One of my readers pointed out to me that my chronology didn't make sense. I did the math and sure enough. I appreciate it ilex-ferox. I tried to fix it. Artemis is now twenty-six and the twins are fourteen. Finn is still six. If anyone spots anything that isn't consistent with this, please let me know. Here is the next chapter! Yay!
Holly hadn't slept well at all that night. She'd tossed and turned, Artemis's face burned into her mind. In one of the nightmares she'd had, Artemis had died - killed by Opal Koboi - and she'd woken screaming his name.
Holly still lay in bed when the artificial sun had been turned on. The light rays shone into Holly's window and made her long for the real sun; and maybe a life on the surface.
The previous night, after talking to Artemis, she had again barged in on Foaly who was still in his office, despite the late hour. Working on some new invention, was his excuse.
She'd questioned him incessantly on options in making Artemis's life-span longer and making herself taller. And options he'd given her. She had an entire list lying beside her bed. She had poured over them when she got home, determined to come to a conclusion. She could take growth hormones, Artemis could be the test for a new drug in expanding life-span – not like fairies didn't live long enough already – although she didn't prefer that option. If something went wrong…
Another option Foaly had given her was to ask No. 1 if he and Qwan could do something, in her department, in Artemis's, or in both. This option appealed to her most, although there were still some risks.
Holly had all but two days to make a decision. She had no idea which one would be best for her and Artemis. But there was still a nagging thought in the back of her mind that if she just left him, forgot about him, everything would be so much easier.
She refused to listen to it though. For her, it wasn't an option. She needed the Mud Man as surely as she needed the air she breathed, no matter how clichéd it was.
Holly sat up in bed, glancing around her cramped apartment. If she moved to Fowl Manor, she would have a huge room, a huge house. A bed with Artemis…the pull to leave this place was stronger now than ever.
A single tear escaped and ran down her cheek as she thought of Artemis. Seeing him twice yesterday, once in person, once by communicator, had reminded her how much she loved him, a fact that she had been trying to avoid by avoiding him.
She got dressed mechanically, unwanted thoughts invading her head. The fogged memory of Artemis's lips against hers …she couldn't think about it now. She had to go to work; she had a job to do, for however long she decided to keep it.
As she brushed and hair-sprayed her hair, the doorbell rang. Holly frowned, wondering who on earth – or below it – would come see her this early in the morning.
Holly placed the can of hairspray and the brush on the bathroom counter and went to get the door. In the frame stood Trouble Kelp, fully dressed in his LEP uniform and looking tired, but pleased.
"Holly," he said. "Can I come in for a moment?"
Holly looked at him curiously, but nodded. "Of course Commander."
"Trouble," he said. "I'm not on the job yet today so don't bother with the commander bit."
"Is there something I can do for you Trouble?" Holly asked, her soldiers brain immediately jumping to several conclusions as to what the occasion of Trouble's visit could be. Had someone died? Had they maybe captured Opal Koboi, whom they still hadn't found since she had come back with them in the time stream?
Trouble glanced at her. "You worry too much Holly. Can I not come by to say hi to my favorite LEP officer without something terrible having happened?"
Holly was now thoroughly confused. She was going to see him in about an hour anyway. What was the reason behind the urgency?
"Of course you can, but I would have seen you in an hour anyways."
"I am well informed of that Holly, but I couldn't very well do this at Police Plaza." Trouble got down on one knee in front of an extremely surprised Holly and pulled a small velvet box out of one of the pockets in his jacket.
Trouble flipped it open and sitting inside was a ring on a red velvet cushion. A beautiful ring. The gold band was studded with three large diamonds. It was extremely simple, but that was what made it so gorgeous to Holly. She preferred simplicity.
"I know we aren't…engaged, but I figured that we've known each other long enough, and I had to take the chance," Trouble blurted out.
Holly's eyes were wide. Fate was offering her a chance to get out of the mess she'd made with Artemis Fowl, even if it was with the man that she thought of as a brother.
"Holly, will you marry me?"