Hi guys! Here's the second chapter :)
This is not an episode of the series, I wanted to fill in a gap for Elena's character so...here it is. Hope you all enjoy it :)
I tied the ribbon around my waist tighter; made sure my shoes were laced up before I put on the black gloves Sebastian had found for me. I used my fingers to bring down the gloves into a more comfortable position and then lifted my hands to my hair. I made sure the ribbon was tight as I blew a section of my bangs away from my eyes.
"You can do this," I said to myself as I braced my hands against the walls, "you've done it before with Berrymore as an act. You did it at your uncle's, but you did it. You had knives admittedly and you were entertaining Harry but you can do this."
I ran forward, putting my hands out before I leaned forward, throwing myself forward into somersaults. I had measured the distance from the window to the door and when I got to the chalked mark, I threw myself higher, seeing my feet as the floor flew past me. I landed on my feet with no grace, my back tingled but I was smiling.
"I can do it," I said softly as I held my shoulders tighter, "I just have to keep practising."
I turned to see the door had opened and I was a foot from MeyRin who had dropped the good porcelain. She was shaking and I looked to her with worry.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to kick the plates," I said as I dropped down to pick up pieces with the gloved hands.
"When did you learn to do that?" MeyRin asked as she dropped down as well, "I caught the end but it…was amazing. You could have been an acrobat."
"I re-learned it for my cousin Harry," I said with a remembered smile, "he loved the motion. But when I worked…elsewhere, it wasn't required so I'm a little out of practise."
"That was out of practise?" MeyRin asked as she looked at me, "I'd give anything to be out of practise if that's the result."
"It will take a while before I can do it like before. I used to be able to do that with knives in my hands…and I wore boys' clothes. There's less…movement."
"The dress stopped you?" MeyRin asked as she took the pieces of plate from my hands, but I froze and pulled away from her, "sorry. Sebastian told us to ask for permission before we touched you…I forgot."
"It's alright," I blew out a sigh, "it's something I have to work out myself."
"I'm glad you're back," MeyRin said softly, "we were worried when we didn't hear from you. It was Sebastian who told us you were alive. It's strange…being back after so long."
"You're not alone in that," I said as I stood to walk away from her and to the window, "the young master was unconscious for a week with me protecting him. Sebastian had to find you four and bring you back."
"His memory is gone," MeyRin said with a sniffle, "everything is blurred, that's what Sebastian said. He said you were there because he had thought hiring you would mean more work would be done. He also told the young master you were…skilled."
"Skilled…more like out of practise," I said with a sigh as I pulled the ribbon from my hair, "are they back yet?"
"No, Sebastian informed the young master that Finny accidently broke his walking stick. The pair will be out for another hour."
"He's trying to bring everything back to normal," I said as I looked at my reflection, "he's trying to make everything right for us."
"What do you mean?" MeyRin asked.
"I was….tormented by my old master, and Sebastian wants to help me out of that. To bring me forward and be the girl from Houndsworth again. He's trying to make me feel comfortable around you four again."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" MeyRin asked and I turned to look at her.
"Just do what you would normally," I said as I lined myself up again, "and move two feet to the right."
She moved and closed the door as I tied my hair up again, checked my shoes and my dress before I threw myself forward into somersault after somersault. When my hands made contact with the chalk line, I stopped to do a handstand before dropping to my feet. MeyRin looked at me with a strange gaze before she stepped forward.
"Follow me, I have an idea," and I did as she requested.
She brought me out to the rebuilt hall and to the kitchen. Finny was sitting at the table with his scissors out while Bard was cooking something that looked like broth. He was getting ashes from his cigarette in the dish, which didn't seem to affect the colouring. Finny waved at me and I waved back.
"Finny, you have spare trousers and a tunic, don't you?" MeyRin asked and Finny nodded, "will you retrieve them for Elena?"
"Why does she need them?" Finny asked as he looked me over.
"She's been practising and her dress, well…my dress, has been getting in her way, yes it has."
"I'll be right back!" Finny said as he ran up a set of stairs, where we heard him throwing things.
"Hey!" Bard yelled up, "I'm not cleaning up after you!"
Finny came back with Tanaka, holding out trousers to me and Tanaka had the tunic, folded on top of his head. I took the clothes and MeyRin went upstairs to help me undress. I got dressed myself after that and put on a pair of flats before I walked down into the kitchen. The clothes were a tad big on me but they gave me the freedom to do handstands and not flash.
