[sixteen: Will you give me away?]

Genevieve didn't know what to expect when she and Edmund had made the decision to allow Susan to host the ball where the two would announce their engagement but she did know it was going to be big. She had no doubt that Susan would make the most of the ball, ensuring that every detail down to the detail of the heel on the shoes she had decided to wear. But Genevieve didn't mind at all.

There was an explosion in her brain... the good sort... the type that carries more possibilities than she could be conscious of... but there were hundreds of ideas there in that buzz of electricity... she could feel it. It was the calling card of adventure, of paths awaiting her feet. Whatever was ahead could be a great challenge, and there could be tears, but it was her adventure to take and so she smiled. The ideas would come, probably when she least expected it, so she placed on her heels and took a step, relieved when she didn't immediately fall to the floor in embarrassment. 

A knock on the door was what Genevieve was pulled out of her trance too as she carefully walked, in her heels, to the door of her room and opened it - surprised to see Susan at the other side with a dress bag and a smile. 

"Can I come in?" Susan asked softly and Genevieve nodded as she hastily stepped aside, allowing Susan to enter the room with the bag - the door closing behind her. "Are you excited?"

"To be honest Su I'm nervous," Genevieve admitted as she walked slowly towards the bed, taking a seat across from Susan. "It all seems so surreal."

"I know. I'm so happy for the two of you." Susan smiled, it faltering a little as she watched the younger girl in front of her look to the ground with a sad look on her face. "What's wrong?"

"I just..." Genevieve paused as she collected her thoughts. "Do you think my mother would be proud of me?"

Susans heart stopped for a moment, watching as the girls eyes filled with an emptiness that Susan knew she couldn't fill no matter how hard she tried. Genevieve would describe her heartache as being as painful as the music of a great orchestra. At times it was quiet and allowed her to function, at other times the violins would play and she would be sad, then at other times it would rise to a crescendo and the anger would burst from her chest in a vicious shout of anguish. Right now there was a flute playing and she was able to remember her with fondness, that was rare though, and she enjoyed the moment but at the same time it hurt her to think about.

Susan knew full well the emptiness Genevieve felt when she thought of her mother, the distant look in her eyes as she thought about the only family she had ever known. Susan truly believed that Genevieve's mother was the bravest woman she had ever heard about just from the way that Genevieve spoke fondly of their times together before the accident that played the cards of death. Susan wished she could fill the black hole in Genevieve's heart but she knew that place was secured for her mother who Genevieve would meet again a lot sooner than she thought she would. Susan simply placed a hand on the girls back and moved her hand in a circular motion on her back in order to provide a small sense of comfort towards the girl who was soon to be her sister. 

"Your mother would be so incredibly proud of you." Susan said and Genevieve's teary eyes snapped up to meet hers in that moment as she looked at the girl, wanting to hear more. "You are the most beautiful woman Genevieve both inside and out. Your sheer determination from the start to protect others, even complete strangers who you met on a train one day. You are such an inspirational young woman   and your mother would be so so proud of you and do you know how I know?"

"How?" Genevieve asked quietly as she internally begged Susan to keep speaking as a few tears escaped her eyes.

"Because you inspire me." Susan muttered as she smiled at the crying girl, wiping the tears from her eyes with her thumb. "And I couldn't ask for anyone else to be my sister."

Before Susan knew what was happening, Genevieve had wrapped her in her arms as she sobbed happily into her shoulder happily. She had never thought that she could feel this happy in the arms of another female; never knew that she could feel a sense of a real family in the arms of someone other than her own flesh and blood. 

"Susan..." 

"Yes?"

"Will you give me away?" Genevieve asked hopefully as she looked at the oldest Pevensie with a teary smile.

Susan's brain stuttered for a moment as her eyes took in more light than she expected, every part of her goes on pause while her thoughts catch up. After a wash of cold her mind stepped from the shadows, feeling a new warmth to the day. She placed one hand on Genevieve's shoulder as she sent her a small smile.

"I would love too." Susan muttered as the two hugged.

Genevieve had been hugged before, but never like this since her mother passed. There was something so warm, something that felt right, smelt right. She let her body sag, her muscles become loose. Susan gave her the respect of an equal but cradled her like a cherished child. In that embrace she felt her worries loose their keen sting and her optimism raise its head from the dirt. Perhaps the hope had been there all along, but without some sisterly love it was trapped, like crystals in a stone. She felt her brush her hair back and kiss her head gently as the two pulled apart both with smiles on their faces.

"Now," Susan smiled excitedly as she unzipped the bag causing Genevieve to look at the dress and gasp, hands covering her mouth as she looked at it. "Lets get ready."

+++

Stars shone as sugar spilt over black marble, glistening in the sun. The night sky was such a welcome sight, appearing like magic at each sunset, promising to return as she faded in dawn's first light. There were times in the daytime, under skies of blue, Genevieve would think of those faraway stars and how they'd return after the shadows blended into the dark. But that wasn't her main priority right now.

Genevieve stared at her reflection in the mirror, a shocked smile on her face as she looked at how utterly beautiful she looked for once in her life. The silk dress she wore was beautiful, the pale yellow colour highlighting her features in a simply elegant demeanor. Golden details danced along the skirt, making the dress even more beautiful than she had thought and as she looked at herself in the mirror she felt like for once in her life it was okay to break her own stereotypes and expectations of herself - for she was a beautiful woman awaiting to marry the love of her life.

She took a deep breath as she walked out of her room and ventured towards the ballroom, almost a skip in her step as she thought of finally announcing how happy she was to the Narnians. Upon entering the ballroom in itself, time seemed to seize as everyone turned to look at the Knight in Shining Armour - who had now transformed into a princess in the waiting.  Genevieve's eyes searched for the only person who mattered, ignoring the daunting looks sent to her as she met his eyes sending a soft smile as his mouth gaped open at the sight of her.

His smile was one of happiness growing, much as a spring flower opens. Genevieve could see how it came from deep inside to light his eyes and spread into every part of him. A person smiles with more than their mouth, and she heard it in his voice, in the choice of his words and the way he relaxed. It was beautiful.

Edmund rose from his throne and slowly walked towards the love of his life, a clear path forming the way as the Narnians stood back watching as the two took slow steps towards each other with adoring smiles on their faces and love clear in their eyes and hearts. Upon reaching her Edmund bowed and Genevieve curtsied as unspoken words were passed and the two rose to the occasion in a beautiful dance.

Their soft movements flowed with a dazzling grace that took away the breath of every person in her audience. She could feel her soul become one with the music and she unleashed her emotions into the dance and both she and Edmund needed this as badly as they needed to breath.  Their entire beings moved with a purposeful clarity. With each stride they made, it became more painfully obvious how much heart they put into each others souls and how happy they were to be in love.

All the two needed now was the piece of paper that sealed their love.

And everyone, even Edmund and Genevieve, heard the wedding bells.