Aw, last chapter guys. But at least we can focus on Cancun when we get a spare minute together in our v busy schedules.
The church was bright and riotously noisy as they entered, searching above the sea of young heads for Wes. It had been some years since Ruth had attended a Christingle, and she remembered the excitement they used to generate when she was a child. It was nice to know that some things were still the same.
It was Harry who spotted them, nestled to the left hand side, but surrounded by scores of other families. In fact, the church was practically full, and so it was decided that they would go and say hello to their honorary nephew and then take some of the few remaining seats on the pews at the very back of the church.
"You came!" exclaimed Wes, as his auntie and uncle appeared at then end of the wooden bench. Adam appraised them, scrutinising the changes between them since last night. Ruth shuffled slightly nervously.
"Of course," Harry chuckled, and gave Wes a wink. "I think we've got to sit at the back though, but if they make you walk all the way around the church when you collect your Christingle, like they did in my day, make sure you come and show it off."
Ruth laughed.
"What?"
"When you say 'in my day', Harry, you add 20 years onto your image."
"Well how would you like me to say it?" he huffed. "When I was younger and I went to Christingle services…" he continued to mumble alternatives as she suggested they take their seats, rolling her eyes at Adam, and nearly giving the game away completely when she made to reach for Harry's elbow.
An amused grin settled on Adam's face as he watched them walk up the aisle towards the back of the Church; he wasn't sure who they thought they were fooling but he could tell from their relaxed postures that things had changed between them. He caught a brief glimpse of Harry's hand coming to rest on the small of her back before Wes demanded his attention.
Their pew was relatively small and private since it was dissected by a stone pillar, and they were pleased not to have to share with anyone else. He ushered Ruth in first; sitting down beside her once she had made herself comfortable. He watched her fiddle with the candles in front of them for a moment before reaching out and capturing her hand with his.
"Stop fidgeting," he murmured, lovingly, against her ear and brought their joined hands to rest in his lap.
"I'm trying to make sure we won't set that girl's hair on fire when we light it!"
"Oh, I thought you were nervous about something, sorry..."
"What do I have to be nervous about when we're at a Carol service?" she asked, amused. "Unless you're planning something I don't know about?"
He rolled his eyes at her. "We're in a Church, Ruth. I may find you irresistible but there is a line."
She laughed, softly, and gave his hand a small squeeze. "Well I can't say I'm not disappointed..."
He looked at her in disbelief and she had to cover her mouth with her other hand to stop from laughing out loud at the look on his face. Before he could reply, the lights dimmed and everyone hastily lit their candles.
---
The organ reverberated as the music struck up, and Ruth snuggled into Harry's side as they hunched over the hymn sheet with their candle. He looked down on her and smiled as she sang, watching her instead of paying attention until a small yelp filtered through the soft singing of Silent Night.
Ruth's face had turned to an anguished expression, one which he knew as the face she pulled when she was trying not to swear. Her eyes watered and she bit her lip.
"Ruth?"
"Wax," she managed to groan, as quietly as possible, trying to set the candle down somewhere safe. He took it from her quickly and blew it out, not caring that they now hand nothing to read by. They would have to make do with the soft yellow glow of other people's.
"I'm ok," she whispered. "Really, it was mainly just the shock. It only stings a little."
Tenderly, he lifted her left hand and held it up as best he could to the faint light. There was a short, thin line of wax on the back of her hand by her thumb, and a couple of specks of it elsewhere. Gently, he peeled the setting shape away from her skin and lightly blew a cool breath across it before placing his lips carefully into contact with the slight burn.
She shuddered at his touch; the lingering of slight pain coupled with the tingling of his feather light touch was beautiful and she instinctively moved her hand a little as he moved his lips so that his kisses traced a line until they found the pulse point of her wrist. His mouth parted a little, lips and the tip of his tongue exploring the delicate area. She was suddenly grateful for having sat at the back and had to fight to remind herself where they were and why they were here as his mouth moved with wider, open kisses down the inside of her forearm.
"I think I'm better," she whispered, somewhat regrettably. "Although I might need to see the consultant again later," she added.
There was just enough light for her to make out the satisfied smile on his face as he lifted his mouth from her skin. He stretched his arm across her shoulders and pulled her into his side, his lips brushing against her temple softly as he murmured his agreement that a thorough examination would be needed later.
Contented, they snuggled together in the pew and let the service happen around them. The soft glow of the candle light and the sweet sound of the congregation singing surrounded them and Ruth let herself happily reflect on her feelings for the man whose arms currently encircled her. She couldn't remember a time of ever feeling so protected or loved and as the singing roused to a loud crescendo she felt herself getting emotional.
She had snuggled herself closer and Harry turned to her, his smile faltering as he noticed the unshed tears welling in her eyes. "Ruth..."
His mouth seemed to caress her name as it tumbled from his lips and the sound of it brought a genuine smile of happiness to her face, despite the tears that escaped and ran down her cheek. "I'm fine Harry, just a little overwhelmed."
"Oh sweetheart, don't cry." His thumb swept under her eye and caught another tear that was threatening to fall. "It's Christmas, you're supposed to be happy."
"I am happy." He looked thoroughly confused and she took pity on him. "For the first time, I have everything I've ever wanted for Christmas."
He leant down and pressed his lips to hers in a brief kiss. "Me too."
Please review, we hope you've enjoyed this fic. Thanks for being lovely readers and reviewers, love Em and Kate xx