*Present day*

"But you can't come and see me. Why the hell would you go and see him Matt?" Hazel shrieks through the phone as I somewhat stumble back to my car.

"I-I don't know Hazel...I really don't know"

"Okay where are you now?"

"Outside the fucking prison aren't I? I'm going home, I've got an early class tomorrow"

She sighs through the phone, I imagine her running a hand through her dark hair.

"Hazel, are you ready?" A voice says in the background.

"What? Oh Dan, sorry. I'll just be a minute-"

"Haze you should go" I say, shutting my car door behind me. I glance up at the little scented green tree hanging from my mirror, I flick it and sigh.

"No Matt, you're upset-"

"I'll be fine" I give a short laugh "I'm always fine"

"Okay if you're sure, just make sure that you come home soon"

"Student holidays are a few weeks away, I'll be on the first ferry I promise" I smile weakly, grasping the wrist of the shaking hand holding the phone.

"I'll be thinking of you"

"I know. And I'll still be sending you a few more answers for your column" I swing my keys round my finger.

"Okay Mr The Aider" she giggles "I'll catch you later"

"Bye Haze"

I end the call and lean back in my seat, I know he's still a sick monster, but I think seeing him gave me some sort of closure. Sounds weird I know, because he wasn't exactly regretful about what he did to his family, but I think because I've overcome it and we are happy, seeing the man who caused my pain, when I wasn't hurting anymore sealed it.

I press my Mum's number and wipe away the frustrated tears on my face.

Be strong Matt. I remind myself.

"Matt? Hi honey!"

"Hello Mum" I smile at the sound of her cheerful voice "how are you?"

"I'm very good thank you, Jim says hi"

"Tell him hi back"

Oh I didn't tell you about Jim did I? Jim is my soon to be stepfather. I know, I can't believe it either, I'm so proud of Mum for being so confident in herself and accepting it wasn't her fault.

Everyone's in a relationship or getting hitched these days. James and Laura have been married for four years now, Dan and Hazel stayed together and so did the others miraculously. Emma and Ollie had a bumpy patch when Emma went travelling, but they made it out together, something they promised each other.

And me?

Still single aha. Have been all this time. I just don't think I've found the right person yet.

"So what made you want to call me son?"

"Don't freak out on me"

"You got a girl pregnant didn't you?! I thought James told you, even though it worked out for them it wasn't so easy in the beginning-"

"No mum!" I cut across "I um...saw Lucas" my voice cracks slightly and I clear my throat.

"You're going to have to speak up love, Jaz's singing along to something on the TV. I'll go into another room...so what were you saying?"

"I saw Lucas"

The line falls silent. The only sound being her surprisingly calm breathing on the other end.

"Okay" she says after a while.

"Aren't you mad?"

"No. If it gives you the closure you needed"

"It did. I'm sorry Mum"

"Don't be lovely. I love you okay? Remember that. Are you okay?"

"I think so" I sniff "he's still a-"

"Bastard. Yeah I know, your Gran visited him a few times"

"Oh"

"She stopped though, said he was fucked in the head"

"Mum!"

She laughs, a sound that makes me smile, it's so precious to hear her laugh, because of all the time she didn't.

"How's counsellor- training?"

"Uni? Oh fine. Made a few mates"

"No lucky lady to bring home to me?"

"No" I snigger "not yet Mum"

"Aww. Well I'll let you go, you've probably got quite a drive back"

"Yeah. Thanks. I'll see you soon"

"You better. Seb keeps asking about you, Jaz drew you a while folder of pictures"

"Bless her heart. I'll be home soon I promise"

"Bye Matt"

"Bye Mum"

***

I walk into one of Gavin's many coffee shops, suprisngly to come face to face with a picture of me at 17 with Hazel and Gavin in black and white on a large canvas.

I spot Hazel and Gavin hugging behind the counter, I roll my eyes st the sappiness, the pair see each other every other day I swear.

"Am I not going to be included in this hug?"

"Matt!" They both exclaim and grin at me, hugging me tight as I laugh.

"I missed you so much" Hazel mumbles into my shirt.

"I missed you to Haze"

"Really?"

"Of course. Told everyone in my dorm about you. But I'm home now for the holidays"

"That's great! And Matt guess what?"

"What?"

"I'm open a coffee shop in London!" Gavin squeals excitedly. I beam at him and slap his shoulder.

"Congrats mate!"

***

"MATTY!" Jaz yells as I walk through the front door.

"Hey sweet pea!" I smile, scooping her up and tickling her sides as she giggles.

"Stop stop stop!"

"Matt!" 9 year old Seb bounds into the hallway with Mum behind him.

I place Jaz down and embrace them both as they giggle into my shoulders.

"You're getting so big, whatever happened to my little brother and sister!"

"We're getting big. Like you!"

I laugh and look up at Mum who rushed forward and hugs me, placing her head on my chest.

"I missed you Matt, I mean I'm so proud of you for doing this, but oh I missed you"

"I missed you too mum" I kiss her forehead and pat her back as Jim appears behind her.

"Hi Jim" I shake his hand but he pulls me forward to hug me.

"It's nice to have you back lad"

"It's good to be back. I love this little island"

And as we all settle on the sofas to catch up on what we've all been doing, and I get a call from little Ryan to say thank you to his 'Uncle Matt' for his birthday present, I couldn't be in a better place really.

Because everything may have changed so much, different schools, growing up, friends, family, ups, downs, all that stuff. Things only seem to get better.

So yeah everything is different now. But oh, everything is so good.

The End

---
OH MY GOD THE TRILOGY IS OVER. I was going to do a epilogue, but it's only. Short story, and I like how it's sort of open.

I would like to thank everyone who has loved the first book, the second book, and even this sort of third book. You know who you are.

Thank you for constantly supporting my writing.

Thanks for staying with the little gang aha

Campervangirl2000 signing off *salutes*

-Lx