THE LAST CHAPTER AW YISS HAPPY ENDING TIME FOR ALL.}
Arthur's p.o.v.}
You awaken groggily, blinking sleep out of your eyes while feeling more like a dragon than a human. Absentmindedly you reach to put your arm around Lilli but all you get is what feels like a paper.
Well isn't that disappointing?
"Bloody hell," you mumble as you sit up and grab the note.
Arthur,
I needed to go home to get ready for my graduation. I hope you can come.
xLilli
You skim through the note once more. Jesus, you can remember when you first met her. Such a beautiful love came out of a rotten purpose, but there's irony for you. Rolling out of bed, you spare a glance at your alarm clock.
13:20. The ceremony starts at 17:30. Shit, you had plenty of time.
Two hours and a shower later, you're sitting on your couch when Allester bursts in and runs to where you are. He takes one glance at the show on the T.V., shudders, and turns towards you.
"Do I want to know?" he asks.
"Oh, relax. This is the only time Irene's naked in the whole series."
He gives you a blank look.
"You've watched it all before."
"Sherlock is an addicting show!"
Allester lets out an exasperated sigh before dumping the bag he was carrying on the couch.
"Black tux, grey shirt, silver tie, chains in the beltloops, ripped in places; you're fucking welcome."
You rush over to where he threw down the bag. True to his work, there was indeed a black ripped-up tux with chains, a dark grey shirt, and a silver tie. Shit, you love your brother and the connections he has.
"I'm going to have to pay you back, right?" You cringe, thinking of how many more jobs you're going to need to get.
But to your great surprise, he shakes his head. "No," he says firmly. "This is your day."
You raise your head up and look at him in surprise. He shifts his gaze and stuffs his hands in his pockets.
"I know today's your day. She was there for you last year, so you need to be there for her this year."
You almost feel tears in your eyes as he walks over and rests a hand on your shoulder.
"Thank you," you manage to choke out of your swollen throat. And as you speak, tears actually do fall from your eyes.
So with his next words that somehow manage to fill you to the brim with easy-coming confidence, you know you can do this.
You can't erase what happened, but you can be there for her.
19:45}
You're in the second row, last seat. You've waited over two hours for her name to be called. With all the awards being given out, you're surprised no one's left yet. Since you graduated here a year prior, you knew how long it was going to take. And after this was all over, you'd be patient and wait for her to say goodbye to her friends.
One more person...
"And, last but not least, Lilli Zwingli." A roar of applaus made it difficult to hear her awards, but you did. "Awarded most kindest and understanding in her grade. Congradulations, Class of 2012."
Suddenly, hats everywhere. Screaming, cheering, hugs, tackles, crying.
It only takes five seconds for your eyes to lock with her beautiful, sparkling, happy green eyes.
It takes less time for you to run up and hug the shit out of her.
Even yet, it takes less time for your lips to connect; for you to pick her up and twirl her around. God, you swear time slowed down just for that one moment, every second dragging into a minute, every heartbeatt durning into a decade. It's a whole chaotic mess of pride and heartbreak and relief.
You're by her side for all of it, just like you will be for the next eternity, and the one after that.
As soon as everything calms down, you gently grip her hand...
"Lilli...," you start off. She's got one hand over her mouth, the other being held captive by yours. Her gaze is a questioning one, disguised by her interest.
"Yes?"
"Lilli," you start again. "I've known you for four years, but what feels like a lifetime. I always want to be there for you, I want to be the one who holds you and wipes your tears." Your hand reaches up and gently graces her skin, wiping away those dirty tears. "I want..."
...You get down on one knee...
...And choke down tears yourself while you fumble with the rest of the speech...
...And pull a ring out of your pocket...
"...You to marry me."
Full-fledged tears are running down her cheek now. She looks like a deer in the headlights, mouth agape and her beautiful green eyes wide.
You can't believe it when she nods her head, smiling and giggling and crying like an angel.
Your angel.
Gently, you slip the ring onto her finger. She almost knocks you over with the force of the sudden hug, but you easily pick her up and it's all you can do to not squeeze her to death right there.
Ten months later, you can still feel that heart-wrenching love that makes you feel like you're bursting at the seams as you watch her walk down the aisle.
As you watch her raise your kids.
As you grow old with her.
Dreams do come true.