December 21: One Wish
That morning everyone was furiously preparing for Fabian's birthday party. Patricia was hanging balloons and streamers, making sure that they were all in place. Joy was adding the finishing touches to the cake and was currently adding a few cherries to the top. Amber and Alfie were neatly wrapping Fabian's presents. Mara was running about, shouting instructions at everyone. Trudy and Mick were distracting Fabian with a bit of grocery shopping.
However, Nina and Eddie's jobs were done, so they sat in the library, deciding that it was time to try and figure out when the descendant was vulnerable to the mental one.
But after a miserable hour of learning nothing, Eddie checked his phone, noticing how the time for the party was growing nearer.
Finally, he shut his book and stood up, "I'm going to head, to start Fabian's surprise party. See you there soon?"
"Mhmmm," Nina said, not looking up from her book.
He left and Nina continued searching, scanning through books about Cleopatra for any mention of the world vulnerable. She also checked her phone, sighing at how slowly time seemed to be passing. So she shut off her phone in hopes that not checking the time constantly would make it go by faster. Nina wanted to be very focused on her task so she grabbed the massive headphones leftover from an old exhibit, gathered a pile of Cleopatra books, and found a remote corner of the library where the sun slanted in from the window just right. Then Nina got to work.
"Where's Nina?" Amber asked, worriedly realizing that the time was 15 minutes to noon.
"I've tried calling her mobile but it just goes straight to voicemail," Mara bit her lip, "She's cutting is really close."
"Last time I saw her she was in the library," Eddie finished tying a balloon, "I'll go see if she's still there."
He thrust the balloon into Patricia's hand and left for the library. When he got there, Eddie peeked his head inside, but Nina wasn't where he had left her. There was not even a reply when he tried shouting her name. Eddie even went so far as to look around for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Shrugging, he departed, supposing that she was probably in her room or somewhere else at the house. So he checked everywhere. She was not in her room, the attic, the cellar, the tunnels, or anywhere!
"I can't find Nina," he announced to everyone after his search.
"Maybe something came up?" Alfie suggested.
"What would come up that would cause her to miss this?" Patricia frowned, thinking that this was very unlike Nina. Perhaps it had something to do with Sibuna, she thought.
"I'm sure she'll turn up," Joy said, putting away her apron.
"There are 5 minutes until Fabian gets here," Mara shook her head, "Where could she be?"
Suddenly, they heard a rumbling sound, one that could only mean that the garage was opening. Trudy and Mick had brought Fabian back too early!
"Quick, everybody hide!" hissed Mara, hastily turning off the lights and concealing herself behind the couch.
Everyone quickly dived into hiding spots and patiently waited for Fabian's arrival.
The door creaked open and Trudy stepped in, follow by Mick and Fabian who were lugging a load of grocery bags.
"It's really weird being escorted by police officers," Mick remarked, setting down his bags on the counter top.
"They're just safety precautions," Fabian closed the door behind them, "Who turned out the lights?"
Trudy put away the keys, "Fabian will you be a dear and put away the eggs?"
"Sure," he snatched the egg carton and turned on the lights, about to open the refrigerator.
"SURPRISE!" Everybody screamed, jumping out of hiding excitedly.
Fabian nearly dropped the eggs in shock, "You all scared the life out of me!"
"Happy birthday Fabian!" Mara cried.
"Thanks for telling us," Patricia muttered.
He blushed, "Er, sorry guys. I just didn't want to make a big deal about it."
"It's your birthday!" Amber squealed, "You're allowed to make a fuss!"
Laughing, Fabian shoved the eggs into the fridge and turned to his friends, "I guess you're right. Thanks guys!" his eyes scanned through the room, eyeing the lovely decorations, his friends, and disappointedly realizing that Nina was not among the crowd, "The place looks great!"
Trudy hugged Fabian, "I can't believe that you're growing up so fast! I remember when you all were 11 years old," she laughed in remembrance, "And now you're all nearly a year away from being adults. It makes me feel so old!"
"Aw Trudes, you don't look a day over 28," Mick said.
"Now let's open presents!" Mara swung her arm around Fabian and led him into the living room.
He sat down on the chair and grinned at everyone, trying not to show how cheerless he felt about Nina's absence.
"Mine first, here you go Fabes!" Joy eagerly handed Fabian his presents.
"You guys didn't need to get me anything, I already got your Christmas presents!"
"Dude, just open them," urged Alfie.
Fabian unwrapped the present, revealing a new set of books that he'd been wanting, "Whoa! I've been definitely yearning to read these."
"Oh I almost forgot," Fabian grabbed a box from the table, "My parents gave this to me yesterday!" To his great surprise, it turned out to be an iPhone.
"Man you must have great parents," Mick whistled.
"I sure do."
Next, he unwrapped a set of DVDs from Mara that had the title Sherlock on them, "Hey I've heard about these, aren't they the modern day remakes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holes? I do love those books!"
She nodded, "It's from the people who made Doctor Who so I'm sure you'll love them!"
Then he got a really interesting book about Chemistry from Mick, a mug from Amber and Alfie that had this engraved on it, "Most problems are solved with a good cuppa", a new snowboarding jacket from Patricia and Eddie, an assortment of chocolates from Trudy, and last of all a really amazing chess set.
He held it up for everyone to view, "This is a fantastic present! Look at the pieces, they're all mini rubik's cubes, how cool is that? Now go on, who got this for me?" he grinned.
"It was from Nina," Alfie answered hesitantly.
"Where is Nina anyway?"
"Um," Eddie looked down at the ground, "We don't know."
"Oh."
"Time for the birthday boy to eat his cake!" Joy quickly interrupted, dragging everyone into the kitchen where she unveiled her cherry chocolate cake.
"My favorite kind," Fabian licked his lips, smiling at his friends warmly, "You guys are the best."
Patricia practically shoved Fabian down into the chair in front of the cake as Trudy lit the candles.
Fabian stared at all 17 of them, wondering how he managed to deserve such great friends. But the thing he thought about most now was Nina. Where was she? How could she not be here?
Mick turned off the lights and the candles illuminated the kitchen, casting a dim glow on Fabian's face.
"Blow out the candles and make a wish," Amber encouraged.
He stared at the cake, with its chocolate frosting and the words Happy Birthday Fabian in red writing, cherries placed everywhere. Then he glanced at his friends. Alfie had his arm around Amber, Patricia and Eddie stood next to each other, hands clasped in the dark, Mick, Joy, and Trudy were holding cups, plates, and forks, nodding at him to get on with it, and last of was Mara, with her head slightly tilted as she began to sing.
"Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear Fabian…
Happy birthday to you!"
So as they sang, Fabian took a deep breath, wishing that Nina could have been there. He blew out the candles and everyone clapped. Despite his happy demeanor, he still felt a tinge of sadness because Nina was not there. But perhaps there was more to the story, so for now he just enjoyed the cake and company.
Eddie came over to Fabian as Joy sliced the cake, "I'm sorry Nina's not here. I swear to you, the last time I saw her was in the library."
"It's alright," he lied, "Maybe she just got busy."
They both nodded, but they were still unconvinced by Fabian's words.
Grinning, Nina triumphantly slammed her book shut. She had just figured out the descendant's vulnerable time! She thought it was pretty great, especially considering the fact that she had done it entirely by herself. Nina had been hoping that Eddie would have come back to help her out, but he had never shown up. He's just lazy, she thought bitterly, Probably spent the whole day doing dumb things with Patricia. Not even any of the Sibunas had came to help her. What was the point in having them if they were no help at all?
Either way, Nina had done it all by herself.
She had found the answer while she was reading about Cleopatra's life, and read about an instance when Cleopatra was giving birth to twins. They were born on December 25, but a day earlier she had been really sick, and everyone thought that she was going to die. The word vulnerable was mentioned a lot, so this got Nina thinking. From then on, she remembered a lesson that Mr. Winkler had taught them about numerology, and had the idea to figure out what was Cleopatra's number. When she did her birth date it was a 2, and when she did the day she died it turned out to be a 4. At this point she was thinking that the idea that it could be the 24th of December was starting to be confirmed. But then, she continued reading in the earlier book it and it said that she was sick from the seventh hour of the day until the very next day. Nina thought that the 7th hour meant 7 am, but in Cleopatra's time it actually meant noon. So then Nina realized that the descendant's vulnerable time was on December 24th from noon to midnight.
The door creaked open and Nina looked up to see Eddie walking in.
"Where were you?" she asked, still feeling bitter.
"The better question is where we you?" he inquired.
"Where was I?" she scoffed, "I was in here, actually doing research so we can protect the descendant!"
"How noble of you," he scowled, "You shouldn't have been in here-"
"What are you talking about? We have things to do and you wasted the whole day!"
"Wasted? I was-"
"I don't want to hear your excuses," she snapped, "I just think that next time you should try to remember that there are lives at stake here."
"I know that!" he said, his voice growing slightly louder, "Do you think I'd just abandon Sibuna?"
"For all I know you could've!"
"Do you really think that poorly of me?"
"You're not always dependable."
"Dependable? I'm new to this Nina! I have a lot of my plate!"
"You're my yang and I needed you!" Nina yelled, "And don't think that you're the only one who is busy!"
"I'm not your slave Nina I have a life, okay?! Just let me try to enjoy myself for once!" he screamed back.
"Don't you get it?! We were chosen for a purpose! The descendant needs us and they're going to die because you wanted to have some quality time with your girlfriend!" spat Nina.
"Of course you would think that, you're neglecting your boyfriend! How can you not see that he needs you?" Eddie shouted, "And anyways I wasn't even with Patricia!"
"Why are you even bringing Fabian up?!"
"Because he's my friend and I know that he misses you!"
Nina opened her mouth to scream back at him but his words caught her off guard. Fabian missed her? How could you miss someone that you were always with?
Like usual, Eddie could practically read her thoughts, "He misses the old Nina, the one who would take the time to be with him instead of being involved in this mystery, the one who used to talk to him all the time, that Nina."
Nina let the words sink in. He was right. She hadn't been meaning to avoid Fabian, but she had just got so caught up in protecting the descendant that she had stopped trying to make time for him.
"He misses the Nina who didn't forget his birthday." Eddie added quietly.
"Oh no," Nina dashed from the library and into the kitchen as quickly as she could, but found it to be empty. There were shreds of wrapping paper, scattered plates, empty cups, and fragment of a chocolate frosted cake. She could still make out the "Fab" in which she assumed had said "Happy Birthday Fabian". She let out a deep sigh when she viewed the leftover candles.
"Nina?"
Nina whipped around to see Fabian standing there with a heartbreaking expression strewn across his face.
"Fabian I'm so sorry I was just doing some more research in the library and I completely forgo-"
"It's alright," Fabian sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Protecting the descendant is more important than my birthday party."
"Don't say that," said Nina, "You are the most important thing to me and I cannot believe I forgot about this. Especially considering everything that you told me about yesterday…and I just…abandoned you."
"Hey, you're just overwhelmed with all of this-"
"That doesn't matter!" Nina began to raise her voice, "I'm getting so caught up in all of this descendant stuff that I'm forgetting about you!"
He just looked down to the ground and said nothing, because both of them knew it was true.
"I promise I'll be there next time," she vowed, squeezing his hands.
"It's okay," he gave her an unconvincing smile.
"Night Fabian," she said quietly, quickly pecking him on the lips.
The kiss was forced and full of words left unspoken. They both left for their rooms, neither wanting to speak to the other. Fabian was miserable and disappointed, Nina felt shame sear through her heart.
I've let down the person I care most about in the world on his birthday. What is this quest turning me into? She thought glumly, I'm the worst girlfriend ever.
Amber came into the room and sat by Nina on her bed.
"You missed Fabian's party."
"I was doing research," Nina sighed, not that it helped.
"He understands," Amber tried.
"Doesn't make it any better."
"No, it doesn't," Amber said wisely, the cold, hard truth stinging Nina's heart.
"No, it doesn't," Nina agreed.
"You two can figure this out, I know you can," urged Amber, hugging Nina tightly, "You've just got to."
"I want to fix it, I just don't know how."
"You'll find a way," Amber smiled encouragingly at her best friend when they broke away from the hug.
"Thanks Amber," Nina smiled slightly and she turned off the light, slipping into bed.
"That's what best friends are for."
Nina slept restlessly, barely even staying asleep for more than a few minutes. Eventually she gave up, snatched a blanket from her bed, and went into the living room to sit by the fireplace.
After a while she heard creaking noises, as if someone was walking across the floor boards and she stood on edge, hoping that Victor wasn't on the prowl.
But it was Joy who stepped out of the kitchen, holding a cup of tea, also covered in a blanket.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Joy asked.
"Not at all," she shook her head.
"So…where were you today?"
"Research," Nina bowed her head guiltily, hating to have to explain this to everyone.
"Oh. That's too bad…"
"To put it lightly, yeah."
