I feel generous so I decided to post the epilogue today as well. :) The end is here! Enjoy! Feedback is still appreciated!

Epilogue

SpongeBob and Sandy saw each other every single day since they returned. After work, they always hung out with each other. They dated, watched movies, played karate, and even jellyfished together. They also performed extreme stunts, but none too dangerous to severely injure SpongeBob for Sandy's sake. SpongeBob and Patrick hung out during the day. They even convinced Squidward to join in, though he was a bit reluctant at first. Squidward came to really respect SpongeBob, and even considered himself his friend, although SpongeBob can still get a bit annoying. He appreciated SpongeBob's new-found maturity, especially since Sandy was around to control him. Mindy started visiting Bikini Bottom daily. She became SpongeBob's new other best friend, replacing Sandy's old spot. She hung out and played all of the games SpongeBob and his friends played. She really enjoyed her time, and Neptune was glad she was not a loner.

Plankton somehow escaped the royal prison. Karen's mobile computer remained, but her actual computer screen back at the Chum Bucket remained. Plankton vowed revenge on SpongeBob and Sandy for foiling his perfect plan, but because even his perfect plan failed, he gave up all hope for world domination, so he returned to his old routine of trying to steal the Krabby Patty formula and ultimately failing.

Bikini Bottom was slowly returning to normal, except for the memories of Plankton's wrath. Fortunately, the nightmares ended after only a week or two, depending on the person. Squidward and Gary stopped after a week. Mrs. Puff and Larry stopped having nightmares after two weeks. Sandy, because she got brainwashed again, took a stressful month for the nightmares to end. The nightmares got so bad that she slept over and cuddled with SpongeBob to help her calm down.

It took six months for Bikini Bottom to rebuild and continue daily life. The Bikini Bottomites, though traumatized by both Plan Z and the Perfect Plan, returned to their daily routine. The two Krusty Krabs were both rebuilt and back in business after a month. SpongeBob hired both Patrick and Sandy as employees of the Krusty Krab 2, that way so he could hang around with both of them without worrying about neglecting the other.

It was SpongeBob and Sandy's seven month anniversary as a couple. SpongeBob was at work, and Sandy was in her treedome, working on a special surprise experiment. She was racing time since SpongeBob would come over after work at six. She mixed two last chemicals and flipped a switch. It formed an explosion. Sandy waved off all the smoke, coughing and wheezing. She looked in her watch glass and saw the result. There were two glowing blue pills. She stared at it in awe, then checked the time. It was three in the afternoon. She sighed with relief. She had enough time to test the pill. Sandy pulled out a cage and took out the lab mouse, which was somehow conveniently not personified. She fed it the pill and dunked it in a water helmet. She waited for two hours hoping and praying that it worked and that it would be permanent. At five thirty, she rechecked the mouse, who was still scurrying about inside the water helmet. It did not make any air bubbles nor did it struggle to escape for fresh air. Sandy beamed and cheered, "I DID IT! I DID IT! I MADE SOMETHING THAT LETS ME BREATHE WATER!" She panted as a single tear slid down her cheek. She grabbed the other pill and promptly swallowed it. She felt jolts of pain from in her chest. She panted and fell to the ground. After about a minute, the pain stopped. Sandy noticed that she could still breathe air. She removed the mouse and picked up the water helmet. She took a deep breath of air before putting the water helmet on. After putting the helmet on, Sandy exhaled, and realized she was breathing water! She gasped. She really did it. After toiling day in and day out on an experiment so difficult and unlikely, she finally pulled through. She proved nature wrong and was able to breathe both air and water. What excited her the most was that she could be with SpongeBob without an air suit or helmet being in the way. She removed the water helmet, wanting to fully surprise SpongeBob with her new ability.

