Guys, it's the LAST CHAPTER!

I've had this chapter nearly finished for a couple of days, but the weather has been such a blessing that it delayed me a bit. Well, when it's sunny and warm in Norway, one gotta enjoy it.

Thanks to EVERYONE that has sent me a message or a review. Much appreciated, I tell ya. This is as much your story as it is mine. Enjoy.

## John Green, Bill Cosby, Louisa May Alcott, Lao Tzu, Game of Thrones, Meredith Grey, Sophia Bush, Fall Out Boy, Barney Stinson and Buddha.

Chapter 21: All at once

Maybe there's something you're afraid to say, or someone you're afraid to love, or somewhere you're afraid to go. It's going to hurt. It's going to hurt because it does matter.

That day Naomi decided that she wanted it more than she was afraid of it. She needed a hero, so that's what she became.

"The vows you are about to exchange, will serve as a verbal representation of the non-verbal emotions that are as real as any thing that can be seen, heard or touched. For it is not the words that you will speak today that will bond you toge-"

The speech of the priest was abruptly interrupted by the sound of the church doors opening. Every head in the room turned their head at the noise, staring with wide eyes at what, or rather whom, burst inside.

It looked like a boy, really. The blonde hair was cut short, oh so short that it had never been before. The transformation was almost to the unrecognisable. The torso of the person was nicely embellished by a fitting, white shirt which was tucked into the clean and stylish black trousers. It was clearly the best clothes this person owned, and it was worn to gain confidence and courage.

For Naomi was not afraid of storms. She was learning how to sail her ship.

"Do not marry him, Emily!" the person pointed as she walked forwards confidently, making her voice darker on purpose.

At the altar, Emily's breath was hitching over and over again. She was suspecting that her eyes and mind was tricking her. Really, she couldn't believe them. Could only stare in disbelief, as she didn't even find it in her to let go of Peter's hands.

But Emily wasn't the only one staring on in disbelief. It seemed like everyone, even the members of each family, was struck dumbfounded at the intrusion.

But Naomi had only eyes for one person, so she pleadingly looked at Emily as she stood at the foot of the stairs. Naomi found that being deeply loved by someone gave her strength, while loving someone deeply gave her courage.

"I love you, Emily. I love you for all that you are, all that you have been and all that you're yet to be. So pick me, be with me." She was almost shaking, where she stood, wanting Emily to want her back. Wanting her to see she deserved more than this. That she deserved to be happy.

The only thing Naomi hadn't contemplated, and really, she had tried avoided doing it, was that when you bet against the lions, you will lose more than your purse.

"I'm scared as hell to want you. But here I am, wanting you anyway." Naomi flung her arms out as she shrugged her shoulders. She was laying it all bare, and she was still standing.

Emily was still just standing there, just looking at Naomi with her big, attentive brown eyes. Was this even real?

"Look, Emily. We can do this. We really can. I had my doubts too, and at first glance it may appear too hard. But look again. Always look again, because Emily, we can. Let me prove it to you."

At these words, Emily finally let go of a shocked and entirely vexed Peter. Her hands fell to her sides as she exhaled slowly and shakily. Her heart had just begun beating again, it seemed. Yet, she couldn't form any words. That's when the Lawson mother decided to chime in.

"Excuse me, what on earth is going on? Jenna, did you know about this?" she had thunder in her eyes.

All eyes turned to the Fitch mother, except a pair of two. Jenna stood up and searched for words for a moment, before she could answer.

"Of course I didn't! I... This is a disgrace!"

"No." Naomi suddenly turned towards the wrath of Jenna Fitch. "This is not a disgrace. Let me tell you what is a disgrace though. Marrying for money!" There was a collective gasp at these words, and Jenna's eyes widened dramatically and desperately. "That's right. Marriage is not about money," she turned back to Emily, "it's about finding the right person."

"Emily, I know that I can't offer as much as he can. I'm not rich and I don't own castles. I can't promise you wealth and I can't offer you an endless pit of richness. But I can offer you love. And protection. And care. I can give you a home. And your family can come live at the inn until they get back on their feet. It's not the world, it's not much at all really, but at least it's honest, right Emily? It's honest." Naomi's eyes were serious and shaded with fear of rejection.

"Lies!" came from the Fitch side. "This is all lies!"

