NOTE: It's been two and a half years, but the end is here. To those that followed this story, thank you and I hope you enjoyed it. A special thank to all that were kind enough to leave feedback. It meant a lot.

(See the first chapter for disclaimer, notes, spoilers, etc.)

Chapter 69: "Epilogue"

"I've been ready for this my entire life, Poppy."

And she had been, hadn't she, Thomas thought to himself as he stood with Olivia, watching Bette saunter down the aisle. Ready and waiting for the moment when she found the other half of her soul. He patted her arm, feeling the way she shifted from foot to foot. "You're not nervous, are you?" he whispered in her ear.

She grinned, bashful surprise tingeing her cheeks a rosy red. The shear sleeves of her gown rustled in the breeze as a violin chord wavered. She turned to her father, squeezing his hand as they stood at the head of the aisle. "Of course not," she replied as the guests stood and turned expectantly. She squared her shoulders and gripped the overflowing bouquet in front of her.

Thomas marveled at the ease with which she conquered the petal-strewn aisle. The full skirt of her gown floated in sheer layers on the mid-September breeze. Her arm lay nestled with his, but her gaze lay in front of her. To the end of the aisle, where Gregory stood.

Eleanor watched Gregory take Olivia's hand, drawing her closer to him. He leaned close, whispering something in her ear that brought a wide smile to her face. Eleanor gently wiped the corner of her eye, reaching for Maxwell's hand as the ceremony began.

Olivia's hand latched onto Gregory's as the priest's words fell on deaf ears. She could only hear him, the sound of his breathing filling her world. She could only see him, gazing into his dark eyes and basking in the warmth she found. His vows washed over her, words of promise and cherish that were for her ears only.

Gregory looked down, watching as Olivia slid the gold band onto his finger. Her hand trembled slightly against his and he squeezed it gently. Her blue eyes turned up to him, her long hair fanning around her face. Her lips curled into a smile as his hand inched up her arm, pulling her closer before the priest could pronounce them wed.

He cupped her face as his lips found hers, pressing against them. The applause from their guests faded to a dull hush around them. Their kiss lingered, born on the promise of eternity. It was finally theirs for the taking.

"Daddy?"

Gregory's head snapped forward, drawn to the soft voice that cut through his reverie. "Maggie."

The sixteen year old cocked her head quizzically, touching his arm. "Are you alright?" she asked, concern clouding her sapphire blue eyes. "You look a thousand miles away."

"Well", he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, "that's because I was."

She smiled as he led her back to the party. "Senility setting in already?"

He chuckled. "Oh, I think I've got a few more good years left."

"Mom's going to love that," she giggled, linking her arm through his as they strolled through the ballroom. She touched his arm suddenly, gesturing across the dance floor. "What were you thinking about?"

He paused, turning to her with a softness in his eyes that already gave her the answer she sought. "I was thinking about the past."

"The past?"

He nodded. "Twenty year old memories come back to you like it was yesterday. Living them was an eternity, but remembering them takes only an instant." He looked into her face, the face that so resembled the woman who bore her. "I look at you and I see your mother the day I met her."

"Mom always said the heavens smiled on her that day."

"For me too," he said softly.

Maggie grinned, hugging him tightly as she said, "And you say Mom's sentimental." She pulled back and kissed his cheek. "Speaking of Mom, she sent me to find you. It's time for the picture."

He nodded and wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked back through the ballroom. Ropes of twinkling white lights hung from the ceiling, a celestial canopy that cast a soft glow.

"There's Daddy and Maggie," Stella cried, pointing them out of the crowd.

Olivia turned around, smiling in relief at the sight of the missing. "Finally," she sighed, winking at Maggie as she continued, "He was in the parlor with a cigar, wasn't he?"

Maggie shrugged, taking her nine-year-old sister's hand as she backed away from the conversation. Olivia rolled her eyes and turned back to Gregory accusingly. "She covers for you."

"As any good daughter would for her father."

She laughed. "And I thought two daughters would even things out."

A deep chuckle interrupted them as Christopher stepped in between them, casually draping his arms around each of them. "When are you both going to realize that there is no 'even' with those girls?" He sighed, as only a confident nineteen year old on the cusp of adulthood could. "My little sisters have taken over control of this family."

He stood tall, straightening the lapel of his tuxedo as he shook his head regretfully. "And I think we all need to take a moment and reflect on the reality that I would have made a wonderful only child."

Olivia's eyebrow arched as he walked over to the girls, swinging Stella into his arms with a flourish. "He says that like he doesn't love them to pieces," she whispered in Gregory's ear.

Gregory smiled, his arm nestled around Olivia's waist. Her arm went across his chest, her fingers lightly caressing the spot where she knew his scar to be. As if she was still worried he was in pain. He pulled her hand away and brought it to his mouth, a soft kiss baptizing the tips of her fingers.

"Look, darling," she whispered.

He followed her gaze, watching as the photographer arranged the children around Maxwell and Eleanor. A grinning Stella stood between her grandparents, Christopher and Maggie behind them. "Look at them," she continued, unabashed pride creeping into her voice. "Look at what we did."

He squeezed her shoulder, his gaze lingering on each of them. "Our children."

She turned to him, her hands sliding down his side. "We didn't do so bad."

"No," he agreed, "we didn't. In fact, all things considered, we did pretty damn good."

Olivia smiled. "Let's get this picture done with. After all, it's not every day your parents celebrate sixty years of marriage. And then after, you're mine on the dance floor."

He pulled her closer, drawing her in as he growled in her ear, "And tonight- you're mine."

She shivered in his arms, a wicked grin snaking across her face. "Promise?"

Gregory watched as she turned away, beckoning him to follow as she joined the photo. He paused for a moment, watching the woman that captured his heart and the children she gave him. He had been blessed four times over, precious gifts that most people spent a lifetime waiting to find.

The heavens truly had smiled on them, he thought as Stella skipped over to him. "Come on, Daddy!" she exclaimed, tugging on his arm. "We can't take the picture without you!"

He smiled, letting her take his hand and lead him over. Yes, he was blessed, he thought as he stood behind his parents with Olivia and their children gathered around him.

Delightfully so.

THE END.