Summary: "the conclusion? That there is no conclusion."
Rating: PG-13
Timeline/Spoilers: An AU story based off of the birth of the twins. Though I magically changed the gender of one of them and made Annie go off into Never Never Land. Tragic, isn't it?
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, there, I said it, happy?
Author's Note(s): Goodness me, 'tis June and I am just now wrapping up this sad tale of the Camden life. Did I say March was the month that the final chapter was to make an experience? Guess what? I lied. Due to schoolwork, (high school at its best) my job as a lifeguard, (yes, I save drowning kids) and of course, those daily troubles that tend to spice of your life have gotten to me. And my writing habits. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it. On with the show. Granted, it is the end of the show. Read on. And enjoy. (Stay tuned for more authors' notes)
The Deep End of the Ocean
'Twas a bottomless pit that Eric Camden had been sucked into. The vortex of the advances made by a manipulative, yet incredibly good-looking woman. She rested, asleep in his arms, while the man lay wide-eyed and alert.
His thoughts raced throughout his head like a speeding train headed for derailment, an airplane plummeting towards the frigid ocean. Eric's restless mind was getting the best of him, he began to squirm under the sticky sheets that covered him. His head spun in circles as he threw off the bed covers and slid out from under the woman who lay on top of him.
His movements woke her. Her eyelids opening sleekly, watching him dress.
"Leaving so soon?"
Eric yanked his jeans up over his legs, attempting to hold back a scowl.
"I shouldn't have come in the first place."
Grace rose from the bed, covering herself with the thin cotton sheet, which was a futile attempt of modesty.
"We have a connection, Eric, let's not let a petty excuse get in the way of that."
Eric's face flamed red at the remark placed on Annie. He balled his hands into fists as he sagged with the discovery of what he had done.
"Annie is not a petty excuse."
He spat the words out, but Grace seemed to feed on them. She crawled across the mattress to the foot of the bed, taking his hands in hers and talking to him in a seemingly soothing voice, while her words were quite the opposite,
"She may not be petty, but she certainly is an excuse. She isn't a real human anymore, Eric. Face it, she's become a vegetable without the medical terms."
Eric stiffened and wrenched his hands away while he scrambled for his shirt. He glanced frantically around the sparsely decorated room, searching the rest of his clothes. Grace bent over, gathered the misplaced item and placed it in his hands, smiling.
"I love my wife, Grace. There is nothing in this world that could deter me from that."
Grace mockingly gasped, lightly covering her face with one hand as she used her other hand to drop the sheet,
"Obviously, this did."
Eric grasped for breath, he was appalled at the moves that Grace was making on him. He had already given in once, he would not do it again.
"I was vulnerable, you took advantage of me."
Grace threw herself on the bed, twisting her hair around one finger, gazing at him with her sultry eyes.
"Are you making me out as the bad guy here?"
Eric released his breath, trying to cease his shaking body. Beads of perspiration dotted his hairline and trickled down the side of his face.
"You are certainly trying to make yourself the victim."
Grace was growing annoyed at Eric's words, flinging the sheet back over her body, her eyes narrowed,
"Listen to me, Eric, I've been here for you, through all of this. I'm the one who has taken your children under my wing, giving them comfort, replacing their incapable mother."
Eric's temper rose several notches,
"They don't need a second mother!"
Grace shook her head, retorting back to him harshly,
"Well, they at least need one competent one. And the one they have now isn't living up to those expectations."
Eric trembled with anger, his blood coursing through his body, pumping throughout his veins. He stalked to the door, forcing himself to swallow and speak,
"I am not giving up on my wife."
He walked out of the bedroom towards the front door, Grace's voice carried into the hall as her last words rang through his mind,
"She's already given up on you, Eric!"
He paused with his hand on the doorknob, glancing around at the place of forbidden affairs. He drew in a sharp breath and opened the door, ready to go home to his wife.
Eric's feet carried him into his house, the noise level uncommonly loud. He felt himself being led into the kitchen, where his eyes fell upon a sight to behold.
"Hey stranger."
Eric's eyes widened in utter shock, he grabbed a hold of the counter, suddenly feeling ill.
"Quick! Get a chair for your father. Eric, Eric? Look at me."
His face rose to meet hers, she smiled down at him, her eyes sparkling.
"You're here."
She quickly placed a light kiss on his nose,
"Here to stay."
He watched her move back over the work space, where his children around her, rolling out the cookie dough. Their laughter filled the entire room, spilling over into the whole house.
Eric stood up and lovingly whispered into her ear,
"I love you, Annie."
Annie smiled back at him, she had forgotten the bond they shared. She had missed this. All of this.
"I love you too, Eric."
And for the first time in many months, Eric Camden felt joy.
Annie Camden stood before the mirror, trying to screw her earring into her ear but having little success. As she wiggled around the gold earring, she gazed into the mirror's reflection. Time had passed so quickly. She had lost out on precious moments, precious memories, precious time. But she was slowly regaining those back.
As she looked at her reflection, she no longer felt disgust, but now, peace. Her eyes twinkled, no longer held the dullness of previous times. She no longer felt unhappy, but a sense of security.
She no longer felt sorry for herself, but now, wanted to soak up everything life could offer.
Time is of the essence.
And she was living proof.
Annie clasped the earring into place, smoothed out her dress, and nodded back at the mirror.
"Ready, mom?"
She smiled at her oldest son and grasped his hand,
"Ready."
They walked to the doors leading into the sanctuary, she looked down the aisle, catching her husband's eyes with her own. She winked.
For the first time in several months, months of darkness, Annie Camden felt joy.
Finis.
Author's Notes: If it seemed like things were wrapped suddenly, I have to admit, they were. I basically had given up on this fanfiction. I wasn't interested anymore in the show, I'm still not interested, and the whole writing thing seemed like a chore. And for the first time in a long time, I wrapped things up in a nice big bow. Hope it wasn't too unrealistic. I'm sorry if it seems I cheated you guys, or have given you the short straw. Hope you've enjoyed the long and windy road of this attempt of story-telling. Thanks for all the reviews, they mean a lot. To all, a good night.
