A/N: Hello, hello! Here is the epilogue at last! I do apologise for it taking so long but college has really been draining me and leaving me next to no time for fanfiction writing! Thank you for you reviews on the story thus far - I love you all! I also apologise for any typos as I am running on only 3 hours sleep!
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"Is that alright?" she asks me from her place, standing in front of the canvas with her paintbrush in hand. I look at the part she is gesturing to and I can see why she is unsure.
"Blend the colours a bit more, sweetheart." I tell her, stepping forwards and pointing out the small areas. "The colours should flow together; just like the dress itself."
The young Fae looks at me with a smile. "So, I should just think about when you wore it then?"
I smile back at my daughter, running my hand over the top of her silky chestnut hair. "That's right, Damaris. Now, don't add any more paint just yet - the paint already on the canvas is still wet so will still blend without overdoing it."
Damaris nods to me, throws a smile behind me then returns to her canvas.
"Thank you, mum." she mumbles to me, beginning to blend in the blocks of colours together.
"That's alright, sweetheart. Let me know if you need any more help."
I press a kiss to her head before moving back and sitting beside Rhys on the bench, turning so I can throw my legs over his lap.
It is strange to think that it has been forty years since the opening of Soothing Strokes; it has all passed in the blink of an eye. It feels like only yesterday that I had found out that I was carrying Damaris within me when in reality, it has been twelve years. In that time, my sisters and I have bonded more so we are closer than ever before.
We all made the trip with our mates, Damaris, Mor and Az coming along too, to see our Father once he returned to his home in the Mortal Lands on account of illness. It was thanks to Lucien that we were able to contact him and arrange a meeting with him- knowing quite well that this may be the last time. To say that he was shocked to see us as well.. us, was an understatement. However, due to his incredibly weak state - the entire reason we went to him - meant that he accepted us. Seeing his granddaughter seemed to be a huge comfort to him; someone who was unaware of the past he had and saw him through innocent eyes. More than once, I had to calm Rhys down in fear that he would lash out at my Father after what he has done to this family.
Damaris, at five years old, was confused about who he was and why it would be the only time she could see him - I could smell the grasp of death on him and knew it was only a matter of time. Whilst Rhys, Damaris and I stayed to talk with my Father with Mor and Az sitting politely and waiting to leave, Nesta and Elain went to their rooms in the house - accompanied by their mates - to collect valuables they had considered during their time in Prythian; objects more of sentimental value. I didn't want anything from that place. Prythian has been far more of a home to me than the Mortal Lands, despite the hardships I have faced in my time there; flying back over the rundown mansion of the Spring Court where Tamlin is confined was a reminder of my victories.
That was seven years ago now. Our Father died two days after we visited.
"You're drifting." Rhys comments, bringing me out of my thoughts. "That was the past, darling."
I reach inwards and check my shields to find them up as normal. I frown at Rhys, confused on how he saw the memories.
"Some of the images were projected to me, Feyre." he explains. He hand strokes over my knees in a comforting gestue. "It's alright though. I feel the same sometimes."
I smile at Rhys before pressing a kiss to his lips. Rhys breaks away and smiles back at me.
"Mummy!" a squeal sounds behind me and I turn my head to see our enthusiastic four year old son running in on his little legs. I get up from my place with Rhys and move towards him, picking him up when he reaches me and settling him on my hip.
"Hello, sweetheart." I say, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Have you been good for your Uncles, Asalie?"
"Yes!" he shouts, a toothy grin on his face. "We went around the house and went near the colours too!"
I laugh at the joy in his tone and look up towards Cas and Az who lean on the inside of the doorframe for the gallery.
"Was he good for you?" I ask them. They both smile.
"Good as gold." Cas says, pride in his voice. "Soon enough he will be flying solo. Then, he will be flying circles around us."
"Yeah!" Asalie agrees which makes us laugh.
"You aren't being too hard on him, are you?" I ask, remembering the night last week where he wouldn't let go of me all evening and made me stay with him until he fell asleep thanks to the freefall they made him do unprepared. My poor little boy's sobs broke my heart.
Cas shakes his head while Az replies.
"We push him enough to learn and that is it. We will not have a repeat of before."
"Certain parts of me still hurt." Cas mumbles under his breath.
"You could have suffered worse. Mothers are fiercely protective of their children and the fact you made him cry... well, feel very lucky you still have certain parts." Rhys points out, coming up beside me. "Hey there, little one." he says to Asalie.
"Daddy!" I transfer our son over to his father and walk back over to Damaris.
I look at her painting and similar to all of mine, I can see the emotion there that has driven it to come to life. It is a painting of her with me at the huge party last month in celebration of another year of peace after Hybern was vanquished.
"It's beautiful." I whisper, my arm going around her shoulders.
"I don't think it is good enough." Damaris says dejectedly. "They are nothing compared to yours."
"Sweetheart, look at me." I say, my voice soft. She turns towards me but keeps her gaze down. "Dam, please." Reluctantly, my daughter finally looks up at me, tears in her eyes. "Your art is amazing for your age. You should be so proud of what you have done so far. I am incredibly proud of you."
"I'm still not as good as you." Damaris says and I wipe away her tears.
"I am older than you and have been doing it much longer." I say. "It takes time but you are much better than could ever have been at your age. You just have to keep working at it."
Damaris nods and I bring her and I hug her tight.
"I love you, mum." she mumbles and I squeeze her tighter.
"I love you too, my darling girl. Very much so." I mumble back. She draws back a moment later and I wipe the rest of her tears away.
I feel a hand on my back and turn my head to look at my mate.
