Harmony tosses a handful of snow up outside in the back, followed by another and another, it sprinkled down covering her in a light powder. "It's like a shower!" she chimes giggling throwing up more. "Lizzie! Lizzie look! I'm can make it snow!"

Lizzie right away claps. "Very good, Harmony."

"Come join me!"

"Alright."

The two girls doubled the amount of the snow tossed up, laughing together. they surely were making up for last time, it was kind to your heart as you watched them from where you sat outside, Paula by you along with Mey-Rin. Finnian and Snake were rather busy, so they could not join. You had a nice cup of warm cider to keep the chill off. Though you didn't need it that much, it was just nice to have. The crisp scent of the apples and sprinkle of cinnamon always brought you back to your time. With your sister and the others. It brought good memories.

Picking up the handle lightly take a light sip. Yep, still good. A warm sigh leaves your lips. Keeping an eye on the girls, Harmony and Lizzie now dancing, looking closely noticed the steps your sister was using. It was the same as...the Snowflake dance. That was a surprise.

She was trying to teach Lizzie who stood at a lost at what the girl was doing. Harmony's steps were not really on cue, it was hard not to laugh. So you smiled instead. Picking up your cup again, about to take another sip, decide against it and set it back down on the table.

"Is it too hot?" Paula asked concerned and ready to fetch you something better.

You shake your head. "No, it's alright thank you. No need. I can assume that Lizzie was just as thrilled as Harmony to see one another again."

"Yes, the Lady Elizabeth could not utter a sentence that did not involve the Lady Harmony. For the past two weeks."

How adorable. You could only imagine. Harmony was the same, when called you and told you, her smile from the words she used spread across her face, you were sure it was going to burst off. She was just so thrilled about Lizzie coming to stay for the holidays. You knew Ciel was, it gave him some time to himself in a manner of speaking. Harmony would be out of his hair, the downside, he wouldn't get rid of their chattering. Oh, the sweet irony with him at times.

Laughing inside about it, Paula and Mey-Rin believed it to be towards the girls and smile. Wiping your eyes exhales. "It is nice to reunite again. It can be rather lonesome out here, so far away."

You express freely. "Family is important. I am glad the two are happy to see one another. Their smiles always bring me warmth beyond anything. It's nice to see them both enjoy these memories together."

Both women astound by your words, touched their hearts. Especially Paula's. You spoke lovely it was hard not blush. She understood Edward's feelings towards. That delicate smile and hold in your eyes at the two. It was just...

It was just wonderful, Edward gazes it at from inside at the door leading to the back. His hand hovered over the knob with crossroad thought muddling his mind. Should he or shouldn't? Lizzie and Harmony's laughter mixed with May's pumped his heart more. This should be easy, yet it was so hard. Or was it complicated? He couldn't decided. Like he couldn't decided to join or stay.

How long has it since he last had a conversation or spent time in May's company? Quite some time if he was honest with himself.

Where's Alejandro when I need him. He flusters silently. The young man would be good right now. Knowing the matter of the heart as he called it.

Should his the young man be here, Edward had a feeling on what he might do. Either boldly step out with a suave charm of his over to May. Speaking to her with ease, there was no doubt in Edward's mind May would talk back and enjoy their talk. Alejandro would most likely signal with his eyes for Edward to come over, which would no doubt be obvious May should see and she'd turn back spotting Edward. Insisting he come and join. Or another scenario would be Alejandro pushing Edward out and locking him out there. To get it started.

It was a good thing he wasn't here, that didn't stop his voice from ringing in Edward's mind. On what he should be doing or reciting a love poem or quote. For some reason Clayton and Cheslock's voice popped in. Clayton whipping out a book giving a definition, while Cheslock broadly complaining that it was stupid. Enraging Alejandro, who called them both feeble minded in the matters of love. Sparking an argument with Cheslock that turned into a roaring fight. Heating Edward's own mind, he hadn't noticed the door opened until the winter air cooled him off.

"Edward, have you come to join us?"

Your voice breaks through, extinguishing the voices and roaring so easily. He finds you standing there smiling with the door opened, by you.

His lips and voice froze like ice. Making it rather cold to fill the silence between you both. Your brows draw together confused as to why he had not said much. Believing something different, noticing the look in his eyes.

"Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt your thinking." You apologize shutting the door. "Please, forgiv-"

He his stops the door from closing. "No." he nearly blurts. Clearing his throat and adjusting his tone calms down. "I mean, no. I wasn't thinking." He kind of lied. "I was just walking by an-"

"Edward!" Harmony calls him over. Waving. "Have you come to join us?" She throws up some more snow, laughing.

You chuckle gently, sliding your eyes back to Edward. "I suppose you have just been invited, will you come?"

"Yes. I suppose I will." He nods smiling.

"Wonderful. Oh," your eyes fall to your hand on the knob. Edward's follow after you and widen. He nearly screamed outward, instead does so inside. How improper. You on the other hand just laugh. "could I please have me hand back."

His hand laid on the one you had on the knob, he hadn't realized this when his hand shot out to stop the door from closing. Feeling his hand calm up as it trembled, his whole trembled with nerves. His face grew hotter than any red, though you took it lightly he didn't and snatched his hand away. Repeating over and over again his apology. It was just a little touching, it was really nothing much to you.

His reaction was just humorous, it was hard to stop the bursting in your chest. But, you kept it down, the best you could. Covering your mouth barely helped, even turning your head to the side slightly, didn't seem to work. So you tried to swallow it, it was like a lump in your throat that went down hard. Edward's hysteria over this minimal physical contact.