Sandy heard a knock on her door. She checked the time. It was six. She sprinted towards the door and opened it to reveal a grinning SpongeBob. He asked, "Hey, Sandy! You ready for the picnic?" Sandy answered, "Sure, SpongeBob! I'd love to!" Sandy ran to her door without her suit, which confused and concerned SpongeBob, "Uh, Sandy? Your suit! You might suffocate without it!" Sandy held in a laugh, "Don't be silly! I have a surprise for ya'll." She exited the treedome and looked through the dome window, straight at SpongeBob. SpongeBob gasped. Sandy was breathing water! SpongeBob ran towards Sandy, shocked and delighted. Sandy beamed at her boyfriend, "Now to do the first thing on my list when I start breathing water." She pulled SpongeBob into a deep kiss. Now that Sandy could breathe water, she no longer had to worry about holding her breath to kiss SpongeBob. After about a minute, she separated from the kiss, leaving SpongeBob dazed and staring dreamily at his girlfriend, "W-Wow Sandy! You breathing water is the best thing that ever happened between us!" Sandy giggled, "Now, where's your surprise?" SpongeBob snapped out of his daze and pulled a blindfold out of his pocket and wrapped it around Sandy's eyes. She laughed at this because she knew how much SpongeBob loved surprising her. SpongeBob started gently pushing her to their destination. Sandy heard kids playing around on a playground, boatmobiles driving by, people saying congratulations and thanks to both of them, and SpongeBob's giggles from behind.

After about ten minutes of walking, SpongeBob stopped Sandy, "We're here!" He removed Sandy's blindfold and asked, "Do you recognize this place?" Sandy looked around. They were surrounded by large formations of purple rocks. Sandy shrugged, "I'm not sure." SpongeBob giggled again, "I'll give you a hint." He started running toward a sloped and curved long rock formation. He started running along the rock and yelled, "I'M SPONGEBOOOOOOOOOOOOOB!" He made a few backflips before landing on one of his corners. He laughed aloud as he landed. Sandy gasped, "Now I remember! This is where we first met!" SpongeBob stopped laughing, "Correct m'lady! Now let's get this picnic ready!" Sandy nodded and helped him organize the picnic. Little did she know that SpongeBob had another surprise for her. He brought her and the picnic to the site where the two first met for a reason.

SpongeBob and Sandy ate quietly. SpongeBob waited for the perfect time to ask Sandy the most important question of both of their lives. Sandy was thinking of a way to tell her bosses and family about her breakthrough. She was also glad that she invented her water-breathing pill on the day of their picnic. She liked eating underwater without that clunky suit getting in the way. She also looked at SpongeBob and noticed that he was also deep in thought. Sandy wondered what he was thinking. SpongeBob glanced at Sandy as he finished all of his food. He stood up and walked towards a nearby hill so they could see the sun set. Sandy stared as SpongeBob walked away from her. Concern grew inside her as she stood up and followed him, disregarding what remained of the picnic. SpongeBob sat at the edge of the hill, staring at the sunset. He heard Sandy walking towards him. She sat down next to him and asked, "Why'd ya'll leave, SpongeBob?" SpongeBob answered, "Because I wanted to tell you something and I needed some space to think."

He stood up and sighed. Sandy stood up as well and looked at him concerned. SpongeBob looked back at her and thought, It's time. Be ready, SpongeBob. Be a man! There's no backing out now! He was more nervous than he ever was before in his life. He rehearsed it the night before and the whole day at work. He shook the fear. He had to be a man this time. No screwing up. SpongeBob grabbed Sandy's hands, "Sandy, ever since our journey seven months ago, you made me the happiest sponge alive. You've been my friend for years, and every memory we've had hold so dear to me, but now I want to spend the rest of my life with you." SpongeBob kneeled and pulled a small black box out of his pocket. He opened it to reveal a golden ring with a glistening pearl as the gem. Taking the hint, Sandy gasped, covering her mouth with both of her hands as tears of joy escaped her eyes. Smiling, SpongeBob asked, "Sandy Cheeks, will you marry me, and make me the happiest sponge ever?" Sandy screamed, "YES! YES, SPONGEBOB! YES!" She flew into his arms in a loving hug. She started sobbing happily. SpongeBob couldn't help but let some tears escape his eyes as well. Sandy slightly let go of the hug to smile widely at her new fiancé, "You make me so happy! I love you so much, Spongy! With all my heart!" She leaned in and kissed SpongeBob passionately. SpongeBob separated from the kiss, "I love you too, Sandy. Now we'll be together. Forever." He wiped a tear rolling down Sandy's cheek. She smiled and leaned into a tight hug. They felt their hearts beating together in rhythm, feeling nothing but joy and love. They sat back down and cuddled tightly as they glowed with the setting sun. This was the best day of both of their lives.

