So I thought about it and I originally was going to make this a cliff hanger chapter and then have a follow up epilogue chapter. BUT (and it's a big one) This 'epilogue' chapter was going to be short so I decided just to make this the FINAL chapter with the epilogue included. Gosh another story complete. How do I do it?

I want to thank three reviewers that made this story so worth it. It was because of your unashamed consistency of reviewing my poor ol' storied. I greatly appreciate you three.

suburbs- I can't thank you enough. So…here's another thanks!

BleedingRoses92- You were the perfect example how I wanted people to react to this story. I really appreciate that you never gave up on this story no matter if I had to pause another project along the way.

Dazzled- You know for a person who really likes killing off all my characters you're really great. Just so you know I pushed Nate off the metaphorical cliff but Colton broke his landing. And there you have it. THANKS!

So there you go. This ending is for you three.

ENJOY!!

---

Such Great Heights

Chapter FOURTEEN: Tonight

---

Shane's POV

When Caitlyn came back we finally went to this double date thing. I have to admit there was something about tonight that didn't feel right. There were so many factors that gave me a bad vibe and I wasn't looking forward to the end of this night. Or maybe, I'm just overreacting because I'm a horrible fiancé to Mitchie and I'm wallowing up in my guilt…Nah. I was certainly not feeling guilty for being with Erica. We arrived at some restaurant-on-the-ocean type of thing. It stopped raining a couple of hours ago, so that allowed the restaurant to function on the suddenly clear night. There was a waiting list that was way too extreme for a simple dinner on water but with four star studded celeb's like us we breezed by the waiting line and managed to get a boat to fit all of us. When I did take the time to look at my surroundings I was astounded. There was about fifty other boats floating lazily out into the ocean with Christmas lights as their lights source. It was a complete romance spot. I could totally see myself here with Erica…

"Isn't this the greatest?" Mitchie looked around at the other boats. I hadn't noticed before but there were many curious eyes watching us.

"Yeah…" Nate answered. He shifted uncomfortably and Caitlyn sat unusually straight.

"What do you think Shane?" Mitchie asked again, uncaring about Nate's response.

I slowly nodded, "It's really different."

"So Shane, I called the pilot. He gave us the green light to go back to our little island." She winked.

I could feel my head shaking without my consent. I didn't want to leave. I still had something's to fix with Erica and I couldn't just fly off with Mitchie. I felt my time limited.

"What's wrong?" She asked, "We could leave at midnight and go back to our getaway."

"Well what's the rush, Mitchie? I hardly get to see you. Can't you stay a bit?" Caitlyn begged.

Yes, I'm going to have to owe my life to Caitlyn after all this is said and done.

Mitchie glared at her friend, "Cait, I just want my time alone with Shane. I'm sure you'd understand when you get at that stage with Nate."

Caitlyn blushed furiously and once again Nate shifted.

Nate cleared his throat, "How about we order something?"

Caitlyn nodded in support. She reached out of a menu and handed one for Nate. They soon hid themselves behind the menus. Mitchie faced me. She looked beyond annoyed. This wasn't the way I thought we would begin our dinner. Not at all.

"Are you coming or am I going to have to call and cancel the trip?" She whispered in a deadly tone.

"No, don't cancel it." I breathed out.

I could see Caitlyn peep out from over the menu. She threw me a dirty look. She was probably mad at me for giving in so easily. I just needed the right time to talk about this supposed wedding with her. This certainly wasn't the 'right time'.

"Any one for the lamb?" Caitlyn piped. Nate reappeared, smiling.

"Lamb sounds delicious." He agreed.

"Whatever"

"Fine."

---

"So Caitlyn, how did you cut yourself?"

Our quiet table became deadly silent. The clinks and clangs of our eating abruptly stopped. We all looked at Caitlyn, curious at what lie she was going to make up. She giggled nervously and cleared her throat. Caitlyn glanced at me and I could see the slight fear in her eyes.

"Well you know how that side table has a weird pointy statue? I was sitting with Nate when I outstretched my arms and I stab myself. I felt a slight pain so I ran into the kitchen and that's when Nate told me that I had a deep gash. So I freaked and I knocked down that thing…well you were there you saw." She smiled at Mitchie before she went back to her food.

I hope Mitchie didn't see right through that as I did.

"So how many stitches did you get?"

Caitlyn's faced dropped, she wasn't expecting so many questions directed to her.