"He really missed you," Joy took a long drink from the cup.
"So I've heard."
"Maybe you can make it up to him?" she suggested hopefully.
"That's all I want to do. I just…I wish I could redo this whole day over again. I didn't know I could mess up so many times in one day."
"There, there," Joy patted Nina's back, "He'll forgive you."
"I don't deserve his forgiveness. Maybe I should just…I don't know."
"We accept the love we think we deserve," Joy quoted.
Smiling, Nina laughed, "I'm glad I'm not the only who likes that book."
"Have you seen the movie yet?" Joy said excitedly.
"No but I want to, hey maybe we could see it together!" Nina grinned, happy to take her mind off Fabian.
"It's a date," Joy giggled.
"Who would've thought that we'd end up friends?"
"Not me, that's for sure."
Nina laughed and sighed, "What I did to you was so dumb last year."
"Ditto," Joy added, shaking her head, "How times have changed…"
"Luckily for us they changed for the better."
Nina nodded and changed the subject, "So what's up with you and Mick these days? Or as Amber would call it, Moy?"
"Moy?" Joy choked on her tea. After a coughing fit she regained her composure, "Sorry but there is no Moy."
"Really?" Nina asked incredulously, "But you two are always doing stuff together and acting so…"
"So what?" Joy cried.
"Coupley," Nina finished, shrugging.
"No," Joy said it again, "No." Want to hear it in a song? Nooooo," she sang.
Chuckling, Nina threw her hands up, "Alright so there's nothing going on between you two?"
Joy shook her head, "Nothing! I've just been trying to help him get over Mara."
"Consider the way he acts around you he's already gotten over Mara," teased Nina.
"Nina!"
Giggling, Nina sighed dramatically, "After so graciously helped Mick with his heartbreak over Mara, you two fell in love along the way. Sounds like a chick flick you would watch at a sleepover."
"Rom-Com," Joy corrected, Americans, "But that's beside the point! We are not in love, we're friends."
"Don't deny your heart's desire, but wait!" Nina gasped loudly, "Have you friend zoned him? Poor Mick! It was all going so well for him…"
"You can't send someone to the buddy bench that you were never stepping out with," Joy snarled.
Nina burst out laughing and fell to the ground in a fit of giggles, "Will Mick be able to win Joy's heart before she friend zones him forever? Don't miss this new movie, out in theatres January 1st!" she managed to choke out through the giggles.
"Nina!" Joy cried, "This isn't funny!"
"Actually, it is. Your life is a romantic comedy now," she covered her mouth to keep the giggles from coming out.
"Mick. And. I. Are. Not. Together."
"The words that broke his heart," tears of laughter began to pour from Nina's eyes.
"You are the worst," Joy laughed, throwing a pillow from the couch at Nina, who buried her face in it to quiet the unstoppable laughter and snorts coming from her mouth.
"I can barely stand to watch the scenes where you two aren't together yet."
"It's not..we're not..you're impossible Nina!" Joy started giggling now too, and collapsed to the floor beside Nina.
"The Joys of Being a Mick," Nina cried through laughter, "Coming to a theatre near you!"
That was the straw the broke the camel's back, the two girls were laughing hysterically, unable to keep quiet anymore.
Victor heard their laughter and furiously stormed into the living room.
"Why are you two up so late making such a ruckus?" he demanded.
"Ruckus," Joy repeated, giggling and Nina joined in.
"Be quiet!" Victor cried and the two bit their lips, forcing the laughter bubbling up inside to not come out.
"Now answer me this," Victor continued, "Why are you up so late?"
"We were just," Nina looked directly at Joy, hardly able to control herself, "Talking about a new movie that's about to come out."
Joy slammed her face into a pillow, not sure if she could take another second of this.
"Miss Mercer, look at me when I am talking to you?"
Slowing bringing her head up, Joy looked into Victor's eyes with tears streaming down her face, holding her thumb in her mouth to stop from giggling.
"Are you…crying?" Victor asked, puzzled.
"Yes!" Joy cried and burst into laughter, making Nina join in until the two were back to their loud laughing.
Victor shook his head, "It is too late for this nonsense. To bed, the both of you!"
They both stood up and quickly left and luckily the giggles went with them, leaving the noise at a much more reasonable level for Victor.
Joy and Nina collapsed onto Nina's bed, both were an utter fit of giggles.
"You know what else is funny?" Amber groaned sleepily, "The fact that for once I went to bed at a decent time."
Finally, when their laughter ceased Joy began to depart from Nina and Amber's room.
Nina wiped a tear from her face, "I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my entire life."
"Me neither," Joy admitted.
"But you never answered my question," Nina pointed out, "What's up with you and Mick?"
"I dunno," Joy twirled a stray piece of hair in her finger and grinned, "The best romantic comedy of the year says the New York Times, a masterpiece among chick flicks and a must see."
"Maybe it's the start of something new," smiled Nina.
"That would be nice," Joy said, beaming back, "Well I better get to bed before Victor comes back."
They bid their goodbyes and Nina felt a little lighter and happier as she went to bed. Sometimes, you do stupid things and it takes a lot of fixing before it's okay again. But sometimes, it'll all get better. Sometimes, there are amazing people who can make you laugh, even when you don't think you can. Sometimes, people forgive you, even if you do something unforgiveable. Sometimes, people surprise you and are actually fantastic.
Nina knew that it was going to be okay and she could work it out with Fabian.
Because Joy Mercer forgave her, and that night she had caused Nina to have a fit of laughter, something she previously would have never thought could happen.
Sometimes people save your life, even if it's in the strangest of ways.
He was looking up, at a starless sky.
Wondering what had happened to all those beautiful stars, he decided to start walking. But he didn't know where he was, where he was going, or where he'd been. It was official, he was lost.
But up in the sky, he saw the stars again! No wait, they were words. Scratch that, they were words made out of stars.
Stars lights the way for Osiris' journey.
Eddie woke up, feeling very perplexed, but he knew that upstairs Nina had just dreamt about the exact same thing.
Another sleepless night.
There's that man again.
He's holding a snake this time.
There's screaming, there's blood, what is happening?
A mirror, a flash of someone's face. Is it mine?
A crowd of screaming people.
A throne.
What do these dreams mean?
And the word descendant, why does that word keep popping up?
The dreams continue as the days grow colder and shorter.
December 22: A Fire Caught in a Storm
Things were looking up for the Sibuna gang. They knew who the mental one was, when the descendant would be vulnerable and needing protection, and many other things. But there were still things they needed to figure out. Who was the descendant and how were they going to protect that person?