MeyRin had gone down while I had gotten into Finny's clothes and I saw her with a smiling Finny and a smoking Bard. Smoking being in the literal sense since he had used dynamite to cook the now burnt broth. I covered my mouth to laugh which made them all freeze.
"Are you alright?" Tanaka asked, reverted to his normal body.
"I missed this," I said as I wiped tears from my eyes, "I missed the chaos."
"MeyRin was telling us about your practise in the parlour. Can you show us?" Finny asked.
"Em," I said, "I need to warm up first."
I walked outside for the second time that day to feel the sun on my skin. Sebastian hadn't understood my fascination with the sun until I explained to him, in detail, why it meant a lot to me. I had told him about Claude and Hannah…leaving out the triplets. I stepped forward onto the grass before flexing my fingers, stretching my waist. I heard the sound of a light crack but I didn't think much of it. I had been practising on my own for the last week and a half, stretching muscles that had since been tight. I sat down and took a deep breath before I leaned forward to touch my feet.
"Are you ready?" Finny called out and I smiled.
"I think so," I said as I stood carefully, "do you have something I can use to mark the end?"
"I have rope," he called back as he ran down to me, "is that alright?"
"Sure," I said as he ran off at my instruction until I told him to stop. He tied the rope along the ground and I walked forward, and did a handstand to check it wouldn't disrupt me mid-jump. It didn't and when I stood again, it had left an imprint on my hands.
"That's great," I said as I rubbed my hands together.
I went back to what I had marked as the start, and Bard with MeyRin and Tanaka were waiting. I put my hands forward, took a deep breath before running. I pushed myself into the somersaults before I found the rope and jumped to land on my feet. I put my hands up at the end before I moved into a handstand.
"That is amazing," Finny said as I stood up straight again, "how did you learn to do that?"
"It was for my baby cousin," I said as I wiped the gloves of grass stains, "he liked the motion. But before that, I used to be something of an act for Berrymore's guests."
"Babies are so cute, yes they are," MeyRin gushed.
"Harry is his name, my uncle's son."
I heard a carriage pull in and I ran into the house, and straight up the stairs. MeyRin had followed to wonder what was wrong when she saw me undressing.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I can't be found in boys clothes," I said as she helped me into her plum dress. I put stockings on and then the boots before she tied up the buttons. I left Finny's clothes on the bed before I pulled the ribbon around my waist tighter and touched my neck, seeking the locket I no longer wore. I dropped my hand with a sigh before I ran to the hall to greet the young master with everyone else. I had only gotten into line with MeyRin when the front door opened to reveal Sebastian before he stepped aside to allow Ciel in.
Ciel hadn't grown in the time he had been missing, and now he had a new walking stick. His navy coloured hair was the same as before, as was his bright blue eye and his eye patch. He was the same boy I had felt protective of when I was younger and the boy I had taken care of in France. Admittedly, he didn't have those memories, and wouldn't remember Destiny (my uncle's boat) if I told him about it. I sighed as I dropped my head as Claude had taught me.
"Welcome back young master," we all said in a chorus with Tanaka saying, "ho ho ho."
I spotted a small box in Ciel's hands which he handed to MeyRin. He nodded as Sebastian took his coat and hat, followed swiftly by the walking stick before he walked towards the stairs. Sebastian handed the things to me before following with the box. I put them in the closet and pulled at my hair. I missed the longer hair I had once had, but it would come back.
"I should probably get back to work as the maid," I said as I looked down at the plum dress that MeyRin had dressed me in. I followed the servants into the kitchen where I threw Bard out and told Finny and MeyRin to find fresh fruit. I got rid of the burnt broth and decided I would make a fruit pie as I had in Houndsworth. The dough was easy to mould before I put it in the casing and then into the oven. I cut up fruit and put half of it aside to decorate. I put the rest into a pot and boiled it. I took the pastry out of the oven to cool as I put the fruit filling to cool beside it. I grabbed cream and whipped it up before adding a few drops of vanilla.
Once the filling was cool, I put it into the pastry before rolling out strips to decorate the top. I put it in the oven to cook through again before pulling it out and putting it on a tray to cool. I stayed there for a few minutes without talking, not feeling like I was being watched as I hummed. I twirled around the room as I decorated the pie with pieces of fruit and drops of cream.
