The day slowly counted down to when Prim was coming. Gale spent countless hours preparing the extra room, he repainted it and put some new furniture in to fit. The walls were a beautiful and quiet greyish blue. The furniture was all white and the bedding was gingham to match the walls. He had gone into town and bought the most amazing smelling jasmine bath salts and shower gels. He had cleaned the house and had practically planned the week. It was all or nothing.

There was nothing much left to do. Gale's eyes glazed over at work just waiting for Prim's arrival. The visit of president Trau was all over the news and in some of the shots played on the television he could see Prim standing behind, her hair perfect with the exception of one hair, that was completely free. Her lips a cotton candy pink and her eyes a bold and blazing turquoise that stood out from the sea of black and gray suits. That was how it had always been, the one in the back but the one that stood out the most.

It was the night. The furnace had been turned on just right, the room smelled lightly of fresh linen, the house was spotless, the tea was made as well as some biscuits, and dinner was well underway. Gale expected Prim to be tired from travel and made the house to be a somewhat paradise for her to be welcomed to. Maybe he thought If I could play this right she might think I live this happy. Gale had never really moved on from what happened so many years ago. He never thought he could. Maybe, He was wrong.

knock, knock. Gale's heart was beating like a drum and his stomach burst into a thousand butterflies. He approached the door, straightened his hair, then opened it. There she was, blonde hair flying in the wind, pink lips turned slightly blue from the cold, and teary blue eyes from the wind, and he thought She's beautiful.

"Hi Gale, it's lovely to see you" She pulled him into a hug "Your house is absolutely beautiful"

"Lovely to see you too!" Gale replied, one arm around her, another holding one of her bags "Thanks, come on in. Tea's made and dinner is almost ready"

Prim marveled at the home and the second she walked in, ran straight to the furnace to warm up. Gale went to pour the tea as she gained back her body heat. He placed the cups of boiling hot tea on the brand new coasters and went to grab the warmest blanket he could find. Gale picked up the nice silk and wool mix one he had bought a couple of years ago. When he returned Prim was sipping on her cup, still wearing all her outerwear. Gale sat next to her and began to drink his.

"So, how's the tour with Trau been?" Gale tried to make small chat.

"It's been good. Boring, just sitting in seminars and doing paperwork but travelling through all the districts has been amazing." She sipped more

"Like I said before, the house is immaculate and it smells amazing. Are you sure you're Gale?" She joked

"I swear it's me. I just wanted to make it nice for a guest." Gale smiled

"Well thank you. The places I've stayed during this tour... this is a very pleasant surprise" She fumbled with her fingers

Gale stared longingly into her eyes, hoping she didn't notice him watching her. The way her hair fell and the way she was, well it just was. It was unexplainable and intriguing. The oven beeped. The chicken was finished. Gale rose from his seat and grabbed the chicken from the kitchen. He sliced it and served it on the new chinaware with some veggies and potatoes. Gale placed the plates on opposite ends of the table and grabbed a pitcher of water to place in the middle of the table.

"Prim, dinner is ready" Gale called over

"One sec, I'm just getting changed" She yelled back

Gale took his seat and eyed down the other side of the table. Was the chair cushion cushy enough? Was the cutlery perfectly lined up? Were the veggies salted appropriately? His mind raced with stupid and unnoticeable questions. Although, his mind came to a complete halt when Prim walked into the room. She had changed into a beautiful red dress, form fitting at the top and flowing to the knees. Her hair and makeup were done quite simply and naturally but she looked like a goddess.

"I'm sorry, it's just habit. Trau believes his associates are prepped and dressed adequately for meetings and group meals." She sat down at the other end

"It's fine. You look great. Again." Gale laughed

They kept mostly quiet for the meal. Quiet bites and munches here and there but nothing. Was time a reason? He hadn't seen here in 7 years. How did he think he knew her?

"Gale this is great. It's just simple but it's nice. Every meal with Trau is a big affair full of rich,salty foods. It just makes me feel lethargic. This however is just... simple but I..can't explain it. How did you know?" She smiled while wiping her mouth with her serviette

"I like the simple, you can identify the tastes, notice the flavor, you know... know what you're eating" Gale agreed

Prim and Gale finished their meal and Prim proceeded to pick up her dish to clean it off.

"Prim, don't worry. I'll clean it" Gale grabbed the plate from Prim "Go sit down, I'll make some more tea or coffee or whatever you'd like"

"Fine, but I have to do something around the house for the next week other than eat your food and drink your tea" Prim smiled as she tiptoed into the living room

Gale cleaned the plates and put them into the cabinet then poured the tea. He grabbed some tiny eclairs from the top cabinet and placed two on a plate and put everything on a dark wooden tea serving tray.

"Prim, tea is ready" Gale called from the kitchen

Nothing. No answer. Had anything happened to her? He ran into the living room carelessly knocking the box of eclairs onto the floor.

"Prim" He said, panic in his voice

She was asleep.

Gale didn't know what to do. He could pull the warm blanket over her and let her sleep or he could carry her upstairs and risk being called a creep. He didn't care, he wanted her to wake up in the work he had put into the spare room. He lifted her tiny body into his two arms and cradled her slightly. She stirred slightly but quickly fell back asleep. Once he had reached the room he lay her down on the bed and pulled the blanket over her. Pulling the stray hairs off of her forehead, he kissed her goodnight.

"Love, gale, night" Prim whispered under her breath. A somewhat half asleep whisper

"I love you too, Prim" Gale whispered then shut the door.