A/N: Well, here it is! Finally finished! And on my 21st birthday, too! I was going to wait a bit before posting this, but I was just too excited. It seemed like the perfect time to post!
I want to thank everyone who has stuck with this story, followed, and reviewed. Thank you all so so very much! Not only was the first book my first finished story, but it is also one of my most followed! And now, because of all of you, I have finished my first sequel! None of this would have been possible if it weren't for you!
I hope you have enjoyed this wonderful journey with me, and I hope you enjoy the ending of Amy's and Alan's long awaited love story conclusion.
I love you all, and again, thank you.
Amy bounced the bubbling baby on her hip, her blonde hair matted with leftover baby food and bright eyes sparkling with her juice-stained smile. The baby gurgled and waved her tiny fist, to which Amy bounced and cooed nonsensical words in turn. On her opposite hip sat another blonde haired boy, the three year old waving around a small Stegosaurus toy at any passing stranger. There were people bustling all around her, carrying plates full of food or decorations, all mindlessly chatting gleefully while trying not to bump into one another, though Amy hardly paid them any mind at all. The soft breeze picked up, sending the trees overhead to rustle and the grass tickled Amy's bare toes from around her sandals. Her brown hair had been tied into a messy braided bun, though short angel tufts grazed around her high cheekbones and fluttered her long eyelashes. Her off white summer dress hung off her shoulders freely, and she was grateful for this considering the baby drool currently smothering her left shoulder. The afternoon sun lit up the spacious, green backyard of Ellie and Mark's home and the trees provided the perfect amount of shade over the large picnic table she and the baby were seated at. It was the perfect day for a celebration.
"How's my little man?" The sudden voice from behind Amy made her jump slightly, though she was quick to laugh this off at the sight of Ellie.
"Little Man doesn't seem so little anymore," Amy joked as Charlie murmured happily on her hip. Ellie pinched the boy's cheeks, causing him to squirm and shake his head in protest and the two women laughed. Amy handed baby Laura back to her mother, her face forming a small wince at the sharp pinch in her side, though it was soon back to a dull throb. "Are the Kirbys here yet?" she asked while sitting Charlie on the ground. The boy stood to his clumsy feet and ran after his father, who had just sat down a plate of ribs fresh from the grill.
"Just about. I got off the phone with Amanda twenty minutes ago. They just landed."
"Good, I'm starved," Amy groaned, her caramel eyes gazing longingly at a fresh bowl of corn on the cob. Then, her eyes caught sight of quick movement and loud, boisterous shouts to her right. Billy was playing a game of touch football with some of the other men of their excavation group. Even Terry was there, though he settled with being the referee rather than risk wrestling with the younger men. Billy had just captured the football, though he was quickly distracted by Claira cheering him on from the sidelines. He was only able to make it forward a few steps before the group tackled him hard to the ground in a bustling choir of laughter.
"Boys," Ellie let out a carefree sigh and Amy snorted. Just then, Amy heard her name call out in a very familiar voice. Instantly, the woman was out of her chair, her eyes bouncing in search. Standing in the back doorway of Ellie's house arm-in-arm was a short blonde woman and a tall redheaded man. Nervously, the woman pushed her thick glasses back up the bridge of her nose and she waved while her husband repositioned the bags hooked around his arm.
"Haley, Justin!" Amy called out as tears brimmed her eyes. The two women were upon each other then, wrapped tightly in the other's arms as their voices gushed into a whirlwind of excited "hello"s and "I missed you"s. From behind, Justin wrapped his mighty bear-like grip around both women at once, hugging them both tightly to his chest and even managing to lift them off of their feet for a moment. Once they were finally able to pull themselves apart, Haley shyly adjusted her glasses then took Amy's hand within her own, placing it upon her stomach. Amy's brow furrowed, then her eyes went round. "Oh mein Gott, really?" she gasped. Haley only nodded, her eyes teary as her husband placed his heavy hand on his wife's shoulder proudly. Amy's smile was so wide now she wondered if her lips would crack.
"We brought you some gifts, too," Haley sniffed and gestured to the presents on Justin's elbow.
"Oh, you guys, you shouldn't have-" Amy was interrupted by the happy shake of Haley's hand. Amy only rolled her eyes and gave her long time friend another tight hug.
"We brought you something else, but Justin couldn't exactly carry it." Amy's brow rose suspiciously. Haley and Justin only shared sneaky, mischievous grins. "We picked them up from the airport."
"Oh no, what did you guys do?"
"Hello Dr. Young," the new voice took Amy by surprise. Her heart stopped beating and her body was shocked with a strange coldness, yet she felt warmth as well. Amy stood to the tips of her toes, trying her best to peer over Justin's shoulder. Thankfully, Justin and Haley stepped to the side, fully revealing the doorway. There stood a young boy dressed in a button up blue shirt and jeans, his darkened, curly hair brushed neatly above bright blue eyes. Next to him was a young woman in a flowing, baby blue dress that complimented her long, golden locks and round cheeks. They looked almost like complete strangers, but when they smiled their toothy, youthful grins at Amy, her heart knew them instantly.
"You know, you can still call me Amy," she said, her voice hardly a whisper so it would not crack. Two fat tears squeezed their way from the corner of her eyes with the wrinkling of her smile and she had to swallow before she could speak again. "I hope you guys didn't expect me to dress up for the occasion," she joked and wiped her tears, though that only caused her to let out a low sob, which she tried to conceal with a short laugh. Lex and Tim Murphy instantly embraced the older woman, their own soft, happy crying mixing with hers. Amy held the two as tightly as she could, brushing her fingers through their hair. She would lean back to get a good look at their joyful faces, taking in their every new and old features, then quickly return to holding them with gentle laughter from the two. They looked so different from before. They were older now and seemed so mature, but when Amy held them within her shaking arms, it was like nothing at all had changed. Amy's heart swelled so greatly from within her chest that she wondered if it would burst and embracing the two kids was the only thing keeping it intact. From behind her, Haley rejoined the group hug while Justin wrapped his free arm around the two women's shoulders.
