The forever piece
Chapter 3: The Party
I stood facing myself in the mirror. My hair is neatly put up in a nice hairdo involving braids and curled hair. Liz thought I would look good with my hair up but I don't really know about this style. It doesn't really feel like me. This reminds me of all the countless times Liz has made me feel uncomfortable in clothes over the years. Like when we would go and club and she did my hair and make-up and she put me into this awful white dress with lace and sequins.
A light rap on the door pulls me out of my thoughts. "Are you ready?" Soul says from the other side of the bathroom door. "It is about to start and we should join the others."
Instead of answering him, I open the door and step out. "Do I look bad?" I rub my black gloves against each other. "I'm not sure this hair fits with the dress." I'm wearing the same dress I wore years ago at a journalist ball. My same old black dress along with Soul's mother's bracelet wrapped around my wrist.
Soul chuckles and walks toward me. He cups my face with his large hands and kisses my forehead. "You look beautiful. But are you sure you really want to only have one dress? You have always been wearing it to all formal events we have attended."
I pout and blush a little. "I like this dress. It is pretty and you spend so much money on it, not that you will ever tell me how much it cost."
"That's right." Soul flashes his pointy teeth. "I won't ever tell you and I would be more than happy to spend more money on you. Seriously, I thought you would get over your fear of letting me pay your things over the years but you are still as independent as then." Soul's hand entwines with my fingers. "Not that I don't mind you being independent. It makes me feel more of a man to have you struggling before I buy you things anyway."
I roll my eyes. "You know you are something else."
"I do." Soul's hand finds my waist and pulls me really close to me. "But that's only because I have you. You make me into something else." Soul smirks wide. "And I like it." Soul's lips find mine and I can't help but kiss him back. Electricity courses through my body while my body grows hot. He still knows how to please me so.
The kiss doesn't last long before I pull away and rest my head on his chest. "We really should go downstairs before Liz comes and gets us."
Soul nods. "Agreed. I don't feel like arguing with her right now."
My hand finds Soul's and we both walk downstairs. The whole ballroom is a sea of people in fancy dresses and designers suits. They are all dancing a formal dance which I don't know the name of. They all dance with their partner in a circle before the ladies goes to their right and switches partners. Some other dances usual ballroom dances next to the dancing circle with their partner. The hem of their long dresses kisses the ground and sways elegantly. The whole dancing thing looks so elegant and fancy.
"Your eyes are sparkling." Soul whispers into my ear. "I bet you want to waltz."
Waltz. So that is the name of the dance.
I blush embarrassedly for being caught staring at the dancing couples. "Kind of." I answer simply while I cup my red cheek. "Maybe."
Soul chuckles and kisses my temple. "We can dance later. Right now I think searching for Liz and Kid is a good idea."
I nod in response. Soul's hand releases mine and wraps around my waist. He pulls me close to him while we walk through the sea of people in order to find Liz and Kid. I can't help but feel warm and safe in his arm. Even though the embrace isn't and intimate act or even an act to show his feelings toward me, my heart flutters with joy and I can't help but melt.
"There they are." Soul says and he starts leading me toward their direction. I catch sighed of Liz's golden hair and Kid's black hair with white strips in his hair along with another head with golden hair strands in Liz's arms. So Amber is here as well.
"Maka!" Liz smiles wide when our eyes lock. "What do you think about the party?" Liz hugs me with her free arm and I end up hugging her and Amber.
"It's great. You have really done it Liz." I smile wide. I'm really not the person to be rating a party. I'm can't see a good party from a bad party, like the Christmas party Liz hosted and she said it was the worst party ever because all of her Christmas decorations didn't make it in time. I thought the party was great and I and Soul had a great time together with our friends.
"Thanks, I have planned this for so long and I'm glad preparing the ballroom went so nicely." Liz says and I can't help but notice Amber's stare at Soul. She hasn't yet taken her eyes off of him. Liz seems to notice this as well since she looks between Soul and Amber. "Do you want to hold her?" Liz says and Soul's eyes widen.
"Can I?" he asks a little baffled.
"Yes you can. Amber doesn't mind." Liz moves closer to Soul and carefully hands the little girl to Soul. For the first time, I see it as well. The spark in Soul's eyes Liz and Tsubaki talked out yesterday. His eyes shine brighter than the sun and the smile that covers his face is a smile I have never seen before. It is a smile filled with happiness and it shines just as bright as his eyes. Soul is practically glowing.
