122CHAPTER 42: MI AMORE
"Are you sure you don't want any of this?" Lydia, who was seated at the kitchen counter, picked up a croissant from the freshly baked box, raising it up to Astrid's direction as an offer for breakfast. Her smile faded when Astrid bypassed her stretched hand, rejecting her offer.
"Come on, help me out here, this is enough for a football team!"
"Why did George order that much just for breakfast? What if you don't fit into your dress tomorrow?" Astrid smirked, slipping in her right leg into her flat shoe.
For the past week, George had been behind the constant food delivery to their apartment, all on Lydia's call. They weren't even a married couple yet, and his consistent efforts in taking care of her, even down to catering her meals were admirable. It was the kind of attention she'd yearned for deep down. The type that she would never find if she never succeeds in letting Henry go.
George had exceeded the limit this time, the kitchen counter piled up with boxes of croissants, baked pastries and paper cups of coffee. The combination of several orders to Lydia from her fiancee was both surprising and amusing, considering he knew she had been so skeptical about her weight lately.
Lydia shrugged, spreading the peanut butter on her toast with a bread knife. "Well, you can be sure that you would. You should have breakfast before you leave."
Astrid placed her leather wristwatch around her wrist, hooking it in haste. "I can't, I'm already late for work. I'd thought you would have woken me earlier."
"You were so exhausted last night, I had to let you sleep in for a while." She replied, while rummaging her bag to find the keys to her Honda Civic, the one she'd gotten a month ago, but without any success in finding them. She immediately turned towards the direction of her best friend, giving her a quizzical glance.
"Here." Lydia dangled the keys hung on her middle finger with a grin. "You'll need to have breakfast to get this. You know you wouldn't get to eat till noon."
Astrid stomped in frustration. "Come on, I can't be late, remember I'm not on my boss's good side."
"Gosh, you're so annoying! I set my wedding date on your birthday and you still couldn't take a few days of work for it?"
Astrid rolled her eyes. "Your wedding is tomorrow, and not today so that gives me the pass to get to work today so come on!" She rushed to her to snatch her keys from Lydia's grip, but with Lydia's hesitation, it caused a struggle that toppled them both to the floor, laughing like two-year-olds. "Give me my keys, Lydia!"
"Jeez, just don't go to work. If you get fired, you can get a new job in George's company."
Astrid grabbed the keys from her hands when she wasn't alert and laughed. "I'm fine with my job, thank you." She stood up offering a hand to Lydia to help her get up while shaking the keys with the other, grinning. "Were you really gonna fight me for this?"
"Of course not, I wouldn't want to break an arm before my wedding."
Astrid giggled. "Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as I can, this is our last night here together, I want to make the most of it."
"You better. I'll set up dinner before you get back. I'm sure you wouldn't miss that one."
"I definitely won't." Astrid gave her a quick hug and straightened the edges of her skirt, picking up her bag and headed to the door. "I'll see you at six."
"I'll check in again with the wedding planner and..."
"Stop worrying about this." Astrid cut in. "George said he's got it covered, you don't need to worry about anything."
"Alright then, I'll just sit here and handle my anxiety alone," Lydia whined, as Astrid rolled her eyes moving away from the apartment door and towards the elevator.
"You'll be fine! Bye Lydia!"
"Bye!"
Henry Haddock glanced at the GPS on his phone to confirm the address that Heather had given him the day before. Getting back home from the airport that day, he'd also been sent by his dad on the same flight booked by Heather, also revealing his involvement in Heather's decision to let him go. Gerald Haddock was actually the one who had tracked down Astrid and found her exact location on Heather's request. Although his father had done it as a way to ask for forgiveness for being a major obstruction in their relationship and to show his acceptance towards having her as a part of their family, it still seemed unreal.
It had been like a dream come true and a real and unselfish chance to see Astrid after a whole year. It had been so long and fear had held him back from going straight to find her immediately after he'd gotten off his flight the previous night. The fear of seeing her with a different person, the fear that she might not want to have a future with him.
He was ready to face her now, pour out his heart to her, whether she was willing to listen or not...whether she still loved him or not. He still loved her, so much and it was more than enough reason to face his fear, to face her. He looked through the glass of the windshield and noticed a black Honda Civic car drive out towards the highway before stopping the cab at the location.
"Just in the front." He directed as the car stopped.
"Glenville Circle North...that would be twenty-five bucks, Sir." The driver spoke up after reading Henry's bill from the taximeter.
