I wanted to take a moment to reply to fellow writer who chose to remain anonymous, which I respect, but I hope you get to read this note :)

First of all, thank for being an "angry reviewer" who remained so positive and polite that it didn't even came across as an angry review but more so as a very constructive form of criticism which I can appreciate... a lot.

As for the rest of your review... I agree, I have left many of my loyal readers angry, upset or confused, because of the turn this story has taken. So, I'm going to be honest. When I started to write this story, I had every intention for Ana and Christian to have their happily ever after in the end, because that's my goal for every story. I know I like to put them into crazy scenarios that sometimes are a bit too much for some people, which I totally get, but it is what I like to write and fiction, thank God, doesn't always have to be realistic. Anyway, when I started to post this story in April, I had written everything up to chapter 14 I think. Then I had to take a break from writing for a few weeks due to personal reasons, so it was a bit harder to get back into the story and I decided to lead it up to another time jump, so Christian wouldn't be under his mom's thumb anymore.

And here's where something comes into play that I have never really explained fully and that's how I write my stories. I don't use an outline, I usually have one idea of a certain scene which I write, most of the time that's the first chapter of my stories or in case of this story, the prolog. It's not that I don't want to work with an outline, but it just doesn't work for me. I have tried many times and have a folder on my laptop with about thirty story ideas I never used because by trying to use an outline all I got in return was writers block. So, when I write, and I know this will be horrifying to many writers, I just write chapter by chapter. 99 percent of the time I have no idea what is going to happen in the next chapter, unless I ended on a cliffhanger.

I didn't know that Ana and Elliot would be a couple until the very last scene before the time jump where they met at the cemetery. Which is why I went and left a note on the next chapter I posted that there might not be a HEA for A&C, because even at that point I thought I might be able to turn this around and thought about different scenarios like killing Elliot, having him end their relationship, because he felt Ana belonged with Christian, but with every chapter after they were together it just became more and more clear to me, that in this story, they belong together.

I understand that many people don't believe that and that's OK because at the end of the day, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. At this point, I'm just glad this story is over because, I'm not going to lie, over the last few weeks I had several moments where I just wanted to delete all my stories, disable private messages and quit fanfiction, as this is supposed to be a fun hobby and not something that upsets me even more when I'm already in a mental state that isn't the best.

You can pm me if you want to, since I don't share with whom I exchange messages, so you'll remain anonymous either way.

Also, sorry for the delay of the epilogue, but we had this crazy heatwave in Germany that lasted for almost three weeks and literally all I could do all day was to make sure the kids and pets stay hydrated and eat at least a little bit and that no one drowns in the pool which was the only place that made the weather bearable.

Epilogue - 7 years later

CJ

"Mommy, Nicholas is blowing spit bubbles at me." Nope, not going to miss that.

"Madison put her finger in my cup first." Not going to miss that either... ahh sweet freedom, here I come.

Man, I can't believe today is the day I finally get my own place in Boston. I wanted a dorm room to get the full college experience but I need an extra room for Harper, my security guy, because as the son of Christian Taylor, I need to have security according to both my mom and dad as well as Ro and Elliot. I get it and Harper is not the worst company, but I'm pretty sure I could take on every motherfucker who would dare to pick a fight with me.

I just hope Harper isn't going to rat me out whenever I take a girl home and I hope there will be many girls... it's college after all and I won't miss out on any of the experience. I mean if I have my own place, why not take full advantage of it. I just hope Harvard has a lot of cute girls and not just book worms.

"We are here... your dad and Ro are over there." My mom says as Elliot stops the car and I get out to say hi to my dad, stepmom and other siblings. Both my mom and my dad had three more kids, so now I'm the big brother to six kids, including two babies. I love them all, but I honestly prefer the older ones who don't need diapers anymore because it reduces the risk of my mom or Ro saying stuff like: Oh CJ, can you be a darling and chance the baby for me.

I mean, what am I supposed to say, no that's gross or maybe no, I'm good... yeah that wouldn't fly with either of them, so I have changed a lot of shitty diapers lately.

"Ready to see your new place, son?" My dad asks.

"Yep, lead me to my new freedom." I smirk and I swear I see my dad cringe, but once all of my family is there they lead me into the building, where I'm introduced to the front desk guy, and we head into the elevator and get out on the eighth floor where my apartment is. My dad gets the keys from his pocket but when I reach for them he holds his hand up.