After a long morning of talking to everyone, Nina was, quite frankly, sick and tired of not knowing things.
Earlier, she and Eddie had told all of Sibuna about their shared dream. Nobody had a clue of what it meant.
Now she, Fabian, and Eddie were in Nina's room, discussing what they should do next. But Nina didn't even want to be there, what with all the tension between her and Fabian. She had missed his birthday party and had realized that she'd been neglecting him lately, and now she had no idea how to fix things.
Finally, Nina let out an exasperated sigh, "How about we quit talking and do what we always do? Go to the library and look for anything about stars and Osiris."
Eddie frowned, "Don't you hate doing that? It's all we ever do anymore!"
"It's better than last term," she muttered, "Facing a deadly obstacle everyday got kind of monotonous as well."
"It'd be better than this."
"Either way," Nina snapped, "The library is our best option. Books are the key, remember?"
"I'll do it," Fabian volunteered, "I haven't done much research lately. How horrendous can it be?"
Nina realized that this was her opportunity to make it up with Fabian.
"Hey," she smiled at him, "I'll go with you."
"Do you want me to come with you guys?" asked Eddie.
"No we'll be fine," Fabian assured him, thinking that if Eddie came along it would just drive a larger wedge between him and Nina.
"Whatever," Eddie shrugged, leaving Nina's room.
"How about after lunch we go and research?" Nina suggested.
"Great," he tried to sound enthusiastic but they both knew that he wasn't.
Eddie was in the living room, about to eat a Spaghetti Bolognese Hoagie, when Mara came in looking very dismayed.
"What's the problem?" he asked, wiping sauce off with his sleeve.
"First of all you can be sanitary," Mara sat beside him, "And second of all you can tell me what I should get the Clarkes for Christmas!"
"You already gave Jerome a present, why does he need another?"
"No it's for his family!" Mara shoved her laptop into Eddie's lap, showing him various items from a website, "Would they like a set of matching socks that have their name sewed onto them? Or a set of mugs with their faces on them?"
"Those are all horrible ideas," he laughed, "You could get them some Christmas sweaters, they clearly have none and we have some to spare."
"Eddie, this is a serious situation!"
"Oh fine, calm down," he set down his sandwich and seriously thought about it, "What if you just got Jerry's family a book of pictures? Like a scrapbook, or whatever? I'm sure that they don't have a lot of recent pictures so just get a ton of old ones from Jerome and Poppy and put them together in a book sort of thing."
"That's so smart!" she cried, "Oh and it'll be so much cuter since it'll be homemade!"
"Yep," he took a huge bite of his sandwich, noodles spilling everywhere.
"Did you ever see that ghost thing again?" Mara asked tentatively, "The one for the article?"
Eddie nearly choked on his sandwich, "Nah. That was probably just a hoax or something."
"Are you sure because-" luckily Joy came into the living room and Mara said, "Joy! I was just talking to Eddie about the Jackal…" the two launched into a discussion about the Jackal's upcoming plans for next year.
Sighing, Eddie tried returning to his lunch, "I am so glad that I'm done with the Jackal."
Mara and Joy both turned to him, both looking very hurt.
"What?" he asked.
"You're quitting the Jackal?" Joy cried, "But you were so good at it!"
"Exactly! It took so much effort!"
"But you can't quit," Mara pleaded, "We need you!"
"You two can manage," he scoffed, "You're determined, hardworking females and I'm a lazy, incapable male."
"Eddie you're a great writer though," Joy said, "Not a lot of people have that natural kind of talent!"
"Natural talent, eh?" he smirked.
Mara nodded, "Of course! When you actually apply yourself and follow the deadlines you really make a great article!"
"Oh fine, I won't quit," he assured the girls.
"I knew I could count on you!" Mara grinned, and started to tell Eddie everything that she wanted to be in the Jackal 2013 edition.
Eddie groaned and set his now cold sandwich aside, already regretting his decision.
Luckily, research was an activity that didn't require much talking. So Nina and Fabian had settled into a comfortable silence as they read through books, occasionally talking to their partner about what they had just found.
For now, Nina thought, things seemed to be okay between her and Fabian. They hadn't discussed yesterday's events and were even acting relatively normal.
"Here it is," Fabian slapped his book, grinning victoriously at it, "I think I've got it."
"You said that two hours ago," she laughed, "And before that...four hours ago."
"No I've really got it this time!" he assured her.
"Well read it aloud then," she was still unconvinced, but he might as well try.
"Okay so Osiris would make a trip to the underworld every year, for 70 days. And the stars Orion and Sirius were not visible for the 70 that he was gone. So when he came back, those two stars would guide him back to the other Gods."
"You've actually got it!" she cried, high fiving him, "So Orion and Sirius are the stars that guide Osiris's journey, now what?"
"And…that's it. Now we're stuck again."
Giggling, she tried to reach for his hand under the table but he awkwardly slipped his hand away. She blushed and put her hand on the table, clenching her fist.
"Er sorry," he mumbled.
"No it's okay," she relaxed her hand and sighed, "Should we tell the others?"
"We haven't got much to tell," he shook his head, "We figured out the riddle but it didn't lead us to the next one."
"I guess you're right," she twiddled with her thumbs, "I hate this. I hate being so close to the descendant's vulnerable date and not getting any closer to understanding anything else."
"We can just wait," he offered, "I like the library and I like…" the unspoken words were being with you but Fabian held them back, because this moment wouldn't last, as soon as they were back at the house she'd be with Eddie again.
"Okay," Nina resorted to staring out the window. As she did this, her vision turned fuzzy and her mind slipped away into a dream.
She gently touched his cheek, "I am so grateful to have this night with you, my love."
He grabbed her hand and led her to the window, "Look out and see the stars, the Gods are shining upon us tonight."
"I wonder what it is like," she mused, "Being with the Gods. Will it be a life of paradise?"
"I would think so. But why must you worry about such things? Enjoy the night with me, Amneris, for our time together is short."
Nodding, she kept staring up at the stars, "I fear that we are blessed with such a beautiful night, that the only reason I would turn away is to look at you," she looked to him and their eyes locked.
He whispered, "I have the same feeling, but to me, your eyes are the stars."
She laughed lightly, "They say that the Gods have stars for eyes."
"Then you must be a goddess, or at least, my goddess.
"They also say that eyes are the windows to the soul, but where do stars lead us?
"Stars tell us things, they whisper prophecies."
"Perhaps stars are the windows to the beyond."
