Chapter Text
Home is any four walls that enclose the right person - Helen Rowland
"You look like you need a hug."
Beth tries to keep her smile gentle and not amused when the man at the next table startles and drops his book with a thump. He looks like a frightened bunny for a few moments, blinking at her as if he's not sure she's speaking to him. That bashful expression makes her pick her plate and glass up and cross the aisle to slide into the booth on the opposite side of his table.
She offers a hand. "I'm Beth."
Just when she thinks he isn't going to take her hand, he shakes it hesitantly. "Dr. Eugene Porter."
"You're a teacher, right?" she asks, taking a sip of her Sprite. "I've seen you grading papers when you eat. Science, I'm thinking, but maybe math."
He nods, setting his book aside and fiddling with the eggroll on his plate. For the first time, she worries that her curiosity in greeting him is going to keep him from his meal. She didn't expect him to be such a bundle of nerves.
"I teach the gamut of chemistry classes from regular to advanced placement at a boys-only high school here in the city, so you discerned correctly." The poor eggroll is disintegrating as he speaks. "How did you hazard science as the option?"
"Too many formulas, not enough essays. Plus no matter how much they terrify high school kids otherwise, there's not a lot of difference between high school chemistry and regular undergrad chemistry in college. I'm a teaching assistant at the university, and this semester I snagged a Fundamentals of Chemistry section."
"You have my condolences on trying to convince freshmen and sophomore college students to comprehend the world of chemistry."
He says it so seriously, like he's delivering true condolences, that she can't help but giggle. Thankfully, he's not offended and even smiles for the first time. It's hesitant, but something about the lopsided quirk of his lips intrigues her. His eyes are so kind, and it reminds her of Hershel in a way, not that her daddy's ever lacked for confidence in Beth's memory.
"I suppose it's easier than medical school would have been," she says. "At least the hours are kinda better, even teaching my way through my environmental engineering master's."
"Thesis or non-thesis?" he asks, finally relaxing into his side of the booth and letting the poor eggroll rest amid the remains of his shrimp lo mein.
"Thesis, although some days it's a bit overwhelming since I had to backtrack. It's worth it."
"What made you reconsider medical school? It's considered a more noble and lucrative profession than environmental engineering, or so it seemed when I was pursuing my graduate degree."
"Hurricane Katrina." She sees the understanding in his eyes and smiles. "I was starting my senior year, all my medical school applications turned in and just sweating out their replies. Then there was all this horrific loss of life and poor response to the whole thing, and I saw there were more ways than medicine to make a difference."
It wasn't an easy decision to make, because Beth wanted to be a doctor from the time she understood what the job entailed. Her daddy helped animals, and Beth? She wanted to do the same for people. No one wants to be a rural family doctor much anymore, but blessed with family money and intelligence to keep from being buried under a mountain of debt, it's possible for Beth.
The dream changed, though, watching people struggle for basic necessities like drinking water, and a weekend spent at home with her family brought Hershel to the suggestion she reconsider. It wasn't easy, because she was already several weeks into her senior year toward a biology degree, but the university didn't care if she added on a fifth year just to take the prerequisites to be eligible to apply for any engineering graduate school. In the end, she'll finish about the same as medical school, yet be able to go straight to work instead of needing more years of training.
"A more admirable route than either of my career fields," Eugene says. "I completed my education in record time, all the way through my doctorate. It was assumed I would stay in that level of academia, but it was... not a place suited to someone like me." The tone he uses sounds both wistful and mournful, as if he wishes otherwise, and she's intrigued to find out the story behind his shift in career.
"But you still teach, so you just changed formats a bit, right?"
"I suppose you are right, but in order to obtain bragging rights, one would need to teach impoverished students, not overly privileged sons of wealth and prestige."
She waves off the disclaimer and shakes her head. "Teaching is teaching, Eugene. Rich or not, maybe one of your students will be the one who cures cancer or figures out how to explore space."
