Oh, I'm so sorry about the long, long wait! You guys must be angry with me but please don't be! I've had a really hard time finding a way to end it. It's obviously taken me so long to find a way to end the story and be satisfied with it. I'm actually almost in tears right now because I don't want to end this story. Generation of Five is the sequel to Four by Four and both are my babies! I'm so thankful for all of those who have supported my stories and am so grateful for it!

So before you read the last chapter for Generation of five I want to thank Wildkat86, Lilly, Lui Cullen, babydoll223 99, and Angel of the Night Watchers for their review for Chapter 28. I also want to thank anyone who has reviewed, read, favorited any of the stories! Again, I'm so thankful for all the support!


Chapter 29

To New Beginnings and Happy Endings

The night was colder than it had been in the past few months but Kelsey and Bethany had bundled themselves in thick winter coats, scarves and gloves. The vents in Kelsey's Mazda 3 blasted out hot air making the interior of the car toasty and warm.

"So remind me," Bethany started, flipping her glossy curled hair over her shoulder, "why do we need to dress up if it's just going to be us tonight?"

Kelsey gave her friend a sideways glance as she turned onto the street that would take her to Tristan's house. "Who cares if it's just us? It's New Years Eve and the occasion itself calls for dressing up!"

Bethany opened her mouth to reply but as they rounded the small curve in the street and the Simms' manor came into view, words left her. Both girls jaws dropped in shock.

The entire front yard and side streets were covered by dozens and dozens of cars. Immediately, Kelsey spotted Cameron's Mustang, Tristan's Eclipse, and Peyton's Jeep Cherokee, all looking as if they belonged in a showroom of an expensive car dealership. Through the windows of the house, hundreds of people were smiling and dancing to music Kelsey and Bethany couldn't hear.

"What the hell…?" Kelsey said as she pulled the car to a stop just behind Tristan's car in the driveway. "What's going on?" She looked over at Bethany who was grinning from ear to ear, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Those sly little bastards!" she said with a laugh. She pointed a perfectly polished finger toward the house and met her best friend's gaze. "This is why they've been so secretive! We're having a party, Kels!" Clapping her hands, she opened the car door and jumped out of the car.

After locking the car, Kelsey followed. The bloom of excitement budded in her stomach as the front door opened and Tristan appeared in the doorway, his dark hair hanging in his eyes.

"Surprise," he said with a wide smile. Inside, the music blared and the sound of what seemed to be a hundred voices assaulted their ears.

"Tristan Reece Simms," Kelsey said, nearly having to shout to be heard. "A party? Really?"

"Yes, really." His gaze flicked to Bethany then back. "You like?"

Kelsey nodded her head. "I love. I can't believe you actually pulled this off without me finding out. Kudos to you." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his lips when Bethany shrugged out of her jacket. Smoothing out her strapless gold dress so that it fell to just above her knees, she eyed the couple and cleared her throat.

"Speaking of boyfriends, where's mine?" Bethany asked as Tristan helped Kelsey from her own jacket. Her friend's dress was a pink silk halter. The color made Kelsey's skin glow, and unlike Bethany's, her dress was short, falling just at mid-thigh. "I need to thank him properly for throwing this party."

"Please," Kelsey said with a grin. "At least wait until after midnight. You can't miss your own party."

Tristan rolled his eyes and grabbed his girlfriend's hand before leading the two giggling girls into the living room just down the hall. As soon as they stepped in the room they were greeted with waves and smiles from their fellow schoolmates. With a small scream of delight, Bethany spotted Rome across the room and dashed over to him.

"You want a drink, beautiful?" Tristan said in her hear, his breath sending pleasant chills over her body. She met his gaze and was amazed that it never failed for her heart to leap at the very sight of him. Just the touch of his hand on her skin caused her to become giddy and her insides to warm. Instead of pulling him up the stairs to his bedroom like she wanted to so badly to do, she nodded.

As he pushed through the crowd to the kitchen a pair of hands grabbed her arm. She turned to see Rae and Peyton, both looking gorgeous. Rae wore a light blue dress, the color making her eyes stand out like sapphires. Peyton took the opposite approach from color. Her dress was black, flowy with a thin single strap over one shoulder. Her dark hair was down and fell straight past her shoulders.

"Look at you, you look fantastic!" Rae said as she greeted her friend with a hug. "Can you believe this turn out? Who would have thought that so many people would have shown up?"

Kelsey scoffed. "You think that nobody would show up to a party that the Sons and Daughters of Ipswich threw? Yeah right, Rae." She laughed. "It would have been nice knowing about it ahead of time though," she said, giving her blonde friend an accusing stare. "How'd you find out?"

