LAST CHAPTER! thanks for all your reviews! the next part will be up soon...if it's not up in a month, harass me until it is (: hope you guys enjoy!

and now for the exciting conclusion...

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

The first thing that Angelica saw when she opened her eyes was the bright early morning sunshine pouring in through the open blinds.

"Ughh..."

"Rise and shine, Pickles."

She jumped, startled to hear that voice. She looked up from Tommy's couch and, sure enough, Chuck Finster stood there. She groaned again as her head pounded mercilessly.

"Holy shit." she exclaimed.

"Indeed." he said.

"Oh, God…what did I do last night?"

He raised his eyebrows. "You don't remember?"

"I remember parts…I think I had a little too much champagne."

"I think it was the tequila shots that did you in."

She gave him a sheepish look. "That might have been it…"

"You seriously don't remember?"

"Did I embarrass myself?"

"Well…you threw up on my shoes."

Angelica covered her face with her hands, absolutely horrified. "Oh, no! I'm so sorry…"

"It's ok, I was borrowing them from Tommy." He kneeled down, so that they were face to face.

"I went out to the drugstore first thing this morning and got you a little something." he said, handing her a brown paper bag. She took it and emptied its contents on her lap. A toothbrush and a bottle of painkillers fell out. She gave him a sheepish look. "Thanks," she mumbled, pulling the covers off of her. Underneath, she was still dressed in her silver party dress. She had no idea how she'd gotten on the couch, with a pillow and blanket, but there was no doubt in her mind that Chuck had had something to do with it. "I'll just put this to good use," she said, holding up the toothbrush. She didn't dare look him in the eye as she made her way to the bathroom.

Once alone, she let out a shaky breath. Oh God. This was terrible. Horrific, she thought, brushing her teeth frantically. After she'd gargled with mouthwash twice, she splashed her face with cool water, trying to remove the remnants of her smeared make-up. She then washed down two painkillers with some water from the faucet. A few moments later, she felt as though she was slightly more prepared to face him. However, she still wasn't exactly sure of what she'd said to him last night, before she'd puked all over him. Did she tell him how she felt? Unfortunately, there was no time to ponder this further. He was waiting for her patiently and without complaint, as always. She made her way back into the living room.

"Do you need a ride home?" he asked. "Susie went home with Phil last night, and she was your ride, wasn't she?"

"Oh…yeah. I guess I do…"

He grabbed his keys from the kitchen counter. "Ok. Let's go."

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Thanks a lot." she said again.

"You already said that." he replied. "It's no big deal, really."

"Well…thanks for the ride, and for walking me to my door."

"Yeah...well…maybe I should come in for just a minute, just to make sure you're ok and all."

She nodded. "Yeah…thanks."

She shut and locked the door behind him and turned to face him. For the first time all morning, she looked him dead in the eye. This was it. Time to tell him. Now or never.

"Chuck?"

"Hmm?"

"Um…I think I'm gonna take a quick shower…just…don't go yet. Make yourself at home, I'll be out soon."

She left him standing in her living room, completely perplexed. He stood for a few minutes, then sat down on the couch. Yet he soon felt restless and stood again, pacing the room. However, it wasn't too long before she emerged. When he saw her, he was taken aback. He didn't think it was possible, but she was even more beautiful than she had been the night before, more stunning than he'd ever seen her look. She wore a simple blue cotton dress, and her long hair was half dried, but still slightly damp. She was radiant, so much prettier without all that gunk she usually wore on her face. She approached him. He cupped her face in his hand and leaned in, smelling her. She smelled fresh and clean and sweet and—like honeysuckle. He smiled and she smiled back at him. She'd ransacked her vanity, knocking her designer perfumes aside carelessly, searching for the honeysuckle spray he'd bought her years ago.

"You're so beautiful." he said as he buried his face in her hair, taking in her scent.

She ran her fingers through his hair. He kissed her neck.

"Chuckie…we can't do this. What about your girlfriend?"

"Oh…we broke up."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Really?"

"Yeah…last night, actually. Right before the party. I decided…She's great, Emmy. She's perfect for me, in every way. She and I…we…just make sense…"

Angelica chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully.

"But," he continued, "She's not you…You're the one I love. I always have, you know."

The annoying tears started to well up in Angelica's eyes again as her eyes met his. "Last night…I wanted to say…"

"I know." he said.

"You do?"

"I knew, because you called me Chuckie."

She gave him a puzzled look.

"You call me Charles when you're upset," he continued. "Finster when you're annoyed, or sometimes when you're feeling facetious. Charles Crandall when you're really angry. And Chuckie when you're feeling sentimental or a little vulnerable, or exposed--like when you tell me you love me…So, you see, you don't even have to say it. I know."

She pulled him to her and the culmination of a year's worth of passion, and heartache, and need finally burst forth in what was undoubtedly the best kiss she'd ever experienced. When she pulled away, she felt weak in the knees, and, this time, it had nothing to do with tequila. "I think I want to say it anyway." she breathed. "I love you, Chuckie Finster. I always have. And, this time, I'm not going to lose you. Never again."

She yelped and clutched at his shirt as he picked her up with surprising strength. "No way I'm gonna let you go this time." he said, grinning.

"Please don't." she whispered, kissing him hungrily.