Disclaimer: Not mine.

Chapter 24

Happily Ever After

One year later…

December 23, 2011

Anderson Home

Glencoe, Illinois

Annie stared up at the house in front of her. Turning to her boyfriend in shocked amazement, she asked, "This is your home?"

Auggie grinned back at her, and, from the front seat, Avery Anderson laughed. "What? Didn't Aug tell you Dad was as loaded as he is a pain in the butt?"

The woman sitting next to Avery in the passenger seat rolled her eyes and shoved her husband playfully. "Avery, be nice to her."

Annie studied the couple in front of them. Avery looked nearly identical to Auggie—four years older, a little less built, a little wiser in the eyes—but they shared the same gorgeous dark hair, teasing, dancing chocolate eyes, strong jaw. On the short ride from O'Hare to the Anderson home in Glencoe, he had explained that he worked as a journalist at the Chicago Tribune. He was smart, funny, and, at times, as sarcastic as Auggie. By the way the woman next to him easily controlled him with her laugh, frown, or a gentle touch to his arm, Annie knew he was hopelessly in love with his wife.

Hannah Anderson was blond, petite, beautiful. Shoulder-length blond hair, twinkling, happy sage-green eyes, pug nose. Annie had watched as Hannah held her own against Avery's teasing, and yet that adoring look had never left her eyes.

She had decided that she really loved Avery and Hannah. They had already set Auggie at ease in a situation she was very afraid could turn volatile at any moment.

From what little she had gathered, Marcus Anderson wasn't abusive or alcoholic, but he certainly tried to make his family's lives miserable. Marrying early at the age of eighteen and starting a family not much later, he had quickly become tied to his family, and while all his friends maintained their independence into their thirties, he had been stuck on diaper duty and shopping rather than living the bachelorhood his friends always bragged about. As long work hours and life got in the way, he slowly began to regret his decisions regarding starting a family early.

Especially when it came to the birth of the unplanned, fifth son and the way he had been blinded years later.

Due to the number of cars parked in the driveway, Avery pulled the black Honda Civic off to the side of the driveway before meeting his wife, brother, and Annie at the back of the car. He easily removed the two suitcases, carrying Annie's while Auggie rolled his own suitcase behind him.

Hannah slid her arm through Annie's easily, letting Avery and Auggie lead the way to the side door that led into the large, airy kitchen. "Wait until you meet Lottie, Bailey, and Leila," Hannah gushed with a soft smile. "You'll love them."

Annie smiled at the thought of Avery's and Hannah's three small children. "I'm sure I will—I just haven't been around children that young for a while. Chloe and Katia are almost ten years older than your children, I think."

Hannah smiled. "Don't worry. They'll love you." She gestured toward the house. "They all will. Wait till you meet Cara. She's like… the best mom in the world."

As they stepped into the kitchen, Annie watched with a smile as a beautiful woman, about fifty, graying hair, twinkling blue eyes, stared back at her two boys. Her eyes filled with silent tears, and she covered her face in shame as soft sobs wracked her body.

Auggie dropped his bag at his feet and shuffled toward the noise, instinctively trailing his left hand against the island in the center of the room. "Mom?" he whispered, his own voice nearly failing him.

His hands reached out to her, and she slid her arms around his waist, burying her tear-stained face in his chest. "August. How—how could you leave us?"

By now, silent tears were falling down his cheeks, as well. "I—I'm sorry, Mom," he whispered. "I—I just don't know how… I couldn't… not after Iraq—I couldn't deal with him. Not on top of everything else. He hates me."

Cara held him tight. "He—he doesn't hate you," she defended.

"No, Mom. He never wanted me. We all know it. And I've always been a disappointment…"

She rubbed his back soothingly. "Oh-okay," she said slowly. "You're here. That's all that matters now. We can talk about the rest later."

He nodded slowly, brushing his tears away, annoyed they had come. "I missed you, Mom," he whispered.

"I missed you, too, baby," she whispered, pushing him back to look him in the face. She laughed nervously, wiping her tears away. "Look at me," she babbled. "Crying like a fool when my baby comes home…"

"I thought Ari took that name when she was born…"

She stroked his cheek affectionately. "Never. You'll always be my baby, August David."

He groaned. "Mom, why do you have to bring up my middle name?" He hated it, because it was his father's middle name, too. He hated that association, but he had never changed it.

