A/N: Hello you fine lovely people!

We're almost finished with this story...one more, possibly two, chaps left :)

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, letting me know you were still along for the ride, also a huge thanks to everyone who read the last chapter.

Again...a huge shout out to MsWitsEnd for her continued support and for being a genuinely lovely person! Don't be afraid to read Stonem House if you haven't already! ;D

Any and all errors are my mistake.

Disclaimer: Just in case y'all need to hear it again...Skins has never been, will never be, no way, no how, in any way, shape or form, mine! But if it was...

Chapter 29: Everything You've Ever Wanted

Naomi's plan was working, according to the text messages she kept getting from Charley and Lara, updating her on the final touches that they and Thelma were doing for the ball. The last part of Naomi's scheme was about to happen when she received a call halfway through their late breakfast on Saturday morning.

Both families were sitting around the large table on the patio, that overlooked the water, when Naomi's mobile went off. She had been expecting the call, but made a big show of rolling her eyes and snorting in disgust at the interruption when every eye turned to her.

"Hello? Hey, Lara, what's up?" Naomi answered, mouthing a quick "sorry" to the rest of the table. "What? Shit! Is that tonight? I totally forgot!"

"I feel kinda stupid right now." Lara's voice sounded dry on the other end of the line as Naomi said her rehearsed lines. "You're a soppy twat, ya know that?"

"Yeah, yeah...I know," Naomi agreed, making sure to keep up the act, as Lara laughed on her end. "Well, if we leave in about an hour, we should be able to make it. Only Mum and I are obligated to attend really, so...," she said, as she checked her watch.

"You so totally owe me big time for this, Campbell." One more quick dig and another laugh from Lara before she deemed the call long enough to be convincing. "The girls' dresses are in their rooms at their parents house, your outfit is in yours. Mrs Potts has everything else done and sorted, and everyone on the list you guys gave me have already RSVP'd, and a Mildred O'Dowd and family called this morning and accepted Mrs Fitch's invite as well, so you can stop worrying about tonight and I'll see you later this evening."

Naomi breathed a sigh of relief as Lara assured her that everything was done, oblivious to the fact that Jenna had invited Sophia's family. "Thank you so much for this, Lara. I won't forget it."

"Any time, Nai." Lara replied quickly before saying goodbye and hanging up.

Naomi put her mobile down and prepared herself to continue the charade.

"What's up, Naoms?" Emily asked her, concern written across her face.

Naomi looked around at everyone and smiled, before turning back to Emily. "Nothing really. I forgot about this dinner thing that Mum and I are supposed to attend tonight." Naomi said, making sure to add a touch of sadness in her voice. "I'm sorry, Ems, but we're expected to attend and I can't get out of it."

Emily was a bit disappointed because Naomi was planning to take her to one more Beatrix Potter spot, but she shook it off. "What can you do, right? If you've gotta go...,"

Naomi smiled at her and then picked up her hand, kissing her knuckles. "I'll make it up to you, Ems."

"Well, shall we all get ready to go?" Rob said to the rest of the table, having been clued in on the plan the day before.

"That's not necessary, Rob." Naomi said, shaking her head. "There's no need for all of you to leave today."

"Nonsense, dear." Jenna added. "It's no problem at all. Besides, we should have Jarod give Jamie a look over after Katie's impressive display last night, don't you think?"

Cook barked out a laugh setting off everyone else around the table, except for James, who shuddered as he remembered the night before. For a tiny woman, Katie Fitch was scarily strong and he was really feeling the effects this morning, not to mention the bruises on his body.

"Oi, Jamie! Be thankful she didn't hit you in the face, mate!" Cook stated and laughed again. "Can't impress the ladies with a bruised up mug!"

Katie rolled her eyes. "It probably would've helped him, he would've at least gotten a sympathy shag, the fucking tosser!" She spat out, still angry at him for telling their mum about her and Effy.

"Well, I guess that settles it then." Gina said as she stood and started clearing the table, followed by Kieran and Rob and Jenna.

After a few more digs into Jamie about his injuries, everyone else started to get ready to go.

