I know I need somebody

I hugged the blanket tighter and stared at the storm approaching. When I looked down towards the end of the street, a figure was walking my way. The person looked familiar, their tall shoulders slumped. I squinted and saw- Jonas? Wait? Jonas! "Jonas!" I yelled and sprinted to him. Jonas was laughing and wrapped me up in his strong arms.

"Jonas," I whispered. He pushed back and gazed at me. His face was sunken with hunger and his eyes bloodshot. His barely warm breath created a cloud between us. Jonas's blue eyes smiled in their own way and I hugged him tight again.

He kissed my cheeks and smiled. "Can we go inside? It's cold out here," he said. Joyously, I nod and lead him inside before making him food. I took out rare foods that I had left in the cellar. Apples, flour, sugar, and so much more. I created an apple pie with turkey, corn, potatoes, and gravy. When I had set the table, a knock came at the door.

I answered it and gasped in surprise. "Thomas Martin Smiley!" I exclaimed. He held out his arms with a wide smile. "Surprise!" I laugh and enfold myself in him, clutching him close, as if I might lose him. I kissed his bronzed, cold cheek. "Miss me?" he chuckles. I nod and bury my face into his solid chest. Jonas closed the door as we pulled away and he clapped a hand on Thomas's shoulder.

"Hello Private," Jonas says with a grin. Thomas smiles as well. "Nice to see you Lieutenant." "Thomas, this is my brother and Jonas, this is my friend Thomas. You look like you know each other though any way. Come, supper is on the table." I lead them to my dining room and set one more place at the four-person table.

We all sat down with warm hearts, filling ourselves with food and then dessert. It was a quiet supper and I could see the happiness in both of their faces as the pie was set down before them. When we had all eaten, we seated around my fireplace. I gave Jonas and Thomas lots of blankets and they took them gratefully. I closed my eyes, resting my head on Thomas's shoulder.

"Are you tired?" the boys asked simultaneously. I laugh and shake my head, determined to stay awake and have them tell stories. I sit up straight and turn my gaze to my only brother. "Tell me a story," I say. And he immediately launches into his tale. Jonas speaks about how all the soldiers were hungry and sleep deprived, and I shake my head in wonder. How could anyone even last that long? Even after everything they go through they have to fight battles over some stupid feud. I sigh and hug Jonas's knee, happy that he was alive and well. When it was well past dark, I put Jonas in my guest room and told him goodnight. He was out like a light.

I showed Thomas my own room. "You can sleep here," I say. He nodded and grasped my hand in his own. "Stay with me?" he whispered. A soft smile graced my lips and I nod shyly. When he left the room to change his clothes, I slipped into my nightgown before crawling under the covers.

I shut my eyes for a second and think about the events of the day. It wouldn't seem like much to others, but to me... it was what I hoped would happen to me. After seeing Thomas walk in the room, I flushed deeply and turned on my side to face him. He crawled in bed and clasped my small fingers. I closed my eyes and smiled sleepily.

"Goodnight Livia," Thomas said.

"Goodnight Tom," I reply before falling into a deep sleep.

So I can learn how to love