"Wait, let's talk about the rules."

"Rules? Dad, I'm a grown up now?"

"You are a college kid, believe me, buddy, that's a far stretch from being a grown up."

"Really, so Ro wasn't a grown up when you met her?" I smirk, and he raises an eyebrow.

"Your stepmother was about to graduate when we met. Ask me again if you're a grown up by then and I see how much growing up has happened for you by then."

"Fine, the rules." Better get this over with now or else we'll all end up camping in the hallway for the unforeseen future.

"Good, rule number one, Monday through Friday you are home by eleven at latest."

"What?"

"You will have classes during the week and assignments to work on, so eleven pm is late enough to stay out on a week day. In addition, no parties on weekdays. You have neighbors who need to work during the week, so you will not disturb them."

"Fine... next." I pout and he chuckles.

"Eat regularly and healthy. There are a lot of good restaurants and deli's around, your mom made sure you know how to cook and I give you enough money, so there is no excuse for living on ramen noodles and fast food."

"Seriously? When have I ever had a bad diet? You know I workout and eat healthy..."

"I know, but I also know that college for some kids means letting loose, you won't, understand?"

"Yes, Sir." I mutter, Christ, is he going to tell me next that I need to make sure I have regular bowel movements or to send him pee samples, so he can check if I drink enough water or do drugs?

"Very well, rule number three is no alcohol."

"Wait, I had a beer with Elliot and you just two days ago!" I protest.

"Yes, at home with two adults who are allowed to drink by the law and are old enough to make sure you won't have more than one beer. If Harper finds alcohol at your apartment or you come home wasted he will call me and I will take the time to come to Boston to have a talk with you. You can have all the fun you like, but have it sober."

"Fine... next." I sigh.

"There is one more rule... Ro, Ana, why don't you get inside with the kids, Elliot and I have this covered." My dad says and I swear, they are both rolling their eyes but continue to usher the kids into my new place.

"Rule number four, always wrap it... Elliot." My dad says and my stepdad hands me a small dufflebag.

"You didn't." I mutter wide-eyed, but sure enough, the fucking thing is full of condoms.

"Listen, no one expects for you not to have your fun, but if I become a grandpa before I even turn forty, we are going to have a serious conversation. So, have all the fun you want, but always and I mean always wrap it. It doesn't matter if the girl is clean, you wrap it up and you are the one who has the rubbers. There are enough girls who are crazy enough to get knocked up on purpose to use the kid as a paycheck... so use them, understand?"

"Dad..."

"No, we are not going to negotiate."

"Christ, fine... can we go inside now?" I mutter, and he motions for me to get inside.

Inside I'm fucking excited, the apartment has an open floor plan with a huge living room and kitchen, a guest bathroom by the front door, two bedrooms, another empty room that I already know my mom and Elliot have set up as my home gym and there is a spiral staircase which leads to my own roof terrace.

I love it, but I know cleaning will be a bitch. My mom and stepmom have made sure I know how to keep a home clean and neat, but it's no fun. Still, my parents, all four of them, have insisted that I won't get a cleaning lady to help me out. My mom believes that it will help me stay grounded. She has always made me do chores around the house and every summer I worked for my grandparents and my gramps has made sure I can do all that is important from painting to fix the plumbing, while Elliot has taught me to build things.

My Dad has tried to get me interested in his business, but much to the surprise of everyone in my family, I want to become a teacher for kids with special needs. I went to an inclusive private school, and we had a buddy program. My buddy was a girl called Samantha who was born mute and almost completely deaf. Her hearing could be fixed with a Cochlea implant, and she has taught me how to use sign language, so we could communicate properly. Seeing the teachers help those kids reach their goals and graduate school with good grades has made me want to become a teacher.

Samantha has taught me that just because someone has a disability, they have the same chances to achieve their goal, some just have to work harder to get there and I want to help kids like her achieve their dreams and goals.

"Honey, Ro and I are going to a nearby store to get you groceries for your first week and some basics you'll need. Is there anything you want me to get specifically?"

"No, whatever you'll get will be fine... wait, I give you my credit card..."

"I'm your mother, sweetheart, you can use that card once I have left, but this shopping trip is my treat." My mom says kisses my cheek and heads out of the door chatting with Ro.

