Monday, February 4, 2019

Paralyzed, Nataley stared at Harry. "What?"

Running his fingers through his hair, he fixed his gaze on her. "I had to go away, Nat, so I could think about everything. For the first week or so, I didn't know what exactly was niggling at the back of my mind. It wasn't until I wrote a journal entry as a brain dump that I found there were three things on my mind."

"Three?" Her surprised voice matched her emotional confusion. She couldn't fathom what he was on about.

Harry held up one finger. "You. After loving Camille for so long, I wasn't sure I was ready to love someone else. Except I figured out pretty quickly that I already loved you, so it wasn't loving someone new."

"Oh." Her heart pounded in her chest, and Nataley recognized a matching emotion inside her soul. Fuck, she loved this man. Even though he had frustrated and infuriated her the previous month with his absence. Even though he had hurt Noah by disappearing for a month. Like Harry, she felt they belonged together after all this time.

A second finger joined the first in Harry's raised hand. With his other hand, he picked up his tequila and took a sip. "Noah. He needs a male role model who gives him the love and attention he deserves. Dating you, loving you, means I need to take on the role of stepfather. What I said earlier is the truth: I feel like I'm already a stepfather of sorts to him, so it only makes sense for me to take that on officially."

"Harry --" Nataley began, swallowing hard. "He loves you so much, and I believe he already sees you as a stand in for his asshole of a dad. Thank you for loving him."

"Easiest thing in the world to do, Nat. He's an amazing kid, and I promise I'll make the time away up to him somehow."

"He's the best," she whispered, "and he's clearly already forgiven you."

"Third," Harry started, holding up another finger. But then he dropped his hand in his lap, watching Nataley's face, his eyes gently touching her lips, her eyes, and her forehead before he settled back on her eyes. "The one that knocked me sideways." He took a deep breath and didn't break eye contact. "Having kids of my own."

Nataley's eyes started to water, and she bit her lip, attempting to keep her emotions in check. Whatever he said next would be her breaking point, she was sure.

As tears gathered in the corners of his eyes, he wiped the moisture away as if a nuisance. "I had no idea it was even important to me, and that's the stumbling block that I sat with for days on end."

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Nataley wondered if she would chew a hole in her lip. Was that even possible? She knew she shouldn't speak now, which was good because she found that she couldn't.

"But Nat -- there's adoption, and it's a pretty amazing option, you know? How I could love any child more than I love Noah seems impossible, but I think eventually we could try. Adopt a child. A baby. Or a toddler. Or even someone older. There are so many kids in the world that need good parents, and I feel like we could be that for them."

Gasping, Nataley covers her sobs with her whole hand. This was not what she expected from Harry. Not even remotely. Her shoulders shook as she released all of the worry that had collected inside her like rain in a barrel. Harry moved closer, wrapping an arm around her as she collapsed onto his chest, crying like the end of the world had arrived.

"Shhhh, Nat. It's okay. I love you. I love Noah. I love Chuck. And I'll love whatever creature we decide to add to our family."

Her tears dampened his shirt, but he didn't release her, patting her back and murmuring soothing words in her ear until she sat up and swiped at her cheeks.

"Shit, Harry. We're not even dating yet, and you're already planning for our kids."

"Nataley," he said with complete seriousness, "If you think we haven't been dating for years, you've not been paying attention to our relationship."

"Dork," she accused.

"Listen," he proclaimed, "We already know so much about each other. Are we compatible in life? Yes. Absolutely. The only area we haven't tested is the bedroom." Harry paused, raising one eyebrow in his signature smirk, "And something tells me that won't be an issue for us."

"Harry," Nataley laughed, "Clarify this conversation for me. Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?"

"Yes please," he smiled, both dimples deepening as his grin spread across his entire face.

"I'd be honored."

"Cool. Let's seal it with a kiss."

Nataley leaned forward, anticipating the feel of his soft lips against hers. When they actually connected, she sighed with relief, and he slid his tongue inside briefly, tasting her while she relished the delight of kissing him with complete abandon. As of that exact moment, she was actually dating Harry, and she felt like squealing. It seemed like the most natural move in the world.

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Tuesday, February 5, 2019

"Ready for our first date?" Harry asked over the phone, "I'm heading to the museum today, and I would love it if you joined me."

"Harry, I have to work." Nataley hoped her smile translated over the phone. "Not all of us can be self-employed. We've got Billy Crystal and Sarah Chalke tonight."

"Duh. I meant during your lunch break. It's the Louver Gallery on Venice Beach, and there's an exhibition by a ceramicist that I want to check out. I'm thinking about buying some of his work, and I'd love your opinion."

Her heart fluttered. An art gallery with Harry where he wanted her input? This was next level dating. Disappointment flooded her. "Venice Beach? Harry, it would take my entire lunch time just to go and come back."

