Well guys this is it! Sorry it took so long to update but what a difference a few days off makes in being able to finish a bit Things To Do list lol. Thank you once again for all the reviews and comments, they were all welcomed and appreciated. Hope you enjoy this last part. Cheers!

EPILOGUE:

A week had gone by since Jack and Janet had finally talked. A week that had brought about many changes to all three of their lives. Their son ecstatic that his dad was with them every night and then every morning when he woke up. Delighted to see how much his parents laughed and hugged now. His dad had even begun to give his mom a big kiss every time he would have to leave for work hugging her so tight he'd end up lifting her off her feet until she'd give a little squeal. Other times he would sneak up on her and wrap his arms around her giving her a kiss when she'd turn her head. The boy wasn't sure what had happened but he liked his parents like this. They were always so happy.

oooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Oh Terri, it was so nice talking to you. I've missed you so much" Janet exclaimed with a teary voice as she said goodbye to Terri over the phone. "Yes of course, we'll see you in a few weeks then. Take care, and Terri…thank you for taking care of him…." Janet's voice finished in an almost whisper "Ok honey, bye bye"

She turned and smiled a teary smile to Jack who had stopped reading the newspaper and had looked up as Janet had hung up the phone. He smiled back, understanding in his eyes and got up from the couch going to her. Jack stood in front of Janet and put his hands on either cheek, thumbs wiping at her tears that had begun to roll freely down her cheeks. Then he leaned forward and gently placed a soft kiss on each of her eyelids.

Janet leaned into him and hugged him tight. Her head on his chest. He held her close. Neither spoke. Jack knew how Janet must be feeling at that moment. It had been hard for Janet to finally make the call she had been so worried about. To explain to Terri and finally make amends with her. Janet had been so worried that Terri might not want her friendship ever again.

It had been a couple of nights ago, lying in their bed, arms wrapped around each other, that Janet had finally told Jack that she felt ready to talk to Terri, asking Jack to give her Terri's number. However, in the end it had been Jack the one to call Terri after all, Janet being too nervous to even dial the number. After asking Janet once again if she was sure she wanted him to call Terri and Janet replying yes, squaring her shoulders and lifting up her chin, Jack had dialed.

Janet had been talking to her once best friend and roommate for over an hour. Jack had smiled as he had listened, as per Janet's request that he stay in the room, to the teary one sided conversation and thought how happy he was that Janet was opening up again. Of course their working out their problems had helped a lot.

Terri had been surprised at first when, after Jack talked with her for a few minutes and they caught up to all their recent news, had told her to hold on, that there was someone who wanted to talk to her. Terri had been shocked when she suddenly heard Janet's familiar voice tentatively say hello. Then her anger came back. Terri's voice, when she had said hello back to Janet had been on the frosty side. She had heard Janet sigh, and then apologize for having left all those years ago without a word, but a lie on a note.

Terri had not said anything, instead, her silence letting Janet know that an apology wasn't going to cut it. Not after seeing Jack hurt. Not after they both worried weeks on end about her. Wondering where she was. If she was safe, or happy. Not after seeing Jack go through so much pain and anguish like she'd never seen anyone go through, until now that she had heard the lift in his voice and knew he was going to be fine. Now she knew why. Janet was back.

Janet plundered on regardless of Terri's frostiness, telling her everything that had happened that night Terri had been at work. Starting with hers and Jack's near collision, what it had led up to and her feelings afterwards, explaining her decision to leave.

Terri heard her out, knew that Janet's feelings were not unfounded and in a way was right to have felt insecure and unsure of what to do next. Thinking about it that way, Terri asked herself Could I really blame Janet for having bolted, spooked out of her mind? Guess she really couldn't. However she had to voice her feelings, telling Janet how she had hurt seeing Jack in pain. How both, Terri and Jack had spent many a late night worrying about her. Harder still, her move to Hawaii, knowing she couldn't lose the opportunity but worried sick about Jack. Terri's feeling helpless and powerless to help Jack out. Had Janet known how that had felt? Terri had asked and proceeded to point out that it could've all been prevented by just talking.

Janet agreed, and told Terri that she'd been on the brink of calling many times during the first two months she'd left, but then she told Terri something that Terri wasn't prepared for and made her rethink everything. Janet told her about their child and asked Terri if she really thought Jack had been prepared for a child at that point in time. Maybe her leaving had been for the best in the long run.

