This is the final chapter! Make sure to read my note at the end :)

"Quite the wedding, huh?" Lily said, as her and Walter stood outside from the reception. It was a chilly night, and Lily shivered from the wind that passed over her, while in her sleeveless dress. Walter took the blazer of his tux off and put around her. She smiled, warmly.

"So, best man." She started. "You're awfully quiet, tonight."

Walter grabbed hold of the knot of his tie, loosening it. He cleared his throat, and brushed his hair out of his face.

"Lily." The boy began. "You know I love you, right?"

Lily gently put her hand on Walter's. It was cold, but soft. Walter felt her lean her head in between his and his shoulder, her hair prickling against his neck.

"Of course." She said. "Honey, is something wrong?" Walter nodded his head, accidentally getting a strong scent of Lily's perfume.

"What is it? Are you worried about the contract?"

That was a whole other subject. Though Walter had agreed to carry on the Muppets when he was older, he still had yet to actually sign in agreement. Kermit gave him the contract the day he told him. It currently sat folded neatly in his blazer pocket, which was still around Lily.

"No, it's not that." Walter said, taking her shoulders and holding her in front of him. He looked directly into her eyes, and saw that they had changed. She always knew something was wrong when Walter acted distant.

"Lily." Walter said. "You need to take that job."

The girl couldn't help but let out a sigh of annoyance. Clearly, this was a subject she had been trying to avoid. But, Walter could see right past her. She wasn't happy to give it up.

"Walter, we talked about this." Lily said.

"No we didn't." Walter protested. Lily shot him a look.

"Don't you realize?" Lily said, taking his hands off her shoulders and holding them. "If I take it, we'd be separated."

Walter let go of her hands and leaned against the stone fence, peering at the garden that was bellow them.

"You don't think I know that?" Walter mumbled, bitterly. Lily put her hand on his shoulder.

"So, what's the problem?"

Walter ran his hand through his hair, letting out a sigh. "Lily, remember senior year of high school? You got that gig for that local musical for kids. Though it wasn't even close to the big times, you belted your heart out either way."

Walter didn't see Lily blush behind him. Instead, she put her arms around his waste, resting her chin on his shoulder.

"You know what I thought when you did that?" Walter said. "I knew you were meant for this world. This is a girl who has talent, passion, ambition. Someone who you can't find anywhere else. A star."

Lily tightened her grip on Walter.

"Lily, I never knew it when I was younger. I was just an idiot boy when growing up, who didn't know how to handle his feelings. But I really have always loved you. Since the day that moving truck pulled in onto our block and I met that five year old girl with messy pigtails."

Lily let out a shaky breath, her chin pressing into his shoulder. "I've always loved you, too..."

Walter sniffed a bit, trying to control himself. "That's why, you need to go."

Lily's arms loosened from Walter. The boy turned around, once again looking at her. Her face was stained with a few escaped tears.

"No, Walter, no." She said, holding his hands again.

"Lily." Walter said, squeezing her hands. "Look me in the eye and tell me this job with Spielberg isn't what you've been dreaming of since day one."

The girl let another shaky breath. "It...It is. It is Walter, I want this, but I want you more." She broke her gaze by looking down, but Walter immediately lifted it to look at him again.

"Are you really sure about that?" The young Muppet questioned. Lily hesitated, swallowing back another shaky sigh.

"I...I don't know." She admitted.

The boy carefully brushed a loose piece of her fallen bangs out of her face.

"You have to do this." Walter said. "I've got a whole other life the Muppets now. The life with them. We both have our ways, Lil."

"But, what does that mean about...us?" Lily asked, innocence in her voice. Walter didn't say anything, and continued to gaze into her teary eyes. His look said enough.

"It wouldn't last for seven months..." Lily concluded. Walter was the one to shed a tear, this time.

"No." He said, very quietly. "I don't think it can."

Lily pulled Walter into a hug, and they both stood there. Walter carefully grazed his hand against her back.

"So if I go to New Zealand..." Lily whispered. "That's the end for us."

Walter shrugged his shoulders. "I-I don't really like endings, so...maybe it's just a new beginning."

