A loud ‘clank’ came as the butler dropped the tray. Alfred’s usually calm demeanor seemed far away as his eyes filled with tears. He normally would have fretted immediately over such a mess. But right now, that was the last thing on his mind.

How long had it been? How long since the incident, the one that nearly broke him?

“You’re alive,” he whispered, his voice soft and hoarse with a relief he never thought he'd feel. He took a shaky step forward. “Oh, thank the stars, you’re alive….”