile. "I have always known he belongs to you, and I would never betray his trust or yours by coming between you, but that doesn't change the fact that my heart belongs to Master Randall as well."

"Oh, Henry!" Angela laid down her book and hugged her husband. "I never knew this. If you had told me sooner... I wasn't the only one with this pain..."

Henry hugged her back and for a while, they gave each other comfort, both yearning for the lost Randall.

Henry loosened their embrace and looked at his wife. "You see, that's why we're perfect for each other: we're both waiting for him."

"Yes," she gave him a smile. "Let's wait for Randall together."

And they picked up their books again and continued to read, but stayed close, she laying her head against his shoulder, he having one arm around her, and for the first time during their marriage, they felt completely at ease with each other.

THE END.