"Are you saying you're not ready for tonight's show?"

Nat rolled her eyes, knowing he couldn't see her. "Of course I'm ready, H. But I never take more than an hour for lunch..."

"Take two hours today and skip tomorrow's lunch," Harry encouraged. "Besides, you almost never miss work, so you're probably due an hour or two."

"Ugh. Let me ask my boss."

"He'll say yes."

"Don't you dare call or text him, Harry! This is my career."

He sighed. "I cannot believe you think I would interfere like that. I promise I won't say anything to James or Ben."

"Thank you," she quietly commented. "I'll text you with the answer." Disconnecting, Nataley nervously approached Ben before Harry would have time to contact him. Not that she didn't believe her boyfriend. Tingles settled over her as she applied the word to Harry. "Um, hi, Ben."

"Nat," the executive producer smiled, "What can I do for you?"

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, she looked at the floor before speaking the words, "Might I extend my lunch an extra hour today? I'll skip lunch tomorrow in exchange."

"Of course! Anything for the best lighting designer in the business! I assume you're ready for tonight?"

Narrowing her eyes, Nataley wondered if perhaps Harry had already cleared the way for her. "Yes. All is ready for tonight. I've rarely asked before..."

"Which is why I have no issue saying yes, Nataley. You're a professional. I trust you. Take time whenever you need it. I'm surprised you've not taken extra time more often."

"Yes, sir."

Her boss laughed loudly, throwing his head back. "Nataley, when are you going to recognize that the show needs you more than you need the show?"

Stunned, she had no response, stuttering a feeble "Thank you" before backing away and texting Harry her agreement and receiving details in exchange.

At the gallery as they strolled through the exhibits, she broached the subject with him because it had been nagging her since the producer mentioned it. "H? Ben said something to me today that made me think."

"About us?"

"No, you dork," she teased. "He doesn't know anything about us...Unless you've said something to him?" Glancing at Harry sideways, she waited until he shook his head. "He made a comment about how the show needs me more than I need them. What do you think he meant?"

His eyebrows raised, and he smiled lopsidedly at her. "Nat," Harry admonished, "Do you really not know your worth?"

"What are you on about, H?"

The sound that emerged from him seemed to emanate from the depths of his toes. "Nat, you're a brilliant lighting designer. You could get a job anywhere with your skill set and portfolio. Ben knows that. If you wanted, you could shop around and find a better job with better pay anytime."

Stunned, Nataley stepped away from him, her eyes wide. A patron approached, holding out his cell phone to her.

"Might I have a photo, Harry? My daughter will freak out."

With an indulgent smile, Harry stepped closer to the man, nodding at Nat. "You don't mind, right, love?"

"Would it be okay if you didn't send it to her immediately?" Harry asked the man as Nat returned his phone

The nickname made her quiver from the inside out, and she grinned, accepting the cell phone as she stepped in front of the two men, snapping three different photos.

"Would you mind not sending it to her immediately?" Harry asked the man as Nat returned his phone. "I'd like to be gone before the hordes descend."

"Oh. Of course! I'll give it to her tomorrow. She'll be delighted no matter when she sees it. Or she'll be pissed that she had to go to school today instead of some 'boring art gallery'." The man chuckled.

"You're the best, sir. Thank you." Handing the man a business card, Harry added, "Reach out to this email address, and my manager will send your daughter an autographed photo."

"That's not necessary, Harry." The patron shook his head, accepting the card anyway. Nat was confident they would request the photo.

"No it's not. But it's the least I can do for the gift of time to enjoy the exhibits without fans crowding me."

After fawning over Harry for a few more minutes, the gentleman headed off to another area of the gallery, and Nataley observed the stranger carefully.

"Do you believe him?"

"That he'll wait until tomorrow to share the photo with his daughter? Who knows? But it's worth a try." Harry continued strolling through the artwork, pointing out pieces he especially loved.

Harry's floral shirt and long curls up top held back by his sunglasses raised an ache in Nataley's body. How she wanted to run her fingers through his hair and strip that shirt from his form. The fact that he was now hers hadn't fully sunk in yet, and she longed to make their relationship official in some manner.

"Harry?" she asked gently as they roamed the gallery.

"Yeah, love," he responded with equal gentility.

"I love you," Nataley stated as though it weren't the first time she'd said the words to this particular man.

The smile roamed across his face, and he moved to reach for her hand before shaking himself and stuffing his hand in his pocket. Confusion rippled across her body before they stopped at the next installation.

"I can't, love. Not in public. But please know that I would love to hold your hand right now."

"What the hell, H? If you want to hold my hand, then you should."

"Nat...," he began, but she shook her head.

"Nope. No excuses. We're together, right? Damn the consequences."

