The clap of skin against skin echoed in the room. Ethan was behind Isabella, fully dressed in his three-piece suit.

Although his trousers had dropped down around his ankles, bunching over his shoes. Isabella’s long green gown was hiked up around her waist, bunched in his fist as he held her steady.

Her right hand held the wall for balance as Ethan moved steadily from behind, sliding in and out in a smooth, steady rhythm. Each thrust made that wet, clapping sound fill the quiet manor room.

Isabella’s face was flushed with pleasure, lips parted. Between gasps, she managed to speak. "You have... guests waiting downstairs."

Ethan didn’t slow down. "Let them wait," he said in a low tone. Then he brought his hand down to slap her bum. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The sound cracked through the room, and Isabella squeaked little gasp. "Ah!"

He kept the same pace, then one thrust hit just the right spot, and Isabella’s moan came out loud and sudden. "Ohh—!" Her eyes widened and she quickly slapped both hands over her mouth, muffling the sound.

She didn’t want anyone downstairs to hear.

Ethan kept going, but suddenly footsteps sounded on the stairs leading up to the room. A bright, sing-song voice called out, "Ethannnn..."

Both their eyes widened at the same time at the sound of Hayley’s voice.

Ethan didn’t stop moving, still buried inside Bella, but he stayed quiet, hoping Hayley would leave.

The footsteps paused halfway up the stairs. "Ethannnn??"

Ethan let out a frustrated sigh.

Isabella straightened up with a smile, her gown falling back into place as she stepped away from the wall. "Bummer," she whispered.

Ethan clicked his tongue in annoyance.

What soon followed was a knock on the door.

"I’m coming, Hayley!" Ethan yelled through the closed door.

"Open up," Hayley called back.

"I said I’m coming, Hayley!"

Isabella rolled her eyes, she was somewhere between slightly amused and slightly ticked off.

The door opened and Ethan stepped out, still adjusting his suit jacket. Hayley started speaking immediately. "I came to find you. What were—"

She stopped mid-sentence as Isabella stepped out right beside him, smoothing down her gown.

"Oh," Hayley said.

"Hey," Isabella greeted with a calm smile.

"Hey..." Hayley replied, then quickly added, "I’m sorry, I need to borrow him for a minute."

Isabella nodded, still smiling. "Sure. He’s all yours."

Hayley crossed her arm through Ethan’s and tugged him gently. "Let’s go. You left me to myself down there."

Isabella heard the remark and made a brief, subtle face, but it disappeared just as fast.

As they started descending the stairs, Ethan glanced back at Bella who stood by the door, smiling at him.

She mouthed, "I’ll be inside," and pointed her thumb back toward his room to make sure he understood.

Ethan didn’t catch every word on her lips, but he nodded in acknowledgment before turning forward again, and continuing down the stairs with Hayley.

-

Most of the manor was filled warmth and laughter.

After the successful event, Ethan had invited close friends back to the house for what could only be described as a mini after-party.

The living room buzzed with conversation, glasses clinking, and the occasional burst of laughter.

Lucy and Bettie sat together on one of the couches, catching up. They hadn’t really spoken to themselves since graduation.

On another part of the room, Percival was recounting the flight demonstration to Aliyah who was on a video call.

His hands gestured wildly as he described the moment the plane lifted off the ground.

"I’m telling you, it was insane."

-

Later in the evening, as the noise from the living room continued, Rayleigh joined Ethan outside.

For a moment, neither of them said anything. Then Rayleigh began.

"I wanted to thank you, for housing Ishtar this long."

Ethan glanced at him with a smirk. "Is this one of those times where you say thanks and then ask for an extension?."

Rayleigh laughed, shaking his head. "No. Not this time."

Ethan had an amused look. "Okay okay"

"This time," Rayleigh continued, "I wanted to tell you that I’ll be taking Ishtar away from here tomorrow."

"Oh," Ethan said, his tone tinged with surprise. "Well, finally. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. Ishtar’s presence hasn’t been unpleasant at all. Francesca might even cry when she leaves. But you finally keep your word."

Rayleigh smiled. "Yeah. I understand. And thank you."

Ethan nodded. "Where are you taking her?"

"Out of Grayfort first," Rayleigh said. "Then we’re heading to Dynadale City. I was finally able to get an apartment there and employ the right people to see to her needs, even when I’m not around."

Ethan stared at him for a moment, then extended his hand. "Good luck."

Rayleigh took it, shaking firmly. "Thanks."

They stood there for a while, before Rayleigh eventually turned and headed back inside.

-

The next morning, Ethan was sitting in the living room, already dressed for the day.

The large screen on the wall displayed news coverage from the previous night’s event and every channel seemed to be talking about it.

"Stark Industries Unveils Revolutionary Aircraft."

"The Vanguard: A New Era of Flight."

"Lucy Hargreeves: The Young Genius Behind It All?."

Ethan watched with a satisfied smile, then the footsteps on the stairs drew his attention, and he turned to see Isabella descending.

She was dressed in one of his white shirts, the fabric hanging loosely on her frame. Her hair looked like it was all over the place and she had a lazy smile on her face.

"Hey," they both said at the same time.

She walked over and sat beside him, crossing one hand over his and resting her hand on his shoulder. Her gaze drifted to the screen.

"They’re really going all out with the new," she said.

Ethan chuckled. "Yeah."

Isabella’s voice dropped into a lower, teasing tone as she spoke.

"I woke up sore, you know. I even had to use a greater healing spell on my little girl down there."

Ethan laughed. "I was ready to call it a night after the sixth round, but you wanted one more."

She laughed with him, her cheeks flushing slightly. "It was really good."

"I know," Ethan said with a grin.

They shared another round of quiet laughter before Isabella chanhed the conversation.

"How did the talks with the prospect buyers go?" she asked.

Ethan’s grin widened. "Guess what."