Hey, all! So, it took forever, but at last the epilogue is done! I'm so glad I got to share this story with you all, and I'm thankful for my girlfriend who helped me finish it. I love you all so much!

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~This side of paradise... (x4)~

Chloe was still asleep when morning came, just barely snoring softly with her arm still holding firmly on to Max. Her lips were slightly parted as she breathed out and she shifted her body a bit. She nuzzled further into Max.

Once the sunlight began to filter in through the American flag hanging over Chloe's window, Max's eyelids fluttered open. She smiled immediately upon seeing her sleeping face. Her hands moved to caress her cheek lovingly and she placed a small kiss on her nose. Chloe shook her head a bit, raising her hand to swat subconsciously at Max. She mumbled something and turned over. She pulled the pillow closer to her and resembled something that sounded like Max's name under her breath.

Max laughed softly and slung her arm around Chloe's middle to pull her close to her again, undeniably a little cold from natural morning chill. She rested her head against her shoulder and smiled.

"Mmmm..." Chloe hummed softly, stretching and yawning. She ran a hand over her face. Grumbling a bit, she turned over in Max's arms to face her. She squinted against the invading sunlight to focus on her face and smiled tiredly. "There's a sight I could get used to every morning..." She said, her voice still husky-like from sleep.

Max grinned up at her, the sunlight highlighting the blush on her face. "Not too bad yourself, Che." She teased softly.

Chloe chuckled and pulled her close to kiss her lovingly. "Good morning."

Max returned her kiss, smiling widely against her lips. "Good morning," She responded when she broke the kiss to breathe, her grin broadening at the sight of Chloe's face again.

"What time do you have to be at school?" Chloe asked. She glanced at the clock over Max's shoulder. It read six o'four. "I'll drive you. Maybe we can stop for breakfast on the way."

"If we're going to breakfast, we'll have to get up now." Max sighed tiredly and sat up slowly, stretching and blinking against the blinding sunlight.

Chloe sat up with her, wrapping her arms around her waist and leaning in to her. She left playfully light kisses across Max's neck and shoulder, laughing a bit. Max shuddered and closed her eyes, biting her lip to hold in the whimper that threatened to make itself known. She jokingly pushed Chloe away, laughing nervously.

Chloe's laughter strengthened in sound and she left another kiss on the crook of her neck before getting up from the bed. "Need another outfit?"

The shivered ran through Max again but she ignored them and slid off the bed, turning to Chloe. "That'd be nice. Thanks."

Chloe went to the closet and rifled through it, pulling out a pair of Rachel's jeans and a gray t-shirt, handing them over to Max. "Here, I'll try and find something long sleeve for you to wear over it."

Max took the clothes gratefully and moved off to the side to take off the pajamas and pull on the new outfit, her movements still slow and groggy from sleep. Chloe moved a few hangers aside until she came across a blue flannel of hers. She took it out and held it up, trying to imagine Max in it. With a smalls mile, she turned to her and held it out. "Uh, here. This is mine."

Max gave it a once over and grinned. "Thanks." She took it from her and slipped it on daintily. Somehow knowing it was Chloe's made her want to be careful with it; treasure it. She couldn't help but notice how her scent wreathed around her, grinning wider.

Chloe took her in, an awkward, shy smile crossing her face. "You should were my clothes more often." She said as she approached her and wrapped her arms around her waist. She nuzzled into her and sighed contentedly. "You look beautiful."

Max chuckled and wrapped her arms around Chloe as well, blushing slightly at the compliment. "T-thanks." She cursed herself for stuttering, which did nothing to aid the rosy tone of her cheeks. She buried her face into Chloe, laughing softly at herself.

Chloe held her that way for a little longer, smiling at Max's laughter and blush. She planted a kiss on her cheek and took a step back. "You're welcome to borrow an extra toothbrush in the bathroom if you want to brush your teeth while I get dressed. They're in one of the drawers." She grinned teasingly. "Or you could just stay here and enjoy the show."

Max blushed even brighter and laughed a little, turning away to hide the flare in her face. "I'll take a rain check, hm?" She joked nervously. She quickly exited the room and shuffled into the bathroom where she took out the toothbrush - which is where Chloe promised it was - and started brushing her teeth.

Chloe laughed as she watched her leave, but she felt a small pang of regret. Like maybe she shouldn't of made that joke. She tried to shake it of and went to her closet, grabbing her favorite skill tank top, torn and patched blue jeans, a darker blue flannel and her purple beanie. She doesn't take long to get dressed and took a seat on her bed, grabbing her phone to occupy herself.

When she was finished in the bathroom, Max stepped back inside Chloe's room and leaned against the door frame. She watched her for a few seconds, admiring how much her clothes accented her body and reflected her personality in general. How she chewed absently on her nail as she scrolled on her phone, or tapped out a random beat with her foot... Max's mouth twitched up in a smile. You're such a hopeless romantic, Caulfield...