It's funny how this is so normal to me. I have friends with parents who are married, who can't even imagine what it would be like to have parents who are not married and with other people. I also have friends with divorced parents where the parents don't talk and hate their ex's new partners. So, everyone thinks I'm shitting them when I tell them that we are basically one big family.

Elliot and Ro have never treated me any different from their biological kids, my parents are basically friends and everyone just gets along great. Sure, there are sometimes some little issues when they don't agree on something, but they seem to always make it work in the end.

I can see how this may seem weird from an outsiders point of view, but living it, I can only say that I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything just because my parents are married to different people. I still have them around for my birthdays, holidays and whenever I need to talk I have four people to call instead of four, which to me is great.

"My bedroom is over there right?" I ask my dad.

"Yes, the door in the right, why?"

"Better put this away before the kids believe I bag full of balloons." I smirk and lift my condom bag.

"Come I show you around, Elliot, can you watch the kids?"

"Sure." He says and so my dad leads me into my bedroom where I put the condoms into the closet.

"You know, you still decide to study at WSU." My dad says and I laugh.

"Dad, I still will be home for the holidays, we can talk on the phone or Skype, but this is where I want to be."

"I know... just remember, I'm just one phone call away."

"I know... and I will make sure to call at the most inappropriate times." I add with a huge grin that has my dad roll his eyes. Over the last couple of years I have gotten the reputation to be a cockblocker, always calling or showing up when either of my parents, and much to my horror, even my mom's parents, are about to get it on. Elliot even jokes around sometimes that I had enough of getting more siblings, so I have made my mission to stop everyone from getting it on.

Truth be told, I have never planned to interrupt anyone, it just happens. Christ, I remember walking in on my grandparents two years ago and it pretty much traumatized me. I never told my mom, but Elliot and my Dad got a good laugh out of it.

Speaking of grandparents, Elliot's so-called dad passed away in prison last year after suffering a massive heart attack and my dad's mom is still in a mental institution. He went to visit her a few times, but I guess in the end it was just too much for him. She has gone back to a very dark place in her mind and believes my dad is still a child which was stolen from her by her sister. She doesn't even recognize him, her husband or her other children.

I'm still in touch with my dad's siblings and see Sophie, Alison and Caleb a few times each year, though all of them are still catching up on everything they had to miss out on while being under their mom's thumb. Sophie has finished college and decided to move to London where she works for a fashion label, Alison has become a travel blogger and is always traveling to the coolest places on earth and Caleb is chasing his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. He is in his college team right now and from the looks of it he will get a spot in a major league team next year.

Their dad has gone a little crazy himself... or maybe it's a midlife crisis. First, he got himself a super expensive sports car and then a blonde gold digger about half his age. After her he had a string of changing girlfriends who all pretty much took what they could get and then left him to find a new sugar daddy. Last I heard he was thinking about divorcing his wife to be free to marry his latest girlfriend. Honestly, he deserves to end up with a gold digger. I never said it out loud, but I blame the downfall of my grandmother on him.

He always enabled her crazy behavior and just let it go on and on until she was too far gone to get better even with the help of therapists and medication. I might be only a kid, but I know if I ever get married and my wife shows any signs of mental health issues I would bend over backwards to make sure she gets all the help she needs. What he did was just plain stupid and all kinds of wrong. He says he did it out of love, but that is some love when you allow your spouse to terrorize your family and end up murdering people.

"Good thing, I can have sex and answer the phone at the same time, CJ." My dad snickers.

"Fucking gross... honestly, just don't... yuck..." I shudder, and he laughs.

"I'm just kidding, your stepmom would have my balls if I was to answer the phone while we are enjoying some private time."

"Oh whatever." I mutter and move to leave the room, but he stops me.

"Wait, look your mom is a bit anxious about having you live so far away, can you do me a favor a call her once a day for first few weeks. I know you will be busy with enjoying college life and being away from home, but just let her know you are doing fine."

"Sure." I reply, and we leave my bedroom to find Elliot on the floor wrestling with the kids while the babies are watching them from their car seats.

"You know, maybe you should check in from time to time to see if Elliot is grown up too." I joke.

"Believe me, Elliot will always be a kid at heart. It's just who he is." My dad says, and we watch them for some time until my mom and stepmom are back and I can only gape at the amount of food they have bought.