The wedding ceremony would take place two weeks later at the royal palace. Mindy and Neptune both easily agreed to let their palace be the location where their two legends of the sea could get married. Mindy cheered at the news and couldn't help but tear up at the thought of the true loves being so happy. Patrick and Squidward were chosen to be the best men, while Gary became ring bearer. Mr. Krabs was in charge with catering the wedding guests with Krabby Patties. During the two-week preparation, Sandy messaged her family back at Texas about both her scientific breakthrough and her marriage. She hoped that her parents approved SpongeBob, especially at how trustworthy and friendly he was. SpongeBob also notified his family, who still never met Sandy.

One week passed. Sandy was honorably retired from Treedome Enterprises after her breakthrough. She never had to invent nor worry about moving out of Bikini Bottom ever again. Her and SpongeBob's parents all met in front of SpongeBob's pineapple. The meeting and introductions were awkward and full of tension. After realizing how happy SpongeBob and Sandy were together, that is, holding each other crying as their parents yelled at each other, all of the parents finally gave in and consented for the marriage to happen, which greatly relieved SpongeBob and Sandy.

The next week passed, and the royal palace was decorated a heavenly white full of cardigans and vines designed and decorated by Squidward and financed by Mr. Krabs, who was reluctant at first but did it for SpongeBob's happiness. The ceremony began at noon. Almost all of Bikini Bottom was there, including the families of both SpongeBob and Sandy. SpongeBob walked down the hall, holding Sandy's mother, who smiled at him. She was the only parent that did want SpongeBob and Sandy together during the parental meetup. She escorted SpongeBob to the front. He glanced at Patrick and Squidward. Squidward smiled slightly back while Patrick was staring at Mindy again. SpongeBob held back a laugh at Patrick then stared at the doors, waiting for the bride.

Sandy was getting prepared, with Mrs. Puff and Pearl pampering her. Pearl was slightly disheartened that SpongeBob, who she considered a final reserve, was getting married, but she realized how happy SpongeBob was with Sandy. Mrs. Puff was delighted to help because Sandy helped SpongeBob finally get his driver's license. Sandy sighed happily, "I can't believe I'm getting married to SpongeBob! I thought this would never happen!" Pearl smiled, "Well, you know what they say, Sandy, love always finds a way." They stopped their discussion when they heard the music.

The ceremony began. Sandy took a deep breath. This was it. The moment she had been looking forward to. The doors opened and Sandy slowly walked down the hall. Everyone stared and smiled as she passed by. SpongeBob smiled widely at his beloved as she stopped next to him. The priest, conveniently the same one that was at the fake play wedding, began. SpongeBob whispered, "You look beautiful, Sandy." Sandy glanced at her lover. She smiled and whispered back, "Ya'll look handsome as well, Spongy." The priest continued his speeches as SpongeBob and Sandy looked at each other, smiles permanently printed on their faces.