"Would it be alright if you dropped us off at our place, Cook?" Jenna asked from the middle row of the van. "And since Naomi and Gina are going to be busy this evening, why don't Katie and Emily join us and we'll have a grand old fashioned family night to celebrate their birthday?"

Emily was about to protest, but Naomi spoke first.

"I think that's a great idea, Jenna." She smiled at the woman.

"But, Naomi-," Emily tried to protest again, and again was cut off by her girlfriend.

"It'll be fine, Ems. I hate the thought of you being alone at the house." Naomi said softly. "Besides, it's been awhile since you've been home, yeah?"

Gina snorted laughter from her seat. "Well, that settles that, doesn't it? Cook, if you would drop the Fitches off at their home for the evening, that would be great."

Emily was out voted and for some reason she felt disappointed.

"What the fuck is your problem, Emsy?" Katie asked as her and Emily walked up the stairs to their bedrooms.

The younger twin had become silent halfway home and it was grating on Katie's nerves.

"I just don't understand why she didn't ask me to go with her." Emily whined, as she hit the top landing and turned to head to her room.

"Seriously? That's what's been eating you up?" Katie asked as she rolled her eyes and snorted in disgust. "Effy didn't ask me to stay, do you see me pissing and moaning?"

Emily turned to look back at her sister, not answering right away. She could hear her parents downstairs in the lounge talking and Jamie looking through the fridge in the kitchen, and wondered when those sounds became foreign to her.

"It's just...," Emily paused to gather her thoughts, "she asks me to go everywhere with her."

"Maybe she didn't want you to be bored, Emsy." Katie said softly, sensing the hurt her sister felt. "Or maybe she thought hey, it's my girlfriend's birthday and maybe she should spend it with her family!"

"Maybe I've fucked it up with her and she doesn't love me anymore." Emily replied back, tears filling her eyes, slumping against the hallway wall.

"Bullshit!" Katie scoffed.

"No, I think I've screwed up, Katie...I should have told her how I feel." Emily's tears started flowing as she slid down the wall. She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, as if to protect herself. "She's been distracted for the past couple of days and I think," she swallowed thickly and her voice became huskier, "oh god, Katie! What if she's done with me?"

Katie knelt down so that she was face to face with her sister and took her face in her hands, looking her in the eyes. "Stop it, Emily! You're working yourself up for nothing, yeah? Jesus, that girl thinks the world of you. She probably thinks you shit rainbows and sprinkles, for fucks sake!"

"But-,"

"No buts! She loves you Emily and that's a fact!" Katie stated forcefully, making sure Emily understood. "Now, you're gonna get your arse up off this floor and dry those tears, because I heard Mum and Dad talking about going to some event or opening of something tonight as guests of Doug and we're expected to attend with them!"

"What? Since when? How come I didn't know?" Emily threw the questions out there rapidly.

"Well, if you hadn't of been such a stroppy bitch on the ride home you would've known, so c'mon!" Katie barked as she stood up and reached her hand out to help Emily up. "Get up!"

"I don't know if I've got anything to wear?" Emily pouted as she turned the knob and pushed the door open. "What the fuck?"

Laying on her bed, in a clear garment bag, was the most beautiful gown she had ever seen. Emily stepped closer and unzipped the bag and noticed the envelope attached to the inside, so she opened it up and with shaking fingers pulled out the note inside and smiled when she started to read it.

Happy birthday, Emily!

A little birdie told me that you were in need of a fabulous dress, so with you in mind, I created this one of a kind masterpiece. I pray it does you justice.

Hope you have a great night!

Clayton

Emily looked back at the dress and studied the design and the colour in admiration, as a squeal of delight reached her ears from Katie's room.

The dress was a simple, yet elegant, 1940s style dress made from ivory coloured tulle with an empire waistline. She could tell that the skirt flared out slightly from the hips and would fall to just below the knees, showing off her legs. The capped sleeves were embellished with beading and the skirt was pleated, with delicate little flowers scattered over it.

As Emily gently fingered the fabric, her door flew open to reveal Katie, holding a dress of her own.

