The Angelic Paradox

Epilogue

Okay, guys, I felt the need to write this. Earlier in the story, Emerald commented that she needed to take Artemis on an utterly average American adventure. So she does and at the end...oops, no spoilers! But there still will be a sequel. I just need to write this. This fan fiction writing is almost therapeutic. Anywhoo, on with countdown, as Casey Kasem would say.

==========

I wake up at the butt-crack of dawn, exhilarated. Today is Arty's twenty-first birthday. I have quite the suprise planned. I'm taking him on an adventure that is not an adventure. An average Amercan day. Well, actually a rather amped up Amercian day since they're are usually pretty boring and slow as molasses in January most of the time. But hey, it works.

I scramble into the closet and put on my athletic shorts and tank top. I put my frizzy hair in a messy bun. I run into the living room as I hear our bedroom door ease open and collapse onto the couch, making my breaths shallow as I close my eyes. Sshh, I try to tell Tux telepathically, I'm asleep.

I hear Arty enter the living room. He comes over and I feel him sit on the couch.

"Emerald, I know you're faking," he says after a minute. Tux meows in agreement.

I sit up, "Tuxedo! You tattle-tale!"

She justs purrs and rubs against Arty's legs. He reaches down and scratches her behind the ears. I stand, "Well, what about your special breakfast, birthday boy?"

Arty stands, "I will suffice with just a cup of Earl Grey, my darling."

I pat his cheek, "Oh no, Master Fowl we're doing breakfast my way today. Peanut butter Cheerios!"

He gives me an odd look and I drag him into the kitchen. I take out two ceral bowls, two spoons, a jar of creamy peanut butter and a box of Honey Nut Cheerios, "Step one, fill your bowl with Cheerios," I instruct him. I do the same.

"Step two, add peanut butter."

He takes his spoon and dips it in the jar, withdrawing with but a speck. I snort and grab the spoon. I dump about half the jar in it. He stares at me as I dump the other half into mine, a smile playing across his lips.

"Step three, mix well."

I almost burst out laughing as he tries to stir it with is spoon. I grab it and slam it on the counter, "With your hands, silly."

I take his hands in mine and submerge them in the gooey delicacy. I move our fingers to mix it up. I step back and attend to mine.

I lick the peanut butter off my hands and rinse them off, waiting until Arty is ready for the next step.

"Step four, pour milk."

He doesn't have any trouble with that one. I shove his spoon back in, "Happy Birthday, from the Peanut Butter Cheerio gods! Oh, and me."

He chuckles at we sit down. I shovel a huge chunk into my mouth. I notice Arty avoiding the gooey goodness and taking dainty little bites.

"Eat it right, Arty," I scold, with my mouth full, "Like this."

He puts two bare Cheerios on his spoon this time. I drop my spoon loudly and snatch his spoon. I scoop up the biggest glob. I hand him the spoon.

"Whole thing. In your mouth. Now."

He does and chews ever so slowly.

When he swallows I say, "This is the part where you start singing A Whole New World."

He smiles and shakes his head, "I'm afraid I haven't heard that song."

I stand abruptly from the table, "Well, that is about to change, birthday boy."

Disney blares out of my iPod and I plop back down with my breakfast. I, of course, finish first.

"I'm gonna get dressed. Wear something casual. My type of casual. Meet me back out here in a half hour," I say spinning on my heal before he can answer.

Our first stop is the mall. But the real deal outlet mall takes all morning to drive to so we stop at Wendy's at lunch time. I order for Arty. Cheeseburger with ketchup, letuce and pickle, small fry, chocolate Frosty and a fountain drink. Me, spicy chicken go wrap, small fry, vanilla Frosty and a fountain drink. Yum. I'm treating myself today. I usually stress about eating healthy. Not today!

When we fill our drinks, I show Arty the concoction I've been making since I was thirteen. Little bit of Orange Crush, Sierra Mist, Minute Maid pink lemonade and the rest of the cup with Hi C fruit punch. Mm fruity sugar.

I giggle as he eats. He trys to eat like a normal person but he still is weird about it. I show him how to dip his fries in his Frosty and I nod approvingly as he tries it.

"Decent, actually."

I roll my eyes, "It's french fries and ice cream. Of course it's good."

He chuckles and delicately eats another Frosty-smothered fry. Next to him, I shovel the ice cream into my mouth. Yummy.

When we're done, we head back out to the car. I climb into the driver's seat to take us to our next destination. The mall. Easton shopping center. I put the key in the ignition when I feel a hand creep around my shoulders, drawing my body over the glove compartment, our lips colliding explosively. I gasp and wrap my arms around his body as he massages the small of my back. Our kiss is intense, and my palms slip higher, tangling in his beautiful hair. Breathlessly, we part, staring, mesmerized, into each others eyes. He squeezes me, "You are the best birthday present I could dream of."

I sit back into my seat and we pull out of the Wendy's parking lot, "Love you, too, Arty."

After an interesting afternoon at the mall, Arty and me ate at Massey's Pizza, the Cadillac of pizza. It was especially good tonight. Then we went to Dairy Queen, one of my family traditions. Pizza and ice cream. Then we came home and I popped my favorite movie--- the Lion King--- in the DVD player and we snuggled on the couch.

Currently, we are watching the credits scroll past, knotted together. I'm curled up against him, my ear against his chest, my arms encircling his abdomen and my legs tangled with his. His head rests on mine, his arms draped across my body. I tilt my head up and our lips meet. I withdraw slowly.

"Happy birthday, Arty," I murmur.

He stands and I stand with him, alarmed. He drops in front of me, down on one knee. I slam my hand over my mouth. Tears prickle my eyes and I smile behind my palm.

"'Man, man, man is for the woman made,'" he recites a light verse I recognize, "'And the woman made for man; As the spur is for the jade, As the scabbard for the blade, As for digging is the spade, As for liquor is the can, So man, man, man is for the woman made, And the woman made for man.' Emerald Lilith Tate, will you, could you," he removes a beautiful gold ring adorned with a design of majestic emeralds, "grant me the pleasure of becoming my wife?"

Joyful tears stream down myself. For a moment, I can't talk. So I embrace him and sob into his shoulder, he rocks me inhis arms until I find my feet. I pull back and peck him on the cheek.

"Hell, yes!"