"Ten."

"Hey do know when that waiter is coming by? I need a refill on my drink." Nate looked around holding up his half empty cup. I tried to hide the smile. It's like we were all working together to keep Mitchie out of this 'thing' we managed to pull over her.

"Must be awful." Mitchie murmured to herself. She crisply stabbed at her lamb taking out her anger out on her food.

When we began to talk about something more light hearted, Mitchie sulked. Yes, having the holidays right around the corner was a great topic switcher. We talked about the old hotel that we stayed in for that MTV gig for New Years we had a couple of years ago. Nate had the greatest idea to buy the building and run our own business. I kinda like the sound of that.

"All that money to revive a silly hotel?" Mitchie scowled.

Nate grinned at me, "It was a very memorable year for some of us…"

Caitlyn's eyes soften. I wasn't sure how much of my past she knew but I'm pretty darn sure she knew a bit about Erica and how special she was to me.

"So how could we run a hotel? Who would look after it?" I asked completely interested in this budding idea.

"Mom and dad?" Nate suggested. "They loved Hawaii."

Hmm, he has a point.

"And you said it was right next to a beach?" Caitlyn asked.

Nate smiled, "Yeah but it's a bit grimy now. We could clean it up and make it a new resort."

We were all enticed with the idea of making a new project with our money when we all heard Mitchie choke.

She coughed and patted her chest as she tried to talk. I attended to her, offering water. She quickly took my cup and gulped down the remaining liquid. She sighed as she recovered from her sudden attack. There was something wrong with her face when she composed to her former stability. She looked like a short fused bomb.

"So what happened again, Caitlyn? You said you got a gash?" Mitchie dryly said.

Caitlyn's face fell and touched her upper elbow. That when I noticed that the gauze was striped away a bit to show her unharmed skin. Caitlyn quickly reattached her cover as she turned beat red.

"Uh.."

"Ten stitches right?"

Caitlyn blankly stared at Mitchie and I feared for her life and mine. Caitlyn was caught lying to Mitchie and soon she'll be asking about where I left to.

"I think so."

Nate cleared his throat once again, "Hey look it's the waiter."

"Shut up Nate." Mitchie snapped, "You dirty little liar."

Caitlyn looked like a small animal about to be devoured by a fierce cheetah.

"How could you lie to me, Cait? What other bull have you been feeding me?" Mitchie harshly said. "Seriously, why would you pull a fake stunt on me…"

She quiet down. I was afraid I was next to see the end of her wrath. Mitchie sat straighter and continued eating.

"So was the Hotel's name before?" She asked.

We were all confused at her sudden change but decided not to ask about it. With my stroke of luck Mitchie might have figured all our motives out OR (and I prayed for this) she probably didn't see anything beyond a useless gauze on Caitlyn's arms. Yes, I prey for the second one.

"Anyone up for seconds?" Nate chimed.

---

Erica's POV

I wasn't so sure what to do. After Caitlyn slipped out she left me with so much to think about. I didn't know that I somehow (in a twisted kind of way) helped her with her own destiny. I remember seeing the remake of Grease with Colton and I inwardly smiled at how Nate looked ridiculously handsome and how grown up and beautiful Caitlyn made her debut. It didn't see how Nate and Cait weren't immediately together with their amazing chemistry.

Then again, after years of knowing Shane we were yet to be together.

And we had such a fantastic chemistry…

Psh. Yeah right.

I angrily picked at the spare baby carrots Olivia got for me. There was nothing much to do but wait for something to happen. Caitlyn assured me that something was bound to happen. She didn't tell me exactly what but she promised that things will change very soon.

What killed me was that Caitlyn didn't specify what would change. Anything could change and it wouldn't go in my favor. I flicked a carrot across the room.

I should have just accepted Shane's offer when I had the chance.

Olivia came bouncing in, widely grinning at me.

"So how did it go? Is Shane good at it?" She asked uncaring for my dishearten look.

"The only thing Shane is good at is making me miserable." I grumbled.

Olivia shook her head in dismay. She rubbed my back in a comforting way, "Was he that bad?"

---

"You should stop throwing food around and go to sleep." Olivia scolded. "It won't hurry things up if anything were to happen."

I threw another baby carrot across to where Olivia was trying to sleep. Of course, I couldn't sleep. I had this instinct that something was bound to happen soon and I didn't want to be asleep when it occurs. In the dim lit room the only thing that was clearly more active then we were was the tv screen that moved on through another movie. I didn't bother to pay much attention to the movies. They all frustrated me further when I thought about how there stupid problems could not compare to my own dilemma.