"Thank you," Henry muttered after swiping his debit card, eyes fixed on the environment as he came down from the taxi. The weather in Clevland was a lot warmer than it was in Michigan, even during the spring season, making the long coat a wrong outfit option for it. He took one more glance at the address given to him by Heather.
"1400 E 105th St." He read out again as he looked toward the main walkway and scanned the environment. The left side of the street held another building that was still under construction and it caused a minor obstruction on the street, but the environment still seemed eco-friendly, holding a park in the opposite direction. A school bus waiting at the other street on the right side of the T-junction to pick up kids to school this Friday morning. The apartment seemed to be a single continuous building down with its name inscribed on a banner in the middle and with a cafe located at the end of the building. He had to get in if he was going to find the exact unit that Astrid was residing in.
He was determined to find her, despite how long or difficult it could become. Slipping his wallet into the pocket of his coat, he walked into the building and heading towards the first unit in search of her. He had spent the first few minutes of his time on failed tries, heading towards the first floor, where he hoped would hold her unit. Going for the first unit on the first floor and his third try, he rang the doorbell with his fingers crossed hoping it was Astrid, but also scared of her possible reaction to his arrival.
The doorknob tilted, signifying a response to the doorbell, Henry's heartbeat quickened, tripling the height of his tension as he waited eagerly to meet the resident. The door then opened to a young brunette lady, with light grey eyes, dressed in a two-piece jumper, stood staring at him with a surprised and confused look.
"Uhm...Can I help you?"
"Yeah, yeah...Hi...I uh...I'm looking for someone who lives in this location." He pulled out the paper from her pocket, unfolding it and showing it to her. She took a glance at it looking a bit puzzled, but nodded, fully confirming the address scribbled on the paper.
"Yeah, you're at the right place but what unit? and who are you..." The lady paused, trailing off when she noticed the prosthetic on his leg, her reaction made him a little uncomfortable. "Wait..." She squinted, staring at him before her mouth dropped in shock. "Are you...Henry Haddock?!"
Henry blinked in surprise. "Yes, yes...I'm looking for Astrid Hofferson?"
The lady screamed in ecstasy, Henry watching in unbelief. "Uhm...are you okay?"
"Oh my gosh!" She exclaimed as her hands flew to her mouth. "Ugh! She never listens to me! Gosh! I knew you would come for her, I can't believe you're actually here!"
"You...know Astrid?"
"Are you kidding me? I was the one who contacted Gerald Haddock about her location, of course, I know her! You're at the right place, come in!"
Henry exhaled in the joy of finally finding her exact address, but also not having to face her just yet. He needed the extra time fate had bought him...just enough to gather the right words to convince her of his true feelings and the reason for his presence. He walked into the apartment, eyes quickly examining the ambiance of the room. Although it seemed a bit clustered, with boxes piled up at a corner like someone was either moving in or out, it was still a lot better than her previous apartment, the one she had shared with her husband.
It gave him a sense of satisfaction that she was somehow living a good and comfortable life even after losing so much. He sat down on the armchair offered to him, his leg fatigued from walking from door to door on his previous attempts at the other units, he slowly sat on the armchair offered to him, still amused that the lady was still freaking out at his presence.
"Can I get you anything? I can offer you..."
"It's okay, I'm good. Thank you."
She sat opposite him, staring with a huge grin spread across her face. "So, you're Henry Haddock? Where have you been? Why did it take you so long to get here? I contacted your father about a month ago, so I hoped you would've come earlier."
Henry sighed, running his hand through his hair before lifting his prosthetic. "I lost my foot. Therapy. I..I wasn't ready to face her, to face the truth."
"What matters is that you're here now and..." She trailed her gaze from his head to his foot in a strangely uncomfortable way. "Boy did she lie about you being very skinny."
Henry smirked. "I was very skinny actually, she didn't lie about that."
"But she was definitely right about you being drop-dead gorgeous." She extended her arm for a handshake. "I'm her crazy friend by the way. Lydia."
Henry returned the handshake. "Nice to meet you...Uhm...is she...around or..."
"She just left a few minutes before you came in."
Henry's jaw dropped. "In a black Honda Civic? She was the one I'd seen earlier at the stop."
"Yeah, you missed her." She nodded. "I'd even pleaded with her to stay for today, but she insisted on going to work."
"It's okay. Do you know exactly when she'll be back?"
"By six. It's a really long time to be waiting for her."
