I'm so sorry that it's been so long since my last update, I've been unnaturally busy... It's no excuse though...
Well I'm sorry to say to all those of you who hate all the fluffy stuff, but this is gonna be a pretty corny, fluffy chapter, but it's pretty much a recap of where all of the couples are at now.
But I swear to you, next chapter is the beginning of all the intense stuff, so please tune in for that :)
Thank you reviewers!! As per usual you guys are amazing, and I still love all your feedback :)
Kairi Tsubasa: Yeah, I think a lot of us realise we don't know ourselves or our lives as well as we thought we did, but Rock did manage to make it back in the end. Thanks for the review :)
Chicken Yuki: Ooh wow, you wrote such a lot, and reviewed both chapters, thank you :) You pick up on things well, there is a little more to Jack's break up with Lumina than he would have her believe... Haha, I wouldn't blame you for wanting to punch Doug, but I think he's one of those people I'd like to have in my life, seems kind of dependable... but that's just me. Mostly Rock is only a jerk when Lumina's not in control of him, he only really became less jerky for her. Hahah I really miss the Muku-muku running gag too, do you think there's a chance we could bring it back with a vengence? Should I just change my story and make him the murderer?
Vook: Yeaah I was breaking the fourth wall, though I'm silly enough to not know what that is. Maybe I've been watching too many corny sitcoms, but they're not Rock's thoughts. Ahh thank you for liking Lumina's memory, I loved writing things from the point of view of a child :) Cheers for the review
YukiShinoya444: Indubidably ;) Let's see if you're right. Thanks for the review. P to the U to the D-D ING!
frozenmoogle: Why thank you, and no worries for not reviewing, I haven't been updating, so I'd be a hyprocrit if I said anything about that ;) Well I wanted to include the title a little, even if it was a tad corny :) But thanks for reviewing the last chapter!
Awesome Rapidash: Why thank you, I hope I didn't overdo Rock's reaction, but I haven't ever known anyone who found out they were adopted, or how they'd react... Hopefully the few chapters after this one'll be good.
like red on a rose: Haha... I'm confused... only some writers don't start to annoy you with fluffyness, and I'm not one of them? I think I get what you mean, and thank you. Hope I'm not being too gooey, fuzzy and annoying, thanks for the review :)
MyShadowsThorn: Thanks, I'm glad I didn't overdo it too much, I seem to have a habit of being a little overdramatic, and lovey dovey, one time I'm gonna write a fiction with minimum fluff... it's be quite unfluffy... so bald... Thanks again ;)
gothangel12345: When you're right, you're right. I've gotta say these people are gonna have quite strange destinies, but I hope this chapter reviews all of the relationships. Thank you :)
Now I'm going to warn all of you that this chapter is mostly filler, my apologies, but because of that I'm also gonna submit another chapter, because it's only fair... So thanks guys!
Nami stood transfixed, gazing at her reflection in the mirror, which was staring coolly back at her.
"This isn't you," her mind told her and she agreed whole heartedly. The white dress trailed down onto the floor like a sheet of snow which contrasted with her blood hued hair and complimented her sea blue eyes. "Maybe that's okay... for today."
A small smile appeared on her face, her lips that were pale from the cold, curving slightly. Her eyes trailed along the desk until it found two shining clips that Muffy had lent to her, they were merely crystal but they shimmered like diamonds. She reached over for them, her lip curving to the side as she considered them; she continued to look in the mirror as she clipped them to her hair. They shone as though her hair had dew drops caught in its ruffled mass; she took her hand away from where she'd placed the clip, deciding that she did like them.
"Nami?" Lumina asked, walking into the room and smiling proudly when she saw her. Nami wrapped her arms around herself, as though nervous of what Lumina would think, but the bright look on the brunettes face told her that she looked acceptable. "You look beautiful."
"I look like an ice cream," Nami stated with a false frown, looking sceptically down at the dress. Lumina giggled, finally able to see right through Nami's stony façade. This made the red head blush with a mixture of frustration and embarrassment that she had been caught out. "Do you think Gustafa will like it?" She seemed vulnerable as she said it and Lumina smiled.
"Of course he will, but I came to tell you that the wedding ceremony is due to start, so hurry up."
Nami nodded, taking one last glance in the full-length mirror before following Lumina out of the inn.
The autumn leaves were still dancing their final dance in the cool breeze as they walked out, Nami watched them with a small smile and Lumina glanced at her to follow. They walked quickly to the small forest of the valley and found most of the town already gathered there. Lumina looked down at her own dress, Nami hadn't been too worried about what her bridesmaids wore, except that they wore blue. Lumina's was silky ocean blue in colour and it reached just below her knees, it was sleek and not frilly, so she far preferred it to the dress she had had to wear at Celia's wedding.
Lumina walked over to greet Rock, who was dressed rather the same as usual, but he had polished the peace symbol he was accustomed to wear sometimes.
"Hey sweetie, is the bride ready?" Rock asked, pecking her on the cheek.
"Of course, it's Nami, she may be a wanderer with unpredictable timings, but she's never late for important events." Lumina said brightly, leaning into Rock's embrace.
