Everything Ends

The night was taking over now, and there was a soft, warming glow of the fire in their house. It gave everything a soft edge and made everything that bit more special. She wasn't home yet and Henry was in the kitchen searching the matt black cupboards for a decent bottle of wine. He found one, after a while, nestled between soft drink bottles. He reached in, wiped some dust off the label, uncorked it and poured two large glasses. It was a deep, blood red colour and slipped carefully from the bottle into the bulbous glasses, splashing gracefully up the sides. The moonlight was beginning to stream delicately through the window, lighting Henry's emotionless face. He sighed into the empty, silenced room and carried the glasses into the living room and the soft fire light shone through the translucent wine. The place looked nice, he had sprayed the air with a romantic rose like smell and put pretty, warm coloured flowers in vases around the room. He began to smile to himself in the satisfaction of his work, while crouching next to the stereo searching for a nice, relaxing song to play. He picked an album named 'Love Songs III' and pressed play. The notes were subtle yet overpowering and struck something up in his heart. Goosebumps appeared on his arms and little shivers trickled down his back. He felt the need to smile and he began to dance a little, and sauntered back into the kitchen.
He was moderately tall, with sleek dark, brown hair with blonde streaks. He had dark eyes fixed deeply in his head and his skin pulled tight around his tanned curvy cheeks. He had a dark stubble appearing on his chin and rigid jaw. He was a handsome guy. He was broad and strong at the shoulders and quite thin and lean. The one thing he did not do, was love himself, despite his slick character and rugged look. Tonight he was wearing a black tux with a dazzling white shirt and a black tie, he had hired the outfit from a shop downtown. He looked beautiful and manly. He glanced at his watch. She would be home in twenty minutes, and he could not wait much longer. He missed her like he would miss happiness. He had a strong bond, heart to heart, soul to soul, and they had lived together for a couple of months now. He looked at the small, velvet box sitting on the counter top, and felt sweat seep out of him.
He entered the living room again and sprawled himself on the couch for a few minutes, musing, and using all his strength to collect the bundle of confidence he would need. He sat bolt upright, as a key entered the lock and slowly turned. He heard each scrape of metal against metal seperate, and the world slowed almost to a stop. He stared into the bland white door as it creaked open slowly. An uncovered leg stepped into the house followed by another. Liz was home. He jumped up off the couch and gazed lovingly at her. Her strawberry blonde hair was wet, and a few soaked strands stuck to the carvature of her face and pale cheekbones. The rest was tied back in a loose ponytail, she looked shattered. Her eyes flicked up and into his, then down the suit and around the room. She sniffed at the air, making Henry's heart jerk a little. She smiled at him and his heart jigged vigourously in his chest, and he thought it might at any moment burst. He closed his eyes for a minute and recollected himself. He held out his hand to her and the firelight glowed on each of their faces, she took it and he led her to the couch, took off her coat, dried her off and sat her down. 'It's beautiful' her words echoed in his head and he nipped into the kitchen and obtained the velvet box, sticking it discreetly in his pocket. They began to drink the deep wine together and Liz told him of her day as he treasured every word her pale pinkish lips uttered. When she stopped to take a sip he began to sing the song playing from Love Songs III, it was Elton John, Can You Feel The Love Tonight. He could, every word was the sheer truth and he took her delicate hands in his and kissed her gently on the neck and collar bone, working his way up to her lips and he pressed delicately against them, while stroking her hands and neck with single fingers. When she asked what was going on he would simply reply, 'I love you, is all' and continue necking with her. He sat then, with his strong back against the couch and teased her head gently onto his chest. She could feel his every heartbeat, and knew it was beating for her. She nestled her head onto his shirt while he whispered sweet things. It was then he felt the tears soaking through his white shirt, and her fragile, refined body beginning to heave with emotion. A pain shuddered throughout him, and he lifted her head up by tilting the chin and kissed her. She was distracted, and he pressed harder, trying to get participation from her. She pulled away, lokoed at him and smiled weakly. He hastened his actions, and pulled the box from his pocket and hid it behind his back. He took her hand in his, looked straight into her blue eyes and told her, 'Liz, We've been living together for a few months now, right? And..' He stopped to swallow and gulp in some rosey air, 'well I know damn sure I love you with all the power my heart and soul possesses. I wanted this night to be perfect, I tried my hardest, I hope it has been as incredible and utterly mind blowing for you as it has been for me. I love you.' He opened the velvet box and removed the shining ring, studded with three diamonds in the shape of stars. He held her pale hand and tried to slip the ring on, she declined and drew her hand back and fell into further flurries of tears. He held her in his arms until the sobbing ceased.
'I can't,' she managed to squeeze these words out between tears
'What? Why?!' the sound of desperation in his voice chilled her
'I haven't been faithful, I-I've been seeing someone, I never thought it was this ser-' She collapsed. Henry was speechless and absolutely dumbfounded.
'Well explain to me what we can do about it, Liz, please, I love you more than anything, I can't, can't be without you. Please, I'm on my knees here.'
She was waving her arms and sobbing hyterically. The firelight had grown angry and impatient. It licked the stones behind it leaving black ash. He stared down at the heartbreaking tears on his suit, then to the unfinished wine.
'I've got to go, I can't st-'
'No, Liz, at least finish your wine, please' his voice had speeded up and was cracking with tears. He grasped her shoulders with his hands and hugged her tightly while tears streamed from his eyes, glistening in the silver moonlight pouring in through the window, pallid like her skin. He pulled away from his grip and he stroked a finger down her face.
'I can't live without you. I'm sorry'
He walked away and stared out the window with his hands gripping his hair in frustration.
'Henry dear-'
'Don't call me that! I've spent this whole day and night preparing for our life together and this is how you tell me! You've even stained my shirt with your.. your corrupted, false tears!' He was hysterical at this point, and his rugged face was soaked. 'Do you love me?!'
'Henry, listen...'
'Answer the bloody question!'
'I did, I don't any more. Bye, I should mabye see you someday.'
She went upstairs leaving him drowning in the wine and his own sorrow. He ripped the tie off his neck and threw it into the fire and it exploded in a frenzy, almost laughing at him, devouring it's new fuel.
After an hour or so, she left silently not forgetting to kiss his stubbled cheek. It grated against her skin and hurt. Henry had passed out from drinking alchohol on the couch and was lying with his head hanging upside down, his eyelids open, revealing bloodshot whites. his tux was stained at the cuffs eith either blood or wine, she couldn't be sure. She locked the door behind her and left for a new life.