A Soul Ensnared

Epilogue

August 3, 2014

"Sonya! Sonya! The fireworks are about to start! Are you watching? Well, ARE you?" Audrey demanded in a way that only five year olds can, gazing over at Sonya with expectation. Her soft, blond curls were pulled back on the sides with bedazzled, pink barrettes. She spun around excitedly in a circle, letting the tulle of her fluffy, pink gown twirl in the glow of hanging lights on the dance floor as the crowd shifted to watch the grand finale. The gaps of her Kindergarten-ready mouth were proudly on display as she let out a carefree giggle. "Look! I'm twirling, Sonya! Sonya? Look! I'm twirling!"

It was the last day of Tournament. Sonya released a tired smile toward the little girl who'd stolen her heart over the last year, reaching out a hand toward her. "Well, if you don't stop twirling, you'll miss those pretty fireworks!" she laughed. 

Audrey stopped, mid-spin, darting to Sonya's side.

"Another wonderful Tournament with my three favorite ladies," Edward Brighton said, stepping up with the elegant Patrice on his arm. He reached out for Audrey, who squealed and jumped in his arms. He released a loud, "Oof!" with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

"Bright!" Sonya admonished, "You'll throw out your back! We've talked about this!" Turning to Patrice, she let herself be wrapped in a warm hug before she pecked her cheek in greeting. "You, as always, are simply stunning, Patrice. Bright is the luckiest man alive." 

"And don't think I'll let him forget it," she chuckled. This year, her dress was a pale silver, flowing against the floor, shimmering with iridescent beading. Patrice glanced around the crowd for Noah's tall, dominating form. "Where is your lucky man this evening?"  

Sonya frowned and looked over her shoulder. Patrons milled about, slowly ambling toward  the edge of the patio, drinks in hand, heading toward where the best views of the fireworks were afforded. "Well, he was right behind me, but that was before some little girl decided she needed one last whirl around the dance floor!"

"That little girl was me!" Audrey exclaimed proudly, monkey crawling out of Brighton's arms and bounding back on the dance floor to commence her twirling antics.

"Come now," Sonya said, reaching out her hand again. Audrey spun another time, tulle floating through the air before it settled, then she was rushing for Sonya's hand and tugging her toward the crowd. "Slow down, Audrey! I'm in heels!" she squealed, throwing an apologetic smile and wave over her shoulder at Edward and Patrice as she was pulled into the throng of people. 

The couple chuckled in amusement, beyond happy for the woman they loved like a daughter.

Sonya and Audrey wound their way through the crowd, earning amused laughs with every chirped, "Excuse me! I'm in a hurry! Excuuuuse me!" from Audrey's lips. Although Sonya still hadn't spotted Noah, Audrey seemed to know exactly where to go. It took a few more minutes for them to reach the front of the crowd, where Noah stood, cutting a formidably handsome figure in the gray, windowpaned suit she'd first met him in over a year ago. When he smiled at her, a slow, easy beam filled with utter happiness, Sonya's heart stuttered. Here was her strength, her lifeline, her contentment in a world of uncertainty. In her hand, holding on tight, was her pride, her joy, her beautiful, tiny heart.

"We found you, Daddy!" that tiny heart proclaimed, lifting her arms to be scooped into the strong security of Noah's embrace. She beamed when he settled her against his hip, grabbed his face, and kissed him. "Love you!" she chirped, then twisted up at the sky. "Where are they? Where are the fireworks? When are they coming? Come on, fireworks! Come on!"

Noah laughed, then leaned close to whisper in Audrey's ear. They shared a conspiratorial, yet purely comical wink and a secret fist bump before Noah turned his eyes fully on Sonya.