AN: Here it is! No questions asked, this is the final chapter to my K/J story, which has become a two yearlong saga. I took a long time finishing this chapter; finding the right song took over a month. I'm a horrible perfectionist, what can I say? I hope you all enjoy this last chapter as much as you've enjoyed the story itself.

The song is by Neil Diamond, and I did take out one line… but it's still a beautiful song!

Chapter eleven: "The Story of my Life"

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Whoever said a woman couldn't live without a man clearly wasn't mortal. Only a deity capable of immortality could survive the events of his life without someone there to love him unconditionally, to pick him up when he falls down, to put him in his place when he's stepped out of bounds.

I used to think I could do it all, without any help. I didn't think love was a necessity. Quite the contrary, I believed love to be a burden. What a fool I was then. Back then, when my life was simple. Back before she came into my world and turned it upside down.

The story of my life

Is very plain to read

It starts the day you came

And ends the day you leave

            I was caught in the biggest lie in Tortallan history. To think I actually hid my feelings for her that long! They were building up faster and faster each day she was around, and I kept masking them with hatred. Yes, on the outside I appeared to have everything I needed. Yes, on the outside it seemed Kel was my enemy, an obstacle to get rid of. No, that wasn't the way things really were.

            Deep inside I knew the truth. I had just come to the realization that I'd been living an incomplete life, that in my heart something was missing. And now I had found it…in Kel. My life would truly begin when the mask was removed.

The story of my life

Begins and ends with you

The names are still the same

The story's still the truth

            And there was only one person who could remove the mask and reveal my true identity. Finally, after my continuous efforts to get her to see how I felt, and that I meant it all, Kel returned my love. The mask was gone, and I was free of lies and filled with passion. I'd never been so happy in my life. I only had one goal then; to make Kel as happy as I was. Trouble was, I didn't think I could.

I was alone You found me waiting

And made me your own

            I had vowed to myself that I would make Kel my own. What I hadn't prepared for was Kel making me hers, totally and completely.

            Could I really make her happy? Did a man like me, with everything I had done in the past – the lies, the deceit, the cruelty – did I deserve her?

            Needless to say, I didn't think I did. Many a time.

I was afraid

That somehow I never could me

The man that you wanted of me

            What would I have done without her, I thought to myself as I walked to the palace gardens. Whenever I was low on faith, she supplied enough for the two of us. All the times I thought she deserved much better, Kel assured me that I was the only one she wanted. She was my rock, my stronghold. There is no life for me without her.

You're the story of my life

And every word is true

Each chapter sings your name

Each page begins with you

            We've been through so much together. First we had to hide our love from others – quite difficult for a guy who's so happy he wants to shout it out to the world. Then Vinson wanted to break us up, went to my father, which lead to my disownment. Kel was there through everything. She helped me through my Ordeal, and she kept me alive while I was on the border. Different forces have tried to keep us apart, but they only succeeded in making us closer.

It's the story of our times

And never letting go

            About a week before I had received a letter from my father. He'd heard about my intentions to marry Kel now that she'd won her shield. The letter was a last ditch effort to make me choose family and reputation over the girl I loved.

            "Hasn't he learned yet?" I said crumbling the letter in my hand.

            Kel was silent for a little while, and then picked up the crumbled letter, unfolding it. "Maybe you should try to make amends." She said, looking into my eyes. "I mean, don't you miss your family? Your home?"

            I took her hands into mine. "Oh, but I do have family. And a home." I kissed her forehead. "You are my family, Kel. And wherever you go is home. Everything I need is in you. Don't you know that by now?" I said, smiling.

Stay with me here

Share with me, care with me

Stay and be near

            I turned the corner of the palace wall and entered the gardens. We wanted everything to take place here, for it was our secret place. The bench by which Kel stood now had been the place where so many things in our lives together had taken place. And now we could add one more.

            My eyes met with hers and I felt her anxiety. It wasn't nerves, but the need to begin our lives together as soon as possible.

And when it began I'd lie awake every night

Just knowing somewhere deep inside

That our affair would write

            As I walked up to Kel everything seemed to fade away. She was stunning – from her gorgeous violet gown to the curls around her smiling face. I stopped about ten feet from her. It was then that I realized that after all we'd been through I was a mere ten feet from a life with her. I had to be the luckiest man alive right about then.

The story of my life

Is very plain to read

It starts the day you came

And ends the day you leave

            I smiled. Ten feet from an eternity spent with Kel?

            It took every ounce of self-control I possessed not to run those last ten feet.

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Yay! It's finished. I want to quickly thank my friends Kellie and Kristen. It was your enthusiasm and constant nagging that got me to finish this story. Also thanks to everyone that helped me in times of writers block (the ordeal chapter especially). And to everyone who stuck with me even though I never posted in a timely manner! Love you all.

Mandi