I finished reading Eveline, a short story from Dubliners, and decided that she needed a happy ending, where they actually loved each other. So here it is, from Frank's POV.

She sat at the window watching the evening invade the avenue. Her head was leaned against the window curtains and in her nostrils was the odour of dusty cretonne. She was tired.

At least, that's what Frank feared as he rounded the corner and sighted his girlfriend--no, fiance--in the window. Her normally-bright green eyes seemed gray as they traced the path of a man nearing the newer development down the street. Knowing Evvy, the girl was probably thinking about her childhood and all the things she'd lost.

Frank knew that Eveline had problems. Between her abusive father and enabling brother, she'd spent her life giving and giving. He could still recall their first encounter, when he had stood at the gate of his new house, about to race to the Stores for an emergency dose of Easter eggs. She had offered to walk him there and directed him to the item, all while charming him with her selflessness and playful courting. Since then, Frank had come to realize that his fiance was naturally selfless, to the point where she did some really stupid stuff to please others.

They were leaving for Buenos Ayres, Frank's hometown, but he knew Eveline would have some trouble. Frank himself was a little apprehensive, but his excitement at starting a new life with the girl he loved overrode that.

Bent on surprising the girl, he climbed the rafter to obscure her vision through the window. Upon casting his shadow over Eveline, the girl startled and fell out of her chair. At the sight of his fiance on the floor, Frank laughed and mouthed:

-Can I come in?

She nodded, eyes wide as she lifted the window open. Frank eased himself in, gazing about the room. A yellowing photograph of a priest, lots of dust, and lots of brown. He couldn't wait to bring her to his bright and tropical hometown.

-Oh, Frank, I don't know if I can do this.

She went on to describe her fears of leaving. What if Harry grew lonely? She couldn't leave him with her father. And her father needed someone to get the groceries, even if she had to fight him for the money and endure his comments. Besides, their time wasn't half-bad. They had gone to the Hill of Howth once, and he had worn her mother's bonnet to make them laugh.

Frank wrapped his girl in a hug, breathing in her scent, still distinctive and slightly dizzying through the dusty atmosphere that always shrouded Dublin. She always seemed to him a star shining through the thick clouds of Dublin, and he wished she could see what he saw. How her eyes would light up with fascination as he spoke to her about his time overseas. She wanted it, damn it! Why couldn't she see?

Instead of telling her this, he whispered soft words of encouragement. He described leaves so green that it made Irish eyes look dull, and a sun that shone so brightly that it burned the clouds away. He described how they would dance to the sound of trumpets and drums, and how they would breathe in air without the stench of alcoholism.

After some time, she broke his comforting murmurs.

-Frank, I promised my mother that I would stay. I need to keep the family together. For her.

Frank pulled away, tracing a rough hand down her smooth cheek, pushing a red strand of hair out of her green eyes.

-Evvy, you don't need to do anything. Follow your heart, babe. You have done so much. You deserve this. Now, are you ready?

Eveline nodded, her bottom lip quivering. To stabilize it, Frank pulled her into a soft kiss.

-It's all going to be fine. Just relax.

---

It was clear that she was not relaxed. He held her hand on the docks and reminded her of the bright future that awaited them, but she didn't seem to hear a single word. Her eyes were frightened, like an animal's, flicking back and forth between the massive black ship and the brown-clad soldiers.

-Evvy? Did you hear me?

-Huh?

Frank sighed.

-Babe, I asked if you were excited. You know, big blue skies, you and me, the customary intimidation speech with Papi.

Normally, she would have laughed, but instead Eveline was silent. Her cheeks were pale and her lips were tracing words, over and over again. She ducked her head, and Frank realized that she was praying.

-Father, son, and holy spirit, please direct me. Show me my duty. Father, son, and holy spirit...

Frank rubbed her shoulder fondly and turned his gaze to the ship. His heart quickened at the sight of it. Their future, together! He would see Eveline's smile--her real one, where the corners of her eyes crinkled and her lips curled up to reveal her gums. He would see it every day, and he would smile back. The thought of her brought a grin to his face.

They were shouted at to go on, and Frank eagerly boarded the ship. He noticed that the warm body next to him was not Eveline's, and leaned over the railing to grasp her hand.

-Come!

She stiffened, and Frank could see the panic rising in her. His eyes widened as her hand tightened around the iron rail.

-Come!

Frank repeated himself, hoping to break through her haze, but she had that look on her face. Eyes wide, the corners of her mouth folded down in an ugly grimace, a slight shake to her movements. It was the face she had when she told him of her father. She was paralyzed. He wasn't her ticket but her escape, a momentary distraction, no matter how sweet. Frank's heart seized.

