Eternity Chapter 11

Chapter 11
  Happily  
     Ever      
    After     

"Thank you, Yuuki-sama." I said quietly. She smiled, and walked to where Kaname had left. When she was out of sight, I looked over at Tsuki, Ichijo, and Aido.
"Are you guys okay?" I asked. They all nodded.
"Serenity?" Ichijo asked. I looked over at him. We both met each other's eyes.
"Yes?"
"I love you, so I want you to be happy. I don't care if you marry Zero or me. Just be happy with your decision." he pleaded. My heart melted at those words. I beaconed him over. He came over, and kneeled next to the hot tub. I beaconed him to lean down, and he did. I reached up, grabbed his neck, and pulled him down to were I could catch his lips in my own. I felt his surprise when he didn't respond, but he cupped his hand over my cheek, and kissed back.
We both pulled away, and I saw a tear run down Ichijo's face. My heart cracked, and two tears ran down my face.
His thumb wiped away those tears, and he smiled sadly.
"I understand," he said quietly. I kissed him quickly once more.
"Thank you, Ichijo, for understanding. I will love you for all of Eternity," I promised. He kissed the top of my head carefully.
"And I will love you for the rest of Eternity." Ichijo promised. "I only want you to be happy. Even if it means that you aren't with me."
"You are farther along in maturity than I will ever be, Ichijo," I realized. "You will find somebody who is worthy of you, and I know it." something caught my eye, and I looked over at Tsuki and Aido kissing by a lawn chair. Aido stepped back, not looking, and tripped over the chair, taking Tsuki with him. I laughed at the two love birds, and I looked over at Ichijo.
"Just like they have." I promised. Ichijo looked over at me skeptically.
"You really think so?" he asked quietly. I nodded.
"I know so."
"Alright then."
"But I better be invited to the wedding." I only half-threatened. Ichijo smiled, and kissed my wet hair.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." he promised. I smiled.
"Hey! Over here!!" Zero brought my attention back over to him.
"Sorry to break up the love scenes you guys are having," he started. I glanced over at Ichijo, who had an amused smirk on his face. He looked over at me, and winked at me in the moonlight as Zero continued, "but what about me? I think I deserve a little —" he was cut off by my lips meeting his mid-sentence. I could only hope that it would work this time. If not, I don't know what I would do. I just had said to the only other hope I had in this world, that he was going to find somebody else who was going to love him, to make his 'happily ever after', as you hear in children's fairy tales and stories, but I didn't even think about what would happen if I didn't get my story book ending. . .
* * *
I got cut off—again—  mid-sentence by— the same— lips as before. I was mad, and I was shocked, but then everything seemed to make sense.
I love her. She loves me. That's why she's kissing me. Why did I even have a doubt in my mind that I didn't? Why did I let all those lies and doubts about her keep me from seeing the true her? She's amazing!
All of the memories I had of her, all the times she had passed me as a night class person, the kisses we had together, the present she gave to me on Valentines day, all came flooding back. I felt my right wrist— the one with the tattoo, started burning, and I gasped. Serenity pulled away, and I stared at her with a profound feeling of love. Of want. Of overall pride, that this person, this jewel, was mine.
"Are you going to let me out of these chains now? I can't feel my hands anymore." I asked, looking over at my glowing hand. I looked over at Serenity. She looked torn.
"What are you waiting for?" I asked.
Serenity looked into my eyes, and I looked longingly into her eyes.
"I love you, Serenity." She grinned, and she looked at the chains. They disappeared, and I rubbed my writs, trying to get some feeling back into them.
I was suddenly in the tight embrace of Serenity's arms. I smiled slightly, and pressed my face to her wet hair as I wrapped my arms around her small frame.
"I love you too, Zero," she said against my chest. I smiled wider, and I kissed her hair. I breathed in her scent. Ah, how I had missed that scent.
* * *