Lily nodded. "I like that." Her voice was shaky, but truthful.

"And hey." Walter said, pulling back from the hug. "If you're ever in L.A., single, I'll be there."

Lily let out a small, brief laugh. She wiped her eyes. "For sure. Unless you've managed to sweep up a good looking girl on your Muppet tour. You've sure got the looks for it."

Walter chuckled. "I don't think so, but thanks."

Lily then took Walter's blazer off, pulling out the contract from the pocket. She pulled out a pen as well, clicking it. She handed both to Walter. The boy looked at her in wonder.

"You've got a very bright future ahead of you, Muppet Boy." Lily said. "Stop waiting."

Walter stayed still for a brief moment, but then nodded solemnly. He took the contract and pen, unfolding the paper. He signed his name in agreement.

/~/~/~/

"Flight 53, now boarding. Flight 53." The intercom said. Lily and Walter both sat outside the gate for Lily's flight in the airport. The girl looked towards her childhood friend.

"That's me." Lily said to Walter. The boy nodded, and they both got up from their seats. Lily slung her carry on back pack over her shoulder.

"You loaded the rest of your luggage, right?" Walter asked.

Lily couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, you asked me three times in security."

As soon as they reached the flight's door, Lily hesitated, holding her passport and ticket in hand. She turned towards Walter.

"Call me when you land, okay?" Walter said. Lily nodded.

"Will do." She said. "I hope your first show goes good on your tour, Muppet Boy."

Walter smiled warmly. He held her hands, squeezing them. The boy let out a shaky breath, and Lily's face softened.

"Hey..." She said, gently. The girl cupped his face with her hand. "This isn't goodbye. We both separated for college, right? It's not that different."

"Yeah, but..." Walter said. "It's not like we were in an exclusive relationship then. We were just friends during that time."

Lily pursed her lips a bit. He was taken this harder than ever.

"Well," she said. "This may be an ending to something...amazing, but remember that I've always had, and always will love you."

Walter couldn't help it. He took her hand off his face, and pulled her into a kiss. She kissed back, none of them wanting to let go. They both held one another close.

"Oh, wait." Lily said, separating from her embrace. She unzipped the front pocket of her back pack and pulled something out. "For your new wallet."

Walter carefully took the little glossy paper that Lily held. He looked at it, and caught his breath when he saw it was a new version of the same little photo of his father that Animal had accidentally ripped up weeks ago.

"Lily-"

"Turn it over."

Walter did as he was told, and saw a little message written on the back.

It read:

He's always there.

Walter looked up at Lily. He held the photo, lost for words.

"I know it's not the message that your dad gave, but...he's still there, Walter. That photo wasn't all you had left of him, you're what there is left of him."

Walter carefully put the photo in his pocket. "Thanks, Lil."

"Last call for Flight 53. Flight 53, last call." The intercom said once again. Lily looked from the door, where the flight attendant impatiently waited for Lily to come with her passport and ticket. Lily looked back at Walter.

"Go." Walter said. "Be the star you're meant to be. Oh, and post some pictures of New Zealand."

Lily couldn't help but laugh. "I will. As long as you go and be that Muppet leader you were meant to be."

Walter nodded, holding her hand.

"You coming, ma'am?" The flight attendant asked.

"Yes." Lily said. She turned to Walter and quickly gave him a peck on the cheek. She then went towards the attendant, her hand slipping from Walter's. As soon as the attendant looked at her ticket and passport, Lily stood in the door of the gate. She stood there, until the door was closed completely, and neither one of them were looking at each other face to face anymore.

"Bye, Lily." Walter whispered to her, even though she was no longer there. He stood there for what felt like seconds, but was actually minutes. He rubbed his fingers lightly together, still feeling where Lily had let go of his hand.

A tear left Walter's eye, just like Lily had left him.

Just then, Walter felt someone nudge him. It felt like a head nudge, and then he heard the familiar heavy breathing. The red unkept hair, drummer Muppet himself. Walter turned to look at Animal, and was surprised to see a bunch of the Muppets there.

