Epilogue

Andrew grinned at Alison as he leaned back on the couch, watching her put the dishes away. "Damn, you're beautiful." She laughed and threw a large purp at him, and he caught it and checked for spots. Then he bit into it and continued to smile at her.

"I still can't see why your parents kicked you out," he said casually. "I mean, technically, we were married when it happened. Could you blame me?"

She raised her eyebrows and smiled back. "Yes," she said, nodding, "I think I could."

He pulled a funny face and then shifted on the couch to make room for her, but not before Micha, little Andrew, and Jordan appeared and piled on top of him, squealing. He growled playfully and tried to fight them off as they crawled all over him, pulling and pushing him this way and that. "Hey - OW!"

"Andy's a monster, RUN!" shrieked Micha, and the three kids tumbled off him and scampered into the hall.

Andrew got to his feet and began to stomp after them, making his voice deep and loud. "Oh, I'm a monster, huh? I'm gonna get you, I'll find you and I'll squeeze your little brains till a slimy green ooze comes out, and I'll mix it with my purp juice and - Oh, hey Mom," he said, straightening up. He waved and grinned sheepishly as she shook her head in amusement. "What's up?"

"Andy, you're going to be late for work again..." she said in a warning tone. But her eyes couldn't hide her laughter.

He scowled. "I can't work, I'm having too much fun here, and - " CRASH! "Jordan Hawkins, that better not be my Avery December CDs!" He grinned at Raven. "'Scuse me, Mama," he said, and he disappeared into one of the rooms. Raven could now hear more shrieks and squeals of laughter from inside, and she rolled her eyes. Alison had the same expression on her face.

Raven sighed. "It's been a weird summer, hasn't it?" she asked. Alison nodded. She looked around her. There were more picture frames now, and an even bigger mess. But she had to smile, because she wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Andrew was having so much fun, being a kid again with the children and making up for lost time with her and Jim. He was a good son, even though he decided to keep the name of Calls. "You've got enough on your hands with only one Andrew Hawkins," he'd said while tickling the twins. Though Raven had been a bit put out, Jim understood.

After recovering, Andrew had returned to Capernæuma to fix his papers and tie up his father's loose ends. In the end, he was richer than Jim and Raven and could have built a hundred sparkling new Benbow Inns, but it was all in a trust that he didn't care for at the moment. He proclaimed that he was too young to worry about it and even took up a job in Montressor. Andrew couldn't go back to school, not with the stuff on his records, but somehow Raven knew he was happier where he was: in a youth center, teaching kids self-defense.

Alison was still trying to fix things up with her parents. They were considerably more approachable now that Andrew was fixing himself up, though. After the summer, she would return to Capernæuma to finish school and then return to Montressor for her wedding to Andrew Calls - with or without her parents. Raven knew that there was nothing she could do; they'd both be eighteen by then, and with more than one good reason to marry...

Jordan had joined the family when Toni had given him up. To Andrew's delight, it had been Jim's idea to adopt him, and Jordan seemed to be coming out of his shell. Raven had the feeling that even when Andrew had ignored the little boy or been mean to him, Jordan still looked up to him somehow. And he was turning out better every day, just like Andrew.

Micha and little Andrew loved having a big brother around, because - "he fixes our toys and plays spacers and pirates with us, and he makes cookies and funny faces, and he knows how to sing the Wiggly Brubloo song." Apparently, they had more effect on Andrew than he did on them. Jim was especially glad Andrew was around - someone had to be man of the house when he was in space.

It was getting a little crowded, though; the three boys were in one room while Alison shared one with Micha. Raven couldn't remember how many vases had been broken and blamed on someone else, or how many funny-looking creatures turned up in jars or pockets. And everyone was so stubborn sometimes.

But at night, when it was late and everyone else was asleep, she and Jim would check... and double-check the rooms. Each time, they were sound asleep. Always, each one of them had an expression of peace and contentment... including Andrew.

"Andrew Calls, you're going to be late for work!" she called again.

"I know!" he yelled back. The next moment, he popped out of the hall, hopping on one foot and pulling on his shoes. Raven tossed him a bag lunch, and he caught it in his mouth. He smiled and took it out with his hand as he kissed her goodbye, and then he kissed Alison, too. He yelled back into the hallway, "Don't touch my stuff, Micha, or I swear, you'll get a - yes, Mama, I know I'm late." He gave her another rascally grin, and she was filled with warmth to see him so happy. "Goodbye!" he said, "Bye, I love you!"

He stomped down the stairs and bounded down the halls, down two more staircases, and then out into the sunshine. Raven went to the window to watch him run down the path. A few months ago, she had been watching a similar sight: the sight of her tall, dark-haired, growing-up son Andrew running away, disappearing from her grasp.

She smiled. This time, she knew that he was coming back. He had a reason to.

Author's Note: Many thanks to Ms. Raine Ishida, without whom this fic would be possible. Thanks also to the reviewers - you may be few, but you are more than enough. : )

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