Hi! :-) Well, this is it! The final chapter of my story. I've enjoyed writing it, and I'm thankful for the response it has received. :-) You're the best to review each chapter!! I've appreciated all your comments very much!! I hope you enjoy this last chapter.

Take care!!

Epilogue

New Year's Eve

At the stroke of midnight, Jack and Janet would say their vows and become husband and wife in front of their family and friends. They could not think of a more appropriate day to be married. They wanted to start out the new year as a married couple.

Taylor and Terri were sharing matron and maid of honor duties while Janet's sister Jenny was her bridesmaid, and her daughter was the flower girl. Jeremy was the ring bearer. Larry was Jack's best man. Nick and Jack's brother Lee were groomsmen. Janet's parents had flown in for the occasion; Jack's parents had driven from San Diego. After much discussion, Jack and Janet agreed. The best place, the only really meaningful place, to hold their wedding was at "Jack's Bistro". It just felt right to be back in the town where so many years of their lives and life experiences had occurred.

"Janet, you look stunning," Terri said, when the two women had a moment alone in Jack's office.

Janet smiled and blushed. "Thanks."

"I know I said that at your wedding to Todd, too, and I meant it, but this time, well, there's a glow and a contentment about you that I have to say was not present when you married Todd."

"This is right," Janet said, as Terri helped her with her floor-length, off-white dress that had long sleeves and a bodice decorated with hand-sewn pearls. "I married Todd for a lot of wrong reasons. And now that Jack and Nick have told me the truth about what he did, I'm slowly starting to let go of my guilt."

"Good for you," Terri said, as she adjusted Janet's veil. "You can see now how desperate he was to keep you away from Jack. And with good reason. He knew it would only be a matter of time before the two of you found your way back to each other and worked out your differences."

Janet agreed. "It also makes me wonder if that's why he was so happy when I got pregnant. Of course, it tied me to him even more. But I want to believe he loved Taylor as much as he said he did."

"I'm sure he did," Terri said, not wanting Janet to have any clouds hanging over her head as she exchanged vows of holy matrimony with Jack.

"I want to believe he did, too. And that's why I want Taylor to keep his last name as part of her full legal name even though Jack is going to adopt her and officially, her last name will be 'Tripper'."

"Just like her mother," Terri said and gave Janet a warm hug.

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation, but it was a knock Janet had been waiting a long time to hear.

"Chrissy!" she cried, when her friend and former roommate hesitantly entered the room. "I've been so anxious to see you!"

"Janet," Chrissy said, overcome with emotion, as she looked at her friend in her wedding gown. "I can't believe you and Jack are actually getting married. But, of course, I think it's great, and I wouldn't have missed this for anything."

They shared an embrace that melted the years and the distance away.

"Where's your husband, Ron?" Janet asked, after they both took a few moments to recover from not having seen each other in years.

"He's in the dining area. He wanted me to have my reunion with you first. He's getting acquainted with Jack and Mr. and Mrs. Roper and Mr. Furley. I don't think he's met Larry yet," she said and then reminded Janet of her trademark laugh.

"I don't think I want to miss that," Terri said, extending her hand to Chrissy. "I'm Terri Alden-Whitman. Nice to meet you, Chrissy."

"Oh, sure," Chrissy said, shaking Terri's hand. "It's nice to meet you, too. I think it's great you've all stayed in touch."

"I'd like us to stay in touch, too, Chrissy," Janet said.

"I'd like that, too," she replied. "Especially since I'm gonna have a baby in a few months. Jack introduced me to Taylor. She's great, Janet. I know I could learn a lot from you."

"Congratulations!" Janet and Terri said simultaneously.

And then the three women shared a laugh and a hug that could only mean old friendships had been restored and new friendships had been formed.

With the tables pushed to one side for the ceremony, Janet emerged from Jack's office when the "Wedding March" began to play. On her father's arm, she walked down the aisle to meet her husband-to-be, who looked ever so dashing in a black tuxedo. Janet's heart skipped a beat when she actually stood beside him. This was really going to happen. She was going to become Mrs. Jack Tripper.

She felt the last of her resentment, anger, sadness, regret and guilt towards Todd lift from her as Jack slipped her gold wedding ring onto the third finger of her left hand after saying "I do" when the clergyman asked him if he took Janet to be his lawfully wedded wife.

Jack longed to brush the tears from her eyelashes as she looked at him, trying to show him all the love she had for him in her heart. He nodded covertly that he understood.

When Janet placed the wedding band on his finger after saying "I do", Jack's heart had never been lighter. This is what he'd wanted all along. It had just taken him a while to figure it out. As he gazed at their joined hands, he knew, no matter what the future held, he would never ever remove the ring his wife had so lovingly and carefully placed on his finger.

For better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, in good times and in bad, Jack and Janet were husband and wife and always would be.