It makes Eugene smile, and then he asks about her thesis research with all the genuine interest only another engineer can manage. And that's how her fascination with a shy West Texan begins, over commiserating about research headaches and foolish students while eating the best Chinese food their side of Houston has to offer. They talk long past a polite time limit for Beth finishing her meal, even with ordering dessert, and both of them sheepishly leave generous tips.
Somehow the homesickness which still plagues her on her second year away from Georgia recedes in the cozy hole-in-the-wall restaurant, soothed by Eugene's deep voice and delighted smiles when every time their paths cross, she chooses to sit at his table once again.
Of course, eventually, three months in, she has to upend their sedate pattern of twice a week dinners by asking him out, right?
"I've got tickets for the comedy film festival next week," she begins, feeling the butterflies in her stomach churn into a riot. She reminds herself the worst that can happen is he says 'no'. "It's on a Tuesday, and I know that's a school night for both of us. But it's supposed to be really good."
Plus she hasn't missed he's intrigued by comedy when they've diverged into talking about television and movies. Tickets for something science related might have been more of a sure bet, but this will feel more date like, she hopes.
"Are you certain it is me you would like to spend that evening with?" Eugene asks, looking sweetly confused. It isn't one of the nights they meet, those being Wednesday and Saturday here, but that's why she's hoping he doesn't have plans.
"I can't think of anyone else I'd rather invite in all of Houston."
Reaching across the table, Beth snags his hand. It's not the first time she's touched him, or even taken his hand, but he studies it now as if he's starting to grasp the situation. She hates that he doesn't expect her to be interested in him at all, but by now, she knows he doesn't date because few people see past his elaborate speech and awkward mannerisms.
"Oh." He looks up, eyes as wide and startled as that first day, but he isn't afraid this time. His smile is bright and beautiful, turning the butterflies in her stomach to a settled warmth of feeling like she's exactly where she needs to be at last.
God, what she wouldn't do to make him keep smiling like that.
The film festival ends with a soft kiss on his cheek and with a Valentine's Day date planned. It's back to their favorite restaurant, but this time, they don't linger long after the meal to the amusement of the family who owns the place. The grandmotherly matriarch even winks at Beth as they leave.
Part of why Beth found the restaurant is it's a quick bus ride back to her apartment near campus. Eugene walks, too, although, unlike Beth, he actually owns a car, and his apartment, like hers, is in the cluster of housing that mostly caters to the pair of universities. Walking along the bayou hand-in-hand, they fall into an easy silence on the way to her place, and at her door, she smiles up at him.
"Did I ascertain correctly that you didn't wish to have all the commercial trappings for today?" he asks, reaching out to brush his fingers gently along her jawline. He's so hesitant, seeming unsure he has the right to touch her still, so she reaches up to cup his hand against her cheek.
"Yes, you did. I do want one Valentine's tradition, though." For weeks, she's wondered what kissing him would be like, of how his lips might feel or his body might rest against hers.
Eugene understands quickly, giving her his half-smile that makes his eyes look so damn bright. "I suspect I can oblige that custom."
And he does, oh, how he does. It's not the steamy near-wrestling Maggie obsesses over and finds so sexy in movies, no. Instead, he slips his hand to cup the back of her neck and brushes his lips against hers, gentle and undemanding, and she responds by drawing him closer, reveling in his body heat. Something about the tender way he kisses feels more intimate than any other kiss she's ever had, and she gasps softly in protest when he ends it.
He doesn't try to move away, though, standing close and gently massaging the back of her neck. By now, she knows he isn't going to ask to come in or press for anything more. Wherever this goes is up to her, and Maggie would be completely shocked at what Beth's wanting tonight. They've only been on two official dates, after all.
"Want to stay the night?"
Yes, Eugene wants to, because she can see his pupils dilate at the suggestion. He swallows hard, seeming to consider his answer carefully.
"I would like nothing more," he admits. "Are you certain you want this to occur between us so quickly?"