"Mom, Ro... I'm just one person... even with Harper we can't all this food?!"

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, it's just what you need to have a well stocked pantry, darling." My mom says and I decide not to say another word. If it makes them feel better about me living on my own, I'll deal with all the food later and maybe donate half of it to a local soup kitchen or shelter.

Three hours later everyone is leaving and I have to say it felt really weird to watch my parents and siblings leave, knowing I won't see them until Thanksgiving.

When I enter my bedroom again I frown when I see a huge wrapped up painting leaning against my bed.

I unwrap it and smile. I know Ro made it and it's a painting of her, my dad, mom, Elliot, my grandparents and all my half siblings. All smiling at me, all happy and it almost looks like a picture it has so many details. I have no idea when she painted it, but it must have taken her a long time it's that big. Deciding to give it a place of honor in my new home I look around until I find a tool box in the maintenance closet and hang it over the fireplace, so I can see my family whenever I feel like it...

45 years later - still CJ

"I'm going to the farmer's market, anything you need, love?" My wife of almost forty years ask me.

"No, whatever you buy will be fine, Liza. I will go visit my parents, so I won't be home until later this afternoon." I reply and kiss her.

"OK, tell them I'll stop by on Friday." She says and I watch her leave.

I have met Liza in my last year of college, and we both started to work at the same school in Boston afterwards. We dated for about two years before we became engaged and then got married. Together we have four children three boys and one girl.

Life has pretty much been smooth sailing for us, with some occasional bumps in the road as it happens for most people.

Five years ago Elliot passed away in his sleep with no prior warning, no illness... he just went to bed one night and never woke up again. My mom was heartbroken and lived with us for a few months because she just couldn't live in her home that had so many memories of Elliot. In the end she got a new home at the sound and Madison moved into our parent's home with her family.

I was worried about my mom living alone, but she made it work for her. Then a year later Ro was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. It was heart breaking to see that even all the money in the world and the best doctors were able to cure her. In the end she decided she wanted to leave the world on her own terms and my dad moved to Oregon with her where it is legal for doctors to help people that are terminally ill to end their lives. The day before she decided to go we all went to see her, had dinner together, talked, laughed and just enjoyed a family gathering.

I was really worried about my dad, and he wouldn't talk to anyone for the first few months after her passing. Then one day, I went to visit mom, and he was there. I thought he came to visit her, but my mom told me that he had moved in with her. I was surprised to say at least, but the more I thought about the more sense it made to me. They had managed to build a strong friendship over the past decades and now that they both were alone they just decided to spend the rest of their lives together.

Liza believes they are more than just friends and I have seen them holding hands a few times, but I don't think it is right to ask them if they are being intimate or not. It's their life and I'm just happy they are not alone and above all, that they are still with us. Especially now, that my little girl is getting married in just a month, so they still have a chance to meet her children.

To me it's kind of bitter-sweet that my little girl is getting married. She is twenty-six and had been in a relationship with Mason for almost four years, still... it feels like letting her go because I won't be the most important man in her life anymore.

I guess now I can really understand what my dad and Elliot went through, when my half sisters got married, but I'm also excited that there will be more grandchildren in the future. Being a father has been the most humbling, fulfilling and exciting experience of my life, but ever since my first grandchild came along ten years ago, I know being a grandpa is even better. You get all the joys, but all the struggles are left to their parents.

When I arrive at my parent's place their housekeeper tells me they are in the backyard and I find them on a bench facing the sound. My dad has one arms wrapped around my mother's shoulder, and she has head resting against his chest while they are talking.

"Mom, Dad?" I announce my arrival, and they both turn around and slowly get up. They both look great for being in their late seventies and I know my Dad still works out every day while my mom is doing yoga and pilates.

"Hello son, already bored with retirement, told you so." My dad grins. I decided to retire when the school year ended last month. I have enjoyed being a teacher a great deal, but Liza and I want to travel, enjoy more time with the grandkids and each other, so retirement seemed like a good plan. It's a bit boring though sometimes, but I guess there is a phase of adjustment to anything.

"Not bored at all, just decided to see my parents."

"I made apple pie, do you want a slice, darling?" My asks.

"Do you have vanilla ice creams and some pecans?" I ask grinning.

"Yes, and I won't tell your wife you had any of it." She says with a wink and so all head into the house.