About twenty minutes passed as the priest started finishing the ceremony. He turned to SpongeBob, "SpongeBob, do you take Sandy as your lawfully wedded wife? Do you cherish her friendship and love her today, tomorrow and forever? Do you trust and honor her, laugh with her and cry with her? Will you be faithful through good times and bad, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?" SpongeBob answered, "I do." Sandy started tearing up. The priest turned to Sandy, "Sandy, do you take SpongeBob as your lawfully wedded husband? Do you cherish his friendship and love him today, tomorrow and forever? Do you trust and honor him, laugh with him and cry with him? Will you be faithful through good times and bad, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?" Sandy, her voice breaking, said, "I do." The priest finished, "Then with the power invested in me, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." SpongeBob and Sandy stared at each other smiling, tears going down their cheeks. They leaned in slowly and fell into the most loving kiss of their lives. Everybody in the room cheered. Yee-haws and applauds were heard throughout the hall. SpongeBob and Sandy held hands and looked at the cheering crowd. They started walking down the hall, hand in hand. At the front of the palace was Mindy and her sea-horse drawn carriage. SpongeBob helped Sandy up to the carriage before entering. Mindy whipped the sea-horses, causing them to neigh then galloped to Marlin Marina, where they would spend their honeymoon. SpongeBob kept his promise to take Sandy there on the last day of their journey. There, they enjoyed the sun and the breathtaking view of Seaweed Sea.

Eleven more months passed. It was the middle of October. Sandy moved into SpongeBob's pineapple, using the treedome as an exercise spot and fun laboratory. Ever since their marriage, Sandy fell in and out of depression. SpongeBob couldn't help but feel that he was to blame, except he didn't know what he did wrong. They were happily married, so Sandy shouldn't be sad at all. He couldn't stand the thought of Sandy leaving him. One night, when he noticed Sandy crying, SpongeBob lost it. He apologized, "Sandy, I'm so sorry for whatever I did! Please don't leave me! I can't stand seeing you so sad!" Sandy looked up, tears rolling down her eyes, "It's not you, SpongeBob. It's just that one of the only things I've ever wanted in life after getting married was to be a mother. The problem with that is that you and I can't have kids. You're a sea creature, and I'm a land critter. How will we know what our kids look like and how will they breathe? I don't blame ya'll for this. It's just that I want to be a mother is all, and we squirrels are known to love kids." SpongeBob understood and hugged his wife.

That night, after Sandy fell asleep, SpongeBob was thinking of a way to make Sandy happy. Sandy's birthday was in three weeks on November 8. He had the greatest idea of what to give Sandy for her birthday. He decided to adopt a kid for her.

The next week, SpongeBob convinced Mr. Krabs to spread the Krusty Krab brand worldwide starting with the United States. He later told Sandy that he was going on a two week business trip. He kissed Sandy goodbye and went on his bus to California. He made it to Texas in a week. He successfully made a deal of a small chain of Krusty Krab restaurants around the Los Angeles and San Diego counties. SpongeBob smirked as he remembered his real point of being on land. He stopped by Houston, Sandy's hometown. He read the address one more time, and confirmed that he found his destination, a large oak tree about three times the length of Sandy's treedome. He knocked on the wooden door. Sandy's mother answered, "SpongeBob? Whatcha doin' here?" SpongeBob replied, "Mrs. Cheeks, ma'am, I need your help. Sandy's depressed because we can't have kids. I'm here to adopt a baby squirrel as a birthday gift for her." Mrs. Cheeks smiled, "Follow me." She motioned SpongeBob to her car. As they left, Mrs. Cheeks said, "You came to the right place, SpongeBob. We squirrels love kids. Whether we adopt orphaned or abandoned babies or simply reproduce them, we don't care. We always consider parenthood a true honor. And I'm the one who taught Sandy that. I remember she was so excited to have her own children before leaving for Bikini Bottom. That was one of the things she loved to talk about with me." SpongeBob smiled. He never knew this side of Sandy.

SpongeBob and Mrs. Cheeks arrived at the adoption center. Sandy's mother looked and saw a baby squirrel that looked a lot like Sandy except with slightly darker skin. The squirrel behind the counter smiled, "This is little Sienna. She's only nine months old and she's probably the happiest little thing in this entire building. She rarely cries at all!" Mrs. Cheeks commented, "She looks like Sandy when she was a baby. SpongeBob, come here! What do you think?" SpongeBob stared at Sienna. She was smiling graciously and yawned cutely. His eyes dilated, "She's beautiful! She DOES look like Sandy!" Mrs. Cheeks smiled, "We'll take her!" SpongeBob then signed the paperwork and thanked Mrs. Cheeks before leaving back for Bikini Bottom. As he departed, Mrs. Cheeks shouted, "Bye! And good luck with little Sienna!"