Beth initiates the kiss this time, reaching up to tangle her fingers in the longer part of his hair and loving it when he stumbles into her. The kiss is less chaste, adding a layer of urgency to the sweetness as gravity and being suddenly off balance means he presses her against the door. It should feel clumsy and awkward, feeling an unplanned thump of her back against metal, but instead, she feels thrilled she's overwhelming him this time.
"Keys," she mutters when they come up for air. "Where are my keys?"
It takes some fumbling to free them from her purse, but she manages one handed, a little afraid if she lets go, Eugene might bolt. Once they're inside, it's easier to make him forget his worries about timing with kiss after kiss until her lips are aching from the exercise. It's been over a year since she dated at all, and nearly three since her one serious college relationship ended. She forgot how much fun kissing can be.
After her bold invitation, she doesn't push though. Eugene's hesitance tells her he's uncertain, and the last thing she wants to be is the girl version of the pushy guy only after one thing. She put enough of those types of guys in their place in her undergrad years, after all.
"Staying the night doesn't mean going straight to bed," Beth says. "It's early. We can watch a movie."
When Eugene looks both relieved and not, she knows it's the right suggestion. "I apologize if it feels I am uninterested," he says, voice rough as he doesn't meet her eyes. "I surmise that I should admit my only carnal experience involves subjects not appropriate to discuss with a lady."
She can't help giggling and pressing a kiss to his forehead. "I know porn exists and most guys watch it, Eugene. We'll get there when we get there."
It doesn't happen that night, although he does stay and sleeps curled next to her. Nor does it happen on the next three times he stays over, although they get closer in exploring each other with each successive Saturday night he spends with her. She doesn't mind at all waking up next to him still clad in pajamas. Just having him stay over means that her tiny 'it-came-furnished' apartment feels more than home does feel like more than just four walls for the first time ever.
"I'm going to be out of town for spring break," Beth tells him as they cook Sunday breakfast together. "To go see my family in Georgia."
Eugene pauses after sliding a slice of French toast on her plate and cutting off the burner, and he looks sad but understanding. "Do you need a ride to the airport?"
"Actually, I thought maybe we could drive." The surprise on his face makes her reach out to slip an arm around his waist, abandoning the fruit she was slicing. "Leave Friday when you get off work. Stay the night in Baton Rouge and finish the drive on Saturday. I know it's a lot of driving, and flying makes more sense, but I think a road trip for just the two of us would be fun."
He takes so long to answer she begins to worry she's overstepped. Meeting her family so soon after they officially started dating is a big deal, she knows, and making an eleven hour drive both ways is even more to ask.
"Or we could just fly. But I'd like you to go..."
It's hard to talk when she's being kissed, and breakfast is forgotten. After all their patience, their first time together isn't in her bed, but in her sunny kitchen, half in, half out of their pajamas, with the scent of cinnamon and sugar all around them. He talks his way through sex, just like she thought he would, a lengthy litany of praise for her, and his voice is as enthralling as his touch. She's not sure she'll ever see the counter next to the sink again without smiling.
Somehow, she isn't surprised her family loves him. Shawn does deliver the usual shovel talk an older brother needs to get out of his system, but then he takes Eugene over every inch of the farm to show him where Beth grew up. Josephine can't stop calling Eugene a 'sweet boy' after he helps her peel an ungodly amount of potatoes for the Tuesday night supper program where the church hands out meals to those in need.
Maggie didn't bother to come, unwilling to give up a week on the beach in Florida with her college friends, but Beth doesn't really mind. College is the time to figure out who you are, and her baby sister has always wanted a life without the sedate trappings of farm, family, and church. There will be time enough for Maggie to meet Eugene, because Beth's already decided she's keeping him as long as he's willing.
And Hershel? He's the kindly man to Eugene he always is to everyone, all while giving Beth a knowing look. She's always been a little different from her siblings, never dating just for the sake of dating. Outside of high school, Eugene is only the second boyfriend she's ever deemed good enough to meet her daddy.
