Chapter Eighteen-Epilogue

(Two More Months Later)

Duncan's POV

People were actually arriving at my house! For my birthday!

To say that I was excited was an understatement. I was shocked at all the people that Courtney had invited. Aside from my family, and Geoff and Bridgette, it appeared as though Courtney had invited our whole class.

No one had ever wanted to celebrate my birthday before. Not even me!

"Duncan?" I heard Courtney's muffled voice from outside my door.

"Come in princess." I called as I turned away from the window. I turned around and watched her enter my room.

"There's the birthday boy," she greeted me.

"You're a beautiful sight," I commented. She was dressed in a sundress and flip flops with her hair, continuing to grow in perfectly healthy, in a graduated bob. She kind of reminded me of a tanner Posh Spice. But of course, Courtney would always be the hotter one.

She blushed at my comment. "Are you about ready to go downstairs? Everyone is almost here, and it's time for your party to start." She reminded me.

"I don't know. I haven't really had a party in forever. I don't think I can handle one," I joked.

"You just have fun. We are having it in the backyard. With games and food, and the pool of course. So it should be a guaranteed good time. Not to mention, you look great. You're dressed for a party." She motioned to my outfit.

All I had on was a white Hurley t-shirt and the same board shorts (for all types of pool shenanigans later) that I wore at the beach. I looked normal, or well-adjusted or something. I felt like suddenly I needed to start worrying about my GPA like a dork. But princess was happy, so it didn't even bother me that I didn't look like I did a year ago. Oh how things have changed so much.

"You're going to really enjoy my present." She hinted.

"Why isn't that you can't just tell me already? You have been hiding it all week." I said. She had been dropping hints about how much I would love my present, but not what it actually was. It was bothering me, not knowing.

"I just love torturing you." She said and crossed the room to where I was standing. I leaned in and kissed her softly, but then turned it into something a little bit more aggressive. "We need to stop. There's a party in your honor that's starting. We'll never get you to it, if you can't control yourself for a few hours." She reminded me and bit her lip. The gesture was amazingly sexy, but I was content to just spend the day with Courtney, everyone else didn't even have to be there.

"My birthday would've been just as special if I had spent it with you alone." I told her.

"Which is precisely why you deserved to have a huge party with everyone who knows and loves you here." She explained. "Let's go."

I knew it was a mistake to come downstairs.

The moment we both reached the bottom step, with my arm wrapped around Courtney's waist, I knew it was a bad idea.

My Aunt Julia was waiting with my mother for us in the kitchen.

"Happy Birthday Duncan!" I heard my cousin Isabella shout. Julia was holding her up. Everyone turned their heads towards Courtney and me. My Aunt Julia almost melted at seeing Courtney and I. Maybe it had something to do with how we both looked: we had matched for the occasion. Courtney's sundress was a Hurley sundress and my shirt was of the same brand.

It was done on purpose, because we bought the clothes together last weekend at the mall. Then she talked me into us wearing them together today.

"Hi sweetie, Courtney I'm so glad that you were able to get Duncan downstairs. You two look great." My mother complimented. She had sounded so happy lately. Especially when Courtney was around. Maybe it had to do with the girl time or something.

"Thanks mom. Hi Aunt Julia, Isabella," I greeted everyone.

"Duncan, I drew you a picture for your birthday!" Isabella continued to yell and waved the paper around.

"Wanna jump in the pool with me squirt? There's no waves to jump this time." I asked her jokingly. I felt Courtney wiggle against me, a sign that she was uncomfortable, because she hadn't yet been introduced.

"Sorry! Courtney, this is my Aunt Julia and my cousin Isabella." I said motioning to my relatives.

"It's very nice to meet you both." She said politely and held out her hand to shake my aunts. Aunt Julia looked as if she was stunned. Maybe it was Courtney's response, but I think she always pictured me dating someone less respectful and more rebellious.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too dear. I've heard lots about you from Duncan's mother and Duncan both." She said. I saw her and my mother share a knowing look.

Maybe this day would be fun after all…

"Hey Duncan! Aren't you going to introduce the rest of us?!" I heard Derek yell from the outside.

…or maybe not.

Courtney's POV

Duncan's party had started two hours ago, and didn't show any signs of slowing down. Everyone was in the pool, throwing water balloons, or playing games where it was nice and dry. Overall it was a good time.

When the time came for Duncan to cut his cake and celebrate turning 17, he made me cut it with him. Then we squished it in each other's faces. Like a married couple.

"Now we aren't going to force you to open all of your presents in front of everyone, but we want to at least give you the one from your father, Courtney and I." Duncan's mother announced.

We had kept Duncan's present a secret although we had been planning it for two months. I had been saving all my money from the summer job that I got.

His parent's and mine put up the rest of the money that I couldn't come up with. When Duncan's parents tried to dissuade them from getting involved, my father just explained that Duncan had become like a son to them. They owed to him for helping me through my chemotherapy and everything that he did could never be repaid, but they wanted to at least try and help. So they put up half and his parents did the same.

"If you will all make your way to the front of the house, and Courtney if you would be so kind at to cover Duncan's eyes and lead him out front." His mother instructed. I put my hands over my boyfriends confused eyes and walked him around the house.

Sitting in the driveway was a brand new 2014 Ducati Monster 696 in black. Our present to replace the one he sold to buy my anniversary present.

"Surprise!" I yelled when we arrived out front. I removed my hands and let Duncan take in his new bike.

"Is this a joke? That's seriously mine?!" he asked incredulously. He looked from his parents to me waiting for us to let him in on the joke.

"It's not a joke, we all pitched in to buy you a bike. It was to replace the one that you sold. Courtney picked it out for you last week." His mom explained.

Duncan grabbed me, kissed me with everything he had, and didn't let go for a while.

"I love you. So much." He said.

"You're just excited about the motorcycle. It'll wear off." I joked. "But I love you too."

"I'll always love you. Forever and always." Duncan promised me. And I believed him. Not because of how much he changed for me. I would have believed him if he still had his Mohawk and piercings and dressed in all black. I believed him because he knew who I really was and still loved me. He was there when I was sick, and he's still around while I'm healthy. He truly loves me.

And I'll always love him too. Because that's how it should be, and that's how it will stay.

The End!

Hope you enjoyed it!