"Isn't it great to see everyone?" Jack asked Janet, as the newlyweds danced together at the Bistro. "Even Cindy, although I did keep an eye on her before the ceremony. I didn't want any, well, you know, unfortunate accidents to happen that would spoil our wedding night. In fact, I still have one eye on her every movement. If she comes anywhere near me..."

Janet laughed at Jack's silliness and then grew serious as she answered her husband's question. "Yes. I love seeing everyone, even Cindy and her accident-prone self. Thank you for arranging all this, Jack. It really means a lot to me."

"I want this to be a night you will never forget, my darling wife."

Janet knew she couldn't and wouldn't ever forget this night. It was too special and too perfect.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"It's one I've always wanted to know the answer to and yet, when we were together before, I never asked."

"I'm intrigued," Jack said. "What's the question?"

"When did you know you were attracted to me as more than a roommate? As more than a friend?"

"That's easy," Jack said and smiled. "I saw you as more than my roommate and my friend the day I danced with you in the studio when you were trying to make your lifelong dream of being a dancer come true. I saw something in you that day that made me want to be with you and take care of you. I've always admired you, my adorable, lovable, spirited wife."

"Oh, Jack," Janet said, becoming emotional all over again. "I think that's the nicest compliment you've ever paid me. To think that I was so down on myself that day, and you were the one who made me feel better about myself. I loved you for that, Jack Tripper, and for the many other wonderful things you have done for me."

"I think," he said, hearing the music and getting her going with the beat, "they're playing our song. Mrs. Tripper."

I'll always remember,
The song they were playing,
The first time we danced and I knew

As we swayed to the music,
And held to each other,
I fell in love with you

Could I have this dance
For the rest of my life,
Could you be my partner
Every night,
When we're together
It feels so right,
Could I have this dance
For the rest of my life

I'll always remember,
That magic moment,
When I held you close to me

As we move together,
I knew forever,
You're all I'll ever need

Could I have this dance
For the rest of my life,
Could you be my partner
Every night,
When we're together
It feels so right,
Could I have this dance
For the rest of my life

Could I have this dance
For the rest of my life,
Could you be my partner
Every night,
When we're together
It feels so right,
Could I have this dance
For the rest --of --my life!!

"I want to share all my dances with you," Jack whispered seductively into his wife's ear, "but would you mind if I had one dance with Taylor? Nick is monopolizing her, and I want it to stop."

Janet laughed at Jack's mock exasperation and then told him to go for it.

"Then Nick can monopolize my time," she teased.

"I've never seen you look happier," Nick said to Janet, as they danced to a slow tune.

"Thanks, Nick. You've been a great friend to me, and I want you to know I couldn't have made it this far without you."

"Yeah, you would have," he said and shrugged. "But you probably wouldn't have had as much fun."

Janet laughed. "This is true."

"Did I tell you how happy I am for Taylor that Jack is adopting her? I know Todd was my friend, more or less, but I also know he didn't do right by you and Jack. I hope you're not too upset with me for not telling you sooner about what he did to Jack."

"No, not at all. I would never hold that against you. I wouldn't have been able to deal with it anyway. Now, it's water under the bridge, and I am free from beating myself up over him. We both made a mistake. I'll always make sure Taylor knows about her father, but I know, in my heart, my daughter and I are moving on to a much better life."

"Amen to that," Nick said and gave the bride a light kiss on her cheek. "I wish you and Jack and Taylor nothing but happiness."

"I'm so glad you're going to be in our lives," Janet said. "I know I'm a better person because of it."

"Are you happy?" Jack asked Taylor.

They sat down at one of the tables after their dance. Taylor wanted some punch.

She nodded and smiled.

"Good," Jack said. "I'm glad you're okay with all of this."

Taylor climbed onto Jack's lap and wrapped her small arms around his neck.

"Thank you for wanting to be my daddy. I love you."

"I love you, too, my darling girl," Jack said, his voice thick with emotion. "We are going to have the best life. You'll see."

Two months into married life, Janet called Jack and Taylor into the living room for a family meeting.

"What's up?" Jack asked. "I was in the middle of cooking dinner."

"I have an announcement to make," Janet said, unable to keep the happiness from her voice.

"Well, tell us what it is," Jack said, getting caught up in his wife's enthusiasm.

"I'm pregnant!" she declared loudly. "Jack, honey, we're going to have a baby. Taylor, sweetie, you get to be a big sister. Isn't it wonderful?!"

"It's fantastic!" Jack said, pulling Janet into his arms.

He started to twirl her and then thought better of it.

"That might not be good for the baby."

"I'm gonna have a sister or a brother?" Taylor asked, excited.

"Yes, sweetheart. Won't that be great?"

"Yeah! Can I call Danielle and tell her?"

"Okay. But don't talk too long. I want us to share this news as a family."

When Jack and Janet were alone, Jack drew his wife into his arms.

"I can't believe we're going to have a baby. This is so wonderful."

