Chapter 55: Another Wrap
"From the bottom of my heart, I wanted to say thank you!"
You watch everyone clap as Henry concludes his speech. It was a great idea to have a party and then do an autograph session on the very last day. You wish that Stella could have stayed, but she left with most of the auxiliary crew, and when she texted you, you couldn't be happier:
STELLA: OMG, Stuart redecorated our bedroom! It's a little masculine, but I added the flowers. He kept his brother busy with this so they didn't go out as much. Isn't he wonderful?!
You are so happy for her. A part of you feels sorry for Archer, but you believe he's a good guy and it's a matter of time before he meets the right girl for him.
In the meantime you feel up in the air to some degree about Henry. You love him. He's goofy and funny, passionate and focused, makes you feel safe and cared for, a natural leader in so many ways. But does he love you-really love you? You believe he does, but is it—will it be—enough? You cannot lie to yourself, you are still hurt about Emma to some degree, but you forgave him, so you can't talk about it. Stella's been helpful, and you even sent her a bouquet of flowers. One day at a time, you tell yourself. One day at a time.
Henry takes the time to say hello, elbow and forearm bump, and sign autographs personally. Being a fan you know that some people may just want his attention, so you stay in the background, sipping water and talking to some who were at the previous filming site when you were with the crew. You sort of just enjoyed watching him work a room, and he did work a room.
"So, what's up with you two?" one of the assistants asks.
"Nothing new under the sun," you give a careless shrug and smile.
"So what happens with you two, now?"
"What do you mean?" You frown, feeling a bit cornered in a huge room.
"Well, production is over so are you two—"
You notice Henry coming toward you, smile on his face. "Would you mind helping with taking pictures, darling?"
"Not at all," you say, and he takes your hand. "Thank you."
"I should have warned you, some of these people are huge gossips," he murmurs after you get a small distance away. "what did they ask?"
"What's up with us?"
"What did you say?"
"Nothing new under the sun."
He chuckles softly. "Good show."
"I was having high school flashbacks," you tell him.
"Really?"
"Yeah, smart girl, cutest guy in school, cheerleaders mystified, yadda yadda."
"That would have been fun."
"What?"
"To be the cutest guy in school you dated."
You laugh. "He liked me because I wasn't chasing him like all the other girls."
"So you've always been like that?"
"'Fraid so."
You spend the rest of the time taking pictures. Finally it is over, and you are waiting for him to finish a talk with the director and producers about possible final edit voice overs and such, as well as ideas for promoting Witcher 2 in Covid. That is just him in a studio, however, and he may have to do online meet and greets, meaning he is in a studio or room of some kind yet again. You sit with Kal at your side, petting him absently, both ready to go when Henry is.
He comes over and pulls you from your seat gently. You rise into his arms and look up at him. "Ready?"
"Ready," you confirm.
"Ron?"
Ron is the head of catering. "Yeah?"
"Load the truck, would you?"
"Sure thing."
You are puzzled. "What's going on?"
"Switched rentals today, love."
You get back to your place. Honestly, you're already packed. It's not like you brought furniture and the exercise equipment as well as the desktops are on their way back to London.
"I have a surprise," he smiles. "We're going away."
"Away?" you repeat. "Where?"
He gives a smile. "Scotland."
"Wow, like the Highlands or something?"
"Yes, got you a few things," he gives a small smile. "You ski?"
"Yeah," you get excited.
"It's a getaway."
You look at Ron loading the truck. "Are we camping?"
"We'll be in a cabin."
"Pack more water!"
"What?"
"Please."
"Ron," Henry rolls his eyes, calling over his shoulder. "One more case?"
"Just erring to the side of caution, babe."
He smiles, and you realize that every time he does, that warm feeling passes through you. "Okay."
You arise early the next day and are on the road--you, Henry, Kal and Luna. You listen to music, talk a bit, but what gets you is the beautiful landscapes. You also can't help but notice how dark it is getting, and it's still early.
"This is...this is awesome, babe." You tell him softly.