"You don't know what you're asking, love." He commented, examining the sculpture in front of them. "This has such depth, don't you think?"

"I can handle it, Harry."

"The art?"

"No. Being your girlfriend."

"Nat..."

"Harry, either I'm your girlfriend or I'm just a 'mystery woman'. Hold my fucking hand, you coward."

"Fine," he laughed, taking her hand in his and pulling it to touch his lips in a quick kiss.

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Wednesday, February 6, 2019

"Fuck, I love Van Morrison. This is amazing, H!" Nataley screamed as the concert began with 'A Foggy Day', a cover of one of her favorite George Gershwin songs. They sat in the VIP section, and Nataley was thrilled to have met the legend backstage before the show.

Harry smiled indulgently, and she felt valued. He could go to any concert he wanted in the world, but he wanted to go to one by this legend with her. Fuck. With HER. Quickly and without thought, she pressed a kiss to his cheek as the music transitioned to the next song 'The New Symphony Sid'. Who opened their show with two covers? Van fucking Morrison, that's who. Nataley found herself bopping and dancing to the music as Harry joined in with his Peanuts style of dance. She didn't care about his flailing. Happiness melted throughout her soul.

When Van sang 'Into the Mystic', she watched the lighting, mesmerized by the simplicity as the band was highlighted or Van was highlighted alternatively. Nothing fancy. The music took center stage as it should, and she wondered if her lighting was as magical.

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Thursday, February 7, 2019

In the balcony at the King Princess show, Nataley relished the way the lighting designer illuminated the artist and her guitar with strobe lights to match the rhythm of the song.

"Shit, H. This is beautiful."

"Agreed. I'm planning to invite her to be the opener on my tour next year. She would be an amazing act."

"Agreed." Nataley grappled internally with the idea that she was dating someone who would be able to ask an artist of this caliber to be his opener. Fuck. She had never thought of Harry as anything but HARRY, but he was a big fucking deal in the entertainment world. What the hell was he doing with Nataley? Doubt consumed her for the first time in their four year friendship. Hell, he could be with anyone. Why would he choose her?

After the concert, she asked him.

"H?" Her voice was quiet on their way back to her condo after the evening.

"Yes, love?"

She swallowed. If she asked the question, there was no going back.

"Why me?"

"Huh?"

Looking out of the window, she paused, wondering if she was crazy to ask. "You're famous. Like really popular."

"Says who?" He quipped, and she felt her mouth turn down in a frown.

"Don't do that."

"What?"

"Pretend like you're not who you are."

"Nat --" he began, turning down the radio first before pressing the button to turn it off completely. "Love, you know me. I'm just Harry."

"But you're the Harry that people freak out over."

"So? It doesn't change who I am. Or who you are. We're the same people we were yesterday. Or last week. Or four years ago when I was bumming a ride with you back to the studio from the dodgeball shoot."

"Harry, you could have any girl you wanted. Or any guy for that matter. You could have anyone you wanted..."

"Yet I chose you," he whispered.

"But why?" she pressed. "I'm not special."

She watched him carefully, and he shook his head in the shadows of the freeway lights that blinked on and off as they traveled back to her condo. He said nothing else on the road, and as they parked in front of her condo, Nat tried to decipher what he might be thinking.

Putting the Range Rover into park, Harry reached for the door, exiting without her permission, and she mimicked his actions, withdrawing her keys from her purse as they walked towards her home. With the door open, Chuck rushed out, sniffing both Nataley and Harry who laughed.

"I'll take him out. Why don't you get us a nightcap?" He suggested.

As Harry took the lead and attached it to the dog's collar, she removed two glasses, filling them with ice before adding tequila to his and bourbon to hers. What would he say?

When Harry returned, he released Chuck who bounded to where Nataley was seated on the couch, and she obliged him by scratching his head.

"Love you, Prince Charles," she whispered, holding her breath as Harry sat next to her, picking up his drink and taking a sip.

"What the fuck, Nat?" he asked casually, setting his drink on a coaster on the table. "I thought I made my feelings clear. Let me remedy that."

Her breath caught in her lungs as she watched him settle with his legs crossed in her direction.

"You honestly think you have nothing to offer me? Fuck, Nat. You've been what I would consider my best friend for about three years now. You know everything about me. All of my flaws and fears. And you care about me anyway." He took a deep breath before reaching for his drink.

"You're a brilliant lighting designer, and a dozen shows would love to steal you away from Late Late. But above all of that --" he paused, reaching for his tequila and upending the glass, "You are a talented, thoughtful woman. Beautiful. Inclusive. Self-sufficient. How could I not love you?"

Grasping her glass, she downed a long gulp of the bourbon. Fuck. She hadn't expected any of that yet she believed every word he said. They really were just Nataley and Harry.

"Harry? Take me to bed please. I want to show you how much I love you."