"Can we have a slice?" someone asked and I was pulled from a trance to look at Finny.
"What?" I asked.
"Can we have a slice?" Finny asked and pointed to himself, Bard, MeyRin and Tanaka who had sat quietly at the table to watch me.
"Sure, I guess," I said as I put out slices for them with whipped cream and a strawberry on top before putting the plates out. Finny took the first bite before engulfing his. Bard and the others used him as the guinea pig while I cleaned up and grabbed myself a slice. There was no room at the table so I leaned against the counter to eat. It was probably the best dish I had made in a very long time. My family had loved my fruit pies but this was…better than the others.
"This is delicious," Bard said as he took another bite.
"It melts on your tongue, yes it does!" MeyRin enthused.
"Elena," and I turned to see Sebastian was watching me, "bring a piece up to the young master. He wants to speak with you."
I nodded before cutting another piece, leaving four left which I put on the table for the others. I put a small amount of cream on the plate with a strawberry as Sebastian grabbed a fork and knife. Sebastian led the way up to the room before knocking on the office door.
"Come in," Ciel called out and Sebastian opened the door for me.
I put the pie down on the desk before bowing away, as Sebastian put the cutlery down.
"What is this?" Ciel asked as he took the fork and knife.
"A fruit pie with freshly whipped cream," I said with my head down, "I made it."
"It tastes nice," Ciel replied as he ate it.
"She has formidable skill as a cook," Sebastian said from Ciel's left, "but from what I understand, Lord Berrymore used her for more than cooking."
"You were the maid," Ciel said as Sebastian poured him tea from a tray he must have brought up before getting me.
"Lord Berrymore was, before his death, worried people wouldn't take the Demon Hound seriously," I said with my head down, "he had me train to be something of a defence."
"A defence?" Ciel asked, "as in a bodyguard?"
"Yes sir," I said, "but that title faded when people, as you saw, chanted to the Demon Hound. He didn't need someone protecting him when no one would dare threaten him. So I returned to the position as maid and practised my skills on my own. As well as his maid…I became a sort of, act. As if for a circus…it was to entertain anyone willing to be in his company."
"What skills are these?" Ciel asked.
"I can use weapons, mostly…batons. I can use knives for throwing and I have good aim for a gun. I practised for a while but in the last few months, my old master wouldn't allow me outside. I couldn't practise so I have been trying to get back to it…"
"Hmm," Ciel said after a moment, "that sounds interesting."
"The servants informed me she demonstrated her skills for them an hour ago," Sebastian said, "while she was cooking."
I blushed lightly as I looked down at my hands. To be complimented…it was like music to my ears. After four months of insults, it felt nice. Almost like being wrapped up in a warm blanket. My hair tickled my neck as I kept my head down, hearing only the knife and fork on the plate.
"I will have to replace the Cheshire Porcelain Set as MeyRin dropped them," Sebastian said with a smile.
"I apologise for that," I said softly.
"For what?" Ciel asked, still eating his pie slice.
"I was practising and I'm not sure what happened but I believe I…kicked the plates out of her hands," I said.
"Kicked the plates out of her hands?" Ciel asked and I nodded, "where were you and what were you doing?"
"The parlour and I was practising my somersaults," I replied.
"You can somersault?" Sebastian asked.
"And back flip and handstand," I said with a smile, "admittedly I'm out of practise. I used to be able to use knives, and it was for Berrymore but recently, it was for my cousin. He is a baby and I was told they like the motion."
"That would be your uncle's son, correct?" Sebastian asked and I nodded.
"You know her uncle?" Ciel asked as Sebastian took the plate away.
"Frank Hamilton," Sebastian informed, "he's part of the transport trade. His boats are quite famous in London."
"I've heard the name before," Ciel said as he looked at me, "Lau has mentioned him in passing."
I could only tell Ciel had moved from the way his shoulders shifted, and what I wanted was to leave. My instinct was to run and find the darkest hole to hide in.
"No," I whispered to myself, "you will stay here."
"Did you say something?" Ciel asked.
"No young master," I replied but I kept my head down.
"Why do you have your head down? I'm not going to kill you for looking at me," Ciel said as I saw Sebastian move closer and whisper in his ear, "her old master did what?!"
"It was considered disrespectful for a maid to look into her master's eyes. It also showed equality in class," I said in reply, "my old master didn't approve of it and punished me for my defiance on the issue."
