It had been an arm wrestling match that had seen the start of this whole feud - if the Capture the Flag match didn't do enough to set up the rivalry that would come to dominate the lives of Chelsea and Finella, the contest they had in the Wolf and the Bunny made it clear to everyone that this was far from over. And in the end, it would be an arm wrestling match that saw the matters finally being laid to rest, too. Molly had been tense in the leadup to the rematch, knowing how much Chelsea hated Finella, and how much she was willing to do to her in an effort to set the matter straight. She was afraid that things might have led somewhere even worse than landing the two in the hospital. But now she could put all of that in the past. Now, she could let herself get lost in the company of friends and the warmth of the festivities, watching her girlfriend and her surrogate mother engaged in a pitched duel of arm strength.
She watched the action intently, her gaze flitting between Harmonia and Kennedy with every inch they pushed at each other, and she was always eager to cheer for her girlfriend whenever she got the chance - whenever it seemed that the Austrian was about to force Kennedy's hand over she whooped in triumph, and whenever Kennedy seemed to get the upper hand, she shouted to Harmonia to take back control. As Kennedy, little by little, forced Harmonia's arm over to the side, Molly's eyes grew wider, and her glances back at her girlfriend more frantic - until, at last, her arm struck the table, bringing the contest to a close.
"Aww..." Molly let out a huff, but soon shrugged her shoulders with a smile on her face. She wasn't going to let this keep her down; it was all in good fun, after all.
"Don't worry, Moni!" she said, turning back to the Austrian with a grin.
"You did a good job out there!" She giggled even more when she heard the silly analogy Harmonia made, but all the same, when Harmonia leaned in closer for a kiss, Molly was happy to respond in kind. She planted her lips against her partner's, letting out a soft sigh as she let her body relax against hers, and when they broke away, she looked back at her with a warm smile - though when she heard the cheers coming from all around them, she blushed harder, shrinking back and biting nervously at her lip. It was still so strange to think that they were the center of attention, but they
were public figures, and their romance had been well-publicized. Still, she wasn't used to this. It seemed too incredible that she would've shot to such levels of fame in such a short period of time - but, as she reminded herself, she really
had. And that was something to be proud of!
Hearing Harmonia's suggestion, Molly turned to face Ryan and William.
"You know...it really has been a while since we were in touch. I'm sure we have plenty to catch up on. I know I have a lot of stories to share," she added with a chuckle.
"What do you say, Kennedy?"
---
Chelsea blushed as she heard the word.
Boyfriend. She'd confessed already; they were being open about it, and it was official. And yet, just to think of George in such terms made her face flush hot. It was really happening. And she didn't quite know how to feel about it, just yet - but she couldn't deny it, either.
"Mmf, well...I suppose I dun 'uv anythin' better ter do, anyroad. Might as well come along fe de ride..."
Staying in George's arms, Chelsea went with him back to the hospital, with Ryan following close by. And of course...when she got back to her room, the first thing she was greeted by was Finella, quipping about something being bigger. In that instant, Chelsea sat up straighter and stiffer, her face going red and her arm instinctively moving over her chest as she sputtered in shock.
"Wha' did ye juss say, like? What? If ye still wanna pick fights, I-" Then, her eyes drifted down to the wolf plush in her arm, and then over at the white rabbit laying on her bed. She blinked once, then twice, then her eyes stayed open in a blank stare off into space when she realized her mistake.
"Oh...oh, rite. I...I knew dat..."
George nevertheless sat Chelsea down on the bed, and as he planted a kiss on her forehead, she blushed again, but settled into his touch with a contented sigh. She was still unused to such displays as this, in front of the whole crowd, but she couldn't say she didn't like it - in fact, being here, with George, gave her peace, a sense of peace and ease that she all too desperately needed in a time like this.
That was, until Finella spoke up. And then Harmonia. And then Chris. With each voice that chimed in, Chelsea could feel her cheeks flush hotter and hotter. They all already knew. And here she was, at the center of it all.
And then, the door opened again. This time, it was Molly who hurried into the room, glancing around and turning to the others with a short bow.
"Oh dear, sorry I'm late! Sorry, everyone! I got held up in traffic, so..." But then, her eyes turned to her sister, still on the bed with George close at her side, and everyone wishing her well - and she knew exactly what this meant, as her own face lit up in grin.
"Congratulations, Chelsea!! Oh my god, we're really all finding luck in love, aren't we?" She giggled at the thought - and it was this that made Chelsea blush the hardest of all. She had gotten used to being ignored, being looked down upon, by everyone around her - and now, all of a sudden, she was the center of attention. When it all happened at once, she didn't know what to think of it.
...But then...it was what she really wanted all along, right? Maybe...she didn't need to hide from it any more.
Chelsea nodded her head, sitting a little straighter on the bed.
"Yis...that's rite. I might as well say it myself now, 'uh?" She looked back toward Harmonia for a moment, and she blushed again - first at the thought that this meant she and Finella really
would be part of the same extended family, then even harder when she realized that meant that Molly and Harmonia really were serious about this, if there was ever any doubt. But still, she took in a deep breath, clearing her throat - and when she looked back up, it was with a softer, calmer face, one that began to smile as she spoke.
"Jud an'...George and I...we're officially together. I...I love him." She looked back at the bartender, and as she did, her smile only grew wider. This was a different experience for her - she wasn't used to speaking of such things. But now, she was ready to move onward, toward the future.