Chapter 54

Beca's POV

I thought that once the building was destroyed and Dr. Fergus was dead, it would all be over, but not at all. We still had to explain everything to each other about what happened, reliving it all over and over again. Seeing tears in everyone's eyes over Jessica makes me want to scream. She still had so much life to live and instead, she gave it up to save Chloe. While it's horrible that she's gone, I can't help but feel relieved that it isn't Chloe being put into the ground right now.

Instead, Chloe stands next to me, leaning into my side as she uses me as a crutch. The accident left her with a broken leg, several cracked and broken ribs, as well as a concussion and a fractured wrist. Not to mention the cuts and bruises. We're lucky it wasn't worse. I can tell it left a scar on Chloe's heart but she's getting through it. We all are.

It's only been a week since the accident, but it seems like forever ago. My wounds have disappeared, except for my eye which I can no longer see out of. The emotional damage though, they're not so easy to heal. Not even two weeks ago I was still in Fergus's grip, desperate to escape. Now I stand here with my soul mate and friends, grieving for the ones we lost. My gaze drifts over to Chicago, who stands completely still. Little did I know my big brother had a crush on Jessica. Right before she died, he actually had asked her out and they were planning on going to a movie after everything was over.

Maybe it was good that they made that promise though. It showed that even though we all said we thought we would die, some part of us still had hope and that's the most important thing to hold onto. Being held captive for so long taught me that.

"Amen," the priest says and gestures for the workers to start throwing dirt into the hole. Since Jessica was an orphan, they notified her emergency contact who turned out to be Ashley. Ashley chose to bury her in the same cemetery as my dad. Well, not officially. Chris Mitchell was buried on some land that Chicago owns and given a simple cross for a tombstone.

"Ready to go back?" Chloe asks, startling me out of my thoughts. I nod and we start back toward the van, my arm wrapped around her waist in support.

"You know, at your funeral, Grandma and I walked back like this."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, she helped me with the grief. I didn't know it then, but she was a tremendous help in me learning to live without you."

"Joyce is amazing," I sigh warmly.

"Don't I know it," Joyce laughs, coming over beside me. "So what now? Other than saying amazing things about me, of course." We all laugh and then go silent. What should we do now? What can we do? I'm dead according to the state and showing up after a year wouldn't necessarily go over well.

"We'll figure it out," Chloe says and looks into my eyes. "We're going to take a few days to just relax and then we'll get on with life."

"I'm sure your siblings are excited to spend some time with you."

"Yeah," Chloe sighs. "We haven't had much time since I was in the hospital and then Jessica's funeral. Are you okay with staying at my mom's place?"

"Of course," I say and Chloe nods. A few days to rest. That is just what we all need.

"Beca?" Chicago calls out and I look over to see him beckon me. I hand Chloe over to Joyce and slowly walk over. After our dad died, I wasn't sure what to say to Chicago. He was a lot closer with dad while I still had some hatred towards him. My only regret is that I didn't get the time to have the chance to forgive him.

"What's up?" Chicago looks down before handing me a piece of paper.

"This is dad's will. He wanted me to give it to you when he really died. It was just a lot sooner than we expected."

"Look, I'm sorry," I start but Chicago holds up his hand.

"It's okay. I know what he did to you and I know that you still had some negative feelings toward him. I definitely did at first but after spending several years with him trying to find you, it was hard to stay that way. He was a really good man once you got to know him."

"Well I didn't. Sorry, it's just really confusing. In a way, I wish that he had just remained dead and in others, I'm glad I knew that he was still alive. I don't know."

"I understand," Chicago places a hand on my shoulder and gestures toward the paper. "In that will, you'll find the information of an account that he placed in your name. Chloe should be able to access it since you're technically dead and if not, I can."

"How much is in there?" Chicago gestures to the paper again so I take a look and almost choke. "W-what? No fucking way. That's a lot of fucking money. I can't take this."

"You have to. He wanted you to have it."

"Well, then I have to give you some as well," I gape at the paper, not believing that I'm rich now.

"It's okay. I have enough. A little less than that."

"How did he acquire so much money?"

"I don't know," Chicago shrugs. "He mentioned something about being really good at gambling. Plus, a lot of it is family money. Us Mitchells are really good at saving."

"Ha, no kidding. Wow! This changes a lot."

"Good. I'm hoping it'll help you and Chloe move on with your lives. You deserve it." With that, Chicago walks away, leaving me to stare at the paper some more. Not able to contain my excitement, I run over to Joyce and Chloe.

"Chlo, you might want to take a look at this." Chloe angles her head to read the paper and when she reads the amount, her jaw drops.

"This is yours?"

"Ours." She grabs my hands and squeals.

"What is it?" Joyce asks and I hand her the paper. "A will. Hmm, 200 dollars. I don't see what all the excitement is about. A lot of good this will do you. That man owes you much more than that."

"Joyce, look closer." Chloe and I giggle as Joyce's face changes.

"200 million dollars. That's insane! What are you guys going to do with it?" Chloe and I just look at each other and I shrug.

"We'll figure it out."

"For now, let's just rest," Chloe sighs and I nod my head in agreement. With one arm wrapped around Chloe's waist, we head back to the car and toward our future. Maybe this time, we'll get the life we've dreamed of together and honestly, we fucking deserve a break.

Joyce's POV

I watch my grandchild and her wife walk past me and to the vehicle, ready to continue on. My hand is still warm from being on Beca's shoulder, the vision burning a hole in my mind. For the final time, I saw the death that would eventually take her from this world.

Instead of the usual sorrow that takes over when I see someone's end, joy spreads through my soul. Those other times I saw Beca's death and it was horrible and too soon, then when it was unclear, my heart broke. Now, it's whole with the promise of the good life they'll have together.

I saw Beca, old but still as spunky as ever sitting on a porch swing, a glass of ice tea in her hand. The sun was rising, casting an almost magical glow on her, bringing the sweetest, most relaxed smile to her face. Chloe then walks out of their house, her red hair still just as fiery despite the obvious signs of age present on her face. She sits next to Beca where they hold hands and laugh, unaware that they would leave the Earth soon. In my heart, I know that even if they knew their end was coming, they would be just as content.

The sun continues to rise as they joke and cuddle on the bench. Beca's glass of tea slowly goes down until it's completely empty. She sets it on the ground, her bones cracking with age. Instead of cursing like an old woman, she laughs at herself, happy that she was able to make it to this point. She's had too many close calls to take anything for granted.

Chloe laughs with her and they continue holding hands, talking about their life experiences. Somewhere deep in their mind, they know the end will be soon and that they'll still be together forever. Instead of being sad, they use what time they have to hold onto each other.

Their hearts which beat in unison slow down and the breath which they take at the same time gets harder. With love in their eyes, they take their very last breath together and leave this world at the same time. Together forever.

AN- so that would be the end. I really hope y'all enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. What do you guys think of the end? Would you like me to do some extra chapters in the future and if so, what about? Thank you so much for all your thoughts on this story and for all the support. It's hard to bring an end to this story but at the same time, it's a relief to give Beca and Chloe the ending they deserve.