"Elena," Ciel said with a sigh, "this is an order. Look up at me."
I took a deep breath and lifted my hands to tuck my hair behind my ears. I looked up at him through my lashes before lifting my head. I brushed strands away from my eyes before looking to him properly. Sebastian watched this as my hands started twitching. The way Ciel was looking at me, made me uncomfortable. Every fibre in my body told me to beg for forgiveness for my insolence.
"He's not that brat!" I whispered to myself as I covered my eyes, "I don't have to be a punching bag again!"
"A brat?" Ciel asked and Sebastian whispered something else to him, "Berrymore had a son?"
"He was cruel to Elena. He hurt her mentally as well as physically. This…looking at you, is going against what she was taught by him."
"Elena, I called you up here for a reason," Ciel said, ignoring my outburst as he touched something at his right side, "Sebastian and I have noticed you pulling at your hair. You seem uncomfortable, and here at this estate, we want the servants to feel welcome. Sebastian suggested this, and in the future I will make sure you have what you need here to make you comfortable."
Ciel lifted a box, the same one I had seen him hand MeyRin. Sebastian got a small vanity chair and tapped it before looking to me. I walked over and sat on it. I brushed my skirts as Sebastian opened the box to look in.
"Elena, I want you to trust me," Sebastian said as he undid his tie and held it out for me.
"What are you going to do?" I asked as I touched the tie.
"I'm going to cover your eyes," he said, "is it alright to touch you?"
I pulled my hand back from the tie and closed my eyes before nodding. I needed to feel safe here as I had before as the cotton tie rubbed my nose and my eyelashes together. Sebastian tied it at my neck and undid the ribbon in my hair. My hair tickled my ears before Sebastian brushed it back and out of the way. I listened to his footsteps as he lifted something out the box, I could hear it rustle before he walked back to me. He put something at the base of my neck before fixing it to my head. He got the brush again and brushed out the thing on my head, and then undid the tie.
I blinked against the sudden light and rubbed my eyes, freezing when my hands connected with something foreign. I opened my eyes to see Sebastian holding a mirror out to me which I took and gasped. The girl in the frame looked healthier, more like the girl from Houndsworth. Her hair was now a glossy black that Mr Roberts had compared to raven's feathers. Her eyes were like milk chocolate and her skin looked ivory rather than the sickly porcelain colour I had from working with little food. My hair was to the top of my corset and I pulled on one of the curls.
"Thank you," I whispered as I put the mirror down, "I missed it so much and I know that sounds fickle, and very vain, but I loved braiding my hair."
"Sebastian said your master cut it off," Ciel said as I nodded.
"He took something I had cherished…so I would become less…I really can't describe it," I said with a shrug.
"He wanted you docile," Sebastian said as he closed the box up.
"The wig is of high quality, so wear it as you please. It is the start of making you feel comfortable here. I will give Sebastian money for you to get fresh clothes and other things. If you need anything Elena, and it is within in my power to give, do ask me."
"Thank you Lord Phantomhive," I said as I wiped tears away, "thank you for this."
"Now, to the matter of your practising," Ciel said as he leaned forward to clasp his hands.
I stood to be in front of him, not pulling at the wig like a frightened child. My uncle had taught me better. My uncle had made me meet people of higher standing to understand hierarchy. Ciel was superior to me and I, as his maid, must show him the respect he deserved. I owed him my life twice over; I owed him for what made me the person I was. I would protect him with everything I had…until he moved Sebastian to check…
"Sebastian informed me that you need space," Ciel said, "I will have a parlour cleared out for you to practise."
"Thank you," I said with a genuine smile.
"Young Master, you have a dance lesson in the next five minutes," Sebastian said as he took out his pocket watch.
"Humph," Ciel muttered as he stood, "I wish I could cancel…"
"Is it your belief that your staggering waltz is endearing?" Sebastian asked with a smirk.
"You don't need to be snide," Ciel muttered, "it's hard to learn without a partner."
"Do you want a partner?" Sebastian asked.
"I'm not dancing with a man," Ciel mumbled as he moved to the door.
"I believe Elena has been classically trained in dance," Sebastian said as he put his hand to his lip, "she can also speak a few languages and play the violin."
"You can play the violin?" Ciel asked as he looked me over.
"My uncle insisted, young master," I replied.
"Do you wish to reconsider my idea, young master?" Sebastian asked and Ciel muttered something under his breath.
