Chapter 51 - Acceptance
"It's not that we don't appreciate you getting it for us." Mary was saying to you and Ignis as you both sat on the couch both wearing warm sweats, while wrapped up in a thick blanket, drinking hot cocoa that Mary had just made for the two of you.
"But I told you the water temperature was too cold for that." Korn finished as he gave both of you a stern look.
"That was the only way that we were going to find it." You responded to him in a slightly shaking voice as you felt your body slowly starting to warm up as the chills seemed to be finally calming down.
"The bullet was about two feet under the surface of the water on the wall." Ignis added as he sat a lot more comfortable now that he was all warmed up. "We wouldn't have found it any other way."
"I'm not saying your wrong." Korn corrected. "I just wish that you had waited. We have wet suites that you could have worn."
You both smiled as you looked down as you slightly laughed.
"That would have been nice." You said as Ignis pulled you closer to him as he was still trying to warm you up.
"Well a hot shower should finish warning you up." Korn said with a smile.
Suddenly Korn's phone rang. He quickly pulled it out. And did a quick smile after glancing at the screen as he walked away as he answered the phone.
"Are you talking to me finally?" Korn said as he walked away by a few feet.
"It's kind of hard not to." Paul returned through the phone. "You are my boss after all."
"I'll take that as a good thing." Korn replied. "So what do I owe the pleasure of the call?"
"I just wanted to let you know that we finished up at the house and are heading over to the dealership now. And I wondering if they had any luck with the slug. Where they able to find it?" Paul's voice said from the phone.
"They did." Korn said as he looked at the two of you still sitting on the couch. "And I might add that it was due to your daughter's stubbornness. I wonder where she got that from?"
Korn tried to hide the smile as he heard Paul laugh on the other side of the line. "That's my girl. Let her know that we'll be there shortly. Oh and I'll pick us up something for dinner tonight. I figured that we could go over everything as we ate. Then I'll take my crew home for the evening. With the sniper gone, there's no more need for a high security detail anymore."
"Agreed." Korn returned as he leaned up against the dining room table. "We'll see you when you get back then."
"See ya." Paul said before the call ended.
"Alright." Korn said as he walked back over to the couch. "Your dad is heading over to the dealership now. So why don't you both get a nice hot shower to warm up. But this time one of you will wait downstairs for the other to finish. We don't encourage poor manners here."
"Yes sir." You both replied with a slight smile.
You had a feeling that he might have gotten the impression that the last time was a bit more than a shower. But at least he didn't question it or was upset about it. It was like he just didn't want it to happen again. At least not if he could prevent it.
After a nice hot shower, you were once again on the couch by yourself in your jeans and holiday sweater as Ignis took his shower. You were watching TV when the news came on. You sat there quietly as they started to talk about the explosion at the hotel. You couldn't help but to glance out the window towards the hotel as the night hid the building detail from sight now. The only thing that you saw every once in awhile was a light or two going past the now open window.
The Investigation team had taken over the scene and they were still searching the room and the rest of the floors for any clues. Korn was in his office as he was getting updates as they came in from the team. Plus he was coordinating the effort of informing the families. He wanted to ensure that the families of the fallen were being informed promptly of their loss and of the arrangements that would be made for them from then on out.
It was one of the hardest duties for his position. And it was one that he took very personal. For he never wanted to lose a team member. But as he knew all too well, he had no control over that. So the one major thing he could do was make sure that their families that they left behind would be well taken care of.
Each video call that he had received from the teams as they stopped by each house was slowly taking a toll on him as he saw all of families with tears in their eyes and crushed expressions on their faces. Moms, dads, siblings, grandparents in one case, and the spouses and kids all staring back at him pleading with him that they had the wrong house. Only for him to confirm that he indeed had the right family. It took everything he had to maintain his professional posture for each call.
The only break Korn had was the travel time for a couple teams who were going to houses further out. He knew that each team would be there longer then he could be as they consulted them. But he wanted to at least talk to the families by video for now since he was still investigating the scene with the other team. But by time the last call was done, he was more then drained.
Mary saw this as she sat in a chair by him. For as he hung up from the last call, he couldn't help but drop his head in his hands on his desk. All he could see was the wife still crying hard as she held her five month old baby. Then Mary saw his shoulders start to shake as he was losing the fight with his emotions.
