Epilogue

Alex looked at her reflection in the mirror as she finished applying her makeup. In moments like these she often pondered the events that had taken place in her life over the past 12 months; the changes. A year ago she'd been lost and alone in a strange place (which at first she'd thought had been part of her own subconscious) fighting to get back home, back to Molly. But now, having died in the real world, she was living a life again; she'd fallen in love with Gene and was part of a loving family, along with him and Jamie. She selected her favourite locket from the dresser, opening it before putting it on. Inside were three smiling faces beaming back at her. Gene and Jamie on one side, Molly on the other.

She still missed Molly terribly – she doubted there would ever be a day when she didn't, but she'd consoled herself with the fact that she was being well looked after by Evan and Pete and was living a great life. Alex still saw snippets of Molly's life through her dreams; she had no proof that it was anything more than dreams, but she had a feeling; she just knew. The last time she'd seen her, Molly had been getting her exam results. She'd done well of course, wanting to make her mother proud, which of course she was. Alex wondered if Molly still dreamt about her; she liked to think she did. She hoped she did.

She wished she could share her dreams with Gene, but she knew it wasn't possible. As far as he was concerned, Molly was dead. So instead she kept them as her little secrets; enjoying them immensely. The photo of Molly that Gene had found in the files at the station had taken pride of place on the mantel at Jamie's suggestion, so she was a constant presence in their lives. Jamie had even begun to think of her as family; When one of his playmates had asked about the photo, Jamie told him, "That's Molly, my sister. She's with the angels."

A soft knock on the bedroom door, brought her out of her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, as she fastened the chain around her neck.

"Hi Ma'am," greeted Shaz as she entered. "Wow, you look amazing!" Alex blushed at the compliment.

"Thanks Shaz, but I do wish you'd call me Alex. Especially today."

"I'll try Ma-, I mean Alex. It's just habit."

"I know." Alex took that moment to take in Shaz's appearance, "You look beautiful Shaz. You really do." It was Shaz's turn to blush.

"Jamie said I looked 'very pretty,'" she told Alex.

"Well he's right! He's not been causing trouble has he?"

"No he's been fine. Looks quite handsome in his little suit, doesn't he?"

"He does. Thanks for keeping an eye on him while I finished getting ready." Alex looked at her watch, "We'd better get a move on. It's nearly time; the car will be here soon."

When Alex walked into the room, Jamie turned to look at her,

"Do I look okay?" she asked, doing a little twirl for him.

"Yeh," he answered and then, remembering what his Dad had told him last night about complimenting Alex today, he added, "You look like a princess."

"Well, thank you. You're quite the little prince too, aren't you?"

"Is it time to go yet?" he asked animatedly, jumping up and down on the spot. His excitement had been growing steadily over the last week; so much so that last night, Alex had thought he was going to burst.

"Nearly, the car will be here in a couple of minutes, so will you go and get your shoes on please." Jamie rushed out of the room, almost knocking Shaz over on his way. "Sorry!" he called.

"He's a bit excited isn't he?"

"Just a little."

"Well you can hardly blame him, it's an exciting day."

"I suppose. Goodness knows what he'll be like when we get to the church." The beep of a horn signalled it was time for them to make a move, so Alex collected her flowers from the table and made her way to the car.

Alex stood next to Gene in the church, both of them smiling. Their eyes met for a moment before they turned to face the front of the church. Gene snuck his hand into hers interlacing their fingers. He gave her hand a quick squeeze as the vicar began to speak,

"In the presence of God and before this congregation, Christopher and Sharon have given their consent and have made their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings, I therefore proclaim them husband and wife." He joined Chris and Shaz's hands before continuing, "Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder." Alex lifted a tissue to her face, to blot the tears that were creeping in. Gene leaned over.

"It's supposed ter be an 'appy occasion Bolls. What yer cryin' fer?" Alex sniffed,

"These are happy tears. I'm just really pleased for them."

"Soppy mare!"

After the signing of the registers, and incessant questioning from Jaime about why he couldn't sign if both Alex and Gene were, the wedding party moved to Luigi's, who had given them sole use of the restaurant; with one condition; no bar tabs. He'd learned that the likelihood of anyone in CID ever paying them was close to non-existent. Everyone ate, drank, laughed and danced to their hearts content and as it neared midnight, the only ones left were Gene, Alex and Jamie as well as a couple of Shaz's friends. Chris and Shaz had left earlier, accompanied by catcalls, whistles and shouts of "he's on a promise" from several guests, Ray and Gene included. Then Ray had left around 11 in the company of Natalie, one of Shaz's friends. So Gene and Alex sat alone in the corner, Jamie asleep across two chairs.

"Trust you ter catch the flamin' bouquet!" he moaned playfully. "Yer do realise I'm never goin' ter 'ear the end o' this in the office!"

"Oh relax Gene! No one cares and it'll be forgotten about come Monday. If not, I'm sure you can find them a fitting punishment. There'll be a lot of filing to do with Shaz off."

"But Chris being off means less mistakes! Yer know somethin', if I didn't know better, I'd say Shaz was deliberately aiming that bouquet at you."

"Oh I have no doubt. She's been dropping hints for some time; I think now she's given up with subtlety."

"She thinks we should get 'itched?" This was news to Gene; maybe the idea that had been floating around his own head wasn't so stupid after all.

"Of course she does. She's young, has a rose tinted view of life. I've told her several times that we've both been down that road and it didn't work. We're hardly likely to make the same mistake again."

"So yer don't want ter get married again?" Alex began fiddling with her wine glass; running her finger around the rim.

"Well you know what they say; never say never. But it doesn't matter it's not like it's on the agenda is it? Gene remained silent, causing Alex to look up at him. The look on his face told her all she needed to know, "Is it?" she pressed. Gene looked down at the table, unwilling to meet her eye, but Alex noticed his hand fingering something in his jacket pocket. Suddenly everything became clear. "Oh shit. You were planning on proposing?"

"Look, just ferget I even mentioned it, okay?"

"No I won't. Look Gene, I'm sorry. I only really said those things because I thought it would be what you wanted to hear. I didn't think you wanted to get married again. I mean, you've never mentioned it."

"I'm mentionin' it now," he told her glumly.

"Yes. You certainly are."

"Look it doesn't matter. Yer right, we're 'appy as we are. Why change that?"

"Because we love each other, because we want to make a commitment to each other?" she suggested. Gene stared at her.

"'Old up Bolls. I'm confused. A minute ago you were sayin' yer didn't want ter get married."

"I told you, I only said that because I thought it was what you thought. Obviously I was wrong."

"So what d'yer really think?"

"I'll be honest; after my marriage to Pete fell apart I never imagined myself marrying again," Gene looked dejected, but Alex took his hand, causing him to look up at her, "but since being with you...well, let's just say I've mellowed a little toward the idea."

"So yer sayin..?"

"I'm saying Gene Hunt, that if you were to propose, I'd have to seriously consider saying yes." That was all the confirmation Gene needed. He retrieved the black velvet box from his pocket, opened it and slid it across the table to her.

"Marry me?" Alex met his gaze.

"Yes!" she told him excitedly, flinging her arms around his neck as he let out a breath he didn't even realise he'd been holding. They'd had a rough 12 months but now...now things were looking up.

A/N: Well that's it...hope you enjoyed?