A/N: Sorry it's taken me a bit to post this last chapter, but here it is. The end of this story. I am currently wrapping up the final draft of my novel and will be submitting it to a proofreader at the beginning of the month. After that, I will be self-publishing. So I have been holding off on starting anything new until after I am done. Next month be prepared for several new stories. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read, review, favor, and follow this story. It was special to me because I was able to use some aspects of my grandparents' courtship; and I feel so happy that you allowed me to share that with you. Thank you again. We have come to the end of this story, but look out for new stories in a couple weeks including Haruhi/Kaoru, Haruhi/Kassanoda, Haruhi/Tetsuya (request from Karkatsbabe). This should round out the challenge of writing all non-cannon pairings. Am I missing someone? I also have more planned for Mori/Haruhi and Kyoya/Haruhi, and one more for Nekozaka/Haruhi. So many stories. Enjoy the epilogue.

Epilogue – 20 years later

Today was such a big day, and as Haruhi lit the incense in front of the altar, she bowed her head and prayed. It no longer just held a picture of her mother, but five years ago a picture of her father had been added. He was now with his beloved in heaven.

After Ranka had his surgery, there was always the worry of when he would need another, how long he would last; and he survived longer than the doctors anticipated. The average kidney transplant patient only lived ten years, Ranka had stayed with them for fifteen. Fifteen wonderful years full of happiness and the joy of seeing his grandchildren born. He watched as each of his grandchildren started school, and was even allowed to accompany them on their first day. Living each day as a gift, he made memories with his daughter and her family; and when he left them, he had no regrets. His daughter was loved, married to a wonderful man, and had three wonderful children. He was at peace when he joined his wife, passing in his sleep with a smile on his face.

Walking through the house, Satoshi searched for his wife and finally found her in front of the Fujioka family alter praying, and he decided to join her in a small prayer. His father-in-law had given him a gift when he approved of his relationship to Haruhi, and he would be forever grateful. The house wasn't as loud without him around…unless Tamaki came over and then ear protection may or may not be needed, but one thing Satoshi could say about the other man, shortly after the wedding, he stopped with the daddy act. There had been a small fear he would start up again after the funeral, however, he was respectful and never did, and Satoshi had been relieved. He didn't know if his wife would have been able to handle it.

After his prayers had been said, he turned to the brunette next to him, "Are you about ready?"

"Yeah. It's a big day," she answered softly.

"It is."

"I wish they could have both been here for this."

"They are. They are always here with you and watching over our children, which is probably the only reason Toshiro is alive and able to graduate today."

Haruhi laughed, "He was definitely a hand full. Thank god, the other two weren't. I don't even know where he got it. Between his daredevil stunts, messing around in school, and everything else, it's a wonder we didn't kill him while he was growing up."

"Your dad was always able to reach him."

A gentle smile, "He was. I think those two are so alike that they have this unknown language only they understood. Well, maybe Tamaki can understand it as well. Throw that in with the influence of the twins, and we were doomed from the start."

"I have to agree, but we apparently did something right since he is actually graduating."

"Maybe Ouran was just afraid of failing a Morinozuka."

Barking with laughter, Satoshi told her, "Although I wouldn't put it past them, I really don't think that's the case. I think Tamaki was able to help him and get to do his work after your father left us."

"God help us," she teased, and then added, "But I think you might be right. Who knew Tamaki would be able to do something like that. I love him, but he can be kind of… well…"

"An idiot."

"Yep, pretty much."

"He's a good guy though."

"He is."

"Satoshi?"

"Hmm?"

"I miss him, and on days like today, I miss him more than usual."

Pulling his wife into his arms, he whispered, "I know, but he was there to meet them and watch them grow for at least part of their lives, and they all remember him."

"I know, but…"

He just held her as she quietly wept, and when she was done, he let her pull back as he wiped away her tears. Their first child had been born two years after they got married and three years later, they had a daughter, followed by another son a year and a half down the line. They had been blessed in that sense, and Ranka had felt blessed that he had been able to be there to meet his grandchildren and make an impact on their lives, to make memories with them. As a grandfather, he had been able to develop a special bond with each one of them, something Haruhi and Satoshi both encouraged. "Hey, he is always with you, and so is your mom."

Haruhi could do nothing except nod. Turning towards the altar, she gave her parents a small smile and stayed in her husband's arms for a few more minutes. Eventually, she pulled back and said, "I guess we better go then. Where's Toshiro?"

"He had to be at the school early since he had to line up and he's also giving a speech."

"I still don't understand how he wound up being second in his class."

"Me either, but he did work hard the last two years and busted his butt, even when he was putting firecrackers in the toilet. I still blame Hikaru and Kaoru for that."