"Where does she work? I could go to visit her and..."
"No, not yet. You're here now, you can't just show yourself at a place where she would have an excuse to avoid you."
Henry shrugged. "You're right. So when do you think would be the right time to see her?"
"How about tomorrow? It's actually her birthday and my wedding day."
Henry flickered his gaze from the brown boxes, then back to Lydia. "Well, that explains that then, I was beginning to think that she was..."
"Moving away?" Lydia snorted, "Don't worry, even if she was, you got here on time, so you'd catch her either way."
"Congratulations on your wedding by the way."
"Thank you. It was the reason why I called your dad. I really don't want to leave Astrid here all alone, and I'm so happy you came before that!"
"All alone? You mean she hasn't..." Henry rubbed the back of his neck. "...she isn't with anyone right now?"
Henry was startled when she suddenly burst into loud laughter. "Are you kidding? You don't even know how much that girl loves you, do you?"
He looked away, trying to hide the joy that instantly calmed his nerves and swept any fear he had left. "I just thought she...are you sure I should wait till tomorrow?"
"I'm giving you begin your love story at the height of mine. I told her I wasn't throwing my bouquet, I was giving it directly to her, don't make us regret that. My wedding would be the very last place she would expect to see you, and a place she wouldn't have any excuse to get away from you, especially when I'm involved in this plan." Lydia said, with Henry chuckling and shaking his head in disbelief.
"She's really blessed to have friends like you. Thank you, for calling, and for looking after her all this while."
"No, Thank you, Henry," Lydia replied. "You have no idea how much you changed Astrid. I was really looking forward to meeting you so much, because I wanted to see the only guy that was able to get through her, to make her open up to love, open up to people. Thank you, for getting her out of that debt, out of that marriage. Thank you for not giving up on my best friend."
"You don't have to thank me. I'm in love with her, and I'm willing to anything...to make her happy."
Lydia squealed again, Henry's hands flying to his ears. "You both are putting me on the spot. It's gonna be hard hiding your presence away from her, I don't keep secrets!"
"Well, I could just show up again when she gets back," Henry suggested, Lydia quickly dismissing it.
"No way! We have to make it a little more romantic." She rushed to the study table at the corner and pulled out a golden envelope. "Henry Haddock, you're officially invited to my wedding! Believe it or not, I'm looking forward to having you as a brother-in-law."
Henry laughed and took the envelope from her grip. "Thank you, I surely won't miss it for the world."
It definitely turned out to be a wonderful day for an outdoor wedding: warm, but not terribly so. The early May sun peeked out occasionally. A pleasant breeze rustled in the surrounding shrubs, cooling the guests and family members. There were a lot of guests, but mainly from George's side. Sweet strains of classical music drifted through the crowd.
Astrid couldn't believe it; her best friend Lydia, and her fiancee, George, were finally getting married. It was somewhere in between simple, and grand, similar to the distinct personalities of Lydia and George. Balloons and streamers fluttered around the railing and banisters, a classy theme of gold, white and purple.
To the left of me were rows of cars glittering in the sun. A stretched Lincoln stood alone, decked out in ribbons and twisted coils of streamers, ready to whisk the groom and bride away. 'Just Married' was painted across the dark rear window. Astrid sat there, in awe of how perfect and lovely everything was. The smell of fresh-cut flowers filled the air.
The music stopped, and all heads turned to face the far end of the walk. The opening to the bridal chorus started to play. Down the aisle, she came. Astrid could not believe how beautiful Lydia was. She wore a strapless wedding gown with embroidery on her bodice. Rhinestones and pearl beads were sewn on her gown. She also wore a two-tier veil, with a matching crystal head-piece. She held a French rose silk bouquet. Her father, whom she'd flown in from Ann Abor yesterday held her left arm and smiled at her as they reached the bottom step. There awaiting her was the pastor and her husband-to-be. George was stunning. He wore a black, single-breasted, satin tuxedo with a white-wing collar shirt.
The music faded, and the clergyman stepped up to the microphone, Bible in hand. He smiled at the assembly. "Cherished family members and honored guests, I would like to thank each of you for coming out this morning," He said. The sound carried well from the small speakers to either side of the podium. The pastor placed the Bible down before him. "Let us begin by offering thanks to the Lord on this wonderful day."The guests all bowed our heads and he prayed.