"Perhaps so," he leaned closer to her, "But for tonight, your eyes are the stars and I want to drown in the stars."
Wincing, Nina rubbed her head. What did the vision mean? It was obviously Amneris, but who was she with?
"Are you okay?" Fabian asked.
"I'm fine," she closed her eyes and opened them, trying to be more alert, "I'm just so…stressed. Will we ever be able to figure this out?"
"Don't worry Nina," Fabian reassured her, "We're Sibuna, we can do anything!"
"I hope so. Christmas Eve is almost here and we still need to find out who the descendant even is."
"We will."
"I hope you're right."
"I usually am," joked Fabian, hoping to make Nina smile. She did, but it was a small one.
Nina stood up and absentmindedly skimmed through the books until she came across one with hieroglyphics on it. She picked it up and blew a bit of dust off of the cover. Flipping through the page, she found nothing helpful. Finally she came across a page labeled Connected Souls.
It was a short paragraph and as Nina read it she came across something that almost made her heart stop.
Throughout the centuries, it was said that the Paragon and Osirian were destined to be soulmates. All over history is evidence suggesting that when one of these two connected beings died, the other wandered, lost without their one true love.
Nina nearly dropped the book in shock.
"What's wrong?" Fabian asked.
But she could not tell him. She didn't have the guts to tear him apart and break his heart. She could only shake her head, ripping the page out of the book. Nina ran back to the house, hoping that Fabian wouldn't follow her.
Nina found Eddie on his bed, peacefully napping.
Furiously, she shook him until he got up.
"What the heck Nina? I was trying to sleep!" he rubbed his eyes, "Never interrupt a sleeping Eddie."
"This is more important than that!" she snapped.
"What's the big deal?" he groaned, but she thrust the torn page into his hands.
After a while he gulped, "We're supposed to be…soulmates?"
"Apparently so," Nina sat by him on the bed, brought her knees up and lay her head on her knees.
Eddie was getting closer to Nina, "The ones with the connection. Connected through…love?"
"Connected by bloodline," Nina whispered slowly and mechanically, without looking directly into Eddie's eyes.
He leaned into Nina, closer than she would have normally let him come and she stared deep into his eyes.
He was so different from Fabian. Fabian was so soft and kind, with his peaceful expressions, goofy mannerisms, and tender blue eyes. While Fabian was calm and kind Eddie was loud and forceful. She loved Fabian and it she felt so lucky to have him in her life. But despite the book she had found in the library, she did not think of Eddie as her soul mate. She was not attracted to him at all, he was Eddie. Not someone she wanted to spend her life with or love. He was her protector, not her soul mate. The book from the Frobisher library must have had it all wrong. But the problem was, if she was meant to be soul mates with Eddie, why did she feel that she loved Fabian? She knew with all of her heart that she loved Fabian and did not love Eddie. But why were they meant to be soulmates? Nina felt confused about everything.
Eddie took advantage of Nina being wrapped up in her thoughts and leaned in closer and kissed her.
Nina jerked away from Eddie, "Why did you do that?" she demanded.
"Nina, I don't know. I thought I was in love with Patricia but what if we're meant to be soul mates?"
"But what if it's wrong? Eddie I'm not attracted to you at all…I love Fabian!" she felt ready to pull her hair out.
"I'm confused about my feelings too. You're more like my sister that I have to protect." Eddie groaned in confusion and sad on his bed with his hands in his face, "But the book said we're supposed to be soul mates and we have this weird connection that I can't deny."
"I feel the same, but Eddie get this in your head, I don't like or love you. We fight like siblings but I don't fight with you like you fight with Patricia. You two fight like it's some seductive game and I respect that, but when I fight with you it's because you're being asshole," Nina said honestly.
"Ouch, I'm wounded Nina, wounded," Eddie mockingly put his hands over his heart and sighed dramatically.
Nina found herself laughing in relief Eddie was definitely not her soul mate. "You're like my brother and that's what feels right," she smiled.
Eddie nodded, "Most guys would hate to hear that but that sounds perfect to me," he admitted, "It's just so confusing because it says we're supposed to be soul mates but neither of us feel that way."
"So that means something is wrong with us?" Nina bit her lip. "What if something happens to us because we aren't soulmates?"
"No, I think we're fine. It's just so confusing because my feelings for you are so complex. Like I need to protect you and I know for a fact that you are my yang, but kissing you is wrong and I don't love you that way."
"But…" Nina could almost feel Eddie in her head, his thoughts, his feelings, his emotions were all easy for Nina to read and understand, "We do have a connection. I feel like sometimes I can practically read your mind."
"Again, that's why we're yin and yang. But we don't have to be soulmates," Eddie said with a sense of finality.
Nina was glad that he felt this way: connected, but not through love. But there was still one problem…
Eddie nearly gasped, remembering this creeping and awful fact as well, "Patricia and Fabian, what do we tell them?!"
Neither of them noticed the other person standing in the door way, "You could tell them that you just broke their hearts," Fabian stood, fists clenched at his sides and staring at them with a look of betrayal and anger.
Nina opened her mouth in horror, "Fabian, I didn't…I wouldn't…I…"
"I don't want to hear it," he stormed out the door.
Nina looked to Eddie while struggling to hold back the tears, "Eddie I have to…can we finish this later..I don't..love you…I don't…"
"I know Nina. I don't love you and you feel the same way. Go after him and I'll talk to Patricia."
Nina nodded and ran after Fabian. She saw him furiously opening the front door of the house and walking outside.
"Fabian, wait!" she cried after him.
Fabian had his back turned to her and stood, shaking in silent rage. It was pouring rain and the cold night blew a chilling wind.
"Do you even remember me anymore Nina?!" Fabian turned around yelling, "Because I'm left here alone while you and Eddie solve the mystery!"
"I'm sorry Fabian, I'm so sorry but please hear me out," she begged.
"Why should I? You kissed Eddie! Just because he's your Osirian doesn't mean you can make out with him because you two have a connection. We had a connection Nina, or did you forget?" he screamed harshly.
Nina moved her wet hair out of her eyes, "Fabian, Eddie and I aren't a thing-"
"Why should I believe you?! You're always spending your time with him these days and you never even talk to me anymore!"
"We have to talk in order to figure out how to protect the descendant ."
"Save it, Nina. You even missed my birthday party because you were researching with Eddie," Fabian slammed his hand against the house, "If you were even researching at all."
"We were researching!" Nina cried defensively, "And you're right, I have been leaving you out. But I want to spend more time with you!"