I stared at the clock.

11:30 PM

It was close to midnight and I had no intension to sleep a wink until the sun rises. Only about 7 hours to go right?

I can make it through the night.

"ERICA!"

Olivia threw back a carrot that I apparently chucked at her when I was thinking.

"Sorry, ok!" I yelled my apology to her. I crossed my arms as I laid back in bed. I couldn't imagine if things do not work in my favor again. I would die if Shane were to come back to my suite again and tell me that he was running off to Las Vegas for a quickie marriage to keep Mitchie content. Although I couldn't imagine Shane as the type of guy who would ever go through such a shame of a ceremony. No, his parents would never allow it, I think.

I hate waiting.

---

Shane's POV

I didn't know what I was doing. I could feel my body packing up the little clothes I brought to Maui but I mentally was screaming to stop. Mitchie was excitingly throwing her toiletries in her expensive Italian bag. I knew what I should do now but it felt like I could possibly slip through the cracks again.

Yes, AGAIN.

Before you get mad, if things end up horribly wrong I just want to make it clear that I never wanted to hurt Erica. Ever. If there was anything I wish I could change was that New Years night where I screwed up my chances.

Nate sat next to my discombobulated self. I'm sure he knew what I was thinking…

To throw Mitchie out the window when we can.

I didn't want to tell her I never wished to marry her. She would be totally heartbroken once she got over attacking me with her bag.

Nate patted my back. He quickly scanned the room to see if Mitchie was anywhere around.

"Tell Erica I'm really sorry." He whispered.

"For what?"

"Just…She'll understand." He assured.

I frowned, "Nate, what if I make the same mistake again?"

My brother rubbed my back for comfort. We had to pause our conversation because Mitchie came bouncing in and then waltzed out.

"You won't." Nate said. "And if you do, I'll never forgive you for bringing her to the family."

I laughed.

"Oh Shane? You ready?" Mitchie called out. I took a final glance at Nate who reluctantly ushered me to go. For a rotten guy, they sure do expect a lot from me. Gee whiz.

"Yeah."

Mitchie came back into view, "Great, come on. It's getting late!"

---

We waited in the dark night for our jet to be ready for take off. Mitchie clung on to me like gum under a shoe. Maybe this was the time to finally clear the air. It wasn't fair to her or to Erica that I was being so darn stupid. I needed to fess up and what perfect time than to do it now?

"I was thinking of a having a million roses as centerpieces." Mitchie suddenly said, "For the wedding."

I bit my lip.

It's now or never.

"Mitchie about this wedding…" I started. I felt Mitchie grip tighten as if she was hoping that I would finally give the green light. "I want to clear thing's with you."

"Are you allergic to roses?" She asked. She looked up at me with her bottom lip jutting out. I rolled my eyes. I lightly shook her off me as I began to pace around. I could see the jet at it's last stages of preparation. I must hurry.

"Mitchie. I can't marry you." I sighed out. Wow. I never thought that would hurt me. It felt like someone just ripped off a piece of duck tape off my skin. She threw away her sweet façade and glared at me.

"Why? So you can go and screw around with your stupid little girlfriend?" She spat. I should have been surprised that Mitchie knew about Erica but I just shrugged it off.

"No. I've been thinking a lot for the past year and I can't be with you. I don't love you the way I use to." I admitted. This was actually easier than I thought it would be. This time it didn't hurt as bad. Mitchie scoffed. There was a sudden tenseness in the warm air.

"Don't lie to me. I'm tired of these stupid things you guys concocted so you can go run off with her Shane. I'm not an idiot!" Mitchie yelled. The jet began it's slow and steady journey to us. "If you think you're just going to break up with me because you want to be with her. Think again."

"Mitchie-"

"Shane quit playing with her feelings. You're an engaged man. Do I need to remind you that I'm the one with the ring and not her?" She held up the ring that I deeply regretted buying. Jason was going to have to pay for pushing me to get her that ring.

"Yeah but-"

Mitchie sniffed, trying to keep her emotions from spilling out.

"After all we've been through Shane, are you going to throw that all away for her? Some stupid girl you met twice before? Real smooth Shane! I can't believe you."

My fist balled up. "You don't know what she means to me."

