How horrible it must have been for her.

Lilly's been carrying the burden of knowing that her parents were at one point brother and sister. Not only that, but having the guts to tell them she knows. It shouldn't be that difficult, I mean she told me. Why can't she tell them? It's not like Mr. and Mrs. Pines would get mad at her.

Then again, who am I to say anything? Mom and dad told me a few months ago, they told me that they were cousins. Why they'd tell a thirteen year old that I'll never know, but that's for another time.

I remember my life in Bellwood. I was eight years old when we moved to Astoria, and things have gotten better. But Bellwood, I just remember everyone leaving us. I remember when mom came home from the hospital after having Jenny. My…I can't even call those four my grandparents anymore…well, THEY pulled my parents to the side. I listened in on their conversation.

"Ben, Gwen, we've tried to support you through all of this, but this is too much for us."

"Dad, what are you saying?"

"We've done our research. If you keep this up, you'll end up having a child with some kind of issue."

"Dad, look at Kenny, he's perfect. So is Jenny. They'll be perfect."

"But honey, if this keeps up, something will go horribly wrong. I mean you two are-"

"Don't say it! We've already gone over this!"

"Sweetie, listen. We only want what's best. We think it's time Ben got a vasectomy or you to have your tubes tide."

"How…How DARE you!"

"Gweny, we're telling you this for your own good!"

"The four of you have no right! We have two beautiful children that are perfect in every way! And if we have anymore children, they'll be the same!"

"Gwen, keep your voice down. Kenny'll hear or you'll wake Jenny up."

"Listen, we've supported you two through this until this point."

"Mom, when we had Kenny, you didn't say anything."

"I've been holding this in since then, Ben. I'm telling you, this is going to go wrong."

"You don't know that."

"Listen we love you two dearly. But think about Kenny and Jenny, for goodness sake. What if they start having problems?"

"We're not having this discussion anymore. We're never having it again. Is that clear?"

"Fine, don't blame us if Jenny or that little bastard of yours start having trouble."

Slap!

"That's it! Get out of our house! Get out and never come back!"

That was the last time I saw my so called grandparents ever again. They didn't even want to see Jenny or me before they left. They haven't called, came over, apologized, nothing. That's fine. I remember a few days later, my great grandpa Max came over and visited us. He of course saw me and Jenny, but he talked with mom and dad for a long time while I looked over Jenny. When they were done, they came into the room and dad asked me, "Kenny, do you want to stay here?" He explained that they wanted to move to a town called Astoria far away. At that age, I can't say I wasn't all that worried of staying there in Bellwood. I had no friends because anytime I would go up to kids or if they'd come up to me, their parents would pull them away. I guess they knew mom and dad's little "secret" as well. I guess they didn't want a product of incest near their "perfect" children.

"Will there be other kids there?"

"Better. Lilly won't be to far."

I was sold. Lilly's my best friend and there was no way I was going to pass up a chance to live near her. I cheered that I was okay. I crawled over to Jenny and said to her, "We're moving, Jenny!" She waved her arms up with a loud squeaky laugh and I picked her up. I was honestly so excited to get out of Bellwood.

We moved to Astoria and the Pines were at the house waiting to greet us. Lilly came running up to me and we hugged. She let me go and dad let her hold Jenny for a bit. Lilly kissed her on the cheek and Jenny giggled.

It's been almost five years since all that. In all the eight years in Bellwood, never once have I ever felt this happy. But more importantly, I'm glad Lilly's here. If she needs help with anything, I'm there for her. If she needs anyone to be there for when she's willing to tell her parents she's not bothered by their past, I'm there.

I can say we're pretty tight knit, though, the Tennysons and the Pines. Both Lilly's parents and my own have over come so much to get to where they are. I'm thankful for my parents, and I know Lilly loves her parents very much. I don't know anyone personally who's overcome as much as mom, dad, Mr. and Mrs. Pines. I brought that up to mom and dad one night at dinner, and mom said, "It's because we've had each other's back. We take each obstacle together day by day."

"But how when there isn't a problem every single day?"

"Oh there are other ways to have each other's back."

"Like?"

"Well, the same ways to measure each year."

"How?"

"How about love?"

Measure in love.

Rent anyone?

Now, this is the final chapter for The Tales of Lilly Pines, but that doesn't mean she's going away. It's just Ken's turn. I will be working on stories for Ken and post them soon. It's going to be like the early chapters of TToLP, going into Ben and Gwen telling Ken about their history (I'll explain why in the first chapter). After they're done, it's time for a full blown story for the two of them.

Well, hope you enjoyed The Tales of Lilly Pines. Thank you very much for reading.

Peace out my brothers and sisters.