Author's Note: I'm sorry that it took so long to write this chapter. This is officially the end of the road. Just remember no matter what happens, DS's love is never ending. I'd like to thank my usual crew: D, Mich, L, LeiLei and Hanna aka Slacker for all the encouragment
Epilogue: Forever with the Humphrey'sManhattan, 2019
Dan opened the door and stood on the porch of his new home looking out at the row of houses that was now apart of his neighbourhood and sighed with contentment. He was no longer a simple boy from Brooklyn, but he was simply Dan Humphrey, successful and happy. He remembered when he suggested buying this place to his wife and she gasped. She was convinced that he would never want to settle in the middle of Manhattan among the very people that he had detested for so long. But, the bitter and judgmental Dan had died long ago. He was a new man, a man who had everything he could ever dream of. He smiled to himself picked up the paper and went inside. He poured himself a cup of coffee before getting started on making breakfast for his family. He got out the materials he needed to whip up Serena's favourite waffles. It was the same one he had made for her the very first time they had stayed at the loft all by themselves. He could still recall the wisps of blonde waves that dangled from her head. He had so many precious memories of them and so many more they were about to embark on. Forever was becoming the sweetest word in the English language especially since forever included Serena. She was his dream girl, the other half of his heart. They hadn't spent more than 3 months apart since that horrible year when they'd nearly lost each other for good, but Dan knew that it must be fate that kept him connected to Serena.
He flipped on the radio that was on the counter as he whipped up the batter and poured it into the waffle maker. He placed the finished product on plates and set the table. A young girl who looked to be about four, with golden locks and big brown eyes came rushing towards him. "Daddy, Daddy you made waffles,"she exclaimed. Dan picked her up and held the little girl close.
"Yes, Mac, I made waffles for us. Where's your mother?"
"Mommy is being a poo head?"
"Mackenzie Cecilia Humphrey apologize this instant,"Serena said as she stood staring at her little girl with a brush in one hand and the other hand on her hip.
"No!"
Dan looked at his little girl sternly and said, "Now Mac be nice to your mommy. No waffles for you till you say sorry to your mommy and you let her finish doing your hair,"he said before placing her on the floor.
Mackenzie looked up at them and pouted. Dan laughed inwardly because he was more than sure he made that same face when he was her age. He knelt down and tapped her on the shoulder, "what did I say about pouting?"
"It's bad," Mackenzie replied.
"So, what do you have to say for yourself?"
She looked at her mother and said, "I'm sorry mommy."
Serena picked up the little girl and said "its okay. Give mama a kiss." The little girl kissed her mother gently on the cheek and they both went back upstairs. They came down a little while later with Mackenzie's hair neatly brushed and held back in a cute ponytail and matching ribbon. Serena held on to her daughters hand and smiled up at Dan who sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper. He got up and kissed her on the cheek. He took Mackenzie's hand and helped her into her seat. The three of them sat eating breakfast amicbly.
"So, what do you want to do today?"
"Its Sunday Daddy."
"Park Day,"Serena said excitedly.
They finished their breakfast. Dan and Serena listened to the funny stories of their daughter. Serena was amazed how much she reminded him of Dan. She may have inherited her flawless skin and golden hair, but she was very much Dan's daughter especially when it came to her demeanor. She watched as he picked up their little girl and helped her wash her hands and face. Dan and Serena waited in the foyer as Mackenzie went to get her favorite dolly before they ventured out to the park. It was a crisp spring day. Serena patted her rounded belly and looked up at the painting on the wall. Dan wrapped his arms around her and looked at the same painting. It was something they had made to remember a child they had lost long ago. It was painting of an angel holding a small baby.
"I remember too. I always will,"he whispered.
Serena turned and wrapped her arms around him and said, "This is our forever Dan. You, me, Mac and whoever this one is."
"I wouldn't have it any other way,"he said before kissing her gently.
