- Two Months Later -

"Do you really have to go?" Shoto turned on his side to look at Veronica, pouting.

She sighed, reaching over to ruffle his soft red and white hair as she looked at him. "Yeah, I do. My aunt is going to travel, so I can't stay at home alone."

"But then I won't be able to see you everyday," he whined. "Can't you just come and live with us?"

She shook her head. Since they'd met, Shoto and her had been forced to spend at least one hour a day together, longer if she didn't have extra lessons. Not that she was complaining. It was to make sure that the two of them got along and liked each other, since they were supposed to be getting married when they both got older.

Shoto had quickly become her best friend, both of them bonding over the ridiculous amount of rules, restrictions and rigorous training that was being forced onto them. When they were together, they were allowed to play and be kids, and they definitely enjoyed each others company. Even if he was two years younger than her, he was still fun to play with and talk to.

"No. If I live here my classes will be too far away for me to go." Caroline had decided that while she was off traveling the world with her latest boyfriend, Veronica was going to be shipped off to an elite, private all girls boarding school a few hours away.

"But your school is too far away!" Shoto cried, grabbing onto her waist and clinging to her. "How are we going to play together?"

She smiled down at him reassuringly. "I'm coming to stay with you every weekend, remember? So we get to play and have a sleep over every week."

His eyes sparkled. "Does that mean you get to sleep in my bed with me?"

She nodded. "Yeah, so I don't have to leave after reading you your bedtime story anymore." She hugged him, his fuzzy green pjs tickling her arms.

He snuggled into her chest. "Good."

Veronica giggled at his obvious contentment. "So what do you want to read for bed time tonight?"

Shoto looked up at her, his eyes growing bright. "Can we keep reading Alice in Wonderland?"

She brushed the hair out of his face and nodded. He smiled and let go of her, scrambling out of bed and running over to the small bookshelf in the corner of his bedroom. Grabbing the book, he rushed back over to the bed, crawling over her to get back to his side before placing the book in her lap.

The book had been a gift to them from his mother, after she'd caught Veronica reading picture books to him one day. She wasn't happy that Endeavour had arranged for the two of them to get married, but she couldn't help the smile that appeared every time she watched them playing together, nor could she ignore the obvious fact that they both adored each other.

As Shoto settled back under the covers with Veronica, leaning against her side to look up and watch her, she opened the book to where they'd last left off and began to read.

She finished the chapter, looking down at Shoto, who was still leaning against her as he struggled to stay awake. His eyes kept opening and closing lazily, his breathing even. It was obvious he hadn't noticed that she'd stopped reading. Oh my god! He's so cute! Tears pricked at her eyes. I'm going to miss seeing him every day.

"Sho-sho," Veronica whispered his nick name, reaching over to shake him lightly. He blinked a couple of times, then yawned, stretching against her. She smiled at how adorable he looked, half asleep with his fluffy hair sticking every which way. "It's time for me to go."

He nodded, dazed, as he slowly sat up, allowing her to slip out of his bed. She set the book down on his night stand, then leaned over to tuck him in as he laid down.

"You leave tomorrow, right?" He asked after yawning again.

"Yeah," She sighed. "But I'll see you again in a week for our first sleep over, okay?"

Shoto nodded. "Nica?" He asked tentatively, looking down at his hands. She smiled slightly at his use of her nick name.

"What is it Sho-sho?" She asked as she sat down on this edge of his bed.

He fidgeted with his fingers for a few seconds before looking up at her, his cheeks slightly flushed. "Can I have a kiss?"

Veronica's eyes widen in surprise, taken aback. "A kiss? Why?"

"Well," he started fidgeting with his hands again. "We're going to get married one day, right? So shouldn't we kiss when we say goodbye?" Shoto looked up at her, grey and turquoise eyes filled with hope, his lips slightly pouted, some of his bangs falling into his eyes.

How could I say no to that face? She sucked in a breath, cheeks becoming pink with embarrassment. "Yeah, we are going to get married, so I guess that's okay."

A smile broke across his face, melting her heart. She gulped in air. If this is what my life's going to be like, how will my heart ever survive?

Shoto closed his eyes and pursed his lips, waiting patiently for her to kiss him. Veronica smiled and shook her head, then leaned down and gave him a quick peck on the lips, her cheeks now a dark crimson.

"Goodbye Sho-sho," she waved to his sleepy form as she quickly made her escape from his bedroom, her heart hammering in her chest the whole way home.