Terri had thought about that for a long minute. Janet could only hear Terri's breathing on the other side and at one point thought she had hung up. But then Terri asked in a soft voice "You have a child?…yours and Jack's?" Janet smiling, although she knew Terri couldn't see her, said "Yes, he's almost 6 years old and his name is Jack too" Janet's voice was low and even, as if confirming this news needed to be done in very soft tones.

Terri blew out a long sigh over the phone and finally to Janet's surprise, Terri chuckled. She asked Janet how Jack had taken the news and Janet told her about their meeting in a corner store and everything that had led up to today. When Janet finished she was quiet and Terri said in a happy tone "Oh Janet I'm so glad he found you. I can only imagine how ecstatic he is about having a son! ..and Janet?" "Yes…?" Janet asked timidly. "I don't know if you did the right thing or not by leaving, but I'm glad it worked out for the best" Janet then asked Terri, not without a little trepidation "Does that mean that you forgive me?" Terri chuckled again and told Janet that there was nothing to forgive. Janet had done what she had thought was best. Terri apologized for her frostiness at the beginning of their conversation, but she told Janet that she had needed to vent, to let Janet know how she'd felt. And yes, she agreed with Janet, Jack had definitely not been ready to cope with an emerging career and a child.

Janet let out a long sigh of relief. Afterwards, the conversation flowed as smoothly as it usually does when two true friends talk after a long time of not hearing from each other and pick up as if no time had elapsed. Terri, asking some more questions and Janet answering. Janet asking Terri questions about her husband and children and Terri answering. Terri then said that she was delighted to hear from Janet. But very surprised that Jack had not mentioned running into her months ago. Janet quickly told her that Jack was only following her directions, as she had not been ready to talk or see anyone from their past quite yet. In fact, Janet told Terri that she was the first person Janet had talked to, besides Jack, since she'd come back to Santa Monica.

Terri admitted to Janet that she had guessed that something had happened between Jack and Janet that night. Something more than just their usual little spats. Admitting to Janet that for a while there, she had noticed a subtle change in their relationship. They had somehow become closer and before Janet had announced her engagement to Phillip, she was sure it would be Jack and Janet announcing that they had found romantic feelings for each other. She had dismissed her thoughts, until that morning that a bewildered Jack entered the kitchen looking for Janet. Terri also told her that when she had left, Jack had been an empty shell of a man. That had confirmed Terri's suspicions about them loving each other.

Janet had been surprised to hear how much Terri had actually picked up. She had no idea that their feelings had been that transparent. Hell, it hadn't been for her…or Jack, she was sure.

Both of them laughed at the memories that flooded them. Terri then promised Janet that she'd be in California in a few weeks after Janet had reminded her that she was still her Maid of Honour.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooo

Later in the afternoon that same day, Jack took Janet and their son to Jack's Bistro. Janet had told Jack that she wanted to see Larry. Elated by her earlier conversation with Terri and the way things had turned out, Janet felt confident and calm to start seeing people from her past.

Jack had been ecstatic to hear that, wanting nothing more in the world than to be able to finally show off his son and soon to be wife to everyone he knew. To at last be able to be the proud father he was.

Larry had his back to them as they walked into the bistro. Jack took Janet by the hand and they walked hand in hand towards Larry. He was busy talking to one of the waiters. "Hey Larry, how are things going tonight?" Larry turned "Oh, hey Jack-O, not ba…" and Larry immediately quieted as he saw who Jack had with him.

Larry stared at Janet. "Janet?.. Is that you?" Larry's eyes were big and round with surprise. He couldn't believe that after so many years he was looking at Janet's face. He had thought that she'd never come around again. Janet smiled shyly "Hi Larry" Larry recovered, taking in Jack and Janet's clasped hands and smiled. "Janet! When did you get back into town?"

Jack was smiling broadly at his friend's surprised face. "She's been here for months now" Jack answered, still smiling. Larry looked back at Janet "Is that true? Why didn't you come by before?" Janet blushed "I -I wasn't quite up to seeing anyone from the past yet." She let it hang there and somehow she knew Larry understood. She grinned as she said with feeling "It's good to see you Larry. You look good" and let go of Jack's hand and gave Larry a big warm hug. "Well, it's good to see you too Janet." He hugged her back tightly, genuinely happy to see her. "So I take it that you and Jack talked and have everything sorted out?"

If Jack's jaw could've dropped, it would have in that instant. He had never, ever, discussed his feelings for Janet with anyone, let alone Larry! How did he know? Jack thought. Larry looked at Jack. It was his turn now to smile broadly "Jack, you really thought that I didn't have a clue, did you" and looking at Janet he said "Janet, when you left, you took his heart with you!" Janet blushed even harder, if that were possible.