She patted his cheek with a teary smile. "Because you're my baby. And I picked your name because I love it."

He rolled his eyes. "Oh, Mom… I—I want you to meet my girlfriend. He stepped to the side, and Hannah shoved Annie forward a little. "Mom, this is Annie."

Cara smiled softly at the love she heard in her son's voice. She reached out to hug Annie. "Hello, Annie. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Mrs. Anderson—it's a pleasure to meet you, as well. Thank you for opening your home to me."

She smiled, patting Annie's hand affectionately. "Please, dear, call me Cara. Everyone does." She paused. "Ari tells me I owe you a debt of gratitude for bringing my baby back home to me. Thank you for that."

Annie smiled softly. "I—I couldn't let him suffer without seeing the family he loves for another year. I overheard him talking to Grayson and Arianne last Christmas, and I—I knew he had to come." She ducked her head, embarrassed, as she slid into Auggie's arms.

Cara smiled at the couple affectionately. "Well, whatever the reasoning, I'm very glad you're both here."

At that moment, a miniature Auggie flashed down the hall and into the room. "Gus-Gus!" he screeched, launching himself at the brother he hadn't seen in three years. "Gus-Gus, you really came!"

Auggie lifted the little squirming bundle of joy into his arms. "Grayson?" he asked.

Ever since that phone call last Christmas, he had called Grayson every week, just to talk, and make sure their father wasn't inflicting any damage. It appeared the little boy was no worse for wear.

"Gus-Gus!" the little boy affirmed, nearly choking Auggie with his grip around his neck. "Gus-Gus, I love you!"

Tears pooled in Auggie's eyes. Hugging the little bundle tightly to his chest, he whispered, "I love you, too, Grayson."

Before anything else could be said, a pretty, slender teenage girl appeared in the family dining room, her head buried in a book. She glanced up when she heard the ending of Auggie's proclamation.

Her book dropped to the ground, and a sob wracked her body. She just stood there, head buried in her hands, as she cried, and Auggie quickly handed Grayson to Annie. "I gotta go talk to Ari real quick, buddy," he said apologetically before he stumbled toward his sister, feeling around the chairs and walls until he reached her. When his hand touched her shaking shoulder, he pulled her into his arms. "Hi, Ari."

She sobbed into his chest. "You—you left me. You were my best friend and my hero, and you left me. How could you, Auggie?" she accused.

He was nearly crushing her in his embrace, but neither of them really cared. "I know, Ari. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Okay? I love you. And you'll always be my best girl. You know that, right?" He paused again. "And I'm sorry. I—I don't know what I was thinking."

She pushed away from his chest slightly to look up into his eyes, fixed at a point above her shoulder. In wonder, her hands came up to frame his face. "I'm your best girl?" she asked, smiling softly. "What about Annie?"

He smiled apologetically. "Okay," he said, giving her an affectionate look before reaching back and tugging her ponytail. "I'll give you that. You can be my best girls, twins. Is that okay?"

She scowled at him. "How do you do that?"

He grinned confidently back at her. "Do what?"

"Still know where my ponytail is!"

He laughed. "Comes with practice, I guess." He tucked her against his side, his arm around her shoulder protectively, and she slid her arms around him affectionately. "C'mon. Come meet Annie," he pled. "You're gonna love her."

She gave him a rueful smile. "I'll meet her, but I dunno if I'll love her," she teased. "Is she gonna take you away from me forever?"

He smiled and dropped a kiss on the crown of her head. "Nothing could ever take you away from me forever, Ari Bear," he vowed.

Ari led them back to the group of family engulfing Annie, and he called, "Annie?"

She smiled, letting Grayson slip to the ground. "I'm right here, Auggie."

He breathed in deep, hoping Annie and Ari would love each other as much as he had been imagining. They were his two favorite people in the whole world, and the idea that they wouldn't get along made him nervous. "Annie, this is my little sister, Arianne. Ari, this is my girlfriend, Annie."

The young girl the few steps and hugged Annie desperately. As a few more sobs emerged, she hugged Annie tighter. "Th-thank you," she whispered fiercely. "Thank you for bringing Auggie home."

Annie smiled, holding Ari tight. "Of course, Arianne," she said softly.

Ari shook her head softly. "N-no… just call me Ari. Please."

