@beatingheart-bride

"I had no idea," Randall admitted, as he held Emily close, rubbing her arm gently to bring her some comfort (as well as to bring himself some too, given everything weighing on his mind as well). "I...there's a lot I didn't know they'd say since you got here!"

His parents offering her the key to the house as a gesture of trust, being so sympathetic to her story when they heard it, wanting her to have a place in their family through their marriage, assuring her that she would have their support no matter what...it was all completely unexpected to him, especially in the face of their previous rejection of her, but it was far from being an unwelcome change of heart, that was for sure.

"I know it feels...really surreal, honestly, but...I'm still happy with how this has all gone since last night," he confessed, smiling lightly to her: How could he not be? His parents were able to mend fences and make amends with Emily, they'd gotten to truly know her, to trust her, and had come to care for her, enough to welcome her into their home and their family with open arms. It was the outcome he'd hoped for that night he brought Emily home to reveal the big news to them, and although that outcome had been delayed, he was glad it came to fruition after all.

The elephant in the room was still there, of course-the topic of mortality versus immortality, a life shared eternally, or to be doomed to be parted once again by age and time...but Randall just didn't want to think about it now. All he wanted to think about was Emily, the sensation of her in his arms, and how at peace he was with her.