Elizabeth had jumped at the offer to spend Christmas with Aleksey and his family, quite literally. Her father had already told her previously not to expect him to visit. He was apparently, 'busy', again. But that was nothing new. It made her heart ache for what family she used to have and how broken it all was now, but she wouldn't be the one to protest. Bugging and bothering her father never turned out well, so she left it. She'd been expecting to spend another Christmas alone, but of course she'd gotten the offer and didn't even have to think about it to have immediately answered yes. Of course, really, the only reason she agreed to go was that she'd be able to see Aleksey again.<br/><br/>Traveling wasn't a problem, for she did it constantly. And all in all, she was relieved she had dressed so heavily when she did get there. She was dressed nicely, of course, but without her thick layered coat, she'd still be warm with another two layers of shirts, plus her pants were comfortable. She had quite literally refused any thought of wearing a dress. Though, even if she wasn't exactly classy in any dress, she wore what other girls would often think of wearing but simply couldn't ever hope to afford it. And as usual, she was covered, very nearly head to toe with her long sleeves, which was something she usually did, as well.<br/><br/>She was relieved when someone was there to pick her up. And though she wasn't exactly comfortable with any stranger, and itched to see Aleksey again, she had tried not being silent, but spoke the very least that she could pass by with without seeming rude, as far as her own thoughts went. Elizabeth had on her thick coat again, and even in the car she was burrowed up in it, shivering to herself until the heat of the car would fully kick in.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">The cold. An awful thing.</span>She retorted mentally to herself on the way there. When she did arrive she blinked twice to herself in awe of the house, stepping out only to huddle into her coat for warmth once she did, watching her breath come out in foggy little clouds before her before rushing to the door. Hopefully, it'd be warm.<br/><br/>When the door was opened there was already a woman, she assumed had to be Aleksey's mother, and another man, whom she started to guess must've been his brother, but wasn't positive. At first she had taken a step back as if she had been hit with a wall, blinking twice at herself again, though soon stepping inside, as timid as ever after what had happened. Her long auburn hair hid beneath the hood of her coat, practically all of her top half bundled up in the coat, her hands not showing for they had been withdrew into her sleeves.<br/><br/>It took her a moment to process what was being said even then, for one seemed to be speaking English, while the woman was speaking German to her. She replied with what she could in both German and English, but after a minute or so of this spotted Aleksey over one of their shoulders, and waited patiently for a break in conversation, though she hadn't said much at all, to go straight over to him.<br/><br/>The moment she was close enough she gingerly hugged him, though with one arm only, not wanting to touch his injured side, which was the same side that she left her arm down, not wanting to hurt him in the least, and surely trying her best to make sure that she wouldn't when she did hug him.<br/><br/>"I missed you." She stated in a whisper, which really had been very close to the tone she'd been using the whole time.