Hours
You and Chris made your way back over to Shirley's, hand in hand. He rang the doorbell and she answered after a long moment.
"Oh, I'm so glad you came! Come in!", she chirped and waved inward as she started to push open the screen door and Chris took over to pull it the rest of the way open as he beamed at her.
"Hey, cutie. How ya doin'?", he asked as he guided you in first and followed behind.
When you stepped inside, you saw that the floor plan was just like Chris's house, but it looked very different. You felt as though you had just stepped into a house from the late 50s or early 60s. You guessed she had probably lived there since that time and hadn't changed a damn thing. It was cozy, quaint and welcoming.
"Wonderful! Thank you." She took your hand in both hers once you were all inside and Chris had shut the door. "Hello, (Y/N), so nice to finally meet you.", she gave you a warm smile.
"Thank you, Shirley. Nice to meet you.", you mirrored her expression.
She leaned to the side to address Chris standing slightly behind you as if you weren't there, "Wow, she's every prettier up close, Chris." She winked at him.
He chuckled, "She's pretty at any distance to me."
You turned slightly and scrunched your nose at him, smiling, "Aw, thank you." He returned you smile affectionately.
Shirley laughed, "Thatta boy. Always knows what to say to make a girl feel special. Come sit down kids." She glided her way slowly to the living area, gesturing to the sofa against the wall. Chris helped you out of your coat and took off his own along with his hat, hanging them all on the pegs near Shirley's door. He guided you to the sofa with a hand on your lower back. You both thanked her as you sat. She began again, "Thanks for taking care of my snow." You both nodded and told her she was welcome, then she continued, "What would you like to drink, (Y/N)?"
"Whatever you have is fine, thank you."
"I've got coffee, tea, hot chocolate."
You looked at Chris with a tentative smile and without you having to say anything, he could tell you were wanting to pick whatever was easiest for Shirley, but you had no idea what she usually already had ready or would make. He spoke up, "We'll have tea. Milk and sugar for (Y/N). Thank you." He stood, "Can I help you?"
"Psh.", she waved her hand dismissively. "You know I always have tea ready. Though I could use help carrying the tray." She started to putter for the kitchen.
Chris followed her, "Sure. Of course." He winked at you before he disappeared from the room.
You were staring around the room at all the old family pictures on the walls and mantle while you heard the murmurs of Shirley and Chris's voices in the kitchen, then you heard Shirley's little voice yell out as loud as she could manage, "(Y/N), you don't need to sit in there alone! Get your cute little ass in here!"
You heard Chris's booming laughter as you stood and shouted back, chuckling, "Yes, ma'am!"
You all got back into the living room, sat and started to drink your tea. Shirley served tea in a plain white ceramic pot and in regular white coffee mugs. She was polite and proper enough, but didn't care too much about formalities, as displayed by her rather colorful invitation for you to join them in the kitchen earlier.
"So, Chris,", she started, rocking in her recliner, "how long have you and (Y/N) been together?"
"Oh, we're not-", he glanced at you and then back to Shirley, smiling awkardly. "We're just friends."
She narrowed her eyes, "No, you're not. Look at you two! Sitting so close she's almost in your lap. You hold hands, carry her around, treat her like a princess and I saw you kissin' on her out there." Old people apparently have a lot of time to watch their neighbors out the windows. She gave him a side glance, "Just friends my ass. More like friends who refuse to admit they wanna be lovers. I can tell you wanna be all over her, Chris."
You choked on your tea a little and Chris pressed his lips together, his face turning a little red, trying to stifle an embarrassed laugh and glancing at you to make sure you were okay, then looking anywhere else but at Shirley. You coughed once and then gathered your voice, "Jesus, lady, you don't pull any punches, do you?"
Chris threw his head back and laughed loudly as Shirley cackled and slapped her knee, "I like her!" She pointed at you, her face serious now, "She's a good one, Chris. You should be together."
He sighed and spoke up, "Well, Shirley,", he took your hand in his, "I'd like to, but she's not ready yet." He smiled at you. You forced a tight lipped smile and looked at the floor.
"Why the hell not? Have you seen him, (Y/N)? I know you have eyes, honey. And he's the sweetest young man you'll ever meet. He'd take real good care of you."
You nodded and gave her a hesitant smile, "I know. He already does."
Chris then interjected to try to rescue you from discomfort, addressing Shirley, "See,", he looked at you for approval and you nodded, gripping his hand a little tighter and he stroked your hand with his thumb reassuringly as he continued, "Sebastian and (Y/N) were together when he passed away."
Her face fell, "Oh my God, honey. I'm so sorry." She scooted forward in her seat. "Oh, hell. I'm such an insensitive ninny. I'm so sorry, sugar."
"It's okay, you didn't know." She looked really upset about giving you a hard time, so you stood and went to her, giving her a hug as she stay seated in her chair, "It's okay. Don't worry, okay?" You released her and straightened, giving her a warm smile.
"Good God, Chris. What a sweetie! I stuck my foot in my mouth at her expense and she hugs me!", she exclaimed. "You have GOT to get your hooks in her! She's a gem!"
He threw his hands up and his head back in mock frustration as he shouted playfully, "I'm trying!!!"
You all laughed as you returned to your seat next to him. You spoke now, "I have some residual feelings to work through. Chris is going away for a few months for work and then we'll see where we're at when he comes back." You smiled softly at him and he hitched up one side of his mouth. Hearing you say it out loud like that gave him so much hope.
"Well, I hope it works out for you two.", she beamed. "You seem so good for each other."
Chris furrowed his brows, tilted and dipped his head appreciatively, "Well, thanks, Shirley."
"And you better invite me to the wedding!", she demanded.
The rest of the day was spent as planned. After taking turns showering, you and Chris ate lunch and then cuddled in his bed and watched TV. He played with your hair, held you close and kissed you anywhere and everywhere he knew was okay to. He even pulled you on top of him with your head on his chest at one point in an attempt to be even closer to you. The more the minutes ticked away, the more you both clung tighter to each other. Three or four months was a long fucking time.
When the time came, you both got up and you helped him make his bed and helped make sure he had everything in order once he had gotten dressed and ready to go. Nat, Bruce, Sam and Maria met you both at the airport to say goodbye.
He said goodbye to you last. You were fine until he stepped in front of you and looked down at you. You could see the love in his eyes. You looked down at his chest as you started to tear up. He took you tightly in his arms as you hugged him back your head titled down. You let out a little sob against him and whimpered out quietly, "I need you. You better come back to me."
He whispered against your hair while he held your head gently against him, "Shhhh, don't cry, sweetheart. I will. I promise. I'll let you know when I'm there. I'm gonna miss you so much."
"I'll miss you too, Chris."
He pulled back and put a hand on either side of your jaw, wiping your tears away gently with his thumbs, your hands still on either side of his middle. His face looked pained... conflicted for a moment and then he leaned in and placed a soft, chaste kiss on your lips. You closed your eyes, pressed your lips back against his and a warmth filled you. Everything around you melted away. His lips left yours and his forehead came to rest on yours, you both had your eyes still closed, his hands still cupping your jaw as he whispered, "Please wait for me."
Your face twisted as you choked back a strong sob. You nodded slightly, your breath ragged, you gripped one of his wrists and whispered back, "I promise."
When he let go of you and stepped back, he was pressing his lips together tight, tears in his eyes. The sight choked you up as he starting walking backward, slowly. He forced a minuscule, closed lip smile, shaking his head, reminding you that he told you not to cry. You smiled a little and nodded. He smiled a bit wider and winked at you, then turned and walked away.