A/N: And so we reach the end of our tale! So many thanks to all you lovely readers for sticking with me through this story. Words cannot express how grateful I am to everyone who followed, favourited, and reviewed. I adore you all.

Special thanks go to Ashlanielle for EVERYTHING she did to help me with this story. She'll deny it, but this story would not exist (and if it did it would be complete rubbish) if not for her and her constant support. You're the best, Ash!

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or Ever After. *Some lines below are borrowed from the movie Ever After. Credit for those lines belong to their respective writers.*

"And they lived for a long time afterwards, happy and contented." - the Brothers Grimm

"Are you alright, child?"

Rose jumped in surprise and hastily began wiping the tears from her cheeks. Smiling at Sarah Jane, she answered, "Oh, yes. I'm just so happy to have all the people I love and care about in one room."

It was true. Though it had been several months since she'd wed Prince James, with more than one party to celebrate that fact, there hadn't been an occasion where everyone she truly cared for were together. This was a much more intimate celebration than the previous parties, but it was by far Rose's favourite. There was her beloved Sarah Jane of course, who she thankfully saw often, along with Diana, the servant girl Rose had met at van Statten's. After hearing the young girl's story, Sarah Jane had immediately taken her under her wing. Teaching her life skills and how to take care of herself and a home, but most importantly, she was teaching Diana self worth and how brilliant she really was. Rose smiled and made a mental note to pull the older woman aside later and tell her of the plans she and Jamie had for opening a safe haven of sorts for abused women (and perhaps men if the situation arose). They thought Sarah Jane would be the perfect person to lead that project.

Then there was Gwen and Rhys and their beautiful baby girl who were finally back in Rose's childhood home (their home now) after their brief stay with the gypsies. Gwen would have actually been happy to stay with the gypsies for good, having found a certain kinship with Jack and the others, but Rhys had been reluctant to raise their then unborn child in such a way. He wanted their baby to have a roof over her head and be raised with stability. Gwen couldn't argue when he put it like that and quickly agreed to move back into their previous residence along with Sarah Jane and Diana. Lynda had stayed in the house for a brief time as well, but after a whirlwind courtship, was quickly married and living with Captain Jakoby Simmonds. Rose smiled as she caught her step-sister's eye. There had been many heartfelt talks between the two of them over the past few months and now they were closer than ever. Like real sisters.

Rounding out and adding a certain flair to the party was Jack and a few of the gypsies that Rose and Jamie had grown particularly close to, including one of the young women, Martha, who Michael seemed to have grown a particular interest in. Rose giggled as she watched her oldest and dearest friend stutter and stammer over his words, trying his very hardest to impress the gypsy woman. The King and Queen were also in attendance. It warmed Rose heart to see that, as her own relationship with them grew, so did her husband's. Outside the palace walls she heard a howl in the distance. Her wolf letting her know she was on guard as always.

Rose huffed as a few more tears trailed down her cheeks. "Guess this all just making me overly emotional," she said, rubbing her cheeks.

"I would tell you it gets better after the baby is born," Gwen offered her, moving to stand on Rose's other side, "but I still find myself crying over every little thing Anwen does."

"B-baby? What makes you... How do you...?"

Sarah Jane smiled knowingly. "Can't hide much from us, sweetheart."

Rose covered her still flat stomach with her hand. "We're waiting to make a formal announcement," she whispered. "Just to make sure the baby and I are okay. after what happened to my mother, we want to be cautious."

"Those were different times. I'm sure with proper care and rest you and the baby will be just fine. But don't worry about us. Our lips are sealed." She winked.

Suddenly Rose felt her husband's arms slip around her. "Look who finally arrived," he said to her, nodding to the entryway of the small ballroom.

"Wilfred!" Rose exclaimed, making her way to the older man whose arms were overflowing with items. "We weren't sure you were going to make it."

It was true. Though Lord Mott's residence was technically the palace, he was never one to stay still. He would often disappear for various lengths of time, making small trips to neighbouring lands or even just exploring the local forest (with the gypsies keeping an eye out for him).