"Mum, would you be quiet!" came the voice of Katherine, who had been a silent watcher through it all. Naomi had to glance at her in surprise, as it was the last place she expected to gain support.

"Katherine!" their mother scolded as Robert stood up behind her to lay a calming hand on her shoulder. He was watchful and tentative.

"No, mother. Would you let her finish?" Katherine said back. The words Naomi said had lighted something in her head. It wasn't like she had seen sense, but she could definitely see what didn't make sense. And Emily not getting her chance at doing what she wanted? Well, she wanted to give her the chance now, and now was better than never.

But the words Katherine had uttered had blown Naomi's cover. And the heightened whispers around the room only proved that.

"Her!" their mother said. "This is a girl? What is this, a pantomime?" she held for her head, like she was about to faint.

And even though people started shouting from every direction, Naomi only looked at Emily. Pleaded with her eyes. And Emily looked so defeated, so scared and so overcome with the pressure she was under. She was being asked to run out of the marriage that would save the name and security of her family in front of a hall full of people. And the stress beat her down until she almost couldn't breathe.

"Ems." Naomi whispered, so only Emily could hear. She wanted to tell her to say hers name and his in the same breath. To dare her to say they tasted the same. But she already knew the answer.

And when it looked like Emily would downright break down and cry at the spot, she took a step down the stairs, and then one more, and then she threw herself into Naomi's arms, burying her face in her chest as to shut out the world around her. She couldn't deal with them anymore. She wanted Naomi to quiet it, to take her away from here, only if it was portrayed in her mind. She was cold as the wind blew, so she needed to be held in her arms.

"This is a scandal!" came a yell from the Lawson's side of the room.

"Yeah?" Naomi yelled back, her arms safely secured around Emily as to protect her. "Well, your ignorant appearance is a scandal too. Marriage isn't an institution!"

"Robert, will you do something!" Jenna screamed then, turning around to her husband. He only looked back at her with sad and defeated eyes. When she didn't get the desired reaction out of him, she turned to Katherine. "Katie, will you make your sister come to her senses? This is madness!"

"Would you just let it go! Maybe I don't want to marry this guy either, have you thought of that! I can have any man I want, and here you are deciding for me!" Katherine yelled back. She knew that the pillars of her life was taken away from her, but she couldn't find it in herself to fight Emily on this, because those pillars was rotten anyway. And maybe they were a bit higher than other pillars, but they were more unsteady, and with a greater fall. And it was lonely up there, anyway. She almost felt relieved. Because now she, too, could just be.

And as everyone started blaming each other and shouting, Naomi slowly took steps backwards, Emily still with her head buried in her chest, her long dress lugging behind her. And the girl held on tightly too, her hands clinging to the back of Naomi's shirt, like if she let go she would be dragged back into the hysteria they were escaping. And Naomi kept on yelling back the whole way. About how this isn't the reason for marriage. That true love isn't based on the pot of money. About misuse of power and cruelness of the jurisdiction. About anything, really, that she disliked about such people, and that was a lot. And all the way, she made sure Emily was still impossible close to her and was okay. And finally they're out of the church, shutting the doors behind them.

Emily leant against the wall outside, drawing Naomi close to her with gripping her shirt. She kisses her forehead, her cheeks, her chin... all over her face, while she whispers again and again.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you."

And Naomi's grin grew wider and wider with each kiss until she drew back to see tears falling down Emily's pretty face. She reached out a hand to gently stroke them away.

"Did you miss me?"

"Everyday of my life." Emily whispered as she leaned her forehead against Naomi's.

Emily was the love of Naomi's life. From that moment on, everything she had, and everything she was, would be hers. Forever.

No matter how hard the past, one can always begin again. And oh, how happy Naomi was that she found the braveness to stand up for what she wanted. It would be difficult, what with the society and norms, but nothing was impossible when they were together and had people that loved them.

"Cook and my mum is waiting in a wagon around the back." Naomi said as Emily's hands wandered up in her hair. Emily nodded and before she knew it, Naomi was grabbing her hand, wanting to get out of there as fast as possible.

"And by the way," Emily said with sudden humour in her voice, making Naomi look back at her, "that hair looks ridiculous."

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Yeah, so that's it, folks. Nah, okay, just kidding. There will be coming an epilogue your way soonish. A bit cliché with the 'storming the wedding' theme? :D Tell me your thoughts.

Thanks for everything. She'll be home now.