A/N: Here's the promised epilogue... which I think is actually longer than any of the other chapters! Hopefully that's alright with you guys. There are some flashbacks in this... all of which are in italics.

Hope you enjoy and please do leave one last review. :)

Epilogue: Twenty years later…

Grace stands in front of the mirror smoothing down her dress and picking imaginary bits of flint off it.

"It's fine, stop fiddling with it," Anna tells her.

"Listen to her," adds Elsie coming up behind her and placing her hands gently on her shoulders. "It's beautiful… you're beautiful."

Grace rolls her eyes. "You have to say that, you're my mother."

"I mean every word," Elsie insists.

Grace blushes and smiles at her mother through the mirror. "Thank you."

"You look like a princess!" adds Scarlet, Anna's six-year-old daughter.

Grace bends down and rubs noses with her cousin – their trademark greeting. "Thank you, sweetie."

"Are you nervous?" Elsie asks, as Scarlett twirls around the room in her flower girl dress.

Grace shakes her head. "I've got a few butterflies but I think that's from the excitement," she tells her. "Were you nervous when you got married?" Grace had still only been six when Elsie had married Charles – they'd married quickly; neither seeing any reason to put it off – so, although she'd played her part in the ceremony and celebrations, the emotional impact for her mother and Charles had been somewhat lost on her.

"No. It was a small ceremony with only a handful of people present and I was marrying the man I loved. What was there to be nervous about? He was nervous though, Beryl told me after that Bill had found him pacing in front of the fireplace practising his vows at five thirty the morning of the wedding."

Grace giggles and shakes her head in disbelief. "Honestly!"

"I know, but you know what he's like; everything's got to be perfect."

"Style and show," agrees Grace with a nod.

There's a small knock at the door and Charles' voice drifts in from the other side. "Can I come in?"

Elsie opens the door for him and he enters, looking very handsome in black tie. He kisses her in greeting, "I like that dress," he tells her, his gaze running up and down her body, appreciating her form. Even in their later years, he finds his wife irresistible. Closing the door behind him, he turns to look at Grace, taking in her beauty, and Elsie can see how difficult today is going to be for him. Ever since Grace was born Charles has been the main male role model in her life; he might not have been her biological father but he loved her as if she was his own. She'd not even been a day old when he'd declared his devotion to her.

It had been late when Charles had slipped back into Elsie's hospital room. He'd been to the office to tell everyone the news of Grace's arrival and to finish a few orders, allowing Elsie to have some time alone with her daughter. He'd not been able to stay away though and had managed to convince the staff nurse to let him in despite the lateness of the hour, promising to be on his best behaviour.

He'd found Elsie curled up, snoring slightly and Grace lying in a hospital cot at the side of the bed. As he'd approached, he'd noticed that unlike her mother, Grace was not asleep. She was fussing slightly and, conscious that Elsie would need her rest, Charles had lifted her gently out of her cot. As he'd held her in his arms for the first time his heart had constricted with love and protectiveness.

"Hush now. None of that," he'd whispered with tender authority. He'd rocked her gently and she settled quickly, soothed by the warmth of his chest and his steady heartbeat.

"Hello Grace," he'd whispered with awe. He'd walked over to the window and stood, looking out over the city. "You are a very lucky little girl you know," he'd told her, still gently rocking her. "You have an amazing Mummy. She's smart, strong, caring, just, and fiercely loyal. She's completely brilliant and I know she will be a wonderful mother. I don't really know what you're thinking right now or if you're even thinking anything at all, but if you are you're probably wondering who I am. Well I suppose the first thing to say is that I am not your father. But I'll always be there for you Grace. I promise. I'll be there for you whenever you need me. I'll do some of the things a father should do. I'll teach you to ride a bike, mend your toys, teach you how to drive when the time comes and if any boy ever hurts you, I'll make him wish he'd never been born.

"And what makes you think I can't do those things?" Elsie had murmured gently. "It wouldn't have anything to do with me being a woman would it?" Charles had turned to find her lying on her side watching him, a teasing smile on her face. "You're a big softie, Charles Carson."

He'd blushed, embarrassed; not only at having being caught talking to Grace but also for what he had been saying. "As long as the staff don't get wind of it! How much did you hear?"

"All of it," she'd admitted. "I woke up when you came in."

"Sorry."

She'd shook her head. "Don't be. It was worth waking up for."

Charles had smiled shyly. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore. Tried, but very happy."

Grace had shifted in her sleep, causing both Elsie and Charles to look down at her. "She's beautiful," Charles had said.

"She is." Elsie had reached out to stroke a finger across her daughter's cheek. "I did wonder if, when I looked at her, I'd be reminded of what happened but I'm not. I just have this overwhelming sense of love. I've never felt this deeply for anyone before."

"That's the way it should be. A mother's love is like no other. Grace is a beautiful name too."

