Sophie's POV:
Five years after graduating Foxfire, I was now working for the council as the leader of the new Human Assistance Program. This is the program that had introduced great things to humans, like penicillin and chocolate cake. Right now, I was working on trying to introduce mallowmelt to them. Keefe had, unsurprisingly, made a gulon sanctuary and also ran a pranking store. Dex and Fitz had worked things out, and Fitz's parents had taken it much better than expected. FedEx (As Keefe and I had together dubbed them) had their wedding scheduled for some time next year. Tam was working up the nerve to propose to Biana. Linh had recently started dating Wylie, and Jensi ended up with Marella, surprising no one. Less and less people had been using the matchmaking system, which made Keefe and me really happy. Speaking of Keefe...
"Hello, Foster!" he says, coming in and kissing me. We had just moved in together last week. The name of our house had not yet been decided, mostly because Keefe kept suggested "Gulonville" and I kept vetoing it.
"Hi, Keefe!"
"Happy birthday, love." I actually totally forgot that it was my birthday! (Even though I supposedly had a photographic memory.) I was surprised Keefe remembered, though, considering how birthdays were not a big thing among the elves- and today was my human birthday rather than my inception date. Honestly, he was so sweet to get me a present- almost everything he does reminds me of how lucky I am to have him. He hands me a scroll, tied with a neat bow. I untie the ribbon and open it. It's yet another poem. I smile as I read it to myself.
Sophie Elizabeth Foster,
Roses are red,
Violets are not blue,
I think you want to marry me,
And I want to marry you.
Sophie Foster, will you marry me?
I look over at Keefe, grinning sheepishly at me. Right now, I think the amount of happiness I'm feeling is completely overwhelming his empathy. This is probably the happiest I've ever felt, or at least close. Tears fill my eyes as I fling my arms around Keefe and whisper the words that will change our life forever:
"Yes."
Keefe's POV:
After months and months of waiting, each day seeming like an eon, the day had finally arrived- the day I finally got to get rid of the Sencen name! And, of course, marry the love of my life- which I had only been dreaming about for, what, ten or so years? I couldn't believe the day had finally arrived- and I especially couldn't believe that Grady had let me live to see the day. The torture of waiting had been more painful than getting stabbed by King Dimitar- but the fact that it finally came felt even better than that first time she kissed me.
I'm snapped out of my thoughts as Foster walks up the aisle. She looks so beautiful that I'm unable to form a coherent thought- or honestly, even breathe. I mean, Foster was beautiful before, but now? It's a wonder to me that every boy (and some girls) in the Lost Cities aren't drooling over her right now, Valin-style. I have to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
"Do you, Sophie Foster, take Keefe Sencen to be your husband?" Oralie, who's officiating the ceremony, says.
"I do," Foster says, smiling radiantly at me. I'm enamored that I'm almost unable to answer when Oralie says:
"Do you, Keefe Sencen, take Sophie Foster to be your wife?"
"I do," I whisper, staring at Sophie's beautiful brown-flecked-gold eyes.
Then Oralie says the seven words that bring me more joy than anything else in the world: "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
As she adds "You may kiss the bride," my lips connect with Foster's and we share our first kiss as a married couple. Everything else in my mind dissolves into pure bliss, because I am kissing Sophie Foster, and she still makes my mind shut off, even after all those years.
Keefe's POV: (Again)
"Keefe?" Foster says, her voice bursting with emotion. Even as an Empath, her feelings are such a complicated jumble that I can't quite discern one specific emotion. Eyes shining, she looks even more perfect than usual as she whispers "Keefe, I'm pregnant."
"Oh my mallowmelt..." I whisper, my own eyes filling up.
"Is that a good 'oh my mallowmelt' or a bad 'oh my mallowmelt'?" Foster asks.
"Good!" I yell, picking her up and spinning her around. "I love you so much... and oh mallowmelt, Sophie, we're going to be parents!"
"I know," she half laughs, half cries. "I know."
Sophie's POV:
After some of the worst pain imaginable, it is all worth it when Keefe shows me the twins he's holding in his arms. Thank goodness most elves had realized that judging multiple births was completely and utterly stupid. I was glad my children would not have to face that kind of scorn.
Jolie Rose Foster had been born at 7:43 PM; One of the best minutes ever. She has blond hair and brown eyes, and is one of the most beautifully adorable thing I have ever seen before in my life. "Hello," Jolie squeaks in the tiniest, most adorable voice. I had heard that baby elves speak, but it was a thousand times more incredible hearing it from my daughter.
4 minutes and 47 seconds later, Hazel Luna Foster had been born. She has ice-blue eyes like Keefe, and is just as beautiful and adorable as Jolie. Her "hello" is even squeakier.
Keefe squeezes my hand, eyes misting. "Sophie... Sophie, we're officially a family."
"I know," I whisper. I didn't even know I was crying until I hear the sob in my voice.
"I love you so much, Foster."
"I love you too."
Keefe softly brushes his hand through my hair. "You know, what I said all those years ago was true."
"What's that?"
"Team Foster Keefe will always be cooler."
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, the end! (For real!) Honestly, rewriting this (and writing this!) was a lot of fun! Hopefully the rewrite was better than the original (Mallowmelt, the original was cringy!) Anyway, remember: Team Foster Keefe will always be cooler!