Annie smiled as she turned to look at Auggie. "Okay," she whispered softly. "Ari it is."

Merry Christmas * Merry Christmas * Merry Christmas

December 23, 2011

Anderson home

Glencoe, Illinois

Auggie nearly gagged on the sandwich and spitting it out, hoping the trash can was still where it was three hours ago when he had finished that piece of pie with Annie.

This was the problem with eating leftovers in a strange house, even if it used to be his. He had been sure it was the ham and cheese sandwich he had never finished at lunch, but this—this had mayo that didn't really taste like mayo, and raisins, and lettuce, and American cheese that didn't really taste like American cheese? What sort of diet was his mother on?

He heard a muffled giggle from across the kitchen. Instantly, he knew it was Ari. Wiping his mouth off with the back of his hand, he scowled in her direction. "What are you giggling at?" he complained.

She giggled again, slipping into a hug. "Did you eat Nana's sandwich?"

He frowned at her. "Nana? Nana was here?"

"Yeah. She couldn't make it for Christmas, but she was here for Thanksgiving. She's on some weird diet, and she made that sandwich before we even had the Thanksgiving meal."

He felt like he was about to throw up. That sandwich was a month old?

She giggled again as she saw the outline of his horror. She tugged him to one of the barstools at the island. "C'mon," she teased. "I'll make you a sandwich, Aug."

He settled onto the wooden barstool and heard a light switch flick on. "PB and J okay with you?" she asked, reaching for the loaf of bread from the cabinet.

He nodded his assent, and she began to make the sandwiches next to him. When she finished the first one, she handed it to him. When she finished hers, she took a bite and settled into the seat next to him. She scooted her seat next to him, slipping her arm through his as she leaned her head against his arm. "Wanna hear a secret?" she asked conspiratorially, and he grinned back at her.

"'Course, squirt. Who's it about this time?"

"Daddy." She grinned. "You'll never guess what he did last weekend."

Usually, he'd avoid news of his father at all costs, but he knew that with Ari, this story about his father would be good. "Well," she began, lowering her voice like they always did when they shared their midnight secrets. Her voice held the edge of the mystery behind her story, and he couldn't believe how he'd let himself live without this for three years. "It was Sunday, and Grayson had proclaimed it 'Tractor-Racing Day…'" She grinned over at her brother. "Of course, his race course was in the middle of the hallway… and Dad was walking around barefoot… head buried in a book, not thinking of what he was doing, as usual…"

Auggie loved the mental picture he had. "Does he still squeal like a little girl?"

Ari giggled as she hugged his arm tighter. "You have no idea, Auggie."

She turned to look at him. "Okay. Your turn, mister."

He smiled softly as he felt the small box in his pants pocket. "I love Annie," he whispered.

She smiled softly. "I know, Auggie. We all know you love her."

He removed his hand from his pocket, handing her the velvet black box. "No, Ari… I really love her."

She gasped when she saw the box. Lifting the lid, she removed the ring and studied it in the dim light. A simple silver band with one shimmering diamond in the middle. The simplicity of it somehow suited the beauty and simplicity of their relationship. Handing it back to him, she whispered, "Auggie, it's beautiful."

He hesitated. "Do you think so?"

"I know so, Auggie. She'll love it."

His eyes carried his worry. "D-do you think she'll say yes?"

Ari smiled up at him and reached up to kiss his cheek. "She'd be a fool not to."

He groaned inwardly. Why was it that girls always spoke in riddles?

Merry Christmas * Merry Christmas * Merry Christmas

December 24, 2011

Anderson home

Glencoe, Illinois

Annie slipped into the room she and Auggie were sharing, watching him sleep in the early-morning light. Even after a year of dating, she still couldn't believe that she was here, with him, and more in love than she'd been in her entire life.

She slipped into bed next to him, and she watched him stir next to her. He whispered, "Morning, babe," and she grinned.

"Merry Christmas Eve, maya dorogaya." She leaned in to brush a kiss against his lips. "I love you."

He grinned back at her sleepily. "I love you, too, babe."

She slid closer to him, touching her knees to his as she stared into his eyes. "Are you glad you came home?" she asked, reaching out to intertwine their fingers as she studied him. She waited for him to answer, softly stroking the back of his hand with her thumb.