Mary got up from her chair and walked over to him. She put his microphone on mute and reached around him and pulled him into her chest as he was now sobbing uncontrollably. She held him tight as she rubbed his back. She didn't say a word as he shook in her arms.
Mary had never seen him in this state before and she couldn't help but to cry herself as she watched him losing it. She didn't like to see him like this. But she understood there was nothing she could do about it but to hold him until he was able to get control again. In the meantime she silently mourned for the people lost and prayed for their families who would now have to carry on without them.
"Lady Lunafreya's vigil for the loss of those killed during the attack from Ifrit, was cut short due to the incident at the hotel earlier today. But she is said to hold another one in light of the recent losses." The reporter was saying as she stood on the street by the stage near the subway station. "Here is what she had to say about it."
You were now looking at Luna as she stood in front of cameras in a simple white dress as she clasped her hands in front of herself. She had her hair down as she spoke. You could just make out the anguish in her eyes as she spoke.
"I shall remain here until I have blessed those who were taken and heal those who were left behind. I shall not let these incidents keep me from my calling. And rest assured, that even though I am well protected, I will still be here to heal those who need it." Luna finished with all the grace of a princess.
You couldn't help but smile at her as she gave a slight nod before she was escorted away to one of the royal cars behind her. You could just make out her companion with the long black hair as the cameras tried to get closer to the car. Then the camera turned back to the studio.
"Please be safe Miss Lady Lunafreya. And thank you from all of us at channel 10." The news anchor said as they all smiled back at the camera.
"I see the news stations are at least respecting her." Ignis said as he walked over and joined you on the couch.
"Yeah." You said as you looked up at him and saw that he had changed into jeans and a pull over shirt. "Can't say much about the rest of it. But then again, she is here as a visiting dignitary. And she is the oracle."
"Very true." Ignis said as he sat down beside you and wrapped one arm around you and pulled you over onto his shoulder. "And I don't think her messenger will ever let anything happen to her anyway. Not as protective of her as she seemed to be."
"Now that is very true." You said as you smiled while you enjoyed the comfort of his company and warmth.
Long after the news was finished, you heard the front door open once again.
"Can we get a hand over here?" You heard your dad say from the foyer.
"On our way." You said as you smiled at Ignis as you both got up to help out your dad.
After helping out your dad and Tracy with bringing in the food, you and Ignis were soon setting up the table for dinner. As you were portioning out the food, your dad and Tracy went to the office to get Korn and Mary. By time you had the food out and on the table, they all came out to eat. You were pouring the drinks as Ignis was setting out the salads as the others all took their seats. Then you both joined them as everyone started to eat.
As the dinner went on, they talked about what they had learned so far from the investigation. The bullet looked to have been shot out of a Cerberus sniper rifle that they found to be charred from the blast. The gun proved to them that the person had connections with Nifelheim since these were only made by them. This gave them a bit of relief since they had been afraid of an inside connection. Well all of them, except perhaps Tracy. She still looked to be very nervous.
The police were still trying to track down where the explosive came from, but they had been able to clear everyone from both the street thug attack and the bombing at the house. At least as far as fingerprints were concerned. And so far everyone had been cleared completely, on the street attack. And all charges had been completely dropped on you and the others since the police were able to pull the footage from the cameras on the street and saw what really happened.
You couldn't help but smile at the relief of not having to worry about that anymore. It looked like those extras cameras your dad had installed for the festival were paying off. You glanced at your dad and saw him give a slight smile as he realized the same thing. He really was brilliant when it came to security strategies.
"Well I'm glad that a few things have been cleared up at least." Paul was saying as he took a drink of wine that had been served with dinner.
"Indeed. Now we just have a few other mysteries to solve and we'll be set." Korn said as he took a drink of wine himself.
"Speaking of mysteries." Mary said as she put down her glass of iced tea. "I'm curious to know what you will be doing after you graduate Ignis. Any plans?"
You froze in your seat as you took in her question. It was one think that you hadn't even asked Ignis at this point. You had been to nervous to ask for you were afraid of the answer. And as you looked over at Ignis as saw him also freeze up as well, you felt you heart rate start to increase. You could tell that he had been trying to avoid that question as well.