"Amy," she heard another voice call from behind her, and the joyful group turned to look at Alan. His dark plaid shirt was tucked into brand new khaki jeans, though he wore the same dusty hat he always had. His gorgeous blue eyes were round and startled, his tanned face nearly white as his mind worked to understand exactly who all he was seeing. Justin took Alan's hand and shook it heartily, though Alan's eyes never left that of Tim and Lex.
"Hey, man," he mumbled absentmindedly, blinking dumbly. Justin only laughed and patted Alan hard on his back, which must have shaken him from his momentary stupor. "Haley," he tipped his hat to the blonde who hugged him in turn. Still, his eyes did not leave the kids. Slowly, he took a small step forward, then another. His hands reached forward, trembling, and he took the two siblings by their shoulders, gazing down upon them. "Lex… Tim," he mumbled. At the sounds of their names, the two lunged forward, ensnaring the man into their own embrace. Alan's arms limply hooked around them, his wide eyes meeting Amy's. Then, he laughed and pulled the two in tighter, his hat tumbling from his head in his eagerness. "God, you two have grown!"
"You haven't changed at all, Dr. Grant," Lex bubbled.
"I'm almost taller than you!" Tim giggled.
"Not yet, you're not," he joked and ruffled Tim's hair, just as he had so many years ago. If it were possible, Amy's heart would have grown even more.
"Oh, Grandpa sends his regards," Lex told them and Amy made a mental note to give old John Hammond a call later. She had heard a rumor that John had fallen ill, though she didn't think it proper to ask such a thing. Despite all that had happened, Amy found herself missing his knowing, prideful smile and eccentric attitude. Maybe they could pay him a visit, for old time's sake.
Soon after, the Kirbys arrived. After quick introductions and easy mingling, the food was finished and ready upon the long wooden table. Ellie had to almost manually corral everyone in the direction of the enticing lunch, though once the smell of food wafted in their direction, it was easy enough to get everyone seated. Just as she hoped, Eric and Tim took to each other instantly. The two boys sat together at the end of the table, chattering on about school and sports and even dinosaurs. Lex, Ellie, and Mark sat to Alan's left and Haley and Justin sat to Amy's right while the rest of the party filed in tightly, all eagerly piling food on their plates. Upon the sound of not so subtle giggling, Amy nudged Alan's side and gestured to Billy and Claira whispering playfully to each other. Alan rolled his eyes, though Amy could see his smile peeking through. Amy leaned over and kissed Alan's cheek. The man sighed goodnaturedly and placed his lips against her own in a short, loving kiss.
"So, when's the wedding?" Lex asked, her blue eyes flickering eagerly between Alan and Amy.
Amy grinned, her face heating as her eyes watched Alan's fingers fidget against his lap. "Tomorrow morning, actually. It's nothing big, just a few close friends at the church. Ellie and Mark, Haley and Justin, Billy, you and Tim of course, and the Kirbys. Terry is walking me down the aisle. Tomorrow evening is our flight to Germany to meet my parents."
"Have you decided on your bridesmaids?"
Amy raised a curious brow at the girl's eagerness. "Well, of course Ellie and Haley are, though Alan has three groomsmen so my side's a little empty. I have room for one more." As soon as the words left her mouth, Lex beamed.
"What should I wear?"
"Just something nice, we're not much for the big extravagant weddings and we don't have any specific colors."
Lex nodded, then she took on a look of confusion. "Wait, who are the three groomsmen?"
Alan grinned awkwardly. "Well, there's Billy and Justin, no surprise there. Then there's," he was cut off by a hand on his shoulder.
"You've started eating without me?" a man dressed all in black smirked, popping his gum cheekily as he peered over his sunglasses at Lex.
"Dr. Malcolm!" Lex exclaimed.
"Hey, kiddo!" Ian Malcolm laughed his odd laugh and he gave the girl a one-armed hug, his other repositioning a small blanketed bundle. Carefully, Ian stepped over the bench and wiggled himself between Lex and Alan, smirking. "Of course I couldn't miss out on a wedding, especially when there's free booze. I was just lucky enough to snatch the last groomsmen opening."
"You knew we were going to ask you, Ian," Amy rolled her eyes at the eccentric man, who only growled his cocky laughter. Ignoring this, Amy leaned over the table and captured Lex's eye once more. "We want Tim to be in the wedding, too."
"How? Wouldn't that make too many groomsmen?"
"Well," Amy took in a breath, her hand gripping Alan's thigh nervously. "Eric is helping the flower girl, Laura, and we were hoping Tim would help Oliver with bringing the rings."
"Oliver?" Lex's head cocked to the side lightly. Alan nudged Ian, who handed Alan the blanket bundle. Careful not to bump his head, Alan cradled the bundle close to his chest as Amy leaned against his shoulder, her fingers pulling back the opening of the blanket. Inside, sky blue eyes blinked curiously upon the world from a small, round face. Dark brown tufts of hair grazed pointed ears and his button nose wiggled before the infant let out a sneeze. Amy and Alan chuckled lovingly at the baby. Alan's hand cradled the boy's head as his calloused thumb rubbed through his soft hair while Amy grazed her scarred knuckles across his rosy cheeks.
"Lex, I'd like you to meet our son, little Oliver Alan Grant."