The morning they need to leave in order to split the drive into two days and enjoy some time together, Beth emerges downstairs to find Hershel and Eugene sharing coffee at the table. Hershel and Josephine aren't naive enough to think Beth and Eugene aren't sleeping together, but Eugene still allows them the polite fiction by staying in the downstairs guest room. He normally stays in his room until she comes downstairs, though, so this is new.
"I should go see about completing my packing for our journey today," Eugene says, standing as Beth pauses to press a kiss to Hershel's clean-shaven cheek. He's blushing so deeply it makes Beth curious about their conversation, but she nods and lets him go.
Borrowing his cup, she refills it from the cranky old Mr. Coffee machine before coming to sit with Hershel. "Anything I need to know?"
Hershel smiles and shakes his head. "Just a conversation about intentions and ambitions, Bethie, and your young man passed with flying colors. I like him a lot better than Zach. It's not that Zach wasn't a good boy, but he was years from being settled in who he was enough to be the man you needed."
She can admit she's enough of a daddy's girl that her one serious college relationship ended because Zach just never gelled with her family, but especially not with her father. How she'd handle it if Eugene and Hershel hadn't gotten along, she isn't sure, because the idea of telling Eugene goodbye makes her heart ache in a way it never did for Zach.
"I'm glad, Daddy, because I'm pretty sure I'm going to marry him once I'm done with school."
His low laughter makes her give Hershel an impish grin. He reaches out to pat her hand. "Do Eugene a favor and let him actually do the proposing, alright?"
It's an easy promise to make. She even manages to make it to the four month mark before she suggests there's no sense in them both paying the sort of rent living alone in a city like Houston requires. Her lease has two more months on it, and his shabby older one-bedroom has even less. They consolidate into hers while looking for something large enough for two. She likes the coziness of the studio apartment and it's where they became a couple together, but in day-to-day life, she knows they need more space.
"Are you sure we can afford this?" she asks, running a hand along the sleek counter of the island.
The loft style apartment is completely open floor plan and the living room window overlooks the lovely greenery of the nearby park. It's far enough from the university Beth won't be walking anymore, but still close enough she can take the bus. The exposed brick and high loft ceilings appeal to her sense of style, but she hasn't seen the lease paperwork Eugene is carrying, which he sets aside now.
"I've been living in a seventy-year-old apartment the size of a shoebox because it was just me," he says, reaching out to draw her into a hug. "I have an abundance of money accumulated, and my salary is twenty-five percent higher than the average for a teacher in Houston by obtaining employment at the private school. Even if you don't work this year, we're secure. I love you, and I want you to be comfortable while you're finishing your thesis."
Beth breathes in the comforting scent of his cologne, nuzzling her face into his throat. The emphasis on her comfort is endearing. They don't really need a second bedroom, but she can't argue that having an office to work in would be nice. She won't even waste time going to the laundromat if they live here, because they'll have all the conveniences neither of their old apartments offered.
"You didn't have anyone looking after you when you did yours, did you?" she asks, leaning back so she can see his face. From his solemn expression, she knows she's hit the mark.
"You know a doctorate isn't necessary to work with an engineering degree, but after my master's was done, it was just safer to keep going. Academia is far more accepting of differences like mine than the corporate world." He ducks his head, squirming as he usually does when he feels he's admitting a shortcoming. "The work was acceptably easy for me. Being alone was less so."
Cupping his face, she makes sure he's looking at her before she smiles. "I love you, and you're not going to be alone again."
They settle for christening their new apartment with a kiss for now, but the rest will come later, once they're settled in. It's fancier than she ever expected to see while she was still in school, and nothing Eugene would choose just for himself. That's the joy of being a couple instead of solo, though. This is what they can call home for now.
And it is a good home for the next nine months, so much so, they've agreed to a new lease based on Beth's job offer with a company which remediates overworked industrial areas into useable space. When he gets home, she's standing in her office, studying the eclectic decor she selected so carefully. It carried her through the ups and downs of finishing her thesis, but that's done, defended, and in three weeks, she'll cross the stage while Eugene and her family watch.
