BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN

EPILOGUE

NO ONE'S POV

Nick sat on the edge of his bed and placed the breakfast-in-bed tray on the side table. He smiled at his sleeping daughter who just turned 7 that day. He knew that she was already awake at the moment, but she was just not yet in the mood to open her eyes. "Wake up, princess," he murmured while caressing her hair with one hand.

"Hmmm..." Lexie hummed as she wrapped her arms tight around her fluffy pillow.

"Happy birthday my baby Lexie," Nick greeted and a smile crept up on his daughter's sleeping face.

"Daddy, I'm not a baby anymore," she whined as she opened her eyes.

Nick saw his daughter's beautiful blue eyes and leaned down to kiss her cheek. "You'll always be my baby girl."

Lexie smiled adorably and hugged her dad. "I love you, daddy."

"I love you too, princess," Nick said as he pulled her up in his arms, gently caressing her small back, before setting her down on the bed.

"I wish mommy is here," Lexie said as her smile faded.

Nick sighed. "Lexie..." he breathed before kissing her forehead.

Lexie looked up to her dad with such curiosity. "Who was mommy's favorite Disney princess?" she asked, changing the topic.

Nick couldn't help but let out a chuckle at his daughter's adorableness. "Oh, it's Cinderella," he answered, remembering how he and Miley had watched it over and over again when they were kids, up until they grew older. She was his Cinderella; his princess.

Lexie's eyes got wide. "Daddy, I'm Cinderella, remember? She's my favorite too! We're the same!" she exclaimed happily.

Nick laughed at Lexie as she bounced gleefully; she is such a cutie. "Right!"

"My dress is at aunt Selena's, right?"

"Yup, so we better get going. Go and eat, so you could take a bath," Nick said as he pulled the food table towards the top of the bed.

After Nick and Lexie shared the breakfast-in-bed he made, Lexie took a bath and dressed up for her birthday party. Since David and Selena got a bigger house than Nick's, and they really wanted to give Lexie a birthday party, the party would be held at their backyard. Nick was hesitant at first, because the help he had received from the couple was too much already, but they insisted and told them that both Nick and Lexie were already part of their family. Selena and David were second parents to Lexie. Since Lexie's school service would drop her off at the couple's place, Sel was like a mother to her. Selena teaches her and helps her with homework. On the other hand, Nick had to work and study at the same time; a job offer was given to him. He had to study about counseling, so he could be promoted as a guidance councilor in a private school where he currently works as a discipline coordinator. His reputation as a soldier was good, so his high school friend offered him the job. Nick figured that maybe this is what was meant for him; to guide the youth and discipline them, so they won't end up badly. Maybe it is what was supposed to be; to use his knowledge and wisdom, and share it to those in need.

"Hey, Lexie! Happy birthday, baby!" Selena greeted as Lexie entered the house running to her aunt Sel with a wide grin.

Lexie hugged Selena's legs and thanked her. "Thank you aunt Sel!"

Selena picked her up and kissed her before dropping her back gently on the ground.

Lexie looked up to her. "How's your baby?" she asked with a smile.

Selena grinned. "He's fine, as always," she said, talking about her unborn child.

After years of trying to produce a baby, Selena got pregnant, and she was on her fifth month of her pregnancy. It was unexpected and it was really a big surprise, but she and David were really thankful for the big blessing they have received.

"There's the birthday girl!" David said as he entered the living room.

Lexie ran up to him and giggled. "Uncle David!"

"Happy birthday, squirt!" David said as he picked her up, greeted her, and kissed her cheek softly.

"Thank you!"

"Your gift is on the gift table."

"May I open it already?" Lexie asked anxiously, excited to see her gifts.

David walked to the backyard with Lexie still in his arms. "You have to open them later after the party," he said while pointing to the gift table. She looked around the party area and felt so excited. "You like it?" David asked her.

Lexie's eyes glowed naturally, as she looked back to him. "Yes! It's beautiful."

Selena appeared on the open French doors that separated the house and backyard. "Lexie? Come on, sweetie, you have to change into your dress," she said as she motioned for Lexie to come over.

David placed Lexie's feet back on the ground, as he heard his wife calling Lexie.

"Coming, aunt Sel!" Lexie ran towards Selena.

Selena held Lexie's hand and led her to the second floor of the house. "Come on, I've got to show you something too." She brought Lexie to her old room, where the newly-pregnant couple had turned into a nursery room after asking permission from Lexie.