He reached out and caressed her cheek with his free hand, grinning at her. "Yes, Annie, I love being around my narcissistic father again."

She rolled her eyes. "Not—not that."

He smiled softly as he leaned in for a slow kiss. "Thank you for making me come. I've missed Ari and Grayson and Avery and my mom so much. I didn't even know that I missed them, until—until…"

"Until you talked to them," she finished for him.

He grinned back at her, tucking her hair behind her ear and caressing the soft skin of her cheek. "Your skin's so soft," he whispered, and she smiled involuntarily.

"You're getting off-topic," she whispered back, offering him a teasing smile.

He groaned. "Annie—"

She grinned back at him. "I want you to tell me about your family. You didn't forget that I'm a highly trained spy, did you?"

He snorted, still stroking her cheek softly. A slow smile slid up his lips. "I'm the highly trained spy. You're just getting there."

She rolled her eyes. "And you never let me forget."

"Nope."

"I still have magical powers over you."

"That you do."

A teasing look came over his face, and the hand cradling her face traced the contours of her face gently. She squirmed under his touch. "Auggie!"

He gave her an innocent smile. "What?"

She reached out to grab his hands, to hold them down. "Stop tickling me!"

He smirked towards her, his hands moving to her sides, and she squirmed under his touch. "Auggie!"

He laughed at her, pulling her close. "C'mon, Annie. I just want a little kiss," he sulked.

She rolled her eyes and kissed him briefly. "That's not all you want."

He grinned at her devilishly, and, as he moved to tickle her again, she captured his hands in her own. She grinned proudly, poking his chest gently with their clasped hands. "Talk, mister."

He sighed overdramatically. "Caleb's still way too overprotective, Rachel's too easy to defend her husband's overprotectiveness, Avery's still the only big brother I was ever really close to. Hannah's nice to have around, and keeps Avery on his toes. Jonas and Claire are still full of themselves, Oscar's still a whiney, spoiled kid, and Zara's nice. I don't really know her. Ari and Grayson are adorable, my mom is a saint, and it's a very good thing for all of us that my dad's still mostly a workaholic. And my nieces and nephews are adorable." He paused, sighing heavily. "Can we stop talking now, and do…" He paused to find the correct word. "Other things?"

She giggled. "I don't think so." She kissed him slowly, her hand slipping under his tee shirt. She pulled away and whispered in his ear, "I think you need to be tortured a bit longer."

With a deep groan, he reached for her, pulling her closer. "Forget torture," he said. "C'mere."

She giggled once more as he pulled her into a searing kiss and pulled the covers up over them both.

Oh, yes. He definitely loved everything about this woman.

Merry Christmas * Merry Christmas * Merry Christmas

December 25, 2011

Anderson home

Glencoe, Illinois

Auggie groaned as Grayson tugged harder on his hand. "Come on, Gus-Gus!" he demanded. "It's Christmas morning! We gotta go open the presents!"

He heard Annie giggling next to him. "Aug, you have got to get used to this. Between my family and yours, there is no way we can escape early morning Christmas celebrations."

He managed a smile for her as he glanced in the direction of her voice, but his gaze returned to his feet. He couldn't help—nor did he want to—the images filling his brain.

"Mommy! Daddy! Come on! It's Christmas Day!" An adorable blond-haired, hazel-eyed little girl and a curly, dark-haired little boy, eager chocolate eyes, were tugging at the covers on his side of the bed, jumping up and down by his side.

Annie was mumbling next to him. "Isabelle Maya…" Isabelle? Her name was Isabelle? He mulled on the thought. He decided he loved it already.

Their daughter was already snuggling in between them. The little arms were around his neck. "C'mon, Daddy! Wake up Mommy! It's time for presents!"

Then the little boy was climbing on the bed. "Here, Daddy! You can't forget your ring!"

My ring. He slipped it onto his ring finger. "Thanks, Joshua… We'll be there in just a minute, okay, buddy?"

As Isabelle and Joshua scampered toward the living room, Auggie turned toward her, caressing her cheek softly as he leaned in for a sweet kiss. "Mornin', beautiful," he whispered.

"Mornin', maya dorogaya."

"You mean dordrogava."

She groaned. "And I thought I taught you Russian."

He grinned back at her. "You married a very stubborn man. C'mon. Before Bella and Josh tear the house apart without us."