Jack recovered from his shock "Larry! How- how did you know? I never told…" Larry smiled "Buddy, I'm offended. I know that I can be shallow, but who could miss all that moping you did." Jack straightened out and cleared his throat "I did not mope…" Jack said in his defense. "Jack-O, if that sad puppy dog face you had for many months wasn't moping, then I don't know what was" Larry said chuckling.

Janet had been silent. She looked up at Jack and cupped his cheek with one hand. She mouthed 'I'm sorry' to him, her big almond eyes already brighter than usual, a suspicious watery sheen showing. Jack bent and kissed her lightly on the lips and whispered in her ear "Don't worry, you more than made up for it yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that…" a mischievous smile on his face, his hand going possessively around her waist and squeezing. Janet's mouth formed a perfect 'O' and blushed fiercely, whispering "Jaaack" .

At that moment Larry looked down "Well, and who is this young fella?" Jack visibly straightened up and puffed out his chest, calling his son the same name his father had once called him. "Larry, this is my son, Jack Jr." Now it was Larry's turn to be surprised. He bent down and said "Hey Jack Jr. you're a handsome fellow, you must take after uncle Larry here" Larry laughed at his own joke as he shook the boy's hand. The boy just looked at him, a little confused but amused at this funny man.

Many of the staff had come to greet their boss and Jack introduced Janet and his son to everyone. They were surprised that the boy Gail had babysat was actually their boss's son. They had thought that Janet must have been a serious girlfriend with a son from a previous commitment. The staff took little Jack to the back to show him the kitchen and have him watch how the chef prepared it for dinner.

Jack and Larry went to sit by a corner table while Janet stayed behind to see that her son was ok going with the kids. Larry whispered to Jack "He is yours isn't he? He has your eyes and nose….but then Janet never told you?" Jack made eyes at Larry as he saw Janet coming back and whispered "It's a long story Lare, I'll tell you some other time" In the end, however, it was Janet who told Larry everything once she joined them at the table. She told him how she had gone to Irvine to live and told him about little Jack and not wanting to tell Jack because of his career.

Larry whistled, running his fingers through his hair "Wow Janet, you took a lot upon yourself. Hats off to you woman. You know, many women wouldn't have done that" Jack leaned over in his chair towards Janet and slipped his arm to her waist, hugging Janet to him and looking into her eyes said " Yeah, but when you love someone, actions speak louder than words. I fully understand now why Janet did what she did" and once again they kissed. Larry 'ehemmed' and Jack and Janet broke apart, smiling. Janet once again furiously blushing and Jack saying "Sorry Lare, but I can't keep my hands off this woman!" They all chuckled.

Jack then told Larry about their upcoming wedding. Larry once again whistled and stood up to give his best friend a hug and patted Jack soundly on the back "Congratulations buddy. Janet" this last said looking down at Janet "Honestly, I never thought I would see you guys together, but now that you are, it couldn't have been any other way" Larry then left them alone, telling them he needed to go and take care of some stuff for the restaurant before the big crowds starting filing in for the dinner rush.

Instead of sitting back down beside her, Janet watched as Jack got down on one knee. Janet's eyes were wide with shock, surprised at Jack's actions. Jack looked at her with a serious expression on his face and a solemn look in his kind eyes. He took out a small red velvet box and opened it in front of Janet. Janet gave a small gasp when she saw the square cut diamond solitaire encrusted in a white gold band. She looked at Jack again saying in an almost whisper "Jack, you don't need to do this…". Jack smiled and softly replied "Yes I do" as he took Janet's small hands in his "Janet I know we've talked about getting married, but I want to make it official the traditional way. Will you marry me sweetheart?"

Janet's eyes brightened with unshed tears as she smiled and said "I thought you'd never ask" and she circled his neck with her arms as he encircled her waist, not attempting to get up. They kissed very tenderly. Jack whispered against her lips "I love you" Janet whispered back "and I love you Jack Tripper" Still on one knee, Jack put the ring on Janet's ring finger. They kissed again and suddenly they were hearing applause, cat calls and cheers. They both looked around to see their audience.

Jack's staff had been watching their boss from a distance and were smiling at how happy and in love he looked. This was a side of him that no one had ever seen, until now.

Their son ran up to them and Jack and Janet hugged him tight to them. They made a very tender picture. Jack stood up carrying his son in his arms and turned towards his staff and shouted "Hey, what are you guys waiting for, bring out the champagne!" They all drank and toasted to Jack and Janet's happiness.

SIX WEEKS LATER….

