Well hello there. Welcome back loves.
Now that the formalities have been taken care of, I want to take a few more moments of all my loves times and do a little talking thingy thing.
So first thing first!
Thank you to the reviewers who took time out of their schedules and wrote me a little inspiration. I did not expect it to happen quite so fast but seeing as it did I can only begin to feel the appreciation that stems from those reviews. So yes, thank you.
Second!
To the non-admin/member, {you know who you are} I apologize that this did not hold up to the standard I seemed to unknowingly set for myself. The thing about the marriage trumps arrangement was indeed me pulling at straws, the last chapter had started out with such passion… and somehow it dwindled. I blame the music selection that I had set aside for this fanfic. Plus my own ADHDestructive mind that wandered from the original intent of the chapter. Perhaps when I have time I'll go back and rewrite it. But for now, I hope to make it up to you with this Final Chapter of Book One.
The very last thing, before I set you all off into the fantastic world of FioxLee! I know I took my own sweet little time writing the last chapter. I swear, *crosses heart* that from now on if nothing else I will at the very least try to upload within a week of the last uploaded Chapter.
With that being said! Please enjoy the FINALE! And I will see you in Book Two. Oh and just fair warning there is a lot of skipping to different characters to see what they are up too. EJOY!
~{-:-}~
Iggy was the first of the group to approach Fionna after she arrived. There was something in his eyes that told her things did not go as planned. She tensed up, preparing herself for the worst.
"Fi… Marshal refuses to perform." He gave a shrug, and smiled at her regretfully. They all knew that the entire first arrangement depended on Marshal Lee joining them. Tears threatened the edges of Fionna's eyes.
She blinked a few times, she would not, could not give into the hurt she felt. Rather, she focused on the irritation that grew from Marshals stubborn nature. She knew in the back of her mind that logically he was simply acting on the brooding, hurt feelings he felt when he had first discovered Fionna was being forced into the arrangement.
But her emotions were driving her further into the anger that quickly replaced the initial irritation. She had to think of something quick, there was no way around they were going to have to do something drastic.
It took her no more than a few moments after her realization to decide how the group would go forward. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to the rest of her friends, Fionna spoke. "Who has the set list?" She smirked slowly, dangerously.
She was not about to let Marshal have his moping moment, even if it meant having to push him into getting on stage. He would perform with them. She just hoped that what she had planned would work out.
~{-:-}~
Marcy was the one that had been sent to inform the crew of the sudden change in the performance.
"…In the middle of the audience. Make sure the spot light stays on the blonde until she gives you this queue-" Marcy showed the lights and sound crew the hand gesture they would be waiting on so they could light up the whole stage for the second song, which had originally been the last song they were supposed to perform. "Got it?" The gothic beauty did not wait for an answer before turning to leave the hellish pit of control.
"Wait isn't there supposed to be three songs?" One of the crew members asked glancing over the set list. "You're missing a song here…" The techy looked up to see that he had been talking to air. The other members of his team chuckled and snickered.
~{-:-}~
The level of anxiety that Fionna was feeling, as the Lawyer she had been forced to 'entertain', dragged on through a monotone story about her father. She had heard this particular story several times before, and quite a few more times that night as she mingled through the crowd her grandparents had invited to be a part of the "Engagement party". This however, was not the cause of her anxiousness. What had her on edge was the fact that not only had Marshal Lee refused to perform with them, he had refused to even show up.
"…And he had to go back in to get it recasted." The Lawyer laughed, sololy. This was also lacking any sort of emotion. Fionna offered him a smiled, before excusing herself. She had to get to the bottom of this. She had to try and convince Marshal to come see the performance.
Once she found an empty room, far enough away from the nosy group of grownups, she pulled out her mobile device and quickly dialed Marshal. She was not sure he would pick up; she knew she had hurt him… she had hurt herself as well, but she hoped that he would not turn his back on her.
Hope was all she had. It was the only thing that pushed her forward; the only thing had told her to dial again when the sound of Marshals voice message filtering through the phone. She repeated her actions several more times, each time though instead of hearing the actual Marshal Lee, she was greeted by his machine.
Once again, tears threatened to spoil the makeup Cake had worked so hard on.
Her hands were shaking, as she dialed his number one last time. She counted each drawn out ring, her eyes closed, her chest hurt from the breaking of her heart.
Ring…
One.
Rinnng…
Two.
Rinnnnng…
Three.
RINNNNNNNNNG…
Four. The next ring would take her back to his inbox. She pulled the phone away from her ear. Her finger hovered over the end button; she nearly pushed it when she heard the sweetest sound.
"Fionna?"
Instantly, the tears she was withholding came pouring down on her cheeks, her make up smeared. She brought the phone back up to her ear, barely being able to choke anything out over the sobs she tried to fend off.
