Epilogue

(3 years later)

Sunnydale High

8:30 PM

The day had finally come. The day Dawn Summers and Rose Harris graduated from high school. After Rose was sure her robes were on correctly she grabbed her locket on her neck to make sure she definitely had it. This year, Sunnydale High had decided to have the graduation ceremony at night. No complaints came from anyone, especially Rose or Dawn. This meant that Angel and Drusilla could both attend.

In the Audience

9:00 PM

The ceremony was just about to begin. The gang sat together in the middle. Buffy sat next to Angel and Drusilla. Through the past few years Drusilla came about once every 2 months to see Emily and Rose. It was just as much as the girls needed. Angel and Buffy both still lived for each other and were in love, even if the love they had could only exist in the time the sun wasn't up. Next to Drusilla sat Xander and Anya.

Anya was now 'Mrs. Harris'. Xander had proposed to her the next day at, no other, then the preschool. Anya loved teaching so much that she took up the job and had Mrs. Harris' preschool classroom, right next to Cordelia's. Xander stayed with Giles to work full time at the Magic Box. Next to Xander and Anya sat Willow, Oz, and Kalani.

Kalani was an energetic 3-year-old now, the same age Emily was when the gang discovered her. She was now attending school in Anya's classroom. Willow could barely keep hold of her.

"Kalani Rosenberg would you settle down!" Willow scolded.

"Sorry Mommy. When is it going to start?"

"Soon enough," Willow whispered letting Oz take Kalani. Willow had gone back to school and got a degree in child psychology and was a full time counselor at the high school. Oz and his band 'The Dingoes Ate Your Baby' had just got a recording contract and were ready for the big time. Next to the Rosenberg's sat Giles and the twins.

"Are we going to graduate like this Dad?" a now 8-year-old Nicky asked.

"Yeah at night time like this?" Alex asked. The twins were now second graders who still enjoyed being together and just being boys. Giles sighed.

"If your lucky boys." Giles had finally done it. He had raised Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, and first graders and now they were on their way. Graduating from High school wasn't that far off. Finally, next to Giles and the twins sat Cordelia and Emily.

Emily was now 6-years-old and was ready to graduate from Kindergarten.

"Mommy, will I be able to graduate from high school too?" she sat on her knees, looking at Cordelia.

"Emmalu! You are going to ruin that dress!" Cordelia cried pulling Emily into her lap. Cordelia was still enjoying being a preschool teacher and mother. She loved watching the kids grow up.

"Well will I?"

"Shush babe. Their coming," Cordelia whispered as the graduates filed into the gym. One by one, the anxious seniors took their stand on the bleachers that were set up on the stage. Finally, at the end of the line, walked in Dawn and Rose. In Buffy's eyes, the girls looked perfect. They stood, proudly. Rose scanned the gym and her eyes finally found Xander's. He smiled proudly at his daughter. Rose couldn't help but smile herself. Her eyes fell upon Angel's. His expression, to her, looked strangely like one Giles would wear. It looked wise and concerning but it had a small tint of the melancholy that Angel always seemed to wear. Looking at Drusilla, she looked like she was a bit uncomfortable around all these people but her eyes never left her daughter. The ceremony got underway and after watching all of her friends go up and receive their diploma's the speaker finally called her best friend/sisters name.

"Dawn Summers." Dawn smiled at Rose then got down and proudly received her diploma. She shook hands with the principal and beamed proudly as she saw Buffy and the others standing up and clapping for her. After a few more minutes it was her turn. Rose held her breath and clutched her locket.

"Priscilla Rose Harris," the speaker called. After receiving her diploma she stood a while soaking in all the praise she was getting and flashing back to the tougher days. She watched her family as they clapped proudly for her. She seated herself next to Dawn and they watched their other classmates receive their diplomas.

Xander smiled and thought of everything he had been through. He smiled, realizing just how lucky he really was. He looked at Rose. She was his now. Rose was a happy now.

The Rose that was once forgotten, but had finally been found.

I hoped everyone enjoyed this story! An 'alternate' type of Rose story is in the works right now. Look for it soon!

Dru619