(A year and six months later)

May 4, 2024

I wake to the sound of giggles and the sweet aroma of freshly made pancakes. A smile blooms from ear to ear as I listen to precious laughter and the gorgeous voice of my husband. With ease, I get up and sigh contently as I slip out from under the blankets and saunter out of the room and down the stairs towards the living room.

Peeking around the corner, I can see Ollie and Jace huddled with blankets and pillows around the coffee table, sat on the floor and watching Saturday morning cartoons while happily eating up pancakes drenched in syrup.

I can't help but grin at the sight as I walk in, "Watching Pokemon without me again? I'm hurt."

Ollie's big, wide eyes dart up to my own before her tiny self is up and running to me, only to be scooped up and lifted into a hug. "Mornin', uncle Kaily! We tried to wake you but uncle Jace said you were tired cuz you were up late again!"

Jace is at my side quickly too, pressing a sweet hello kiss to my cheek, "Your breakfast is covered up in the oven. Still warm, I only just made them."

I smile and nod, letting Ollie get back to her show as I go to grab my pancakes and then join them again. Ever since Ollie came to live with us, things have been amazing and she's forced us into multiple little rituals that she used to do with her parents. I shouldn't say 'forced', because in all honesty, we love doing these things just as much as she does.

Every Friday night we have a fun supper, which usually consists of take-away or some whacky recipe that Grams makes up, and then Saturday morning we have pancakes in the living room while watching cartoons all morning since Jace and I are both free on Saturday mornings. Sunday we have proper family meals and then Jace and I usually help her with her weekend homework before letting her watch a movie with us before tucking her into bed.

Two of my favourites, however, have to be that whenever a really nice, sunny day comes along we all take a day off to go to our beach, and every month, on the date of the accident that claimed Ollie's parents, our bestfriends, and my sister; we bring flowers to their graves and Ollie likes us to give her mum and dad updates about everything.

I remember the first time... it was so hard to see their names upon the stones. Ollie immediately sat down and started rambling about her days and what's been going on as if her mom were there, nodding along and as if she'd get a response. Before I knew it, I found myself sitting next to her and talking to my sister too, and we just never stopped. Zoe may be gone physically, but she's still with us. In our hearts and when things get difficult, I know that just like my mom, she's there watching over me.

To say things haven't changed would be a lie. Grams became ill and since then, the doctor's have advised that she have someone live with her to help her and keep an eye on her in case she is to fall or need assistance with anything. Jace immediately wanted to have her come live with us, but with Grams not working, and us already having to support Ollie and ourselves, Grams refused to disturb our new life. Instead, Rhys and Kyle offered for her to move in with them, while she rents out her old house to Jared and his now husband, allowing them to finally leave their small flat.

Seth and Charlie. Their relationship proved to be quite interesting. They've had their moments, good and bad--with two strong personalities it's bound to happen--but they always seem to manage to work out their differences. Seth teaches Charlie patience and understanding, and Charlie teaches Seth to be more open and trusting. It's a beautiful relationship even in the worst of times. Charlie decided to make his transfer to London permanent and the two of them actually did take up my offer and moved into my old flat. As far as I know, things seem to be going pretty well for them.

Leah and Lucy broke up for some time after the funeral and Leah went through quite a dark time, struggling possibly more than myself even with the loss of our dear friend. Eventually though, Seth, Lucy, and myself managed to get through to her and a few months back her and Lucy got back together and slowly but surely, everything there seems to be healing as well.

Daisy finally came out to her parents, and while her mother was appalled, her father was more accepting and chose to love his daughter despite his wife's wanting to disown her. Recently, I was informed of her parents divorce, but she seems happy to at least still have one of her parents in her life who is accepting of her relationship with Sam. Which, might I add, is going incredibly as Sam proposed to her not long ago.

Personally, even my own life has become quite different. I still work at BBC 1, but I've stepped down from being such a big face. Seth got promoted and actually works alongside me and our new show has become even more popular than my old one, and with this change, I work less days out of the week because of newer shows taking up time slots. You won't hear me complain though. Less days at work means more days spent with Jace and Olivia.

Jace still works with his therapy group, but actually started taking online business classes offered by a local university with me. Why you might ask? Well, when you have a bookstore left in your care, it's not wise to simply open up without a clue as to how to run it. As of last fall, we re-opened and it's been more popular than I've ever seen it and I can only hope that Mr. Hughes is proud.

*

That afternoon, I walk into our little store, Jace and Ollie on either side of me as I walk up to the front counter to talk to Ethan.

"How're we doing today?" I ask the fourteen year old.

He grins up at me, leaning over the counter he stands at, "Great, Sir! We've sold nearly twenty-five books this morning."

I smile, checking everything over as I give him a look of approval, "Great, and things are going well for you?"

His cheeks light up in embarrassment at the mention of his struggles lately, "Uhm, they've been better. B-But, I enjoy my time here. Gives me an excuse to get out of the house, and a quiet place to do my homework, you know?"

Jace smiles, ruffling the boys hair as I get dragged off and up the stairs to the loft by little Ollie to let her pick out her book of the week. I leave Jace to finish up while I watch as our girl skips around, skimming the titles before grabbing one and settling herself on a familiar red love seat. I casually saunter over, sitting next to the tiny child and peek over her shoulder while she quietly mumbles the words to herself.

