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‘You were not supposed to find this.’
‘And yet you did not seem to take all possible measures to ensure I did not, which leads me to believe that may not be entirely true.’
He rolls his eyes but smiles nonetheless.
‘It was in the back of the drawer.’
‘Yes, a drawer you specifically told me to look in for “the good pair of scissors”,’ she retorts, placing considerable emphasis on the last handful of words.
‘Did you find them, at least?’
‘Do not change the subject, Tewkesbury! And no, I did not.’
‘Mm. Must be in the second one, then.’
She raises her eyebrows at him and gives the little box a shake, as if to demonstrate that their conversation must steer back to its original course at once. He has the decency to look sheepish for trying to sidetrack her.
For a long moment, they just look at each other, him sporting a soft smile, her, trying to hold on to a straight face and aware she is failing miserably.
Because if she were truly honest with herself, she’d admit that her hands have been sweaty and her heart has been beating faster ever since she found it.
It was indeed in the back of the drawer, half-hidden by a couple of loose sheets of paper filled with Tewkesbury’s hurried handwriting, so yes, she wasn’t supposed to find it. Then again, she is nothing if not thorough in her investigations and that applies to locating stationery items on and in Tewkesbury’s chaotic desk.
She knows what it is. Knew it from the very first moment. Red, heart-shaped – what else could it possibly hold?
She hasn’t opened it, though. If Tewkesbury hadn’t caught her in the act, so to speak, she would’ve continued to stare at it for an indefinite amount of time while trying to efficiently sift through her suddenly-too-wild feelings. They’re all fighting their way to come to the surface now: surprise, excitement, pure and unbridled joy. And so much love for this man who’s now pensively chewing on his lower lip and tapping the fingers of his right hand against his thigh.
‘So, what was the plan?’
He rolls his eyes again but this time, his lips are pressed in a thin line.
‘You honestly cannot expect me to share that with you.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because.’
Tewkesbury looks seconds away from crossing his arms and sticking his tongue out at her and it makes her snort like the lady she most often isn’t.
‘Have you spoken to Sherlock?’
‘About?’
‘Do not act the fool, it is unbecoming,’ she chastises, barely holding on to the straight face.
He narrows her eyes at her, then lets out an all-suffering sigh.
‘Yes. Mycroft, too.’
Her eyes widen. All of a sudden, it becomes even more real.
‘And?’
‘And it was brought to my attention in an ever-so-cheerful manner that if I were to hurt you in any way, there will be no body for my funeral.’
She laughs and shakes her head.
‘Which one?’
‘Both of them.’
‘Well, that is an interesting development! I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times they have seen eye to eye.’
‘Apparently, when it comes to you, they are entirely on the same page.’
‘Wonderful,’ she exclaims sarcastically, ‘two nuisances to deal with.’
He shrugs and doesn’t say anything else and for a while, they both stay quiet. She keeps turning the little box on all sides, he ends up shoving both hands in his pockets.
‘Would you like to see it?’ he finally asks, voice almost a whisper.
‘Is this your way of asking me?’
‘I had an entire speech prepared, mind you,’ he huffs, pursing his lips a little and he’s just so bloody adorable! ‘But now that we seem to find ourselves in the moment,’ he carries on slightly dejectedly, ‘I am not sure those words are the right ones.’
‘I will be the judge of that.’
‘I know.’
A pause. A deep breath.
‘I love you, Enola! I have loved you from the very beginning. And the thought of spending my life without you by my side petrifies me. I am yours. Now and forever. Will you have me?’
To her horror, two lone tears slide down her cheeks.
‘I loathe you,’ she chuckles and hastily wipes them.
‘I will take that as a yes.’
‘You do that,’ she grins as she finally opens the box.