Walter quickly rubbed the tear away with his sleeve. "If you're here to say something consoling, I'd really rather not right now..."

Instead of anyone saying anything, Animal hugged Walter. The drummer still breathed heavily like he always did. Walter stood there awkwardly in his hug, but not for long, as all the other Muppets came and turned it into a group hug. Kermit was the last to join, knowing he'd have to at least say something.

"We won't.." The frog said. Their hug said it all.

No one saw, but Walter blushed from his family's affection.

/~/~/~/

"Is everything loaded?" Kermit asked, as the Muppets frantically ran around the train station, loading the Muppet train for the tour. Walter stood still in place, as Piggy and Fozzie looked from his dad's photo, to him. Piggy held it in her gloved hoof, in awe by the resemblance between the young Muppet and his father.

"Walter has anyone ever told you you look so much like your father?" Piggy asked, still holding the glossy paper. Walter nodded.

"More than enough times, ma'am." Walter said, addressing her jokingly. Kermit tried hiding his snickers nearby, but still looked at his clipboard. Miss Piggy shot a look to Walter.

"Watch it, young man." She said, passing him the photo and continuing to walk. She pulled out her compact mirror, to check her hair. A man came by with a trolley of luggage, following her.

"Piggy, again, do you need so much luggage?" Kermit asked. Piggy closed the compact mirror, and nodded.

"Of course, Kermie. I think we'll be having full-seated audiences every where we go, now that the news is out about Walter being the future Muppet leader."

"She's right." Scooter said, approaching. "The ticket sales all boosted up, and I think that's the reason why."

"That might mean we'll be swarmed with paparazzi." Kermit said, holding his clipboard.

"At least we've got new security." Walter said, stepping in. They looked towards Animal, who ran by.

"Chicken!" Animal yelled, chasing after Camilla. Gonzo ran behind.

"PUKAAAK!" Camilla yelled, fearful.

"Stay away from her!" Gonzo warned Animal, as they raced past the others. They all shivered from Animal's anger.

"Okay, can someone get Animal doughnut before he really loses it?" Kermit asked.

"Got it." Scooter said, walking away. Fozzie followed the stage manager in hopes for a doughnut, too. The Muppets all did a last minute check of everything, and began to pile onto the train.

"So, uh." Rowlf came to Walter, as they walked towards the train. "Any hopes for chatting up with some European girls? I think I could be of assistance."

Walter chuckled, and shook his head. "I think I'll be okay, thanks."

"Well, I'll be there when you're ready for it." Rowlf said. Walter smiled, glad to be surrounded by his friends. "But, listen. There is actually something you should know."

Walter felt worried. "Oh no, what could it possibly be now? I thought we were done with these problems."

Rowlf put his hand on his shoulder. "No, it's nothing like that buddy." Rowlf explained. "It's about Kermit."

"What about Kermit?"

Rowlf looked towards the frog. He was busy talking to a few other Muppets about loading the train. The dog looked back at Walter.

"Look, I've known Kermit for a long time now." Rowlf explained. "Besides his relationship with Miss Piggy, or the connection he had with Jim, I've never seen him try hard to keep someone protected."

Walter felt as though he understood, but played dumbfounded instead. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Rowlf continued. "Kermit cares about you. He's never had a son, and you're probably the closest thing he's got. If he seemed sort of controlling of your relationship with Lily, it was only because he was trying to protect you."

Walter felt his heart drop. He looked from Rowlf to the frog who was still occupied.

"I know no one could ever replace your dad, boy." Rowlf said. "But, Kermit wants to do anything to be your family."

And with that, the dog left Walter to himself. The boy stood there for a few moments, trying to process what Rowlf had just piled on to him. Kermit thought of him as...a son? Or at least, what was close enough to it. Walter had to resist himself from fainting. The fan-like part of him couldn't help but feel more flattered that his childhood hero sawhim as that. But now that Kermit was his friend and not just an icon, he felt the real feelings of family. Not just feelings of looking at someone on a screen.

"Okay, everyone! We've got a long way ahead of us, let's go!" Kermit said. All the Muppets began to pile onto the train.

