O M G. It's finally here! The last chapter of this epic is upon us! Have no fear though guys, there will be more posts in this universe and I will be sure to clearly label them as I post them.

Huge thanks to everyone that has stuck with this massive AU, it was my first attempt at something so out of my usual comfort zone so I hope I pulled it off.

And I hope you enjoy this last chapter, and that it lives up to the build I inadvertently created lol!

Sharon took a deep breath as she stared up at the house. There were people everywhere and it made her all the more nervous. How was she supposed to talk to Andy with all these people around? Mentally she shook herself, there wasn't much left for either of them to say, the time for talking was over, it was time to act.

Still, her nerves were there, prominent as ever, little butterflies dancing around the pit of her stomach. She jumped a little as her phone buzzed in her hand, it was only Andrea replying to her text, they'd come get her, the relief swept through her knowing she didn't have to navigate the party completely blind.

As she slipped her cell back into her purse her eyes caught the glint as a slither of light hit the silver bangle bracelet that adorned her wrist. Sharon smiled happily as she ran her fingertips over the thin metal, the memory fresh in her mind of the moment she opened it.

Christmas day with her entire family was, as ever an exhausting affair. With all the aunts, uncles and cousins crammed into her grandparent's time share there was so much going on that Sharon barely had the chance to notice the fatigue at all. There were presents and games and enough food to feed a small town but it was Christmas as she knew it. Even right down to the tantrums thrown every 37 minutes by her six year old cousin Evan. He was cute for the most part but boy did the kid have a temper issue.

By the time dinner had been consumed most family members under ten were hyped on sugar whilst everyone else was simultaneously too full to move. There was merely a thirty minute window to rest however before the mandatory walk through the woodland trail. Sharon always enjoyed that part, despite the snow and the freezing cold she liked getting out there and having some fun with her family. It was one of the few times that she saw her father really let go and just have fun, even act a little silly.

It was a rule of her grandmothers that no cell phones were allowed on Christmas Day and so Sharon hadn't checked her's all day. Still, as she changed into some warmer clothing ready to head out she risked a quick check of her messages. There was one from Brenda, two from Andrea and two from Gavin. Each contained a thank you for their gifts but the second text from Gavin pique'd her interest.

She read it twice before sending out a reply, knowing he would answer quickly. As she waited she read the words a third time.

"Merry Christmas Sweetie, now do me a favour. Check the pocket on the left side of the Micheal Kors tote you used as your carry on..."

Sharon narrowed her eyes as another text came in from her friend.

"Just do it honey! I want it on record that I had nothing to do with it, I just enabled with the delivery...enjoy xo"

Sharon sighed as she moved to the closet and pulled down the bag, she barely used the side pocket of this partcular bag, in fact she barely used this bag at all. It was too big for daily use but handy enough for travel. As she set the bag on her bed she lifted the side pocket and felt around, she didn't expect anything to be there, least of all a small square wrapped package.

Pulling it out she turned and sat on the soft mattress, her eyes looking over the silver paper tied with purple ribbon. It gave nothing away and so she slipped the ribbon away and carefully lifted the corner. Inside she found a box, stamped with a jewelry store logo that she recognised. There was a note too and she unfolded it quickly.

"Sharon, I got this a while back, when we were just friends. Turns out I want you to have it...no matter what happens. Merry Christmas. Andy. x"

Her breath caught as she read his familiar scratchy handwriting, her eyes pausing at his name and the little x that he added, probably without thinking.

It crossed her mind to just put the box back in her bag and forget about it. It was hard enough, being in a whole other state and still not being able to get him out of her mind. Now he had to go and make it worse.

All of that aside though, she felt the butterflies start up again in her stomach, she smiled as she thought of him, wondering what he was doing right now. Was his family making him sing carols, play those cheesy holiday games, was he happy?

With a deep breath Sharon lifted the lid on the small box, sat upon a bed of soft tissue paper she found a silver bangle bracelet, worked into the band was an intricate inifinity symbol. It was simple, elegant and so very her.

Sharon caught the stray tear that slipped down her cheek as she lifted the bracelet with one hand. It was simply the most thoughtful gift she'd received this Christmas. Trust Andy Flynn to be so sweet even when she was keeping him waiting for something they both seemed to want so very much.

"Hey smart girl you almost ready?"

Sharon looked up with a start as her cousin Alison breezed into the room. They were bunking together this week and since Alison was a college freshman they'd had much to talk about this Christmas.

"Uh, yeah. Just need to find my snow boots."

Alison turned from where she stood by the closet, reaching in for a thicker sweater, she pulled it over her head before walking over to her cousin.

"You ok Sharon?"

"Yeah." Sharon forced a smile and cleared her throat.

