Epilogue.
Summer was approaching, and the heat was intensifying with every new day.
His study had darkened without him realising it, and it was only the first, distant rumble of thunder that dragged him from his work.
He had been sitting there too long, his back protested as he stood, the dull ache settling in the centre of his spine.
He knew where to find her; she was curled up in an armchair, reading in near darkness, hidden in the corner of the library.
She smiled up at him, a warm, welcoming smile, simple happiness that he had come to find her.
He smiled back, before removing his glasses. She teased him about them, calling them a sign of his age, and ruefully he realised she might be right.
The thunder rumbled once more, louder this time and she jumped.
'Another storm?' she asked.
He opened the glass doors to the terrace, watching the dark clouds settling on the horizon. 'A large one.'
She slid past him, onto the terrace, her bare feet padding across the stones until she came to the wall, staring out at the clouds.
A fork of lightning flickered in the distance, the storm clouds were moving closer, travelling with unnatural speed. Drops of rain began to fall.
She jumped as he wrapped his arms around her. 'Don't you trust me?' he mocked gently. She was still nervous of him at times, still unsure, and never more so when they were in close proximity to this wall. The sea far below them churned and crashed against the edge of the cliff, the usual brilliant turquoise darkened to a violent navy, reminding them how much power the sea had.
She leant back against him, the top of her head barely reaching his chin, and when she spoke he could hear the smile in it. 'Not at all.'
He laughed, and she strained to hear him over the crash of the thunder. 'Trust is such an overrated idea.'
Perhaps it was, Ashleigh thought, as she felt Alec's lips brush her hair, and she may not trust him, but when she thought about it, she wasn't sure that it really mattered.
They had fallen comfortably into their new lives, finding it surprisingly easy to share their space, finding a strange form of happiness.
Yet somehow, they still didn't know each other.
Alec had a suspicious feeling that he could give her mountains, and still she'd ask for the sea.
Perhaps that's why they were so suited.
His arms tightened around her, and she let him hold her, relaxing back into his arms, feeling his strength surround her, giving herself to him.
The storm raged around them, and still they stood, watching, as the rain fell down upon them.
Fin.
A/N: And so it ends. Thank you to all my readers, thank you for all the reviews, I never expected the story to be so popular, but I'm so glad that you all enjoyed it.
I'm devastated that its complete, and though I'm fighting it, I don't think it's the end for Alec and Ashleigh.
In particular I'd like to thank three reviewers – Io, previously Siobhan5, your help made this story what it was, and took it in a way I had never imagined. I can never thank you enough – and I hope that you'll remain in contact, Alec is such a delicious subject to discuss.
Daughter of Olorin - your reviews were always a joy to read, and always left me hyper for the rest of the day. They made me think, and made me reconsider my work – constructive criticism is the writer's drug and yours was superb. Many thanks.
Adri Skywalker – well, what can I say? Enthusiastic about the story? Oh yes. You have made me smile so much, made me giggle, and your emails are always welcomed. Your undying belief in Alec and Ashleigh's relationship has always been true – and best of luck with the fanlisting.
This has been a labour of love – my nervousness at first posting it was awful – but thankfully its been welcomed. All I can keep saying is thank you, so I'll end this on that note.
Thank you.
PS – the line 'Alec had a suspicious feeling that he could give her mountains, and still she'd ask for the sea,' is based on the song 'Volcano' by Damien Rice. The actual line is 'But give me miles and miles of mountains and I'd ask for the sea'. It's a song that I've been listening to non stop while writing these final few chapters, and is well worth a listen - it can be found on his website (www)damienrice(dot)com
alley.