Jack stood on the shore, watching Janet wading in and out of the waves in the clear blue waters of their Hawaiian beach resort they had chosen for their honeymoon. He looked at her shapely figure in her black bikini and a jolt of pure desire shot through him.

He watched her delighted face as the waves crashed into her and she went under, coming out laughing. Jack remembered her angelic face as she had slowly marched down the aisle towards him. Remembered thinking that he must be the luckiest man on this earth, to have this woman for the rest of his life. This unselfish, witty, smart, passionate woman, full of integrity and love, never afraid to speak out for what she believed in. This was the kind of human being Jack respected, and not for the first time, he wondered what the hell he had seen in all those other women he had dated so long ago.

Jack kept on watching Janet and in his mind's eye he saw a younger Janet. A petite brunette with short hair, holding a ladle in front of her, as if that could have stopped him if he had really been an intruder. Jack chuckled out loud as another memory came into his mind, seeing a permed-haired Janet blowing into his ear, making him lose all train of thought as he tried to concentrate in memorizing his lines to sell those stupid encyclopaedias. Remembered being very aroused, but opting to tickle Janet instead, lest he get thrown out for breaking their house rule. Memories kept flooding his mind as he kept on watching Janet. Good ones, bad ones, bringing Jack to the conclusion that he had always had a special feeling for Janet. True, he had been infatuated with Chrissy at the very beginning, but as weeks went by that dwindled down, till it was completely gone. Janet, on the other hand, was a different story. As weeks, then years had gone by, she had became more of a mystery. A lovely enigma that in the end he couldn't get enough of. Janet would always be the kind of woman to keep a man on his toes. She sure as hell kept him on his.

As Janet walked towards him, he saw her bikini clad body move sinuously, droplets of water glistening on her golden tanned skin and wondered how she'd look in a few more months. Her belly round, breasts heavy with the milk she'd be producing for their second child. She had announced her pregnancy three days before their wedding. Jack had been ecstatic with the news, hugging her tight and soundly kissing her. As Janet neared him, wonderment and awe struck him, humbling him to the core at the thought of a tiny life once again growing inside Janet's body. A part of him and her.

Janet came up to him and going on tip toe she kissed him. He smiled into her eyes saying "How was the swim, Mrs. Tripper?" Janet smiled back at Jack's use of her new last name. She lovingly looked into his eyes "Deliciously refreshing Mr. Tripper!" she breathily said as she kissed him again. This time Jack wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him, deepening their kiss.

Finally, Jack let her go and they walked hand in hand towards their towels. As they laid there taking in the warm sun, Jack turned towards Janet and propping his head on his hand, looked down at her "You hungry sweetheart? Thirsty? Shouldn't you be having a snack or something?" Jack's tone sounding a little worried. Janet smiled, her eyes still closed and sleepily replied "Jack quit worrying, I'm pregnant not sick" Jack put his hand on her still flat belly and said "Well, I just remember you this morning, and how sick you were feeling and I can't believe that you're ok right now" Smiling still, Janet shaded her eyes with one hand, and squinting up at him said "Get used to it because that's how it'll be for another month or two. But give me about half and hour and I'll probably be starving" Jack bent his head and lightly kissed her on the lips "Just say the word, honey".

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooo

Jack and Janet ate their dinner as they quietly talked. Both giggling between mouthfuls, remembering their wedding that had just taken place two days ago. Jack was reminding Janet how her parents had reacted at first to her news of getting married to the jobless roommate and then their hysterics when they had found out they were grandparents and that the same silly and unemployed roommate was the father. They both took turns yelling at her over the phone telling Janet how they had always known that her moving to California on her own had not been a good idea. The one sided conversation had gone on for a few more minutes before either parent had let Janet get a word in inch wise. However their tune had changed when they'd found out about Jack's two popular restaurants and how well they did. The day of their wedding had proven a completely different story. They had been the picture perfect parents and in-laws. Jack and Janet, now parents themselves, weren't angry that it was clear as water that Janet's parents change of heart had been the money Jack now made. Jack and Janet now understood that as parents they only wanted what was best for their daughter.

Jack's parents had been completely different. They had been shocked to find out they were grandparents too, but delighted that it was with Janet that Jack had a son and delighted more to find that Janet would soon be their daughter in law. They had both met Janet on two different occasions, and had thought that she was a smart, pretty and sensible girl. Perfect for their son.

