FIVE

Elizabeth blinked, the sudden outburst from the woman locking her in place. "Hug you?"

"Ugh!" Louise loudly groaned and rolled her head. Without another word, she stomped over to Elizabeth and wrapped her into a tight loving bear hug. "Liz, I've come to see you because obviously I've missed you crazy! You insult me by speaking so formally!" She smothered her with rocking sway.

Elizabeth swallowed, her throat bobbing as the warmth enveloped her. "...Louise..." Unexpectedly, she felt her eyes going soft and damp.

"Tell me you've missed me too!" She snuggled into Elizabeth.

"I..." Elizabeth was fighting for words. "...Mercy, yes!" She reciprocated the hug, quickly melting into an emotional mush. "I've missed you like crazy too!"

Louise laughed, pulling gingerly away from their embrace. "Finally! I wanted you hug me the moment I walked in, crazy eyes!"

Elizabeth placed a hand over her mouth, feeling her chest tighten. "Oh, Louise, I-I I'm so sorry that I've been so distant. It's just that after you married Tommy my parents were so firm on keeping me away and I...I just couldn't risk my engagement with Benjamin and I...." Her voice trailed as she stopped to shake her head.

Biting her lip, she continued with a blubber of words falling from her mouth. "I know how horrible that sounds, but I never was trying distance myself from you or place Benjamin above you. I just...I didn't know what to do, and then they said you had eloped and moved somewhere far with Tommy....and-and I didn't think I'd see you again or-or I don't know. Then your letter came and I just didn't what to think or what to do---."

"---Liz, Liz, Liz." Louise placed her hands firmly on Elizabeth's shoulders. "I know, I get it, and I understand. It was the same for me. I worried and was thinking about so many things. I didn't know if should continue to get you involved with a rebel like me, and I certainly didn't want to dampen your reputation. I knew how you felt for Benjamin and I didn't want to jeopardize that. So, I thought it would be best if I stayed away and then I thought it that might look like I was avoiding you and...well? The rest of it I'm sure you get." She exhaled, and smiled.

"Yes, I do." Elizabeth smiled, tears in her eyes.

"Aww." Louise happily sighed. "Don't do the tears, Liz. You'll make me emotional!" Joyful tears were sprouting from her eyes as she pulled Elizabeth back into a tender hug. "You must know, you were always such a little cry baby!" She spoke through snickers.

"Don't pretend as if you aren't crying with me!" Elizabeth sniffled, more tears spilling from her eyes as they hugged each other tighter.

"Ah, I see the two musketeers have finally reunited." A deep male voice coming from the doors interrupted the girl's heartwarming reunion.

They both pulled away from their hug and turned their gaze to the doors.

In the doorframe, was a tall man polished looking man leaning against the frame. He was dressed in crème yellow blazer suit that complimented his broad shoulders, a white hat, and casual black trousers thick around the pelvis. His white button up shirt was unbuttoned down; a large part of his v line exposed and the thin white fabric only highlighted the lines and muscles in his chest.

As he moved from the doorframe, his long legs were apparent, and the closer he came, the more Elizabeth could make of the man's face.

His hair was jet black and curly with a clean cut look his hairline. His eyes were almond shaped with deep plunging black orbs. His skin was swarthy and there was a nick in his brow. But Elizabeth particularly found her observations of him gravitating to his lips. They were full and thick, and were grinning with a boyish demeanor that almost seemed familiar.

"L-Louise." Elizabeth swallowed on a dry tongue. She tossed a concerned glare to her friend, a type of glare that demanded to know why there was an unannounced attractive man in her home. "You didn't tell me you were bringing someone with you. Who is this?"

"Who is it?" Both Louise and the man spoke in unison. They repeated Elizabeth's question with wide eyes and gaping lips.

"Liz!" Louise gawked. "Tell me you haven't forgotten your own younger brother!"

Elizabeth scrunched her nose in confusion peeking from the man to Louise. "My younger brother...? Louise what are you---Nickolas?" Her jaw hung a little as she examined the man before her.

The last she saw of Nickolas; he was just a boy in his youth not yet to hit puberty. Back then, he was long-limbed and thin, and shorter than Louise and Elizabeth. Even though he was only about 2 years younger than them, all she could remember was how Louise used to call him Squeaky Nicky for his girlish voice. Louise once teased him, saying that because his voice was so 'girlish', when he would hit puberty, he was going to grow breasts.

For a split second, Elizabeth's eyes browsed him. He looked so firm, solid and...mature.

She down, eyes passing over the bulge in his trousers. It was clearly not breasts that grew on him.

She swallowed again. "Wow. Nicky, you...?"

"I know." Louise smiled wide. "The last we saw of Nicky before we set off to board at the Ladies Dormitory School, he was just a wee little lad no taller than my pinky. And now?" She had to crane her head up to look at him. "Well now, he's just a monster." She shrugged giving Elizabeth a matter of factly stare.

Nickolas rolled his eyes. "Did I ever tell you she's grow up to be so horrible, Elizabeth?"

"No. Did I ever tell you he's grown up to be so horrible, Liz?" Louise added, pointing to him.

Nickolas rolled his eyes again, and shook his head in a fed-up manner. "Elizabeth." Ignoring Louise, he turned a sweet smile to Elizabeth. "My dear friend, it's so good to see you." He slightly spread his arms, offering a hug.

Elizabeth nodded, stepping towards him to accept the hug. "It's good to see you too, Nicko---." Her breath caught in her throat as wrapped his arms around her. He felt as hard as stone, his tight hold constricting her into an iron cage. Worse, when their bodies pressed together, she was afraid she almost felt it.

When he pulled back from the hug, she wobbled back a few steps from him.