It starts with an envelope. In the grand scheme of things, there is nothing all that extraordinary about an envelope. Its sole purpose is to be a carrier of papers, documents, and other such things. What does make it extraordinary, however, is what those papers, documents, and other such things it carries entail. Good news, bad news, good tidings, surprises of all kinds: an envelope can hold the secrets the same weight as the entire world, or a cheeky letter between friends, or pages and pages of fond words exchanged between lovers. It can hold season’s greetings, a sizeable sum in the form of a payslip, or priceless hope. No one really knows what to expect when handed an envelope, sealed with a kiss or an embossed wax seal, or held together by a piece of string. The envelope Alastair holds in his hands is no exception. The cream paper is unassuming and the handwriting on the front is one he’s familiar with. Yet despite its plain appearance, he knows there’s something special inside, and Thomas Lightwood is the one responsible. Alastair and Thomas have been together for many years now. Courting for two, engaged for one, and married for over five, every day has been a beautiful dream, a long era of bliss after a childhood of walking on eggshells and a tumultuous adolescence. Sometimes Alastair pinches himself just to check it’s all real, that he really is waking up to the man who owns his heart, who has time and time again told him and shown him how deep in love with him he is, and that their matching rings aren’t a mere figment of his imagination. They’ve created a cosy little home with each other here in 102 Cornwall Gardens, the place imprinted with evidence of their love and life together. Thomas’s pile of Spanish books on the side table in the drawing room. Alastair’s favourite blanket draped over the arm of a sea-blue sofa in the parlour. Thomas’s writing paraphernalia strewn over every single writing bureau. Alastair’s carefully organised sheet music by the piano, one he’s playing on a regular basis these days. Two razors by the washstand. Two sets of clothes in the wardrobes. Two placements of crockery and cutlery put out for breakfast, lunch, supper and tea every day in the dining room—or the kitchen if it is just them in the house. Two toothbrushes in a cup, a shared bed, walls filled with laughter, secrets whispered by the fire, love poured by the pillowcases… Once upon a time, Alastair would have scoffed at the description, but there’s no other word to describe them: they are soulmates, through and through. Yet even with all this, Thomas is still able to surprise him. The case in point? This envelope.