"I know he did, and I know his grades were really good, but with all his extracurricular activities…"

"Yeah, I'm surprised Ouran is still standing too. I think the twins gave him a play book on all the pranks they were not able to accomplish during their time there. But you know what?"

"What?"

"I think he'll be all right from now on."

"I think so too, and besides, it can't get much worse," she joked. She loved her son, but he tended to act more like a delinquent sometimes and less like a scholar or upstanding citizen from a high class family, which was something Haruhi and the Morinozuka family had much experience with. Toshiro had taught them a lot about patience, parenthood, and rolling with the punches; otherwise, they may not have survived to watch him graduated, let alone allowed him to grow up to the ripe age of 18.

"Please don't let him or the twins hear you say that. They will find a way to make it worse, much worse."

"Point taken. Where are Kotoko and Ryoji?" Haruhi asked after her daughter and other son. Their daughter had been named after her mother and the youngest for her father.

"We're right here waiting for you to stop the mushy stuff. Grandpa and grandma are probably shaking their heads that you are hugging like that in front of the altar," Ryoji announced.

Laughing, Satoshi stood up and helped his wife to her feet as he responded, "You're only 11. Wait until you're older and realize how fun mushy stuff can be."

"No way!"

Kotoko rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Such a baby sometimes."

"I am not!" Her brother argued.

"I bet grandma and grandpa were just as mushy! He loved her so much, he never found anyone else."

"No way!"

Haruhi held up her hand, "Enough you two. For your information, your grandpa and grandma were very much in love and were a little mushy sometimes."

Sticking her tongue out, Kotoko simper, "Told you so. Remember, grandpa wanted her to marry dad because Uncle Tamaki wasn't good enough. He always believed in true love."

Their daughter was a true romantic and tended to view love with rose colored glasses firmly in place, while their youngest son tended to view things like a boy who had not yet discovered girls. "All right. Let's go before we miss the graduation. Both of you better be on your best behavior," Haruhi warned them.

"We will," the siblings agreed together before sticking their tongues out at each other one last time.

With their heads shaking, the parents, ushered their other two children out of the house and towards Ouran, where they met the other hosts and Satoshi's parents. Something told Haruhi, Hikaru and Kaoru had something up their sleeves, maybe something they worked out with Toshiro, but she left it alone. If needed, she would step in, however, right now, she only had a gut feeling to go on.

After the graduates entered the graduation area, which had been set up in the empty field behind Ouran, Toshiro approached the podium to make his speech, "Welcome parents, graduates, faculty, and distinguished board members. Today we end one chapter in our books and turn the page to a new one. For some it means learning the family business or going to college, and for others it might mean finding your own path, who you really are. My grandfather, Ranka, always taught me to be myself, make the most out of life, and to make as many memories as you can because you never know when it will end. So I challenge all of you to do just that: make memories, live life to the fullest, and be true to yourself. Congratulations graduates!"

The applause was deafening as everyone stood up to cheer on the speaker. For Haruhi, as she clapped, she felt an arm snake around her waist and a handkerchief appear in front of her face. Her son's speech, albeit short, had made her cry.

"He did well," Kyoya stated standing on the opposite side of Satoshi.

"Of course he did, Kyo-Chan!" Hunny exclaimed.

Mori stated, "There were some worries. You had some too, Mitsukuni."

"True, but I knew he would do the Morinozuka family proud!" The former Loli Shot defended.

Hikaru and Kaoru wrapped their arms around each other, "We knew he had it in the bag."

"Just too bad Tono had to sit up there instead of with us," Hikaru pushed out his bottom lip in a pout.

"We wanted to have some fun with him," Kaoru explained.

Deciding to warn the twins against running his nephew's big day, Mori said, "Behave."

"We are!" The redheads declared.

Other speeches were given, and then it was time to call the graduates one by one. Just as Toshiro was about to step onto the stage, Haruhi noticed Hikaru pushing a button on his cell phone. Suddenly, Queen's We Are the Champions started blaring through the speakers. So this is what they had set up? At least it wasn't anything too devious or bad; although, the purple coloring of Tamaki's face told her the blond did not agree. The music stopped after Toshiro left the stage. Nothing blew up, nothing fell apart, and no one had been maimed or killed… Haruhi was going to let this go.

"Hey dad, did you see? Toshiro graduated and talked about you in his speech. Soon the other two will also walk this stage, but I know they will all be alright because you and mom are watching over them. I love you," she spoke quietly under her breath, pride surging for her eldest son.

Satoshi heard his wife's whispered words and added, "Thank you for Haruhi."

Life was full of surprises and expectations, but it can also be so much fun. Full of memories and love. Today, their oldest son graduated and tomorrow who knew what would happen…especially with him; however, it would be an adventure the parents would face together, making more memories every day for the rest of their lives.