Walter and Kermit were the last to get on, entering by a small single opened door on the train. Walter's phone buzzed in his back pocket, and he pulled it out. He got a text from Gary.

It read:

Good luck on your REAL tour, buddy

Walter formed another smile, and texted his brother back.

Thanks. Have a good honeymoon, and say hi to the Mrs. for me :)

The young Muppet put his phone away, and looked towards the bright sun peering into the train station. It was still early, the sun had just come up. He thought about Lily. What she was doing, if she had met Stephen Spielberg yet, and if it was everything she ever dreamed of.

His thoughts were disrupted when a hand went on his shoulder. Kermit stood by him, looking off where the boy was looking.

"You okay?" Kermit asked. Walter usually would've shrugged it off with a yes, but he was done trying to be closed up.

"Yea. I'll be fine." Walter assured him. Kermit nodded.

"Good, because we've got a lot of tracks ahead of us. And I'm not just talking about the tour."

"Oh, yeah." Walter said, thinking about his agreed apprenticeship with Kermit. The boy pulled out the signed contract, and handed it to Kermit.

"Hey." Kermit said, taking it. "You finally signed it."

"Yeah." Walter nodded. "With a helpful push from Lily."

Kermit carefully folded the contract. He took a second to think about the girl that had helped them along the way.

"She's gonna make it big."

"Obviously."

Walter turned his gaze from the sun to Kermit.

"I know you weren't the biggest fan of our relationship, but thanks for being supportive." Walter said. Kermit's smile faded.

"What? What makes you think that?" The frog asked. Walter couldn't help but give him a look.

"No offence Kermit, but I didn't get the impression that Lily was your favourite."

"No, no, no." The frog assured him. "It wasn't Lily. I think it was just a matter of...timing. That was when I was making the plans to ask you to be my trainee, so you getting in a serious relationship was just hard to keep up with when I needed your attention."

Walter arched an eyebrow. "You sure it wasn't...overprotection?" The younger Muppet saw as his leader's eyes grew a bit wider. Kermit broke his gaze, and rubbed the back of his head with his hand.

"Rowlf told me." Walter explained. "And...I agree." The frog looked back at him.

"You do?" He asked. Walter nodded.

"I don't think I'd be the same if I didn't meet you."

Kermit took a second to process. "Neither would I."

They were disrupted when a loud noise came from inside the train. Animal continued to chase Camilla with Gonzo following behind.

"PUKAAAK!" Camilla yelled, desperately.

Walter and Kermit couldn't help but snicker a bit.

"Jim would've loved seeing all this." Kermit said. Just then, a breeze past over the two. Walter watched as the sun shined brighter, the sky lighting up more with it's morning blue colour.

"I think he does." Walter said. Kermit nodded, as the train horn went off. The train began to slowly take off, with Walter still standing on the platform. Kermit reached out his hand for Walter to grab on. The boy accepted, and hoisted himself onto the train.

"Ready for the tour of a lifetime?" Kermit asked his apprentice. Walter looked off into the sunlight, it shined so bright. He could practically see his father, and Jim looking towards them. The young Muppet smiled to himself. Walter was where he belonged.

"Let's see the world, boss."

The end.

/~/~/~/

omg, I cannot believe this is actually the end. 0_0 I knew this story was gonna be long, but I can't believe I managed to make to 22 chapters. I really hope you enjoyed reading, your reviews honestly made me so happy! And for those of you who might be disappointed that Lily and Walter didn't end up being a lovey dovey couple in the end, the whole point was to show that they both had places in the world where they were meant to be. Walter was meant to be a Muppet star, and Lily went off to do her own celebrity work. And also, as much as I love Lily, I wanted this story to focus more on Walter himself. Mainly, the bonds he had with his father when he was younger, and the bonds he made with Kermit as a new fatherly-like figure. But of course, Lily and Walter will always love one another, like they had throughout their childhood. And if it's meant to be, they'd find a way to get back to each other. But again, this story was about Walter. So, I really hope you enjoyed it, and place rate and review! Thanks so much for reading. :)