Hey everyone! So this is the second to last chapter (unfortunately) but I think it's okay. Because (sometime soon) i'll write a sequel dealing with their children. Anyways, enjoy and I only own my OCs.

The funeral was the day before Virginia's birthday. Her and Darry put their money together to hold a small service for Sodapop. His burial was right near the Curtis parents' graves. Two-Bit (borrowing a tux from Steve) didn't want to miss the burial. So- although he was unable to walk- Virginia pulled him in a wheelchair. Ponyboy and Darry were the ones to carry the casket. Seeing the image of the fourteen year old boy carrying his brother's casket broke hearts.

The boys placed the casket down. The boys looked at it with tears in their eyes. Darry and Ponyboy only had each other. Steve had lost his best friend and (to him) a brother. Two-Bit and Virginia lost a part of each other that day. The five cried as the priest spoke aloud.

"Let us command Sodapop Patrick Curtis to the mercy of God," he said.

Prayers had been said a few time before he continued his speech. The hardest part was when they spoke to the coffin. First Darry went, saying how he'd miss his little brother. Through the good and bad, he was there to make everything okay. It was Steve, Two-Bit ("Maybe we'll see each other soon," he had said) , Virginia and finally Ponyboy. He put a hand on the casket and spoke.

"Sodapop," he said," we've been through a lot these past years. You, me, Darry, and the rest of us. Life won't be the same without you around. I think i'll manage though. Because if you've taught me one thing- it's how to carry on. I'll miss you Soda- i'll be strong for you. And tell Mom, Dad, Johnny and Dallas I said hi."
"We therefore commit Sodapop Patrick Curtis' s body to the ground," the priest said as the coffin was lowered," Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life."

Everyone said a final prayer as the casket met the ground. They watched as two men came and buried Sodapop. The five set a rose each where the stone would be placed. They turned and decided to head home. It was late and the whole day had been upsetting. So Darry and Ponyboy headed back to the house. Virginia went to take Two-Bit home when she noticed Steve still sitting by Sodapop's grave.

"Steve?" she asked," do you want me to stay with-"

"It's my fault Sodapop died," he mumbled.

Virginia reeled her hand back. She looked at Two-Bit, seeing he was confused as well. Surely, Steve didn't really mean what he said. He was just in denial about his best friend's death.

"We were running," he said," from the enemies. He got shot and the lieutenant told me…"

Steve got up and ran off. Virginia was still on her knees. Had the lieutenant told him to leave Sodapop there? But his body came back in a pine box...what had Steve done? She stood up, taking Two-Bit home. On the inside, she was thrilled for tomorrow. Eighteen years ago tomorrow, she was brought into the world. That night- as the two laid in bed- they talked the night away.

"I guess it's just an age," Virginia admitted," after all, the best age to turn is twenty one."

"Looks like Darry beat you," he joked.

The girl smiled and looked away. This was the eighth birthday her father wouldn't be here for. But this was the first birthday her mother wouldn't be around for. Her mother (even after her father died) did something small for her birthday. Whether it be a gift or a simple "happy birthday", her mother acknowledged her. Two-Bit turned to the clock- it was midnight.

"You're eighteen now," he said, kissing her lips and picked up a box" I got you something. Mom picked it up a few hours ago. We didn't box it until a short while ago."

"Two-Bit," she said," you didn't have to. Plus, I wasn't born until-"

She opened the box and gasped. Tears ran down her cheeks as her hands reached in. He'd gotten her a German Shepherd puppy- one like her father had before he died. She picked him up and he began to lick her face. She looked over at Two-Bit, thanking him a million times. He'd explained how his boss had given it to him. And now, it was hers.

"Does he have a name?" she asked, Two-Bit shaking his head as she continued," well, I think he'd be a perfect Mickey."

Mickey's ears went up, panting as he cuddled next to her. The couple kissed before falling asleep. Morning came and Mrs. Matthews had baked a cake for Virginia's birthday. She thanked the woman, ate some of the cake before heading into her room to sketch. Today was her day off, so Virginia spent most of the day playing with Mickey or drawing. Noon came and so did the mail. Mandy had gotten it, sorting through bills until she came across a letter.

"Virginia!" she called, watching as she walked into the kitchen with her new dog," there's a letter from...your mother."

The girl tensed up and slowly took it. She thanked Mandy and sat down. Her mother's name was printed on the return address. What had she wanted from her daughter? The girl opened the letter and nearly fell off of her chair. A check for 300,000 dollars and a note was inside. But the person that wrote out the check- was her dad! She began to read the note to herself.

"Virginia," it said,' your father had money placed for you in a savings account. He wanted you to use the money for something important. Since you're old enough to use it- here it is. I'm sorry I was harsh to you all of these years. Your father's death ruined me- but it wasn't right of me to treat you like I did. I hope you can forgive me. Also, your uncle and I are doing fine in Georgia. Your father's coworkers still remember us and miss you. Love, your mother. PS, happy birthday."
The girl couldn't help but shed a smile. After so long, her mother was apologizing for how she was. And with 30,000 more dollars, Two-Bit would have his surgery. As she read the note again, a knock was at the door. Mandy got it, not knowing who Buck was. When he asked for Virginia, the girl came in.

"I need you to come with me," he said," it's about Dallas. His stuff was at my house and.."

"I'll be right behind you," she said, taking Mickey on a leash and walking with Buck to his place.