"Oh my god, Emsy! Isn't this the most beautiful dress you've ever seen?" Katie's inner fashionista was in heaven as she held up a slightly identical dress, but hers was a deep maroon colour and instead of flowers adorning the skirt, there were little hearts.

"The second most beautiful, I'd say." Emily replied. "Someone went to a lot of trouble for these dresses." Katie looked at her with confusion on her face so Emily explained. "These are Scott originals...you know my friend from college? Clay?"

"Yeah, so?"

Emily shook her head and chuckled. "Kay, in the last six months or so, he's exploded on the fashion scene. It's not easy to get him to do originals anymore. Fuck, the last time I spoke with him was shortly after he did a show in Milan and he told me his calendar was booked solid for the next year!"

"Oh...then how?" Katie asked, but Emily didn't have an answer.

"I don't know." She replied with a shrug.

"Girls! You two had better hurry, because the car will be here in about an hour!" They heard their mum call up to them.

"Alright, Mum!" Katie hollered back, shaking her head. "We'd better get ready, Ems."

Emily nodded and Katie left her room. Once she was alone she stripped down and reached into her dresser for her underwear, taking care to choose something fancy because she had plans to go back home tonight.

She paused with her delicates hanging in midair as she realised that she just referred to Naomi's home as her home and the thought rocked her to the core.

"I've gotta tell her how I feel!" Emily stated emphatically to herself and she dropped her underwear back in the drawer and rushed to the bed to find her mobile. She was about to dial Naomi's number when a loud banging sounded on her door.

"Mum says to hurry up, Emsy!" Jamie called from the other side of the door.

"Fuck!" She whispered, then replied to him. "I'll be a few more minutes!"

Emily decided that maybe the phone wasn't the best way to tell the love of your life that she is the love of your life, so she texted instead.

Hey babes, going out with the family for our birthday, but I'll try and be home as soon as I can, yeah? Can you and Charley come pick me up later? Miss you already xxEmsxx

She threw her mobile on the bed and rushed to get ready. She found a matching pair of shoes at the bottom of the bag and threw them on, but as she was leaving she caught herself in the mirror and sighed at the state of her hair.

"Katie! Come here, I need you!" She shouted loud enough to be heard through her closed door.

Within seconds Katie appeared, all done up and looking gorgeous. "You rang, bitch?"

Emily smiled at her. "I need my hair done."

Katie scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You called me like a servant for that? For fucks sake, Emsy, I'm not your maid, ya know!"

"I know, Kay and I'm sorry, but you know I'll only make a mess of it." Emily pleaded, throwing in a pair of puppy dog eyes for good measure.

"Fuck it! C'mere!" Katie said with another eye roll.

Emily did a happy dance as Katie set to work. She wanted to look as good as possible for later tonight because she had big plans that involved her girlfriend.

Mrs Potts made one last final sweep through the house, checking that everything was in its place. As she was making her way back toward the ballroom, the door bell rang.

"Frederick!" Thelma exclaimed as she opened the door to reveal Emily's friends. "Pandora, Jeremiah. It's so lovely to see you. Don't you all look dashing and beautiful tonight?"

"Mrs Potts." Freddie greeted the older woman. "You're looking rather fetching yourself this evening."

Thelma felt herself blush, even though she should be used to it by now. "Oh stop it, you! Come in." She ushered them into the house. "Cook, Effy and Naomi are up stairs getting ready, as well as Franky. Gina and Kieran are in the ballroom with Goeff and Jeff, along with some other early guests. And the Fitches are due to arrive in about an hour."

"Blimey, Thelma...you've been busy!" Panda stated as she looked around the hallway leading toward the ballroom.

The main part of the house had been decorated according to Naomi's specifications, and Thelma had made sure that everything was carried out to the letter. "Wait until you see the ballroom." Thelma said with pride.

"I'm sure it's beautifu just like you, Mrs Potts." Freddie replied sending the older woman a wink, causing her to blush again. "Actually, we came early to see if you guys needed any help."