After the prayer was over, the preacher led them through their vows. It was now time for the exchange of rings. An adorable little boy dressed in a blue tuxedo walked up and handed George a ring. He slipped it on Lydia's finger. The pastor smiled and turned to Lydia. He repeated the question and received the same reply. She watched Lydia take his ring from a small girl dressed in purple and place it on his finger. "By the power vested unto me, I now proclaim you husband and wife."
"You may now kiss your bride." He did so, placing his hands on her shoulders. The pastor held up his hands, bringing the crowd to their feet. George and Lydia left the gazebo, arms linked, with identical smiles on their faces. The best man, and Astrid, the maid of honor, and the groomsmen and bridesmaids followed suit, falling in behind them. They stopped near the end of the walk, forming the start of the receiving line.
The family and guests filed down, pausing for hugs and kisses and congratulating the young couple. Lydia then turned around in an attempt to throw her bouquet of rose silk flowers behind her, but first looked directly towards Astrid's direction. The women collided with each other as they tried to catch it, but just as Lydia had told her numerous times, she walked passed them, with George watching and giggling in silence. Astrid looked puzzled when the attention of the crowd was now on her. Lydia walked towards her with a suspicious grin that startled her the more, handing her the bouquet. "Here...it's yours."
Astrid looked through the numerous eyes that were now on her and whispered to Lydia. "Just give it someone who is actually getting married after you."
Lydia forcefully opened her arm, placing the flowers in her hand. "Take it."
"But I'm not..."
"Turn around, Astrid." A strange reaction from her crowd made her curious about what this was all about, while George just watched, grinning as much as Lydia was.
"What?"
"Jeez, just turn around!"
Astrid finally turned around, her skin greyed, eyes widened, and jaw-dropping to the very last person she'd expected to see in this location. The one guy who'd been on her mind for months, the guy she'd walked away from countless times, but still somehow always made his way back to her...Henry Haddock.
The bouquet fell from her grip, and shock silenced every single word that she would have said to make the situation less awkward with the crowd. Henry was in Clevland. Henry was at Lydia's wedding. Henry was standing just a few inches away from her, staring just as hard as she was, with the same expression of fear.
How? When? Why?
The questions made her feel so dizzy and overwhelmed, even by the cheer from the crowd, she had an option of running towards him and pouring her out to him, she could have at least hugged him to show him how her heart leaped at his presence and that he still had the same underlying effect on her. Instead, she did exactly what she'd been doing ever since she fell in love with him...run from it.
"Astrid! Astrid, please stop!" Henry called out, trying to keep up his pace while struggling with the piercing pain from the pressure his stump on his prosthetic.
Although he'd been out of therapy for months now and could walk frequently and comfortably, running wasn't exactly part of his progress. The intense pain was overbearing, but he couldn't lose sight of her, not this time. He followed her trail, watching her race further away from the wedding, but kept going, holding tight to the bridal flower in his hands.
"Astrid!" He called out again, tripping over a step over a pile of rocks and falling to the ground in pain. "Ugh."
His fall immediately caught her attention, making turn her turn back, rushing to him in fear. "Henry! Oh my gosh, are you okay?!"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. I'm alright."
She insisted, her eyes fixed on his leg, before raising the hem of his trousers to reveal him prosthetic. She stared at him in disbelief. "What the hell, Henry?! You were running after me on a prosthetic?! Why are you so stubborn!"
"You left before, Astrid, and I didn't do anything to stop you." He wrapped his hand around her wrist, looking into his eyes for the first time in twelve months. "I'm not going to let that happen again."
"Let's not talk about this, you need to be okay. Can you get up? Here, let me help you." She put her right arm around his waist in an effort to help him get up, his left arm finding support on her shoulder. He got up on his right leg, getting a full balance on his prosthetic again before letting go of her shoulder.
"Thank you." He quickly to hold of her hand again before she had a chance to leave. In silence, he let himself get lost in the beguiling blue eyes he'd fallen in love with. She was dressed elegantly in a purple sleeveless satin down as the maid of honor, her hair up in a flowered bun, with her bangs sweeping across the sides of his face. She was more beautiful than he remembered, her eyes hooked on him, glistening with tears as they shared a silent stare without words to describe the painful year they'd both spent apart from each other.
Henry swallowed hard, her stare now becoming mild torture as all the words he'd planned and come up with the previous day all escaped him at this moment. Those words would never describe the feeling of having her so close now after how much he missed her.