"NO YOU DON'T!" he roared at her, "You wouldn't even tell me what you found in the library, you just ran off to tell him," Fabian refused to say Eddie's name, as if it burned his tongue.
Nina took a deep breath, "Fabian the book said the Paragon and the Osirian are meant to be soulmates."
That caught Fabian off guard for a moment and for a second Nina thought his anger had vanished but it reappeared, "Well I guess you two tested that out and found it to be right, didn't you?"
"Fabian you have to listen to me-"
"I don't think I can trust you anymore," he said bitterly.
The broken look on his face made Nina want to cry. All the calm, kindness that was usually in Fabian had been destroyed, shattered into a million tiny pieces. It was replaced with rage and despair. The most heartbreaking part of it all was that she had broken him.
She opened her mouth to say anything, anything that could change his mind but he just shook his head and turned around and started to walk away. She wanted to yell out to him but she could not, not after she saw that last look on his face.
He was broken because of her.
She had to fix this. It was all her fault.
Maybe, just maybe, if he knew that she didn't love Eddie he would understand.
A great realization came upon Nina.
She loved Fabian.
Loved.
"Fabian, wait!" she cried desparately.
He turned around and Nina raced to meet him.
Grabbing his arm she said fervently, "Fabian I lov-"
"Love me? Your actions say otherwise," he jerked his arm away from hers and the comment stung, making her cringe slightly.
"Stay," she pleaded.
"Why should I?"
"Stay because I love you."
But Fabian just replied in a dead voice, "Goodbye Nina," He kept on walking and didn't look back.
But then she remembered something awful. Jason was out there and Fabian was alone. She had to warn him, even if he didn't forgive her. She would rather him safe and hating her than dead and her regretting this moment for the rest of her life.
Forgetting the fact that it was December in England, forgetting the fact that she wasn't wearing a coat, forgetting the fact that it was in the middle of the night, and forgetting the fact that the person out there could seriously hurt her, Nina ran after Fabian into the cold, wet night.
Over and over again she screamed his name, "FABIAN! FABIAN WHERE ARE YOU?!" But no reply came.
Nina was running through the streets and into town, hoping she could find Fabian.. Only the dim street lamps lit the dark, stormy night and she felt uneasy. What if Mr. Winkler was there? But she made herself forget everything because her main priority was to save Fabian.
"Fabian?" she whispered into the night, regretting not bringing a jacket. Maybe it was time to give up, her entire body was soaked to the bone.
No. She had to make sure Fabian was safe and then she'd leave.
Why did it have to be like this?
Every step closer to Eddie, her Osirian, was a step farther away from Fabian.
She heard muffled footsteps and turned around, "Fabian is that you?" She felt relieved that he was safe and was just about to hug him and tell him that she was desparately sorry when she realized that the approaching figure was not Fabian.
Nina screamed.
Fabian was wandering around town, trying to clear his head. He didn't know what to feel anymore. He had found Nina kissing Eddie in his room and everything had gone wrong from there. These past few weeks Nina had become even closer to Eddie and Fabian had found himself becoming jealous. He used to be the one who always talked to Nina. He almost wished he was her Osirian; he could protect her just fine and had all of last year. The rain had been coming down by the bucket loads, which was weird, even for Liverpool. The weather had been strange ever since school had let out and perhaps it had something to do with everything that had been happening.
He heard Nina call his name but he didn't move. He could not talk to her right now and he was sick of excuses. But on the other hand, was there a logical explanation? He didn't want to break up with her, because the last time that had happened he had felt indescribably lonely and empty without her as his girlfriend. He just felt so confused right now and needed time to think. Fabian sat down on the curb and covered his hands with his face in confusion and anger. The rain didn't help the situation either.
But then, it occurred to him, why he couldn't stay cross with Nina.
He loved her.
It was the kind of realization that came like a flash of lightning, taking him over, making him want to scream it to the word.
I love Nina Martin.
Sure he was young and stupid but that didn't really matter because he loved Nina Martin.
But then he heard a sound that shattered his anger, Nina's scream. He remembered that Mr. Winkler was still out there, a psychotic man he used to know, ready to do anything to stay alive for love and health. If he got a hold of Nina he would use her to make Sibuna tell him who Cleopatra's descendant is.
Fabian broke out in a run towards Nina's voice.
It was Jason Winkler, her old history and drama teacher who was after the descendant for their magical blood that served as an elixir of life. He used to be normal, even brave, but he was something else now. His eyes were bloodshot and his matted hair was too long and looked shabby. The disease was slowly killing him and he looked thinner and more skeletal than ever. He was not the same man who had taught her drama a year ago. He was a crazy man, desperate for the thing he wanted and nothing was going to get in the way of that.
"Nina Martin, what is a girl like you doing here in this kind of weather, alone?"
Nina said nothing and clenched her fists at her side.
"Tell me who Cleopatra's descendant is Nina," he crooned circling closer to her.
"You've sure changed a lot Mr. Winkler. You use to be somebody brave. Somebody who stood up for what was right. What have you turned into now?"
"Rufus wasn't dying or in love, we are nothing alike," Jason growled.
"You were both willing to hurt children to get what you wanted."
"Sometimes causalities happen Miss Martin, and you have to accept that fact. Now tell me who it is or suffer the consequences," he pulled out a small yet sharp knife.
Nina's eyes widened and her hands were shaking but she refused to show her fear.
"I'm not afraid to spill the Chosen One's blood," Mr. Winkler placed the knife closer to her face as he grabbed her shoulder, his grip surprisingly strong.
"I'm never going to tell," she told him defiantly.
But Jason merely smiled and held the knife to her cheek, "Last chance," he whispered as the knife began to slowly dig into her skin.
Nina closed her eyes and embraced the pain of the knife. No, she would not cry now. Now was not the time for showing fear or weakness.
Blood trickled down her cheek but Nina remained composed, refusing to let Jason see that she was absolutely terrified.
"Such a brave little girl," he snarled.
Nina tried to jerk away but he held her tightly in place.
But then Nina heard a comforting sound, a police siren. It became louder as the seconds slowly ticked by and they both knew it was fast approaching. Jason leaned close to her, "I will be watching you Chosen One," and ran back into the dark of the England night.
Nina let out a shuddering sigh and waited for the police. But she heard no tires or sirens, only footsteps. She sighed, wondering what else life could throw at her.
But to her surprise, Fabian emerged from the darkness.
"What..how did you..?" Nina struggled to get her words out correctly.
Fabian smiled and held up his iPhone, "Police siren sounds."