They stepped into the ballroom and Freddie, Panda and JJ gasped as they looked around the room. It was covered in crepe banners, balloons and streamers, not in a childish birthday way, but in an elegant, stylish way. The sconces on the walls that had always remained empty every other time they had been there were adorned with thick candles, that let off a subtle flowery scent and when Freddie looked up, he noticed that the four huge chandeliers that hung from the ceiling, also held about a hundred candles or more in each.

"Have those always been there?" He asked Mrs Potts, pointing toward the candles.

"Yes." JJ said absently. "Naomi's father had the chandeliers designed specially for the room. See?" He stated as he pointed out the electric bulbs in between each candle holder. "Each one weighs close to twenty eight stones and is meant to be either electric or candle, depending on the event taking place in the room."

Freddie, Panda and Mrs Potts stared in amazement at JJ, who blushed at the attention. "Sorry, Naomi told me about them. She said that the candlelight highlights the mosaic centre of the flooring. See?"

They all looked down at the floor and saw it glinting under the softer light. The Celtic knots throughout the floor were almost shimmering where they started along the edges of the room and that shimmering seemed to shift when you took a step as it flowed through the wood, until you came to the Tree of Life in the centre and you could make out actual words.

"Blooming heck! That's flipping rah!" Panda exclaimed.

"Yes, Panda it is." Thomas concurred as he came up from behind his girlfriend, then he bent down to place a kiss on her cheek. "You're looking very beautiful tonight."

Panda blushed and Freddie laughed at the cuteness of it, earning a smile from Thomas.

"My father had the floor done by a company from the Netherlands. They used Liquid Gloss on the whole floor but for the mosaic pieces, my father requested that the words you see be imprinted with some mineral that reacts to low light."

The small group turned to find Naomi standing there next to a waiter offering drinks, dressed similarly to the way she was at the charity ball, in a suit that covered as much as it could, but this time she didn't hide behind a mask.

"Hello, Nai." Freddie said as he kissed her check in greeting and accepted a glass of champagne. "You've certainly outdone yourself tonight."

JJ and Panda agreed with him and Naomi smiled, even if it was a bit sad. "Well, I figured since this was the only birthday I will ever spend with Emily, it was worth making it special, right?"

Freddie shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot and rubbing his hand on the back of his neck, not knowing what to say. Of course he knew about the curse, because Emily had told him, but that didn't mean he believed in it.

Naomi caught the way Freddie shifted and tried to put him at ease. "It's fine, Freds, really it is. I just want everyone to enjoy themselves tonight, so why don't you boys go find Cook."

JJ and Freddie went to find Cook, leaving Naomi alone, giving her time to worry how the night would go. She was deep in thought when something flashed just out of the corner of her eyes.

"What the fuck?" She whispered to herself as she turned her head toward the kitchen.

"Talking to Sophia?" Effy asked, as she and Franky silently made their way over and heard Naomi talking to herself.

Naomi resisted the urge to jump and shook her head. "Oddly enough, Sophia's been pretty quiet lately. I've not heard from her at all." Naomi explained, still looking toward the kitchen.

Effy frowned in confusion. "So why the intense look?"

Naomi shook her head, then seemed to let out a breath. "I thought...I know this is going to sound silly, but...but I thought I saw Mandy." Naomi told her quietly.

"I don't think we have to worry about her tonight, Nai." Franky reassured her as Effy agreed.

"Security is pretty tight and all the guests are being checked at the gate and the door." The brunette told her.

Naomi looked around the room as it slowly started filling up, yet she couldn't quite shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. "Yeah...you're right." She replied pulling out her mobile from her pocket, as it vibrated.

"I'm gonna go say hello to Freddie." Franky said with a grin as she caught sight of the tall guy across the room.

Naomi laughed at her cousin's obvious interest in Emily's best mate. "Yes, why don't you." She smirked as Franky blushed.

"Quiet, you!" Franky said as she turned away and left Naomi and Effy alone. "You'd better reply to Emily."

Naomi laughed as she watched her cousin walk away, then she turned to Effy. "Are all the cards in place?" She asked nervously, doubts about their plan kicking in.