Harry Potter again. Of course, I think to myself with a smile.

Jace joins us eventually, and the three of us spend our day reading and helping about in the store despite having other workers, until it's time to close and the sun is setting. I've always adored this place, and I love seeing how much Ollie enjoys it now as well.

Ethan too has come to call this his seconds home, but his being hired was entirely by chance. When I saw the kid running down the sidewalk with a bloody lip back in December, I remember hauling him in and letting him hide up in the loft until the coast was clear. He wouldn't admit to being bullied, but after that, he would often come and hang out immediately after school hours and read until closing. Sometimes he'd even offer to help me clean up and close shop. Eventually, I just caved and gave the boy a job, mostly because the condition of his clothing told me he could use the cash.

And perhaps, because he reminded me a little of myself as a teenager and I know that Mr.Hughes would be displeased if I didn't help him as he did me.

"You're free to go home," I tell him as Jace starts turning out lights. "I'll lock up tonight."

Ethan smiles and waves goodbye on his way out and I smile, knowing he has a safe place here as I pick up little Ollie and balance her on my hip as we wait for Jace. He locks the front door and the three of us make our way down the street in the warm spring air. It's nights like this that remind me of how much better my life has gotten. I've hurt and I've lost, but I've also gained and gotten so much further than I could ever have imagined. I guess you could say that--if anything-- I've lived, and will continue to live; Happily.

That night, after we tuck Ollie into bed, Jace and I find ourselves cuddled up on the sofa watching movies. At some point, I stop paying attention and get lost in my thought as I stare over at my too-beautiful-to-be-real husband. I've never been more grateful to have such a strong person by my side, and to see how much more confident he's become since Jasper left our lives for good warms my heart to the core. I'm so proud of him, and I'm proud of us, too. Together, we've created a beautiful life despite the awful things thrown our way, and I smile now knowing that he truly has kept his promise. I'm happy, and it's all because for some reason, this fool never gave up on us. Neither of us did. We fought, and we won and we may not have much to show for it, but I'm rewarded every time I wake up in his arms, and hear him sing off-key in the shower, and walk in on him passed out next to Ollie when it's his turn to read her bedtime stories.

At this point in my life, I have no regrets. I would take nothing back if it meant changing the way things are now. All my struggles and pain were necessary for me to become the person I am and to get where I have in life. I'd never give up the knowledge I've gained, and the people I've met. I see that now, and finally, I can look back on everything and simply smile. It's in the past, and even remembering sad, broken, teenage Kai--I grin knowing that someday he ends up right where I am today and there is nothing more satisfying and comforting. If only I could tell my old self of the amazing things that lay ahead of him.

I smile and shake my head, bringing Jace's attention down to where I lay with my head in his lap, "What're you grinning about?"

I shrug, biting my lip as I lift my wrist and stare down at the inked numbers. His eyes follow mine as a smile etches across his beautiful features and he lifts a hand to gently stroke the tattoo before pulling back his sleeve to show his right next to mine.

"It's today," I whisper, thinking back to that fateful day. "It feels like so long ago."

"It was so long ago," Jace says with a light chuckle. "Just thinking back on everything that's happened between then and now gives me a headache. I doubt many people have a story like ours."

My smile fades before slowly, but surely, returning, "We do have quite an interesting story. Sad and scary at times, but I like to think that it's quite inspiring. We never gave up, and look where we are now."

"And, where are we now?" He whispers with a smirk.

I grin, leaning up and whisper the words against his lips before kissing him deeply, "Right here."

**

"I'll be there soon, I just have something I got to do first," I tell Jace, kissing him on the cheek outside our bedroom.

"Okay," He says sleepily. "Just don't be up too late."

I nod and smile at him as he walks into our room and cuddles up in bed, but quickly make my way down the hall to our study. Ever since our conversation earlier, I haven't been able to get an idea out of my head. It just keeps swirling around in my mind, and it's almost like I can hear Zoe encouraging me as I turn on the laptop and open up a blank document page, staring at the little blinking line as it awaits the words I feel tingling at the tips of my fingers, desperate to be written.

Taking a deep breath, I find my fingers flying across the keys until several words are staring back at me, while the memories come flooding back as if they happened only yesterday.

Chapter one: A light in the dark

May 4, 2009

The End 

(A/N)

It's over. It's actually finally over. I am actually so damn sad to see this go. But, it's time to let my boys go now that their life is final at peace. I decided instead of rambling on about life like I have throughout the book, it should end simple. Showing  Kai's contentment with his life. He has said all he needs to and now he's reached his happiness.

What did you think of the end? Recognize it? Overall, the reason for the dates all along, is because this story has been being written by Kai the character himself. So where you leave him today, is where he begins writing where you first met him. Mind fuckked? idk I thought it was a neat way to end it haha if I were him I'd write a book on my life too. Oh wait, kinda did.

It's been an incredible journey the last two books, and I hope you all enjoyed every second of it like I did :) One last time. I love you all an insane amount *insert ridiculous name* and I forever thank you all for your support!

EDIT: To continue following these character's read Seth & Charlie's story "One Last Chance"

~Shay<3