Another perfectly brewed cup. I would expect nothing less from one of the top servers in at The Tea and Ink, though I suppose it helped that she also happened to be my girlfriend. Amelia sat across from me, talking absentmindedly about her day, her various plans for her upcoming performance, whatever crossed her mind really. She had a tendency to do that when she was stressed out, I discovered. She didn't show her emotions as others did, she liked to hide all but her happiness from others. While I felt like this was a noble consideration, I had hoped that she would one day feel comfortable enough to take off that mask around me.
"So, like I was saying Artie,"-she continued,using her favourite pet name for me-"The woman that's playing the Ghost of Christmas yet to come is freakin' SCARY. She's tall and lanky, with these red eyes and hair as white as death itself. It's no wonder that she was cast for the part."
From what I could gather, Amelia was to be participating in a modern interpretation of Sir Charles' most famous creations: A Christmas Carol. I had read the book every Christmas to my young brothers, and had seen just many adaptations of the story constructed. Still, Amelia was proud to have been chosen as Scourge's lost love interest, and would be involved in what she suggested was "one of the most amazing duets she'd ever been a part of". I had my doubts, of course, but it was my duty and pleasure to support my love in whatever endeavor she undertook.
Suddenly I realized she had stopped talking, taking my eyes away from the steaming brew in my mug to look at her apologetically. No doubt she'd caught me "off in my own little world", as she liked to call it. Yet her typical display of annoyance was no present and, instead, reflected one of quiet horror. I turned in my seat to face the front of the restaurant where an impressively large man stood stoic and strange in such a usually welcoming environment. His hair was pale blonde, nearly platinum, his eyes equally distant and icey blue. Five o'clock shadow surrounded the rim of his wide mouth, teeth black with tar and tobacco. He wore a deep brown suede aviator jacket with a furred rim, dog tags about his neck, tags quite similar in shape and size to the ones that my beloved always wore around hers.
The man said not a word, didn't even bother to take off his coat, and came over to the table where Amelia and I were sitting. His brows furrowed and eyes focused only on the waitress with obvious malicious intent. Amelia stood accordingly and was the first to break the heavy silence.
"What are you doing here, Ned?"
I'd never heard her speak in such a harsh manner before; it nearly caused me to drop the cup of tea I still nursed between my hands. The man continued to ignore me and took one of his hands from his pockets to rub rugged chin nonchalantly.
"I see that being poor hasn't caused your eating habits to suffer, sis."
Sis? This bear of a man was somehow related to Amelia? And he had dared to insult her upon the instant of their reunion? I watched as Amelia's cheeks grew hot, with what I knew was more embarrassment than rage, still her eyes never left Ned's face.
"I'll ask again, Ned," her voice was just above a harsh whisper now, as the commotion was beginning to attract stares from the other costumers, " What are you doing here?"
"That's no way to treat your brother, Ami, specially since I came here on such...unfortunate business."
He finally angled his nose down in my direction, acknowledging my presence with a hint of disgust. I fired it right back with as much British disdain as I could muster. I knew very little about Amelia's brother, and everything she had mentioned of him prior had been far from flattering. His reputation preceded him.
"Who's the fuzz-face?"
"Well how rude of you-You're the one who looks as if he's been unkept for months."
The hulking beast raised his hackles at my challenge, to which I responded by raising up from my chair to...well I wasn't nearly tall enough to see him eye-to-eye, but I refused to cower before this roughian.
"Arthur, stop." Amelia warned as I felt her tug gently on my shoulder. I gave her a pleading glance but it went unnoticed. The distress and ernesty on her face cautioned me to pick my battles wisely. "Ned, let's talk outside, please. I don't want to upset the costumers."
The giant rolled his shoulders back, popping his neck to the side as if to display his disbelief that someone would dare to fight back against him. Yet he did not protest to his sister's demands and the two exited through the front door of the facility. Not before I flashed him a parting gift as he positively leered back at me from the entryway.
I sat back down at the table with a huff, clutching my mug tight, and forced the still extremely hot liquid enough my mouth. My eyes watered, my tongue burned, but I forced myself to endure it. The pain caused me to reflect on my actions, knowing better than to force my hand in Amelia's own family affairs. I knew nothing of her brother, knew even less about Amelia's past history with him and the rest of her kin. She'd left them to come seek a career here in New York, much to the same degree I had, but her parting had not been on such good terms. Her abandonment of the family trade, her dismissal from the farm had been swift and deadly, leaving her with little else than the shirt on her back when she expressed disinterest in continuing her work on the farm. The only reason she had been able to make it in this city was her cousin Maddie, who'd been kind enough to take her in when no one else would. For that I was eternally grateful, as my life here in America would have been much different without her presence.
