A/N: WOW! I don't think I have ever taken this much time to update something....SORRY!!! Eeek I feel so bad about it, but I am having SO much trouble juggling all the stories I'm doing right now!

But the good (or I guess bad news for those that liked this story) is that this is the last chapter. Yes, I know it wasn't very long...actually incredibly short, but actually it went on way longer than I initially intended it to. There goes my pencil running away with me again ;)

Oh and thanks so much guys for all the awesome feedback! I feel so touched that you guys took all that time to really think about this and write really great reviews! Unfortunately though I love all the ideas y'all put in (I'm Texan, sorry I can't help it) I was too far along when I read the reviews to incorporate any of the suggestions into the fic tear

But I really appreciate them all nonetheless!

READ THESE NEXT PARAGRAPHS PLEASE!!!!

Um really quickly I wanted to address some of the things that were brought up. One thing I remember is someone mentioning about Kirjava right? Don't worry I never forgot about her, it's just that this entire story is done in Lyra's perspective, and if you remember, daemons never speak to anyone but their own masters...at least I'm pretty sure...sorry guys if you wanted to hear from her, but I really don't know how I would put her in there.

Another thing I think I read in a review was that Lyra was supposed to have grown and everything, and that she shouldn't be doing childish stuff like playing on the roofs. Then someone also said that I shouldn't have put in that bit of the 'other boy'. Hmm now how to respond to that...GREAT observations by the way...

Okay, I think that while yes, Lyra did grow, I also think that this separation between her and Will might have made her want something familiar you know? That she might feel safer doing things that she always did, things that actually hadn't changed...you get what I'm saying? And about the 'other boy'...I actually don't even know myself about that. I really have been in an internal debate ever since I read that and I still haven't really come up with an answer to whether that might happen or not. Because the point really of the other boy was so that you guys knew that Lyra was having so much trouble getting over Will. You know, that opportunity had presented itself but she still couldn't force herself to take it.

God, I really have rambling issues sorry! Anyways, here is the final chapter, and I hope you guys enjoy it. It is a bit short, but I was hoping to wrap it up in less time, because I was just DYING to post something new. Even so, I put a lot of work into it! So remember to read and review!!! You now know how much I love those reviews!!!

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Meeting of the Hearts:

Chapter 2

"So..." He cleared his throat. "What about this uh, mischief you were telling me about? I hope you haven't snuck into anymore wardrobes."

Lyra laughed, and she liked think that he was smiling too even if she couldn't see him. "Oh no, don't worry. I don't think I will ever be hiding in another one of those again. Too dusty I think."

This time Will was the one to chuckle. "Okay, so if that's not your style anymore, what have you been doing?"

"Oh lots of stuff Will. You wouldn't believe some of the fixes I can get myself into sometimes."

"Oh really?" he gasped. "I can't imagine you getting into trouble."

Lyra stuck her tongue out at him. It took a second before she remembered he wasn't there. Her heart sank and, feeling very stupid, she decided to change the subject. "Well yes, I am quite the trouble maker. But what about you Will? It's been an entire year and you're just as good as me at getting into hopeless fixes."

"I suppose you could say that...but as for trouble, I really haven't been doing much of anything. I am living with Mary right now, until I can find somewhere else...I think I might be able to look up a relative of my mother's or something or something. Mom's doing a lot better by the way. She's even talking again."

Lyra could just hear the smile on his lips and her heart sang for him. He loved his mother so much and she was so happy for him.

"Mary got me a job at her office doing some minor paper work while I look for something better...I think we're going to be alright."

Lyra heard him run his hand through his hair again, and this time, she smiled. She smiled a big, wide smile from the depths of her heart. She couldn't believe she was talking to him at last. It had been so long, and it was rapture just being able to hear his voice again. "That sounds really nice Will...I'm happy for you."

"But it's so hard Lyra," he choked suddenly. "I swear I haven't gone a night without dreaming of you. You are all I think of every second of every day...Lyra I love you so much." His breathing was ragged, but gradually slowing as he fought for words. "I say that I am making all this progress. I mean I told you that I have a job and I'm going to school but...but I just can't help but feel that it's all for nothing if I can't share it with you."

Lyra's smile fell. So he was still hurting just as much as her. He still suffered like she. Oh God how her heart now ached for him. How she wished she could just hold him close even if for one last time. Both Lyra and Will were silent for a long time. After a while Lyra opened her mouth but was interrupted when Will let out a heart-wrenching moan.

"No! Please," he cried. "Just a little longer please!"

Time froze and Lyra's heart plummeted. Icy dread crept up her spine, and something twisted painfully in her gut. The angels...their time was ending. "NO!" Lyra wailed. "Will! No! Don't go! Please! Please tell the angels! Make them give us a little longer!"

"It's so hard for them Lyra. I don't think they can hold it much longer." He paused only long enough for a gasping sob. "God I love you Lyra. You have to know that! I love you so much! But –"

"NO! No, don't say goodbye!" she screamed frantically. Tears burst forth anew. Her whole body wracked with her choking sobs. "Please don't say goodbye! Not yet! Not now!"

"You are the most beautiful person I have ever met Lyra." Wills voice was starting to fade. "I love everything about you. Your spirit, your passion...your love."

"I love you! Please don't go! I love you!" Lyra beat her fists bloody against the hard granite of the bench. "I don't have a reason to live without you!" A furious blind rage began to envelope her. "Don't you dare leave now! I was almost ready to give up on a happy life Will! But then you came and gave me hope! You made me think that we could...that we could..."

"Lyra..." His voice was barely a whisper now. "Please go on...please try to be happy..."

"No...no...no," she kept muttering.

"Just remember. You don't ever have to stop loving me...nor forget me. But you just can't let me get in the way...of new...love..."

"I'll love you always and forever," she said one last time.

"As...will...I...light...of...mine...," she heard him whisper for the very last time before his heart beat, his breathing, his voice...left.

The world was a dreadful place. Pan was curled into a tight little ball in her lap. Through all of her screaming and panic, she hadn't even heard his mournful cries. He just lay there shivering, weeping as best he could. Lyra scooped him up in her arms and hugged him close, murmuring softly that everything would be okay.

Will was right. She didn't ever need to stop loving him. He would always have a special place in her heart. Always and forever is what she promised, and forever and always is what it would be. Lyra gave one last hearty sniff and wiped away her tears. Yes, she missed him. Yes, at the moment everything seemed hopeless. But there was always tomorrow. The next day always looked brighter than the last. Besides, she thought. They would always have this place, this bench. They could still be a part of each other's lives, if however small.

Lyra stood and Pan, feeling lifted, clambered back onto her shoulder and wound himself around her neck. She didn't care how long it took to move on. She could take as much time as she wanted. The horizon was looking brighter by the minute. Even though the sun set, every time, it always rose again.

"Until next time, Love," Lyra whispered. She kissed the tip of her finger and pressed it to the little stone bench. Then, after drinking in one long, last look, she turned and walked away down the shaded path, dreaming and wondering what the future had in store for her.

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A/N: Mmm, well that's a wrap I guess. Thank you all for your thoughts and constructive criticism, they were much appreciated! I know I didn't address all of the comments in my reviews but I certainly did read them!
I hope you enjoyed my humble little fic, and I really wish to know your input. Have a nice day everybody, and Philip Pullman rocks!!!!