William Herondale downed another sherry as he looked outside the window at the busy Londoners rushing by. The silence of the Institute rang in his ears. No violin music from Jem. No laughter from Tessa. The only noise was the soft cooing of Henry and Charlotte's baby. His depression grew more intense as he stared outside the window. He thought back to the day his world collapsed around him- had that only been last week?- and sighed. His best friend Jem had told him he was going to the Silent City to try and recover from his illness that was killing him and his fiancé, whom Will was madly in love with, followed him to wait for him. Now, Will was alone. Well he had Henry and Charlotte but they had their own lives to focus on and they couldn't spend their time with him. He kept feeling sorry for himself as he made some tea and heard a knock on the front door. He ignored it but no one was answering.

"Is anyone going to get that?" he called rather annoyed

When he realized no one was, he scowled and went to open it "What?" he snapped irritably

The woman on the steps blinked and tipped her head "Am I at the wrong place?"

Will rolled his eyes "What or who are you looking for?"

"The Institute." She said softly

"Well you found it."

She sighed in relief and smiled "I am glad"

Will eyed her cautiously "You're Irish"

"I am" she nodded

"Name?"

"Elvira Meriwether"

"Elvira? Odd name"

"I agree. I never liked it"
"Well you better come in and find Char"

"Thank you Mister…?"

"Herondale. William Herondale. My friends call me Will."

"Pleasure to meet you" she picked up her bag and followed him.

"You're awfully short." He peered down at her

"I cannot help that." She shrugged

He led her to where Charlotte was and watched her smile shyly at her.

"You must be Elvira" charlotte smiled warmly

She nodded "Pleasure to meet you, miss"

"Call me Charlotte. This is my husband Henry. You've already met Will"

She glanced at him "Yes I have had that pleasure"

Henry snorted "Will being his normal, charming self I assume?"

Will scowled at Henry and went to his room. Charlotte sighed and walked with Elvira so she could see her room.

"Don't mind Will. He's been through a lot and isn't reacting well"

Elvira nodded in understanding "That is understandable"
Charlotte showed her to her room and smiled "I hope you like it here, Elvira."

"Thank you Charlotte." Elvira set her bag down and started unpacking. She placed her books on the nightstand and hung up her dresses. She did not hear Will lean against her doorframe.
"Shakespeare fan?"

She jumped and spun around "Mr. Herondale!"
"Will is fine"

"You surprised me"

He sauntered in and picked up her book collection "Shakespeare and Dickens."

She nodded "I love their works."

"Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, David Copperfield, Nicholas Nickleby… Tale of Two Cities…" he stiffened

"You don't like that one?"

"It's not that. I just knew someone who loved it."

She nodded "That one might be my favorite Dickens. "

"Not you too. I still think it's gloomy"

"It's beautiful. Like Romeo and Juliet. Death was the only way the problem could be solved. Sacrifice is the truest expression of love."

He watched her and pondered those words "That is very deep, Elvira"
she offered a smile and continued unpacking.
"This all the books you own?'"

"Books are quite heavy. I couldn't carry my whole collection so I had to sell most of them for train and boat fare"

"How large was the collection?"

"I had books by Wilkie Collins, Jane Austen, more Shakespeare, more Dickens, and some Scott. Poetry. It was so hard having to sell most of them and just take what I couldn't live without."

He leaned against the doorframe "Your accent is very heavy"
"I lived in Ireland all my life."

"Why come here?"

"New start."

"Why?"

"That is none of your business." She closed the door to the wardrobe and smoothed back loose pieces of blonde hair.

He scowled in frustration "I don't like blondes" he snapped

She raised a brow "I never asked you to like me. "

He could not argue with that so he simply left the room. Elvira shrugged and finished her unpacking. He stormed down the hall and into the dark recesses of his room. He pretty much ignored Elvira as she settled in and she did not really mind. She was not here to make friends. She was here to train. Will watched her train diligently and admired her form. Though she was short, she had a nice figure and even if Will was no longer interested in love, he could admire a gorgeous female figure. He watched her as she practiced in her black trousers that showed off her slim waist and her shapely legs. His eyes wandered to her blonde hair pulled back into a braid and her full pink lips. She blew at a loose ringlet and he was curious about what her hair looked like loose and unbound. He could not take his eyes off her for a moment. He watched her in admiration until she caught him

"Like what you see?" she grinned

"I can always admire a female form, Elvira" he smirked

"Even if her hair is blonde?"

He chuckled and nodded "Even then"

He sauntered off and she watched him. Will took to watching her every day she practiced and a tentative friendship grew between them. Before Will knew what was happening, he started to fall for her. He sought out ways to see her and make her smile. He liked that dimple in her cheek when she laughed and found anyway to make it appear. He wanted to tangle his fingers in her blonde hair and his hands itched to touch it.

One night, sleep would not come to Will. He laid in his bed staring at the ceiling. He went down for a drink and found Elvira awake. His heart fluttered a little.

"Couldn't sleep?"

She shook her head and shivered

"Come."

She followed him into the library. He sat her down and wrapped a blanket around her

"There. You are so little that you feel the cold easier"

She smiled at him and his heart soared

"Why are you awake, Will?"
He looked down "I miss Jem."

She covered his hand with hers and listened as he poured out the tale.

"Oh will. I am so sorry"

Will barely heard her as he watched her. He tucked a loose blonde ringlet behind her ear. She leaned into his hand when he trailed it down her cheek

"Your hair is so soft. And curly"

She nodded "It's natural"

He traced her jaw with his fingers and she shivered which made him smile.

"Elvira…Evvy…" he breathed

"Evvy?" she smiled

"I made up a nickname for you" he grinned

"I quite like it."

"Well then, Evvy- my Evvy- I find that I rather want to kiss you if I may"

She smiled "you have my permission"

He threaded his hands in her soft hair and tugged her close to him. He smiled then placed his lips on hers, unprepared for the jolt of electricity that would arise from the kiss. He closed his eyes and kissed on, tugging her onto his lap. When they finally stopped, he rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes, rubbing her back slowly. She spread the blanket over them both and snuggled into his side. They talked softly until they both fell asleep.

Will woke up with golden curls in his face. He smiled and looked down at the little lady in his arms. She stirred
"Did I fall asleep?" she murmured

He smiled and nodded "I did too, love. Best sleep I've had in a while."

She smiled and smoothed his hair. He kissed her palm causing her to giggle.

"I must look a sight" she attempted to smooth a few wayward curls

He stopped her hands "A beautiful sight" he kissed her forehead "Ev, I never thought I would feel like this again. I never thought I would feel again"

She chewed her lip "I have to tell you something"

"You aren't married are you?" he joked

She smiled "No. it's about my father"

He nodded "Go on then"

She took a breath "My mother was a hunter. She gave up that life to marry a vampire-a reformed one-and then they had me…when I was a baby; he was killed because of what he was. And then my mother was killed for loving him. I was left orphaned. No one wanted me. I lived in an orphanage where I was left alone because of who my father was. "

He frowned and tightened his grip on her waist

She sighed shakily "I was alone until I came here. No one ever wanted me… until you"

He cupped her face in his hands "I want you. I am falling in love with you, Elvira Rose Merriweather"

She gasped and tears started spilling down her cheeks

"Don't cry, Ev" he begged her

"No one has ever loved me" she whispered

He hugged her close and kissed her ear "I'm here, love" he whispered

She hugged him "I should go get changed"

He sighed and let her go "Do hurry back"

She giggled and went to her room. She left her hair down and pulled on a light blue dress then hurried back down to him. he grinned and opened his arms. She let him gather her close

"Are you sure you're ok?" she looked at him