So, it looks like we're finally at the end of Fragile. I'll definitely miss writing about the Shadow Men and Julian and Jenny. Right now, I'm working on another fanfiction, but I kinda want to write about the Forbidden Game a little more (maybe some short stories...). If any of you want me to write some short stories for Forbidden Game after this, just let me know! I need inspiration!

Anyway, enjoy the ending of Fragile! This is the last we'll see of Julian and Jenny for a while. :)

Epilogue

"Julian! Mom needs help with the Christmas decorations! They got stuck in the microwave!" Jenny's voice sounded tense; she'd been preparing for this Christmas party for months now.

"How the hell did they get in the microwave?!" Jenny's dad, Mr. Thornton, asked.

"Ask Joey," Jenny replied, irritated. "Julian!"

"I'm coming!" I called back. I was in the bathroom, trying to figure out how to tie my stupid tie. Mrs. Thornton had insisted that the party be formal so that "everyone could look their very best on Christmas Eve." Honestly, I would've been fine showing up in a garbage bag if it meant I didn't have to wear this piece of crap.

"Julian, where are you?"

"Working on it!" I realized that I was just tying a knot around my own fingers and tossed the tie onto the sink in frustration. "Why do I have to wear this thing anyway?" I muttered to myself.

"It makes you look handsome," Jenny answered, from right behind me.

My pulse jumped and I tried not to show it. I still wasn't used to how she could always sneak up on me now. "You're lucky," I grumbled. "You don't have to strangle yourself to look nice." I glanced at her and then just stood there, staring. She was standing in the doorway, in a somewhat-short, golden dress that matched her hair exactly. It was was clinging to her in a way that made me forget what I'd even been mad about. Her hair was loose and fell around her shoulders in an amber wave. She was so beautiful, it hurt.

She eyed the tie on the sink. "Need help?"

"Um." I couldn't look away from her and I couldn't remember if I needed help or not. "Sure."

I noticed that she closed the door behind her before picking up the tie. I took a step closer, waiting for her to do whatever you have to do with a damn tie. Instead, she looped it around my neck and used it to pull me toward her. I grinned. "Don't you need to help your parents get ready?" I asked teasingly. My hands were on her hips though, not letting her move away.

"I think they can figure it out on their own," she replied, her gaze unfocused and full of desire.

"You really think they're that smart?"

"Oh, just shut up," she laughed, and used the tie to pull my mouth down onto hers.

I could feel how much she wanted me in that kiss and I kissed her back in the same way, my hands moving to the small of her back. Her spine curved under my fingers and she stepped forward, forcing me back against the wall. Logically, I knew we should probably stop. Her parents were right outside, waiting for us to help them set up the party before Jenny's friends arrived. Then Jenny's lips moved from my mouth to my jaw, gently teasing my skin, and all thoughts about the party flew right out of my mind. There was a light tug at my neck and I opened my eyes to see her undoing the top few buttons of my black dress shirt.

"Trying to take my clothes off again, I see," I remarked, grinning down at her.

"If I didn't try, no one would," she pointed out, and I laughed.

I stopped laughing when she unbuttoned it the whole way and slipped her hands up under my shirt. Her cool touch traveled up to my shoulder blades and I let out a small sigh, unable to resist her. She kissed me again, this time as soft as feathers, and I started to come apart. She dug her nails lightly into my back and slid them down along either side of my spine. My skin came alive under her hands and I moaned softly, my back arching with pleasure. She smiled against my mouth.

"You know we still have a party to get to," she reminded me mischievously. Her hands were at my waist now, thumbs slowly rubbing back and forth over my sides. A shiver ran through me.

"No, we don't."

"Yes, we do."

"Not anymore."

She laughed again. "Yes, we do, and we should probably get out of here."

"No, we don't, and you're staying right here," I said, and kissed her before she could say anything else. She gave in immediately, her mouth like fire under mine, as though she was starving for me. I was melting in that kiss, unaware of anything but the feel of her there with me, a feeling I'd been fighting for my whole life. I was hers, completely. And, finally, she was mine. Time seemed to slow and for a long minute, it was just us, lost in a kiss as intense as flame.

And then some moron pounded on the door. "Is someone in there?! I need to use the bathroom!"

Jenny and I jumped apart. Her cheeks flushed, she spun away from me and shouted at the door. "We'll be out soon, Joey! Can't you wait a minute?"

Joey's voice whined from the other side of the door. "I've been holding it forever."

"Joey!"

"Fine, I'll try."

Jenny huffed and gave me a look that said you better not find this funny.

In reply, I raised my eyebrows and gave her a half-smile: I find it hilarious.

She rolled her eyes at the door and watched me button my shirt up again. There was a small smile playing on her lips and it drove me crazy. Did I really have to go through a whole party before I could be alone with her?

I walked into the living room just in time to see Dee practically kick the front door down and strut in like she owned the place. She was wearing a simple, yet elegant black dress, and her grin was like that of a cobra. "Hope the party didn't start without me," she declared.

"Dee, the party can't start without you," Jenny laughed, and swept her friend into a hug.

Dee caught my eye over Jenny's shoulder. "Hey, Julian!" she greeted cheerfully. "Glad to see you're settling in fast. You getting along with the Thorntons yet?"

"Yeah," I replied, smiling back. "All of them except Joey."

"Hey! He's my brother, you know." Jenny smirked at me and I smirked right back. Dee looked at both of us and laughed, giddy with the feeling of Christmas.

Later on that night, Jenny and the rest of her friends all sat out by the pool, laughing and talking. Jenny was standing just outside the doorway, staring up at the sky. The stars were spilled across it like diamonds in an inky sea, and the full moon sailed high over it all. I watched her watching the night sky and felt something warm open up inside me. I couldn't believe that I could have everything I ever wanted right in front of me.

I walked up behind her, careful to stay silent, and slid my arms around her waist. She gasped and then relaxed against me, a smile spreading across her face. I laced my fingers together over her stomach and touched my lips softly to her neck. She smelled like peppermint and warm sunlight and home.

"Do you ever regret it?" she asked quietly, so that only I could hear.

"Regret what?"

"Giving up being a Shadow Man. Giving up being immortal."

I didn't answer at first. I left small, soft kisses on her neck, pushing her hair away. A tiny sigh escaped her and she leaned into me, closing her eyes. I drew back just enough to speak. "I could never live that life," I murmured, "unless I could take you with me."

She turned her head enough to brush her mouth over mine, a slight touch that made the world drop away. I held her tighter. "I love you," she whispered. Her eyes opened and fixed on mine, holding me in place in that cold wintry night.

I whispered the words back to her as the first snowflakes began to fall.

THE END.

Thank you so much for reading my story and for leaving so many awesome reviews! This is my first full fanfiction on here, so I'm glad it turned out so !

P.S. And if you guys enjoy reading love stories like this one (and the TV show Downton Abbey), you'll like my next fanfic: a different kind of love story called All the Lovely, Forbidden Things :)