"I've always liked the name but somehow, now, given how she came into this world, it seems to be even more poignant." Charles had nodded. "I've chosen her middle name too."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Grace Charlotte…" she pauses for a moment, allowing him to take in her name, before whispering, "after you."

"Oooh, look at you!" Anna says to Charles as he walks in. "Very 'James Bond'."

Charles rolls his eyes– his niece did like to tease him so, knowing that he hated wearing black tie. "Ha bloody ha!"

"Let's get a photo," Anna suggests when Charles walks in. "Come on," she says to Elsie. "You and Uncle Charles stand with Grace and I'll take it."

They do as asked, one either side of Grace; Charles beaming as he takes his place. It's a proud day; their only daughter is getting married.

Over the years, Elsie had wished that she'd been able to give Charles a child of his own, but by the time they were married she was over forty and she didn't feel like she could bring another child into the world at that age. She'd told Charles she would be willing to try if it was something he desperately wanted, but he'd agreed they were probably too old. Both agreed that if a 'surprise' occurred then they would deal with it but they didn't actively try. So Grace was an only child but she was loved by both Elsie and Charles equally.

Charles had been a rock for both Elsie and Grace when she'd finally told her daughter about the circumstances surrounding her conception. Naturally she'd been upset confused, as would any fourteen-year-old, but Charles had been there for them both. He'd held Elsie's hand as she'd sat Grace down, after she had demanded answers about her biological father, and told her the terrible truth; he'd chased after Grace as she'd ran out of the kitchen, scared of the implications of what she'd been told; he'd cuddled them both as they had sobbed together, reassuring Grace that she was loved, that what happened had no bearing on who she was; he'd comforted Elsie when the nightmares had returned, and he'd driven them both to their first session with Doctor Phillips, the counsellor that they'd sought out to help Grace deal with the situation.

Grace's relationship with both her mother and Charles had taken a bit of a battering during the weeks after the revelation; she'd withdrawn into herself and would oscillate between giving them the silent treatment or instigating blazing rows. But slowly, with the support Dr Phillips, some joint therapy sessions, and the unconditional love Elsie and Charles had shown her, Grace had come to terms with what had happened and learnt that how she was conceived didn't define who she was. In the end, she was closer to her parents than she had been before.

Elsie watches as Charles looks at Grace, checking her make-up in the mirror for what must be the tenth time in as many minutes. He's tugging on his waistcoat, a sign that he has got something he wants to say, something he is nervous about. Deciding that he and Grace need a moment alone before the ceremony, Elsie indicates to Anna that they should leave. Taking Scarlet by the hand, Anna slips out of the room first.

Elsie approaches her daughter. "I think I'd better make my way down," she says. "Unless you need anything else?"

"No. I think I'm okay."

"Good." Elsie cups her daughter's cheek, looking lovingly at her.

"Thanks Mum. For everything, Grace whispers."

"You're welcome. I can't believe it… My baby… All grown up." Shaking her head to rid herself of the tears that are threatening to fall, Elsie heads to the door. She turns with her hand on the handle and looks at her watch. "Ten minutes," she warns them.

Alone with Grace, Charles finally speaks. "You look beautiful." Grace blushes and looks down. "No you don't," he insists, putting two fingers under her chin and lifting her head back up to look at her. "I mean it. You're a brilliant, beautiful young woman and I'm so very proud of you."

Grace feels tears pool in her eyes and dabs at them with a tissue. "Stop it or I'll ruin my make up," she admonishes.

"Sorry. I have something for you," he says, delving into his jacket pocket. He hands her a small velvet box and she eyes it curiously. "Your mother mentioned you were struggling to find something old, so…" Grace opens the box and finds a gold chain with a heart pendent hanging from it.

"Oh!" Grace gasps, lifting it gently off its cushion and examining it. "This… isn't this the necklace Mum wore when you got married?"

"Yes. It was my Grandmother's. My Grandfather bought it for her on their wedding day. She gave it to my mother to wear when she married my father. I thought I should carry on the tradition."

Grace turns and allows Charles to fasten the chain around her neck. When he's finished he places his hand on her shoulders and leads her back to the mirror, so she can see how it looks.

"It's gorgeous," she says, fingering the pendant lightly where it rests just below her collar bone.

"Suits you perfectly then. It's yours to keep now, your mother and I agreed on that. Until your own daughters, should you be blessed with them, get married."

"Thank you," she says, turning to look at him over her shoulder. "You didn't have to..."

"Of course I did," he interrupts. "By tradition…"

"And we all know how you love tradition, don't we Dad?" Grace teases.

"By tradition," he repeats, "it's rightfully yours. You're my daughter."

Elsie mouth had fallen open as she entered the room at The Lanesborough the night of Charles' proposal. It wasn't just a room; it was a suite. Elsie had dropped her handbag and immediately began exploring. "This is bigger than my first ever flat," she'd exclaimed as she'd moved from the living area into the separate bedroom. "It's amazing!"

