Epilogue

A WEEK LATER…

It was a sunny day as the sun shined over Hill Valley Church where a service was being held. The service was the funeral for one Lamar Davis, who had been murdered the previous week.

Lots of people had attended the funeral. They ranged from a lot of CGF members, to Trevor, to Michael and his family, to Denise, to Tanisha and her husband Jayden, and most importantly, Franklin, who had Liz by his side. Several CGF members, as well as Franklin, wore sunglasses to the service. Another person attended the service, and that was Franklin's cousin Tavell.

Things had gotten out of hand during that war that was not necessary. After Alonzo's demise and the mysterious fate of his two friends out in Paleto Forest, the next day, Franklin went to Rancho one last time to make sure that things were square between him and Big Queso. The fact that a massacre had commenced only tipped the scales and right after clearing everything up, Lamar was gunned down.

Franklin had informed the shot-caller of a lot of issues that had occurred. He had to even let him know about some issue surrounding the Bagger when he and Lamar dealt with the Vespucci Beach set. However, it was all in self-defense and didn't expect anything to happen. But all the stuff had been sorted. Even though lives had ended in the process, the only thing Franklin wanted was for the Vagos of any set to leave him and Liz alone. Besides, a lot of it was mainly Alonzo's doing, whom Big Queso didn't even respect.

The pastor stood at the podium and spoke into the microphone with the casket nearby. "Brothers and sisters, we are gathered here to celebrate the life of the fallen. Lamar Davis had lived a life that was cut short. It was a tragic loss for everyone here, but now he is at peace…"

Franklin stood there facing the ground. He couldn't believe that one of his best friends was gone. He was informed that when the shootings had occurred in Forum that Tonya and JB were killed as well. And for what reason, all because the guy was so jealous of his ex dating someone he didn't approve of?

Liz looked at her boyfriend and then put her right arm over his right shoulder while wrapped her left arm in between his chest and stomach. Franklin slowly turned towards his girlfriend. She mouthed, "It's okay" to him. Franklin nodded his head.

Even though he felt that it was bound to happen, he wasn't sure if Lamar was going to get smoked before his time this soon. He knew that deep down he cared about Lamar, but considering the life Lamar led, he was fed up with this early-1990's gang-banger fantasy that his friend lived. It was the 2010's. While gang violence and activity was still a thing, it wasn't as heavy as it was in the 1980's and 1990's when the Families and Ballas were at an even bigger war than how it was in current times. There may still be some tension, but it wasn't as bad as it was during those days.

At some point, he looked up and saw Lamar's mother. Franklin saw that she was broken over the whole thing. After a while, the pastor had called up Franklin to give his eulogy.

Franklin slowly went up to the podium on the stage. It was hard for him to even look at everyone in the audience. Even through his shades, every one of his friends and some family saw that he couldn't look at anybody. But he had to say something.

He cleared his throat. "Lamar was one of my boys growing up. I always knew that he didn't always make the best decisions. Some of the dreams he had ain't stuff you want to get involved in. I know this, because I went the same path. But I decided when it was time to leave. Lamar, even though he ain't made the smartest decisions, he was still a good friend. He was a good son to his mother. He was a funny guy to be around. I'm finna miss him. We all gonna miss him."

He paused a bit and stammered a bit. "I'm sorry, I can't go on."

Liz went up there and walked him off the stage. The pastor patted Franklin on the shoulder.

Later on, they went to bury the casket in the grave at the nearby cemetery. After a while, most of the guests had left and took off to a small venue where the reception was taking place. Michael and Trevor tried to comfort Franklin, who then saw Ms. Davis looking at a lot of pictures of Lamar.

Franklin approached Lamar's mother and said, "Ms. Davis, I am so sorry for the loss of your son. Your son and I were boys. I know he wasn't always so smart, but I always tried to have his back."

The older lady looked right at him and responded with, "Franklin, I know you were a good friend to my boy. But I'm going to be honest with you, Lamar wasn't a smart boy. He wanted to live this life. I told him that he should try to make his life better, but he didn't want to listen. I hoped he would see things my way one day. This is not your fault."

