Gifts

[jarndyceheir]

As promised, Richard does have a gift for Ada. He just needs to find her

Comments

[dearcousin]

Ada is out and about, no doubt and rhyming, apparently, and will surely run across him sooner or later.

[jarndyceheir]

"My dear. Merry Christmas." He smiles and kisses her cheek.

[dearcousin]

"Merry Christmas!" she replies with a kiss in kind, perhaps more enthusiastic than usual, in the spirit of the season.

[jarndyceheir]

"May I give you your present now?"

[dearcousin]

She laughs. "Yes, of course."

[jarndyceheir]

He looks boyishly excited. "Come, I have to take you to it." He takes her hand, and moves down the hall.

[dearcousin]

"Very well," she says, laughing, and lets him pull her along.

[jarndyceheir]

"I'll move it to your room, later, if you like." And he pulls her into a small room where he's moved a small but beautiful pianoforte. "I know how you liked to play..."

[dearcousin]

"Oh!" A hand flies to her mouth. "How did you--?"

[jarndyceheir]

"With pleasure," he grins. "So you like it?"

[dearcousin]

She just nods.

[jarndyceheir]

"I confess, it was partly selfish," he says, after a moment, lower. "I've missed hearing you play."

[dearcousin]

She cannot help laughing. "Qu- quite selfish, indeed."

[jarndyceheir]

He, on impulse, picks her up and spins her, putting her down again. "Merry Christmas," he repeats.

[dearcousin]

"Oh!" She laughs and, when he has set her down, kisses him. "Thank you."

[jarndyceheir]

He returns it of course. "You're very welcome."