Harry and I sat all snuggled up in one of the big, red leather booths--his arm over my shoulder, my head on his chest--just like in the movies. I turned my face up to look at him, my finger tracing circles on his chest. "So, we're kind of an 'item' now, huh?"Harry chuckled and kissed my cheek. "Well, I'd say so. Otherwise you're quite the forward young lady!"We both had a laugh at how hilariously UNTRUE that was, and I placed my head back in the crook of his shoulder. I love how we seem to just perfectly fit together. Maybe that's a good sign... I smiled to myself."You are ALWAYS thinking," Harry remarked, a smile in his voice.
"Yeah. But right now I'm thinking about YOU." And I'm happy...
I whipped around in the booth, facing him before I even truly realized what I was doing. “Hey! We're gonna be working together sometimes now!”
Harry laughed at my action. He was probably wondering how someone so serious could act like such a little kid. Wouldn't be the first time. “That's right, love. I wash out the dishes, you take out the trash—there's nothing more romantic!”
“It'll be like we're an old married couple or something!”
Harry started doing this horrible yet terribly funny old man impression. “Love, be a dear and fetch my slippers? I think I left them on the table by my denture paste.”
“Ewww!” I giggled.
“You kiss these dentured lips! Joke's on you, old lady.”
“Hahahahaha!' I was laughing so darn hard, I hollered, “STOOOP! I'm 'bout to fall right outta this booth!” Well, my remark sent Harry guffawing, his shoulders bouncing up and down and chest heaving with precious laughter. I gazed at him despite my own chortling, pondering how one man can shine so brightly. He just showed up out of the blue one day and said, “Hello, love. You don't know it yet, but I'm going to steal your heart right out from under your nose. And guess what? You're not going to want me to give it back.” If he'd actually said that, he would've been 100% right. I wouldn't've believed him, but he would've been 100% correct.
I had never really been able to be myself with anyone other than Lorne, Arela, and Haven. They were my family, and I never really allowed myself to get closer to anyone else. I was always being the guardian and staying serious, except when I was with them sometimes. But I was ready to laugh and be silly with Harry. Somehow he just brought that out of me. And now I'd get to spend almost every day with him, enjoying the sunshine he was in my life. I could kept my face to the sky a lot more. I didn't have to be a closet dreamer—I could live my dream with him.
All within a fraction of a moment, that thought came to me, and I was filled with such pure love and joy for the bright face in front of mine. I wish I could've captured that picture in my mind and hung it on my wall forever. A Kodak moment...

And then Haven strolled on up to our table and ended our little moment. “Time to get to work, you two,” he winked, crossing his arms.
I made a show of throwing my head back and sighing and groaning dramatically. Haven simply chuckled and rolled his eyes at me. “Oh, I've known you for far too long, little lady. Get along, you tease.”
I channeled my inner Arela and stood at attention, saluting and saying, “Yes, sir! Adira reporting for duty, SIR!”
“Good. You can go wash the dishes your brother made earlier.” I nodded and started up the floor. Behind me, I heard Haven warn Harry, “Be good to her.”
Harry responded, “Of course, sir. You have my word.” Harry received a shoulder pat or two and was sent on his way. I smiled. My boys...

---

Several hours later, I walked through the door of Arela's—MY home, tired from the weird day I'd had. Steps and steps—seemingly ENDLESS steps—later, I knocked on Arela's door and asked to enter. Of course, I received a cheerful yes in reply. “So I have news,” I shared as I stepped over to her bed and took a seat.
Arela leaned forward on her elbows, eyes bright and curious. “Ooo, tell me what! Spill!”
“Well,” I started slowly, teasing Arela with my lack of words, “I might have a certain British biscuit for a boyfriend...”
Arela squealed in delight. “No, way!”
“Yes! It's totally happening.” Arela shook her head, grinning from ear to ear. “I know. I can't believe it, either.”
“I can believe it!” Arela cried. “But you never listen to me.” A smile crept up her cheeks. Oh, that girl... “So, uh, what's up with Lorne?”
Gosh, I don't exactly know. We haven't really gotten a chance to just sit down and chat since the whole moving thing.” I looked down at her bedspread, picking at loose threads in a flower design.
“ I know you miss him.”
"Yeah... I don't want to be pushed around anymore, but it's hard. It's hard to leave Lorne behind. But at the same time, I know that to see what he sees must kill him inside." One great sigh. "It all just sucks, the whole freakin' situation sucks, y'know?"
Arela rubbed circles in my back. "I know, sweetheart. I wish things were different. I wish you were MY sister. Then we could have pillow fights every NIGHT!" On the word "night" I got a great big pillow to the face.
"Oh, it's on, Honey. You're gonna get it now!"
"Better watch out!"
The fight continued, leaving us both a mess of giggles.
I turned to Arela and smiled, gladness in my heart. "I'm so glad I moved in with you."
"Me, too," Arela gushed, moving to give me a side hug.

Maybe here, I thought, I can finally have happiness like I always wanted for Lorne. ...Maybe that's what he wants for me. Maybe, now, I can finally grasp it. That's what I wish for.

Notes

Hey, Guys!

SOO, I wanted to expand upon Arela and Adira's conversation more, but I'm super exhausted; and my Granny is making me go to bed, so I have to upload this super quick. I'll try add more to this chapter tomorrow, and I'll let you know if I do. I have a lot of crazy stuff planned, and some of it written out, so hold on! This show ain't over yet. ;)
As always, I hope you have a wonderful night, my Lovies. And don't forget to tell me what you're thinking! I'm always super eager to hear what you have to say. Thanks tons of bunches! G'night. :)

--Lalagirl1995 <3