Chapter 17

"Where'd she go?" Eric demanded as he rushed to the podium where Aden sat helplessly. The moment the man had moved out of the way, the guys had seen the mess Kahea had made but didn't see the direction she had headed.

"She ran that way." Aden pointed and immediately without saying another word, Eric ran out of the room with Tai and David right behind him. "Father please let me go," Aden pleaded again but Quatre stood his ground.

"No Aden. I saw her go, but I cannot let you leave. There are many diplomats children in here and they will be upset if you leave. Just your mere presence makes them happy. There is only a half an hour left."

"But father-,"

"No,"

Cindi couldn't believe what had just happened. How could Kahea sink that low? Even Cindi hadn't expected it out of her. Where was she supposed to go now? She had run away from things so many times during that trip that she had run out of hiding places. Cindi slowed down. Why am I running? She pondered that as she tried to think of options. There was no way she was re entering the ball room with her dress in that condition, but she didn't want to flee like always. She turned to the right and walked toward the wall. She slid down the wall and sat down on the ground. This isn't some stupid Cinderella story where the prince has to looking for her. I'm not going to run. If he wants to choose me then I'll be right here.

When Eric, Tai and David caught up with her, they found her sitting on the ground just softly wringing out her partially pink dress. David approached her and squatted next to her and stared at her as she gave him a teary smile.

"Hi," she said softly. David wrapped his arms around her and gave her a tight squeeze.

"We thought we had to go on a man hunt again," Tai said, sitting in front of her crossing his legs.

When David released her, Cindi smiled at Tai and replied,"I didn't want to run away again. I don't know if Aden will choose me or not, but if he does I'll just be right here. The guys gave each other puzzled looks. What did she mean by if? Weren't things fixed between them yet?

Then Cindi smiled at Eric, biting her lip a moment before saying, "Heh- so much for keeping my dress clean." She said referring to dinner.

----------

Rashid approached Aden's chair. "Sir this is for you. Ms. Cindi gave it to me," He held out his hand, and between his fingers was a folded piece of paper. Aden snatched it out of his hand and opened it. He read the note, and re-read it again trying to make sense of it.

Aden,

This note is for just in case I don't get to see you in person again, after you've made your decision. I would like to day this in person, but this note is just my back up.

I'm sorry I acted the way I did. I know I shouldn't have, and you're right I was being stubborn. I hope you can accept my apology, and maybe we can still be friends? I only say that because I was starting to think that maybe you were going to choose me. My hopes were getting high. But after yesterday, how can I think that? Thank you for the fun times though. So, I'm sorry and I hope to talk to you soon.

Love always

Cindi

The clock struck 12 as Aden re-folded the note.
Quatre and Dorothy stood up and motioned for the twins, who sat on either side of them, to do the same. Lily and Aden both stood up, and the whole crowd was now staring at the family.

Aden could see smiles creeping on the mouths of some of the girls. He didn't even know half of their names! He gripped the note in his hand. He looked around the room, and saw Heero and the other dads searching the room. No doubt looking for Cindi. He also saw Cindi's horrible step sister, who met his eyes and flipped her hair and smiled. He grimaced.

When the clock struck 12:01 Quatre opened his mouth to speak "Finally the moment has come. The last few days have been full of fun but it all boils down to this moment…"

-----------

He heard the clock strike 12:00… Eric looked anxiously toward the direction they had come from. Cindi noticed the look of longing on his face and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Go," she said simply. He looked at the other guys, who also nodded to him. He smiled a big broad grin then stood up. Without looking back dashed toward the ball room.

-----------

"Now my two children will make their decisions," Quatre ended. He turned his head and looked at Lily, then turned his head the other direction to look at Aden.

"Its time to choose Aden." He said in a low yet warm voice. Getting his message, Aden nodded and smiled. He turned towards the crowd.

"Thank you everyone for coming to our birthday. It's been a long difficult four days, but I know who I want to choose." He stepped forward with Lily who stated "As do I,"

"I sorry everyone, but I must leave…. The person I want to choose is not in this room." There was a small gasp form the crowd as Aden jumped off the podium and headed toward the door.

