Cadenza has sent me a letter saying that she's very pleased with how the dress is turning out. It's nearly finished, but she wants me to come to Meteli in order to try it on. The thought at first was a bit daunting, and Garroth seemed a bit apprehensive on my trip alone, but Kandi willingly volunteered to join me in my travels. I think she just wanted to get away from her weird situation with Travis.

I didn't want Garroth to see my dress before our wedding day, but we didn't favor the idea of me traveling alone. I could do it, but all the danger that's increasing leaves room for fear within my mind. And with our wedding being about a month away, anxiety is only going through the roof for the both of us.

I know how to get to Meteli, and Kandi would be company. It wouldn't be a boring trip, and I can defend myself if need be. Hell, Kandi can too. There are some pros to being a sister of a past guard and a fiancée to a current guard.

Garroth is preparing our horses in front of the house as I make sure that the house is in order before I leave. Kandi walks into the house and stands beside me in the kitchen. "You think Garroth will be able to survive having to cook for himself again?"

I shake my head. "He better. I didn't leave any pre-made meals behind. He has Zianna anyway."

Garroth opens the front door, and Kandi and I turn in his direction. There's a sad smile on his face as he leads up to the horses. Zianna stands by our horses to say goodbye and gives Kandi a hug. Garroth goes to help Kandi onto a black horse, but she denies his help. He shakes his head and leaves Kandi and Zianna to talk.

He walks over to me and looks me up and down. A kiss is pressed against my forehead before he reminds himself that it's only a few days, and he'll do fine on his own. I squeeze his hand before getting on my horse and glancing back to Kandi.

"Are we ready to leave?" I ask her, gently stroking my horse's neck. She's a beautiful horse. I've grown quite fond of her since she's been with Kiki. White as snow. Innocent and pure.

Kandi gives me a short nod before holding onto her horse. I glance down at Garroth as he slowly begins to back away from us. "Only a short few days," I repeat after him before letting the horse lead us to Meteli.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

"Turn! Turn!" Cadenza cheers, watching as I turn in circles in my wedding dress. I watch as the layers elegantly float around me and slowly back down to their original position. I look up to Cadenza with a wide smile. It feels like I'm playing dress up, but I know I'm not. None of this feels real yet. All my meetings with Kandi and Zianna happened, but it still feels like this is all a fantasy. "I say I outdid myself. Now that I see that it fits, I must add the final touches to it before you leave. When is that again?"

"Less than three days," I say, smiling softly to her. I turn my head to the side at the small baby to the side of us, laying on a blanket on the floor. "Now, I want to spend time with my darling nephew."

Cadenza scolds me for my words, claiming my dress will be dirtied faster than I could say Meteli. She insists I change before her hard work is ruined, and I'm out of a dress come my wedding date. I can only chuckle and obey her words.

Kandi begins to undress me while Cadenza cares for the dress. I reach for my clothing to put it on before I grow chilly. While it is early spring, it's still fairly chilly with the breeze and a cocked window.

I walk over to the small baby and lift him into my arms. I stare into his blue eyes and smile softly. Kandi sits beside me and watches as I praise him in a whisper.

Zianna hums before she watches the baby grasp onto her pointer finger. She coos at the sight, explaining to me how he reminds her of when she held each of her sons' when they were babies. "You excited you can finally have children now?"

I grow shocked at her question, but I can't help but also find a bit of amusement in it as well. Children haven't been a topic Garroth and I have touched on in conversation. It's been mentioned a few times, but it's only a few sentences at a time at different times. Never a plan for our actual future together. "Little Alex would be screaming in pure joy. Alex is more concerned about not driving away your brother because he marries her."

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

We're about to depart, and Zack is helping on preparing our trip back. Cadenza is dressing their son with Kandi. I'm standing directly in front of my father's grave. I haven't had a conversation with him in quite a while.

"I'm sorry I haven't talked to you for all these years. In my mind, it feels like it's been two, but it must be seventeen for you. I wish I was here for you when you passed. Laurance and I both do. Or, at least, did." I feel a lump in my throat. I've already upset myself. "Laurance is gone, and I don't know when he'll come back. I don't even know if he'll come back. But daddy, I'm getting married. You've met him once or twice, and he wasn't too kind, but I promise that that isn't how he is. He's kind, and loyal, and he loves me very much. I love him too. I love him with all my heart, and we'll be married next month. Dante is walking me down the aisle in your place, and Cadenza is giving me away. I wish you could come. I wish I had more time to talk and would've talked sooner, but I have to get back to Phoenix Drop. I have to get back to Garroth. I love you."