She groaned, sitting up. "You're to blame for how they're turning out."

He grinned at her. "Never."

He tried to bury the smile that threatened to explode off his face. Now that he had visions of the future in mind, if Annie said no, he didn't know what he would do.

Merry Christmas * Merry Christmas * Merry Christmas

Everyone was gathered in the large family room, many of the presents unwrapped in front of them, paper, boxes, and ribbons strewn across the room, the children chattering excitedly, the couples cuddled against each other, all save for Cara and Marcus. Marcus stood impatiently at the doorway, waiting for his moment to escape, while Cara was surrounded by her five grandchildren, smiling at each of their enthusiastic responses.

Hannah accepted a small box from her husband, as she sat between his legs, leaning back against him, before leaning forward to hand the gift to its recipient. "Annie," she said softly.

Annie reached for the present. "Who's it from?"

"Auggie, I think," she responded. "Check."

Annie checked. It was from Auggie.

She had been seated similar to Hannah, and twisted to look at Auggie. "Another present?" she asked, a confused look in her eyes. "You already got me too much already!"

He smiled, reaching out for her cheek before tugging her closer, stealing a kiss. "You know," he said, a teasing smile on his lips, "it's impossible to not spoil you, babe."

She blushed with pleasure, just staring into his eyes. "I love you."

Marcus groaned at the door, as did half of Auggie's brothers. Zara, the shy, pretty young Iranian woman engaged to Oscar, leaned closer to the couple. "Open it, Annie."

Annie smiled softly, pulling the paper away hesitantly. When she discovered a small white box, she lifted the lid to discover a small velvet black box.

Her gasp froze in her throat. Tears clouded her vision, and she turned to look at Auggie. "Aug-Aug… honey, Auggie, is this—"

His hand came up to frame her cheek, caressing it gently. Tears flowed down her cheeks at all the love shining in his eyes. "Auggie…"

He offered her a hopeful, adoring look. "Open it, Annie."

Her hands trembled as she fumbled with the box, finally pulling it open. Her breath caught in her throat again at the sight of the simple silver ring. Her lower lip trembled as she turned to look at her boyfriend. "Auggie—say… say something."

He reached for her hands, stroking the backs of her hands as he began to speak. "Annie—I love you so much. I knew I would love you that day in J.C. Penney's, when you kept insisting on making me wear those ridiculous ties for Michael, and now—now, I can't even imagine a future without you in it, here with me. Annie, I love you. Annie, you keep me sane and you reunited me with my family… and you love me even when there's no reason to, and you're everything good and whole and beautiful… Annie, will you… will you marry me?"

She spun around quickly, launching herself into his arms, flinging him back against the couch. Surprise filled his eyes and face, but he quickly adjusted, holding her close. "Yes!" she squealed in his ear. "Yes! Yes! Yes, a million times yes, Auggie! I love you!" She pulled back a little, her hands framing his face a millisecond before her lips met his in her passionate kiss.

They pulled away to the sound of thunderous applause filling the room, as the children eagerly jumped over to them, surrounding them with their little hugs. When the whole room threatened to descend on them, offering their congratulations, Annie called frantically, "Wait!"

Auggie caught her hands in his. "Wh-what is it, baby?" he whispered softly.

She reached down, grabbing the box from her lap and placing it in his hands trustingly. "You need to put the ring on my finger," she said with a beaming smile.

Auggie beamed back at her, catching her lips in a brief kiss before opening the box. Lifting the ring from the box, he held his hand out for Annie's hand. She placed her hand in hers, her eyes glowing with both adoration and trust, and Auggie slid the ring onto her finger. "Perfect fit," he whispered.

She grinned back at him like a fool. "I love you."

"I love you, too, baby."

"Kiss her!" Auggie's brothers chanted from around the room, and Auggie tugged her closer, claiming her lips in a passionate kiss, deepening it as her arms slid around his neck. He wasn't sure how long they were like that, sharing their love and the new change in their relationship, but he pulled away when he heard Avery's oldest, Lottie, and Grayson squealing, "Ewww!"

He pulled away slowly, and Annie ducked her head to hide against the hollow between his shoulder and his neck, and she clung to him while the rest of the family—even Marcus—joined to congratulate the couple.