"Is everything alright?" he asks and I look back at our daughter.
"It is now, dad." she says and Asalie runs up to us, hugging his sister tight in his way of greeting.
"Hi, Dammy!"
"Hey there, As." she greets, hugging her brother back.
"I was thinking that we could go down to the café and spend the evening there with everyone. Amren can't make it sadly but she is coming over tomorrow." Rhys says and our children's eyes light up with joy.
"Yes, yes, yes!" our children chorus which make me and Rhys laugh.
"Are you two coming along?" I walk over to Az and Cas, my mate and children in tow. They stand up straighter.
"We are, yes." Az says.
"Mor and Nes are meeting us as we walk down." Cas continues.
I nod. "Good. Come on then."
...
On our way down to the café, we pass Soothing Strokes and I see Lilianna standing outside, welcoming people into the evening class which she now directs herself every day.
"Lili!" I shout out to grab her attention and go over to her, guiding Asalie in her direction as he is holding my hand; quite tightly as he normally does in crowded places.
"Feyre! Hello!" she says, giving me a hug and then kneels down. "Hey, Asalie! How are you?"
Asalie turns so his face is tucked into my hip which makes Lilianna laugh.
"He's tired - he has been flying today." I explain, my free hand running through the strands of his mop of hair.
"Ah, I understand. Someone will be sleeping well tonight." she says, standing back up and turning towards Damaris. "How is the painting coming along?"
Damaris shrugs "Good, I suppose."
"You should come to my class at some point so we can build up that confidence of yours." Lilianna says, putting her hand on my daughter's shoulder and squeezing. "Your mother would agree with me."
Damari looks at me and I smile reassuringly at her. She smiles back slightly to me before turning her head back to Lilianna.
"I'd like that." she says.
Lilianna smiles. "Good. Come down for any class you would like to - we would love to have you there. You can come alone or bring your mother along with you."
Damaris looks back at me with questioning eyes. I shrug with a smile.
"You can do what you want, sweetheart," I say. "but if you want me thee, I will come along."
Damaris smiles and turs back once again.
"Thank you, Lilianna." she says politely.
"My pleasure. Enjoy your evening everyone. I have a class to teach!"
"See you soon, Lili." I say as she turns to go inside Soothing Strokes.
"Here she is!" Cas announces and I turn to see Nesta walking up to us, Mor beside her and baby Hugo strapped to her chest. "How is my boy?"
Nesta puffs out some air and I can see the exhaustion there. "Sleeping, thankfully. He has been fussy today."
"I could have taken him." I say. "You could have gotten some sleep and I could have spent some time with my nephew."
"I'll take you up on that offer if I remember." my sister says, rubbing her hand gently over her one month old baby's back. "So, are we going to this café or not? I'm starving."
I laugh before beginning to walk, Mor coming up beside me after kissing Azriel's cheek. She threads her arm through my left, leaning against me.
"I hear that a certain someone is getting better with his flying." she says and Asalie looks up at her with a grin. "Is it a good view up there?"
"Yeah!" Asalie shouts, bouncing up and down. He lets go of m hand and runs around us so he can grab Mor's free hand. "It is so high up!"
"I bet it is!" Mor says with enthusiasm that easily matches that of my son's. "Maybe next time I will make sure I am outside so I can wave at you."
"Yeah!" Asalie says before turning his head to me. "Mummy?"
"Yes, my handsome boy?" I ask.
"Can I have cookies?"
Mor and I laugh and I smile brightly at my boy.
"Of course you can, sweetheart."
...
I lean against him more, the light cooling breeze tickling my skin and contrasting against the warmth he radiates.
"Do you ever think about how we got here?" I ask suddenly.
Rhys sighs and my eyes drift over to where our children are playing around with Cas and Az; Nesta and Mor having gone home earlier on with Hugo. My gaze then moves to my right, watching the colour of the sunset blend in to one another. The top of this mountain is still our favourite place to feel free.
"Quite a lot, to be honest." Rhys tells me, pressing a kiss to my hair. "I could never have believed that I would be here today; my stunning mate in my arms, two children between us that are utter treasures and being completely free to be myself and free to live."
I lean my head back against Rhys' shoulder, a light smile on my lips.
"Three." I whisper and Rhys shifts slightly.
"What was that, darling?" he asks, obviously not having heard what I said.
"Three." I say louder.
"Alright, darling. You have lost me completely." Rhys admits and sits up so I can turn to face him.
"You said two..." I start, glancing over at our children. "Three."
Rhys' eyes slowly widen and he glances between my face and my stomach.
"Truly?" he asks me, tears filling his eyes; just like the other two times.
I laugh, wiping away his now falling tears from his cheeks. His hand moves to my stomach.
"Yes, Rhys. I'm not particularly surprised considering how busy we have been together."
My mate laughs, tears still falling and love projecting from his glassy eyes. Suddenly, he pulls me back into him, holding me tightly against his body so we both watch Damaris and Asalie.
I can picture in my mind's eye being up here and end up painting it. Damaris at fifteen, flying around Asalie, who will be seven and a little girl of three, her violet eyes open in wonder, her silky brown hair in adorably messy pigtails as she giggles at her siblings' antics. I can picture Rhys being wrapped around her dainty little finger, taking her out on flights around Velaris together - just as he has done with Damaris.
I can picture it. I can easily paint it...
And what a perfect painting it will be.
End note: For those who may be wondering; the children's names...
Damaris = Dam-are-is (meaning, gentle)
Asalie = Ass-ay-lee (meaning, starting life at dawn)
Hugo = as spelt (meaning, bright in mind and spirit)
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