After the Bonding

Jack and Schuyler get bonded in Bloody Valentine, and all their friends show up. I think after Eloise and Oliver start to tentatively get back together, he invites her as his date to the bonding.

Eloise stood in the courtyard, looking up at the sky. She loved that she could see the stars so much clearer here; back in New York, she'd be lucky if she could tell the difference between a star and an airplane light.

She marveled for a moment at how warm it was in Florence. It was December, and here she was, in a dress more suited for June. This was absolute perfect weather for a bonding ceremony.

Only a half hour ago had Schuyler and Jack stood before each other, breaking the ancient rules of heaven to be together. No one knew what would happen to them after tonight; Schuyler would leave for Egypt and Jack would go back to New York, their future together uncertain.

Eloise was in awe at how calm both of them seemed; neither betrayed that they were afraid of separation, of pain and eternal death. Schuyler and Jack were just two young vampires who had just been bound to each other, enjoying what little time they still had.

If only she could be so joyful…

"Just can't stand crowds, can you, Ellie?"

Eloise looked over her shoulder to see Oliver walking toward her. She smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her head on his chest. "I just wanted to see the stars, is all. Hard to see them at home with all the smog."

He perched his chin on her head, pulling her closer. "You sure that's all?"

Eloise laughed. "Oliver, that's behind us, okay? I'm done being jealous of Schuyler. I'm not angry with her anymore." She looked up into his hazel eyes. "Don't worry. We're good now."

He nodded. "I trust you."

"I know."

Oliver looked at the sky. "Wow. You really can see the stars better."

"Told you." She leaned back into him and sighed, perfectly content. "I wish I could find at least one constellation. I'm terrible at that."

"The only ones I'm ever able to see are Perseus and Andromeda." Oliver squinted. "You can see them the best in November, so I don't think I'll be able to point them out."

"Perseus and Andromeda…" Eloise repeated. "Isn't that a Greek myth?"

"Yep. Perseus saved Andromeda from being sacrificed to a sea serpent, and they got married soon afterward."

Eloise snorted indignantly. "That's just what we need: more stories of people meeting and then getting married five minutes later."

Oliver pulled away slightly to look in her eyes. "I don't think they had that sort of backlash back then, Ellie," he said, a smile on his face.

She rolled her eyes, giggling slightly. She looked back at him, seeing that he had a funny expression on his face. He blinked rapidly and frowned, as if debating with himself about something.

"Oliver?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he held her arms in his and leaned his face close to hers.

Eloise's heart went into overdrive. She had a good idea about what he was going to do. He hadn't kissed her since that day in her room, how in the world was she supposed to do this, she wasn't ready to do this yet, why was he choosing to do this now…

He stopped less than a centimeter away from her lips, looking into her eyes, mentally asking permission. She gave him a little smile, trying not to look as nervous as she felt.

Not a second later, his lips were pressed against hers. After a few seconds of standing frozen, she slowly felt herself relaxing, leaning closer to him. There was no way he was kissing her; she couldn't believe it. But she felt herself tentatively kissing him back, dispelling her doubts, assuring herself that yes, indeed, this was happening. It wasn't a dream.

He pulled back, slowly, still holding her. He couldn't fight the smile that worked its way onto his face; she laughed, blushing and resting her head against him.

"This might sound really cheesy, but I always feel like I've been shocked every time you kiss me."

Oliver chuckled, his fingers gently playing with her russet hair. "So I'm guessing you enjoyed it, then."

"Mmm-hmm…" Eloise heard Oliver's heartbeat; it sounded like her own, fast and furious.

A moment of silence passed between them. Eloise made a soft, contented noise as Oliver kissed the top of her head.

"Ellie?"

"Yes?"

He was quiet for a second. "I love you."

Her heart leaped. She had been dreaming about him saying that for a long time, never really expecting him to actually feel that way. A few weeks ago, she wouldn't have believed him; she would have accused him of being confused, of not thinking straight.

One look in his eyes told her that he meant it. And even though he'd said it before, it still made her heart flutter.

"I love you, too, Oliver," she said, her voice shaky. And she knew with all her heart that it was true.

She hadn't realized she'd been crying until Oliver began to gently wipe her tears away with his thumb. She let him, loving the feel of his touch against her face.

He stepped away, gently pulling a rose out of the nearest bush. It had huge, dark red petals; the exact kind she'd always wanted the man she married to give to her.

"Oliver…"

"I know, Ellie," he said, going down on one knee.

Eloise's eyes went wide, her hand finding its way to her chest. "Oliver, what…"

"I'm not asking you to marry me, Ellie. We're a little young for that." He held out the rose to her. "But would you do me the honor of going steady with me?"

Going steady. It held the promise of old-fashioned, practical, innocent dating; it fit her perfectly. And, for once, she was glad she was traditional.

She pulled Oliver to his feet, covering his hand that held the rose. "Yes," she whispered. And, in a rare bout of courage, she pulled Oliver in for another kiss.