Gustafa was dressed in a suit, a rare sight that Lumina was keen to take in, and he stood waiting for Nami to enter. Lumina could see Nami and Tim walking arm in arm, since he was giving her away, they were whispering and she could see that Nami was nervous.
"I don't think I'm ready for this," Nami said nervously and Tim patted her on the arm.
"Nami, you love this man, you may be a wanderer, but now you have someone to wander with." He told her and she smiled.
"Yeah... yeah... I can do this." She told herself, walking up and blushing beneath Gustafa's gaze. For once he wasn't wearing his strange purple shades that seemed to allow him to see the world in rose colour, and his bright blue eyes shone like sapphires.
He nodded at his fiancée and she smiled gently back, taking the hand that he offered her, ready for the ceremony to begin.
"I love you," Nami told Gustafa after all of the "I dos" and the ceremony was over. He kissed her snowy white cheek and then stroked her bright hair.
"Likewise, you look beautiful." He told her and she beamed, practically radiating light from her happiness. Then Griffin began to play a gentle tune on his guitar while Muffy sang and the wedding dance began. Gustafa wrapped his arms around Nami and pulled her close, swaying to the gentle beat. They had finally found everything they had ever wanted in each other and they never wanted to let go.
They were silent as they danced, but they didn't need words, they never had, they were content simply to hold on tight to each other. The music was beautiful and love seemed to beam off of everyone, filling them with a warm happiness even though the autumn air was cold.
"Now that we're married, will we still have adventures?" Nami asked worriedly, biting her lip as she looked into the crystal blue eyes of her husband.
"Our life will always be one big adventure and yes, I plan to have many adventures with you." He promised, stroking her cheek gently with a finger.
"Good... will we be boring?" She asked and he snorted, earning himself a small scowl.
"You could never be boring, scary yes, but boring, no." He joked and she shoved him gently. She scowled and came up with a quick retort.
"Well you're a psycho!"
"Yup, and you married me." He smiled and even she couldn't help a twitch of her lips back, she then looked at the ground and the comfortable silence was resumed.
"When are we going to get married?" Lumina demanded and Rock paled, looking at her with wide brown eyes.
"Uh..." He murmured, beginning to sweat slightly.
"Don't panic, I'm not asking for a proposition! But one day... right?" She asked hopefully and he grinned.
"I'd be crazy to let you go Lu, of course one day, when we're both ready." He promised and she looked doubtful.
"Sometime before I'm sixty, right?" She checked and he laughed.
"Definitely before you're eighty..."
"Rock!"
"Before you're thirty..." He suggested and she frowned again. "How about we see how it goes...?"
She rolled her eyes and then rested her chin on his shoulder as he held her. "I know you won't be able to resist soon," she whispered and he swallowed hard, he knew she was right. They continued to dance to the slow beat, unaware of the other couples, to them they were the only two in the world, even though the married couple should be centre stage.
"I love you..." she whispered and kissed him softly on the lips.
"I love you too," he replied, returning the kiss gently, knowing he could never love anyone else more than the beautiful creature in front of him.
Marlin and Celia sat on a tree stump next to each other, watching the colours twirling of the other couples dancing. Marlin wasn't much of a dancer and if Celia was honest, nor was she, they were both happy to sit out and watch, perhaps admiring the scenery and the plants.
"I'm so glad everyone is finding love," she told him happily and he smiled at his caring wife. She had slowly managed to bring out the softer side of him, now he was still a little stony, but nowhere near so distant.
"Yes, I think we're ready to take the next step," he told her and she looked at him, running his words through her head.
"What is the next step honey?" She asked in confusion and he smiled, wrapping his arm around her.
"Children, a house of our own... a family." He told her and she beamed, that was exactly what she had always wanted. Ever since she had been a young girl playing "mommies and daddies" she had wanted to be a mother and to have a proper family.
"I can't wait, are we ready?" She asked; her grey eyes wide with excitement.
"I think we're ready for anything, together." He said honestly, ever since they had been together he had felt as though he could achieve more and more.
"I think you're right sweetie," she agreed, placing a chaste kiss on his lips, her caring eyes radiating with pride. "I love you,"
"I'll love you forever," he promised and she smiled, she knew it was a promise he wouldn't break.
"Jack, don't you like dancing?" Muffy asked, her large green eyes watching him as she stood over him in his sitting position on a stump.
"I..." Jack opened his mouth, but was unable to think of an excuse. Somehow he didn't feel that slow dancing felt right at that time, but he had no idea why. "I'm more of a fast dancer."
"Okay, well once I'm done singing the next number when I take over from Griffin again for a bit, I'll ask him to play a fast number." She told him jovially.
"Great," he thought sarcastically, he should have known Muffy wasn't easily fazed. "Sure," he said, trying to sound enthusiastic but failing miserably.
"What's up?" Muffy asked, sitting down next to him and placing a hand on his back. He sometimes forgot exactly how intuitive his pretty girlfriend was.
"You're too good at that," he told her and she smiled.
