AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, it's finally here. The last chapter! I was going to upload this New Years Eve to add to the atmosphere of the chapter, but i have no idea where i'm going to be on New Years, so i pop it on now :)
The next thing i write will be the sequel to this, which will take place between this chapter and the chapter before this (post-wedding). Thank you all for reviewing and reading. Y'all mean loads to me! And a huge thank you to Ithilya for being the brains behind this fic, as without her, this wouldn't have been written!
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Café et fraises
Epilogue
Another Happy Ending
Four years later; New Years Eve
You wouldn't recognize the Abbey if you went in it. It had been completely and utterly Libbized. Every available surface had something sparkly on it. Even the beer mats had been coated with glitter, sticking to everyone's clothes and getting in their hair.
The pub was packed to the rim by 11pm.
Don was there. He and Swill were actually getting along now, sharing jokes at the bar. Scott, Rick, James and Peter were there too, eyeing up the local girls. Libby was sitting beside Lucy. Her daughter, Jenny (or Jenella, as Swill fondly called her) was sharing a colouring book with Charlie, their heads only just coming up to the table edge.
Ben, Steve and Shannon were there as well with Ike, Keith, Dave and Ned. Bovver was in mid-conversation with Pete about who was the best player in West Ham. Tegan, Pete's girlfriend, was sat beside Pete, her hand in his.
'Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?' sung Jenny, scribbling way out of the lines on the picture of a lamb. 'Yesh sir, yesh sir, three bags full!'
Simon Cowell, eat your heart out, Luce thought to herself with a grin. Charlie put down his chunky blue pencil, standing on the seat and struggling towards his dad, falling on Bovver when he got to him. His blonde hair was combed down, and the small boy was wearing a white shirt, cream trousers and brown shoes; 'Poor bugger,' Bov had commented, but Lucy had refused to change him, saying he looked cute. Libby and Swill had brought their daughter wearing a red pirate costume. Apparently, Jenny wouldn't wear anything else.
'Alright?' asked Bovver, pulling his son onto his lap.
'Firsty,' Charlie said promptly, dipping his fingers into Pete's beer.
'Don't do that,' Bov frowned, wiping his son's fingers on his jacket. 'Dirty habit.'
'You drink it!'
'I'm allowed.'
'Dirty habit,' replied Charlie, flashing his father a cheeky grin. Bov rolled his eyes, before shifting Charlie, muttering about 'boney arses.'
'Everyone, can I have your attention!' Libby called. She was stood on one of the tables, tugging down her pink dress so it covered a little more of her thighs. The pub fell quiet; only a low background murmuring now heard. Libby beamed, stood beside a karaoke machine, microphone held by her mouth. Someone wolf-whistled and her smile got broader. 'I'd like to give a New Year's speech,' she said. Lucy laughed, shifting to sit beside Bovver. Charlie leaded back against his dad, thumb stuffed in his mouth.
'First of all, I'd like to thank you all for being here. But, mostly I'd like to thank Lucy.' The blonde flushed as a few people turned to stare at her. 'She's been my best friend for what seems like ever. And I love her, I really do. Before I met her, I wasn't happy. I went form one job to the other, from one guy to the next and then Lucy came and everything seemed good again. And then she brought me here and this place is the best place in the world.' She turned her twinkling eyes to the guys. 'And Pete is the best big brother in the world,' she laughed. 'Steve is the sexiest, of course,' she winked, before she gaze settled on Swill.
'And I can't believe I'm married! It's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love you Swilliam, and I love you Jenny.' The little girl giggled and gave a wave. Libby beamed. 'I love you guys too,' she said. Dave grinned.
'A toast!' Libby announced, raising her wine glass. 'To friendship, adventure, fun and families.' Lucy's felt tears fill her eyes, not going unnoticed by Libs. 'Stop sobbing, you big girl's blouse,' she laughed. 'Happy New Year!'
'Happy New Year!' they all chorused in return. Suddenly, the music of Shanks & Bigfoot's 'Sweet like chocolate,' filled the room. Lucy laughed, getting to her feet and grabbing the other mic, and together, the girls were let loose.