"Fabian, are you okay? Mr. Winkler was out here and he had a knife. Fabian that man is so unbelievably crazy. I know you're still mad but I had to warn you about him. Now that you're safe I can go back. You don't even need to say anything but," Nina wanted to reach out and touch him but she knew she shouldn't, "I'm so sorry. You don't have to forgive me but thank you for saving me."
Nina gave him a small, sad smile and began to turn around but stopped when she felt his hand on her shoulder.
Bewildered, she turned around to see Fabian smiling back at her.
"But I've already forgiven you, so please don't go."
In the back of her mind Nina knew that perhaps she did not deserve his forgiveness. But their eyes locked and in the moment all that mattered were Nina and her Fabian. She threw her arms around him and just held him close to her. At first Nina feared she had shattered everything that was right between them but they as they hugged, she felt the two of them fall back into place. Standing on her tippy toes, she had her arms around his neck and he had his arms around her waist, after a moment of they would both bury their heads in the other's body. It was going to be okay.
The rain had slowed and was not pouring so heavily but the as the gray sky drizzled quiet drops of rainwater, Fabian let go of her and began to tell Nina what had been rolling through his mind before Jason had come along.
"I've wanted to say this for a long time now but I could never find a way to say it just right, Nina Martin I am hopelessly in love with you. I love you when you smile and I love you when you cry. I realize that now that even when I'm upset with you I still can't help but love you. I love your hair, your eyes, your smile, and everything in between. I know we're young and at this age they say love is fleeting but I really don't care. I just love you."
Nina smiled and laced her fingers through his, "I love you too. Eddie is my Osirian but that doesn't mean I love him. He kissed me because he the book said we were supposed to be soulmates, but if anyone's my soul mate, it's you."
That was all that he needed to hear. Fabian cupped Nina's face in his hands and kissed her. It was the kind of kiss that was unforgettable and it felt as if they were not just two souls kissing, but one whole person.
Nina pressed her mouth against his soft one and she melted into Fabian, becoming one with him. It was like the hands of the clock had stopped moving and even the rain had stopped falling, the universe merely revolved around the two. They belonged to each other and they became intertwined souls, locked in infinite embrace.
As they broke away from the kiss they could not help but stand there with small smiles playing on their lips. Their foreheads were touching and their eyes were closed.
Fabian opened his eyes and saw Nina's breathtaking smile and pressed his grinning lips against hers one last time.
With the taste of Fabian on her lips Nina broke away from the kiss and hugged him again, "I love you."
"I love you too."
That statement, "I love you", had become much more than just words. It became a declaration to the universe- an everlasting declaration of their love. Those words were not just said-they were felt.
The rain had finally stopped and Fabian put his jacket around Nina, "You must be freezing."
"I've got you," Nina held Fabian's hand and leaned in close to him as they walked to Anubis, back to their home.
Their feelings for each other had forever changed. The love had always been there but they had finally said it aloud and they had both felt it-even in the depths of their hearts. Perhaps they had always loved each other through the midnight searches, the mystery solving, and everything else. But now they both knew it to be true. Their love was real-more real than the stars, the sky, and all that existed. And it was infinitely more beautiful and impossibly wonderful.
Eddie paced outside of Patricia's room, trying to form his thoughts into words.
But how could he make her understand? He was the one that kissed Nina. He needed a way to tell her that Nina was his partner, but Patricia was more than that. Too bad he couldn't ask Fabian for advice, clumsy Fabian who still somehow was smoother than him. A surge of guilt ran through Eddie, what had he just done to Fabian and Nina's relationship? Had he completely destroyed it. No, he thought. They're stronger than that, they'd be alright.
Finally, he mustered up the courage to knock on her door, "Yacker?" he said quietly.
She opened to the door, looking bemused, "Oh hey."
"Can I talk to you?"
"Come on in?" she laughed, suspicious of how odd he was acting.
"Can we talk somewhere more private?"
He nodded, and she grinned, grabbing his hand and leading him somewhere. Her touch made him feel so happy but he hated watching her be so carefree, because he was about to hurt her. But he had to, because the truth had to come out sometime and he wanted her to hear it from him.
They eventually came into the laundry room and she sat down, motioning for him to join her.
He did, sighing, "I don't even know what to say. Other than that I'm really stupid."
"Stupid? That's very uncharacteristic of you."
He couldn't even find in it him to laugh, "I'm sorry for what I'm about to say. But just promise you'll hear me out?"
She nodded and he took a deep breath, "Nina found a book in the library that said that the Paragon and Osirian had always been soulmates. And me, being incredibly stupid, thought I would um…kiss Nina to see if it was true."
"You..kissed..Nina?" Patricia sputtered, flabbergasted.
"Yes," Eddie dipped his head in pure shame, "I kissed her because we have a connection and because of that stupid book."
"You kissed Nina over what some book said?" Patricia shouted, standing up, "I cannot believe you!"
He stood over her, "No but Patricia the thing is I don't lov-"
"No! Don't you talk to me Eddison Sweet," she commanded, holding back tears, "Don't you dare speak another word to me!"
Eddie reached out to touch her, to comfort her but she slapped it away and held her composure, "Stay away from me!"
He opened his mouth to speak but she interrupted him, "Don't you dare. Oh gosh, Eddie I trusted you! I've never been like this with anyone because I didn't dare! But you were different! I could tell you everything and you'd keep it a secret because you were supposed to be different from anyone else! I could be myself around you and actually show someone what it's like for me to care about them."
She refused to cry, because crying was pitiful and demeaning, as her mother said, "I was so stupid to think that I could trust you. Well guess what I learned? Don't trust anyone with your heart because they'll crush it to pieces. For once, just for once I let someone in and now you do this to me?! I hate who I am, because I'm so damn weak but around you I felt brave!" she spat, "You make me sick, you really do."
Eddie was the one blinking away tears now, "Patricia I didn't mean-" his voice was hoarse and now he was the idiot crying.
"You didn't mean to hurt me? That's rich, that's absolutely rich!" she yelled, "I can't even look at you right now," she pushed him away and stormed out the door.
Eddie was stupid, but not stupid enough to follow her. Putting his hands in his pocket, he grabbed a pillow and blanket from his room because he didn't want to face anyone tonight. And it was only fair to Patricia, so she wouldn't have to see him. He went into the living room and placed his belongings on the couch. Without his contacts, the Christmas tree lights looked like a colorful blur. For a long time he just listened to the sounds of the creaking sounds of the house, the steady ticking of the clock, and the whir of cars as they drove past. At one point Amber's kitten joined him on the couch, and he rubbed the cat, grateful for some company that could not talk. Eventually he fell asleep, thoughts of Patricia swirling around his head as he drifted off.