"Wow! It's almost done!" Lexie gushed as she glanced around the room. New blue wallpaper was stuck on the wall, a crib was already there beside a bed, a stroller still covered with plastic was already parked at the corner, a box of a car seat was on one of the shelves, and there were lots of toys and baby things everywhere.

Selena smiled as she opened the closet and showed Lexie some clothes she and David bought for their child. "Yes, and I'm really excited to have our baby boy."

Lexie then hopped towards the bed and sat on it. "I'm kinda jealous," she admitted as she ran her hand on her Cinderella dress lying on top of the bed.

Selena noticed Lexie's pout, so she touched the side of her face gently and smiled down at her niece. "Oh, don't be jealous, princess. You're still going to be my baby girl," she said as she tucked a few strands of Lexie's hair beneath her ear.

"Really? You'd still be my second mom?" Lexie's eyes lit up as she asked anxiously.

"Yes. We'd still go shopping for girly stuff because your dad is lame," Selena chuckled and rolled her eyes, remembering that time when her niece entered her house wearing a hideous looking dress as she walked smugly alongside her father. Nick admitted that it was his first attempt to buy Lexie a girly dress, so Selena swore never to let Nick buy Lexie a dress again, so from that day, she was the one to take Lexie dress-shopping.

Selena helped Lexie in her dress and shoes, and she led her niece to her room, so she could fix Lexie's hair and accessories. "Wow! Look at you! You look beautiful!" she said as she was done with Lexie's hair, light make-up, and accessories.

Lexie turned around and hugged her aunt Sel. "Thank you, aunt Sel. I love you."

Selena hugged her softly and imagined how it would feel like to hug her own child too. "I love you too, Lexie."

After a while, someone knocked on the door; it was Nick, and he got overwhelmed when he saw her gorgeous daughter. "You look so beautiful," he whispered as he smiled and walked over Lexie, who's sitting in front of the vanity, with her aunt Sel beside her.

"Daddy!" Lexie squealed as her father held her in a tight embrace. "Thank you, daddy!"

Selena smiled at the father-daughter moment. "I'll give you guys a minute," she said as she got up from her seat.

Nick smiled warmly at Selena and squeezed her hand. "Thanks, Sel."

Selena left and Nick hugged his small daughter dearly. "You're growing so fast, sweetie."

"I know, but I'll always be your little girl. You can't escape that, daddy," Lexie commented cutely. She really was adorable, and Nick thought that he couldn't get enough of it.

"I know, and I kinda like it," Nick said after a soft chuckle. "Oh, I have here my gift to you," he reached for his pocket and took out a small box.

"Really?" Lexie asked with wide eyes.

"I can't wait to give it to you later, so here it is."

Lexie's eyes glowed as her father brought out a pretty bracelet and clasped it around her wrist. She smiled happily and touched the bracelet with her fingers. "Thank you, daddy! I love it!" she said as she kissed him on the cheek.

"You're welcome, baby girl."

"Aunt Demi! Uncle Joe!" Lexie screamed as she ran towards them.

Joe picked her up and kissed her cheek. "Hey smartie! Happy birthday!"

Lexie giggled. "Thank you uncle Joe!"

"Happy birthday, princess!" Demi greeted as she leaned forward and kissed Lexie who's still in Joe's arms.

Lexie hugged her aunt Demi and thanked her. "Thank you aunt Demi! Hello Joshua! You look bigger!" she said and greeted Joshua, Demi and Joe's kid.

David, Selena, Demi, Joe, Joshua, Nick, and Lexie, had been closer than ever. They would always have lunch together at David's or Joe's house every Sunday. It was like a tradition to attend those Sunday family-fun time.

The birthday party went perfect. Lexie really enjoyed the parlor games with her classmates, and the kids loved it.

The father and daughter were now climbing in their bed for sleep time. Nick had driven the two of them home after some alone time with Selena, David, Demi, and Joe, after the party. Nick then reached for the side table and opened the drawer. He opened a jewelry box and pulled out the same necklace he gave Miley a few years ago, the one with a pendant with a shape of an angel.

"Another gift, daddy?" Lexie chuckled as she eyed the necklace.

Nick nodded as he clasped the necklace around his daughter's neck. "Yes, it's your mom's. I gave it to her, and she wanted me to give it to you when you get older."

Lexie smiled as she touched the pendant of her necklace. She loved it so much already. But then her confusion hit her, and made her frown. "Daddy?" the little girl said to her father.

Nick tucked her in and brushed some strands of her hair away from her face. "Yes?"

Lexie pouted prettily and sighed. "You're forgetting something."

"What is it?" Nick asked in confusion.