"She used her body to get it out of Cameron," Peyton replied for Rae. She waved at a group of smiling sophomore boys walking by. "She's a little slut." The boys eyes widened and went to Rae who laughed and shook her head.

"No, I'm not," she said with a shooing motion. "There's a few freshman girls out back who look a little lonely. Go find them." Rae grinned as she turned back to Peyton and Kelsey who were both snickering. "Ha, ha. You're a funny girl."

"Of course I am," Peyton said then disappeared into the crowd with a smile. She was off to find Quinn who was sure to be surrounded by a large group of fawning girls. Everyone had gone nuts when they heard a Daughter of Ipswich was dating an older man. Since then, Quinn had been somewhat of a celebrity to the students of Ipswich, especially among the girls. And as she neared the kitchen she spotted Quinn just as she thought, in the middle of group of obnoxious giggling girls.

When he looked up, he was relieved to see her. She heard him excuse himself before making his way to her. "Look at you, shall I let you get back to your fans?" Peyton said as Quinn stood before her.

"Where'd you run off to? I thought you'd left me to the wolves."

"Bethany and Kelsey just got here so I wanted to say hi." She looked closer at him, seemingly for the first time that night and her heart stuttered within her chest. She had never seen a more handsome man; with his warm hazel eyes framed by long thick eyelashes and his breathtaking smile. His light brown colored hair that never failed to fall into his eyes and tall, muscular frame just finished the whole package. And now, as she met his gaze, she felt her insides go warm.

"I know what you're thinking," Quinn said with a cocky smirk. "You want to rip my clothes off."

Peyton was too caught off guard at his remark to be embarrassed, instead she let out a loud laugh. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Honey."

Quinn looked offended as he followed Peyton outside where several large pits of fire burned among the yard, the flames sending warmth into the late December night. Being in nothing less than a strapless dress, the cold should have bothered her, but as she stepped out onto the deck, the chill pricking at her skin felt amazing. Maybe it was the fire that sat to her left or the alcohol that warmed her. Either way she knew it was nothing compared to the warmth she got from Quinn's fingertips grazing her bare shoulder.

She turned to him and saw it. The longing and passion in his eyes, the love he felt for her that she knew reflected in her own eyes. Suddenly, his eyes went serious. "Can we talk, alone?"

"Yeah," she replied then led him back through the house and to the locked door of the basement. Placing her hand on the knob, she closed her eyes and within a second, there was a click and the door swung open.

The basement was completely finished; the floors were oak wood and the furniture was plush and welcoming. A bar sat in the corner with a cabinet stocked full with liquor that was under heavy lock and key. Not that Peyton or one of the others would have trouble getting into it if they really wanted to.

She turned to Quinn who had yet to speak. His silence was making her uneasy, as was the distance he had placed between them.

"Everything okay?" she asked after a few more moments had gone by. Her voice sounded deafening loud in the emptiness of the basement.

"No," he answered quietly. When he raised his eyes to meet hers they were troubled, almost desperate. "How can you love me? After all I did to you, how can you possibly still want to be with me?"

Peyton blinked in confusion. She thought they had dealt with this, that they'd agreed that the past was in the past and whatever involvement he had had with Chase and her kidnapping was to be forgotten. "What's making you bring this up again?" she questioned slowly. "I thought we decided to not talk about it."

Quinn let out a frustrated sigh and gripped at his hair. "It's hard not to think about it, Peyton. I've lied to your friends, your family…how can you want to be with a liar?"

"You've lied because I told you to." Peyton answered. "I don't want them to know that you worked for Chase or had anything to do with him. That will just cause unnecessary drama if we did tell them. It's all over. Chase is dead, I killed him. Telling the others would be pointless, don't you think?"

He was silent now. Because he was thinking over her words or just had nothing to say, she didn't know. "I love you," she continued. "I'm in love with you. You lied because I wanted you to." She went to him then and was relieved that he didn't move away from her. "I don't know what brought this up but stop it. You're scaring me. If you don't want to be with me than just say it."

His hands went to her face where they rested on her cheeks. "Of course I want to be with you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you if you'll have me. I just wanted to make sure you wanted to be with me." He brushed a stray hair from her face. "I'm sorry if I scared you, I've just been thinking too much, I guess. I just wish I could forget what I've done."

Peyton closed the remaining space between them so their bodies touched from head to toe. "I want to forget a lot of things, too, but unfortunately we can't. This will be with us for the rest of our lives. Chase's death will always be on my hands but I don't care because he, in a weird way, brought you into my life."