The minutes ticked by like hours. I checked my phone constantly, promising myself that if she had not returned in the next ten minutes, I would go after her myself. I rationalized that, perhaps it wasn't my concern to intervene with her other family members, but it most definitely was my concern when it dealt with the woman I loved. I shot a glance at the window every so often, hoping to see her emerge through the doorway her usual chipper self.
I was not so lucky.
My head spun when the chime of a bell signaled her return, her face hidden behind the blonde viel her hair created. She walked with purpose towards the back of the restaurant, passing by me with not so much as a bat of an eyelash. She vanished behind the counter, only to return a few moments later with her bag and jacket. She was leaving early.
"Amelia, love, what happened?" I pushed myself up from the chair to intercept her, but she merely shrugged me off.
"I'm sorry, Arthur-We'll talk later, okay?"
With that, she put on her coat and left. I stood, aghast, in the middle of the cafe, vaguely aware of the looks the regulars and other waitresses were giving me. Her voice had been nearly drowned out by tears, though this particular voice was so alien to me I had hardly recognized it. I went straight away from my table and back to manager Honda's office. She had no more information to offer than I had, nor did Sey or the other girls. I paid my bill, thanked them, and departed soon after.
As an Englishman, I normally didn't mind the cold, but something about the chill in the air shook me to the bone. I mindlessly trailed through the frosted streets back to my apartment, only to find Francis seated on that gaudy purple couch of his, enjoying his nightly glass of wine. It was like some ritual of his: wake up in the morning, tease me about breakfast, leave to direct and film those grotesque works of "art" he uses to make a living, come home, tease me about my dull life, and then drink until he falls asleep. Tonight was no different; except that it was.
"Ahhh! Mon ami. You are home early, non?"
"Good evening, Francis. I'm in no mood for pleasantries today. I'd, for just this once, like to go to my room and spend the evening in peace without you calling me out on one of my many 'faults as a gentleman'." I hung my coat on the rack next to the door and was unsurprised to see the Frog's knowing face beaming up at me.
"Oh-ho. Did we have a little fight with a certain mademuazel?"
"I do believe that's none of your business."
"Then I will make it my business. She is my friend just as much as she is your lover."
I balled my hand into a fist, raising it to protest his pompous claim, when a knock came at the door.
"Speak of ze devil…"
I ignored the quip and went to answer the summons, opening it to reveal Amelia, still dressed in her work clothes, with a small tote slung over her shoulder and pillow stuffed beneath the crook of her other arm.
"Amelia?"
She had obviously been crying, though she had managed to hold herself together in front of us. Her voice wavered as she spoke.
"Good evening, you two! I-I'm sorry this is so sudden, but you guys wouldn't mind if I crashed on your couch tonight, would you? Maddie's gone for the week at a conference and it's a little lonely in the apartment, ya know?" She sniffed.
I swiftly moved to close the gap between us and took her bags from her. I vaguely noticed Francis getting up off his arse from the couch to assist her as well. At least he wasn't a total dotard.
"But of course, dear!" he spoke first, taking her hands between his own and lifting it up to his filthy mouth. "Our home is your home...Sacre bleu, your hands are as cold as ice! How long have you been standing outside, mon cheri?"
Amelia shuffled inside and I closed the door behind her, choosing to stay mute about Francis' actions for the moment. Amelia's well-being was more important.
"N-Not too long. I just guess I forgot my mittens in all the rush of collecting my things to come over here." Amelia's voice continued to pulse, as if waves of emotions were striking her unrelentlessly. When she had been escorted to the couch, I took the seat next to her, watching as her pleasant features gave way to more distress and restlessness. "Things have just happened so fast today that my mind's a bit…"
"Mon petit, what has happened? You look as if you have met a ghost."
Amelia faked another smile, one I knew she was using for me and Francis' sakes. I tentatively reached out to her, encompassing her hands in my own. Her hands were freezing.
"Ami, love, you know that you don't have to keep any secrets from neither me nor Francis. We're here for you, no matter what it is."
As if by some magical spell, the lock, the curtain that was covering Amelia's true emotions was lifted and her beautiful eyes, the same ones I often sought after for what glimmer of joy and hope there was in this life, spilled over with tears.
"Oh Arthur...Arthur it's mama. Mama's dead. She was sick-she had cancer and I didn't know! And Ned came and.." her words faded into a blubbering mess as she threw herself at me, clinging to me with desperate force. Soon any semblance of the English language was replaced by sobs. At first I was caught off-guard, my hands instinctively placing themselves around her for comfort, clinging tighter with each of her heaving breaths. Francis thankfully took the hint and left us, placing a reassuring hand on her head before retreating to his room.