"M-Marshal?..."
"Hey… I'm sorry I missed your calls… I was busy." Busy… Busy doing what... Fionna thought to herself. "Where are you?"
In those three words, a hopeful smiled appeared on Fionna's lips.
"In some study, at my grandparents place… Ya'know cause of the party…" The moment the words left her mouth, Fionna found herself once
again trying, but failing to retract them from the air. She felt like an idiot.
"…Cause ya'know the gang and I are trying to stop this. Erm well… the engagement.. Um thing… Because it turned out that my mom thought it could be broken by someone getting married, but the Lawyer guy I was talking to said that wasn't true and that my grandparents probably put that in as a lie… Um so… I'm gonna shut up now…"
Fidgeting, Fionna pressed her forehead onto the wall of the study.
Marshal simply chuckled.
This caused Fionna to smile; it had been weeks since she heard that sound from him. It was one of her favorites. "Marsh… I'm really sorry. I should have told you the moment I found out about the arrangement. I was scared that you wouldn't ever want to see me again… So I kept it from you and… I'm sorry."
It was during this apology that Fionna had been unaware of the door behind her opening, and someone was walking up behind her. "Marsh? Can… Can you forgive me?"
No answer…
"Marshal?"
No reply…
She pulled the phone away from her ear and saw the call had been disconnected. At that moment, two arms wrapped themselves firmly around her mid-section; a face buried itself into her neck. She froze in place, surprised and fright playing against each other. She did not relax until the being spoke.
"How could I stay upset with you?" Marshal's voice filled her ears as he placed a kiss on her shoulder. A new wave of tears enveloped Fionna as she turned to face her Marshal. Marshal bent his head to entice a kiss from Fionna, but he was quickly greeted by a less then gentle punch to his cheek. "AH! My cheek meat! Fionna?!" He held his reddening cheek as Fionna made a borderline hysterical laughing sound, tears still streaming down her cheeks. "Okay! I'm sorry I shouldn't have hung up on you! I shouldn't have told Marcy to lie! I'm sorry!" He was attacked by an on slaughter of light punches… Well lighter than the one to his face.
Fionna felt even stupider when he said Marcy had lied to them, she had known all along that Marshal would show up just before the production. She simply had made everyone think that he was abandoning them.
Marcy felt bad, and knew that, in the short time she had become friends with Fi, her brother would be met with fury rather than gentle acceptance at his joke. He was digging his own grave with this one; she simply hoped that he would not try to take her down with him. Fionna did not however, hold it against her new friend. It was clear that Marshal was the 'Master Mind' behind the entire operation.
Once her angry at being tricked was subdued, Fionna hugged Marshal tightly. It caused a small groan of pain from him, but he returned the gesture, enveloping her in his arms. Both had missed the feelings that came from being so close to one another. Fionna tilted her head slightly to look at him.
She had giving him a small bruise on his cheek from her initial blow, but other than that he looked fine.
"I'm sorry…" She gingerly placed a hand over the bruised cheek. He winced slightly before relaxing against her touch.
"Hey, I had it coming'." He gave her a grin, once again leaning his head down. It was all the invitation Fionna needed as she crushed her lips against his.
~{-:-}~
Cake took several deep breathes. She had always been nervous about going on stage. That was why she had chosen to pursue her dreams of being an artist. She could sing alright, but there was something about being in front of a large group of people that caused her stomach to churn. What was worse, this time she did not have Fionna to tell her everything would be alright? She was quickly going into a hyperventilation session. She did not know how she had let Fionna convince her to sing the first song of the three part set. The only comfort she got from the situation was that she would not be singing alone.
No instead Fionna's mother, Jenny, had volunteered to accompany her through the set.
Quickly, Cake glanced at the older woman that was being prepped for the song and dance they were about to do. She caught her partners eye, giving a grimace, Jenny understood how nervous the teen must have been. It had been the same, when she had first performed with her husband. And though that had been nearly 20 years ago, the feeling of not wanting to mess anything up settled into both the performers.
Jenny offered her a reassuring smile. "I'll be with you the whole time." Even though she knew the words were supposed to comfort her, Cake only tensed further.
It was not until she felt two strong arms wrap around her waist, did she even consider calming. She looked up at her Micro. His dark eyes glinted with excitement. No words were said between the two. But anyone around the two could sense that something had been insinuated. Cake had nearly instantly relaxed when she looked in his eyes.
She gave him the smallest of smiles, telling wordlessly that she was ready.
As the spot light went up on the two figures in the middle of the stage, a slow steady rhythm grew as the first song began. As the taller of the two figures took the first verse.
"I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agreed politely."
Jenny glanced at where her mother and father in-law were, secretly speaking to them directly.
"I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything"
Cake quickly moved up next to Jenny, her voice filling with an unknown power as she listened to the words she was singing.
