82 I Do (2/2)

Shelly sighed heavily her happy smile turning down into a sad smile, ”The only thing that could have made this day better would have been Jos...” She shot a quick glance at her brother, not thinking about the hurt her name would cause him before she'd said it.

Russ sighed and patted her hand, ”I know, sis. I'm sorry. I feel...I know I'm responsible.” He replied.

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Rin cleared his throat, ”Well as much fun as it's been to have you all here. I would like to have some time alone with my new bride.”

He stood and everyone followed him up. He lifted his glass into the air and everyone clinked their glasses with his then took long drinks. Rin tipped his up and finished it and Russ narrowed his eyes. ”What?”

Russ arched a brow. ”I don't know if I'm comfortable with you teleporting with my sister under the

influence.” He teased.

Rin busted out laughing. ”You, my friend...” He set his glass down and clapped Russ on the back, ”Are an idiot.” Rin shook his head. He pulled Russ into a tight hug before stepping over to his parents. The three of them embraced tightly and held it for a long while as they murmured words of affection to one another.

Russ pulled Shelly into a tight hug and whispered against her hair. ”Come see me whenever you guys are done honeymooning.” He sent her a serious glance, ”Got it?”

She nodded. As she stepped away from him she accidentally bumped into Raven who had moved close behind her, waiting her turn for a hug. Raven pulled her in tight. ”Take care of yourself, dammit.” She squeezed tightened before she finally loosened her grip and held her out at arm's length. ”No more running off and doing crazy things ya hear!?” He tapped her knuckle lightly against Shelly's chin. ”I'm proud of you, Shell... As much so as if you were my own daughter.” She stepped back so Rin's now waiting parents could say their own goodbyes.

Jamila and Rudra both pulled Shelly into a tight hug as they had their son. ”Welcome to the family, kiddo.” Rudra said kissing her temple lightly.

”You will always have a home with us, my dear, no matter what. And you will always be loved.” Jamila said as she cupped Shelly's cheeks. Jamila pulled her down to her level and kissed her cheek. ”Now go make me bunches and bunches of grandchildren!”

Shelly's face reddened as everyone else laughed. Rin walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. ”With pleasure, mom.” He replied kissing Shelly fully on the lips as he snapped his fingers.

Russ let out a heavy sigh as they vanished. ”Well back to my over-sized, overbearing babysitter.” Russ huffed turning toward Jamila and Rudra.

Jamila lifted her hand, ”I'll take you back now while Rudra and Raven take down the decorations. I've left the palace unprotected for far too long this evening.” She sighed leaning up on tiptoe to give her husband a farewell kiss. Russ took her hand and they vanished.

Raven shrugged, ”By the time this is all over, I should start a packing company.” She stomped off toward the hidden boxes for the decorations.

As she handed Rudra a box she arched her brow. ”So is it true what, Russ told me earlier? Something may happen to Rin soon?”

Rudra shrugged a dark cloud falling over his features. ”There is no way to know for sure, but it seems very possible. The events have not been set into motion either way yet.” He toyed with a paper lantern for a few minutes as a half-smile turned up one side of his lips. ”But I will say, I've never seen him happier than he was today. Who would have known that tiny pink bundle from nearly 18 years ago would one day be my daughter-in-law and the mother of my first male grandchild.”

Her brows furrowed for a second. ”Ah, I had forgotten all about Rin and Shelly meeting when she was a baby.” Raven laughed, ”It's kind of funny to think about age differences in our world, isn't it? Jos has made such a huge deal about her and Russ's age gap, but I've known of several prominent relationships between people with nearly a millennia between them.”

Rudra laughed, ”Yes, but in some cases, it's a must... wouldn't you agree?” He turned his attention to Raven. ”How do you think their relationship will go, even if they are able to surmount this current hurtle? They will get more time than most, but still, it is bound to end in heartache.” His sad eyes turned back to the decorations and he continued folding them quietly.

Raven worked quietly as well thinking over his words for a long while before speaking again. ”Even if it does end in heartache... one dying or whatever... Isn't that the normal way of the world... the more

human way of the world? That's all either of them have ever wanted, to live a normal happy life. Who are we to tell them they shouldn't because one may die of old age or illness... a freak accident... someone's hate or rage.” Her stormy purple eyes met his, ”In this life, there is no guarantee. You know this, you just said Rin may die soon. If an all-powerful Gin can't prolong his own death then where does that leave the rest of us?”

Rudra thought it over for a minute. ”I suppose you have a valid point.” He smiled at her, ”You are wise and passionate, Raven of the dark fae. Your queen was wise to keep you by her side these years.”

Raven sighed, ”About that... Your crystal ball didn't by chance see my future did you?”

He arched a concerned brow, ”Why do you ask?”

Raven focused on her hands as they worked. ”Because it's been so long since I was a member of her court... and we had a bit of a fight before I left.” She hung her head lower as she continued. ”She wouldn't talk about it the last time we were together... I guess it still bothers her... and scares me...”

Rudra asked in a serious, questioning voice. ”Do you still love her?”

Raven's head popped up to meet his gaze. ”Of course I do!”

He nodded, ”And you believe she still cares for you?”

Raven thought it over for a second before nodding. ”Yes.”

Rudra smiled, ”Then I need no 'crystal ball' to tell me you will find a way to work it out, just as my son will find a way to be with the woman he loves and our dear overly dramatic Russ will find a way to be with the woman he loves.”

Raven smiled, ”I hope... I truly hope...”