"Ready to go?" she asked after a few moments longer.

Chloe looked up at the sound of Max's voice and grinned. She stood, tucking her phone away at the same time and grabbing her keys. "Let me just brush my teeth, too." She said with a small smile and slinked past Max into the bathroom.

"Don't take too long!" Max called and laughed, walking all the way into the room. She walked around and took in all the little things Chloe had scattered about her desk and floor, smiling at the random drawings scribbled out on notebook paper. Wandering over to the walls, she took in the graffiti painted on them. I CAN'T SLEEP, Hole to another universe... Max laughed. THINK LIKE A MAN, one day your life will flash before your eyes, I'd rather live a life of "oh wells" than a life of "what ifs"...

"Me, too, Chlo..." Max said softly at the last one. "Me, too."

She heard footsteps behind her and turned, squealing in surprise as two arms went around her and hoisted her up over a shoulder. She laughed and weakly pounded her fists against Chloe's back, lightly kicking her legs. "H-hey, put me down!"

"Not a chance, lass!" Chloe said in her best pirate voice and tightened her grip. "Yer comin' with me!"

Chloe wheeled around and headed out of the room, Max giving up and slumping over with a grin still plastered on her face. She sighed as Chloe carefully descended the stairs toward the front door. "What are you doing, Cap'n Chloe?" she asked.

"I just captured the booty." Chloe said. Her hand slid down to Max's butt and slapped it playfully, making Max jerk and squeal with her face coloring a bright crimson.

Chloe set Max down once she got outside and Max shivered, the morning chill trying to settle under her clothes.

"Here," Chloe wrapped her arms around Max as she escorted her to the truck. She ducked her head to kiss her deeply, smiling against her lips. She held it or a good minute before pulling back ever so slightly. "Better?"

When they parted, the smile Max was wearing stretched widely across her lips. A warm, honey-like feeling settled deep into her stomach, blooming through her whole body and warming her to her core. "Much."

Chloe laughed softly. "Good. Now," She led Max around to the other side of the truck and opened the door for her. "Let's go get some breakfast."

When they pulled up to Blackwell, Max opened the passenger door and stepped out onto the sidewalk. She turned and smiled at Chloe. "Thanks for the ride, Che."

Chloe scoffed and shut off the truck, getting out. "Like hell, you're leaving me that easily. I hope you don't mind if I walk you to class." She came around and took her hand with a smile.

"Oh, how romantic." Max joked as she accepted Chloe's hand. "Of course, not. Let's go." She led Chloe up through the front doors of Blackwell, gliding through the hallways checking left and right inconspicuously. So far, so good. No Victoria or any of her cronies. Let's just hope it stays that-

"Oh, would you look at that!" Victoria said, coming up behind Chloe and Max, cackling evilly with Taylor and Courtney by her side, she already began her endless torment. "It's delinquent and the shy basic bitch - or should I say, the Dykes of the Pool." Another round of laughter erupted from her minions, and she stands there with her arms akimbo with a proud look shining on her face.

Chloe froze for a second and looked over her should, glaring at Victoria. "The fuck did you just say?" she said between her teeth.

A sense of dread filled Max to the core at Victoria's first uttered syllable that left her mouth, and her hand tightened around Chloe's. She turned to face Victoria. "Victoria, please-"

"Oh, you heard me." Victoria completely interrupted Max, her attention focused solely on Chloe. "And I bet by now the whole school knows what you and Miss Selfie-Whore did in the pool. Right, girls?" Courtney and Taylor, as expected, giggled like idiots.

Chloe got up in Victoria's face, her teeth bared. "Listen here, Barbie reject," She spit. "I don't know how you know about that, and I don't give a flying fuck, but nothing happened in that goddamn pool that is any of your fucking concern. So mind your goddamn business and keep the fucking rumors to yourself. Got me?"

Max grabbed Chloe's arm and tugged her back a little. "Chloe, please..."

Victoria only cackled. "Yeah, call off your stupid guard dog, Max. She's out of control. That much is clear by everything she's done - the expulsion and the DUIs or whatever they were. Wouldn't be surprised if you had to bail her out of jail one day."

Chloe's had visibly flinched with the urge to knock Victoria in her face. It closed into a fist and she kept it clenched at her side. "Don't fucking talk about me like you know me."

Victoria laughed again, except it was lower and more menacing. "Oh, I know you. Just like all of Arcadia Bay does. Everyone knows everyone's secrets. You know that better than anyone, don't you, Chloe? Hm?"

Max's cheeks flushed with rage. "Victoria, shut up!" She surprised herself with the fury in those words, but she didn't stop. "Do you even know how unfair you're being right now? Chloe did nothing to you, did she? So just shove off!" She gave a sharper tug on Chloe's arm, asking her to let it go.

