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.

[dearcousin]

"Here, come," she says, starting towards it. "--if you would like."

[jarndyceheir]

"I would love to."

[dearcousin]

She sits and very carefully lifts the lid. "A Christmas song, perhaps?" she asks softly, half to herself.

[jarndyceheir]

"Whatever you like." He smiles. "If you play one I know, I'll be happy to sing."

[dearcousin]

She pauses a moment before starting into a hesitant 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.'

[jarndyceheir]

He smiles and begins to sing along, his voice amateurish, but fine enough.

[dearcousin]

She joins in, after a moment, more softly and shyly.

[jarndyceheir]

His voice is strong and steady, and though he at first smiles at her, eventually, he looks out at the room. His looks is eased, and free, and he might remind Ada of those first few weeks she knew him, back at Bleak House.

[dearcousin]

It does, and she can only watch him a moment before directing her gaze quite intently back down at the keys. Her voice, in contrast, falters.

[jarndyceheir]

He glances down, blinking. His voice is steady, but he looks worried.

[dearcousin]

When the song comes to an end, which presumably it must, she brings her hands down into her lap and looks up with a little smile.

[jarndyceheir]

"Are you alright, my dear?" he asks gently.

[dearcousin]

"Oh, yes! It is lovely."

[jarndyceheir]

He smiles. "It is so good to hear you play again. It felt... it felt like old times."

[dearcousin]

"I thought the same."