Alison took one look at her cousin and moved to the close the bedroom door. "Ok what's up?"

Sharon took one look at her cousin and she couldn't hold the tears in any longer, they spilled out like a dam had burst. Alison took a step closer as Sharon held out the note and the box.

Sharon had told her everything, about Andy, the kiss, the talk, the pact for New Years. Alison had listened and been supportive and it had helped to have an objective view of things. It helped to scramble all of the thoughts inside of Sharon's head. Now it seemed they were all of a jumble once again.

"Sharon it's beautiful." Alison sighed as she looked at the bracelet more carefully.

"I know! I don't deserve this Ally I've been so horrible!"

"What have you done that is so horrible?" Alison sighed and pulled Sharon to sit beside her, wrapping an arm around her younger cousin's shoulder.

"Everything! I knew he had feelings for me and I kissed him before I was sure and now I'm making him wait a seemingly endless time all because I'm such a basket case!"

"You are not a basket case! Sharon what are you so scared of here? This guy is obviously crazy about you and you like him too right?"

"I do." Sharon nodded determinedly, her tears finally slowing. "I really do. I just, what if it doesn't work out?"

"Sharon!" Alison laughed and shook her head slowly. "You can't question yourself like that no one has the answers not even you! You can't stop living because you're scared of what might happen tomorrow. You like this guy and it's obvious that he likes you! Honestly I know a whole lot of girls, me included that would love to have a guy do something this sweet for them."

"He is sweet."

"Seriously Sharon, either you go for it or I will!"

Alison's words had the desired effect and Sharon laughed softly in reply. She'd already made her mind up where Andy was concerned, but maybe she just needed a little push to admit it.

"Hey! Missed you!"

Sharon smiled widely at the sound of her friends as they bounced down the steps off the front porch and flung themselves at their friend.

"I missed you guys too!" Sharon laughed as she hugged them back.

"Wow! You look awesome is this new?" Andrea grinned as she moved around Sharon taking in the sight of her knee length black dress, it was sleeveless and hugged her torso before flowing out in a fifties style skirt.

"Well ya know. New years and all, thought I'd make an effort." Sharon shrugged her reply, avoiding the look in Brenda's eyes that called BS on that remark.

"Oh please! You're making a statement and we all know who for!"

"Oh could you guys please not make this any harder than it already is! It's bad enough that I've dragged this out so long already and I made it so much bigger a deal than it has to be!"

"Sharon, Andy's in there looking like he might throw up any second, safe to say we all want this over with!" Andrea laughed as she linked her arm with Sharon's and almost dragged her up the path to the house.

Sharon took a deep breath and pulled them to a stop on the porch, the nerves were stronger now as the moment neared. Before now it had been this abstract thing that lived in their imaginations but in mere minutes it would be real.

"Wait! Do I look ok I mean it's not too much?"

"Sweetie you're gunna knock him dead, love those heels I'll have to borrow them at some point!" Brenda grinned as Sharon rolled her eyes.

"Come here." Andrea turned Sharon around and took a long look, after adjusting her friend's hair a little she took her purse from her and pushed her towards the house. "I'll hold your purse, trust me you won't need it, now go. He's in the back yard with the guys, we'll be right behind you."

Sharon shook out her hands in an attempt to stop the shake that had started again, and with a deep breath she straightened up and started her walk through the house to the rear yard.

Andy had to admit that the music was at least pretty good tonight. It was a good mix between soft rock and alternative and it actually helped to calm his nerves a little. The more he listened the more he relaxed and he was actually starting to enjoy himself, or at least he was not overthinking every damned minute that passed that Sharon wasn't here.

There was an irrational section of his brain that was freaking out, what if she stood him up? No, she wasn't like that. Whatever the outcome of tonight that wasn't Sharon, deep down he knew that she would be gracious and kind, no matter what the answer was.

He'd just finished a healthy debate with Fritz over the merits of classic rock vs new age when he saw her. At first he thought he was seeing things, but no, he'd know that stature anywhere. The flick of her hair as she moved through a crowd, the dip in her walk as she turned gracefully on the spot. She was looking for something, it took him a good few seconds to realise that what she was looking for was him.

Sharon stood on the top step of the back porch, her eyes scanning the yard for a glimpse of him. When she found him she almost faltered, she was grateful for the wooden railing or she might have just as easily tripped down the few steps and landed in a heap on the grass.

He was staring, that was the first thing she noticed, he was staring right at her. The blush crept up her chest and face and she was pleased that the late hour would prevent it from being noticed by anyone. It felt for a second as though she'd forgotten how to breathe. It was now or never, for a split second she had to force her body to move but then her instincts took over and it was as though she was drawn to him like a magnet.