"I'm glad you like it," Charles had replied, following behind, wheeling their cases through to the bedroom. Her childlike excitement had made him smile; she'd been so carefree and happy.

She'd stopped in the doorway to bathroom. "Oh, is that a spa bath?" She'd turned to Charles and he'd nodded. "We have to try that later."

"As my lady wishes," he'd replied, coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling into her neck.

"It's far too much for my birthday."

"But not for our engagement," he'd countered.

"No, not for that," she'd agreed, turning in his arms. "You must have been pretty confident I'd say yes."

"Hopeful, but I couldn't be sure."

She'd cupped his face. "You can always be sure of me," she'd assured him, standing on her tiptoes to give him a sweet kiss.

Her words had touched him and in that moment he'd wanted nothing more than to show her that she could be sure of him too, in all aspects of their relationship. "I've got something I want to show you," he'd said, leading her by the hand. He'd not planned to discuss this with her until the following day, but it had felt right so he'd gone with it. He'd stopped them by the bed bent down to open his case. He'd taken out a large unsealed manila envelope and handed it to her.

Her eyes had widened as she'd opened the envelope and read what was written on the paper inside.

Application for an adoption order

"You want to adopt Grace?"

"If you'll allow me to, yes. I want us to be a proper family. You, me and Grace."

"How long have you had this?"

"A while," he'd responded evasively. At her raised eyebrow he'd added, "Since I decided to propose. I'm not rushing into this."

"No, I know; you'd never rush in to something this important."

"You can think about it of course. I've not filled anything in and we can't do it yet anyway… we have to have all been living together as a family for at least six months before we can apply. Plus, I want Grace to have her say… she might not want me to be her Dad."

"I'm pretty sure she will. And so do I. I don't need to think about it Charles - I would love you to adopt Grace and be her father."

After the ceremony – in which Charles had looked almost fit to burst with pride when he'd answered the registrar's question of 'who gives this woman to be married to this man?' – the photographs and a delicious meal courtesy of Beryl's company, it's time for the speeches. Charles stands and taps on his glass. "If I could have your attention please."

He takes out the piece of paper he's written his speech on and unfolds it. Elsie bites her lip; she'd never seen him so agitated as when he was writing this speech. He went through numerous rewrites which had led to several sleepless nights for both of them and he had refused to let her read his final draft.

"First of all, I would like to thank you all for coming and for helping to make this a day that Grace and Sam, and indeed the rest of the family, will never forget."

"I should probably make you aware from the very start that I lack any real practical experience as a speaker. Having spent nearly twenty years of my life living in a house with two women – three if you count the times Anna stayed - there have been few opportunities when I have been allowed to speak and even fewer opportunities when anyone has actually been listening." A ripple of laughter travels round the room and Elsie and Grace share a look.

"Elsie has warned me to keep this short - she said she will cut it if I go on too long. 'Keep it short.' she said, 'and remember the ABC & XYZ of public speaking. ABC – Always Be Confident and XYZ – Examine Your Zip!'" Another laugh.

"Now I'm sure the father of the bride speech is one that every bride dreads. Thinking, 'what's he going to say… is he really going to tell them about the time that I…?" But, don't worry Grace, I won't mention the time you fell off the stage in your Christmas nativity play or about when you brought home by the police for underage drinking. No, I won't mention those…"

"What I will say is that your mother and I are very immensely proud of you and pleased to see you looking so radiant and happy today. Over the years we've had the privilege of watching you grow and blossom into the beautiful woman you are today. You're a wonderful daughter; and have provided us with so much joy and happiness over the years." He turns to look at Elsie, who is gazing at him with love in his eyes. He leans down to kiss her cheek and whisper softly in her ear, "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of Grace's life."

Re-addressing his audience Charles continues. "For me the key to being a Dad is giving unconditional love, advice and support, encouraging your child in everything you do, believing in them when nobody else does and most importantly being there for them whenever they need you and never letting them down." He turned back to Grace. "That's what my Dad did for me and it's what I'll always do for you."

"Now, I turn to Sam. When Sam came to ask me for Grace's hand in marriage, I'll admit I was unprepared for it. Of course, I knew the day would come eventually, who wouldn't want to marry my amazing daughter? But you see, Grace will always be my little girl so it was a bit of a shock to realise that I was going to lose her to another man. I was impressed that Sam had come to me at all; I know I'm not the most approachable person." There are a few murmurs of agreement from the table of staff from Crawley's Wine Merchants, who had worked with Charles and Elsie and watched Grace grow up. "But by doing that alone he earned my respect. As I'm sure Sam will tell you, I gave him a bit of a grilling; much to Elsie's horror when she found out. But Sam answered all the questions I threw at him. Above all, he answered them sincerely and honestly, and demonstrated that he was the right man for Grace. He showed me that he'd thought long and hard about the step he was about to take, and he wasn't undertaking it lightly."

