(COMPLETED) The Lunar Chronicles - Winter's Summer

Part 5

Cinder shifted in her elaborate dress, looking exasperated. She kept trying to move the weight from her right side to her left side. It was no easy task; Kai had spent many pointless hours over the years trying to do the exact same thing. He too always found himself winding up frustrated and irritable.

Cinder threw her hands down against her sides. She pouted up at Kai. "I hate this dress." She muttered under her breath.

Kai put his arm around her, the only movement his own outfit would allow, and kissed her on the forehead. "It gets better," he said, trying to be empathetic.

Cinder had been in the palace for one week, coming under the premise of an issue that needs a Lunar representative and the Emperor of a country, with only Kai, Cinder and Torin knowing their true agenda.

They were planning a wedding.

They had been comming back and forth for nearly a year, but trying to plan something as grand as this had proved to be nearly impossible, causing Kai lots of sleepless nights, puzzling over menus and flowers and colours.

Kai had decided that he needed to be in the same room as his fiancé for anything productive to actually get done, and she hadn't objected. They crafted a small political problem that Kai could have fixed in two minutes, and their plot was complete. Cinder would come, puzzle over the issue for two weeks, then would leave after the issue was resolved, which would be remarkably easy, seeing how it was all fake.

Kai remembered when Cinder arrived. She had landed on the same landing pad as Levana did so long ago. He had a sudden flash back- she came down the ramp, looking like the sort of beauty that would drive you mad, who had wanted nothing more than to take Kai's position of power in this country, even if it meant killing him.

He blinked, and he only saw Cinder, the beautiful girl wearing a simple green dress, smiling at him like she had a secret. Kai had always loved that smile. He saw it now, the beauty in her, even though she was scowling at her dress.

"I just want to wear something that doesn't make me want to cut it off my body and throw it at the nearest maid." Cinder crossed her arms over her chest.

Kai squeezed her once, then pulled away, looking at her admiringly. "If it is any consolation," he said, "you look as lovely as starlight."

And she did. The dress she was wearing was a black ball gown, with a high neckline and sleeves that stopped at her wrists, showing Cinder's metal hand in it's full glory. The skirt was full, and there were red and orange details that looked like a cross between fire and flowers along the bottom and at her waist. She looked like a queen.

He was dressed similarly, with a black tunic, pants and boots. His jacket had red and orange embroidery around the cuffs and the neck.

They wouldn't normally be in matching outfits, but they wanted to show a display of unity. Because tonight was the night they were announcing their engagement to the world leaders, who had all been invited for the occasion.

Kai was so excited for people to know, for him not to keep this secret anymore. There had been so many times that he wanted to yell it to the sky from the tallest tower and inform every maid that walked by how happy he was that he would get to spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved. Why shouldn't he? For stars, he was excited.

"You know," he said, his voice dropping so that even though they were the only ones in the room, Cinder would know he was speaking to her, "if that dress is still bothering you later, I could help you take it off."

Cinder swatted his arm, even though she was laughing and wasn't really irritated. Kai liked seeing her after he said anything like this; her face got flushed, and she started snickering. It was adorable.

At the same moment that this happened, Kai heard a portscreen chime. Cinder, still red faced, walked over to the table where it lay, and glanced down at the comm.

Her face went sheet white, and her flustered expression faded away. An enormous smile took it's place, and she ran over to Kai's side, her high heels clipping on the ground.

"What is it?" Kai asked. Cinder shoved the portscreen into his face, then let out an enthusiastic screech. She started hugging herself, just beaming. Kai glanced down at the port.

Cinder and Kai,

It's Winter. I just wanted to give you a bit of news that I thought you might be interested in. I don't know exactly how to say this...

I'm pregnant!

I am very excited to see you both again, hopefully sometimes soon?

Hope you are well,

Winter

He had to read it a few times before it sunk in. He looked back from Cinder to the port and back to Cinder. A single laugh tumbled out of him, his face hurting from his wide grin. Kai rushed forward, enveloping Cinder in a bone crushing hug. They jumped up and down, squealing and raving about this news.

Kai was sure that there was nothing that could take away his happiness.