Sometimes Life's Simple

I'd like to say that the rest of my day was equally eventful. No, that's a lie, that was more than enough excitement. We debriefed with Moira but I don't think she was in the mood for an explanation, instead putting her stone-faced demeanour back on and burying herself in work. She didn't come out of her office for the rest of the day, leaving me and Lauren to begin the real work of the day.

It hasn't quite hit home that it's done, he's gone. I don't have to deal with him or his bullshit again. In fact... I don't know... It feels like so much has changed so quickly. This is the first chance I've had to really think about it...

"You awake? I said you can go." Lauren repeats herself, waving a hand in from of my absent eyes. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have kept you in work today, not after everything."

I shake my head immediately. "No, it's not that." I explain. "It's just, it's been a while since I didn't have anything weighing on me, now that I don't... I dunno, it's like I'm worried I'm gonna float away or something."

Lauren sighs, before sitting next to me. "Look kiddo, you're just getting started, trust me, the world's not all rainbows and roses, you've got to take victories where you can. Take my word for it, the world will find new ways to weigh you down, so just... Soar while you can, yeah?" She smiles. "Go home, take a load off, kiss that wife of yours, enjoy the feeling of freedom." She continues, standing and beginning to walk to the lift.

"She's not my wife." Is all I can respond to the valid points Lauren raised.

"Why not?" She answers with a laugh, the lift doors closing before I have a chance to argue. Add it to the list of good points she's raised, I guess.

*

The bus home feels longer than usual, even though I know it's shorter now that we've moved. I can't help but think back to a year ago, and all the things that have changed, Rouge and Trish, Jasper's new family, new friends, stupid plans, a whole new world... Elise... Elise most of all. It all spins around in my head like a blender, melting all together into a warming balm on my heart.

Lauren's right, days like today are rare. Days where you get the win and lose nothing. Days when you can go home and smile at the day you've had. Days like this are important.

I exit the bus as I reach my stop and make my way to the Free Ride, seems like eons ago I first stepped foot in here. There's a couple of regulars sat at various tables, but otherwise there's just Anya behind the bar.

"I didn't think you worked here." I smirk as I brush past her towards the back.

"Hilarious, Jessie's just nipped out, how're you settling?" She asks, halting me for a moment.

"Honestly, haven't had the chance yet, moved in, slept, went to work, there hasn't been much time to soak it in." I admit.

Anya give me a knowing nod. "Well, don't forget to book in at the Salon, looks like your hair could do with a touch up." She states, lifting part of my fringe up.

"Actually... I think I'm gonna grow the colour out, back to my natural look." I reply, causing a surprised frown on her face. "No offense or anything, it's just, I think it's served its purpose... If that makes sense?"

A smile on Anya's face reveals she knows exactly what I mean. "I'm glad, I mean, a knight doesn't need their armour in peacetime, right?" She agrees succinctly. That's a solid metaphor, makes sense that I wouldn't think of it.

I continue back up the stairs until I enter the flat... Okay, now this is odd, I don't know where to put my bag. I haven't got a place to put it down... I decide to just leave it by the front door and continue into the living room to see Elise sat on the sofa, writing in a small book.

"You steal that from Jenny?" I joke, sitting next to her. The excitement in her eyes upon noticing my return is so intoxicating, almost as addictive as the kiss she plants on my lips before laying her head in my lap.

"Not quite, it's a journal, I'm writing about what we get up to each day, then I can send it to my parents... That way they don't miss anything." She clarifies as she continues writing in her new prone position.

I'm glad she's still got hope for them, maybe one day they'll come round fully. I watch her scribble away, and I can't help but hear her first words to me.

'Merci, my name is Elise, and you are?'

When she asked me that question I just answered my name, but the truth is I didn't have an answer. I didn't know who I really was until I met her. I don't know if I ever would've understood love or happiness or even hope. I don't want to know either. There's only one thing I want to know.

"Will you marry me?" I blurt out. Elise looks at me and snorts, clearly not believing my question to be sincere. "I'm serious. Marry me." I reiterate.

This causes a much more confused reaction from her, as she sits up and looks me in the eyes. "What's brought this on?" She asks.

"I've been thinking a lot lately... Probably too much, and that's kind of the thing. I overthink things, always, I second guess things, I worry, and then I come up with some elaborate excuse not to just do the thing I want to do..." I begin to explain.

"I don't want to do that anymore, I don't want to think about living, I want to do it, I want to live it. I could come up with a million tricks to propose in some fancy way, I could buy presents and book restaurants but it'd just be time wasting. I want to marry you, and I want to propose when I feel happiest, and right now... In this flat, with you. I've never been happier. Maybe it's simple, but maybe that's okay... Maybe all I need to do is ask you... And maybe all you have to do is say yes." I conclude.

My words echo in my ears, but... For once, I'm not anxious, or nervous, or afraid. I know what I want. I want to marry this woman. I don't know what the future holds, and I don't care. All that matters is right now. So all the people that helped me, and all the challenges I overcame, they all led to right now, and all the 'right nows' I want.

I stare into Elise's eyes unblinkingly, the determination in my heart unwavering. Maybe a whole new load of chaos is in store for us, but that's not important. What's important is waiting for that serene French lullaby to sing one word for me.

"Yes."