"Oh, I would't have missed this for the world," he replied as he, with Michael's help, began setting up his easel. "Just needed to put the finishing touches on this." He carefully placed a sheet covered painting down.

"And what would that be?" Jamie asked curiously as the others began gathering around.

"Think of it as a belated wedding present," Lord Mott answered, carefully removing the sheet from the painting.

And audible gasp was heard throughout the room when the piece of art was revealed. Rose felt her own heart stutter as she took in her likeness on canvas. She couldn't pinpoint the exact inspiration for the painting, seeing hints of herself at various points throughout the whole thing. The shimmering gold woven throughout reminded her of her appearance at the ball, her eyes closed in clear contentment and peace made her think of her first meeting with the older man out on the lake, and the joyous smile she was sporting made her think of how happy she was when she and Jamie were wed.

Rose quickly threw herself into Lord Mott's arms. "Wilfred, it's wonderful. I hardly know what to say."

"Say nothing, my dear girl. It has been my privilege and honour." Pulling himself from her arms, he bowed and added a grand, "Your Highness."

A snort was heard from the crowd, and Rose immediately laid eyes on Michael. "What?"

He looked around the room in an attempt at innocence. "Oh, nothing at all... Your Highness!"

"Oi! Royalty or not, I could still whip you!"

"Yeah, I'd like to see you try in that fancy dress of yours." He chuckled, but sobered quickly. "Look at us. Who would have thought, me and you would have ended up here?"

She nodded. "All those years just sitting there, imagining what we'd do one day. We never saw this, did we?"

"I always knew you were meant for great things."

"We both are," she told him before moving her way back to her husband who was carefully observing the painting.

"I must say Wilfred, for a man of your talents, it doesn't look a think like my wife," he teased, throwing a cheeky grin to the woman in question.

Rose playfully slapped his arm. "You, my Prince, are supposed to be charming."

Jamie shook his head. "Oh, no. I never claimed to be charming. Rude. That's what I am. But you love me anyway.

"I do."

"And that's why, my Princess, we are going to live happily ever after."

"Says who?" she questioned as his hands began trailing down her arms.

"The history books of course. Or rather, they will. Don't you know? We're the stuff of legends."

Standing on tiptoe, Rose gave her husband gentle kiss. "Yeah? And how long does ever after last?"

Jamie grinned broadly, laying a handover her stomach. "With us? Forever."

"My great grandmother's portrait has hung in this castle ever since, and the truth of her romance with Prince James has turned into a fairy tale for the ages."

The two children looked at their grandmother for a quietly before the eldest spoke up. "But, Grandmama, how do you know it's the truth? That was a long time ago. The history books never mentioned all that lovey dovey stuff about King James and Queen Rose."

The Grand Dame grinned at her grandson. "No, Luke, I don't imagine they do mention that lovey dovey stuff as you call it. But my story is the truth. I know because they told their story to their children, starting with their eldest son, Peter, who told his daughter, Susan, and granddaughter. That would be me," she added.

"And did you tell our daddy?" her granddaughter asked.

"I did."

"It was lovely story, Grandmama. Thank you for telling us."

The older woman smiled. "You are so very welcome."

"It ended kind of sad though." The young boy shrugged. "If you think about it."

"How do you mean?" the Grand Dame requested.

"Well," he drew out, "you told us that Prince James said they would live happily ever after for forever, but they didn't. They didn't live forever."

She drew in a deep breath. "No, no they did not physically live forever, immortals, they were not. They have, however, lived on through their story. We're all stories in the end."

"The stuffs of legend!" the little girl chirped.

"Indeed," the Grand Dame chuckled as a high-pitched cry was heard throughout the palace. "Ah, and now it seems that your brother or sister has decided to grace the world with their presence!" Both children cheered and began asking when they could meet the newest edition to their family. "Not for awhile yet, I imagine. Best wait for your father to come collect us."

"I can't wait until our baby brother or sister is old enough to hear the story of Rose and Jamie and how they lived happily ever after," her granddaughter said, spinning around the rooming excitement.

A smile graced her face. "You know, Clara, while the little Cinder Girl and her Prince did live happily ever after, the point, my loves, is that they lived."

The End.