After they returned to the room, Isabella and Violet changed out of their dresses and set about filling up the bath in their usual way. The soak was precisely the thing they needed after a long night of dancing and the two laughed and recounted specific points of enjoyment throughout the night. It wasn’t until Isabella tried to stand back up that she realized just how stiff her muscles were. She was definitely going to be in pain tomorrow and not only physically.

Once they were out, Isabella couldn’t help but see each part of the routine as the last time they would do something together. The last time they’d take a bath. The last time Violet would dry and brush her hair. Now all that was left was to go to bed together. One. Last. Time. Throughout all this, she managed to hold it together. Whether or not she would be able to the whole night was another matter.

While Violet busied herself packing a few last things, Isabella watched her move about the room. As she did so, a troubled look appeared and then grew on her face. Eventually, Violet noticed and paused what she was doing to look at her with an inquisitive look. Seeing this, Isabella dropped her gaze to the floor, not wanting her friend to see the extent of the sadness that currently gripped her heart.

“Isabella, is something wrong? Are you upset?”

Well, too late for that.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Of course, she was upset! What a silly question! However, she mustered as much of a smile as she could before lifting her head. “So, what are you going to do once you return?”

Violet stared at her silently for a few moments and Isabella feared she would press her on the previous question. Mercifully though, Violet returned to the task at hand before answering. “I will go back to writing letters most likely.”

“I see.” Ah, so back to being a proper doll then and not a fake handmaiden. That was her actual job, after all. It was funny though, three months together and Isabella had only seen Violet practice on the typewriter. Not actually do what she was trained for. There had been an Auto Memory Doll living with her this whole time and she’d never taken advantage of it.

“Violet…”

Again, the doll paused what she was doing and looked over to where Isabella sat. “Yes?”

“I want you to write me a letter.”

“You do?” Isabella could’ve sworn she saw a glint of excitement pass over Violet’s eyes before her head dropped to finish stuffing the bag full of the remaining items on the table with a little more pep. “Just give me one moment.”

When Violet finished, she zipped the bag and lifted it clear so she could deposit it on the extra bed that hadn’t been used in months. Subsequently, she moved back to the bed and sat beside Isabella, obviously curious. “So, who is this letter to?”

“It’s to my sister, to Taylor.” Isabella could already feel the additional sadness well up inside her and knew this was most likely going to be difficult. However, she found that she wasn’t ashamed to show those feelings to someone she’d grown so close to. She knew Violet had seen her fair share of emotional customers and topics, anyway. Had experienced them herself, too. Besides that, Isabella felt like she could be herself around Violet. Like she could be Amy, not this caricature of the noblewoman she played. However, despite knowing all that, Isabella couldn’t keep the tears that began to form in the corner of her eyes.

“Isabella…” Violet’s tone was gentle and she didn’t hesitate to reach out and lay her hands over Isabella’s. “It’s alright.”

“It’s not.” Isabella turned her hands and squeezed Violet’s for comfort. “A letter. Is that really all I can do?” And even that might risk her father’s wrath. It was pathetic. “I can’t do anything. For Taylor, for you…”

“You’re wrong.” Violet’s assertion stunned Isabella for a moment and she could see a conviction in her friend’s eyes that only added to the feeling. A moment later, she even shook her head for emphasis. “You gave me a happiness I’ve longed for, Isabella. Showed me a side of friendship I hadn’t known. Showed something as wonderful as the heat that blooms in my heart from a simple touch. And for Taylor, you chose her well-being over your happiness; an incredible sacrifice to make. Isabella or Amy, it doesn’t matter. I’m proud to be your friend.”

The whole time Violet spoke, Isabella struggled to maintain eye contact. Her eyes flicked between Violet’s until the last words finally caused her to look somewhere else. She never expected someone could praise her so passionately.

“Thank you.” The words came out weaker than Isabella would’ve liked but the sentiment was the same. After a few more heartbeats, she brought her gaze back up to Violet before a small smile finally kicked up on her lips. “Even if what you say is true, I’m still a better person after meeting you, Violet. You’re the amazing one, you know.”

Again, she felt a squeeze on her hands but at this point, she wanted more. So, she turned and pulled Violet into a hug, wrapping her arms fully around the taller woman to bring her close. The movement put her lips close by one ear and Isabella closed her eyes while she basked in the glow of her friend. It would be so easy now to say those three little words. To whisper “I love you” so faintly Violet may wonder if she’d heard anything at all. However, they wouldn’t come out, couldn’t come out. It felt so right but the fear of what may happen stopped her from pushing herself over the edge.

Soon, the moment passed and they both leaned back out. “Well, I suppose we should write that letter then. Don’t want it to get too late…”

Finally, Violet nodded and leaned out once Isabella eased her grip. “Yes, you’re right. Go have a seat and I’ll get my typewriter.”

Isabella nodded and then rose from the bed before moving to the closest chair to sit down. Afterward, she watched as Violet rose and made her way over to her belongings where she grabbed the big case that held her typewriter.  