Aden passed him as he got to the giant double doors. A smile tugged at Eric's mouth as he thought about where Aden was heading. He entered the room just as Lily was saying that she too knew who she was going to choose. He saw her beautiful turquoise eyes search the crowd. He walked slowly toward her, absorbing her whole appearance. The wavy golden mane that partially hung over her shoulder, the small silver diamond studded crown that rested upon her head, and her crème colored dress.

Lily finally found him. He was making his way towards her, and she smiled and stepped towards him. He quickened his steps, and finally they embraced in a tight hug. She kissed him lightly on the lips "I choose you," she whispered in his ear. Eric heard no more as the room began to thunder with applause.

--------

Tai looked up at David as they heard footsteps coming toward them. They nodded simultaneously trying to hide the smirks appearing on their faces.

"Cindi, we're going to go find out dads and let them know you're alright. They must be worried." She nodded to them, and they took hurried steps and just before they took the first corner, Aden came rushing past them. He just ignored them as he ran.

He passed both the guys turning a corner, she can't be far the thought and his heart leaped as he saw her right there sitting on the floor.

She heard footsteps and thought that one of the guys had come back. She looked up, "A-Aden," she stuttered. "You're here," she breathed slowly. He walked closer to her. He was half out of breath "Were you running?" She felt like smacking herself. What a stupid question.

"I came looking for you." He smiled at her. She tried to get up off the floor, suddenly embarrassed that she was sitting, but he walked up to her and offered her a hand. She took it and he pulled her up. She blushed and bit her bottom lip as she noticed that suddenly Aden had grown nervous and was choking on his words.

"I –uh… Cindi I…" He just couldn't choose the right words. Gripping the note that was still clenched in his hand he asked," Why did you write this?" he opened his palm.

"Well-"she flustered, "I um- really thought that you were going to choose someone else. Like that girl." Cindi shuffled her feet and looked down ashamed. She couldn't believe that he was even standing in front of her. "I'm sorry,"

"No Cindi. There wasn't anyone in that ball room that I wanted to choose." He lifted her chin with his hand. He stared into her ice blue eyes, and said, "The girl I wanted to choose ran out of the room before I had a chance to tell her how I felt. So… I went after her," A deep red blush erupted over Cindi's face and he smiled.

He lowered his head until his lips met hers.

Tai and David stuck their heads around the corner just in time to see Aden kiss Cindi. David poked Tai in the ribs with his elbow out of happiness and the two back away from the wall and gave each other a silent high-five.

Aden gave Cindi a hug, and was surprised when she pushed him away. Confused he asked her what was wrong.

"I have punch all of over me! Your shirt is ruined now- Im so sorry."

He looked down at his once white shirt that had pink stains all over the front. He broke out into laughter. "Is that all?" he asked, and she nodded and he embraced her, hugging her tight enough he felt the moisture seep to his skin. Cindi laughed when she realized what he was doing.

"We match!" she exclaimed, and they both laughed.

They made their way back to the ball room hand in hand. The music had resumed and they spied Eric and Lily on the dance floor, looking joyous.

When Cindi and Aden finally got up to the podium, Heero so saw them first rushed over to them and gave Cindi a tight hug, expressing his worries and apologizing for Kahea promising to get things straightened out with Ruth. When the song ended, Quatre called the room to attention once again, beckoning for Lily and Eric to join them up there.

"I have chosen Eric Barton," Lily said with a big smile on her face, holding Eric hand.

"And I… I have chosen Cindi Yuy,"

Dear Diary,

Have you ever had one of those moments where life just stood still and nothing but the feeling of flying swelled in you heart?

Fairy tales do come true.

XD oh my gosh! I'm so happy right now! I finished my story! I've been working on it slowly for three years, and it's finally done! YAY! PLEASE let me know what you thought of my story. Eeeee!XDXDXD Im so happy!

Oh, and I was playing with the idea of writing a short sequel… what do you think? Or should I just leave at this?

( Oh, and just to say, (thank you Cat Youkai for bringing it to my attention) that my idea for the sequel is not the traditional mushy couple thing. Honestly. Plus I'm thinking of just making it just a few fun chapters! Or maybe even just of one shot. Thanks)