"You know I've been wondering the same thing?" Your dad asked as he gave Ignis a big grin.
"Well I...." Ignis started to say before he dropped his head.
You watched his get really nervous as he started looking around. Was he really that nervous to say something?
"Ignis here has been accepted into the Cartanica University for Political science." Korn said with a proud grin as he looked over at Ignis.
"Wow! Really?" Mary asked Korn in surprise.
"That's amazing Ignis. Why didn't you tell me?" Mary asked in surprise.
"I....uh..." He started to say before Korn interrupted him.
"He's been modest about it ever since he was accepted about a month ago." Korn answered as he took another drink of wine.
"Isn't that the college that only takes the top 5% of honor students? And even that is only after they pass their test?" Paul asked as he gave Korn a surprised look.
"One in the same." Korn answered with a smile. "And I can proudly say that he had thee highest score that they have seen in years. There had only been one other person whose score was higher than his."
"Really? And who was that?" Tracy asked as she gave Korn a slight nod.
"Me." Korn answered with a smug look.
You couldn't help but to gock at Korn for his answer. You had no idea that Ignis had even been applying to colleges. For not once had he seemed stressed out or anything. But then again, he never looked stressed out. At least not when it came to that. In fact, it wasn't until you had seen his reaction to Korn getting hurt that you had ever really seen him start to lose his composure. So you wouldn't have known without him telling you.
"Now I know that it's been a while since I have been in college. But don't students have to stay on campus for their first year? How's that going to work for him?" Your dad asked as he put his napkin on his plate as he looked at Korn with a concerned look.
You heart stopped for a moment at you dad's question. Is that true?
"That's true at a normal college. But for this one he will be there for two years. And the solution is simple." Korn began to explain. "Ignis will be undercover the entire time he is in Cartanica. The only people who will know his true identity will be his student advisor and myself. No one else will be informed otherwise."
"But what about when he goes to call or contact those of us at home? Won't they know then?" Paul asked as he did a quick glance at you as he watched the color start to drain from your face.
Korn got serious for a moment as he dropped his head. Then he set his napkin on his plate before he glanced up and looked right at you. "He won't able to contact anyone. Not unless there is an emergency. And that will only be to contact me. He will have scheduled times for him to return during the usual holiday breaks. But beyond that, he will not have any contact with anyone from Insomnia."
You froze in place as you looked at Korn as you knew that he was telling you the truth. Then you glanced over at Ignis who had his head down. Now you knew why he said that he couldn't guarantee that he would never leave you. But why didn't he say anything? Why hadn't he told you what his plans had been? You sat there in shock as you tried to come up with the answer.
"You know (Y/n), you should start to consider where you want to do your college time." Korn was saying to you as he tried to distract you from Ignis, who was now sitting very uncomfortable as you stared at him.
"Every retainer is required to go to college to learn a skill that will help out their king." He said as you slowly looked over at him. "Ignis had mentioned to me that you had told him that you were thinking about going into Public Relations and he was thinking that perhaps you should study that in Tenebrae. And I agree. That would be the idea location for you to learn and develop some great connections within the different countries and with different levels of people. You are already familiar with Lucis and Altissia, so why not finish it in Tenebrae. And perhaps Lady Lunafreya might even have you assist her with her multitude of activities that she does throughout the world. I'm sure she would love to have your company. And you would be a great asset to her with your training."
"I...." You said then you dropped your gaze.
You remember mentioning that to Ignis once during lunch. Was that when he had found out? Had he know when he had asked you about your plans? You dropped your head further as you thought about it. You couldn't help but to feel hurt that you had found out this way. But at the same time you could understand to a point why he hadn't mentioned anything to you. For you could feel your heart starting to break from the separation that you now knew was coming.
"Perhaps we could look into that." Paul said as he looked at you. "But in the meantime, we have something else we need to be taken care of first. Someone still needs to do her driving test."
You and Ignis both quickly looked at him as he sat there with a smile.
"But how did...?" You started to ask.
"His majesty had given me a call on his condolences for my team at the hotel." Paul said as he dropped his head for a moment before he looked back up.
