Ashton walked at a steady pace, not wanting to rush, and at the same time wanting to run as fast as he could to find out who was waiting for him. He very suddenly very nervous and uncertain. He had no idea who it could be, and was not expecting anyone. He feared that this may be an unpleasant surprise. His parents seemed excited however. Though that didn’t mean much. They were usually excited about most things.

Ashton reached his room, slowing to a stop before his door.

He clenched his teeth, swallowing the lump in his throat before reaching a hand out towards the door.

He opened it carefully, stepping in.

Ashton peered around the door towards his bed, where he saw a figure lying there on their side with their back to him.

Ashton closed his mouth then, swallowing again.

He allowed the door behind him to swing shut, and upon the sound of the door closing, the figure sat up and glanced around.

‘Ashton!’

‘Alicia?’

She swung her legs off the edge of the bed, skipping towards him as fast as she could and sweeping him up in a tight hug.

Ashton hesitated for only a moment, caught by surprise.

A few seconds later he raised his arms, hugging her back, gently at first, and then tighter, closing his eyes contentedly and sighing.

‘Its so good to see my dear sister again’ he sighed, speaking quietly.

His sister was sixteen, Ashton was seventeen. He had not seen his sister for over a year as she had married at a very young age. As was expected of her. It was typical for high-borns to do this, for men to carry on their families name, and for women to have children. Ashton of course had been expected to have been married by now, but because of his preferences, things in his case had been a little different. It had never really been much of a secret, and when he did admit it at last and get it out in the open, his parents both replied, ‘oh that’s nice. But why didn’t you bring dessert, you said you were going to the kitchen to get it. I am upset now.’

Ashton had only laughed at this. It had been a good rest of the day after that.

‘And its wonderful to see you again too’ Alicia beamed back at her brother, finally releasing him from her hug but not letting go fully as she stepped back, holding both his hands in hers now and bobbing on the balls of her feet, grinning at him merrily. ‘I wanted to surprise you!’ she spoke excitedly.

‘I had no idea you would be here’ Ashton fumbled.

‘Well duh’ she rolled her eyes. ‘If you did it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it?’

‘Oh right’ Ashton laughed awkwardly. ‘Yeah that makes sense.’

She leaned forwards quickly then and gave him a peck on the cheek, before hugging him again tightly one last time and then stepping back.

‘How is your husband?’ Ashton asked with a smile. ‘And your children?’

‘My husband is fine’ Alicia beamed back joyfully. ‘And my twin babies both are doing incredibly well. It will be their birthday soon, so I came here only to visit quickly. I have to return home soon.’

‘Why did you come all this way then?’ Ashton asked, sounding worried and a little disappointed.

He had not seen his sister in so long, to see her again had been wonderful, but to hear she would be leaving so soon broke his heart.

‘I have something I need to tell you’ Alicia said, her expression dampening slightly, her brow furrowed, and tone growing serious. ‘Can we go outside to talk? I would like to wander the garden. It’s so beautiful today after all.’