If it seems like I'm crying, there's a good reason; this is the last chapter of this story… But we all know what they say: when one door closes, another one opens. That said, please enjoy!
Quillsandbolts: Wesley would do something like that, wouldn't he? And look, he did!
Raya X: 'A leaf slowly falls' has been my trademark line for at least seven years. It just fits wherever you put it!
chyp: Thanx as usual. I hope you don't feel like you have to hurry and post your story. Good things come to those who wait, you know.
It was a beautiful spring day as the Oxford College sophomore marched across the Quad to take their seats as the guests of honor, namely, the graduates of the class of 2001. Family members and friends lined the outside seats, while the graduates sat in the center. The entire ceremony was held outside, giving the event an even more beautiful touch.
Wesley and Matthew sat amongst the guests, along with a few of their friends, as they watched their oldest brother from afar.
"I guess this is it," Wesley said.
"Yeah," Matthew replied.
"Did we ever figure out a solution?" Wesley asked.
"Nope," Matthew answered, "but whatever we come up with, I'm sure everything will be fine in the end."
"I hope you're right," Wesley said as their continued to watch the ceremony.
An hour had passed and the dean of the college, Dana Green, had finally gotten to the part everyone had been waiting for, the conferring of the degrees. Despite the fact that they were only Associate's Degrees, the students treated the occasion just as importantly as if they were receiving Bachelor's Degrees. In theory, this was a practice of sorts.
Finally Dean Green announced "James Richard Armstrong" and Wesley and Matthew were cheering along with the rest of James' family, his foster family. It was truly a joyous time for everybody. For once, the three brothers were able to put witchcraft to the side and just enjoy the moment.
One and a half hours later, the ceremony was over and all three hundred graduates threw their mortarboard caps in the air as Dean Green announced for the final time, "Oxford College's Graduating Class of 2001!"
"Our plan failed," Tenebrion said, pounding the table with his fist. "How did it happen? Everything was planned perfectly."
"We obviously took the unpredictability of magic for granted," Anamalech reasoned.
"Whatever happened," Andras said, "made the youngest right the wrong that should have been."
"He must have gone through time," Ardad concluded.
"And altered this time," Mastiphal added.
"We must not dwell on this failure," Tenebrion said. "If anything, we must work even harder to dispose of the witches. They are becoming more of a threat with each passing day."
"We're proud of you, big brother," Wesley said as he helped James pack some clothes into a box.
"Thanks," James said, ruffling Wesley's already-short hair.
"We've been thinking, though," Matthew said. "Next year, we don't have any idea about how we'll be able to handle things with the distance factor."
"I'm sure it'll work out," James said. "It's not like we won't be seeing each other again after today."
"Well, maybe," Wesley said. "I'm going back to Texas for the summer. All my family and friends are there, you know what I mean."
"I'm going back to Philly, too," Matthew added. "Looks like we're all going our separate ways again."
"Even so," James said, scratching his head (he was obviously unprepared for his brothers to tell him such things), "we'll still be able to contact each other. We'll always be brothers, right?"
"Right," Matthew said.
"Right," Wesley added.
"Why don't you all move into the house?" a voice suggested.
The three brothers turned around to see Erik and Lauren standing behind them. Unlike normal ghosts, they were both solid in appearance. They looked the same way they did when they met their children.
"The house?" Matthew asked. "Can we do that?"
"What about bills?" Wesley asked practically. "I'm not dipping into my funds anymore!"
"You don't have to," Lauren answered. "Like I told you before, everything's been taken care of. All you have to do is keep it looking nice."
"It is halfway between here and the main campus," James debated. "And we'd definitely have more room."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Matthew said.
"Me, too!" Wesley said.
"Then it's settled," Erik said. "You'll all move into the house when you come back for school in August."
"Before we leave," Lauren said, "we just want to tell you that we're proud of you, of all of you. We knew that you all had it in you to carry on towards your destiny."
"Just always be there for each other," Erik added. "Your connection as brothers is what makes you so strong. Don't forget that."
"Got it," Matthew said.
"Would it be lame to ask for a group hug right about now?" Wesley asked.
"Yes," the remaining four replied in unison.
"But for you," Lauren said, "we'll make an exception."
The five came together in a family embrace that ended the day on a very happy note. The Complete got a much deserved happy ending after a very long few days before, even longer for Wesley. However, those events were lost in his mind as he just enjoyed the company of his family, his real family, as did everyone else. James, noticing that the front door was slightly ajar, flicked his finger and the door closed quietly, just as the latest chapter of their lives had.
You know, I was trying to figure out some kind of gimmick to close each season with, and lacking any creativity, this was the best that I could come up with! I like it, though. It's like 'a leaf slowly falls' because it fits. Meanwhile, thanx very much to everybody who read this and the past six stories. I hope y'all all enjoyed them and let's all look forward to the next season!