Auggie couldn't help but grin from ear-to-ear, especially, when Cara teased him about her next grandchildren. He hoped either his brothers didn't plan on having more children, or that they at least didn't plan on using Isabelle and Joshua.

Because, sometime in the next decade, he sincerely hoped to be using them.

Merry Christmas * Merry Christmas * Merry Christmas

Annie could barely remind herself to breath in and out as she dialed the familiar number to her sister's house. She listened to the beat of silence before she heard her sister's excited voice. "Annie!" she greeted with a brilliant smile. "Merry Christmas!"

Annie smiled. "Merry Christmas, Dani." She paused. "Is… is, ah, everybody there?"

She could imagine Danielle looking around. "Yeah, sweetie. We're all here. Why?"

"C-can you put me on speaker phone?" she asked a bit nervously.

"Sure, sweetie. What's up?"

"Hi, Aunt Annie!" the girls called, excited to hear their aunt's voice. "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, girls!" she called with a smile. "Merry Christmas, Michael."

"Merry Christmas, Annie," he called in return. It sounded like he was greeting her around his bite of cereal, and she couldn't help smiling at that.

"I—I have some really good news."

"Good news?" Dani asked, and Annie swallowed hard. She'd never get her news out if Dani kept interrupting.

"Yeah," she said, her excitement bubbling up inside her again. She still couldn't believe it. Auggie was still down with his family, talking about everything, but she had wanted to announce the news to Dani, Michael, and the girls. "I—I'm getting married," she said with awe and excitement in her voice.

Danielle grabbed up the phone, lifting it to her ear. "Annieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" she screeched, her voice raising in pitch with every second her scream continued. "Are you serious?"

Annie giggled. "Y-yeah, I'm serious. Auggie just proposed while we were opening presents here. You should see the ring. It's so beautiful."

"Send me a picture!" Dani demanded excitedly. "I can't wait until you get back here to see. Send me a picture! Right now!"

Annie giggled again, and she said, "Okay. Hold on a sec." She aimed the camera on her phone at her ring, snapped the photo, and sent it off to Danielle. "Did you get it?" she asked.

Danielle reached for her cell phone, resting on the counter. When the picture arrived, she opened it up. "Annieeeee!" she squealed again. "It's beautiful! And so you! Where did Auggie get it?"

Annie smiled. "I—I dunno. Listen—I'm gonna go. I want to go be with him. I just—I just wanted to tell you. I couldn't wait until I got home, either."

Danielle grinned. "Thanks for calling, sweetie," she called softly, and the girls echoed, "Congratulations, Aunt Annie!"

Annie smiled. "Thanks. I love you guys! I'll talk to you when I get home, okay?"

"Okay. Bye, Annie!"

With a smile, Annie disconnected the phone, smiling when the door creaked open. "Auggie," she whispered softly.

He returned her brilliant smile. "Hey, baby."

She ran to him again, launching herself into his arms, and he caught her, lifting her off the ground. She wrapped her legs around him. "I'm gonna marry you," she whispered with an enlightened, elated smile before she buried her face in his shoulder.

His grip around her tightened. "No," he teased. "I'm gonna marry you."

She giggled, kissing his shoulder. "I love you, Auggie." Her soft hands framed his face before she leaned in to kiss him again, her hands sliding into his hair as his tongue ran across her lower lip, gaining access.

When they could no longer breath, he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. She giggled as she stared into his eyes, and he whispered, "I love you more."

She rolled her eyes. "We can debate that for the rest of our lives," she promised, grinning back at him happily.

He reclaimed her lips in another kiss. "Just as long as I can win that argument a few times," he whispered huskily, and she giggled in response as he carried her to the bed.

Somehow, though, he had known that if something happened between him and Annie, it wouldn't have been just a fling. There was something good, true, pure, and enduring about the relationship they had. No, if something happened, it would last forever.

And it did.

A/N: And some of you said you didn't know how it could get any better! Ahh, now it can't get any better, haha.

Thank you all so much for taking this ride with me—I never thought it would be received so well, and I'm so grateful to each of you for every review, alert, and favorite! I still can't believe I got over 150 reviews! I will probably be gone for a week or so, regrouping and reading the lovely novel I got this weekend, but I have a million and one ideas for future stories, so I'll be back. :) Promise. :) I hope you think that's a good thing. *wink-wink*

Please review one final time and let me know how you liked the ending! :)

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!