"It's nice," he nods. "actually, wonderful." He smiles broadly, concentrating on the road.
"We're getting pretty far north." you observe aloud as it seems like the only bit of civilization there is lies under the wheels of the car, and he actually had to turn on the heat. "How much longer?"
"Not too much," he nods and frowns. "Nervous, darling?"
"No," you answer quickly. "No, it's just that—"
"You like knowing where you are," he finishes. "Trust me?"
"Yeah."
"Then sit back."
You roll your eyes at him and sit back in your seat, earning a chuckle from him.
He refills at some gas oasis and returns with a set of keys.
"We're close, aren't we?"
"Not too far now," he confirms and you are curious.
Finally the paved road becomes more than worn tire tracks and you feel uneasy. You're a city kid, and dirt roads means no tech, or no help, or the beginning of thriller movie.
You pull up in front of a cabin and you see another one downhill not far from you.
"Well?" he asks.
"I like it," you say simply. You step inside and look around. You unload the truck and it starts to snow just as you finish. Kal is running about playing in the wide open space behind the house, and you have Luna on a harness. She is far more cautious, but is sniffing about.
"I only thought we'd be here for a couple of days," Henry chuckles. "We've got way too much, here."
"Well, I can—"
"Stop."
"What?"
"Just...stop."
You freeze.
He walks toward you and sweeps you off your feet, making you squeal and giggle as he crashes on the bed with you. He tucks you underneath him and starts kissing you playfully on your forehead, your cheeks, nose and eyes, lightly tickling your sides and making you laugh. You gently run your fingers over his back as you widen your legs, accommodating his body between them. He nuzzles your neck, making you giggle as you close your arms around him. This is probably your favorite thing in the world, when he is playfully affectionate, making you feel cherished. He caresses your cheek with his own, and you give a loud contented sigh, your body relaxing. How you love him! You feel your throat tighten, tears springing to your eyes. He pulls back to look at you, and smiles tenderly. "Baby?"
You smile and shake your head, reaching up to him and gently pulling him down to you. Your foreheads touch and you caress his nose with yours. Finally, he kisses you so tenderly you sigh, and when you open your eyes you see his smile, his own eyes shining as he looks at you.
"I like this." He tells you softly. "I like getting away with you."
"Am I kidnapped?" you ask teasingly.
"Well—" he tightens his embrace. "we certainly aren't going anywhere, at least, not yet." You look out of a high window at the sky, which seems to be darkening quickly.
"It gets dark quickly out here, doesn't it?" you ask.
"Well, we're pretty far north," he exhales. "but it's worth it."
"Worth it?"
"Being alone with you out here," he purrs. "just breathing."
Suddenly, Luna jumps on the bed.
"Seriously?" you laugh, pushing her off. "Go lay on your bed, Luna. I—I don't want to share him right now."
"Kal," he says with soft authority. Kal rises from his bed and nudges the kitten away. She doesn't fight, but she does look irritated.
"Aw, now I feel bad...sorta."
"She'll be alright," he assures, holding you close. You sniff his neck. "Finally, we get to relax a little." The peace of your surroundings overtake you and you both take a nap in the middle of the day though the skies say different.
You awaken in early evening and that is when you see it. "Oh, my God!" You gasp, sitting up and covering your mouth. It's the Northern Lights! Your eyes fill with tears and you look back to see Henry sleepily looking at you, his hands behind his head wearing the biggest smile. "Henry, it's the Northern Lights, baby, the Northern Lights!"
"Beautiful, isn't it?" He asks, but his eyes seem to be on you. "Glad we could catch it, spring is coming and it won't be as easy to see then."
"It's—it's like Christmas, babe, it's—why you brought me here?" You watch him nod. "Oh..." You lay back down next to him, at his side, using his chest and shoulder for a pillow as he gathers you close. Your hand is over his heart. "oh, thank you, baby. This is—"
"I didn't make it," he jokes.
"But you made this happen, thank you."
"You're welcome, sweetheart," he kisses your hair. "you're welcome."