Andy watched as she walked down the steps and onto the grass, gracefully, oh so gracefully that it was as if she was floating. Though it was probably less than a minute it seemed to take any eternity for her to reach him. It was only when she was mere feet away that he noticed the glimmer of light that bounced from her wrist. She wore the bracelet. Suddenly he felt sick, and just a little shy.

"Hey." His voice was rough when he finally spoke, she was smiling at him and he found that his brain just couldn't keep up. He was rarely lost for words but apparently now was one such occasion.

"Hi." Her voice was soft as she reached him, he looked so adorably nervous that it made her want to laugh. She'd rehearsed what to say a thousand times in the last twenty four hours but none of it seemed approriate now that the moment was here.

Andy was just standing there looking so unsure and anxious that she realised it was down to her, he'd put the ball in her court through this whole thing and she was the one that had to be sure, for the both of them. She had to take control.

She was glad that he'd worn the leather jacket, he looked good in it. As she smiled at him she reached out to smooth his t-shirt beneath the leather. It was an Aerosmith shirt tonight and it looked new, for a second she wondered what he would look like in something other than a band tee, but then she realised that it wouldn't be her Andy.

"So um, you have a good Christmas?" He was rambling, he knew it, she knew it. He almost rolled his eyes at his own idiocy when she laughed and curled her fingertips into his jacket before tugging him closer until they were flush against each other.

"Andy, stop talking."

Any response that he could have made was lost the second her lips touched his. There was a certainty there that hadn't been there the last time. She was in control and he was more than happy to let her have this one. At least until his brain caught up with him.

He couldn't believe it, he'd hoped this would happen Lord knew he'd hoped for it so much he thought he might go crazy. None of that compared to the feeling of her in his arms, she was holding on so tight he couldn't have let go even if he wanted to. His arms held her equally as tight, they wrapped around her waist and they held her securely to him.

When she drew back slowly, taking his bottom lip between her teeth she bit down gently, the groan that he emitted made her smile widely as she kissed him again, this time more briefly but no less passionately.

"Well hi." Andy laughed, still holding her tightly against him, their faces millimetres apart.

"Miss me?" Sharon laughed as she wrapped one arm around his neck, the fingertips of her other hand moving softly across his cheek and jaw.

"God yes."

"Ask me, Andy."

"Ask you what?" Andy narrowed his eyes as she looked him in the eye and smiled.

"I said, ask me. I'm telling you to ask me Andy."

She could literally see the moment he realised just what she was saying, as though the lightbulb switched on behind his eyes. The grin that crept across his face made her heart ache. How long had he waited for her to say those words?

"Sharon, wanna be my girlfriend?"

"Hell yes!"

Her smile widened as she replied to his question, though it was swallowed a split second later when his lips were on her's again. This time it was her turn to moan when he moved one hand into her hair, his other arm still securely around her waist lifted her off the ground with such ease it made her insides melt just that little bit more.

She'd made the right decision. Sharon knew it, from the moment his arms were around her she knew this was right. They were right. Sometimes it didn't matter what your head said, or logic dictated. For the first time in her life Sharon didn't depend on her head, she listened to her heart and she'd never been more certain. Maybe they wouldn't be together forever but at least they would always have right now, that alone was worth taking the risk.

As his kiss deepened again and his hands gripped her sides, Sharon didn't care for a second that they were in the middle of Provenza's yard, amid friends and complete strangers. The cheers and whoops meant nothing to her, in truth she barely heard them, as if they were coming from miles away instead of mere feet. Strangely enough the only thing that she could hear was the music, the band played a cover version of a song she knew and if she had but one conscious thought right now, she knew that that song would forever be their song.

"Andy," Sharon smiled as they parted, her hands skimmed down his sides until they came to rest at his hips. "I never got chance to thank you, for the bracelet. It's beautiful."

"You're beautiful." Andy grinned, raising one hand to gently tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

She blushed again at his words, her gaze dropping momentarily before she took a deep breath and looked back into his eyes. "I'm sorry I made you wait so long."

"Some things are worth waiting for. Just do me one favour though?"

"What's that?"

"Don't scare me like that again! I swear I just shortened my life span by ten years with all that anxiety!"

When Andy outright laughed at his own words it earned him a playful punch to the arm from his new girlfriend, but Sharon simply rolled her eyes and took a step back, slipping her hand into his.

"Oh shut up! Now you could at least go get me a drink!"

"Oh is this how it's gonna go from now on? You're so demanding!"

"What like this is news to you Flynn?"

Andy sighed and raised his eyes to the heavens, his mumbled response of "Give me strength!" was met with a further nudge but he laughed it off. If there was one thing he knew already, this relationship would certainly never be dull.