She scoffed once again, "And you obviously don't know what I mean to you. You don't think it was hard dealing with a rock star jerk for a boyfriend? I helped you Shane-"

"I know you have, Mitch!" I yelled, frustrated at myself more than I was at her. "It's been a great couple of years but-"

"But what? I was all fun and games but you can't take me serious enough to marry me?" She yelled back. "What makes you think you'll be serious enough for her. Oh yeah, she'll totally leave her perfect husband for an ass like you!"

I winced.

The jet came into view and Mitchie straighten up. She prepared herself to jump on the jet and go back to the private island. I hung back, lingering on the thought that I was possibly going to lose everything I hoped for.

"Shane. Quit pretending that we haven't gone through other fights. We'll get through this, Just get on the jet. We'll talk this over once we get back to the island." Mitchie calmly said.

I frowned. I picked up my things and made my way over to the jet.

It was time to suck in my pride and do what I'm suppose to do.

---

--

-

--

---

Epilogue
(No particular POV)

The Grey household was spotless. Mrs. Grey had fix the place up the moment she received the phone call from her middle son that he was visiting to discuss some good news. She was excited to finally she her dear son but what she wanted to see was her future daughter-in-law. She feared that Shane was reluctant to wed Mitchie but her other sons promised to coax him to start planning for his holy matrimony. This was the best New Year's Day anybody could grant her.

"Honey. Any cleaner and you'll scrub the paint off the walls." Mr. Grey teased. Mrs. Grey sighed and turned to her husband who sat in his favorite lounge leather recliner. She smiled weakly and placed her windex and dirty cloth down.

"I'm just anxious. Shane said he had great news. I'm hoping he set a date for this wedding. Wouldn't that be just wonderful. Finally. A women joining our family." Mrs. Grey gushed.

Mr. Grey laughed, "Now that would be a heck of news. And about time too."

Mrs. Grey sighed again and returned to cleaning her already tidy house.

"Did Shane ever mention if Mitchie liked turkey? I'm sure he said something about a food allergy." She wondered outloud.

"You worry too much."

The door bell rang throughout the house. For a moment, Mr. and Mrs. Grey looked at each other in awe before stumbling all the way to the door, excited to see their boy.

To their astonishment, Jason and Alice barged in.

"Mmm smells great in here mom!" Jason hugged her.

"I can't wait to eat!" Alice piped in.

Mrs. Grey looked at her husband who shrugged as Nate and Caitlyn entered.

"Nice to see you mom." Nate hugged Mrs. Gray before he embraced his dad.

"I'm sorry about the short notice, Mrs. Grey." Caitlyn apologized.

Mr. and Mrs. Grey relaxed their tensed muscles as they finally saw Shane smiling brightly at them.

"Happy New Year's, Mom and Dad!" He outstretched his arms to them. They quickly ran to their son's arms as they enjoyed this seemingly normal Shane. There was no indication of the old Shane that haunted the parents dreams at night. They thanked Mitchie for half fixing their son up but now in front of them was the complete restored Shane they all knew and loved.

"Where's your beautiful girl?" Mrs. Grey asked.

Shane stepped aside to reveal a browned hair girl who shyly smiled up at them.

"Mom. Dad. I'm sure you all remember Erica, right?"

A two pair of brown eyes clouded in confusion. Where was Mitchie? They sure weren't expecting the sweet face of a girl that rekindled memories of a great holiday years back. Mrs. Grey genuinely smiled. She sure wasn't Mitchie but she could recall all the times she heard Shane talking about a certain 'Erica' during his short stays here. Mr. Grey ushered them in, hugging Erica warmly.

"Welcome to the family Erica." He greeted.

Shane held on to Erica's hand. She gently squeezed it as they entered into the beginnings of a great celebration.

---

"10…

9...

8...

7...

6...

5...

4...

3...

2...

1!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!"

Shane threw his arms around Erica, thankful that he got another chance with her. Erica beamed up at him as he leaned in for their much expected New Year's kiss. Just like how it was suppose to be. Tonight.

THE END

---

Ah. Another story. I'll miss writing this one. After all the time I invested in them…sad. I'll never forget the nights I spent writing out with music blasting out from my radio. I want to thank every single person who ever gave my fics a shot. I hope I never disappointed and that you found a temporary escape into my crazy mind. I want to wish everybody a Happy Holiday's and a HAPPY NEW YEARS.

REVIEW…you know you want to.