Lexie's face scrunched up in confusion. "Why is mom still not here? I really expected her to come today. I want to be with her too, daddy. I want us to be complete, and you to be happy."

Nick let out a sigh of exasperation. "Lexie..."

"Please, daddy? You promised."

"Are you ready to know the truth?"

"Yes, please, daddy? I wanna know why she isn't here, why she had to be far away from us, and how she saved me from the accident when I was four."

"Come here, Lex," Nick said as he motioned for her to come and sit in his arms. She obeyed her father and sat on his lap, cuddling to his chest. Nick caressed his daughter's hair as he moved until his back was rested against the headboard. "I'm going to tell you something, but please listen first."

Lexie nodded as she started to relax in her daddy's arms. "Okay, daddy."

Nick paused for a while, collecting all the details in the past about Lexie, ready to spill it on her slowly. "Remember one time when your aunt Selena told you that you were in a basket when I found you? It's true. I found you outside the door of this house. I don't know who left you there. I just know that you needed someone to take care of you. I adopted you and treated you as my own daughter. I didn't know how to tell you, and I got scared I'm going to lose you if you plan to find your real parents. I'm scared to lose you, Lexie. I'm sorry. I just love you so much," he rambled on, trying to find the right things to say, but he couldn't take it; he had to tell her that he was scared he might lose her, and that he didn't tell her earlier because of his selfish decision not to let her know the truth about her identity because he was scared she might leave him.

Her real parents left her because they didn't want her; they didn't care about her. Lexie's tears flowed down from her eyes. She couldn't believe that the man in front of her, the one who raised her, wasn't her real father, but she felt so close to him that it's almost impossible.

"When you get older and you want to find your true parents, I'll help you even if it is hard. I'll do it for you if it makes you happy," Nick continued.

Lexie's heart ached. "No, you're my only daddy. I will always be your baby girl. I couldn't ask for more. I don't want to find them. I have you. Just promise me you would never leave me," she begged and wept in her daddy's arms.

Nick pushed her softly away from him and wiped her tears. "I will never leave you, baby."

Lexie saw tears in her daddy's eyes, and her heart softened. Who cares about her real parents? She doesn't need them; she got everything right in front of her. She's happy with the love of her daddy, and she doesn't want anything more than his love. Lexie climbed up to her daddy's lap and wiped his tears with her small hands. "I never want to see you cry, daddy."

"Lexie..." Nick murmured as he brought his lips towards her hair.

"I don't need my real parents. I don't care about them. They gave me away. I love you, daddy. Thank you for treating me like a princess. I love you. You are the only one that I need. "

"I love you too, Lexie. I'm sorry for hiding it from you."

"You don't have to say sorry. I know you did it because you love me."

Nick's heart soared. Finally, he had let out the truth to Lexie, and yet, she still wanted to be with him instead of finding her real parents. It was a big relief in Nick's part; he wouldn't have to worry of losing Lexie anymore. "I do! I love you, princess, and I wouldn't trade you for anything."

Lexie smiled and enjoyed the feeling of her dad's embrace. "Thank you, daddy."

"For what, sweetie?"

Lexie smiled up at her daddy. "For adopting me, for taking care of me, and for loving me. I'm so thankful that you're my daddy. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. I love you, and I'll always be a good girl. I wouldn't let you have a hard time taking care of me. I'll wake up every morning on time, eat vegetables, and do whatever you say."

"Shhh. Lexie, I just want you to be yourself, and just do what makes you happy. I love you just the way you are, and I'll always be there for you, okay?" Nick said, reminding her that he would always be there to guide her and support whatever decisions she make.

"Thank you so much, daddy!" Lexie said while tearing up in happiness. She held onto her dad tight and kissed his cheek. Nick sighed happily as he embraced his precious daughter sent from heaven above. She truly was a blessing to him.

Lexie frowned as she held the angel pendant of her necklace in between her fingers. She just discovered that her dad doesn't know her biological parents, so who is Miley, and why is she wearing her necklace?

"Daddy?" Lexie called again.

"Yes, darling?"

"What about my mommy Miley?" Lexie asked with a very confused face.

Nick sighed and laid Lexie on her back against the bed. Lexie looked at her dad as she rubbed the pendant in between her thumb and pointer finger, waiting for his answer.

Nick smiled lightly as he caressed Lexie's hair. "She's in heaven, now."

Lexie's throat ached. She knew what her father meant by that. "She's..." she trailed off, not knowing the correct term to say.

"She died a week before I found you on my doorstep."

"Why?"

"She was ill. She had cancer."

"Cancer?"

"It's a very complicated sickness, Lex."