"You look...beautiful" He stuttered, her gaze instantly falling to the ground as she broke their stare, still not over the habit of avoiding his eyes at every compliment he threw at her. She brushed her bangs away from her face, as well as his words, pretending like it meant nothing.
"What are you doing here, Henry?"
He ignored the pain that erupted from that question, he'd expected this coldness from her anyway. "I came to talk to you...I came to see you."
"Alright, and now that you've seen me, I think you should get going, your father and Heather would..."
He tightened his grip in her hand, desperation in his tone. "Astrid, please...let's talk."
"Talk about what? It's been over a year now, aren't you supposed to be married already? Haven't you moved on? because I have, and I'm not ready to bring back the past."
Henry stared at her in disbelief. "You really thought It'd be that easy to move on from you? Did you ever believe in my feelings for you? Was that why you never told me that my father was the reason why you had to go back to the club? Did you ever believe I loved you?"
"Come on, Henry!" Astrid stomped her foot, placing her hand on her forehead. "We broke up, right? We had agreed on moving on, so why didn't you just do that?! We've tried this before and it didn't work out, so why? Why do you keep coming back?!"
"Because I love you!" Henry exclaimed in a loud tone that silenced and pushed off her hesitation and eagerness to get away from him. It got to her, and he could tell that she knew it was an honest truth that came straight from his heart.
"Falling in love with you was the easiest part; it's admitting that I did, that was difficult. I'm going to stop asking 'why?' I'm going to stop coming up with reasons why I should have let you go." He stepped further towards her and noticed her get tensed immediately, her eyes tearing up as they searched his in silence, his close presence having such a strong effect on her.
"I'm going to stop hiding it, I'm going to stop running from it, and most of all, I'm going to stop letting you run."
He stared fiercely into her eyes, and it was like she could see through him, at least he hoped that she could, just to understand the depth of his love for her. He hoped she would understand that he was done with living in denial and couldn't go any further without her. "I'm in love with you Astrid Hofferson...and that includes your past, your present, and future."
Reaching out his hand towards her, he held her face in his hands, wiping her tears with his thumb. "That young teenage girl who grew up filled with so much hate, who hurt the people around her as the only way to release a fragment of her pain...I love her."
"The dancer at flight club, Ann Arbor, who was so determined to get through school despite the pain and reputation it brought her...I love her. This beautiful girl who doesn't believe that she's capable of loving and being loved, I'm going to keep loving her till she learns to love herself...until she believes that she is worth it."
More tears kept coming, but he patiently wiped them off over and over. "You once asked me a question at the jewelry store, do you remember?"
She sniffed, giving a faint smile. "About the infinity ring?"
Henry returned the smile, chuckling softly. "Wow. You remembered so fast for someone who had just claimed to have moved on."
Astrid gave him a soft nudge, rolling her eyes with a smile. Henry went on. "You asked if it was possible to find that person who was willing to love you unconditionally. I didn't have an answer then, and I didn't understand why you would ask that as a married woman back then, but now I do."
Astrid Hofferson watched Henry pull out a little red velvet box from his pocket and open it. Her right hand instantly flew to her mouth when she saw the golden infinity ring sitting in it. She immediately broke down again in tears. "I want to be that person, Astrid. You've always wanted to have this, right? Maybe the reason why you never got it, was because I'm the one to give it to you."
He slipped the ring on the weak finger of her left hand. "I'm so sorry...that I made you wait this long."
Astrid stood speechless, flabbergasted in silence as she stared at the ring on her finger. The exact type her father had given her mother, the one she had taken for granted. She had told him the story of her attraction to this ring and its powerful symbolic representation of never-ending love. She never believed she could never receive that kind of love, let alone have someone give the ring to her. This was it. She was done and more than ready to be selfish for once in her life and without any regrets.
Henry might be wrong for her, they could be worlds apart, but she didn't care, at least not this time. None of her insecurities mattered because he loved them, none of her doubts mattered because he kept proving himself to her over and over again. This wasn't infatuation, it wasn't lust or obsession, Henry Haddock loved her genuinely, and she was done running from it. She wasn't going to question it or dwell on whatever might result from it, she was going to accept that no matter how much she runs, hides, or tries to push him away, he would keep coming back and choosing her, over and over again.
She looked into the piercing green eyes that had caught her attention back at the internship program where she met him months ago, stripping herself of the doubts, hesitation, and whatever was left of that wall she'd built around her heart before she met him. Who said that happiness was restricted? Who said that she couldn't be loved unconditionally just because her mother didn't give her that love?
