AN: I want to thank everyone who's stuck with this so far. Your support has meant the world to me, but I want to especially thank one person. She's been an inspiration to me; she's been a friend, a beta, a muse... I know there are a ton of people without whom this fic wouldn't have happened, but it most definitely is dedicated- from prologue to epilogue- to my dearest violet eyed demon. Happy birthday, hon. Your madre' loves you. ^_^

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Waking Up In Vegas

Chapter 60/Epilogue

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One Year Later

"My baby," Cecilia smiled at the girl. Violet eyes sparkled back at her.

"Mom, I'm not a baby anymore. Vanny's the baby."

Cecilia blinked away a tear and wrapped an arm around her daughter's shoulder. "You're my first baby. My oldest. You have no idea how happy I am right now. My oldest child getting married."

Cecilia took in the vision in the mirror. Delana stood here, Cecilia beside her. Cecilia's cream A-line skirt and emerald blouse contrasted against the yards of soft silk snow that encased her daughter. Off the shoulder, as pure white as Tennessee snowfall, and falling to a flirty uneven hem, it was as beautiful yet unique as the woman who wore it.

Delana turned around to face her mother with her dark chestnut hair straightened into an arrow-straight fall that ended past her waist, with nothing but a flower-and-crystal circlet around her head that trailed snow-white ribbons, sparkling crystals and pale white flowers into her hair. Smiling, she leaned in to kiss her mother's cheek.

"I love you, Mama," she whispered, just as a knock sounded at the door. Cecilia opened it to reveal Trowa standing there, smart and handsome in a clean, crisp white button-down shirt and khaki slacks.

"You look beautiful, 'Lana," he smiled, looking her over.

"And you look so handsome, Trowa Barton," she said, coming over to take his hand.

"And I think it's about time we head out there. They may send a search party after us."

Delana giggled, wrapping her arm around his. "Then by all means, let us toter out to meet them."

"Let's do."

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Quatre stood there, wringing his hands in nervousness.

"Calm down, Quat," Cathy said, placing her hands over his. "Why're you so nervous? You're not the one getting married for the first time."

"Yeah," he rolled his eyes at her, "But when you can't remember the first time, it might as well be."

"You've got a point," Cathy smiled, looking out over the gathering. Howard, her soon-to-be father-in-law, was looking rather more distinct than usual in clean black slacks, a white shirt and- of course- a loud Hawaiian print tie. He waited beside Hilde- dressed in a sleek black dress- in the front row of chairs.

The backyard of the Maxwell ranch had been turned into a romantic, fantasy garden. White roses and pale orange lilies. Maia and Vanny were there in matching pink sundresses. Duo- in black jeans, a black button-down and complete with black boots and a black Stetson- stood beside Wufei who wore black slacks with a white shirt and black vest. Clad in lavender and pink frills, Mei was with them, her hair curled to perfection with a headband of pink and purple flowers on her head.

Midii, Emily, and Dorothy were there, all side by side. Even Megan was there with her family, all of them- plus her brother and his new wife.

Relena waited, too. All of their family- Quatre's sisters and their families. All of their friends.

"You know, Cathy... you look quite pretty."

Cathy blushed, looking away from the blond man. Her fiery red hair was curled more precisely than normal, with a sparkling crystal and silver tiara perched atop her head. Her dress was snow white and floor length, split up her side to her thigh and hugging every curve she had. With spagetti straps that criss-crossed into an intricate pattern down her entire spine to her lower back, she looked elegant and modern, like some edgy princess.

She opened her mouth to reply, but then the music began. She turned, fixated on the aisle that ran between the two sets of chairs, down to the rose covered arch. For a moment, she thought about how more-than-usually handsome her brother looked... but then all of her attention was focused on her girlfriend and lover.

The late afternoon sunlight drifted down around the two making their way down the aisle, casting them in an almost ethereal glow.

"Love you," Delana whispered with a smile as Trowa placed her hand in Cathy's.

Cathy's response was a blinding smile.

"Friends and family," the priest- Jasper's father- began, "We are gathered here today to witness the union of not one, but two couples in the glory that is marriage. Before you today, stand Quatre Aaron Winner and Trowa Gavin Barton II. Also, Catherine Michelle Bloom and Delana Helen Maxwell. Who here will speak on behalf of these two couples?"

"We will," Duo said, standing with Heero. "I have to say, I never expected my sister to fall in love with Cathy, but now I can't imagine it being any other way. Cathy, you're already part of the family- but I'm glad you're joining it officially now. And 'Lana, you'd best take care of her or I'll get your frying pan."

