A/N: Well this is it guys – the last chapter! Thank you all so much for reading. I loved writing this story and I would definitely consider writing more Jemily/Revenge fanfic in the future. Just please tell me if you'd be interested in reading more! Is there anything in particular you'd like to see?
Disclaimer: I don't own this show. I don't own this song. I'm poor. Please don't sue me.
Infinity times infinity
Infinity times infinity times infinity
Infinity times infinity times infinity times infinity
Let there be light, let there be light
Let me be right
Outside, the entire beach is covered in a thin layer of snow. Not a single grain of sand is visible – it's just all white as far as the eye can see, and the snow isn't done falling yet. He'd wanted one last white Christmas in Southampton, and he'd definitely gotten his wish.
"Dad?" The voice of his daughter pulls David Clarke out of his thoughts. He turns his head away from the window and finds Charlotte, who gently rests her hand on his shoulder. "I'm gonna head out. With the snow it's going to be a long ride back to the city."
"Do you want me to come with you to the train station?" He asks, half-rising out of his seat, but his daughter gently lowers him back down.
"That's okay, Amanda's going to take me. I'll call you when I get there."
A moment later his eldest child walks back down the stairs, shrugging her coat onto her shoulders. "Hey," She says, joining the two of them. "Ready to go whenever you are."
Charlotte grabs her bag, but David doesn't let go of her hand, holding onto her for a moment longer. Amanda extends her hand to him and he takes it in his free one. "My girls," He says, mostly to himself, and he sees Charlotte blink her tears away. Amanda tries to keep a neutral expression, but her eyes betray every emotion she must be feeling.
They all know this very well might be the last time the three of them are together.
They break apart after a long moment and Charlotte goes to say her goodbyes to everyone. Nolan is clearing the table and packing up the rest of the Christmas leftovers that haven't been eaten, while Louise hums as she fills up the dishwasher. Charlotte presses a quick kiss to the top of Carl's head and the two year old says "Bye-bye, Auntie Charlie" without looking up from the toys he got from Santa the day before.
Jack steps inside and shakes the snow off his boots before he walks back into the living room. "Alright, the car is all packed. You're ready to go."
Charlotte extends one final farewell, her eyes lingering on him as she heads for the door. He sees Amanda and Jack's hands brush as they pass each other by and they exchange a loving look – one of many he's seen them share in the past few months, little glances when they don't think anyone is watching. "Be back soon," His eldest daughter promises, before following her sister out into the wintry evening.
In the kitchen, Louise asks Nolan to be her duet partner when "Baby, It's Cold Outside" comes on the radio, and he can't help but smile at the antics of his daughter's friends. Jack stops to check in on his son for a moment, but Carl barely pays his father any attention because he is so engrossed by his shiny new presents.
Finally Jack turns his attention to David, sitting on the arm of the chair next to him. "Are you alright? Do you want coffee? Tea? A blanket? A –"
"Jack, I'm fine." The older man insists. As time went on, the more protective Amanda – and Jack as well – became. In the last few weeks it seemed like one of them – or Nolan or Charlotte, when they were around – had to be watching him at all times. Amanda practically had to force-feed him – these days his appetite wasn't what it used to be and his increasing weight loss troubled her. David coughs, causing Jack to lean forward worriedly, but it passes quickly. "You can relax." David says wearily. "I'm not dying right now."
Jack leans back, his look of concern not alleviating. The more David's health declined, the more worried he was. In addition to losing his appetite and having semi-frequent coughing fits, David slept often and had gotten several fevers. Occasionally his chest hurt him too, but that was a fact that he kept to himself. They'd told him to expect this when he'd decided to stop chemo – but the treatments weren't working for him anymore, and the side effects had made him feel so groggy it was like he was going through life half-asleep at all times. He'd wanted to spend the last of his days at home, making the most of his life while he still could. Amanda had come around after initial protest – David had a feeling that whatever Jack had said to her, when he pulled her aside for a moment while they were all gathered in the hospital, had made her decide to accept her father's decision.
David glances into the kitchen, seeing that Nolan and Louise are both preoccupied. Once he knows no one is listening, he turns back to Jack. "So," He says. "When are you going to do it?"
Jack laughs lightly, immediately knowing what David is referring to – their conversation, in which Jack had asked for Amanda's hand in marriage, had occurred several months ago by now. "Well, I think a Christmas proposal would've been a little too cliche. And I want it to be private and…" He trails off for a moment, his expression faltering. "I want it to be a good memory for her, you know? I don't want it to be tainted. I want to do it when there's not so many other things going on in her mind…"
"You want to wait until after I'm dead," David says, bluntly stating the words that Jack has been skirting around.
"David, don't say that."
The older man shrugs. "We all know it's coming."
After a moment, Jack nods slowly. "I know that after you're gone, she's going to be a wreck for awhile. She's going to have more important things to think about. But I don't mind waiting. I've already waited over twenty years for her, I can't wait a few more months."
David smiles at his words. They say that when you're a father, no man will ever be good enough for your daughter. But Jack Porter? He's everything he could want in a son-in-law.
David digs into his pocket now, and he slips the small box into Jack's hand. "What's this?" The latter asks, his interest piqued.
"One last Christmas present," David says. "Open it."
Jack flips open the lid of the box, and a smile appears on his face when he sees the contents. A gold ring is nestled inside, accentuated by a beautiful yet not ostentatious diamond. "It's perfect, David."
"My father gave it to my mother." David explains. "They were married for sixty years. Died within a few weeks of each other, too."
"You never gave this to Kara? Or…" Jack pauses, not wanting to bring her up. Victoria.
David shakes his head. "I suppose I was just waiting for a woman I loved as much as my father loved my mother. Or as much as you love Amanda."
"It's beautiful," Jack replies. "But are you sure about this? You don't want to keep – "
David cuts him off with a nod. "I'm sure, Jack. You are everything I want for my daughter. That ring belongs on her finger." He smiles. "Plus, I think it's her style anyway."
Jack smiles, looking at the ring. "Almost as beautiful as she is," He closes the box, puts it in his pocket. "Thank you."
"No," David insists. "Thank you. For taking care of my daughter. For loving her. For giving her a happy life after I'm gone."
A few minutes later Amanda returns and Jack goes to meet her at the door, the ring box hidden away. He catches them steal a kiss in the darkness of the foyer, and the way they look at each other – he's never looked at a woman like that. Not Kara, not Victoria. He's never been in love with someone the way the two of them were in love.
David turns back to the window. Outside, the snow has finally stopped. He smiles to himself, admiring the scenery. He used to be scared to die – when he was on trial, or in prison, or being held by Malcolm Black. But he's not anymore. Not when he knows that his two girls - the most important people in his life - will be well cared for, that Nolan - the son he never had - is doing well too and will continue to uphold the promise he made years before. And that the little nine year old boy he'd met so many years ago had grown into a kind, genuine young man who would love and care for his firstborn with all his heart.
His daughter had found someone else who loved her – and whom she loved in return – infinity times infinity. That was all he'd ever wanted.