He walked away and I must have looked confused as Sebastian smiled. The butler turned to look at me before he motioned for me to go to the door.
"Follow him, Ms Maurells will be unpleasant with him otherwise," Sebastian said as I did run after the boy.
I stood outside the parlour to see him dancing…or rather tripping over his own feet. The blonde teacher looked exasperated and muttered something about "water" before she spotted me. A smile spread across her face as she beckoned me closer and I moved.
"What is your name?" she asked softly as she caught my hand.
"Elena," I replied and gulped.
"Ms Maurells, Elena has work to attend to," Ciel put in but she shook her head.
"Your hands are not in the right positions, and the only way to correct such an error is to have a dance partner…"
(Ciel POV)
Damn blasted woman! It was embarrassing enough to need these lessons, now I had to share that embarrassment with the maid. Elena looked confused; her black hair had fallen over her right shoulder as she looked down at Ms Maurells' hand holding hers. Sebastian had told me the only contact the girl had received had been negative over the last four months. I wondered why Berrymore had changed his attitude to her like that.
Elena pulled her hand free to clasp her skirt, hiding her face as she peeked out from under her eyelashes. She seemed only comfortable if Sebastian was nearby…which served to confuse me further. She had only met Sebastian recently, and yet…there was a bond there I couldn't understand.
"Leny," and the three of us turned to see a man in the doorway. Oh right, Frank Hamilton had been scheduled to arrive today as a surprise for Elena. Another suggestion of Sebastian's to make Elena feel comfortable…
"Uncle?" and the maid ran forward into his arms, crying as he clutched her to him. It was almost as if he hadn't seen her in years rather than a couple of days.
"Sweet Leny," her uncle said as he pulled away to look at her, "I missed you."
"He wouldn't let me talk to you," Elena sobbed as she reached for the man again, "he told me you didn't care."
"That wouldn't happen," he said as he pulled away again to wipe her eyes, "I will be here for you Leny."
"Sir, you have interrupted the earl's dance lesson," Ms Maurells said with a stern expression.
"I apologise. The butler informed me that the earl had requested my presence and must know immediately when I arrived."
"I'm certain the earl can speak with you after his lesson. Your niece was about to be his partner," the blonde said calmly.
"Is that so?" Frank Hamilton said with a smirk, "Leny, remember what Ms Muffit said to you."
"I must let the man lead as well as keep a smile on my face," Elena said calmly as she took a deep breath.
Elena returned as her uncle waved to her before he left. Elena stood in front of me and curtsied as I bowed to her. I took her hand gently and then her waist as she put her free hand on my shoulder. She was an inch taller than me but she pulled away and undid her shoes. She moved them to the dance teacher before returning to me, now to my height.
The music started and I twirled her gently. I felt a shiver run up my spine as I remembered holding her before, dancing with her. That seemed odd, so I must have dreamt of dancing with another girl…who looked like her. I could feel her waist through the thin corset…and with that her ribs. She was horribly underfed and that explained why her face was thin. The wig had taken away the angles on her face but they were still there. I would have to make sure she was fed properly.
Sebastian had suggested that due to her skill level, Elena would make a good bodyguard for me. I assumed that was what he had asked about when I had gone down for this lesson. He had promised me it would not affect the contract and Elena would simply be there on the occasions I had sent him on messages. She would be there to protect me. I had asked about the others, and why had he picked Elena, when he explained she had protected someone similar to me when she had been younger. She had finished that job and the only thing that had stopped her from reaching the end was…she had been shot.
"That will be all for today," Ms Maurells said as I bowed to Elena.
"Thank you," I sighed as I put my arm out to Elena, "shall we?"
"Yes young master," she replied.
I brought her into the parlour I was considering pulling back for her use. Her uncle was seated with a newspaper and Sebastian was pouring him tea. A demon pouring tea…it was not what came to mind when I considered demons. Did Elena believe in demons? How could she be my bodyguard if she didn't know? Our conversations revolved around the subject.
"Ah Leny," her uncle said as he put down the paper, "Earl Phantomhive."
"Mr Hamilton," I replied as Elena stood beside me, a sigh escaping her lips.
"Uncle please," the girl begged before she looked up at him, "thread carefully."
"I want to know what that brat did to you, Elena," her uncle said calmly, "I'm sure I can organise a rally against him."
