Ever After

two | eadlyn

((Everything from now on is my story. Enjoy :)))

Aunt Brice and I approach the growing jumble of my family. Dad's arm is strung across Eikko's shoulder now, his face beaming. 

When he notices me coming back over, Eikko's expression brightens. He looks overwhelmed, with Osten is hanging onto his arm, giggling, and Kaden trying to make conversation over the roar of the studio. I cannot help but giggle. My Eikko and my family.

Mom hugs me tight and I can feel the pride seeping from her. Aunt Brice laughs and then the three of us are relaxing into each other. Josie's laugh echoes through the studio before another body joins our huddle. I cannot help but return Josie's enthusiasm as she wriggles her way into the embrace. Miss Marlee and Miss Lucy are there, hands on my shoulders, grinning wild smiles. 

For the first time in months, since I first heard the word Selection, I feel completely and utterly at ease. 

There are congratulations thrown around. Too many hands to shake, too many minutes until I can be with Eikko again. I know we need to talk about a million things, but the crowd has not thinned a bit.

In the meantime, my patchwork family forms a kind of barrier around us. Henri is on the other side of my fiance, grinning bigger than I'd ever seen. Eikko seems to be catching him up on everything, and Henri is just nodding and clutching his arm. Dad looks uncomfortable while they shoot a tangle of phrases back and forth, but he nods along.

Kile is standing over Kaden and Osten, his hands on their shoulders with a grin to rival Henri's. When I catch his eye, he nods, and a strange understanding passes between us. I had been worried he would be angry with me- now I see Kile Woodwork and I could never be cross with each other. Not after we had finally gotten to know each other the way we always should have. Not after everything.

The women fawn over me, smoothing my already immaculate dress and picking at my hair. General Leger and Mr. Carter stand on Dad's side, making conversation over the jumble of Finnish cutting into the air. The three men are glancing sidelong at their wives and all trying to hide it.

I just want to be next to Eikko; holding his hand, leaning into him. I want him to press a kiss to my forehead like Dad does to Mom. I want him to hold my hand the way General Leger does Miss Lucy's. I want to tuck my arm into his, forever conjoined, the way Mr. Carter and Miss Marlee are. Anything right now, in the midst of all these people, would be welcome. With all these women corralling me, I have no such luck. 

Advisors come by to offer their congratulations, although the morbid look in their eyes about the other half of my announcement tells me just how many meetings I am going to have to endure tomorrow. At least I'll have Aunt Brice, Josie, and Neena to bear them with me. Studio help, staff members, and effects teams stop by to shake my hands, gripping them tight and smiling to show just as much happiness as my mother does. 

These people watched me grow up and, without realizing it, I had never noticed how many of their faces had aged along with me. There were makeup women that had been here as long as Gavril. There were cameramen who had shaken my hand when I was young, winking to me and calling me pretty when I was nervous. These were the people that got me through my life.

The hour after the Report passed in a whirlwind of this. All the while, my family never leaves my side. Osten even stays put, holding my hand or squeezing my middle every now and then. Kaden tries to remain ominous, but anyone with eyes can see the way he floats after Josie as she flutters around me, her brother, her parents, and Aunt Brice. 

Dad catches my eye eventually, nodding to the door. Something in me gives way. I thought for sure I'd have to stay here long after the studio help cleared out, but if Dad is fine with us making an escape, that's good enough for me.