A WARNING: If you DO NOT know about the blog joined with this fic, I HIGHLY suggest that you visit it to figure out what reference is made during this particular chapter. Please go here ask-writer-arthur . tumblr tagged/prison M!A Thanks and hope you enjoy!
It had been the birthday like any other-but not really. Francis was kind enough to leave Amelia and Arthur free throughout the day and the two had taken advantage of the relative peace. Exploring the city, going out for lunch, enjoying the fireworks in the early evening; it had been wonderful. At regular intervals throughout the day, Arthur had made it a point to assure her that he had saved the best for last. So now there they were, standing on the second floor of the flat, looking out at the glimmering lights of the cityscape in silent bliss.
"Amelia-" Arthur called her attention, his girlfriend having lost herself in the serenity of the night sky. "I forgot to mention, my publisher was finally able to send me a preview of the book I've been writing and-"
"What? You mean I can actually read it after all this time?"
Arthur huffed at Amelia's teasing laughter. She closed the gap between them, kissing his nose affectionately as an apology.
"I'm sorry, Pooh Bear, I'm really excited to see it, promise!"
Although his enthusiasm seemed a bit squashed, he wasted no more time and left the terrace to head back inside, soon returning with a hardback book in his hands. Wordlessly, he presented it to her, cradling it as if it were some great treasure.
"A star in the stable. Nice graphic. Did Felicia do that?"
"Yes, but I believe it's what's on the inside that's most important."
Amelia smiled as she examined the cover, turning it over to the back to read the synopsis, but was momentarily distracted by Arthur's sudden clearing of his throat.
"There is, however, a bit of a stipulation to being the first one to read it…"
Amelia raised a brow at his cryptic suggestion and awaited further instructions.
"Start at the very beginning: read the dedication page."
Although his statement hadn't become any less cryptic, she obeyed.
Amelia opened the hardback book, running her fingers over the tanned pages with interest before her eyes fell on the first page.
"Dedicated to," she began aloud, her pace slowing significantly once she stumbled upon a particular word. Arthur couldn't mask the knowing grin that formed upon his lips when she mouthed the unfamiliar phrase.
"Dedicated to my beloved wife Amelia. May the retelling of her story inspire others the same way that it has inspired me."
She shot a curious glance back up to him, the young writer motioning with his hands that she hadn't finished yet. More than a little confused, Amelia continued, noticing at the bottom further instructions to turn the page. She did so, carefully, slowly, and obviously struggled to keep from dropping it.
There, in a small compartment in the center of the page, lay a ring, glinting in the light of the streetlamps and apartment windows around them. In a bed of blue velvet, the stunning silver of the base was laced with diamonds up either side of the main loop, forming arches which wrapped around a central, larger diamond in the shape of a star. With trembling hands, Amelia picked it up to examine it, rubbing the smooth surface over with her thumb. Upon tilting it she noticed an inscription that ran along the entirety of the interior reading You are my Shining Star. She became lost in the ring for a few moments until she finally got the courage to look away from the precious object. Kneeling before her was Arthur, eyes bright with anticipation and so much genuine hope. She knew that he would want an answer...and answer she couldn't give.
"Oh Arthur…"
"I apologize that it's taken me so long to reciprocate your previous proposal, Love, but I was a bit tied up for a time-"
"Arthur I-I'm sorry...so sorry. But I can't."
Her response obviously wasn't what he had been expecting as the sullen look Amelia wore soon reflected on his features.
"Amelia…?"
Arthur gingerly reached up to take her hand, pulling it back to him as she attempted to move it away.
"Ami, please, if this is about what happened with your brother, he's in jail now. He can't bother us any longer."
"Arthur, I just don't think I can do this anymore."
She retrieved her hand from him, holding it against her chest and taking a few steps back. She watched Arthur stand once more to follow after her, but she shook her head.
"First he went after me, then my friends; now he's done these horrible things to you and put so many people in danger." Fresh, hot tears trickled down her cheeks, the defeated woman not even pausing to wipe them. "I should just hide away and be alone; go somewhere and become someone that nobody knows and nobody cares about. Then maybe they'll be safe...and I'll be free at last."
Despite her protest, Arthur stood up and placed his hands on Amelia's shoulders, turning her to face him though she her eyes remained angled towards the ground. He felt her body shaking with each inhalation of breath, minute tremors from the turmoil she felt having to hurt him in order to protect him. His resolve unwavering, he gripped her arms tightly, determined to convince her otherwise.
"Amelia, nothing that wretched excuse for a human could do would ever keep me from loving you. In the year that I've come to know you, my heart has never felt more at home. For better or for worse I want to spend the rest of my days by your side-to show you what a wonderful, caring, beautiful person you are. To show you what you haven't let your family make you; the bright and inspirational individual that I know you are. Let me take everyday to remind you of that."
Gradually, Amelia's eyes, still such a stunning shade of blue despite the ring of red that formed around them, found Arthur's. The edges of her mouth quivered while Arthur concluded his speech.
"I know that it's not...traditional to ask a gift on someone else's birthday, but, Amelia Felicity Jones, would you share your life with me…?"
Amelia couldn't help the small hiccup that caught in her throat as she attempted to compose herself. She felt so unworthy, undeserving of such care and affection; the unconditional love of this man was something no one like her should have been blessed with. Yet here he was, here they were. She wanted to believe him, and the look in his eyes told her she could.
"Arthur...Would you really-?"
"A simple yes will do."
Separating her gaze from him for a moment, she looked back down at the ring, anxious to find its home. Amelia took the ring from its compartment and slipped it onto her left hand. She fiddled with this strange but welcome addition to her person, turning her hand over multiple times, spying Arthur's relieved and enthusiastic gaze out of the corner of her eye.
With abandon now, she leapt forward into his arms, clinging to him as they both became a laughing, crying mess. Arthur, placing his hands on either side of her face to clear the tears away, kissed her deeply. Amelia lifted her hand to meet his own, the cool metal of the ring a stirring sensation, a reminder of the new future that lay ahead of them.
Arthur's note: WOW what a journey it has been! It's taken almost a year to write this whole thing out, and while I don't know if this is the "end" of the Muse saga or not, I appreciate all of you who've stuck with it. All the lovely comments, all the amazing people on tumblr and beyond who follow me. Thank you, with all my heart...Thank you for falling in love with these two as much as I have and I wish you all nothing but the best!
~Faux