"Oh, you wanna talk secrets?" Chloe said, ignoring Max. "How about when you tried to flirt with Jefferson in hopes that he would choose your picture in the contest? Didn't think anyone knew about that, did you?" Chloe narrowed her eyes and regrettably took her arm from Max to give Victoria a proper stare down. "You're not as innocent as you fucking act, Chase. So you need to fall off your high horse before someone kicks you off of it."

Victoria's face turned undeniably crimson. "I-I have no fucking idea what you're talking about." She sputtered. "You talk about innocence, yet the closest you'll ever get to 'innocent' is dating this goddamn 'angel of a child' here." She gestured to Max, who shrunk back behind Chloe and looked to the floor. "Though it seems like even she blew that innocence cover when you two hooked up in the pool."

"Chloe, please..." Max said, looking up pleadingly at Chloe. "Come on..."

Chloe set her jaw and looked back at Max. Her heart clenching in her chest, she inhaled deeply and gave her attention back to Victoria. "You know, Victoria? You can talk all the bullshit you want about me. I couldn't care less." She poked Victoria square in her flat chest and her voice weighed with more anger. "But when you talk about Max, that's where you step the fuck out of line. Max with always be a better person than you are. Than you will ever be. Because you are a bitter fucking person. I may be a delinquent, but I have someone that genuinely loves me. Can you say the same?"

Victoria gritted her teeth. There seemed to be nothing she could say. She opened her mouth, debated something, and closed it again, turning on her heels and gesturing in a fluid motions for her minions to follow her.

"Chloe..." Max said, breathing a sigh or relief.

Chloe sighed heavily and turned around to look at Max, a light blush on her face. She didn't really know what to say and looked at the floor. Her teeth caught her lower lip. "I, uh..."

Max took her hand again. She was a little afraid to meet Chloe's gaze, and the only thing that came out of her mouth was a quiet, "I'm sorry..."

Chloe looked up at her, utterly confused. "What are you apologizing for?" She pulled Max closer to her. "You did nothing wrong."

Max allowed herself to relax in Chloe's arms, but the remorse didn't leave her countenance. "But... But she was bullying you. Because you were with me. I'm sorry."

Chloe laughed softly. "Max, I don't care what that stale end piece of white bread has to say about me. I've heard worse from her before." She planted a kiss on her head. "I love you too much to give a damn what she thinks about us. She can suck my non-existent dick." She laughed again. "As long as I've got you, Max, I'm happy. This is my side of paradise."

Max couldn't help but smile at that, and she was about to respond when someone who sounded an awful lot like Victoria again yelled, "Get a room, you two! Or a pool!" which was followed by such raucous laughter that seemed to be chorused throughout the whole school. Max blushed furiously and pulled Chloe away from the vicinity, and further onto the course of her class, though she still looked up at Chloe shyly. "I love you, Chloe."

"I love you, too, Max." Chloe grinned at the shy look on Max's face as they continued to her class.

As they approach Max's class, she turned to Chloe and gave her a small kiss on her cheek with a smile. "Thanks for walking me here. And for enduring that torment from Miss Universe." She joked dryly, giving Chloe's had a squeeze.

"Anything for you." Chloe grinned and went in to kiss Max's forehead.

Rachel was coming up the hall by that point, and smiled when she saw the two of them in front of the classroom. She walked up to them and smiled wider. "Hey, you two. I see you're still going strong." She looked at Max with a knowing smile. "Noticed you didn't return to the dorms last night."

Max blushed a little at Rachel's words, the insinuation clear. "You noticed correctly..." - was all she could say, the embarrassment flooding into her.

Rachel chuckled and stepped past them, giving a small wink as she did so. "Don't be too long. I saw Jefferson on his way here." And she left to go to her seat.

Upon hearing Jefferson's name, Chloe's expression fell into a sad smile." Guess I'll see you soon, yeah?" Her eyes sparkled a bit and she absently swung her and Max's arms.

"Definitely. Hey," Max said gently. Her hand came up to caress her cheek lovingly and she gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't look so sad. I'll be back before you know it."

"I know, but... Just gonna miss you, is all." Chloe kissed Max, resting her hand on her waist and pulling her lower half closer to her. When they parted, she shook her head and smiled. "You turned me into a real sap, you know that?"

"You act as if I'm going to war or something." Max laughed, returning the kiss. "Well, you know. School, war. Pretty much the same thing." She joked. "Kidding. You stay out of trouble while I'm gone, hm?"

Chloe laughed again. "Yeah, sure. I promise." She took her hand from Max's and started walking backwards down the hall, still smiling at her. "Text me when you're out, okay?"

"Of course." Max gave Chloe another smile and wave before stepping into the classroom, unable to wipe the immovable grin from her face.

And that is all for this story! I hope you guys enjoyed, it was such a pleasure to write and share with you all! Again, I apologize for taking so long to finish the epilogue! I am working on a new story that I hope to have out sometime soon, so keep an eye out for it!

CaptainVampireKing (I changed my name because HEY, I figured out my identity!) awaaaay!