Chapter 21 #3
At the mention of Audrey’s name, I crane my neck to see over the crowd, but can’t find her. My heart stutters for a good minute as I search for any sign of her before Tilly draws my attention back to her.
“If you’re looking for your darling Audrey, then don’t worry. She’ll be here soon… with a little surprise,” Tilly adds.
I clutch my chest. “More surprises? How’s that even possible?”
Bodin chuckles. “Never underestimate Audrey.”
“I won’t make that mistake ever again,” I promise, knowing that my future is filled with wonder and excitement.
A couple of minutes later, I scent Audrey’s arrival, my head whipping toward her as she comes to a stand at the head of the tables. She picks up a glass and taps a fork against it, and the music fades.
Every single creature present falls quiet as they give her their full attention.
My heart races as Audrey beckons me toward her. Tilly gives me a friendly shove, then I’m out of my seat and cautiously joining Audrey at the front.
I rest a hand on Audrey’s lower back, needing any contact with her as the whole community stares at us with expectant gazes.
Audrey smiles broadly. “Good evening, Starry Hill and friends of Starry Hill. Welcome to our quadricentennial celebration.”
A raucous cheer rises from the crowd and more of them clink their glasses with their forks.
Audrey continues, “It is such a pleasure to stand in front of you today to commemorate the founding of this town four hundred years ago, by this incredible creature we all know and love—Arran Stewart.”
The crowd cheers again and I turn wide-eyed toward Audrey, not expecting to be featured so prominently today.
Audrey takes my hand as she faces me, keeping her voice loud enough for all to hear.
“Arran, you came to this island all alone and vowed to never let another creature in need of help suffer the way you did. You built this town, brick by brick, creature by creature, pouring yourself into every single part to make it the haven it is today. You’ve bled for this town, sweat for this community, and cared for each creature.
Your sacrifices over the last four centuries have not gone unnoticed. ”
My chest tightens as the crowd thumps their fists on the tables in agreement.
Fighting her tears, Audrey says, “I’ve come to realize that you aren’t fully aware of the impact you’ve had on the lives of the creatures present here and so many who couldn’t be with us today.”
Audrey takes a fortifying breath, my hand clasping hers tighter as she goes on, “Every single one of us has an Arran story, a short anecdote or a tale spanning almost a hundred years.” We both glance toward Calla at the mention of Starry Hill’s second oldest resident, then fix our gazes back on each other.
“Over the past few months, I’ve collected countless stories about the lasting impact you’ve had in each creatures’ life and I’ve compiled them into a book for you. ”
The crowd remains absolutely still as Calla walks forward carrying a very heavy tome. I bend down and take it from her, gliding a hand over the soft leather and the words stamped into it.
The Story of Starry Hill and the Legacy of Arran Stewart
Audrey holds up a finger. “You’ll find that there are still a lot of blank pages toward the end because your story is far from done, my laird. I’ll keep collecting them as the decades go on. Plus, I have plans for a second volume, and a third, a—”
I drag Audrey into my arms and kiss her. I kiss Audrey with every fiber of my being, pouring my heart and soul back into her.
I’m vaguely aware of the sound of wild applause, but nothing outside of Audrey exists for me right now.
Unashamed of the tears tracking down my cheeks, I hold her to me. Gratefulness for feeling seen, for feeling appreciated, valued, courses through me, wrapping around my heart and squeezing tightly.
Before Audrey, I felt alone in this world and I often questioned my worth. It astounds me that there’s now an entire book filled with stories of how I’ve impacted other creatures’ lives, and not just one or two, but so many.
“Audrey, my darling,” I start, but fail to find words that can adequately describe everything I’m feeling.
“I know,” Audrey whispers back. “Let’s enjoy the rest of the party tonight. We have all the time in the world to say everything we want starting tomorrow.”
So, we do just that.
The rest of our night is filled with music and laughter, joy and wonder, and a big sense of belonging as we spend it with our chosen family.
When the fireworks go off, Bodin and Tilly, Ren and Maisie, and Shinsu and Nori, come with me and Audrey as we head toward the helter-skelter.
Each couple grabs a mat, then, screaming and giggling, we slide down the spiraling chute. We do it a few more times until we’re dizzy, our cheeks hurting from all the smiling.
After, the girls make their way to the dance floor, the lads following all too happily, and we dance and dance and dance until our feet ache.
Quietly, Audrey drags me away and back to the castle, where we climb up to the top of our favorite turret.
With the stars smiling down on us, I hold my darling in my arms while we happily watch the rest of our family reveling below.