The pace of their breathing was the same as they stood facing each other, foreheads touching. Their chests rose and fell at the same moments with every breath they took. You'd never see two people so much in sync, Rae had once said to her. "Are you still thinking about it?"

"No," he replied, voice deep. "I'm thinking about you and how much I love you." His lips brushed over hers though not teasingly before capturing them. Peyton felt her knees go weak and was thankful that his strong arms were now around her waist to hold her up. Her arms were around his shoulders, her fingertips playing with the hair at the base of his neck. He let out a low groan as she pulled him closer.

"Is the door locked?" he asked, trailing kisses down her neck.

Fire flashed from the center of her eyes before bleeding black entirely. There was a soft click then the lights dimmed. Peyton could feel Quinn grin against her skin.


With a drink in one hand and Bethany's hand in the other, Rome gazed around at the hundreds of people that had showed up to the New Years Bash that was sure to be the talk of the school for the next semester. Everyone from Spenser Academy seemed to be there, even the triplets, Kacy, Lacy and Tracy who were known enemies of Rae and Peyton. Though they appeared to have put their disagreements in the past for the night because they certainly wouldn't be there if some sort of temporary understanding hadn't be given.

Rome's blue eyes fell onto Alex Montgomery who he himself had plenty of disagreements with in the past year. He never liked the guy, even when his sister had dated him. Now, his hatred for his sister's ex was purely based on the fact that Alex was an arrogant asshole. Rome was thankful that he no longer had to worry about Rae feelings or her getting hurt, she was with Cameron now. As weird as it should be, he found great joy in his best friend and sister's relationship. From the time they were young, something had always been different between the two whether Cameron or Rae realized it at the time or not. Rome sure had noticed though he never spoke of it.

"Rome Parker Garwin!"

Rome froze. His full name was only used when he had done something wrong. His mind whirled over what on Earth he could have possibly done to make his sister use his entire name. But when he turned to her, to his relief, her blue eyes didn't hold any anger. Rae stood with a smile on her face, a drink in her hand and blonde hair wild from hours of dancing.

"What?" he asked, a little hesitantly.

"Have I told you lately that you're the best brother ever?" she said, throwing her free arm over his shoulder in a sloppy hug. "This party is amazing."

Beside him, Bethany let out a laugh and ran her fingers through her friend's hair. Once satisfied with it's appearance she leaned in toward Rae. "Are you drunk?"

"No!" she yelled back then grabbed at her head. "Okay, maybe a little. But hey! It's a party to celebrate the end of a year!"

Rome shook his head at his twin sister in amusement. "You're so drunk. Where's Cameron?"

Rae shrugged and sipped at her drink, bouncing to the music that blared through the speakers the DJ had brought. Her blue eyed gaze, which was wandering around the room, suddenly stopped. A large grin spread across her face as she pushed past her brother and Bethany. Rome watched her go and saw Cameron on the other side of the room with a smile that matched Rae's, his eyes locked on his girlfriend.

"They're so stinkin' cute," Bethany said as Cameron gathered Rae up in his arms. "How can two people be so right for each other? I mean look at them." She pointed across the room where the two were now standing still in the middle of the dancing crowd just gazing at one another. "They're perfect together."

Rome had to agree. They clearly had eyes for only each other. "What about us? Do you think we're perfect?"

Bethany gave him a considering look. "Yes," she answered simply. "During my first day at Spenser all people could talk about were the Sons and Daughters of Ipswich. All the girls worshipped you. And when I met you, I could tell why they did." Her smile was loving as she gazed up at him. "I fell for you right then and there the day I met you. I mean, how could I not?"

"Good point." He laughed as Bethany shoved him on the arm. "I thought you were an Angel."

She rolled her eyes but her smile widened. "I love you and your cheesy lines."


It was a few minutes until midnight and the music had stopped. Excitement rose in the air as the start of a new year drew closer and closer. The DJ had started a countdown at 120 seconds to go, and everyone scattered around to find themselves a New Years kiss.

In the middle of the room, stood a group of eight, already coupled off. Tristan held Kelsey close, their heads together talking amongst themselves. Her hand was linked with his, looking so small and delicate within his strong fingers.

He would eventually tell Bethany of his secret, he'd decided. He trusted her with his whole life so why not with the secret that had been with his family for hundreds of years? At times, he thought, she already knew something of it. As his ancestors were in many of the books of the history of Ipswich.

Earlier that night, Tristan had told Cameron that he wanted to marry Kelsey though he would wait to propose until after they both had graduated from college. He knew she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and he was more that sure she felt the same.