Then I let her cry. I let her cry as long as she needed, my sleeve now drenched with tears, her bangs and wet with a stream that was never-ending. When she had no more tears to shed, she managed to rasp out a more coherent explanation. Apparently Ned, her elder brother, had come to tell her of her mother's passing. With her mother's passing, she was the only female heir to the family's farm, as Ned had yet to take a bride (and much pity I extend to that unfortunate woman). As such, and in accordance with her family's will, she was being called back to return to her life on the farm as the assistant manager and one of the sole proprietors as her father had passed nearly a decade before. When she had refused Ned at the cafe earlier that day, he'd threatened her-both physically and psychologically-in an effort to force her back to the farm. She had still refused and, in fear, had fled from work to go back home, collect her most precious belongings, and ended up at our place since she knew Ned had no idea of our relationship.
Exhausted from her recounting of the tale, I somehow convinced her that she needed to sleep and insisted she stay in my room. I could stand one night on that couch if it meant Amelia's peace of mind. Despite her protest, I sent her off to bed and took my place on the couch. Christopher Robin seemed pleased to have some new company for a change, and I left the young cat in charge of comforting her in my stead. Despite the relative sense of security I felt knowing she was here and not alone at her apartment, I found it difficult to fall asleep that night.
The next morning I awoke only to find that Amelia had gone well before I'd risen. She did have work today, I reasoned, and went about my normal duties with the intention of visiting her after. However when I arrived at The Tea and Ink I was met with an unpleasant surprise.
"She ain't here, Art. She hasn't come in all day." the dark-haired girl answered, balancing a tray on her hip. Sey had always been the closest of the girls that worked at the cafe with Amelia. If best friend didn't know where she was, this was grounds for being worried.
"You're sure haven't heard a thing from her? Not even a text?" I too had been checking my phone constantly for a missed call, a short response to the multiple inquires I'd sent before leaving the apartment.
"Nah. Not a peep. Everything alright with her, Arthur? You didn't go and make her upset, did ya?"
"Of course not!" The audacity to believe I had done something. I expected more from the girl than to accuse me of such an act!
"Woah woah-I was jus' sayin'. You let me know if you hear from her, and I'll let you know too, okay?"
I muttered a gruff reply and stomped back out into the cold. I checked her usual places, even ended up paying a visit to that shady bar with those handsome and strangely familiar-looking men Amelia had always raved about. Still no luck. Night fell before I knew it and I resigned myself to sitting at home on my bed, helplessly staring down my skype profile for her username to appear. Christopher Robin did is best to console me, which was more than I could say for that rosey-rimmed wanker I called a roommate, and stretched out beside me to share his warmth.
"Oh Christopher...She won't answer my calls, my texts go unreceived, and no one's seen her all day. What should I do?"
Some might think it strange that I sought advice from a cat, but something in those hazel-green eyes of his told me to 'go'. 'Go and find her', he relayed again, without blinking, and hopped towards the window sill. I followed his lithe form to where the edge of the porch-light extended….barely noticing a shadow partially blocking its beam. My eyes widened, and without another thought, I sprung from my bed in full pajamas and rushed to the door, opening it just in time to see Amelia standing there equally shocked as she was distraught.
"Amelia, oh thank goodness you're alright! I've been worried all day you-," I paused, just noticing that she carried with her a large suitcase and a tote with what looked like shattered picture frames, broken odds and ends. Her eyes were red and puffy, her hair looked a mess, and she was visibly shivering despite the thick coat she wore. "Ame-"
Before I could speak, she dropped her belongings at her sides and reached out to me, embracing me. She felt so frail and hopeless, as if I was the only source of comfort she had left in this world….which unfortunately wasn't far from the truth.
"Ned-Ned destroyed everything. He found where I lived, Arthur. He broke his way in….he left a message on my bed. He called me all day with threatening voicemails and texts. Oh Artie, I don't know what to do! What if Maddie had been there-?" She couldn't finish. I wrapped her in my arms as she put her head on my chest and I my chin on her head. That beast had gone to any means necessary to bring Amelia back with him, and this was where I put my foot down. I stood there with her on the porch for who knows how long, wanting the shield her from all the evil in the world, wanting her to know that she was safe, I was here.
"Shh...It'll be alright, love. We'll make it through this...together."
Weeks passed with no further sign or threat from her brother. She'd blocked his calls, nearly erased herself from any social media as well. To protect Maddie, Amelia decided to abandon the apartment, sending her cousin a private text that she had found her own place to live somewhere a few cities away when in reality she'd come to live with Francis and I. She instructed us to keep everything hush-hush about her new living arrangements, in in turn Francis worked his magic to have a restraining order worked for her against her brother. This certainly wasn't the way I would have planned how we'd spend our first Christmas.
Author's Note: I'm SO sorry that this too so long for me to put up. Things have been progressing on the blog itself, so I hadn't really been inspired, felt the need to write anything. But I hope that this makes up for it. It's really angsty, and sad, and something I never thought that I would write in my little AU, but it happened and now they're living together for Christmas. Yay tragic backstory o3o; We'll have to see where this all goes in the end...Thank you my lovely followers for being so understanding, and as always you can always follow the Ask-Writerarthur blog on tumblr! Have a great Holiday!
~Faux