𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒 ᶠⁱⁿⁿ ˢʰᵉˡᵇʸ

𝟎𝟐𝟕: 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟕
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝

Aurora stared at the ring that Finn was holding before her. He had asked her to marry him. Her lips were parted, words begging to escape. Finn took a deep breath. "Please say something.." he whispered, afraid she was about to break his heart.

She locked eyes with him. Rory gently placed her hands either side of his arms and pulled him back onto his feet. He looked down at her, preparing himself for whatever she said next. Her hands made their way to cup his face and she laughed slightly. "I'll marry you.."

"You will?" Finn breathed with relief.

Aurora let out a slight laugh and nodded, her forehead leaning on his. "I'll marry you." She repeated, letting him place the ring on her finger.

Finn felt his lips turn upward into a smile and he placed the ring box down onto the table before wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her off the floor. "I was afraid you'd say no.." he admitted.

She pulled her head back and laughed, shaking her head. "Why would I say no?" She asked.

Finn couldn't answer her. "Well— I doubt you thought you'd end up with a boy like me. Or with a family like mine.." he admitted.

"Don't be silly." Aurora stopped him. "Oh, I have to tell Ada!" She gasped with excitement. Finn lowered her back to the floor and she placed a quick kiss on his lips before practically running down the stairs. "Ada— oh, Ada! Are you here?"

Ada popped her head out from the kitchen with panic, thinking something had happened.

"I'm getting married!" Aurora practically shouted, "i'm going to be a wife!"

Ada's mouth fell open. "What?" She grabbed Rory's hand and looked at the ring. "Oh, my." She whispered, "it's beautiful." She complimented.

Finn soon appeared behind Rory and Ada grinned at him. "I was beginning to wonder when this would happen," she teased, giving her younger brother a hug. "Congratulations. Both of you." She brushed her hand over Aurora's face.

The pair looked at each other.

"Since we're speaking of exciting news," she sighed, sitting down with her cup of tea, "Why don't you go and check the post," she nodded toward the door.

Aurora frowned slightly and walked toward the pile of letters that sat on the wooden shelf beside the front door. She picked up the one that had been opened and began reading over the words. Finn inched toward her with confusion. "What?" He asked when seeing the expression on her face.

She looked up at him, her eyes glossy. "Ada, is this a joke?" Rory asked.

Ada shook her head.

"Rory, what!?" Finn asked again. She read over it again, double checking, before shoving it into his hands. "They're coming home, Finn. They've been pardoned.." she spoke. Finn slowly looked up at her.

She stared ahead, her eyes focused on the wall. "They're alive.." she muttered to herself.

Finn shook his head. "Are you sure.. how— how are they alive? Ada, I don't understand." He  turned to Ada and shook his head again.