Ethan had never felt so alone.

It was February 14th, a day which he used to like. This year was different though. Wasn't Valentines Day meant for spending time with loved ones? Well, what was he supposed to do when he didn't have anyone? Not only did he no longer have his family, but now he didn't even have Alicia either, and all of his friends were off out for dinner with their various partners.

He had no one.

He tried not to worry too much. He tried to think of it as just a normal day, but it didn't work. It was still February 14th and he still felt lonely.

"Any plans for tonight?" Connie asked, after he'd finished the late shift that he'd volunteered to work.

"No," he sighed and shook his head. "I'll probably just head straight to bed to be honest."

"Ethan," Connie called as he went to leave. "You don't have to make such a big deal out of Valentines Day. Honestly, it's just a day like any other. You don't need to be with someone to be happy."

"Thank you, Mrs Beauchamp," Ethan said.

In his heart, he knew she was right. None of her words made him feel any better though. He left the ED in alone and in darkness, the hood of his coat up as it slowly started to pour down with rain. Even the weather hated him.

He slowly arrived back at the deserted flat that he'd had to himself since Cal's death, only to find the door was already open. Anxiously, he stepped inside. He was terrified of coming face to face with burglars, but instead he came face to face with a red, heart-shaped balloon and a bunch of rose petals. Attached to the balloon's string was a card.

He gulped and unhooked the card so he could read it. On the front was a boy and a girl eating spaghetti the way they did in the Disney film, Lady and the Tramp. He smiled for the first time that day.

Dear Ethan,

Happy Valentines Day to the only man I truly loved.

Love From your secret admirer xxxx

He was so confused. The letter was typed, a clever way of giving a card so that the handwriting wasn't a dead giveaway. Who could have done such a nice gesture? He shut the door behind him and slowly and nervously followed the rose petals along to the living room. The room was dark, apart from the small glow of candle light from the table in front of the sofa. He saw the boxes of pizza before he saw the figure on the sofa.

Alicia.

"Alicia," he whispered and stared at the card in his hand before looking back to her. "What on earth are you doing here? You're supposed to be in Manchester."

She shrugged her shoulders and said, "I wanted you to have a good Valentines Day. Are you happy?"

"Y...Yeah," Ethan stuttered as small tears trickled down his cheeks. "Extremely."

Alicia stood up and walked over to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"I miss you so much," she sighed. "What I said before...Before I left, it was wrong and..."

"Don't." Ethan shook his head at her and pressed his forehead against hers. "You're here now and that's all that matters. I don't want you to jeopardise your career for me though."

"I'm not," Alicia said. "I have to go back in a couple of days." Ethan nodded faintly and another tear escaped his eye. "We still have plenty of time though," she said. "Happy Valentines Day, Ethan. I love you."

He smiled and leaned in to kiss her right on the lips. "I love you too."

And it had slowly gone from the worse day ever to the best day ever.

I hope you liked it. It was only meant to be a small one-shot but I may extend it one day when I have the time. Let me know what you think and Happy Valentines Day to you all. I don't have a boyfriend but I still enjoy the day :-) x