Peyton was curled against Quinn chest, his strong arms wrapped tightly around her. The glint of the promise ring, a promise for a future with Quinn, glinted in the chandelier light that hung above them.

"Sixty seconds left!" the DJ shouted over the noise of the crowd.

"Yay!" Rae clapped her hands together excitedly. She faced Cameron who ran the back of his hand gently down the side of her face which seemed to cause her to go still. She leaned into him and his arms went around her where they stayed. She would marry him someday, she told herself. A life with Cameron was exactly what was in her destiny. He shared her secret and the blood of the Covenant, she loved him with all of her heart.

She often wondered, how things would be now if she hadn't been so upset with Alex all those months ago and drank her sorrow away. Would her feelings for Cameron have been found and exposed another way? It didn't matter, she told herself now, everything happens for a reason.

The countdown continued and the anticipation grew. Across the room they could see Kacy, Lacy and Tracy standing alone together. Bethany felt a twang pity toward them. No matter how mean they had been to her she'd like to see them as happy as she felt. Feeling Rome's gaze on her, she turned to him and grinned.

"I love you, baby," she said as he draped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple.

"I love you more."

The crowd around them erupted into cheer and applause as the last ten seconds of the year started.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!" As if one voice, everyone within the Simms Manor shouted Happy New Year. Throughout the living room, boys found their bravery and kissed the girls they had had their eye on the entire night.

Tristan dipped Kelsey and kissed her lips as she giggled madly. Rae threw her arms around Cameron, capturing his mouth in a passionate kiss. Quinn lifted Peyton so her feet dangled off the ground as they lips met.

Bethany had nearly knocked Rome over with the force of her kiss as the DJ's voice came over the speakers, loud and clear. "It's the beginning of a new start, let this be the year of no fear, my friends. Happy New Years everyone."


By the time everyone had cleared out of the house and had gone home it was nearing 5 a.m. The house was still a mess; hundreds of red and blue plastic cups littered the floors, some still half full with alcohol.

"This house is a disaster," Bethany laughed, eyeing the room they stood in. The furniture, which had been pushed against the walls to provide a dance floor, was now covered with empty glass bottles and food crumbs. "You're parents are going to kill us."

"Nah," Tristan answered with a smile. "From the stories my dad has told me, they'd done much more damaged than this when they were our age."

"I can totally see that," Kelsey said. "Especially Mr. Garwin and your mom, Cameron. They looked like they can party."

Rae laughed. She had heard plenty of stories that involved her father and partying, even some that made her cringe. Looking around at her friends, she grinned. "We sure as hell can throw an awesome party."

"You mean, we can," said Rome, gesturing to just the guys. "It was a pretty amazing New Years Bash. We'll have to do the same thing next year."

Bethany strolled away from the group and picked up a bottled that was full with clear liquid. "Vodka."

"Nice choice," Rae said, finding a stack of clean blue cups at the edge of the coffee table. As Bethany poured enough for a shot in each of the eight cups, she spoke.

"I'm so glad I got the opportunity to transfer to Spenser Academy. I don't know what I'd be doing in Delaware right now if I hadn't come here. Probably with my grandma playing Chess." She laughed and handed a cup to each of her friends. "You all are like my family. I love you all from the bottom of my heart. You guys are the world to me."

"Aw!" Kelsey said, pulling the blonde into a hug. "We love you more, Bethany. Fate would have eventually brought you to us."

"I would have found you somehow," Rome said, kissing her lips.

Cameron raised his drink in the air and waited until his friends followed suit. "Despite all the drama that happened this past year, it's been one of the best. We each found or overcame something." His eyes went to Rae. "I found the love of my life."

Rae gazed up at him and grinned. "I faced my fear of what others thought about me."

"I finally got the girl," Tristan added for himself.

"You mean, you let the girl finally get you," Kelsey laughed and curled closer to him.

Rome lifted his drink. "No matter what we found or overcame I don't think we could have done it without each other. You guys are my family and will be with me for the rest of my life."

"So," Peyton said, "in the words of our wonderful DJ tonight, let this be the year of no fear! Here's to the amazing year ahead of us!"

"And to happy endings," Quinn added, grabbing his girlfriend's hand.

As one, they raised up their cups, rims touching and said, "To a new year and happy endings!"

THE END.


Authors Note: Even though this story is coming to an end, that doesn't mean it will be the end of Reidsgirl18. =) I have another story in mind so keep an eye out for it! Gonna try to have it up within the next week, I promise! Love you all!

One more thing, seeing as this is how it is my last chapter for Generation of Five, let's get a BUNCH of reviews. That'd be fabulous!