Hell Hath No Fury Like the Devil's Daughter Scorned [NaNoWriMo 2013]

Epilogue

Dedicated to NathanFarrugia - thanks for following!

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Three years later…

"Belliah Harnsworth," the emcee called, and the crowd watched as a beautiful blonde-haired woman ascended the stage and received her degree. Off the stage, Father, Mother, Akaden, Oria and I clapped wildly, and I found myself grinning happily at my sister's achievement.

Belliah made her way to us, and joyously shouted, "I've graduated!"

We laughed happily at that, and took turns hugging her, first with Father, then Mother, and then me. "You look beautiful in that academic dress, dear sister," I said as I hugged her.

"Psh, it's just a normal academic dress!" Belliah said dismissively, then smiled at us. "I'm honestly happy that you all could attend my graduation ceremony, though. Especially Father, you must have been really busy!"

Father smiled and said, "No matter how busy I am, I must always make time for my daughters. Besides, I cannot possibly miss another special day in your life, having missed out years already, could I?"

Belliah blinked at Father in surprise, not having expected him to say that. I nudged her gently and said, "Father's changed a lot, and for the better."

It was true, too. Ever since Mother's return, Father has really mellowed out. He began taking a more active role in my life, and for the first time in my life I felt that I really had a father, instead of some distant figure who provided for me. He also often asked after Belliah, both from Trackers and Belliah's personal guards, who he insisted her to have just in case something happened. Thankfully, nothing ever did.

After hearing what I said, Belliah turned to Father and smiled, who smiled back at her. Then Mother ushered both of them towards the refreshments table, and the three of them began chatting away.

"Not joining them?" Akaden, who had remained behind, asked.

I shook my head no. "Let them catch up with each other," I said. "By the way, did you get what I asked you to?"

Akaden pretended to look hurt. "Of course I did, have I ever let you down once? I bought the latest movie DVDs and left them in the car," he said and pouted.

I giggled and held his hand, swinging it back and forth. "Alright, alright, forgive me?" I said, giving him a smile.

He squeezed my hands, grinning back, and I knew I was forgiven. “Ugh, you two are disgusting,” Oria mock complained.

“Like you’re one to say! You and Lorcas are even worse than us!” I retorted, mentioning Oria’s beau who was also part of the Trackers like Akaden was. In fact, he introduced the two of them and things just went on from there.

“We’re not!” Oria stubbornly denied.

“Liar, liar, pants on fire,” I teased.

Just then, Mother motioned for us to go to them, where the graduates were taking photos. Akaden took plenty of them, with one being a family photo, one of Belliah and our parents, and one of her, me and Akaden among the photos, which Oria, having learned human technology from Akaden, took for us.

"So," Belliah said, a glint in her eyes after the last photo was taken.

"Hmm?" I replied distractedly, watching Akaden and Mother browsing through the photos taken with Belliah's digital camera. His brown hair glistened in the sunlight, and I noted how well the shirt fitted him, hinting at the muscles hidden underneath.

"You and Akaden. I saw you holding his hands and you two seemed closer. Are you finally with him?" Belliah asked.

I smiled and nodded excitedly. "Yes! He asked me out and I accepted. Since then, we've been a couple."