On the bus ride back, SpongeBob held Sienna close in his arms. She squeaked as she tried to feel SpongeBob's face. SpongeBob laughed. The bus driver announced that they were about to hit water. SpongeBob pulled out a miniature water helmet and placed it on Sienna's head. Sienna giggled adorably as a response. SpongeBob then had another idea. He was a sponge! Why not make a sponge as an offspring? He grunted as he formed a baby sponge that came out of one of his pores. The baby sponge started crying silently as SpongeBob smiled and wrapped him into a spare blanket. He whispered, "I'm gonna name you Junior, short for SpongeBob Junior." Junior calmed down and fell asleep next to Sienna, who hugged her new little brother. SpongeBob awwed at the sight as the bus driver stopped at Bikini Bottom.

SpongeBob exited the bus and decided to hide the babies next to the door as a surprise. He took out his handheld calendar and noticed that he promptly arrived on Sandy's birthday. He unlocked the door to notice Sandy watching a romantic movie with tears in her eyes. He greeted, "Happy birthday Sandy!" Sandy turned around and yelled, "Spongy, you're home, and ya'll remembered my birthday! Thanks so much, sweety!" She ran into SpongeBob's arms in a tight hug. She pecked him on the lips and turned to the kitchen. SpongeBob called, "Sandy, I still have a surprise for you!" Sandy turned around and asked, "Well, what and where is it?" SpongeBob smiled and walked out of the door saying, "Sandy, I say right now with no exaggeration that this will be the greatest and most important birthday gift you will ever have in your life." Struggling to hold back her excitement, Sandy asked, "Well, what is it?!" SpongeBob held the door open with his leg as he picked Sienna and Junior up and carried them into his house, "Surprise, Sandy!" Sandy gasped. Could her eyes deceive her? Could it be? She asked, "Sp-SpongeBob? D-did ya…" She couldn't speak. SpongeBob nodded, "Yep, on my little business trip to land, I stopped by Texas and visited your mother to ask her what the perfect gift for my perfect lady should be. She mentioned that squirrels love adopting kids, so I decided to adopt one. We chose one that looks a lot like you! Her name's Sienna and she's only nine months old. The other kid is a sponge I budded on my way back here. He's SpongeBob Jr., or just Junior for short. What do you think, Sandy?" Sandy was still speechless.

SpongeBob handed Sienna and Junior to his wife. Junior was still asleep, but Sienna smiled brightly at her new mother and made a quiet and extremely cute squeak. Tears formed in Sandy's eyes as she stared happily at her two new kids. She whispered, "Spongy, this is the best thing you've ever done to me. I love you so much!" She hugged Sienna and Junior as she started crying silently. Seeing his wife cry tears of joy at her new cute children made SpongeBob tear up as well. He wrapped an arm around Sandy and kissed her on the lips. He placed his arm around his wife's shoulder, "Now we CAN be a family. We get to finally be parents, Sandy." Sandy nodded as more tears escaped her eyes. She pulled forward for another tight hug, sobbing silently with joy again.

SpongeBob bought a crib that same day for Sienna and Junior to sleep in together. SpongeBob climbed in his bed with Sandy, who still had tears in her eyes. She whispered, "I can't believe I'm a mother now! And it's all thanks to you, SpongeBob! I love you so much." SpongeBob smiled, "I just wanted to see you happy, Sandy. I love you too." They kissed on the lips passionately. They separated and walked hand in hand to the crib, where Sienna was hugging Junior, sleeping together. Sandy held SpongeBob close, both of them smiling at the sight. They found a way to be blessed with parenthood, and they were both happy and excited for the future that was ahead of them.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this story as much as I have writing it! I tried having the very end be open for a spin-off, because honestly, who WANTS SpongeBob to end forever? I will likely have more stories involving our spongy and squirrelly friends! Stay tuned for those! :D