"Was she your wife?"

"No, we didnt have the chance to get married. But we know in our hearts that we belong together."

"You love her so much? More than you love me?" Lexie asked with such curiosity.

"I love her as much as I love you," Nick confessed the equality of his love for both of his favorite girls. "We were so in love, and she was my life."

"Tell me about her, daddy," Lexie requested with her sweet, sweet voice.

Nick smiled, reminiscing about his Miley. "She's very smart. When she graduated high school, she got the highest grade among the rest of the graduates. When I went to the army, she was very sad, she kept crying but I did my best to comfort her. When I found out she was sick, I cried. I never left her until the sickness went away. When it did, she told me to go back to the army, so I did, but she got sick again; it came back."

"She saved me once, and she appeared in my dream, and told me she loves me. She made me feel like she's my mommy. I want her to be my mommy."

"She wants you to be her baby too."

Lexie smiled. "My mommy's an angel," she blurted out proudly.

"Yes," Nick agreed and smiled at the positivity of his daughter for such an early age. He sighed happily because his daughter finally knew all the secrets he kept from her. He was truly blessed to have someone like her, who tries to ignore negativity and looks at the bright side in every problem in life.

MILEY'S POV

I stood in front of Nick's bed and smiled as I watched him sleep peacefully while holding our little Lexie in his arms. I ached to speak to them and hold them tight. I wish I could just be granted to have a few moments to kiss and hug them. I sighed. I was about to leave the house when I passed by the full length mirror, and got surprised when I saw my reflection on the mirror. I'm dead; I'm not supposed to see my reflection in the mirror. I felt so confused, but then, my feet accidentally bumped on Lexie's fluffy pair of slippers. I lightly kicked the slipper to see if it will move, and it did. I can't believe that I've done that. I was confused for a while, but I didn't want to waste time. I carefully walked towards the big bed where my two loves lay. I sat on it and stared at my two precious treasures, and I lay beside Lexie's form, which was curled towards her father's body. Her figure was backed away from me, but I didn't care. I just want to hold and feel her. I carefully touched her hair and kissed her cheek softly. My tears seeped through my eyes; I couldn't believe I could touch her. I hugged her tightly and kissed the side of her hair. Even though she isn't my real daughter, it felt right, as if she's really ours. I felt a familiar hand caress my face, and I looked up and saw Nick awake, smiling down at me. I wiped my tears and moved myself up, so we could be on the same level.

"Are you real?" he asked softly.

"Yes, it's me, baby," I replied as tears fell from my eyes. He rubbed my cheek with his thumb and wiped my tears.

"Don't cry, my angel," he whispered while caressing my cheeks.

I brought my hand to the side of his face and touched him softly. "I'm just happy I get to touch you and talk to you again. I don't know how it happened; I just saw my reflection in the mirror…"

He stopped my rant as he pulled my face closer, and we kissed softly. I felt so alive and happy at the feeling of his lips, and I still couldn't believe it. "What matters most is you're here," he said while caressing my hair.

I looked into his eyes and smiled. "I love you," I said to him.

He smiled back and said, "I love you too." He made my stomach flip, and I felt tingles all over my body. It felt amazing to touch him, kiss him, and talk to him.

I felt his hand rest on my waist and I looked deep in his eyes again. "I'll take care of you and Lexie, I won't let you two get hurt, and I'll never leave you. I'll always be here."

Nick sighed and pulled me closer. I squeezed myself towards Lexie and placed my arm on top of my two loves, protecting them from anything. I placed my head on the crook of Nick's Neck and enjoyed the feeling of being united with my Nick and Lexie, trying to make up for the moments that I wasn't there physically. There in that bed, we snuggled together as a happy, flawless, and complete family, and I closed my eyes and dreamt for it to never end.

AN: hello guys! I'm back! so I decided not to split this chapter into two. hahaha this is the last one, so I'll probably be working on continuing Secret lovers next! I really hope you all enjoyed reading this story, and I love you all. AND! the very ending was just a random thought. it just popped in my mind! so cooooolll! =] i just thought you all deserved a NILEY ending =]

to all my reviewers, you all are amazing! I love you so much! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING! and for not hating me when I killed miley in this story. =)) thanks for understanding. hahaha

OT: What ya think of the biebs baby? Do u think it's his? I honestly dont believe it. hahaha but poor Jelena. =/ and Sel really looks sad everywhere she went. LOL she isn't smiling. yea, that's what I have observed recently.

anyway, did ya all enjoyed halloween? =] and did you made time to visit your loved ones who passed away? please do so. =]

xonileylooover