"All except one...," Effy replied as she magically produces a little white envelope. "Cook wanted to take it to the front door, but I thought that that was too much of a cliché."

Naomi laughed shakily. "This whole idea is a cliché, Efs. Maybe we went too far, yeah? Maybe it's too much and the girls won't like it?"

Effy rolled her eyes at her friend. "Nai, would you please stop worrying about it? It's cute and soppy, just like you!" She finished with a smirk. "Now, tell me...where should we place this?" She asked waving the envelope again as Naomi's mobile alerted her to an incoming text. "Emily again?"

"No, it's Jenna...," Naomi stated reading the message, "they're down the road and she's sending Emily in to get her wallet...this is perfect!"

"What's perfect?"

"Jenna told Emily she left her wallet in Emily's room!" Naomi said with a smile. "Go put that card on the sofa in Emily's room!"

"Brilliant! Cook?" Effy called for her friend, as Naomi's mobile alerted again, and she knew this time it was Emily.

She watched in continued amazement at the way Naomi's face lit up when ever Emily was involved. She knew that the two girls had been texting for the last forty minutes or so, and she also knew that Emily was just as sickeningly sweet every time she received a reply from Naomi.

Effy knew this for a fact because Katie would then text her and tell her all about it. As if on a schedule, as soon as Naomi was done replying to Emily, Effy's mobile went off.

how much longer are they gonna torment me for? I'm about to throw up its so disgustingly sweet!

Effy was mid reply when Katie texted again.

I miss you, btw

She had to take a moment to compose herself, because Katie had a way of making her knees go weak, before she responded.

When Charley comes to pick up Emily, come with her...and I miss you too. XOXO

I will XOXO and I think this thing we're going to is in Bath because we've just pulled off the M4

"You and Emily need to stop torturing my girlfriend." Effy said as she slipped her mobile away, tucked safely inside her dress, causing Naomi to giggle. "Oh and they're almost here." She informed the blonde as she left to find Cook, effectively wiping the smile off her face.

Naomi looked around and the nerves that she had been fighting all day since Lara's call that morning came back full force. She was on her way to a full blown panic attack when she realised how many people had arrived.

"Naomi, love? Are you alright?"

Naomi could've cried with relief in that moment when her Uncle Geoff rushed up to her. He had seen her look of panic and felt the urge to comfort her.

She fell into his arms and sniffed away the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Just breathe, Nai...," Geoff told her as he held her, "it's going to be alright, just breathe."

"What's wrong?" Gina asked, concern in her voice.

Geoff looked over at his sister-in-law and smiled. "She's fine, just a bit overwhelmed by everything, but she'll be right as rain in a minute, won't ya, love?"

"I'm okay, it's just...there's a lot of people here and I didn't realise it, I wasn't fully prepared." Naomi explained, pulling away from her uncle slowly. She stood up straight and smoothed down her suit jacket.

"It's a big step, love." Gina said as she rubbed Naomi's arm, trying to comfort her as well. "But you need to pull it together, because the Fitches have just reached the village, so they'll be arriving soon and everyone else has arrived."

Naomi nodded, took a few more deep breaths and smiled when she felt the vibration of her mobile, knowing it was Emily.

Dotty old bat! Mum left her wallet at your house. How did she not know that after the past couple days? Too bad you're not home right now. Maybe I'll just stay home and wait for you?

Naomi giggled as she read Emily's text. "Alright...it's time, Mum." She told Gina as she typed back a reply.

Gina smiled and left her daughter to set everything into motion.

Jenna watched as Emily rolled her eyes and sent a text off, as she sat sandwiched between Katie and Jamie, whilst her and Rob argued across from them.

"I'm just saying, Jenna," Rob sighed, "that it's an important thing to misplace! It has everything in it!"

"I know that, Rob!" Jenna snapped at him, making sure to put enough venom into it.

She and Rob had wondered exactly how they were going to justify going back to the Campbell residence and Rob had been the one to suggest the missing wallet and the fight in the car and Jenna had giggled at the thought.