"You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Get ready cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now"
The two singers reached for each other, clasping hands that were held high, power and confidence flowing into the song from their voices.
"I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar"
Cake took control of the song, holding her head a little higher, she was barely even conscious of the fact that moments earlier she had been in the depths of stage fright.
"Now I'm floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero"
They finished the song together, their voices complimenting each other's.
"You held me down, but I got up
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You'll hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar...
Ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You'll hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar..."
~{-:-}~
There were only a few minutes between the first set and Fionna's solo. She took center stage, breathing deeply. She had her father's old acoustic guitar slung over her shoulder. As the lights came up, she quickly readjusted her microphone. The start of the song was quite slow, Fionna did not even begin playing the guitar until well into the first verse.
"I feel…. Your…
Heart beat to the beat of the drum,
Oh, what a shame that you came here with someone
So while you're here in my arms…
Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young"
The sound of the guitar picked up slightly after that.
"We're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
Hearts, out our minds
Running 'till we outta time
Wild child's looking' good
Living hard just like we should
Don't care who's watching when we tearing it up (You Know)
That magic that we got nobody can touch (For sure)
Looking for some trouble tonight
Take my hand, I'll show you the wild, side
Like it's the last night of our lives…
We'll keep dancing 'till we die
I feel your heart beat to the beat of the drums
Oh, what a shame that you came here with someone
So while you're here in my arms,
Let's make the most till the night like we're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
Young hunks, taking shots
Stripping down to dirty socks
Music up, getting' hot
Kiss me, cause that's all you got
It's pretty obvious that you've got a crush
That magic in your eyes,
It's making me blush
Looking for some trouble tonight
Take my hand, I'll show you the wild, side
Like it's the last night of our lives
We'll keep dancing 'till we die
I hear your heart beat to the beat of the drums
Oh, what a shame that you came here with someone
So while you're here in my arms,
Let's make the most till the night like we're gonna die young
I hear your heart beat to the beat of the drums
Oh, what a shame that you came here with someone
So while you're here in my arms
Let's make the most till the night like we're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
We're gonna die young"
Fionna lowered her head as the lights fell. The sound of cheering erupted. Slowly, the rest of her group walked onto the stage. Marshal stood next to her, gently giving her hand a squeeze. Marcy took the space on the other side of Fionna. She had an electric guitar strapped to her shoulder. Everyone has a part… That was what she had told the group as they rewrote the set list. Cake and Micro had maracas, while the rest of the group was background singers. Fin however took Fionna's guitar gently, quickly taking up his spot next to Marshal. It was his job to keep the beat. "One…" Slowly the lights came up. "Two" The group was placed in a spot light. "Three." Fin started up the song. Marshal took his que, keeping a tight hold on Fionna's hand.
"Arent you somethin to admire, cause your shine is somethin like a mirror
And I cant help but notice, you reflect in this heart of mine
If you ever feel alone and the glare makes me hard to find
Just know that Im always paralel out on the other side"
Fionna gave him a smile, taking the second verse with grace.
"Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you theres no place we couldnt go
Just put your hand on the glass, Im here tryin to pull you through
You just gotta be strong"
Everyone came together for the chorus. Their voices blended to sound in a brilliant harmony.
"Cause I dont wanna lose you now
Im lookin right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space, but now youre home
Show me how to fight for now
And Ill tell you baby, it was easy
Comin back into you once I figured it out
You were right here all along
Its like youre my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldnt get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now its clear as this promise
That were making two reflections into one
Cause its like youre my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me"
Fionna took control of the song again, her voice sent shivers through the audience. Even her grandparents, who had sat quite reserved for most of the set could not help but sway to the song.
"Arent you somethin, an original, cause it doesnt seem really as simple
And I cant help but stare cause I see truth somewhere in your eyes
I cant ever change without you, you reflect me, I love that about you
And if I could, I would look at us all the time"
Marshal picked up the song, pulling Fionna close to him. Although he sang to the entire room, she knew his words were meant for her, and her alone.
"Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you theres no place we couldnt go
Just put your hand on the grass, Im here tryin to pull you through
You just gotta be strong"
The group, well the couples in the group, split to join with one another. Singing together, though for one another individually.
"Cause I dont wanna lose you now
Im lookin right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Theres a space, but now youre home
Show me how to fight for now
And Ill tell you baby, it was easy
Comin back into you once I figured it out
You were right here all along
Its like youre my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldnt get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now its clear as this promise
That were making two reflections into one
Cause its like youre my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me"
The instruments had stilled, only the rhythm of the audience clapping keeped the group in order.