Fabian and Nina rushed into the house, drenched to the bone, teeth chattering and shivering so hard that they ached.
"Okay I have a really stupid idea," Nina admitted, wringing out her hair, "What if we went into the library and looked out the window for Orion and Sirius?"
"Stargazing? Perhaps it's a little too late for that," he joked as they walked to Fabian's room.
Nina laughed loudly, "I meant for Sibuna."
"Why the window in the library? There are lots of windows here."
"I had a vision and the word window kind of leapt out at me," she shook her head, "I just have a feeling, you know?"
"I trust you, but I think we should change clothes first."
"That's a great idea," she stopped at his doorway.
"Do you want to borrow one of my sweatshirts?" he questioned, grinning, "I just don't think that you have warm enough ones."
Nina smiled so wide she thought her cheeks would burst, "Sure."
Fabian ducked into his room, leaving Nina with her thoughts.
Constantly, Fabian managed to remind her why she felt the way she did about him. Of course they both knew that Nina had warm enough sweaters, but he was just being a cute goofball, knowing that it was dumb and sweet to let your girlfriend have your jacket. But that was Fabian, and that was just one out of a million reasons why she loved him.
Love.
The word bubbled on her tongue, like it was new and delicious.
Especially when put together with Fabian's name.
Saying I love you to someone was supposed to make you awkward around them but Nina just felt so happy, euphoric even. Everything about Fabian was right and I love you felt right. Gosh, even kissing him just felt right. Nina loved when she grinned at Fabian and he grinned back, it was like their unspoken I love you. Because I love you is fragile and breakable, so it should only be said when needed, not just casually thrown around. And somehow Fabian understood, that so all night they just kept grinning at each other and they felt like they couldn't stop.
"Nina?"
She snapped out of her thoughts, "Yes?"
He held out a blue sweatshirt, "Here's this."
She took it from him, grinning as their fingers brushed, "See you in a bit, I'm going to slip into something warmer."
As Nina stood in her room, hugging the sweater to her chest, she remembered being in middle school with her friends, dreaming that some guy would do this for her. But now she didn't want to boast about it, it just touched her heart in a way that only Fabian knew how to.
After stripping down, she got on fresh clothes, pulling the hoodie over her head, taking in his scent. After she opened the dresser, she pondered over what pants to wear. Cute flannel pajamas or comfy sweats?
But she just laughed at herself, after what had just happened was she worrying about what to wear in front of Fabian?
Nina opted for the sweatpants.
Fabian was waiting for her as she stepped out of her room, thinking that she looked so beautiful, but who was he kidding? She was always beautiful.
She clutched his hand and they walked to the library, grateful for their warm clothes, even though it wasn't raining anymore.
"Should we turn on the light?" Fabian asked as Nina crept through the library in the dark.
She wiggled her eyebrows, "It's more romantic this way."
"Wouldn't want to lose this romantic feeling," he laughed, stumbling through the dark, but she grabbed his hand again and led him to the window. There, he opened the blinds and they both gawked at the fact that it had started snowing.
"I don't understand England's weather," Nina remarked, "It's biolar."
"Welcome to England," Fabian grinned, "But hey look at that," he pointed to a very bright star in the sky, "It's like the star they talk about in the bible, the one that led the shepherds to the baby."
"I'd like a star to lead me to the descendant," she ogled at the stars, "They're so pretty tonight."
Fabian nodded but squinted at the window, "Is it just me or does it look like that star is getting brighter?"
"It's kind of hurting my eyes," Nina used her hand to block out some of the light, "Okay what's happening?"
"I don't know," Fabian squeezed his eyes shut and Nina followed his example, "This is impossible! Stars are not supposed to get this bright…"
Nina had a strong urge to open her eyes, so she did and her mouth dropped open, "Fabian you have to open your eyes…"
Fabian opened his mouth to protest, but trusted Nina and opened one eye. A light shone in from the window, possibly from the star, and bounced into the library, reflecting onto the walls. A message, written in stars was there, and it looked like the library was the sky, full of a million stars.
A constellation forms your map through books
"That's beautiful," he whispered, "I never thought I'd say this, but what a beautiful clue."
Chuckling, Nina shook her head in unbelief, "Sometimes I really just don't understand Robert Frobisher Smythe. One minute trying to kill us, the next making us use our brains, and now there's this?"
"At least he's got a variety," Fabian turned to Nina who watched the stars, and he could have sworn that he saw the stars in her eyes, "Nina your eyes are the stars."
Nina snapped her attention to Fabian, "What did you just say?"
"Your eyes are the stars," he echoed, "And I want to drown in the stars."
Turning pale, Nina said with a shaky voice, "Where did you hear that from?"
Feeling embarrassed by his odd comment Fabian mumbled, "I didn't hear it from anywhere, I just thought of it…"
"Spooky. Because in my vision earlier that made me think to come to the window, Amneris-"
"The original Chosen One?"
"Yes. So Amneris was with a man, and I think they were together, and he said that to her."
"Very spooky," he agreed, grinning despite himself, "But it's true though."
"So you're just going to forget the fact how weirdly coincidental that is and go back to complimenting me?"
"That's the plan."
She grinned, "Good. Oh gosh Fabian," she rested her head against his shoulder, so glad that tonight they were like this, instead of fighting like she had earlier thought they were going to do, "I don't know who the descendant is, or how we're going to get through this, but I do know one thing, that I have you."
"You've always had me," he said softly, "And you always will."
She smiled up at him, "Your eyes are full of stars too."
"Then let's make a constellation," Fabian whispered, and they kissed, filling each other with stars.
Okay so I kind of combined two chapters into one, that's why this is so long! I was very busy yesterday and didn't get a chance to write anything. Finally it is Christmas break for me! But yes, this was my favorite chapter to write! The Fabina scenes in the rain were the very first thing I wrote for this fic! BUT SO MUCH FABINA FLUFF DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT THEY LOVE EACH OTHER and ahhh Peddie drama. And thanks for all of your guesses about the descendant! I can't believe this already has 90 reviews! I'd be AMAZING if I reached 100 reviews! So let's get 10 reviews until the next chapter! I think that's not too much to ask considering the fact that this was so long and THERE WAS SO MUCH LOVE IN IT. 100 reviews would be the best Christmas present ever! Thanks so much for all of your support guys and I hope you're all bundling up, roasting chestnuts around an open fire, and merrily singing Christmas carols!