"It'll take five minutes to run up and grab it, that's all I'm saying." Jenna huffed, crossing her arms across her chest and pouting. "I think I had it in Emily's room, the morning we left. Emily, would you be a dear and run in and get for me when we get there?"

Emily once again rolled her eyes, but nodded, feeling the urge to just stay at home and let the rest of her family go out. "Sure, whatever."

"I'll just text Doug and let him know we'll be a bit late." Jenna said as she typed on her mobile, after bringing up Naomi's name in her contacts, to fill her in on their plan. "It'll only be a few minutes anyway, so we should be fine."

Their car pulled onto the road and made its way toward Naomi's home and Emily felt her pulses pick up the closer they got, which confused her.

"What's wrong, Emsy?" James felt her stiffen up next him and gave her a quizzical look.

"Nothing...it's silly." Emily responded as she saw the gates ahead, trying to ignore the pulses.

After pulling up to the gate, the driver asked for the code to unlock the gate when no one answered the call box. Emily found that odd in itself, there was always someone on hand to answer it, but Katie reached out the window and keyed the code in and the gates slowly opened, allowing the car to pass through and they made their way up the almost kilometre long driveway.

When they got to the house, Katie was the first to comment. "Emily, in the time we've lived here, have you ever known the house to be this dark?"

The younger twin looked at the house and saw that it was almost completely void of lights inside. "Hmm...maybe everyone went out tonight?" She shrugged, desperate to get her mums wallet and get the night over with so she could get back to Naomi. "So you're sure it's in my rooms?" She looked back and asked Jenna, who nodded and Emily was out of the car.

"Wait up, Emsy! I'll go with you." Katie said as she scrambled out of the car and followed her sister to the door.

They stepped into the foyer and stood in the silence that enveloped them.

"It's almost creepy, innit?" Emily asked in a whisper, feeling the need to be just as quiet as the house.

"Let's just get Mum's wallet, yeah?"

As Emily led Katie up the stairs toward her rooms, Jenna, Rob and James snuck in the house and followed Gina, who had met them at the door, to the ballroom.

"Hello, Jenna...Rob." Naomi greeted the woman, and then Rob. "Any problems?"

Jenna smiled at her. "Nope, other than the fact that my daughters now think I'm losing my mind." She replied as she took a moment to look around the room. She caught sight of Alicia and Sophia and waved. "Oh, would you excuse me? I just want to welcome some people."

Naomi nodded and watched as Jenna and her mum walked across the room, and noticed for the first time that Sophia was here as the brunette made her way over to Naomi.

"Hello, Naomi." Sophia greeted her nervously, coming to stand next to the blonde.

"Hello, Sophia." Naomi was confused. "What are you doing here? Is that your mum and aunt?"

"Yes. We were invited."

"Oh. I didn't know, you haven't "visited" in a while, so...," Naomi said, using her fingers to make air quotes.

Sophia looked upset and sad. "I wasn't allowed to. After Mum and Aunt Millie found out what I'd done, I was told I wasn't allowed to contact you. We're...they're, trying to help with the curse...,"

Naomi saw something pass through Sophia's eyes and at first she thought it was just a trick of the light, but when Sophia looked back at her, there were tears. "What's wrong, Soph?"

"The family bound my powers this morning."

"What?"

"I knew that when I went to my mum and told her the truth about what I had done that I'd get in trouble...," Sophia sniffed back her tears because she really didn't want to break down in front of Naomi. Granted, they had gone from enemies to not enemies, but that didn't mean they were best mates. "It was the price for associating with my grandmother, Naomi. They took my powers from me."

Naomi was concerned by this, only because she didn't want Sophia to be in trouble. "For good?"

Sophia shook her head and gave her a small smile. "No...for a year and a day. And I have to spend that time studying the craft and the laws and treaties of the covens. My grandmother on the other hand...,"

Naomi was about ask what happened when Cook came running in from the back of the ballroom.

"Quiet, everyone! They've made it to Emily's room, so they should be down in a few minutes!" He said as he bounced on the balls of his feet, excitement evident in his voice and by the gleam in his eyes.