-Eveline! Evvy!

Her hand slid from his grasp as the ship moved. Pushing people aside, he lunged for the barrier, breaking it, reaching for his fiance. She looked like a helpless animal, clutching her chains like they were her lifeline. Hanging her own noose. Her green eyes gave no sign of recognition, or love, as they clouded over with gray.

Frank looked down, and gulped. The ship was by no means a low-lying dinghy. He pushed his way past the crowd, reaching for a lower exit. Shouts battered him as he burst down stairs and reached a porthole. Without hesitation, he undid his belt and flung the metal at the porthole. A lifetime of sailing gave him the strength to shatter it, and without another thought he threw himself out the porthole.

The water was so cold it stung, but Frank pushed through. Ice pushed back at him, and he felt his limbs stiffening, but he kept swimming. Pulling himself onto the docks, he stood, gazing at Eveline, breath ragged and laboured.

Exhausted, he collapsed into her, soaking through her clothes.

-Evvy.

He had little breath to say more, and instead clutched her, soaking in her body heat. He felt her hands on his soaked shirt, grasping him.

-Oh, Frank.

He pressed his lips to hers.

-Shh, it's okay.

-Frank, how can you forgive me?

Frank pulled away and gazed into her eyes. He could see that the recognition had returned and love was flooding back into them.

-Because I know you. And if you weren't ready, I understand. I'll wait here until you are.

-Frank. You have your future ahead of you. I know you want the bright sunlight and the green trees. Why did you leave?

Frank smiled sadly, drinking in the sight of his beloved.

-Eveline, don't you understand? The bright sun is nothing compared to the girl whose smile lights up the whole room. The green leaves are nothing compared to your eyes. No amount of riches can compare to your kisses. Everything means nothing without you. Besides, you can't be interrogated by my parents if you're not there, can you?

She laughed, and he hugged her tightly, again.

-Evvy, if you're not ready, that's okay. I'll just have to do a better job convincing you.

She gazed up at him, eyes brimming with tears. He wanted to kiss them away, but refrained.

-But the tickets--?

-We'll get the next ship. Don't worry. The only ticket I need is the one to your heart.

Eveline playfully shoved him, laughing.

-You are so goddamn cheesy.

-Hey, if you push me again, I might end up in the Atlantic Ocean again.

-What, like this?

-Hey!

-And this?

Frank wobbled over the edge of the dock, arms flailing for anything, and eventually landing on his fiance. A sly grin spread across his face.

-And you might end up in the ocean with me.

Her eyes widened in true shock, but by then they had both lost their balance, and they tumbled into the ocean together. Water rushed around them, but Frank pushed Eveline to the surface, before surfacing after her. He laughed at the sight of her red hair matted to her face. She frowned and splashed him.

After a few more splashes, the two of them ended their impromptu swim and pulled themselves onto the dock. Eveline shivered and buried her head in Frank's shoulder. He entertained himself by playing with her hair, squeezing little droplets out of it and letting them fall into the ocean.

-Evvy, you don't deserve to stay here. Dublin doesn't deserve you. They're all trapped, stuck in the same routine, like the rest of the world is moving on and they're in a little bubble of time. You're not like that. You have the rivers of Brazil and the winds of Egypt in your blood. And you have me in your heart.

Eveline chuckled, and pressed a kiss to Frank's cheek.

-Something's gotta give, Evvy. I don't want to see you stuck here when you've been played by this island. Look, I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that I'll save you, because I can't. I'll provide a boat to a better place, and loving arms to fall into. But ultimately it's up to you. You've gotta be the one who gets up and gets what you want. I'll support you no matter what you do. But I really, really want to see the day when my girl sees the world.

Eveline played with the hem of his shirt and avoided eye contact.

-I don't need to go to Buenos Ayres to see the world. You are my world. You are my universe.

-Oh, come on. You gave them your world. Let's go somewhere else. They get Ireland, and you get better. Besides, I really just want you to meet the folks and see where I come from. Worst case scenario, we come back when you're done. But I don't think you'll do that.

-My family needs me....

-Your family will be fine. Your father can shop for himself and your brother can support himself. Evvy, you have nothing here. Out there is where your future lies. On the open seas, with me. So what do you say? Next ship outta here, you and me, and this time I don't have to go swimming to convince you?

Eveline laughed.

-No, seriously. I'm freezing. I'd rather not jump off a massive cruise ship again.

-Yeah. I think I'm ready now.

Frank hugged her tightly, breathing in the distinct Eveline scent beneath the sharp sting of sea salt.

-That's my girl. I love you so much, do you know that?

-I love you too, Frank. Oh, how I love you!