"Uncle!" Elena cried before leaving me to hold his hand, "please, he'll kill you. He has more than guns at his disposal. Please...you're the only family I have left!"
"It was my job to protect you. I failed you in that respect for recommending you for that position. I will not allow another girl to enter that house and be hurt on the same level as you."
"Uncle…it was my fault!" Elena sobbed as she dropped to her knees to hide her face in the sofa, "I wouldn't have been punished if I had done everything right."
"Elena," her uncle said as he put a hand under her chin, "he hurt you. I can see that here…tell me what happened."
"I can't," she sobbed.
"Mr Hamilton," I said as I took my seat, "Elena has been very private about her time with Berrymore-"
"Berrymore?" her uncle asked, "he died nearly a year ago. Elena was working for Alois Trancy."
"Sebastian?" I looked to my butler and he looked down at me, "you told me Berrymore's son did this to Elena."
"He was related to Berrymore," Frank Hamilton said with a sigh, Elena was clasping his hand tight, "I told Sebastian it was a father/son relationship…I forgot what I had been told before today."
"Uncle," Elena whispered as he put her beside him and held her.
"Sebastian, who is Alois Trancy?" I asked.
(Elena POV)
Uncle had let the cat out of the bag, and now Ciel knew something wasn't right. That was why I had gripped his hand tighter, a warning and he had jumped to say he had told Sebastian about Alois.
"I'm not sure who Alois Trancy is," Sebastian replied.
"Mr Hamilton?" Ciel asked as he looked to my uncle.
"I only heard about him through my men. They informed me he was looking for a maid and Elena was still grieving for her…old master so I recommended her. Elena, if I had known what he was like, I wouldn't have."
"I know," Elena whispered.
"Lord Phantomhive," Frank Hamilton fixed his niece and held her hand as he looked to Ciel, "I want a promise from you."
"What is that?" Ciel asked.
"Don't put Elena through what Trancy did to her…or I will come after you."
"I vow it," Ciel replied as he sipped his tea, "now, tell me about the trade industry…"
"Elena," a voice called out and I turned from the kitchen window to see Sebastian in the doorway, "the master has agreed to my suggestion."
"What was that?" I asked as I stifled a yawn.
"You will return to the post of bodyguard and Nina Hopkins will be here tomorrow to measure you for your dresses."
"Oh that's brilliant, thank you," I yawned and Sebastian smirked.
"You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow so I'll bring you up to your room now."
"My room?" I asked and he nodded.
"You have to be on hand in case something happens to the young master. He has given you the room opposite his again and there is a fresh nightdress waiting for you."
I nodded and followed him as he brought me up to the room. A candlestick was lit and he opened the door to my new bedroom. It was painted a powder blue and the moon made the curtains shine a bright pearl white.
"The nightdress is on the bed," Sebastian said, "and Nina Hopkins will measure you for other dresses and also something for you to practise your somersaults in. The young master would be interested to see your skills sometime soon."
"Thank you Sebastian," I said as I turned to look back at him, "thank you for saving me."
"You saved yourself," Sebastian said as he put the candlestick down to help me undress.
"You were a good distraction," I yawned as he put the nightdress on me. He finished with the ribbon at the waist and I heard the sound of something hitting his hand. I closed my eyes before I felt something wrap around my throat and fall to lie just at the top of the nightdress.
I dropped my hand and found it was holding my locket. I lifted it up, seeing the shimmer of blue before I dropped it. Sebastian pulled back the bed sheets and motioned for me to get under them.
"Ms Hopkins won't be here until mid-afternoon and Lady Elizabeth will be there shortly after. Between himself and I, we will make sure you are not disturbed."
"Where did you find this?" I asked as I touched my mother's necklace, "I sold it for oars and a flare gun."
"That locket holds something precious in it. You must protect it on that basis alone. And it only seems fit to return it to you."
"How did you-" I asked as he wrapped the sheets around me.
"You have a busy day tomorrow, so I wish you a goodnight."
"Thank you," I whispered.
I cuddled in under the sheets and yawned. Sebastian took the candles with him as I wrapped the blankets tighter. The locket fell into the shoulders of the nightdress and I lifted a hand to touch the soft blue diamond. I had missed it for so long…to have it back made everything seem right…
"I'm home," I whispered as I closed my eyes to dream…
Remember to review the story and let me know what you think :) The next chapter will be up soon :) Thanks for reading!