Both Jack and Janet laughed harder as they remembered their reception and a confused Mr. Furley. Not that he didn't know Jack wasn't gay. Jack had confessed many years ago while having a cold beer at the Reagle with him, having met each other for lunch as they usually did once or twice a year. Mr. Furley's confusion had been at Jack's choice of bride. To him Jack and Janet had always been complete opposites, so much so that when he got the invitation he was genuinely shocked. However, deep down he was glad that his two favourite tenants and friends had found love. The kids were, after all, the closest thing he had to having his own children.

Janet had hugged Mr. Furley tightly and told him she was glad that he had been able to be at their wedding. Mr. Furley had told Janet that he wouldn't have missed it for the world! Telling Janet that both of them had been quite sneaky making it seem that Jack was gay all those years, but snorting and pulling his pants higher he had said he'd known all along Jack wasn't gay, stating that one macho man, as he was, could recognize another. Jack and Janet had both looked at each other and stifled a giggle.

"Is it time to call Jacky yet?" asked Janet as she put another forkful of food into her mouth. Jack looked at her and still couldn't shake the image of Janet, pale and clammy, hunched over the bathroom sink this morning and now he couldn't believe how she was enjoying her dinner. He hoped that this morning sickness business would soon pass because he didn't think he could take another month of seeing his little Jan so sick and miserable every morning. Was more horrified when Janet had informed him she was lucky she only felt it in the mornings as some women had it all day long.

Jack looked at his watch and replied "In half an hour more. Are you sure you should be eating this much, what with your morning sickness and all" he asked worriedly. Janet smiled as she chewed her food and nodded. After she swallowed she looked at Jack and said "Jack, not even three hours ago you were worried that I wasn't hungry and now that I'm stuffing myself, you're worried again. I'm fine sweetheart. Don't worry so much, ok?" She finished this last with her hand going across the table and squeezing his. He gave her his endearing lopsided smile.

"I hope Jacky is adjusting to my parents" Jack wondered out loud. Jack and Janet had decided to leave their son with Jack's parents as it was more convenient since they didn't live too far from them. Also Janet had noticed that her son took to Jack's parents more than with hers. She loved her parents very much, but she was not blind. Although her parents had bugged her for years to get married and have children, they were the kind of grandparents that, had they had lived in the same city, they would have come by to visit for a couple of hours and leave. Not like Jack's parents. They were more warm and playful. "I'm sure he's just fine. He likes your dad, Jack. He told me before we left that Grandpa Tripper had promised to take him to the zoo and play lots of games with him" she chuckled as she said "I hope they don't spoil him too much" Jack smiled too replying "I can see dad doing all those things. He was always the one to take us out and drag mom away from her cleaning and we'd all go and have a day at the zoo or the beach"

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Back in their room after taking a leisurely stroll around their resort area, they talked about meeting Terri the next morning. Terri and her husband were going to give them a sightseeing tour. That had been part of the charm in choosing Hawaii. Janet had insisted that they go to Niagara Falls, having remembered that Jack had once said he'd always pictured his honeymoon there. However, Jack would have none of it. He knew Terri having arrived only a day before their wedding had not given the girls much time to catch up. To calm Janet down he had told her that the following year they'd go to the falls with their two children. He'd read that the Canadian side had lots of funhouses and wax museums that their son would enjoy and he wouldn't feel right going without him.

As they got into bed and Janet curled into Jack's arms, she heard Jack give a long sigh. "What's the matter babe?" She asked looking up at him. He looked at her and smiling said "You know, this all still feels like a dream to me Janet. I mean, if someone had said to me a year ago that this is how it was going to be I would have scoffed at them, and now look at us. Together. Married. On our way to having a second child and very much in love." Janet hugged him tight saying "I know what you mean sweetheart. I thought I'd never see you again and now I feel the luckiest woman alive!"

Jack looked at her with a solemn expression on his face "Janet, my love for you grows deeper everyday. You have my heart in the palm of your hand, don't ever crush it again sweetheart, I don't think it'd be able to survive a second time" Janet looked at his bright eyes and tenderly cupped his cheek "Oh Jack, I love you so much! I would never purposely hurt you. I am sorry, you know, for not sticking around six years ago. It could have been so much- " Jack put a finger on her lips shushing her gently. He chided himself mentally for making her feel guilty again, so to make it up he softly said "You know, I've thought about that for many months and I now firmly believe that we had to go through that dark time to really appreciate each other and what we have together. Let's forget about the past and look forward to our new beginning" They looked at each other intently. Their look expressing all the love, passion and adoration they felt for each other. For the years they had spent apart. For the many happy years to come that might not have been, had it not been for that one night to always be remembered.

THE END