"Feeling adrift without all this to work on?" he asks, slipping his arms around her and resting his chin on top of her head. She takes a moment to enjoy the warmth of him against her back. "You'll have plenty to keep you busy soon enough, starting your job next week."
The job gets her experience she needs, coming from school into working for the first time outside of work study or teaching assistantships. It even comes with an amazing salary, which she suspects she and Eugene are going to completely appreciate very soon.
"I think we'll have more than my job to keep busy," she tells him, squirming in his arms to face him. "But I don't think this will stay an office."
"I cannot imagine you converting it to a home gym with the facility downstairs, but whatever you want with the space, we can do it."
"That's good to hear, because I want to convert it to a nursery."
Eugene freezes, arms tightening around her. They've discussed the future in general, and children were a cherished part of their plan. But it was also a plan for once Beth worked a few years, with a wedding set sometime prior.
"Alright. If that's what you wish. I estimate it'll make a snug little haven under your creative guidance."
"Good. Because we're going to need it in about seven months."
"The nausea this last week. I thought it was perhaps delayed stress," he says softly, sounding stunned, but he's smiling. "You're sure?"
"Two home tests confirmed by the campus health center doing a blood test." Finishing her thesis and getting it turned in, then defending it, distracted her so much she'd completely missed the signs. "I've got an appointment set up with an obstetrician in two weeks."
He lifts her with an enthusiastic whoop, twirling her around the small bedroom and peppering her with small kisses. All her nerves about getting things out of the order they planned melt away under the onslaught of his delight. She's further reassured when they leave a trail of clothes between the office and the bedroom for an impassioned encore of what got their plans jumbled in the first place.
Lying in bed and watching the evening sunlight playing across their bare skin, she listens to his steady heartbeat under her ear with utmost contentment. Once he would have reached for his shirt, but she's spent months convincing him of her fascination with his body, so lies still while she runs her fingers from collarbone to hip and back. She wants to doze off, exhausted and content, but he's moving, dislodging her just enough that she whines quietly in complaint.
The deep chuckle that results makes her blink sleepily at him, but he's accomplished whatever his task was and tugs her back onto his chest. "You can sleep in a minute, sweetheart. I'd like to ask you a question first."
Yawning, Beth raises to her elbow so she can see him properly, which frees him to use both hands to hold a small velvet drawstring bag. It's too small to be a dice bag, so she isn't sure what it might contain until he gets it open and slides the elegant little ring out into his palm. The large opal is accented by two seed pearls set in an antique gold Victorian ring.
"I know we agreed to wait," he begins. "But I came across the ring at that estate sale where you found your rolltop desk and bought it for when the time arrived. I know it's old-fashioned to say we need to be married before the baby comes, but I truly would be the luckiest man in this universe if you would do me the honor."
"Our birthstones," she says, reaching for the ring. "It's so beautiful."
So not a colorless diamond, but instead, a ring with history behind it as well as a tie to each of them. She turns it to admire it in the sunlight before sliding it onto the proper finger. When she looks back up at Eugene, he's watching her with that bemused yet enthralled expression which precedes almost every 'I love you.'
She beats him to it this time. "I love you, Eugene Porter, and of course, I'll marry you."
"I love you, too. We'll see what we can plan when your family gets here for graduation. Think your father will be good for a non-church wedding?"
"He'll be fine as long as he's there to give me away, I promise." Beth doesn't need all the frills she once admired. She just needs Eugene, her family, and a nice justice of the peace - and their child to know just how much their parents are overjoyed to become a family of three.
Falling asleep next to him has always been easy as his girlfriend. She finds it's even easier as his fiance. It makes her look forward to what it'll be like as his wife.
Graduation and a rushed wedding don't happen in the end.
Instead, the world goes down in sickness and flames, with death and destruction all around. Beth isn't sure how they'll get back to her family in Georgia, but one thing she knows is that it's going to happen come hell or high water.