"And he happened to mention that Noctis had asked him if he would mind if he tested with you for his driving test. And sooner rather than later." Paul said with a smile. "That's why when we got back I had to smile since I hadn't realized that the fancy sports car down in the parking garage was Noctis'. And I wouldn't have put two and two together if King Regis hadn't told me that you had to take it last night due to being followed. Speaking of which. Would you mind telling me why you didn't mention it?"
You looked down as you got slightly nervous. You hadn't meant to keep that from him. But then again you hadn't really seen a lot of him during the night. Not with everything that had gone down. The two of you had always seemed to be in two different locations for most of the evening.
"So much had happened last night that it must have slipped my mind." You quietly responded. "It was not intentional I can assure you."
"No, I know." Your dad said in a calm voice. "But he is right. We need to get your license now more than ever. And if anything happens, you need to be able to get away as fast as you can. No matter what car your driving."
You slowly looked up at him in shock. You knew he was right. But you were surprised to hear it coming from him. So far he hadn't really taken you out since Ignis had been the one who had taken you out for most of your driving time. He had spent most of his time at home when he had his injured leg. And Tracy had been the one doing most of the grocery shopping for the house lately. So there hadn't really been a need at first.
"I think I can pull in a favor and have the test given at the citadel in the parking lot there." Paul said with a smile. "For the only thing that really requires hitting the streets, is safely merging onto the freeways. Which can be done after everything else in the garage has been completed."
"That sounds like a great idea." Korn answered as he nodded his head. "Did you happen to mention that to the King?"
"I did. And he told me to get it set up ASAP." Your dad said to you with a grin.
"This week would be perfect for taking it. There is no school and the parking garage is practically empty due to holiday break." Korn said with a smile. "Let me know if you need anything with getting that set up."
"Will do." Paul returned then looked at you and smiled.
"Does anyone want any desert?" You quietly asked as you kept your eyes down at first before you looked at everyone but Ignis.
"Sure I could go for some." Your dad said.
"Oh yes. I have been dying to try that apple pie ever since we picked it up." Tracy said with a smile.
"Apple pie?" Mary said with a smile. "Count me in as well. I haven't had apple pie in forever."
"Looks like that will be a slice for everyone then (Y/n)." Korn said to you with a smile.
You then just nodded and gathered up your plate as you quickly headed to the kitchen. Ignis watched you as you walked into the kitchen. Then he looked at his uncle with a worried look. Korn gave him a slight nod and smile to encourage him. He knew that he wanted to talk to you. And this was just as good of a time as any. In fact it might be the best time.
After you entered the kitchen, you placed your dirty dishes in the sink then you reach into the cupboards to grab the desert plates. As you were pulling them out of the cupboard, you heard Ignis walk into the kitchen. You didn't look at him as you placed the dishes on the counter.
"I got this if you want to go relax." You quietly said as you reached into the drawer and pulled out the forks and pie server.
You placed the silverware on the plates and was getting ready to turn around with them so that you could start to cut up the pie. When you felt your hair being moved off of your neck and to the side. Then you closed your eyes as you felt his lips gently kiss your neck. Then you felt his arms slowly wrap around your waist.
"I'm sorry you found out like this." He quietly said in your ear before he gave it a gentle kiss. "I have been trying to find the right time to tell you ever since I found out. But there never seemed to be the right opportunity."
"It has been a bit crazy hasn't it?" You said with a slight smile as he kissed right behind your ear.
"It has." He said as he kissed behind your ear again which made you start to melt into him. "And lately when I'm alone with you I can't seem to stop touching you."
You slowly moved away from him as you fought the urge to wrap your hand around to the back of head. "Then perhaps the distance will be a good thing."
Ignis paused for a moment as he release you as you moved away from him and over to the island so that you could start to serve the pie. "What's that suppose to mean?"
"Exactly how it sounds." You said without looking at him as you started cutting up the pie. "You'll be able to better focus if I'm nowhere near you."
"That's not..." Ignis started to say.
"I wouldn't want to distract from your studies. After all, Noctis is your first and only priority. Everything else is second." You said as you started placing the pieces on the plates.
"Yes he is, but...." Ignis tried to start again.
"Then there's nothing left to discuss." You said as you continued to place the pieces on the plates. "You know as well as I do that everything has to done and done right if we are to properly serve Noctis. And if this is how it is to be done. Then so be it."