Charles then turns to address Sam directly. "Sam, I know you will take good care of Grace and you will love her as much as Elsie and I do; as much as she deserves to be loved, and Elsie and I are very proud and honoured to welcome you into our family." Sam is highly embarrassed as everyone looks at him. Grace squeezes his hand under the table and kisses his cheek. Charles looks down to see Elsie's eyes shining with pride. He waits for the chattering amongst the guests to die down before speaking again.

"It is customary on these occasions to offer the happy couple some worldly advice on marriage, so I will try and impart some pearls of wisdom from my own experience. Remember that marriage is like a deck of cards; in the beginning all you need is two hearts and a diamond but within a few years there will be times when you could really make use of a club and a spade." That remark earns him a playful smack from Elsie; and Charles wonders if Grace's non-traditional top-table seating plan had been such a good idea.

"Seriously, neither of you will ever be perfect, but you can be a perfect match for each other. A successful marriage is not about finding a person you can live with, but finding a person that you can't live without and I know that you've found that with each other. With all the pressures of modern life it is easy to forget what is really important. I would urge you to make time for each other and make time for your marriage, it is bigger than both of you, and at the end of the day it is the only thing that matters."

"Well, ladies and Gentlemen I think I'm getting close to outstaying my welcome and I can see Sam like a coiled spring ready for action, Danny the Best Man not far behind. So, it is my very great pleasure to propose the first toast to the happy couple." Charles turns to Grace and Sam and raises his glass. "Here's to the past, for all that you've learned. Here's to the present, for all that you share. Here's to the future, for all that you look forward to together. So could I ask you, please be upstanding and raise your glasses to the Bride and Groom. Grace and Sam."

Everyone stands en-masse to drink the toast and Grace mouths a tearful thank you to Charles for his words.

Charles approaches Elsie, who is stood on the edge of the dance floor. He hands her a glass of champagne and puts his arm around her shoulder. Together they watch Grace and Sam take to the floor for their first dance; holding one another tightly, staring into each other's eyes as they move to the music. To them, they are alone; no one else exists.

"She's all grown up now," Elsie whispers, a mixture of pride and sadness in her voice. "It feels like I'm losing my little girl."

"I know, but we'll never lose her Els. It'll just be different now, that's all. But she'll always be our little girl.

"They will be happy won't they?" she asks, placing her champagne down on the table next to her.

"I think they'll be as happy as we were."

Elsie raises an eyebrow. "Were?"

"Are," Charles corrects hastily. "Are."

The music changes and others are invited to join the newlyweds on the dancefloor. Charles takes Elsie's hand and leads her out. He holds her close, his hand on her lover back, swaying them gently to the music, and closes his eyes and thinks about their life together. It's not all been a bed of roses; they've had some challenging times, some sad times, but for all of those they've had many happy ones too. He wouldn't change a thing, well except from sparing Elsie the pain she endured… but then, they may not have Grace and Charles couldn't imagine their life without their little girl.

His thoughts are interrupted by Elsie's voice. "You did well today," she tells him. "And your speech was beautiful." She shakes her head slightly. "All that worry over nothing."

Charles shrugs. "I just wanted things to be perfect for our girl, that's all."

"It was," Elsie assures. "Do you remember your speech at our wedding?"

"Erm… vaguely," Charles teases but he relents quickly when Elsie pouts. "I remember every word."

"So do I. You brought tears to my eyes when you promised yourself not only to me but to Grace as well."

"I hope I've lived up to those promises," he says earnestly.

"More than," Elsie replies. "When I first found out I was pregnant I was scared and alone, but you've been always been there-"

"Despite my initial reaction," Charles adds.

"I think we can gloss over that – you've more than redeemed yourself. I never thought I would be able to provide Grace with the stable family life I wanted for her; a life with two parents who loved her unconditionally... never. But then there was you. You, who had always been there, quietly supporting, quietly loving. Thank God for you Charles. I love you."

"Good," he murmurs, "because I love you too." He places a tender kiss to her forehead before leaning down and pressing his lips against her own. Her eyes close as their lips touch and explore the familiar territory. It amazes her that still, after all these years, his kisses – even the gentlest of them – can still make her go weak at the knees.

Watching from his place in the middle of the dancefloor, his new wife securely wrapped in his arms, Sam jerks his head in their direction. "Your parents really are still very much in love aren't they?"

Grace glances across at them and smiles as they embrace. "They always have been. If I believed in past lives and stuff, I'd say they're one of those couples that, no matter when or where in time, would always find each other. Whatever the circumstances."

A/N: Not 100% sure about the ending – I rewrote it several times, but in the end I just had to stop messing with it because it was doing my head in.