After five hours of talking with the police and giving them their statements, Nancy, Frank and Joe were finally able to leave. They were all exhausted and ready to get some sleep at their hotel.

"Oh, I can't tell you how it feels to be walking out of this place," Joe commented as they walked out of the police station.

"Much better when you're not suspected of a crime," Frank said, patting his brother on the back.

"You've got that right," Joe said, grinning.

They were making their way to the rental car when someone started to call Nancy's name.

"Nancy!"

Nancy turned around to see Mia hurrying over to them.

"I'm glad I caught up to you before you left," Mia said, stopping to catch her breath.

"I was hoping that you would," Nancy said, smiling. "Mia, I'd like you to meet my husband, Frank and his brother, Joe."

Mia smiled at them. "It's really nice to meet you both." She looked at Joe and gave him a sympathetic smile. "I'm really sorry that all of this happened to you."

"It's okay," Joe said with a wave of his hand.

"No, it isn't. You tried to help Abby and my father took advantage of that fact. And I didn't want to believe Nancy when she said that my father was capable of this," Mia said. "I'm glad that you were there for Abby. I know you would have helped her if you could. And I'm sure that she knew that, too."

"Thanks," Joe said, blushing a little. "That really means a lot to me."

Nancy grinned at Joe and then turned to Mia. "So what about you? Are you okay?"

Mia nodded. "As good as I can be, I guess. I don't think everything's quite sunk in yet."

"I'm really sorry that this happened to you," Nancy said, putting a hand on Mia's arm.

"I'm glad I found out what kind of man my father is," Mia said. "The police have looked at some of the other tapes and found out about a few other murders he had committed."

"Have you talked to your dad?" Nancy asked.

"All he could do was apologize to me over and over again," Mia said, sadly. "I think what hurts is that I'll never be able to look at him the same way again. But he's my father, you know? He always will be, no matter what."

"It was cruel of him to do that to you, Mia. To put you through the hurt and pain that you're going through now," Nancy said. "And it's better that you found out now. He would have kept this with him forever, leaving you in the dark. You would have resented the wrong person for Abby's death."

Mia nodded. "Everything that you're telling me is true. And I know that it will take a long time for me to forgive me, if I ever do."

"So, what are you going to do now?" Nancy asked.

"Well, I'm not staying here, I know that for sure. Who knows? Maybe I'll put my college education to good use," Mia said.

"Good luck," Nancy said, sincerely.

Mia smiled at her. "Yeah–you, too. With the baby and everything."

Nancy smiled and gave Mia a hug. Mia smiled at Frank and Joe and made her way to her car. Nancy grabbed Frank's hand and they made their way to theirs.

"Do you think she'll be okay?" Frank asked.

Nancy nodded. "I really think she will."

"So, are you ready to go back home and celebrate?" Frank aaked, kissing Nancy on the forehead.

"Yeah," Nancy said smiling. "Oh, crap!"

"What?" Frank asked, alarmed.

"I still haven't told my dad about the baby," Nancy said.

"Not to mention my mom and dad, Aunt Gertrude, Bess, George..." Frank trailed off.

"All right, I know." Nancy said. "So I guess we'll have to hold off on our celebration for at least a couple of days."

"That's okay," Frank said. "I can wait. Besides, we have years to celebrate."

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A couple of days, Joe was pulling his car up in front of Vanessa's house. They really didn't get to talk much before and he really owed this to her. She had to know what was going on with him and that it wasn't her fault.

Joe walked up the flight of stairs and stopped in front of her apartment. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. He heard footsteps and then nothing until he heard her speak.

"What do you want, Joe?" Vanessa asked.

"I need to talk to you, Van."

"I've been trying to talk to you for the last few days, Joe. Why start now?" Vanessa asked through the door.

"I was stupid, Vanessa. I know that; you know that. I'm a male–it's pretty much expected out of me." Joe waited for her to say something but she didn't. "Come on, Van. Open up."

It was a few moments until Joe heard her unlatch the lock and open the door.

"You were saying?" she asked.

"What I did was stupid. I should have stuck around and talked to you, but I didn't. I was a coward and I ran off," Joe said. "All I can do is say that I'm sorry."

Vanessa watched him, but didn't say anything.

"I see this isn't going to be easy," Joe commented.

"Do you think it was easy for me to wonder where you have been?" Vanessa asked. "I had to beg it out of Nancy and I shouldn't have had to. You should have told me, Joe."

"I know that," Joe said. "I realize that. But I'm not perfect–you know I'm not. But when you signed up for me, you weren't asking for perfection. You wanted someone who would love you; someone who would worship you.

"I wake up every morning and I'm thankful that I have you. You make every single day wonderful for me. I would go crazy if I didn't have you by my side. I love you, Vanessa. Always have–always will."

Vanessa looked at Joe with tears in her eyes. "That's what I've been wanting to hear for so long." She stood on her tip-toes and gave Joe and long lingering kiss.

"I think I have something better," Joe said.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He dropped to one knee and opened the box.

"Vanessa, I'll always be here for you. I'm not going anywhere for a long, long time. Will you marry me?"

Vanessa burst into tears and dropped down and kissed Joe again.

"I'm taking that as a yes," Joe said.

Vanessa laughed. "Yes, Joe Hardy. Yes, I will marry you."

Joe took the ring out with a trembling hand and slipped it onto her finger.

"It looks beautiful there," he said softly.

"I love you, Joe."

"I love you, too," Joe said.

Vanessa stood up and held out a hand to Joe. "So, do you want to go inside?"

Joe took her hand and smiled at her. "I thought you'd never ask."

She led the way into her apartment. Joe trailed behind her and stopped to see if anyone was watching them. Satisfied that there wasn't anyone, he went into the apartment and closed the door.

Vanessa's laughter and squeals of delight could be heard on the other side of the door.

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Author's Note: Well, the end of another story...sad, huh? I hope that everyone really enjoyed this story and I hope the ending was good for you. Kind of makes you think that Joe is growing up a little...

Well, I will have another story coming up, but sadly, you will have to wait for the birth of Nancy and Frank's baby. I'm going to be writing another thriller first. Hope to see you around at my next story!