Short Stories w/ Albert James Moriarty

First Day in the Orphanage

Today's the day that Albert promised Ella he'll be taking her to his favorite place: the orphanage that he visited during his childhood.

But Ella was unusually fidgety that day; shifting around her seat, gathering the top layer of her skirt into mini folds. Albert gently takes her hand and smiles at her.

"They're going to love you. Trust me.", Albert reassured her.

"Really? They haven't even know me yet."

"Yes, they will."

"I honestly don't know what's the first thing to do with them. What are they like?", Ella asked curiously.

"Hmmm kind, free-spirited souls. When I was with them before, status symbols didn't matter to them. They don't try to be your friend because of your high social class. It felt like a real home to me unlike my actual home; that's why I love them. You will have fun with them really."

With that, Ella now feels less nervous meeting the children. When the carriage finally stopped, Albert took her hand and said: "let's go love."

The moment she steps outside, a bunch of children is already coming towards them - well, Albert mostly. Ella could see the amount of energy coming from their eyes and wide smiles.

"Albert-niisan, will you read this book for us today?"

"Albert-niisan, did you bring the candies you promised us?"

"Albert-niisan, come play tag with us!"

"Albert-niisan..." a small, brunette girl tugs Albert's sleeves. 

"Yes?", Albert replied.

"Who is that pretty lady?", the small girl said while pointing to Ella. Ella became surprised.

Albert laughed and carries the little girl up in his arms, "she's really pretty, isn't she?"

"Mm!", the little girl agreed with a smile.

All the rest of the kids stare at Ella. Ella's face starts to turn red.

"Albert-niisan's in love", one of the kids whispered to the other.

"She's Albert-niisan's wife!", another kid said while pointing to Ella.

"What's....wife?", the boy with blonde hair asked.

Albert lets out a hum as he wraps Ella in his free arm, pulling her closer to him, "A wife means...", he takes a look at her and smiled, "someone who makes Albert-niisan very happy! Someone who Albert-niisan loves and will do anything for her."

"Hoooooooooh", the boy responded with amazement.

The small girl whom Albert picked up poked Ella's cheeks and suddenly giggled, "Ane-san has fluffy cheeks. I like her!" This made Ella smile.

"Ane-san, what's your name?" The boy with a patch on his eye asked.

"Ella. You can simply call me Ella.", Ella said sweetly.

"Ella, would you come play with us?"

"Yes!", Ella wholeheartedly agree. And then the kids pulled her arm into the orphanage's grounds.

They spent the whole day playing around with the kids. By nighttime, Ella shared with them a very old story from when she was a child.

"...and The End."

"Will you come back for us, Ella?" the brunette girl asked.

"I would love to!" 

"Alright everyone, say goodbye to Ella and Albert, and don't forget to thank them for the surprises they gave us!", Sister Mary said. 

A chorus of "thank you Ella and Albert" and "goodbyes" echoed throughout the room.

"Albert-niisan, will you let us come to your wedding?", a little boy said.

"Arthur, shush!" Sister Mary lightly scolded him whereas Albert chuckled at the question and Ella subtly giggled.

"Don't worry, Arthur. I won't forget to invite all of you when the time comes." 

Ella waves them all goodbye before leaving.

Once they were inside the carriage, Ella couldn't help but smile at the memory of their happy little faces. She kissed Albert softly and said, "thank you for taking me to see them, love."

"Thank you also for sharing this with me, love.", Albert said while embracing her and resting his head on her shoulders.