They have made it their own, while still honoring the memory of Elliot and Ro. There are pictures of them, paintings Ro has made over the years and some of the furniture Elliot has build is all over the house. It's beautiful and a home for all of us children which was really important for my parents. I know they feared that some of my siblings would be upset with them living together and maybe that is why they have never addressed the nature of their relationship, but in the end as long as everyone is happy, and they are happy it really doesn't matter.

"What's in there?" I ask when I see beautiful box with a bow on it on the kitchen table.

"Emma called me last night. She isn't happy with her wedding dress. It just didn't turn out the way she envisioned it after alterations. She was rather upset and Mason tried to figure out what had her so upset. She told him she wanted it to resemble my wedding gown, but they didn't get it right. So he convinced her to call me. I still had my dress. I told her to stop by today and get it. It should fit her with very few alterations." My mom says smiling and I have to smile too. My little girl has always been especially close to my mom, so it comes as no surprise that she would want to get married in her grandma's dress.

"I love the idea. Maybe it will become a family tradition."

"And maybe there will be two dresses to chose from." My dad says startling me.

"What do you mean?"

"Well honey... your dad and I have been living together for many years now, and we are not getting any younger... so... we have talked to your siblings, and we were going to tell you soon too... you know to see how you would feel about it if we were to get married." My mom says, and she is actually blushing.

"You guys... wait, so you are um... you know?"

"Christ almighty, remember when the boy was cockblocking everyone and now he can't even guess if two people are a couple or not." My dad says.

"Christian... stop it." My mom giggles.

"Wait, so all this time you have been living together you were... well together?"

"Not right away... at first it really was for us to not be alone. It happened over time in the first year. It wasn't easy for us to admit the feelings we have for each other... when you have been married for so long and lose your spouse... it always feels like being unfaithful, but I know Ro and Elliot wouldn't have wanted us to stay alone for the rest of our lives. We didn't say anything because we didn't want to upset your siblings... but unlike you they always knew that we are indeed a couple and aren't upset. Now that we have their blessing we hope to get yours as well."

"Wow... I mean... yes, of course. You never had to fear you wouldn't have my blessing. You are my parents."

"Thank you, darling. Just can you keep this secret until after Emma's wedding, we don't want to take any attention away from her special day."

"Of course, but I hope you don't mind if I share this good news with Liza."

"That is fine, we would never ask you to keep something from her."

"Good... well, damn... I'm over sixty and my parents are about to get married... about time." I laugh and they chuckle too.

As I leave they are standing by the front door and I can actually see them kiss before they head back inside through the rear view mirror.

When I get home I find Liza in the kitchen and pull her into my arms.

"Looks like you will need another outfit for a wedding very soon." I murmur and kiss her neck, but she turns around and smiles.

"Christian and Ana?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"Well, maybe two years ago we had a BBQ at their place. I went into the kitchen to see if they needed any help and found them kissing in the kitchen. I left before they noticed me, but I think it is very sweet that they in the end they are not just going to be each other's first love, but also their last love." She says and that makes me smile.

"I didn't even think about that. It kind of took me by surprise that they are a couple."

"Really, I thought it was rather predictable. I mean, think about it. They were in love as kids and then life sent them into different directions. They found love with other people and when they were both widowed and got to spent time together again their old spark reignited, and they fell in love again. Maybe now, at this point in their lives they finally reached the right moment to be together." Liza says and somehow I know she is right.

My parents always had something special, for many years I believed it was just friendship, because I was so used to seeing them happy and in love with their spouses but I guess Liza is right and their love was just on hold until the right moment had come.

I would never say they didn't love Elliot and Ro, because that just isn't true, anyone who ever saw them together knows that they were in love with their spouses, but the heart of a person is a big enough place to love more than once and I'm just glad that my parents won't have to spend the last years of their life alone but with someone they have known for most of their life, because at the end of the day life is full of surprises, so it is important to act on things if they feel right, so when your life ends you can leave this world without any regrets...

The end

Well, what can I say, I didn't see this ending coming either... I want to thank everyone who kept on reading the story until the end, even if it didn't play out the way most of you were hoping for.

I have a couple of ideas for new stories but I'm going to take a little break from fan fiction to write them and start to post them once I have written all the chapters to one story. This way there won't be any bad surprises and I can give you daily updates...

Sunny