She heaved her suitcase onto the train platform, thankful for the shade of the station. The platform was oddly peaceful. Giant trees surrounding the station formed a canopy against the glaring sunlight, keeping the temperature cool, comfortable. Families and couples, young and old, walked briskly past her, intent on catching the next train.

She tucked her golden hair behind her ear and glanced at the watch on her arm. 2.47pm. 13 more minutes. Her heart started beating that inconsistent rhythm again. She bit her bottom lip and wondered...

Straightening the back of her blouse, she sat on her suitcase, placing her chin in her left hand as she rested her arm on her knee. Her sapphire eyes unfocused as she wondered.

Was she being foolish? Was it right to have left everything behind? Would her parents have approved? She sighed and closed her eyes. It hadn't been an easy decision to leave him. After all they had been through, all the times he had comforted her, stood by her, loved her.

She shook her head to clear the depressing thoughts. No, no more. She was only hurting him the longer she stayed beside him.

She opened her eyes and looked at her watch again. 3.03pm.

She gripped the watch on her left hand. He was never late.

Her hands fidgeted and played with the threads on the hem of her blouse, her expression filled with worry.

3.10pm. He wasn't coming.

She let out a shuddery breath as tears began to well in her eyes. She closed her eyes and the tears silently rolled down her cheeks. Her fists were clenched in her lap.

He wasn't coming. He wasn't coming. He wasn't coming. She should have...

A cool sensation covered her left fist and her eyes shot open. She looked down onto her lap and saw beloved pale, long fingers covering her fist. Another long finger tilted her chin up to look into a pair of bright, albeit apologetic, opal eyes. He was kneeling down in his favourite black suit, the first button of his white shirt undone. His dark brown hair was tousled and there were beads of sweat on his forehead. His mask was slightly askew and she reached out to straighten it.

"Forgive me my dear. The cab decided to breakdown just ten minutes from here and I... Why are you crying?". She heard the slight fear that had crept into his voice.

"I thought you weren't coming...", she whispered.

"Oh, my dear..", he said with a sad smile.

He leaned forward and tenderly kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes at the sensation. He kissed her eyelids and her tears before he lovingly caressed her cheek.

Then, he gently brought her to his chest and whispered in her ear, "Never doubt my actions when it comes to you my dear. Besides, how could I not have come when a particularly stunning beauty was to meet me here, hmm?".

She laughed softly and tightened her arms around his waist before pulling back to look into his eyes.

"I'm afraid such elaborate praises won't get you out of such tardiness, dearest. I expect much more to make up for your inexcusable lateness.", she replied, her eyes twinkling.

His mouth broke into a mischievous grin as he spoke quietly, "Oh, I assure you my dear, I will do my utmost best to earn your most desirable forgiveness."

And in one fluid motion, he scooped her up into his arms.

"Erik!", she cried in surprise as he chuckled.

"What about our bags, dearest?", she asked, laughing as he started walking forwards, towards the train that had just pulled in.

"Not to worry my dear. Nadir! Bags, if you please!", he yelled over his shoulder.

Nadir muttered darkly under his breath as he lugged Erik's, Christine's and his own suitcase towards the train. "I'm not the butler, for god's sake..."

Christine smiled and shook her head as she rested her head on his chest. He kissed her temple and entered the carriage, his beloved securely in his arms.

-–-

Umm yeah, I like fluff. :P