So.. this is it, kids!
I wasn't even planning on this being the final chapter... but it just kind of happened. It didn't feel right to force another chapter to come after this.
I really love the ending to this, I think it finishes the story perfectly :{)
I just want to give a HUGE thanks to everyone who reviewed and followed the whirlwind that is this story. You guys are the reason this story kept going, and I owe everything to you guys. So thank you.
For everyone who is sad to see this story come to an end, hold your sauce! The sequel is right around the corner, and let me tell you... it's intense. I just know it.
"It feels so weird to be home," Jade breathed as she and Beck lay in bed together early the following morning. It had been a peaceful night - the first in a long time. Even Cat had slept soundly in her makeshift bed on Beck's couch with one of her many stuffed giraffes held tightly in her arms.
"I know," Beck agreed, tightening his arms around his girlfriend, "We don't have to drive anywhere... Run from anything... Nothing," he sighed happily, slipping one hand down to rest on Jade's stomach under her tank top, splaying his long fingers out across her pale skin.
A small smile crept up on Jade's lips at his display of affection, which had become increasingly more frequent, especially during the night. She had woken up several times to find his hand protectively covering her stomach as he gazed down at it - like it fascinated him.
Beck broke his gaze away from Jade's tummy to look up into her crystal eyes, blushing as he realised what he had been doing, "Sorry," he breathed, beginning to remove his hand from her stomach - sure that he was about to take some sort of blow to his chest.
"No," Jade stopped him, taking his hand and dragging it back to her stomach, "I like it."
Beck's eyebrows raised slightly, but he didn't question her, instead he returned his hand to its previous spot and nuzzled his cheek against Jade's shoulder, pressing a soft kiss to her skin. Jade smiled blissfully and entwined her legs with his, her eyes beginning to close.
But she ended up opening them again a few moments later when there was a very loud and persistent knock at the door. She groaned and shuffled down under the covers, hiding herself. Beck also groaned and turned to hide his face in the soft pillow beneath his head.
Across the RV, Cat jumped awake in fright at the sudden loud noise. Her red rimmed eyes flew open and she snuggled closer to her giraffe as she watched Beck slowly climb out of bed and head over to the door.
Beck stretched and yawned before unlocking the door and allowing it to swing open - creaking loudly as a result of the trauma the mobile home had been through. When it swung open all the way, it revealed an extremely tired-looking Robbie Shapiro.
Despite his friend's appearance, Beck smiled, "Hey man," he greeted.
"Is Cat here?" Robbie asked frantically, looking up at his friend.
As Beck opened his mouth to answer, his answer suddenly came from behind him as Cat called out a weak and hoarse "Robbie?"
Beck stepped aside and allowed the curly-haired boy to rush inside before closing the door behind him. Robbie ran across the mobile home and over to the couch where his girlfriend lay. Cat leaned up and allowed Robbie to embrace her tightly as she burst into a fresh set of tears.
"My home," she sobbed into his shirt, her hands gripping the plaid fabric as Robbie's hands held her to him.
"I know, I saw it, baby," he breathed, his heart breaking into pieces as Cat's sobbed racked her small frame. He closed his eyes to hold back his tears as he nuzzled his nose into her hair.
"Everything's gone. I don't know where my parents are, or my brother! I have nothing."
Robbie shook his head and moved his hands up to cup his girlfriend's cheeks, forcing her to look at him through her tears, "No, everything's going to be fine, okay? I promise. You can stay with me," he told her.
"Robbie-" Cat began.
"Rob, we kinda decided that Cat would stay here for a while," Beck spoke up from his position next to Jade on the bed.
Robbie turned back to Cat, "But... you're my girlfriend," he pouted, causing the smallest smile to appear on Cat's lips.
"How about Cat stays here until your house is fixed, then she stays with you," Jade spoke up - acting as the voice of reason in Cat's dilemma.
Cat nodded, "I like that idea," she told them.
Robbie nodded and pressed his lips to Cat's forehead, "What ever you want."
Later that day, Cat was feeling slightly better and had actually managed to crack a smile and giggle at some of Robbie's lame attempts to cheer her up. Being surrounded by several of her closest friends really helped her cope. As they gathered on Beck's couches, each of them had unintentionally assumed a role. Robbie was the one constantly doing his best to make her smile. Beck was the one cracking lame jokes and reaching over to tickle her from time to time. And Jade was the one with her arms wrapped around the little redhead, acting as a constant supply of comfort to her best friend.
Just as Cat's hoarse giggles died down once again, a loud knock at the door interrupted the comfortable silence. Beck sighed and squeezed Jade's knee playfully - causing her to let out a shocked squeal - before he climbed off of the couch and over to the door.
This time, he found Tori and Andre on the other side. He greeted them before stepping aside to let them in - Tori helping Andre up the small step.
"So, how's everything?" he asked as he closed the door behind them.
The two shared a small glance between each other before they nodded, "Good," Andre answered as he leaned his crutches against the wall.
"Fine," Tori smiled.
Beck led them over to the lounge area and resumed his position next to Jade as Tori and Andre sat down on the soft carpet, grabbing pillows to get comfy.
"How's mama?" Andre asked Jade with a smile, reaching up to nudge her knee.
Jade shook her head and smiled as Beck's hand snuck over to her stomach, "I'm good."
"I'm glad we're all together again," Cat spoke up as her hand toyed with Robbie's.
"Why's that?" Robbie questioned, tilting his head to look down at his girlfriend.
The redhead shrugged, "I just really love you guys."
Tori smiled emotionally and reached out for Cat's free hand, squeezing it tightly as their fingers interlocked.
"Nothing's coming between us now, little red," Andre smiled as he grabbed a stray pen and began doodling pictures on the bottom of Cat's cast. Jade nodded in agreement, ducking her head to press a kiss to Cat's cheek, causing the redhead to smile and nuzzle her head against Jade's. Beck smiled at the display of affection between the two best friends before reaching out and gently turning Jade's face towards him. He pressed his lips to hers lovingly before pulling back and resting his forehead against hers, his thumb stroking her stomach lovingly.
Andre was right. After everything this group of friends had been through together, from running from a storm together, to getting trapped, to escaping and finally getting back home, to a tiny baby on the way, they were closer than ever and they knew that nothing could come between their bond as a group.
Nothing.
... Right?
So there it is, Escape.
I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did!
In the meantime, while you're mourning the ending of this fic (hehe!) feel free to ask me questions about anything here!
ask . fm / LizandAriana
Also, I'm thinking about creating a forum on here for you guys. Just so you can discuss the happenings of each chapter/story with each other. Yay or nay? Let me know! 3
love!
xo