"You've been a great father to Taylor. I know you're going to be wonderful with your own son or daughter."

"But I won't treat them any differently," Jack swore. "I promise."

"I know, Jack. That's what makes you such a terrific dad."

"Wow, Janet. I can't believe I have everything I have ever wanted."

"Me, too," Janet said, running her forefinger along her husband's strong jaw line. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too, babe."

Their lips met in a kiss that had them savoring the taste and the feel of one another. Jack pulled Janet closer and ran his fingers through her hair while she delighted in being so near to him and being able to bask in the glow of her wonderful news.

"Just wait until tonight," she whispered, with the sweet promise of what was to come, "when we are alone and can really celebrate this momentous occasion."

Jack glanced at the clock on the wall and wondered if six o'clock was too early to send Taylor to bed for the night. Sadly, he concluded that it was but that didn't stop him from wishing the hours away until he would have his vivacious and willing wife all to himself.

In late June, Janet and Jack received word from Chrissy that she had given birth to a darling baby girl she and her husband had named Veronica Christine.

"I'll have two 'Ronnies' to keep track of," Chrissy said and snorted as she talked to Janet on the phone. "I hope I don't get them confused."

"I think it's adorable," Janet told her friend. "Congratulations to you and Ron. Send us pictures soon, okay?"

"We will. I hope you don't mind if I call you a lot."

"I don't mind at all," Janet assured the new mom.

"She's so tiny," Chrissy said, still in awe of having given birth to her daughter. "But we love her so much."

"That's all you have to do," Janet said, looking at her daughter who was coloring in her book on the floor in the family room. "Just love her and take care of her and let her know you would do anything for her."

As Janet ended the conversation with Chrissy, she patted her own growing stomach and knew that neither Taylor nor the baby she was carrying would ever doubt that they were loved and wanted.

Since Janet couldn't travel, Terri, Travis and Jeremy came to the Trippers' house for Thanksgiving. The day before, Janet began having contractions and by that evening, her water broke and they were headed for the hospital so she could give birth.

Jack and Janet had decided not to find out the gender of the baby, so six hours later, they were exhausted but elated to learn they were the proud parents of a healthy baby boy.

"We have a son!" Jack exclaimed, after he cut the umbilical cord. "Janet, this is so wonderful."

"I'm so happy," Janet said, reaching for his hand as they watched the doctor and the nurses tending to him. "He's beautiful, isn't he?"

"Handsome, I think, would be a better word," Jack teased.

"I'm too tired to argue with you," Janet said.

"Good," Jack said, knowing he would pay for that remark when his wife was feeling stronger. "You did great, Janet. I love you so much."

"I love you, too, sweetie."

She perked up when the nurse brought their baby to her and placed him in her arms.

"Hello, my beautif...handsome boy," she corrected herself, looking at Jack who couldn't stop smiling. "I'm your mommy and this is your daddy, and we are going to take such good care of you."

"Shall we tell him what his name is?" Jack asked.

"Sure."

"Welcome to the world, Timothy James Tripper," his parents said in unison.

"I have a feeling this little guy is going to be called TJ," Janet said, treasuring the feel of his soft skin against her finger.

"Probably once he joins the baseball team," Jack said.

"Whatever he does," Janet said, looking at her husband with love-filled eyes, "he'll know that we support him 100 percent."

"You got that right," Jack said and kissed his wife on her cheek as she closed her eyes and fell asleep with Timothy content in her arms.

Thanksgiving Day was a quiet celebration of love and thanks and a quickly thrown together turkey dinner.

"At least Mommy and Timothy are here with us," Taylor said.

"That's right," Terri said. "And I'm going to go peek in on them again."

Jack laughed as he watched Terri and Taylor tiptoe towards the bedroom he shared with Janet and for the time being, their newborn son.

"Do I sense Terri wanting another child?" Jack asked Travis.

"We've talked about it," Travis admitted. "We probably will have another baby. They're a lot of work, but they are so much fun, too."

"Are you sure you're a confirmed bachelor?" Jack asked Nick. "Don't you see all that you're missing out on? You, too, Larry."

"Most definitely," Nick said. "But that doesn't mean I can't spoil your kids because that's exactly what I plan to do."

"I agree with Nick," Larry said. "I love being known as Uncle Larry. What else do I need?"

"My kids" Jack thought, later that night as he recalled Nick's words. Taylor and Timothy were his children, and he couldn't be happier about that.

"I have everything I need," he said, looking up and giving thanks. "And to think it all started in Apartment 201 in Santa Monica. It's been a great life," he added, as he turned down the light in the bedroom and climbed into the bed to lie next to his beautiful wife who was sound asleep. He wrapped his arm around her waist, kissed her cheek, and told her how much he loved her.

I wouldn't change a thing, he thought, and then let the peacefulness of his full and blessed life lull him to sleep.

THE END!!!! :-)

(Song Credit: "Could I Have This Dance?" by Anne Murray)