Forever and Always

~15~

It's been a while hasn't it? Welp all I can say is be prepared for a super long chapter (nearly 8000 words so yeah). And please read the note at the end. Anyways hope you enjoy!

"You're looking very snazzy" Christen says as Elliot looks herself over in the mirror. Elliot smiles as she smooths down the blazer she was wearing. She was wearing a dark blue and navy blazer with matching pants and a tight fitting black blouse. She had the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Which causes the two veterans to do a double take.

"That's new" Tobin remarks as she points to the newly revealed inked on the inside of her forearm.

Elliot flips over her arm to look at it. Her fingers grazing over it softly. "Yeah" she hummed thinking about when she got it. "Got it on a whim really. Was out partying and was really buzzed and decided I needed new ink I guess".

In Elliot's defense, she was still mad at everyone and everything and she was after consuming a lot of alcohol. Thankfully Callie was there to make sure it wasn't too bad. Her thumb glided over the small loopy writing sprawled across the year old ink.

"Tomorrow is not promised"

Christen just looked down at the message written permanently into Elliot's forearm. Elliot could tell that Christen's mind was wondering after seeing the tattoo. But she quickly shook out of it, "You ready to go?"

Elliot looked back at the mirror, hands in her pockets with a tilted head. Elliot looked good. She knew she looked good. Her outfit was fabulous. Her hair was curled and pinned out and out of her face. Her makeup light but done to perfection. Highlighting her features. But she couldn't help but feel like she was missing something. Something was missing.

And as much as she hated to admit it, she knew exactly what was missing

"Yeah. Yeah let's go" Elliot answers giving one more glance over before turning away from the mirror. "Let's go party".

Tobin playfully whooped while Christen giggled and looped her arm around Tobin's. Elliot watched them from behind slightly with a mournful smile. Seeing how in love they were with each other. How easy and simple it was between them. Elliot could only imagine that's what her and Jessie were like before everything that happened.

If only she knew how much better they were

Elliot shook her head ridding the thought from her mind. Instead she put on a smile. Tonight was meant to be fun. She wasn't going to put a downer on everyone else.

Tonight was going to be fun

~~~

"Aye! There she is" Sonnet cheers as she spots Elliot moving towards them in the crowd.

Elliot grins at her fellow youngsters. "Hey guys".

"Good to see that you still know how to throw a party" Lindsey teases lightly as she motions to everything around them.

It was technically a Project Future Stars event but really everyone knew it was really a send off for all the athletes going to the Olympics as well as a late welcome home party for Elliot. Honestly Elliot just wanted everyone to have a bit of fun before everything got serious.

"It wasn't just me. If anything I just passed out the invites" Elliot shrugged before sipping her drink. But she stopped when she saw the look that was shared between the group. "What?"

Rose just sends her a small smile, "Nothing don't worry about it".

Elliot opened her mouth to protest wanting to know what she was missing here but before she could a small force collided with her waist, "Mama!"