Epilogue: New Year, New Love

So it ends, for now, I really don't want to let it just stop here, but I need to sort my life out before embarking on another epic adventure like this turned out to be. I also have other unfinished FanFics to work on. So, thank you for sticking with me for this long and please have a wonderful life and never forget that it will always be worth waking up even if it is to another crappy day of living. Sincerely Silverstream5683. Chaio.

It's on nights like these, special nights, that true love blossoms and a special night it was.

It was cold that night, almost below freezing. The woods were beautiful and covered with an unbroken sheen of white snow. It practically glowed under the light of the full moon. Deep in the woods in a clearing that no one would find, unless one followed the foot prints in the snow, sat two people that were the most unlikely of couples. One, brash and unrestrained, the other, calm and thoughtful. Both were sitting there side by side looking up at the clear night sky. The stars blazed in silence casting a beautiful set of twinkling lights across the black sky. It was mesmerizing. Neither of them spoke as they sat and enjoyed the silence.

Mae was wearing a heavy coat her mother let her borrow since she was going to be out late. Still, she was shivering her teeth rattling. She had her hands on her side and didn't notice the simple movement Bea made as she grabbed her hand. She felt the warmth though. It grew from her hand and up her arm warming her entire body, or so it seemed. She was nervous still, how long had it been since she confessed herself to her friend. Two weeks was the correct answer. Yet still, she felt like it was a dream. That this was not real, that it was just Shapes. No, it wasn't, Bea was right there she had been there the entire time. Mae knew that to be fact. She glanced at her friend out of the corner of her eye. When they talked that night on the roof and Mae divulged her deepest feelings Bea was dumbfounded. She didn't know that was how her friend felt about her. Mae talked her down off that roof that night. Something evil was eating at her, but when they were done talking Bea simply told her to give her time to think. Tonight was when Mae would get her answer. Tonight was New Year's Eve, an hour before midnight in fact. So, Mae sat there now holding Bea's hand and she waited.

...

She felt Mae shivering and heard her teeth chattering. She was cold so Bea just grabbed her hand. It was a small gesture, but Mae instantly stopped shivering. Mae had been there for the past couple of weeks helping her and her father, who was now opening and closing the store, do simple jobs. She was a friend Bea was sad she had lost at one point, but now she was back. She was kind and very caring, if not a little rough around the edges, but she was there when Bea thought no one else was. That night, on the roof, Bea was done with her life. She just wanted to see her mother again, where ever she was. She didn't want to live with the dead end job and the life she had going for her. Jumping was her only option, or so she thought. She had heard a voice call out her name and for a moment it sounded like her mother. It wasn't though, it was Mae. When she saw her friend standing there gasping for air and telling her not to do it through each breath she broke a little. She wanted to cry, but she couldn't, and when Mae jumped up on the ledge threatening to jump with her what little will she had left crumbling forcing her down off that ledge. Their talk had opened her eyes to things she never knew about Mae. It gave her a feeling she didn't think she could have for her friend. Love, not the kind of love one has for a sibling or parent, but the kind of love that you share with someone special. She never thought of herself that way before. Could she love Mae, a female like her? It was weird for her to think that, but over the past two weeks she's done nothing, but think about it. She had made her decision now she was waiting for the perfect time to share it.

...

The watch Mae had on reads 11:50 PM the new year was upon them, but Bea still hadn't said a word since they got there. Mae was getting anxious, was she going to laugh and say what a joke it was? No, no she wouldn't do that she'd be kind about it.

Bea finally stirred "Mae," she said softly

Mae's ears perked up "Yes?" she said her voice going an octave higher than normal. She gave a nervous chuckle.

Bea let out a small laugh too "I've been thinking, you know, about what you said." Mae's heart started skipping beats, this was it. Bea turned to look at her and she stared right back into the croc's eyes. Bea had a softness in her eyes at that moment like when she was genuinely happy about something and Mae could almost feel her spirits soar. "I want to..." she takes a deep breath "I want to give it a try." Her gaze averts and she blushed. Mae wasted no time and pushed her head forward and kissed Bea causing the croc to jump at the suddenness. It was unrefined and sloppy, but Mae remembered her first kiss and where it went wrong and she had been practicing for this. Bea didn't pull away either as she felt the wave of emotion pour through her from their connection. It was intense and satisfying at the same time. They were both putting their energy into it and it seemed that time stood still. When they finally broke contact they were panting slightly. It felt like the world just warmed a thousand degrees. "W-Wow, that was...intense," Bea said taking a deep breath to regain her composure. Mae nodded in agreement and they sat there enjoying the silence once more. The New Year was here and a new bond was formed between the two of them. The only thing that mattered now was moving forward in their lives and finding a purpose together.