"Hey there." Soul says with a little childish voice. "My name is Soul." Did Soul just use a baby voice with her? And I always thought he considered those uncool.
Amber doesn't reply. She keeps staring at him. Slowly her arms raises and she grabs fistfuls of Soul's hair. "White!" she exclaims and she must be pulling hard at his hair since Soul flinches in pain but his smile never wavers. He is still happy. "Old!" Now that must strike a chord with him. No one calls Soul old by judging the color of his hair.
"Hold on." Soul says and he gently untangles her fingers from his hair. "I was born with this color just as you were born with blond hair." Soul explains smiling wide at her, showing his pointy teeth.
Ambers seems intrigued by his teeth. She starts to touch them and shows her fingers in his mouth. I just hope he doesn't hurt her!
"Amber." Liz says and carefully takes her from Soul. "It is rude to put your hands in other people's mouths." Amber's hands slip out of Soul's mouth and luckily she didn't accidentally hurt herself on his teeth. Liz holds Amber in her arms and smiles apologetic toward Soul. "I'm sorry about that."
"Don't worry about it." Soul says with that spark still in his eyes. "She is a kid. I'm just happy she didn't hurt herself on my teeth."
A loud yawn escapes form Amber and she snuggle close to Liz's chest. "Looks like it is time for bed." Liz kisses Kid's cheek and smiles toward us. "I will be right back." Liz disappears in the sea of people with Amber in her arms. I notice Soul's eyes doesn't leave Amber. If I didn't know about this baby thing Soul has going on, I would think he was checking out Liz's ass which would have gotten me royally pissed. Soul hasn't checked anyone out since we got together so if he did, a thorn would strike my self-esteem.
"Attention!" My gaze wanders to Black*Star's voice and I find him standing on the little podium with a microphone in his hand, next to him stands Tsubaki. I guess this is the moment, huh?
"What on earth is he doing?" Kid says while sending a glare toward Black*Star. "He is not going to ruin this party." Kid is just about to stomp off toward the stage when I put my hand on his shoulder. Kid's eyes snap at me quicker than a whip.
"You don't want to do this. Trust me." Kid raises his eyebrow questionably at me. "Black*Star is going to reveal something and I know he and Tsubaki would greatly appreciate it if you didn't interfere." Soul looks very confused at me. He tries to ask me what exactly it is with his eyes but I ignore it. I promised I wouldn't tell anyone and I won't.
Kid seems to be pulling in two different directions, either to go up and stop his friend from potentially "ruin" his party or stay and hear him out.
"Everyone, I have something very important to tell you all." Black*Star's free arm wraps around Tsubaki's waist and pulls her close to him. "We are expecting a baby of our own." Women in the room gasps loudly and soon applauds break out and Black*Star cheers loudly into the microphone. "I'm going to be a dad!" He screams as he fists pumps the air.
It is Tsubaki that has to grab the microphone from his hands and lead the overly cheerful soon to be father who most likely has had one too many drinks already. He never gets enough of the fancy champagne Kid always offers on his parties which I always found dry and not good drinks at all.
"So that is it." Soul smirks wide at me and pulls me closer to him. "So that is what you have been keeping a secret." With his fingertips he caresses the curve of my hip and I can't help but blush a little.
"Yeah, Tsubaki told me when I was visiting her." I admit. I see Tsubaki and Black*Star walking toward us, more like Tsubaki is dragging Black*Star toward us while he keeps cheering happily. "And, you are going to hear more juicy details right now."
"Hi you guys!" Black*Star says and he immediately seems to have sobered up by just looking at us. "I'm going to be a dad! How cool isn't that Soul?!"
Soul chuckles and offers him his fist. "It's cool alright. Congratulation man." Black*Star bumps his fist into Soul's. In my mind, Soul in some sort of way confessed about wanting a kid, the sparkles in his eyes and now this.
Pang! The nagging feeling I felt about forgotten something. It attacked me all at once. It infects me heart and makes it hurt while I feel panic coursing over by back and spine. I can't breathe. I can't breathe! What is going on? Why is it doing this?!