Wufei and a few others- including Delana- giggled at the memory that brought up.

"Quatre, Trowa," Heero began. "I know you two didn't have the best or easiest of starts to this relationship, and I know for a while I couldn't accept it... but for once, I'm glad to be proven wrong. You proved me wrong, Trowa. And I can safely say I have two best friends now."

Clapping followed as the priest asked if anyone had any objections. When none were presented, he moved on.

"Quatre, Trowa? Your vows."

Quatre smiled up at his husband and lover. "I can't tell you how happy I am to be standing beside you today. I still can't remember everything about how we met, but that's okay. I know what I felt. And I've never felt this way with anyone else. Thank you for all you've done. Thank you for all you continue to do for me. I know it's been a rough year, but I wouldn't have wanted to face it with anyone else. I love you, and I will always love you. Forever and a day... This is my promise to you. Forever and a day."

Blinking away a tear that wanted to fall, Trowa tightened his hand in Quatre's. "You are my light, my inspiration. My muse. Never forget that. You are the one I want, the one I love. The one I need. I can't offer much. A broken home, a crazy extended family, a few little sketches. Not much at all. But I can offer you myself. All I am, all I was, and all I ever will be... this is my promise to you."

"That's all I want," Quatre whispered. "Just you."

So wrapped up in looking into each others eyes, they missed Delana and Cathy's vows, and were startled back into the present by the preacher minutes later.

"With the acceptance of these vows, I now present to you," he told the crowd, "Trowa and Quatre Winner-Barton and Delana and Catherine Maxwell."

Cheering erupted in the garden as everyone stood up, clapping as the two newly wedded (or, in Quatre and Trowa's case newly re-wedded) couples made their way back down the aisle.

People gathered outside the garden to wish them well, but one person stood a little ways back, just observing. Her long, pale hair was falling in loose curls over her icy-blue dress. She smiled. Things were so good. This was a good ending. Or a good beginning, she thought. She desperately hoped things stayed this good.

Leaning back on her heels, she let her eyes stray away from the sweet scene before her, only just then noticing she had her dog tags- which she never took off- out of her dress's neckline, playing with them. She turned the tags over to reveal the small charm hidden between them.

Alot had happened in the past few months. Wing was destroyed. Epyon destroyed. Even the machines' operating system... Zero... had been completely scrapped after a few well placed words from her adoptive father. Quatre was happy with his lover. Hell... her brother had finally given in and was now secretly dating Relena. Everyone was happy- life had been close to normal, whatever that was, for this past year. All the bad guys were defeated... and all of the so-called 'doomsday' devices were destroyed, along with all the research pertaining to them.

Well... almost all, she thought as she looked at the charm.

She flicked the hidden catch- a moveable part of the Celtic knot design- and the charm opened up, just like a locket to reveal a small, tiny disk.

"Vayeate," she murmured, gently running a finger down the cd's edge. She snapped the locket closed, and looked back up as Jasper called out to her. She just couldn't figure him out. Oh, well. One step at a time, she thought, dropping the chain back down her dress.

Nobody needed to know to future... the fortune... that she wore around her neck. At least not until the world was *ready* for it.

After all... third time's the charm, right?

~Owari~

Author's Final Notes: Well... that's it. Or is it? No worries, for there are plans for a sequel- thanks to a nagging little demon. ^_^ Again, much thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed this story so far, or who will come later and read. I don't want anyone to feel left out, but there are several people to whom thanks is owed on this fic.

My family- like, duh. My hubby has been a pillar of strength when I thought about giving up.

VED- without you, I'd be lost. Without you... Vegas would not have ever been finished.

Kidishcaresh- your support, challenges, and muse-like tendencies have helped me out more than you know. And I still want you to wear the white dress...

Animechan123- This last year has been amazing! Without our story, Vegas might have choked off all my inspiration, so much thanks.

Silent Epiphany- Do I really need to say this? I enjoy our conversations so much, and your enthusiastic support has helped me out a lot.

And also, everyone else who reviewed. Your reviews gave me hope. The hope to continue on with the absolute longest fic I've ever done... it's three times the length of my other longest fics...

Cinnamon, Nessa, Primavera, Deb... everyone who's left a review, my sincere thanks goes out to each and every one of you. I hope this isn't a final goodbye, and I hope to see you again soon! Ja!