Naomi laughed at his boyish nature, but then turned to everyone in the room. "Alright, folks, this is it."

Silence fell upon the crowd of people and they all waited for the Fitch twins to arrive.

"Where did Mum say she left it?"

Emily smiled as she stepped into her room and saw the still unmade bed, remembering what had happened the last time she was in her room.

"Emily?" Katie snapped to get her attention.

"Yeah?" She snapped back, then remembered why she was there in the first place. "Oh, sorry...on the sofa. She said she left it on the sofa."

They went to the sofa and instead of their mother's wallet, they found an envelope.

"What's this?" Katie asked as she picked it up, but Emily only shrugged.

"I don't know...open it."

Katie lifted the flap and pulled out the card that was tucked inside. Written on the front in a bold scripted font was their names.

Emily read the card out loud from her place behind Katie.

Emily and Katie,

Sorry that our trip was cut short, but it couldn't be helped. Although, I did say I'd make it up to you. And here is the first clue that will lead you to your present.

Somewhere in the house, Effy and I are waiting. For the next clue, head to Cook's room.

Emily flipped the card over and found nothing else written on it.

"What's this all about?" Katie asked, as she eyed the card with suspicion.

"I have no idea, Katie." Emily replied. "Let's go to Cook's room, yeah? It's on the way back down, so...,"

Katie reached Cook's door first and stepped inside, with Emily behind her. As they searched for another clue, Emily eyed the karaoke machine that Cook had brought out the first time she'd been there and saw another envelope taped to it. She opened it and read it out loud.

Confused yet? Yes? I hope to afford you more clarity in the future. The library might be the place to gain a glimpse of what's to come and your next clue.

Emily could feel her heartbeat picking up as Katie looked confused.

"So this is Campbell's idea of a joke? Sending us on a wild goose chase through the house?"

"I know where the next clue is!" Emily exclaimed, the excitement she felt sending her pulses into overdrive. "C'mon!"

Emily rushed to the library with Katie on her heels and started looking for what she needed.

"Emily! What is going on?" Katie demanded as Emily started searching the stacks for a book.

"Shortly after Naomi and I became official, I told her that Pride and Prejudice was one of my favourite books," Emily started to explain as she kept searching, "she then made me sit and watch the movie, the Kiera Knightly version of course, and then she gave me...ah-ha...these!" She pulled three old books off the shelf.

Katie scoffed. "Books? She gave you books?"

Emily rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Katie! These are a first edition! This set alone costs eighty seven thousand pounds, you twat!"

Katie's eyes widened as Emily picked one of the books and started looking for a specific page. Sure enough, tucked into the pages that talked about Elizabeth Bennet's dance with Mr Darcy at Netherfield, was another envelope.

This is your final clue. Read the page closely and you should be able to figure out were Naomi and I are.

Emily giggled as she handed the card to a confused looking Katie and then started reading the page. Her giggles became a full laugh when she spotted what she was sure was the answer.

"What think you of books?" said he, smiling.

"Books—Oh! no.—I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same feelings."

"I am sorry you think so; but if that be the case, there can at least be no want of subject.—We may compare our different opinions."

"No—I cannot talk of books in a ballroom; my head is always full of something else."

"What are you laughing at?" Katie asked in a huff, feeling stupid and left out of the loop.

"C'mon, Kay...it's a game." Emily said as she read out the passage again. "The clues? It's all pointing to something big!"

Katie re-read all the cards again, noticing that Naomi and Effy took turns writing them, and though it took her longer, she finally understood.

Emily waited until she saw the pieces click into place and smiled at her sister.

"They're in the ballroom!" Katie pronounced excitedly. "Right? They have to be in the ballroom!"

Emily and Katie made their way back downstairs and headed toward the ballroom, wondering aloud to each other about what they would find, completely forgetting their family waiting in the car.

As they got closer, their footsteps echoing loudly along the hallway, both of them were lost in their own thoughts. It wasn't until they were at the door to the ballroom that Katie broke the silence.

"What do think they have planned?" She asked, as possibilities ran through her mind.