Eric was wrong, and so was her mother. True love was possible, if only she was willing to open her heart to it. She was more than ready to do that now, and take a chance, with the love of her life.
Without hesitation, she gripped the collar of his coat and leaned in for a kiss that summed up everything she wanted to say. It wasn't slow, or gentle, she wasn't holding back, or giving him a fraction of her love. This time, she was going to give him all of it. Her hand trailed up into his hair, just as soft and silky as she remembered, holding on to the kiss like her life depended on it. He wrapped his arms around her slim waist pulling her closer to him as she kissed him passionately, pouring her tears, emotions, and the long months of longing and yearning for him.
Henry Haddock actually came back for her, choosing her over everything else. She was no longer desperate for love, for acceptance or happiness, she found them all in this guy, and she sure as hell wasn't going to let him go.
She nibbled on his upper lip, smiling as he pushed his tongue against hers, his passion matching hers perfectly. He had missed her just as much as she missed him. She panted softly, when they finally broke apart, trying to catch her breath and control the sparks it ignited in her. She leaned her forehead on his, the both of them melting in the heat that radiated through them. "What took you so long?"
"I'm sorry, I..."
Astrid placed her index finger on his lips to stop him, shaking her head. "No, I'm sorry, Henry. I'd promise to fight with you, right? but I didn't. You were willing to give up so much, you were the only one fighting while I did...nothing. I wasn't willing to risk or give up anything for you. I even left you back there, when you needed me the most...when you got hurt, trying to stand up for me. Even after all that, you're still here...running after me on a prosthetic, still fighting for me."
She trailed the sides of his face, tears flowing down the corner of her eyes. "I'm sorry for leaving you, Henry. I'm sorry for not keeping my promise to you. I'm sorry for lying to you, for making you believe that I've moved on. The truth is...you never for once left my mind. This past year without you was..."
"I know." Henry cut in, showing the wristwatch she'd given him at the park, the one that belonged to her father. "I barely survived holding onto this."
She smiled, "I tried to make myself believe that I could have a future without you, but I cant. Even if I can, I don't want to. My life is a lot better with you in it."
Henry, whose gaze had been fixed on her lips, leaned in, letting her words get lost against his mouth. Cupping the back of her head, he kissed her in a way that could express how much he missed her, how much he loved her, and how difficult the past year had been for him without her. This was much longer and slower than the previous one. Astrid let him take control this time, savoring his taste and letting him love her without limits.
Why did it take her twenty-five years to meet Henry Haddock? She realized that they weren't so different after all. They had been bound by certain expectations, dreams, yearning for freedom, love, and acceptance, and they both found it in each other. She had waited so long in pain, running away from the answer to every question she ever asked.
This was the reason why she'd always been attracted to Haddock aviation. She was destined not just to be a pilot, but to also meet this weak, skinny, one-legged hiccup who broke his way into her heart and didn't want to leave. She didn't want him to leave, she was going to trap him in and love him forever.
She giggled when he left her mouth, trailing kisses down the nape of her neck. "We're outside, Henry."
He stopped, bursting into soft laughter as he held her in an amorous embrace. She glanced at the ring on her hand, keeping her cool through the uncontrollable euphoria that ran through her. "I can't believe you actually got this, I didn't think you'd remember."
"I did. It's my birthday gift to you, Happy birthday, Astrid."
"Yeah, but when did you get it?"
"The same day I got the engagement ring for Heather." Astrid looked up immediately from the ring, staring at Henry in shock.
"What?"
"It's the exact same ring you were so attracted to that day."
"You mean, you got it that same day?!"
"Well since you wanted it so much, I thought I'd get it as a friendship ring."
"Really? Friendship ring?" Astrid smirked, "I could tell you had a crush on me back then, you made it so obvious."
Henry shrugged, his hand fixed on both sides of her waist. "I won't deny that I did."
"So why didn't you give it to me?"
"Because I wasn't sure about it. I was dating Heather, and then you wanted space from me. I just thought it would have been too much if I actually gave it to you and besides...you wanted it from someone who was willing to love you, not from a friend."
"So why didn't you give it to Heather? Why did you keep it instead?"
"I got it for you, not her, so I just couldn't. I guess I was already falling in love with you then." Henry lifted his hand to push stands from her bangs that fell out of place.
"But, what about Heather? and your dad?"