Then after placing the last piece on a plate, you looked Ignis right in the eye as you fought back the tears. "We will spend the next four years barely seeing each other so that we can properly serve Noctis when he is King."
Ignis was at a loss for words as he looked at your eyes as he could see the hurt, even though you tried to hide it. He hadn't realized that that would be the case. Sure he would be gone for two years. But then he would return. He had forgotten that you would be graduating at that point and would heading out then for your two years.
He couldn't seem to find his voice as he looked at you. But you seemed to be at the same loss as you looked at him. Both of you had so much to say, but nothing seemed to want to come out. So with a heavy heart he watched you turn around and walk out with a tray full of dessert.
After serving the desert, you gathered up the plates and carried them back into the kitchen. As you walked in, you saw Ignis still standing by the island with his head down with his arms across his chest as he rested his chin in his hand, as if in deep thought. But you left him alone and proceeded to wash up the dishes. As you washed, you noticed out of the corner of your eye that he didn't move or even look up. You were starting to get upset with him for not doing anything. Until he suddenly walked out of the kitchen without saying a word to you.
You felt your heart drop even more as you turned at the last minute as he stepped out of the kitchen. You then slowly dropped your gaze as you paused on washing the dishes. Perhaps you were a bit to rash with him. You didn't want to make him upset. You were proud that he had been accepted into that college. But at the same time you were going to miss him. You felt so torn as you stood there with the water running.
"Hey kiddo. Are you okay?" You heard your dad ask from behind you.
You slightly shook your head and went back to washing the last few dishes.
"Yeah. I'm fine." You lied as you kept your gaze from him. "Why?"
"I'm just wondering. I just saw Ignis head up to his room without saying a word to anyone." He said as he walked up to you and put his hands on your arms. "Are you two okay?"
You put the last dish in the strainer and shut off of the water before you slowly looked up at your dad. "I don't know dad. How are we suppose to go four years without seeing each other?"
"You'll see each other during summer and spring breaks and there's always the holidays." Your dad said with a smile as he rubbed your arms. "And besides, you won't have the same restrictions that he will while he's in Cartanica. You'll be able to call home."
You dropped your eyes as you slightly smiled. You hadn't thought about that part. Tenebrae was as close to the Nif as Cartanica was. So you wouldn't have to go into hiding for the entire time you were there.
"And besides," your dad said as he turned you around to face him, "you have both already done three years. I know that you can handle two more years. Plus you are going to be plenty busy with your own studies and training."
"How do you figure?" You asked your dad as you tried to figure out where he was going with this.
"Well," he said as he pulled out a letter from his jacket, "this came for you while Tracy and I were at the house."
You gave him a stunned look as you took the letter from him. Then you looked at the envelope and realized that it was from the same school the Ignis was currently attending and had been for two years now. You had been waiting to see if they would take you starting next year into their early graduates program for their Associates in Business Administration degree program. You looked at the envelope with shaking hands as you thought about what you had heard about them from Ignis. They had classes that made high school look like a joke when compared to their fast pace, in depth content criteria.
"Well go on." Your dad said with a smile. "Open it up."
With a slight smile and shaking hands, you tore up the envelope. Then your fumbled with the letter and quickly read the letter. Only to reread it to make sure that it wasn't a mistake.
Dear (y/n),
We would like to congratulate you on being accepted into the early graduate program for our Associates in Business Administration. Your first day will start with our orientation on the first Monday after the completion of your sophomore year in high school. Be sure to keep up the good work and we will see you in the spring.
Director of Student Admissions
"Well?" Your dad asked you as you stood there in shock holding up the letter.
"I got accepted?" You quietly questioned as you stared at the letter.
"I got accepted." You said louder as you looked at the letter.
"I got accepted!" You almost shouted as you leaped up and hugged your dad.
Your dad hugged you and laughed at you as he hugged you back.
"I knew you would be." Your dad said as he gave you a kiss on the cheek. "Congratulations kiddo."
You released him and had a huge smile on your face. "Thanks. I have to tell Ignis."
Your dad just nodded and released you. You quickly ran through the house and headed straight for Ignis' room.
"Hey? What's the excitement?" Korn called after you as you ran through his house.