'Come on, Charlie!' called Jenny, sliding off the stool and grabbing his hand. The two children ran onto the 'dance floor' (a space that Libby had cleared) and they began to dance. Jenny swung his hands, before twirling as Charlie wriggled his bottom. Ben appeared behind them, blushing when Jenny hugged him around the waist.
'I'll get the drinks in,' Swill said, moving away from the table. Dave stared at him for a moment.
'It's a miracle. I'm not paying for once.'
'Actually, this is going on your tab, mate,' Swill replied. Dave laughed, shaking his head.
'I thought it sounded too good to be true.' Swill winked, before making his way to the bar.
The song finished and Libby gave Lucy a tight hug. 'I meant what I said,' she whispered in her best friend's ear.
'I love you too,' the blonde smiled, kissing Libs cheek before making her way towards Bov. 'Come with me,' she said, holding out a hand. Bov took it and the two made their way through the people and outside. The cold air made their breath come out like fog in front of them. Bov wrapped his arms around her, before the two sat down on the curb. Lucy stared up at the clear sky, watching the stars glitter innocently. She leaned back against him, a content sigh leaving her lips.
'I'm glad you came back, y'know,' he murmured in her ear. 'After all them years… 'Cause I love you. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me.' Lucy smiled, knowing Bov probably hadn't said anything like that before. She turned her head towards him, placing a soft kiss on his lips. She opened her mouth to reply, but then everyone started to flood out of the Abbey.
'C'mon, Swill! It'll be New Year in a minute!' she heard Libby call. Bov chuckled against her lips, before getting up and helping Lucy to her feet. Pete appeared at her side, Charlie clinging to his leg. Lucy picked him up as Terry started up the countdown to New Year.
'10…9…8…7…6…5…' Lucy kissed Charlie's cheek, as he counted down on his fingers. '…4…3…2…1…HAPPY NEW YEAR!' Fireworks exploded in the black sky above them, blue, red, yellow, green and gold patterning the sky. Everyone was cheering and yelling, and Pete lent forward to kiss her cheek.
Libby beamed as she bounced around, flinging herself at Don. 'Happy New Year, Sexy!' she laughed. Don grinned, kissing her cheek.
'Happy New Year!' She went around hugging Rick, James, Scott, Peter.
'Happy New Year, Luce,' grinned Steve, pulling his younger sister into a hug. Shannon smiled at her, as Ben kissed Jenny on the cheek. Charlie wriggled out Lucy's arms to join his friends in the New Year fun.
'New Year, Ben,' he said, kissing the other boy's cheek. Ben laughed and shoved him away, before the two started a game of chase, weaving between everyone's legs. Lucy smiled as Libby returned, wrapping her arm around the blonde's waist.
'Happy New Year,' she said, over the noise of the men singing in drunken verse.
'Happy New Year, Libs. Got any New Year Resolutions?'
'I do actually,' Libby smiled, eyes twinkling in mischief. 'I'm going to try and loose weight.' Lucy stared down at her, wide-eyed. 'It was a joke, Lucy.'
'Thank fuck for that. You loose any more weight and you'll be none existent.'
'You got one?'
'Get a job?' The two laughed, before Swill came over and swept Libby off her feet. Next year was going to be a good year. Well, this year. Lucy grinned, before rejoining her family. She was with the ones she loved; she had a great husband and a wonderful son. Tommy Hatcher couldn't hurt her again. Libby was happy; Pete looked like he would settle with his girlfriend and Steve and Shannon were back together without any problems.
Life was good.
« La Fin »
The Dragon and The Rose teaser: (AKA the sequel to this fic)
"'Oh, it's the first staircase down this corridor,' Pete replied, pointing it out. Sneakily, Tegan peaked at his chest. His toned muscles pressed against the fabric of his blue shirt, before her grey eyes traveling down his arm. He looked back at her and she nodded.
'Thank you.' She stalled again, looking up at him. He'd cropped his blonde hair short, but his blue eyes glittered mischievously. 'Well, thanks,' she replied, ducking her head as she hurried off to her first lesson. She fanned herself with her hand. Had it suddenly gotten hot in here?"