"I-" My voice is unsteady. "I need to use the restroom!" I quickly say and walk away with my hand on my head. It feels like a sheet was pulled over my head. Everything is spinning around and it doesn't help with all the dancing couples dancing everywhere. They knock into me and I almost fall down on the ground but I keep on moving. I walk through the corridors and I won't make it to the bathroom in time. Luckily for me, the corridor is empty. I almost slam my back against the wall and slide down to the floor. I'm hyperventilating. I need to calm down.
Inhale slowly and deeply. Exhale slowly. Inhale slowly. Exhale slowly. I keep repeating the process and soon I find the nagging feeling along with the sheet over my head disappearing. My head gets clearer and I don't feel as nausea as before. It probably is because of the heat inside of the ballroom. I need a drink and to cool myself down.
As soon as I find myself fitting of going back, I get up on my legs but I keep repeating my breathing process just until I reach the ballroom again. Without even looking anywhere else, I head toward the snack table along with the drinks. Unfortunately for me, there aren't any drinks without alcohol. No drinks I can quickly gulp down and cool off with. I need something to drink so the champagne will have to do for now. I could sneak out later and get some water for me.
I don't try to find Soul and my friends. All I can see is the balcony door nicely framed with red silk curtains. There is my ticket for a nice cool atmosphere. Exactly what I'm in need of. While I walk there I take a sip of the dry champagne. It is definitely not my drink. I prefer something sweeter and less bitter and dry like champagne.
I don't even try to be sneaky about sneaking to the balcony. I open the door and immediately I'm met with the cold air hitting my skin. It cools of my hot body and it feels so good.
I close the door after me and I rest my elbows on the railing along with the glass of champagne. It is night and the stars are twinkling in the sky. I smile a little to myself and take a sip of my champagne before I look down at the garden. It is nicely lit with lamps which deliciously lights up the exotic flowers and special bushes.
"I didn't expect finding you here." I turn around and I find Soul stepping out on the balcony. "You are usually the last person who would sneak out from a party."
I shake my head and turn back to the night sky. "It was too hot inside. I needed to cool of a little."
Soul walks up to me and he gently cups my cheek. "You are warm alright. How are you feeling? Maybe you are catching something."
I shrug my shoulders. "I don't know exactly how I'm feeling. I'm hot and I felt a little nausea before but now it is gone." Soul's hand wanders down my cheek down on my lower back.
Soul nods understandingly. "It was probably the heat then. Do you want me to go and get some water for you? It could be you are dehydrated."
I shake my head. "No." I turn toward Soul and I wrap my arms around his waist. "Just hold me." I rest my head on his chest and I can smell spices and mint form him. I love the smell of him.
Immediately Soul's arms are around me and he holds me close to his chest. "Maka." Soul's hand caresses my spine.
"Yeah?"
"Can I ask you something?"
I pull away from Soul's chest and look into his eyes. "You don't have to ask you know." Soul looks nervously at me and I smile gently toward him. "You can ask me anything."
Soul removes his arms around me and he seems to be turning more nervous. "Um." Soul's hand digs into his pocket. "You know I'm not good with words." My eyes widen when Soul pulls up a small black box from his pocket. That is definitely a ring box.
"Oh my." I cover my mouth and my heart speeds up.
Slowly Soul goes down on one knee. "I love you Maka. I thought for hours what I could say to you to show how much I love you, but I came up blank. Even though I don't have any fancy words that can beat those poems you like to read, I want you to know you are the greatest woman I have ever known. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't pull your name out of the bowl. I don't want you to ever leave me. I want you to be mine forever." Soul opens the ring box and exposes the reddest ring I have ever seen aside from Soul's eyes. It is almost like he took a piece out of his eyes and turned it into a diamond. It is just as beautiful as his eyes. "Maka Albarn, will you be my cool wife?"
I didn't realize it myself, but tears are trickling down my cheeks. My heart is speeding loudly in my chest and it feels like it is going to burst. "But we all know she would never reject him. They are head over heels in love with each other and have you looked at them interact? It is amazing. Maka wouldn't jeopardize what they have by rejecting him." Liz's voice rings in my head. To then follow with Tsubaki's. "Oh Maka, you have been together for about five years. You are twenty-four and Soul is twenty-five, I think Soul is planning on marrying you soon."