"Hey, I wasn't in the queue when they were giving out brains, I had to go somewhere." She giggled and he smiled slightly, she was really good at brightening his spirits… but he didn't love her. His eyes darted unwillingly across the room towards Lumina and Rock who were dancing closely, he then looked away sadly. Muffy had caught the glance but not where it was directed, she nodded knowingly.
"I know you don't love me, Jack." She told him honestly and he looked up, he appreciated her ability to see the honest truth and accept it.
"No... I'm sorry, I don't."
"Maybe one day, but... do you still love her?" She asked, gesturing towards Lumina.
"No," he denied it, but sometimes he wondered if he did. She nodded and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
"I'll be back, I have a song to sing... cheer up." She said before turning away to sing with Griffin.
"You still miss her," Sebastian stated as he took a seat next to Galen on a hard rock.
"I'll never stop, you too I suppose?" He replied, talking about Romana.
"She was never really mine... but yes, I miss her." Sebastian agreed and Galen nodded, looking down at the floor.
"Well they've found their peace and maybe one day we'll find ours."
"Maybe..."
"Erm... the weather's nice..." Vesta commented to the strange looking artist, who was gazing at the flowers.
"Yes, nothing is more beautiful than a glorious autumn day when the golden leaves flutter down from the sleepy trees." Cody replied appreciatively and she nodded, awed by his way with words. "But there are those phenomena that are equally beautiful." He said meaningfully.
She blushed and placed a podgy hand to an equally podgy cheek. "You speak nicely,"
"Why thank you, I would like to consider myself a wordsmith." He responded with a calm smile.
"You are, you are!" She agreed, her face now red from blushing.
"I have a question to ask you, but I fear that by some outlandish change in this calm weather you might be inclined to deny my request, like the clouds deny the sun access on a rainy day." He said shyly, studying her with an artists eyes, that can see anything as beautiful, as art.
"What is it?" She asked, her emerald eyes wide with intrigue and hope.
"One day, when you're not busy, would you take a walk with me, or join me for a drink?"
"Of course!" she said, clapping her large hands together as they both grinned stupidly at each other.
"Darling you look ridiculous in your work suit!" Samantha, the new neighbour, told her husband Grant, who looked stressed and rushed even though he had the day off. "Try to relax. At least look happy... I'm not making you be here."
"Yes dear," Grant answered in a monotonous voice.
"Oh and straighten your tie."
"Yes dear,"
"Dance a little slower, you're dancing at a monkey's pace, we're supposed to be high class."
"Yes dear,"
"Honestly, can't you say anything else?"
"Yes dear,"
"Then why don't you?" She snapped, and Grant looked at the ground with a tired look in his eyes. Samantha finally seemed to have heard herself as she stopped her nagging.
"Oh dear, I've turned into a nag! When did this happen?" She asked despairingly and Grant looked at her and laughed.
"What's so funny?" She demanded, placing her slender hands on her hips.
"You were always a nag dear," he informed her and she frowned.
"Then why did you marry me?" She asked, truly wanting to know.
"Because I loved you despite that, now dear, why don't we go and mingle? We need to get to know our neighbours better." He said with a small smile, trying his hardest to have a good time.
"Yes... yes dear, that sounds like a good idea..."
"Ah dear, look at how happy Rock looks," Tim pointed out and Ruby smiled.
"Yes, and look how happy Nami looks," she replied and Tim agreed. They smiled at each other, feeling they had done a good duty as self-appointed guardians of the people they considered their children.
"I can feel love in the valley," he informed her and she smiled in agreement.
"May there always be love."
All good things come to an end and the wedding party was no exception, the lovers all made their ways back home, content to spend the evening together in whatever way they wanted. Because even if there is nothing else to cling onto, the love of someone, be it a lover, a friend or a family member, will always be there. And even if you have no one else in the world, there is always the love of yourself to hold onto, because if you love yourself you'll be amazed at what you can achieve.
Lumina lay on the bed as Rock kissed her gently, slowly pulling off her dress. She had already removed his tie and his shirt, her nails scraping softly against the smooth skin she found there. Between breaths Rock ceased the kissing, easing onto the bed and looking into the clear brown eyes of his lover.
"Are you sure?" He asked, concerned that he might hurt her by moving to fast.
"You have no idea how sure," she promised, her wide eyes telling him that it was okay and that she felt safe with him and that was all he needed to know.
"I love you," he whispered into her ear before trailing kisses down her neck.
"I love you too," she replied, breathing heavily before he crushed his lips against hers again.
Love is a precious gift, a magical thing, perhaps what makes the world go round. If you're lucky enough to find it then you should never let it go, whether you believe in the love of fairytales, passionate love of Hollywood movies or merely the mutual enjoyment of someone's company, you should know how it feels to you. So maybe love isn't like in fiction, maybe you don't just suddenly meet someone that you're willing to give your heart to and then it all works out from there. Love isn't about how much someone suits you, but how much you're willing to change to suit them; it's about compromise and acceptance. Maybe it will be easy to find, maybe it won't, maybe your first love will be your only love, maybe they won't. But there's someone out there for everyone. True love may not come immediately, but it's worth the wait, no matter how many times you've been hurt, it's out there, and don't settle for anything less.
Next chapter: "The Paranoia"...