"You wouldn't actually believe this, but, Heather and I broke up. I just couldn't get you off my mind, and she knew it, so she chose to break off our engagement, to send me after you."
"Astrid's lips parted, staring at Henry in disbelief. "Oh my gosh, she what?!"
"Well, that isn't even the shocking part. My dad was the one who found your location. Your friend Lydia actually made an anonymous call to tip him off."
"Well, that explains why she...that girl sure is something" Astrid chuckled. "So what about Heather? She just left?"
"She went to spend time with her parents...her birth parents."
"So she went after all."
"Did you tell her to? Because she told me about your meetup at the hospital."
"Yeah, I did. I just wish she wasn't alone, facing all that on her own."
"It's alright, Freddie went after. I hope he can tell her about his feelings and give her the happiness...that I failed to give her."
"What about your father? He actually let me into your ward when I'd requested to see you."
"He has changed, Astrid. He is different now and is genuinely apologetic for the way he treated you back then. He even hopes...you can return to the company immediately."
"I doubt that."
"Do you?" Henry raised his eyebrow. "Alright then, hold on a sec."
He removed his hands from their grip on her waist, pulling out a golden medallion held by a matching golden necklace. "This was my father's engagement gift to my mother, and it was also her most treasured jewelry."
Astrid's eyes popped in shock, hesitating on accepting the gift. "No way."
"He wants you to have it."
"Henry, I can't, I..."
"You're a part of our family now." He held her chin looking into her eyes. "and I'm sure...my mother would also want you to have it."
He unhooked the necklace and placed it around her neck. Astrid picked up the medallion, staring at it, and smiling brightly as another wave of euphoria took over.
"Have I told you how much I love you?" She wrapped her arms in a loop around his neck, his hands going back to their previous position on her waist.
Henry paused, putting up a thinking expression in silence, before looking back at her with a smirk. "Not since you last visited me at the hospital."
Astrid smiled, still in awe that she could actually be this happy. She ran her fingers through his thick brunette hair, which seemed a little shorter than before, gazing into his eyes that reflected his love for her. "I love you Henry Haddock...so much more, than I can express."
Henry tightened his grip on her waist, lifting her up in an attempt to spin her around. Astrid laughed, but a little concerned about his prosthetic.
"Henry put me down, you're gonna trip, you need to be careful."
He put her down, even if he didn't show any difficulty lifting her up. "Why, you don't like my new look? I thought it would add to my dramatic flare."
Astrid laughed, "Wow...I see you traded your sense of humor."
"So, you're gonna make a promise to me this time...and honestly."
"What promise do you want me to make, Mr. Haddock?"
"No more running, okay? We have a problem, we fix it. We face oppositions, we handle it...together."
Astrid shook her head, "No more running. I'm with you, and I'm more than ready to spend every single day for the rest of my life..."
She leaned in and kissed him again. She had missed him so much, she had missed doing this. Just kissing him would never be enough to show him how much she loved him and how grateful she was that he came into her life, and decided to be part of it. Thinking about her new life with him was overwhelming. She now had the chance to date, love and be engaged to someone. She would try on gorgeous wedding gowns and delicious bakeries to make her choice. She would receive flowers and chocolates on valentine's day and maybe a romantic dinner for the first time. She had been wrong about all of that. Those weren't distractions or fantasies, they were the source of one's happiness, being with the one you love. She had him right here, and she was going to hold on tight, and never let go.
"...with my one-legged pretty eyed hiccup."
THE END
Writer's block:
I have a lot of things to say. First off, it's been over two years, and I have learned a lot since the first chapter. I'm not a writer, and this is, in fact, my very first attempt at fanfiction but I've enjoyed it. It started out as a hobby and I didn't really expect to gain readers, but somehow, people started to read this. It felt good, but also stressful as I started worrying a lot about grammar, punctuation, setting and things that could raise criticization. It has made me a lot more confident with writing and I definitely would keep writing HICCSTRID FANFICS! Thanks to all the comments, both here and on my Instagram. Shout out to consistent readers like;
CajunBear7
sup8pdc
Crimson Dragon VIRUS
Silvolde
goldentiger98
Antox
Thank you for your consistent comments that helped through the very many times I wanted to quit this story. Thanks for sticking to the end and I hope you got the ending that you wanted. I would be continuing my second story, Trading Yesterday as soon as possible, so I hope you enjoy that one too.
Happy New Year!
Read Trading Yesterday on my profile!