How long have Soul been waiting for my answer? How long have I been crying and just staring at his eyes and the ring? Soul looks like he is going to burst. He must have waited a long time for me to say anything.
"… Yes." I whisper. "Yes. I want to marry you."
Soul smiles wide and he stands up on his feet and laughs happily. While Soul take out the ring from the ring box I take off my glove and Soul slips the ring on my right ring finger. I wrap my arms around Soul and our lips connect and the kiss is something new and exciting. Soul's lips move eagerly and happily against mine and I can't help but kiss him eagerly back. Soul's thumbs wipe away my tears and I can feel how warm Soul is. The kiss is amazing. I can feel Soul's glow spread through my body and I can smell and taste spices along with mint.
The kiss ends too fast for my liking. "Maka you are ice cold. We should go inside." Soul looks worried at me while he starts rubbing my arms to create friction to warm me.
"Really? I don't feel like I am that cold."
"Maka, you are really cold." Soul immediately shrugs off his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders.
"I'm not that cold."
"Yes you are!" Soul pulls me close to him and I can't help but inhale his scent. "We are going inside and we are going to bed. You are like a Popsicle!" Soul pulls me inside back of the ballroom and he ignores all the people who are trying to get Soul to talk to them. Well, all except one person who barely manages to catch his attention.
"Soul!" Chrona smiles wide and walks up to us and I have to stop Soul for not ignoring him. "Maka, it was such a long time ago I saw you. How is the CD?"
I smile toward Chrona and now I feel just how cold I was. I'm shivering to the bone and I have no control over my jaw. "I love it Chrona. Thank you. It means a lot."
Chrona's eyes widen when he sees my ungloved hand and the ring on my finger. "You are engage? Congratulation Maka and Soul! You two look so perfect together!"
"Thanks Chrona." Soul says and pulls me even closer to him since I'm shivering so badly. "I would love to chat some more with you and catch up, but that will have to wait. Maka is turning sick and she needs sleep. I will give you a call and we can catch up." Soul then walks away from Chrona with me close to him. "How could you get this cold so fast? Before you were hot and now you are like an ice block." We walk out of the ballroom and through the corridors to our room. "There always is something going on with you, you know. You are full of surprises."
I look down at my feet in shame. "I'm sorry."
Before I know it, Soul sweeps me off of my feet and starts carrying me bridal style. "You don't have to apologize for being sick. You know what the priest says, in sickness and in health. I'm going to be here."
My blood runs even colder. Marriage. Why do I feel that nagging feeling again? My head grows even dizzier and I can barely keep my dinner down. It feels like I'm going to throw up.
"Take me to the bathroom. It feels like I'm going to puke." Soul quickly opens our bedroom door and takes me to the bathroom. As soon as Soul opens the toilet lid I hurl up. Soul holds back my hair and rests his head on my shoulder.
The whole bathroom stinks of my vomit and as soon as I think it is gone, I end up vomiting even more. I thought it would never end until my stomach seems to be satisfied having it emptied. Soul flushes the toilet and picks me up from the floor to the lay me down on the bed. "Wait here. I will be back with a bucket." Soul kisses my shoulder before he leaves the bedroom in search for a bucket. It feels like I can't move my limbs. I'm so cold it feels like my bones are frozen in place.
Soul returns a few minutes later with a bucket he puts beside my bed. He then gets medicine for me and fills a glass of water.
"Take them." Soul hands the pills and the glass to me.
Tiredly I take the pills from his hand and swallow them with the help of the water. Soul starts working with my shoes and my dress. I end up lying half naked in front of him in only my panties before Soul dresses me in his shirt, a pair of sweat pants and one of his hoodies. Soul pulls the blanket over my body before he undresses to his underwear. He lays down next to me and huge me close to his chest. Oh he smells so nice and his warmth is so delicious.
"Sleep." Soul whispers in my ear. "Hopefully you will be feeling well enough to go back home."
I nod and inhale Soul's scent while I look at the ring on my finger. "Thank you." I whisper while I close my eyes. "For taking care of me."
Soul chuckles while he caresses my back. "It was nothing. I love you and I will always take care of you. We are engaged now, you know even though we are not yet married I will always take care of you in sickness and in health. I take that part very seriously."
I giggle tiredly. "I love you too." Before I knew it, I was gone on the clouds of dreams.
