KOTLC After Stellarlune-A Sokeefe Story

Graduation

The months passed in a blur of studying, training, helping Biana with wedding planning, and as much quality time as possible at Aeternum with Keefe.

Finals were particularly rigorous in the Elite levels, but everyone managed to pass.

Keefe even put in a *tiny* bit of effort and managed to tie with Fitz in getting the top scores out of all of the level eight prodigies.

The graduation was, of course, a fancy, glittering event, attended by the full Council.

Even Grizel and Ro were in attendance. And of course, where Grizel went, Sandor went also.

They had finally settled down and gotten married, but made it very clear that they would remain Fitz and Sophie's official bodyguards any time the need should arise.

"Aww, look at my little Funkyhair, all grown up," Ro said to Sophie when the ceremony ended and Keefe made his way back down to Sophie.

"He's definitely Hunkyhair today," Sophie said affectionately.

Keefe smirked in response. "You bet I am. Ro's just jealous that she can't hold anything over me anymore. She used to get me to do whatever she wanted by threatening to tell you how I felt about you."

"Yeah, I think Blondie might have gotten the message by now," Ro admitted.

"Yeah...thanks to Ro. I think Keefe would've suffered in silence forever." Sophie grinned at him.

"Nah, eventually I would've realized it was making me all broody like Tammy Boy and I would've come clean."

"I heard that," Tam called out as he, Rayni and Linh walked past them. Keefe just snickered at him.

Sophie leaned in to kiss Keefe. "You realize he's probably going to end up Fitz' brother-in-law, right?" She pointed over to where Linh and Fitz now stood, arms around each other, sharing a very enthusiastic kiss.

They had made no effort to hide their relationship from anyone.

"I know," Keefe conceded. "I promise, Tam and I are cool. He's just so easy to make fun of." Keefe pulled Sophie closer and kissed her again. "Who'd have thought I'd stick around and complete my elite levels?"

"I did," Sophie said. "If only we could convince you to do something good even if it was something your father also wanted."

Keefe rolled his eyes. "Speaking of, I see him over there, trying to make his way over to us."

"Good. He's been making more of an effort, you know he has."

"I guess. I can't see us ever being close, but I guess it's nice that I can be around him without hating him like I used to."

"That's definitely an improvement," she conceded. She was also grateful that Keefe no longer wilted in his father's presence like he had before the seething hatred emboldened him.

Cassius' smile was almost warm when he reached them. "Congratulations, son," he said, shaking Keefe's hand. Keefe smiled back at him, though Sophie could see that it was still a little bit forced--but not as much as it had been.

"A sentiment we would both like to echo," Grady said as he and Edaline caught up to them. Edaline pulled Keefe into a quick hug and Grady clapped him on the back.

"We're very proud of you," Edaline said. "But don't let us keep you from talking with your father, we'll see you later on this evening."

"Thanks, Mom," Keefe responded. He grinned at Grady. "Thanks, Dad."

Edaline and Grady both looked thrilled that Keefe had grown so comfortable calling them Mom and Dad, but Sophie couldn't help but notice, while she was hugging her parents, the flicker of pain on Cassius' face.

Keefe saw it too, but Sophie could tell that he was pretending he hadn't. That was probably wise, since Cassius struggled to admit those kinds of things even to himself. It was kindness on Keefe's part not to call his father out on how his pain was his own fault due to his many parenting failings. She felt a rush of affection for her husband, which of course he noticed. He looked at her and winked before turning back to Cassius. "Thanks for coming, Dad. It means a lot."

You okay for me to leave you alone with him long enough to go congratulate Fitz? Sophie transmitted. Keefe gave her a slight nod. Sophie hoped they could find something to talk about while she was talking to Fitz.

Biana and Dex were also there, Biana in the middle of hugging her big brother while Dex chatted with Alden and Della.

"You ready for the big day tomorrow?" Alden was asking Dex.

"Absolutely," he said with a grin, his dimples appearing for a moment. "You ready to have me as a son in law?"

"We've considered you part of the family for years, and you've been in a very serious relationship with Biana for at least half of that time. It really won't feel any different," Alden assured him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Sophie couldn't help but give Alden a big hug before moving on to Fitz.

"Congratulations," she whispered in his ear as she hugged him tightly.

He flashed his most perfect smile. "Thanks. I'm sorry we're not having a big party for this, we just have a lot to do to get ready for the wedding tomorrow."

"As long as you don't mind not having a big celebration," Sophie said uncertainly.

He shook his head. "Not at all. We're having a family dinner--including Dex and Linh, of course--and then an early bedtime. Biana wants us to make sure we all get our 'beauty sleep' so we look our best for tomorrow. I'm sure she'll be ordering you to go to bed early too."

"What if I want to keep her up all night...celebrating?" Keefe asked, catching up to them at last.

Alden seemed to have overheard Keefe. He coughed and turned away, shaking his head.

Fitz just rolled his eyes. "Then on your own head be it. Biana might kill you if Sophie shows up to Rimeshire with bags under her eyes tomorrow."

"Little bit worth it," Keefe whispered to Sophie, who tried to glare at him and failed miserably, her traitorous lips curving up into a smile instead.

"You know how frustrating it is that you're too cute to get mad at?" Sophie asked him.

"Frustrating for you, maybe. Works out pretty well for me." He smirked at her.

Ignoring him, she turned to pull Biana into a hug. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Biana practically squealed from excitement. "I can't believe I'm getting married tomorrow."

"I can," Dex said, hugging Sophie. "And I can't wait," he added, smiling at Biana.

"They're just so cute," Sophie said to Keefe as they walked away a few minutes later.

"Not as cute as me, though, right?"

"No one could ever be as cute as you."

"I can think of one person," Keefe countered. "A certain brown-eyed elf I know."

Sophie leaned forward to kiss him. "I think we make a good pair," she whispered. Then they leapt hand in hand to Havenfield to enjoy a big family meal with Grady and Edaline.

But Sophie spent much of the evening wondering if they should've invited Cassius as well.