"Yesterday is history
Tomorrows a mystery, mystery
I can see you lookin back at me
Keep your eyes on me"
"Yeah, keep your eyes on me"
"Cause I dont wanna lose you now
Im lookin right at the other half of me"
"The vacancy that sat in my heart
There's a space, but now you're home
Show me how to fight for now"
"And I'll tell you baby, it was easy
Comin back into you once I figured it out
You were right here all along
It's like you're my mirror"
"My mirror staring back at me
I couldn't get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it's clear as this promise
That were making two reflections into one"
"Cause it's like you're my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me"
"Show me how to fight for now
Cause I don't wanna lose you now"
"It's like you're my mirror"
The lights went out. Silence followed the group as they were rushed off stage. As Fionna started to walk through the doors that would cut her off from the audience a loud cheering broke through to her ears. The plan had worked. The guests had loved them. She only hoped that her grandparents were a part of it.
~{-:-}~
They were lying in the grass outside her house, watching the stars in silence after the night's events. Marshal was still convinced it had been a dream. One that would make him afraid to fall asleep, in case the ecstasy that came with the knowledge of Fionna being his would end with it. His. She was his and his alone. Marshal pulled her closer to him, enjoying the weight of her body as she molded herself to his side.
Quickly, he casted a glance at Fionna, making sure she was still there and awake.
"Fi?"
Fionna looked up at him.
"Did… did that all really happen?"
Fionna answered with a smile. She was about as confused and amazed as Marshal seemed to be.
"This has got to be the best year of my life" Marshal grinned as Fionna thought back to the events just hours ago.
~Flash back~
The entire group left the stage with the sounds of the cheering following them. They were asked to wait in a parlor until Fionna's grandparents came to speak with them. Everyone was beyond nervous, except Fionna. She had already made up her mind on the matter. If her grandparents thought that they could push her into the arrangement further then they had already done, they did not know Fionna at all.
It was during her revelation that she noticed one of the butlers standing by the doors looked indescribably familiar.
"Hey. You." She called out to him making her way toward where he stood. "I know you."
Jenny gave her daughter a funny look. "Fionna hun, that man has worked for your grandparents for quite sometime… I doubt you know him." This was true. Fionna had only been in her grandparetns house a handful of times, and only for a small amount of time. Each visit was over dinner, so really the only part of the house she had ever seen was the dinning hall.
"No. I know I've seen him…" She took her time mulling it over, biting her thumb as she glared at the man. Until… BAM! It hit her. "You're the guy! The guy that's been following me around the school. You stalked me and Cake."
"Cake and I, Fionna" The sound of her grandmothers voice filled the room. "And Rupert was only following our orders."
Their orders.
Of course it would be them. Who else would it have been? 'Ashley's too stupid to come up with something like stalking.'
"What the flip Grandma?" Fionna placed her hands on her hips. "Why would you send someone to spy on your own granddaughter?"
And thus, the truth was spilled. The two older people told the lot of how they wanted to make sure Fionna was going to be happy at her school; that they were worried she would end up like their son, her father, and marry the first person she fell "in love" with.
"Not that your mother isn't a wonderful person. But we felt betrayed by our son… Casted aside."
Fionna crossed her arms. "So you sent some weirdo to terrorize your only granddaughter, because you were too stubborn to pick up a phone and call me? Well I get why Dad didn't want anything to do with you guys." Fionna watched the shame and hurt cross over her grandparents. "But that doesn't mean I don't. You guys… Everyone in this room; with the exception of creepo, is my family. You are all so important to me. I get that you guys wanted to have the arrangement so you could stay in my life. But there are other ways."
Meryl frowned. She was still quite unsure what Fionna meant. "Such as?"
"Holidays. School performances. Graduation. My birthday. Come and visit at our house more. But stop this whole crazy mess. I'm not a child, I'm a teenage girl. I need to make mistakes and not have everyone try to fix them. And trust me." Fionna looked back at Marshal, a loving smile filling her face. "Marshal Lee is the best thing ever."
She turned to look back at her grandparents. "So… do we have a deal? No more contract for more quality family time?"
"No deal." Her grandfather spoke for the first time the entire evening.
"Frances!?" Meryl nearly slapped her husband
"You should not make deals with family. The contract will be void. We just want an invitation to your lives." The old man smiled kindly. It was the type of smile that people just could not help but catch.
The evening ended in hugs and tears. Fionna and her relatives were finally more then just people related. They were on their way to being an actual family.
~End Flash Back~
"Something tells me next year is going to be even better than this one."
Fionna leaned herself up, planting a smoldering kiss on Marshals lips.
End Year One.
Well there you guys have it!
The end of Book One. Hopefully I didn't leave anything out. If I did or you guys just have questions/Ideas for Year two, just leave me a little Review and I will try to get working on Year Two ASAP
I love you all and thank you all for reading my fanfic!
I will see you all in the next book ;D
~MissFioLee