Disclaimer: Nope~ don't own the cookie brands, either.

A/N: OH MAN I'M SO SORRY THAT I'M SO LATE, AND SUCH A SHORT EPILOGUE LOL

But here ya go, the epilogue for Flashlight! This is the first multi-chapter fic I've completed o,e even though it ain't yet done. The sequel should be up Sunday afternoon or so, maybe Monday if I'm unlucky. ^.^

And OH MY GOD THANK YOU ALL FOR FOLLOWING THIS WHOLE STORY. EVERY SINGLE REVIEW, ALERT, AND FAVORITE MADE ME WANT TO CRAWL OUT YOUR COMPUTER LIKE SADAKO AND GLOMP Y'ALL TO DEATH!

This version is unbeta-ed. I'll update it as soon as possible with the edited version! :)

I'd say THE END, but it probably isn't

For days after, I had to lie in that hospital bed. Arthur had encouraged the hospital to let him take over my well-being; he moved me up to the Seattle hospital as soon as I was stable enough, and then to Forks from there.

Mom returned to Venice the same day I went back up to Washington; Ludwig had forgiven me (if his awkward hug which I totally didn't reciprocate and tear three stitches on my my side for meant anything). Pipsqueak was nowhere to be seen, Mask was dead, and life was pretty damn good.

...but not really, because, you know, my leg was still broken and hurting like a bitch.

And Antonio, too. He spent every possible moment with me, just sitting in the chair next to the hospital bed and staring with a creepy-ass I'M GONNA RAPE YOU NOWWWW smile on his face.

Mom couldn't fathom why I wanted to stay in such a gloomy town...until he saw Antonio. "Lovi, vee...make sure you're sure you don't want to come with me?" he asked again anyway.

"Yeah," I'd said, and I saw Antonio's smile widen even as he pretended to siesta on the couch.

Then Mom leaned in close and beamed, "And good job! GIve me some pretty gandbabies, vee?"

Antonio barely stifled his laugh - not like my indignant sputter helped, because I totally didn't make an indignant sputter. When Mom was gone, I threw a fork at Antonio's head.

The doom and gloom of Forks had become strangely homey to me. When I returned, Liz bounded up to me and exclaimed that, since March 17th had come and passed while I was in the hospita, we'd have a party as soon as I was able to wear a dress properly.

Why does everyone like shoving me in dresses?

I was released from the hospital a little later, with a cast still around my leg and a shiny pair of crutches which I named Chips Ahoy and Oreo, Antonio promptly "decorated" with tomato stickers. But I could walk, and that was a fair improvement; Ludwig helped me back into the house and gruffly offered dinner. We ate and then I limped upstairs, exhausted and totally not elated to see Antonio waiting by the window for me, happy grin on his face.

Psh. No.

While we were lying in bed and dreading the party - which, knowing Liz, was already completely planned and just waiting on my bright red cast - I asked Antonio, "Hey, do you plan on changing me?"

He blinked and his brow furrowed in thought. "I..."

"Because I don't know about your kinks, but mine certainly don't involve someone who looks like a grandpa."

Antonio laughed, wrapping his arms tighter around me and pulling me close. "I'd love you anyway~"

"No, you wouldn't," I scoffed, rolling over and facing him. His gold eyes were wide and shocked, and he reached up to tap my nose lightly.

"Why -" he began.

I'm going to die, you know."

Staring at me pensively - hah! Pensively, on Antonio? Yeah, right -for a second, Antonio sighed softy and cupped my cheeks, tracing the cheekbones with his thumbs.

"Why didn't you change me?" I asked quietly.

"That...this life isn't as wonderful as you think, Lovi," he smiled sadly. "I know you'll die, but -"

"But what?" I pressed. "If you'd left the venom, I would be one of you by now. You wouldn't have to see me dying."

"Dying?" The way his eyes bugged out was pretty damn funny, and I coughed to cover my snicker.

"Every day, every minute, I get closer," I muttered.

Now he looked irritated. "Lovi! You had me worried!"

"I..." swallowing, I paused. God, his sappiness was robbing off on me like glitter glue. "I love you, and -:

He cut me off, pressing a finger to my lips. "Then that's enough." Antonio leaned in and kissed me.

"For now," I scowled and huffed as he shifted his affections to my jaw and throat.

I felt him smiling against my collarbone.

A/N: AND WITH THAT CRAPPY ENDING, IT'S DONE.

HOLY SHIT.

Prizefic for 300th reviewer (if we reach that, which would be TOTALLY awesome). No question this time, sorry :(

Thank you all again for reading, and watch out for the sequel!