Four days passed since Dad and I returned to the Isle and since the chaos of Audrey's terror. I heard no word from Auradon or Mal, and at this point, I was beginning to think she went back to the original plan of sealing the Isle off forever. Though I really doubt Evie would let her do that in wake of everything.
"You think Mal went back on her word?" I asked the second day back. Uma studied my position from behind the counter of Ursula's shop, perched on a stool and my arms on the wood.
"If she did, Evie will kick her butt. You know that girl holds that promise to heart."
"Yeah I know, I know." I sighed, glancing at the busted clock above the bar. I pushed away from the counter, slapping down some cash for the food I barely touched.
"I gotta get going- dad wants me home as much as he can have me." Uma snickered, moving to meet me at the door.
"Same time tomorrow?" I nodded, grabbing her hands in mine.
"Let's meet at the ship. I'm sure the boys are getting bored over there." With a smile, Uma leaned in, pressing her forehead against mine.
"I'll miss you, spitfire."
"Same to you, sea witch."

I will say that Uma and I have gotten closer- like more than friends but more romantic than sisters. And I'm enjoying it, yes; the butterflies in my stomach grow every time I lay eyes on her. And I've had the conversation with dad already too- he just told me to suck it up and tell Uma I like her. He rolled his eyes a lot during that discussion.
But anyhow- four days and nothing. Then again- can't really get a phone call on the Isle. Uma and I have been camped out in the entrance tunnel since dawn. I had a feeling something was gonna happen today. Even from here, we could see a huge crowd gathered at the Auradon gate.
"I wonder what's happening today…"
"Looks like a party." Uma sighed, running her fingers through my hair, braiding random strands. Humming at the calming feeling, I rested my head in her lap.
"I just hope Evie laid into Mal if she mentioned closing the barrier…"
"I'm sure she did. Don't worry."

All of a sudden, the barrier shimmered gold and disintegrated into the ocean. The sun- the bright sun!
"Uma! It's the sun!" The pair of us scrambled to our feet, slowly making our way out into the light with all the other VKs. We squinted, our eyes hurting but adjusting quick enough.
"It's so beautiful..!" I felt like crying, my hand gripping Uma's tight.
"It's warm too."
The sun shined so bright, and we could see a bridge forming between the Isle and Auradon. Uma and I immediately ran up to the platform, alerting all the VKs to the change. Harry and Gil joined us, too.
"This is it. She kept her promise..! We're gonna put it in motion, break down what keeps us apart!"
"Unite! So we stand, now we livin', marching in the light- one two, one two like-"
"I see you."
"You see me."
"Imperfect."
"Perfectly!"
"Face to face we can see clearly like!"
"Day or night!"
"Wrong or right!"
"We'll come together for a good time!"
"Uma- we're gonna break this down! We're gonna rock the town! Everyone all around- let's be whoever like this, stronger together like this!"
The pair of us smiled wide, squeezing our hands together before parting to go down the steps.
"We're believing in second chances!" Uma called, running down the steps with Gil.
"And we're all starting today!" I yelled back, jumping off the stairs with Harry on my heels. The boy wrung his arm around my shoulders, clutching Gil's shoulder in his other hand.
"We're marching on in a new land! Cause our worlds a better place!"

And with that, Uma, Harry, Gil and I led the rest of the VKs across the bridge. We ran or walked, meeting the Auradon kids at the center of the bridge.
"We're gonna break this down!" Mal yelled, smiling and running right to me. I opened my arms to her, separating from Uma and gave Mal the biggest hug I could. We all reconnected for a few seconds, dancing around the bridge before following Mal and the others across the rest of the bridge to the entrance to Auradon. But we all hesitated, of course. The Auradon kids ran back into their home, leaving us just at the edge, worried about crossing over. But Uma and I smiled wide as Ben led the rest of Auradon in a bow, letting us know we were welcome.
Music started playing as we all crossed into Auradon, hugging and meeting new people. Uma and Mal hugged, while I went over to Ben.
"Thank you so much, Ben. So many kids are gonna have much better lives now!" I hugged him tight, his arms wrapping around my back.
"No problem, Halie. This is going to be the start of our kingdoms living together in harmony." I couldn't help but laugh.
"Mal may be the Queen of Auradon, but she's gotta go through Uma and I if she wants the Isle back!" Ben's face dropped a moment, but I couldn't keep the laughter from escaping and very rapidly he joined in.
All around, the Isle kids were dancing with the students of Auradon. It was almost a if there was no division or difference. After a few moments of just taking in the beauty of it all, I found Uma again and took her hand.
"We've gotten our wish. The perfect life for every kid on the Isle." I beamed, winding my other arm around her waist. She mirrored my expression, and matched my movements.
"And now we have a chance too. To live our best lives."
That was it. Our lips connected in a gentle kiss, the world around us muting and slowing down. I don't know how long we kissed for- it was loving and simple, like our relationship. There was balance and support, love and understanding. We knew the other would be there for us, no matter what.
Someone clearing their throat pulled us from our dream kiss, drawing our eyes away from each other.
"Dad! Mal!" The pair, plus Ben stood there. Dad just smirked, while Mal's eyes held wide with excitement.
"I knew I was gonna hear something eventually about you two."
"DAD!" Mal laughed at the whole scenario, before stepping forward herself.
"I'm so happy for you, Halie. And I hope I can rely on you two for support on decisions regarding the Isle kids and such."
"Of course, sis. Queen of Auradon and Queen of the Isle- gods that's weird to hear coming out of my mouth!" Ben and Mal chuckled, before Ben took point.

"Halie, Uma- welcome to Auradon!"

~Bringing it, bringing it, b-b-bringing it down. Bringing it, bringing it, b-b-bringing it down!~

~~*~~ FIN ~~*~~