He then gave his late friend's mother a hug after that. Not long after that, Liz came up and saw Franklin.

"Is everything okay, baby?" Liz said.

"I'm cool," Franklin said while Ms. Davis stood by. "Oh, by the way, this is Lamar's mother Brenda." He looked at Ms. Davis. "This is my girlfriend Liz."

"Hi," Liz said and shook the older woman's hand.

"Hello," Ms. Davis said and then looked at Franklin. "Wow, Franklin, she's beautiful."

Liz smiled at that comment. "Thank you."

"I'll leave you two to talk," Ms. Davis said. "Don't be a stranger, Franklin. You're welcome to come by my house any time."

After the older lady walked away, Liz once again asked Franklin how he was feeling.

"I'm okay, I'm getting better," Franklin said. "Things will be fine soon."

"I'm glad to hear that," Liz said. "I mean it had been a rough week for both of us. Just know that I love you and I am here for you."

"I know that, girl," Franklin said and then hugged her.

MONTHS LATER…

It had been peaceful both Franklin and Liz as there was no more tension between them and the Vagos anymore. If anything, they were relieved that all of that was behind them.

At some point, Liz had moved out of The Tahitian in Strawberry to go move in with Franklin out in Vinewood Hills. Things were already getting serious between the two. So it was bound to happen that Liz would finally move in with Franklin. Plus, with her still being in school, the ULSA campus was closer than when she was living in Strawberry. She was getting close to graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and also in Business.

In that time, Liz started bringing Franklin around her family and friends. He had met Liz's friend Cecilia and her husband Juan. He had also gotten to know Liz's friend Lupe a little better. When things got pretty serious, it was time for Liz to bring him to meet her parents, particularly her mother and stepfather. Much to Franklin's surprise, Liz's mother liked him.

The spring semester had now ended. Liz wanted to go away for a little bit. Franklin had come up with an idea. He wanted to go out of town this time. But to where was the question on Liz's mind. Franklin had an idea. He wanted to surprise her. They were about to go on a real vacation this time.

Franklin had packed suitcases in the back of his Buffalo. He had asked Michael to come by and check on Chop every day and feed him.

Four hours after they left that morning, they finally reached their destination. Liz realized that the drive was through a desert but it wasn't through Blaine County. In fact, Franklin headed eastbound. It finally dawned on her where they went as when they got closer, they saw some casinos on the side of the highway. When they got closer to the city, she now knew where she was as they were getting off the Julius Thruway.

"Oh my god, baby, you really shouldn't have done this!" Liz said with so much enthusiasm in her voice.

"Hey, I wanted to take you somewhere nice," Franklin said. "Shit, I ain't been to Las Venturas either. It was time for both of us to go. Besides, I needed to take you on a trip after all those finals."

"This is great, baby," Liz said. She couldn't believe it. It may have been the daytime, but even with all that light out there, it was like a dream come true for her. Traffic may be bad, both on the road and on the sidewalks, but hey, they were on vacation and they were ready to have some fun.

Lucky for them, Franklin had already made reservations at Caligula's Palace on the Strip. But he didn't book them for just a hotel room. He wanted a suite for both of them. He paid a lot of money for a suite in one of the top floors.

It was only the first day in Venturas. There was a lot to do out there and they were going to be there for a few days. So they had to make the most of it.

They went to check out the nightlife in Venturas. They started off by going to the Camel's Toe Club that was close to The Camel's Toe hotel and casino. The streets of the Venturas strip were crazy, but it was expected. That's why there were bridges to walk on to cross streets, as well as trams to get to places quicker.

When they went back to their hotel suite, both of them were still dressed in their nightlife gear. Franklin wore some black slacks and a green plaid vest that he bought at Ponsonbys. He also took Liz to buy her a black dress at that place at some point, which she also happened to be wearing.

But the night wasn't over for them. Not even close.

"I can't believe you managed to get a suite," Liz said.

"I wanted to treat you something nice, girl," Franklin said.

"Well, this been a great trip so far," Liz said. "I mean I would have loved to have gone to San Fierro or even farther like Liberty City or even Vice City. But this is still great."