He was rather, what was the word...wound up. Rolling your eyes having enough take matters in your hands. "Come." Slipping your arm his take him outside. By the time he stopped he found himself outside, with you holding his arm watching the girls.

Mey-Rin and Paula who stood back couldn't help but smile at the two young adults before them. Exchanging smiles and silent giggles go join Lizzie and Harmony who call them over.

Edward's heartbeat was rapid, you could feel it pounding, there was no need for you sense it. It was like a jackhammer. Kind of an annoyance, just a bit. Trying to enjoy the time outside and girls, his state was making it rather difficult. Squeezing his arm a bit, move closer, not realizing it caused his heart rate to increase. And when you placed your have on his chest hoping it would calm, his whole body went into shock for a few seconds.

"P-Perhaps we shouldn't be so close." He stammers taking his arm back stepping away. Catching his breath.

Leaving quite a distance between you and him. At least maybe seven or ten feet. With his back turned to you, he wipes his brow with an arm. You stood there confused and shocked. Like something sharp pierced through you. Looking down see no sort of injury. Yet, felt the wound.

Lizzie and Harmony still playing, Paula and Mey-Rin chasing Harmony with Lizzie following. She stops feeling something damp, her green eyes turn around to you and Edward. The distance was enough to make her gasp, that and the hurt puzzled look in your eyes that misted. Her heart dropped, while her eyes burned at her brother. Watching you trying to get Edward's attention an attempt that failed. With each step you took he stepped back twice, to keep the distance. Barely making eye contact with you, fumbling over his words quickly excused himself and leaves before you could even say the first letter of his name.

Leaving you alone. Harmony's merriment faded from Lizzie, she couldn't believe what she just saw. Trying to understand it, all the past times her brother was in the presence of May, sure he was a bit nervous, but always settled. Now, it made him flee and he didn't see the broken look on your face. But, she did.

And another.

Another hour outside was just enough, you remained with Lizzie and Harmony. Paula and Mey-Rin too. You walked with the girls through the frosted rose garden, which Harmony insisted to on showing Lizzie. The roses were beautiful with their frosted coating, it was like a another world. A world Harmony made all her own, calling herself: Ice Princess of the Frosted Garden. A name no doubt came off the top of her head. She wanted to make crowns for everyone, but it starting to become a littler chiller and her cowl she wore could keep her warm for so long. Because her lips started turning blue and the chattering her lips did, she could only do one as told her it was time to go back inside. Which Lizzie agreed.

Stepping back inside the manor, Mey-Rin and Paula quickly take the cowls the three of you wore. Paula insisted on getting a fire started in one of the rooms right away, Mey-Rin took the cowls to get clean in the laundry room. Dusting the extra snow off, hear Harmony welcome Ran Mao. She jumps on the woman, who pats her on the head. Which gave you an idea.

"Ran Mao."

She gives you her attention.

"Could you please accompany my cousin and sister in the parlor room? I have to do something for a bit."

There was something in your eyes the way you asked her, Ran Mao left it alone. "Yes."

To Harmony's joy, who know hung like a monkey from the woman's arm. Giggling. Lizzie smiled though her mind remained on you, wondering what it was. It no doubt had to be about from before. This was perfect for her. Building up the courage upon her idea asks.

"May, could I come and join you?"

That was a surprise, it showed the way you looked you at her. "How kind of you, Lizzie," walk back to her, her smile grew. "but, if you do not mind and I do not mean to be rude. Please do not take this wrong, but, I need this time alone."

Her smile dropped, just as you thought. "Oh."

It hurt seeing her like this, placing a hand on the side of face lifting to meet yours. "I promise it will not take long. When I come back we can spend all the time together."

Her eyes lite back up a bit. "Alright." She accepts. Turns around to Harmony. "Come Harmony, let's go warm ourselves off." Leads the girl away with Ran Mao following.

Waiting until they were gone, turn and walk the opposite way. Walking down the hall properly incase Francis was around, not really sensing her picking up the edges of your skirt and hurry to your room. Take your hair down and begin to unbutton your blouse, you had to do this quick and fast. Pinpointing everyone in the manor. Ciel was with Lau in his studies. Sebastian with them. Francis and Alexis enjoying their time in another room playing a game of chess. Finnian and Snake tending to Dottie. Baldory in the kitchen, Tanaka drinking tea, and Mey-Rin going back to join Harmony. Edward...you stop singling him out, find his location, he was in his room on the other end of manor. Locked in.

Slowing your pace. Edward. You stand in the hall a hand clenched over your heart. Feeling it sink, oddly. Feeling your eyes mist, as your mind swirled in puzzlement. It made your body tremble.

No.

Now was not the time, collecting yourself you couldn't be like this, your mind needed to remain focused. Pushing it back, lift your head. Focus. You needed to be. Edward would have to wait, right now...picking your running back up hurry to your room. Reaching it go inside and shut the door. Locking it. Reading the clock, there was still time. You had to time this right. You first needed to get out of these clothes. Unfastening them, throw them aside, making sure no one was around but you open an area and take something out.

Master Splinter sure taught you a great deal. Thank goodness.

Down in the parlor room, Ran Mao was playing dolls with Harmony, Lizzie joining in. Outside the window something drops on the snow and takes off in blur. Only to be spotted briefly by Ran Mao.

"It fits." She said. Stroking the doll's navy blue dress, continues playing.