I wake up in a warm bed in a room illuminated by the bright sun. It's so blinding. I turn over onto the other side of bed and bury my face into the pillows. Ah, this bed is so nice and soft and warm...

"_______, I know you're awake."

"Mmmm... no I'm not. Why would I be awake?" I joke.

Sebastian gives a small laugh. "Well if you're not awake, you couldn't eat the delicious breakfast that I have made for you."

I sit up alertly. "What's for breakfast?"

"Now you're awake? I'll make you a plate, but first you have to get dressed," he laughs.

"In what, Sebastian? I can't exactly wear your shirts in public now," I say with a smirk.

"I may have picked up your dresses early this morning," he winks. "They're in the closet."

He closes the door behind him. Immediately, I jump up out of bed and rush to the closet. I nearly collapse to my knees in awe. The blue dress that Alexander promised to make was breathtaking. The black ribbons that traced the waist and skirt hem brought out the blue's darker tones while the white lace that borders the sleeves and neckline lightened the blue. I reached out to touch it and my fingers met a smooth soft surface. I pushed the dress a bit farther left and saw the white dress. The purple laces and ribbons only brought more attention to the purple silk roses that were scattered across the dress.

My stomach grumbled, reminding me that Sebastian had breakfast waiting for me. I pull the nightshirt over my head and grab the blue dress. I wiggle into the bottom of the dress and pull it over my head. I stretch to reach the black ribbons that would secure the dress, but my fingers only graze them. Left with no other choice, I must call for the butler.

I poke my head through the bedroom door and say down the hall, "Could someone please lend me some assistance?"

I hear the sound of shoes down the hallway and see Sebastian.

"Can you please tighten up my dress, Sebastian?"

"Yes, step out and turn around," he says with a smile.

I do as he says and soon feel Sebastian's slender fingers tugging on the ribbons.

"There we go," he says. "It's as good as perfect."

I turn around and look at Sebastian. Strands of his black hair hang in front of his face. I reach up and push the hair behind his ear.

"About time for a haircut, hm?" I mutter.

He holds my hand to his chilled face and gazes into my eyes.

"Yes, I assume so," he whispers.

He slowly leans in closer until I fell his chest against mine and I feel his breath run over my lips. I'm certain he can feel the fast pitter-patters of my heart. His lips just graze mine when the sitting room phone rings.

He pulls away. My face probably looks crestfallen because Sebastian gives me a sweet smile.

"One moment, _______," he sighs,"we'll catch hell if that's the young master and I don't answer. Just wait."

Sebastian walks into the sitting room and picks up the phone. I decide to walk to the kitchen. A neat stack of pancakes sits on the counter. I begin to pull apart one of the pancakes and dip it into the syrup saucer next to it. I try to fit a sticky piece into my mouth and end up getting some syrup on my face.

"Couldn't wait huh?"

I turn and Sebastian is leaning in the doorway.

He laughs. "God, you're so messy."

Sebastian walks over and rests his forehead against mine. My heart goes crazy again as I wrap my arms around his shoulders. He leans in close again and just as I close my eyes, he licks the syrup off my chin.

He stands back, laughing. I cross my arms.

"It's not nice to tease," I pout.

"I guess you can say I'm a regular demon," he jokes. "But, um, that was Ciel on the phone and he wants me to run a couple errands."

"Oh," I mumble. I was expecting a romantic, head-over-heels day, but I guess not.

Sebastian pulls out a satchel out of his pocket.

"Here," he smiles,"treat yourself today. Go to a nice cafe for lunch or just blow it at a casino, I won't care."

I grab the coin purse. "I really shouldn't. This is your money," I protest.

"Hey," he says,"you'll soon see the benefits of being a servant for one of the richest business tycoons in England."

"Thanks, Sebastian," I smile.

As he walks out, he replies,"Anything for you, _______."

I find myself grinning from ear to ear. Suddenly, Sebastian rushes back into the room and kisses me firmly on the lips. Before I could so much as blush, I hear the front door close.

I clutch the coin purse and feel a jittery kind of warmth spread over my body. I pull the strings and reveal enough shillings to buy a whole closet of dresses. I go to my room and lace up the shoes I had on yesterday. I lock the door and step out. Hopefully Sebastian will be back before I return so I'm not locked out.

The bricks are still dark with the rain from last night, but the sun shines brightly, showing no sign of the showers. I walk down the streets that are slowly filling up with people. I smile as I watch the children run through the streets playing tag. I hardly remember those fun days now. It's hard to believe that seven years ago I would have probably have played tag with them.

Anyhow, it's only a matter of time before I can afford a new home and maybe then I can marry into a wealthy family. Then I remember. I... I have begun to fraternize with a butler. I couldn't court him without my name being drug through the mud. Maybe this will only last a few months and I can move on. Yes, I have to keep what's left of my dignity and marry someone of a higher class... that is if I don't fall too hard for the ruby eyed butler.

A small shop suddenly catches my eye. Neat handmade bonnets and nightgowns are displayed in the window space. I push open the door and see hats and bonnets and a few assorted womanly things as the little bells tinkle on the door. AlA squat wrinkled woman sits behind a counter embroidering small roses into a baby bib.

"Excuse me? Madame?" I call to the woman.

She looks up and gives a warm grin.

"What can I do for a pretty young lady like you?" she asks.

"I'm looking for a bonnet that would perhaps coordinate with this dress?" I ask.

"I've got just the thing," she says before heading into a back room.

I walk over to her work. The roses look like they're blooming but only just as the sun begins to rise.

I hear the bells chime and I turn. A little girl and her mother enter the shop. The girl immediately walks to the glass case of porcelain dolls with pretty pink dresses and smudges her face into the glass. I smile at the mother and she give a polite smile back.

The woman returns with a blue bonnet that closely resembles the blue of my dress, but the little black roses that are embroidered onto the side look just like those that the woman was just working on. I pull it on and it fits just right.

"I'll take it," I say as I take out Sebastian's coin purse.

The little girl begins to shout,"Can I have that one please?"

The mother sighs and calls over to the woman,"How much for the yellow doll?"

"Six shillings and a hay-penny," she says.

"Now, Angel, that's most of your father's paycheck," the woman says."Maybe for Christmas, hm?"

"I'll gladly pay for it, Miss," I say.

The mother turns to me, shocked.

"Oh no I mustn't, but bless you, Lady."

"I insist."

I take out the money and place it on the counter. The woman goes over and takes out the doll and hands it to the little girl. She nearly squeaks with delight.

"Thank you, Miss!" the little girl says.

I smile and watch as the family leaves. I leave soon afterwards.

I stop at a small little inn and order a muffin which I eat on the way back to the townhouse. When I finally walk up the steps, I see it's locked. I sigh and sit on the step and watch the passersby. A man with medium length white hair stops when he sees me. He's dressed as if he's of a higher class.

"Madam, are you alright?" he questions.

"Oh yes, just locked out until the butler returns I'm sad to say," I laugh.

"How would you like to stay at my house until he does?" the man offers."It's only a few blocks further."

Not knowing exactly when Sebastian will be back I say,"Maybe another day, kind sir. What and where might I call you if the opportunity to visit you arises?"

"Call for Lord Ash at Brickhouse on Cherry," he says,"I hope to have you come soon!"

"Me as well," I smile not knowing the role this man has yet to play.

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(A/N ) Thanks for those who continue to read the story even with the long breaks in between chapters. High school and writing are hard things to juggle. I love you all (and your creative comments).

Best Pre-Christmas Wishes,

Greekblood