"We'll get to those places someday, Liz," Franklin said, as he was looking through a bag that he brought. It wasn't long until he brought out a bottle of Costa Del Perro and then poured some it into a couple of wine glasses that he set on a counter.

He saw that Liz was standing outside on a balcony overlooking the strip with the sliding door open. She was looking around the area with all of the colorful lights on each of the casinos, ranging from Pirates in Men's Pants to The Pink Swan to The Four Dragons. Even also the ones on that same side as Caligula's like Come-a-Lot and The Clown's Pocket, as well as The Visage.

Franklin approached her with a glass on his right hand while he took a sip of the wine in the glass in his left hand.

"Thanks, baby," Liz said with a smile. "It's just incredible. I have been waiting for you take me on a trip."

"You finally got your wish, girl," Franklin said as he held his glass out as Liz let her glass out to tap it right to Franklin's.

They both leaned in and gave each other a kiss on the lips.

"I love you, Franklin," Liz said.

"I love you, too…Elisa," Franklin said as Liz responded with a smile and then took a sip of her wine.

"You know you're the first person in a while to call me by my full name," Liz said.

"Well, I heard your mama call you that a few times, especially when she talks to you in Spanish," Franklin said.

"You are right about that," Liz said. "Okay, so you're the second person." She chuckled, as did Franklin.

They continued to enjoy their drinks and enjoy their night together, as it was the first night in their stay in Las Venturas.

A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER…

Liz had been feeling a bit queasy and nauseous lately. She wondered what was up with her. She had a feeling of something, so she went ahead and got a pregnancy test. She brought it back to the house while Franklin wasn't home.

She opened up the box and went into bathroom to go pee. After a few minutes, the line on the test turned blue. She knew exactly what that meant.

Oh my god, am I ready for this? What will Franklin say? She thought. She took a deep breath and had to be calm about this.

Later on, Franklin had come home and saw Liz looking at the computer.

"Hey, baby, what's happenin'?" Franklin said.

The left side of Liz's mouth opened a tad as she let out a small hiss. She then got up from in front of the computer and approached him.

"Um, baby, I need to tell you something. Actually, I need to show you something."

"What's that?" Franklin said.

"Well…" Liz then got out the test stick and showed him the blue lines.

Just then, Franklin's eyes bulged as his mouth opened. He then grabbed the test from her hand. "Does this mean…?"

Liz nodded her head. "I'm pregnant."

In a surprise turn of events, Franklin gave her a big hug after having heard that. "I can't believe this. I'm gonna be a dad."

"You're not mad?" Liz said.

"Mad? Why the fuck would I be mad?" Franklin said. "I'm just so happy right now."

A smile grew on Liz's face right then and then gave her boyfriend a big hug. She wasn't sure if she was ready to be a mother, but she loved Franklin and he loved her, too. She couldn't be any happier that they would start a family. They weren't married, but with the way their relationship was going, that may be the next in the cards.

THE END.

Author's note: I hope all of you enjoyed my final chapter of this story. While I know that the majority of the plot was surrounded on the plot with Alonzo, I tried to keep the romance there with Franklin and Liz. I feel like I am among the few who ships these two, especially with how they meet in the game.

I had wanted to do a trip for these two. I waited to do it for the epilogue. I was torn between San Fierro and Las Venturas. Though I mentioned Liberty City and Vice City, I figured why not have them go to Venturas. Though that city hasn't been explored in the HD universe, I decided to use the names of the casinos that were used in GTA San Andreas. As for mentioning how car traffic and foot traffic over there, I will tell you that I have been to Las Vegas myself and it's pretty crowded over there. Also, the part about bridges to cross the streets and the trams are a thing out there.

This has been quite a project for me. I would like to give a shoutout to aboringday, as she had supported this story from day one. I would also like to thank anybody who took the time to read this. I hope you all enjoyed this. It was definitely something that I wanted to do.

Also, I must note that I do plan to get back to the other story, which is "A Forbidden Romance." I have been trying to come up with a plot for the next real chapter of that. So stay tuned for that one. I also have been working on other stories. But I am not opposed to doing a follow-up of this one, even if it's just a one-shot or maybe a story with two or three chapters.

Much love to you all. I'm out.