Emily had been wondering the same thing, but nothing came to mind. "I don't know, Katie...we'll just have to see, yeah?" She was about to open the door when Katie stopped her.

"Wait a minute, Emsy...what if this is a trick?" The older twin was nervous now, and it showed by the pronounced lisp. "What if Mandy found us? What if she's in there right now?"

"Really, Katie? I think Mandy's given up by now, don't you?" Emily scoffed. "Besides, even if she hasn't given up, there's no way she could get in here! And anyway, those cards were written by Naomi and Effy, yeah?"

"Emily, I don't think Mandy has given up and you'd do well to remember what she did to you, but you're right...," Katie responded, a nervous energy swirling through her, "Effy and Naomi did write them."

Emily grinned at her sister as her hand rested on the brass handle of the door. "Shall we see what's going on?" She asked, waiting for an answer and smiled brightly as Katie nodded a yes, then slowly opened the door and stepped into the silent room.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Effy and Naomi stood in front of full room, smiling as the look on the twins' faces switched from shock to surprised, and Naomi finally settled down, knowing that her plan had worked.

"I can't believe you did all this, babes." Emily stated in awe as Naomi came up behind her a little while later.

"Well, I did have some help. Effy and I wanted to do something to celebrate your birthday-,"

"Giving us a company wasn't enough?" Emily asked with a cheeky smiled, as Naomi blushed, watching as Effy and Katie mingled, whilst Cook and Jamie hung with Freddie and Franky, and Gina and Kieran played the perfect hosts along with Jenna and Rob.

"Mm...yeah, well...," Naomi stuttered, caught again by that smile, as she too watch their friends and families enjoy themselves. "it didn't seem to be...nothing seems to be enough, Ems. I wish...," she felt like she was going to break in that moment, but she knew she had to say what she was thinking and it didn't matter how clichéd or cheesy it sounded, "I wish I could give you everything you've ever wanted, but I know that we've only got a couple months left together so I want to make sure you know how much I love you and how much I appreciate everything you've done for me."

'This is it! Now is the time to tell her!' Emily's heart was yelling at her as it beat rapidly, but she didn't want to do it here, in a crowded room. "I need to tell you something-,"

"Emily?" Jenna called to her, beckoning to her. "Come and say hello to your Aunt Sarah!" effectively cutting Emily off.

She sighed loudly and rolled her eyes as Naomi laughed. "Go on and go...we've got all night." Naomi said, kissing her quickly and pushed her in the direction of her mum.

"Ugh, fine! But we will be talking later!" Emily said over her shoulder as she started to walk away, content for the moment, knowing that soon she would tell Naomi the truth.

But she didn't get very far as Naomi stopped her with a searing kiss, right there in the middle of the room, not caring that they were surrounded by people. When Naomi pulled away for some much needed oxygen, she saw that Emily still had her eyes closed and a dreamy smile on her face.

"I will talk with you all you want, until I take my last breath, Emily Fitch." Naomi whispered into the younger twin's ear, before placing a kiss on Emily's nose and sending her stumbling in the direction of her mum and then heading toward Cook and Jamie.

No one noticed the girl over by the kitchen, the girl who had dared to step out into the main room. The girl who froze on the spot the moment she saw Emily and Naomi kissing.

Mandy had felt confident as she slipped out of the kitchen to catch a glimpse of Emily, but when she saw them kiss before the blonde bitch had let her, her insides churned.

It made her sick to her stomach, watching the two of them paw at each other that way. It made her want to scream as she saw Naomi's face, with its ugly scars. It made her want to pull Emily away and make her watch as she stole the very life from the blonde.

Mandy realised she was acting strange when some of the guests started to stare at her, so she decided to head back into the kitchen and start putting her plan into action. She would give Emily one last chance to realise that no one else but her could make her happy and that Mandy was everything she ever wanted, and if Emily failed to make the right choice, Mandy had no problem eliminating her along with Naomi and anyone else who stood in her way.

No problem at all.

Well? Thoughts? Loved it? Hated it? I'm down for words of wisdom or anything really...

thank you from the bottom of my heart :D I wish I could give you all hugs!

Marci