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you unpack,” Isabella offered.

“It’s no trouble.” Once the machine was set up, Violet sat in a chair next to her. Settled, she removed her gloves and placed them neatly on the tabletop. Isabella heard a faint click of metal once the fingertips rested on the keys and, now that she was in position, Violet turned and nodded in the student’s direction. “You may begin when you’re ready. Just tell me what you’d like to say.”

She was really going to write a letter for her, wasn’t she? It was an odd realization but Isabella nodded in response and then paused to organize her thoughts. How did she wrap up all her feelings? The worry and doubt, the elation and hope. It was a hard thing to get across. But wasn’t that why Violet was here? To help her put her thoughts to paper? If anyone could, it was her.

“Alright, let’s see. I think I want to start with a magic word…” As she spoke, her eyes dropped from Violet to the table in front of them. Not because of discomfort but more so she could focus on what ideas to convey and less so on who was scribing them. Of course, the constant stream of clicks from the typewriter made the doll’s presence known and even provided a relaxing background noise.

At one point, Isabella even got out of her seat and began pacing in the space between the table and the bed, eyes still downcast as she spoke. Every so often, the pair would pause and Isabella would look over Violet’s shoulder to see what was written thus far. She didn’t know how long they’d gone, but the candle at the center of the table had lost much of its height by the time they finished. Once the noise from the keys ceased and Violet removed the final copy from the machine, she handed it over for Isabella to read.

Isabella didn’t look right away, again preferring to take a breath to steel her for this last read. When she was ready, she took the paper to the bed and sat on the edge before letting her eyes scan over the words. By the end, tears were welling up in the corners of her eyes again and she had to set the letter on the bedside table to ensure she didn’t ruin it. As the seconds dragged on, Violet watched her closely.

“Is it acceptable?” She finally asked.

The question caused Isabella to look over and meet her eyes before shaking her head. “Acceptable? Violet, it’s perfect. Thank you.” No wonder the doll was in high demand. Her work was eloquent without being verbose. There was also an element of emotion captured that spoke to a deeper understanding of Isabella’s experiences.

Hearing the words, Violet smiled and made her way over to the bed after she finished cleaning up her supplies. Once she sat, Isabella leaned her head to rest on the taller woman’s shoulder while the sniffles continued to plague her.  

“It was a pleasure to write for you. I feel like it was one of my most important letters.”

“You think so?” Isabella asked in disbelief.

“I do.”

Knowing something of Violet’s past work, it was a little surprising to hear her proclaim it as such. Her letter was nothing special in the grand scheme of things, after all. Still, the sentiment brought a smile to

her face only to be swiftly erased with a yawn that followed. It was getting late and Violet should be able to rest some before starting her journey home. After the wave of sleepiness subsided, Isabella straightened herself and looked over at the pillows with puffy, red eyes. “I suppose we should get some sleep, then?”

Violet nodded her agreement, which was followed by a yawn of her own. “Yes, we should.”

Once both women were lying in bed with candles blown out, Isabella found that she was calmer than expected. Not that she was actually calm, just more so than she would’ve guessed from her earlier distress. Maybe having Violet next to her in bed was all that was required to bring her some peace of mind. Which didn’t bode well for tomorrow night. Currently, she was on her side, facing away from where Violet lay. Like they usually were. But if this was going to be their last night, then Isabella wanted to make as much of it as possible.

“Are you still awake?” As she asked, Isabella opened her eyes and turned her head. Following the question, she felt a brief movement beside her.

“I am. Did you need something?”

Isabella hesitated for a moment before turning further and reaching out with her hand. “Will you…hold me tonight, please?” Before any answer came, she found Violet’s hand where it rested and gently began to pull it towards her. Which was soon followed by the rest of her.

“…Yes.”

Isabella lay back down and brought Violet’s arm over her shoulder before holding the hand close to her chest. Subsequently, she lifted her head so that Violet could slip her other arm underneath.

“Like this?” Violet was so close now the heat of her words played across Isabella’s neck where it found gaps in her hair.

“Yes, it’s perfect. Thank you.” Isabella’s hand continued to grip the doll’s, resting it on her heart. The metal was a little cool but it didn’t bother her in the slightest. The warmth of Violet’s body pressed to her back was more than enough and Isabella even shifted her body back to get more of it. Now that they were settled, a wide grin appeared on her lips in the darkness. Honestly, Isabella wished she had asked for this sooner but at least she was getting one night together like this.

Even after bathing together this somehow felt more intimate, like they were really connected. “Violet, one more thing. Can you call me Amy, please? I want to hear you call me my real name at least once.”

“Of course.” There was a pause and Isabella felt Violet sit up slightly in the bed before leaning closer.  “Goodnight, Amy.”

“Goodnight, Violet.” Naturally, the smile on her lips only grew at hearing her name. Her actual name. With that last gift, Isabella finally closed her eyes and drifted off into a deep sleep.