An: Hey, Chucksters. This is incredibly short, but after last night I felt like I needed to contribute to a coda/epilogue scene to the series finale. Ouch, that is tough to even write. It's actually over. Let me warn y'all that I was hungover writing this, which took about five minutes at most. So don't expect anything spectacular or groundbreaking.
Out of the blue, Sarah had asked him for a kiss. He was cut off mid-ramble, eyebrows lifting up in genuine surprise. It wasn't like he'd ever object to kissing his wife, but considering the underlying circumstances; he wasn't expecting her to be so forthright, so soon. Her assertiveness was always a trait that Chuck admired. It told him that his Sarah was still there, buried deep but not gone forever. The sliver of hope he'd been clinging onto when making his venture to the beach had exploded into full-blown joy.
Staring at her with misty eyes, Chuck smiled and complied. He leaned over and captured her lips in a soft, tender kiss. He wanted her to feel everything as she once had; putting as much effort into the kiss as possible, filling her with his love while trying to communicate that he deserved her trust more than anyone else. Chuck kissed Sarah with the hope that Morgan was right, and it would somehow wake up his Sleeping Beauty from her slumber.
Her lips moved in synch with his, and for the time it lasted, it almost felt right. She was holding back, which Chuck half-expected. She was still tense and unsure, but her walls were slowly coming down. He sensed her ambivalence, and rested his hand on the small of her back as if to remind her of their closeness. His other hand caressed her tear-stricken face, and their kiss deepened. Chuck could feel her desperation, and knew how badly she wanted this—for it to be real. Her passion banished his trepidation, and her decision to trust him, finally, was all he ever wanted. As long as they were loyal to each other, the memories, the dream house with that red door and picket fence, even a few kids running around with superhero capes…that would all come later.
Until then, Chuck was content with waiting.
When they drew apart, sucking in mouthfuls of the salty air, Chuck found himself mesmerized with Sarah. She stared at him with wind swept hair, rosy cheeks, and puckered lips. Her blue eyes were as bright and alive as the ocean. They regarded Chuck with adoration and a hint of curiosity. He knew she didn't know everything quite just yet, but she did feel everything she possibly could for him.
That was also enough.
It was safe to say that they had a new challenge ahead of them. Chuck accepted the fact that rebuilding their life together would be an arduous, but rewarding task. He also reminded himself how they've survived worse ordeals; always managing to beat the odds despite how unfavorable they were. This realization was reassuring somehow. It further reinforced how he'd be willing to wait an eternity for Sarah, because he knew she'd do the same for him. They were survivors. Plain and simple. And as a testament to all they've overcome together or apart, what was one more little bump in the road?
He was ready for whatever came their way. Judging by the smile Sarah wore as she'd suddenly nestled into the crook of his shoulder, she was along for the ride as well.
Dusk was fast approaching; the sun hidden behind the wine-colored clouds began its descent. Chuck and Sarah decided not to speak, and instead found solace in each other's silence while the remaining increments of daylight sank behind the horizon. Their respective thoughts were focused on the future, a moment not too far away where everything would be ok again.
They smiled.
Someday.
Even if there was no such thing as a happily ever after.
There would still be happiness.
And they would still live.