"She just got her acceptance letter to Ignis' current school." Paul said to Korn as he walked out of the kitchen and watched you race up the stairs and ran over to Ignis bedroom door.
You paused at his door since it was closed. Then you softly knocked. "Ignis? Can I come in?"
You felt your heart pounding in your chest as you waited to hear him answer. But when you didn't hear anything you felt your heart start to drop. So you slowly tried the door and realized that it was unlocked. So you opened up the door and step through the door and closed it behind you.
The hallway was dark as you closed the door. You hadn't realized how empty and almost unwelcoming it could be when he wasn't with you. But as you looked towards his bedroom, you saw the light shining around the door as it stood ajar. You could hear something like the clicking of keys on a keyboard coming down the hallway.
You walked down the hallway and glanced through the crack in the door and saw him on his computer typing up what looked like an email. You dropped your head for a moment as you took a deep breath. You had to apologize and you wanted to share the good news and celebrate for both of you. So after another deep breath, you knocked again on his door.
"Ignis?" You asked as you watched his reaction. "Can I come in?"
He stopped typing for a moment and glanced back over his shoulder towards the door.
"If you want." He said in an almost cold tone before he turned back around and started typing again.
"What are you typing?" You asked as you walked in and closed his door behind you.
"I'm emailing the den to decline the acceptance to Cartanica University." He said as he was quickly typing away.
"No!" You said as you pulled his chair away from the computer just before he could hit the send button.
"Don't do that. You've work way to hard to give it up like that. And you have long earned that. Don't throw that away." You said as you dropped down to your knees in front of him. "Not just anyone gets accepted into that program and you know it."
"But...?" He said as he reached his hand up and ran it across your cheek.
"But nothing." You said back as you leaned up to him so that you were almost matched his height. "If we went three years without seeing each other, we can do two years of only holiday visits and summer and spring breaks. It will only have to be like that for the first two years. You will be able to visit me while I'm in school. So it won't be as bad if I go to Tenebrae. And besides, you haven't had a chance to travel like I have. You might find that it's a lot more fun than you think. And I can't wait to hear what you learn while your there. I only got to see it from the train. We never even walk out onto the platform. So go explore and learn. I'll still be here."
Ignis searched your face as he was now torn between the two. He didn't want to leave you. But he knew that you were right. Not just anyone can get into this college. And so far he was only the second person from his entire family to get accepting. Not even his parents had made the cut. And he knew that they would all be disappointed if he didn't take it.
"Besides," you said as you reached up and ran you fingers across his cheek, "I'm going to have a my hands full with trying to impress the very school that you'll be leaving this year."
He paused for a moment and gave you a confused look. "What do you mean?"
You slowly started to smile as you leaned in closer as tears started to form in your eyes. "I got accepted."
His mouth slowly opened up as he searched your face.
"You did?" He asked with a shocked voice.
"Yeah." You said with a smile.
"You got accepted?" He asked again in a stunned voice.
"Why are you surprised?" You teased back. "Did you think that I wouldn't?"
"No.......I........" he started to say as the shock was starting to wear off. "Shit........ that's..........THAT'S EXTRAORDINARY!" He shouted as he quickly stood up as he grabbed you in his arms and pulled you into a huge hug.
Then he spun you around as he laughed from excitement. You laughed with him as you had your arms wrapped around his neck. This was what you had wanted. Both of you happy and excited for the future. Even if that meant being separated for a small stent. But you knew that if anyone could do it, it was you two.
******Author Note******
Heading off to college can be a challenge for everyone when it's your first time being away from home. Some do well, while others tend to fall short and into the party trends that could lead to poor grades and possibly dropping out completely. But through it you truly learn what your capable of. Even at attending college at a much older age then when I first anticipated, I had a few challenges to face. For one, there was the age gap. And another one was the major gap in formal education.
But just like any other challenge. No one quits on their dream without first giving it their all. And that's exactly what I did. And now I work at a job that I love and couldn't be happier. All of those late night team projects and papers were long worth the work and it shows with each and every performance eval that I get where I get a pay increase every time.
So now that they have been accepted into the colleges that they were hoping for. Now it's time to get everything ready for those plans. And everything will start after a simple dance. So be sure to keep any eye out for the next chapter as they try to celebrate the winter holiday with heavy hearts.
Thanks for reading. :)
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