36 The Future Beckons
Almost everyone had gone home, Steve and Jo taking a slightly fractious son out to their car as he screamed at the top of his voice, while Rae and Jesse had carried an exhausted bridesmaid each to their vehicle before heading for Beverly Hills themselves. Ron had taken the boys, bored after all their favourite uncles had left them, for a burger and fries as well as promising them a competition on the computer before bed. The beach house was now empty; its only occupants standing out on the deck watching the world go by.
The deep blue California sky seemed to stretch out forever, the sand was almost perfect as it met the ocean and the only sound to be heard was from the occasional seagull as it flew overhead. Mark stood, with Amanda by his side, and surveyed the scene.
"Are you sure you're gonna be alright here on your own? I know that Steve and Jo are worried about you."
"I know they are too, Honey, but I won't be alone for long. Daniel graduates from school this year, and although he'll go to college, he's gonna take a year out, he wants to work in the hospital as an orderly before making a decision about his future. I'll have a new housemate when that happens, and he'll probably work the same shift pattern as me."
"So then I'll have to worry about Steve and Jo instead! Their first child leaving home, they'll find that hard."
Mark nodded his head, "Yes, they will, but they'll get used to it, and it is a sort of soft leaving, him coming here, an' all." The smile became a little wider as he contemplated the changes to come before continuing to speak. "I think I'll be seeing quite a bit of Maddie too, they've spent a lot of time together since his accident."
"You know my door, Steve's and Jesse's are all open to you whenever you need it don't you?"
"Oh yes, Sweetie, I do know that, and it's a wonderful feeling to be able to call on any or all of you should I need to."
They became silent for a while again then, both of them going over memories which had been created on the deck they stood on. Finally, after her eyes had followed a lone runner as he made his way along the firm wet sand by the ocean's edge until he disappeared from sight, Amanda turned with a sigh.
"It was a lovely wedding wasn't it?"
"Oh yeah, they made a beautiful couple. Somehow, until they were all dressed up in their finery today I never really took in the differences in their appearance and how they complimented each other."
"Well, I am impressed, a man noticing things like that!" The cuff she gave her friend was graciously received, and then Mark spoke again.
"He is so blonde, and her hair really is black isn't it?"
"Yes, naturally jet black. I am so glad she didn't choose a white dress, that ivory colour suited her much better, and Eliana and Anneya were just so sweet."
"She is gonna make someone a fine wife herself one day, but heaven help him if he steps out of line!" Mark finished his words with a laugh and both he and Amanda knew he was talking about Rae and Jesse's eldest daughter. Anneya had been content to just look around wide eyed, enjoying herself enormously and letting her big sister be the boss. His favourite moment had been when the little girl, her blonde hair tumbling in waves down her back had spotted her mom and rushed towards her holding out her flowers for Rae to have.
Rae had offered them back to her youngest daughter, but she wouldn't take them, and so, carefully removing one bloom from where it hopefully wouldn't show, she had kissed her soft cheek and then returned the posy and watched happily as Anneya had skipped back to the place where Eliana had told her to stand.
Alex and Shannon had left after a delightful reception to fly off for two weeks in the Dominican Republic. Alex's mom and Shannon's who, until a month earlier had never met, had also gone off together, wanting to get to know each other a little better. To everyone's delight the women had booked two rooms in a downtown hotel for a couple of nights, hoping to cement the friendship that they had tentatively been making.
"Is it tempting fate, do you think, to say that everyone seems happy and content at the moment?" Amanda took Mark's hand into her own as she spoke, suddenly wanting to do at least that if not hug him as well.
"No, I don't think so. Things will come and go that worry or concern us, but overall, we have arrived at places in our lives where we can sit back and realise that whatever happened in the past we've survived, and are stronger for it." He paused, thinking of all his loved ones as he did so. "Steve has a desk job and so the dangerous part of his career is, thankfully, over. Rae, although she has taken a very traumatic route to get there, is really enjoying learning as much as she can about profiling, and, if I'm not mistaken, Ron is enjoying teaching her too."
"Yes, he is, I think he's finding a new side to himself. He told me once that … how did he put it? I know; those who can, work, those who can't, teach." She shook her head, remembering the day he had said it, and then continued, "He wouldn't say that now. In fact I wouldn't be at all surprised if he didn't apply for the courses which will allow him to become an instructor. I would like that, I would like that a lot." The knowledge that Ron didn't have a desk job rested heavy on her beautiful shoulders. Sometimes his work took him away for weeks at a time, no contact being allowed until he turned up on his own doorstep unannounced when the assignment ended. Becoming an instructor would put her mind at rest, and she fervently hoped an opportunity would arise very quickly and if it did, that he would take it.
"I'm thinking of retiring." Mark spoke quietly, revealing a plan that, so far, he had only mentioned to Steve and Jo.
"Mark, why?" Amanda looked truly shocked, and felt the presence of tears behind her eyes.
"Why? Amanda, Honey, none of us are as young as we used to be, especially me. I don't mean that I am gonna give in my letter of resignation tomorrow, I want to be there while Daniel is working in the ER or wherever else he gets put, but when his year is over, then I'll call it quits."
"I think that will be a wonderful time to finish, and it will give us time to plan the party!" Her eyes twinkled as she spoke, and then she leant over and kissed him gently on his cheek. "The place won't be the same without you though."
A breeze blew across them, and Mark saw Amanda shiver a little. "You know, I have film of the wedding inside, how about we get ourselves a nice up of coffee each and relive it a little?"
"That sounds wonderful, thank you."
"In that case, after you, Madam, after you."
Amanda walked back inside the beach house and was embraced by its familiar warmth and friendliness before turning to watch as Mark came in as well, closing and locking the doors behind him and then, arm in arm, they went in search of coffee and a box of Kleenex.
ooo
The cases against Debbie Walters and Wayne McCaulay had been so conclusive that both of them had been found guilty on all counts very quickly. This time, knowing that, finally, all the outstanding business of their lives was over, the Sloans and the Travis's did throw a party.
The staff at Oak Place, Mrs, Cameron and Miss Vicki, had joined forces with Juan and his staff to arrange a barbeque and buffet in the garden of Steve and Jo's house, leaving the ladies of both residences to enjoy the more pleasurable aspects such as guest lists and what to wear.
Steve and Jesse had both arrived home on different nights to the sounds of uproarious laughter coming from the morning or breakfast rooms of their respective homes, and both of them had savoured the sound, realising just how much they had missed it.
Jo, David and Michael had spent a lot of time together trying to reorganize the company so that there was no possibility of anyone defrauding them ever again. The hundreds of thousands of dollars that Debbie had taken was unlikely to be recovered, and although she was, to all intents and purposes, locked up for life and so unable to spend any of it, it still rankled that she had so easily found a way to remove the funds in the first place.
David had been spending more and more time in California, in the end buying himself a property three doors down from the beach house in Malibu, easing both Jo and Steve's minds now that Mark was living there alone. He had also hired a high level manager to work at the main offices in Austin, thus reducing both the responsibility and work hours that he had to undertake.
The actual day of the party had passed in a blur. It seemed that everyone was working flat out, and most of their chores had nothing whatsoever to do with the pleasant evening that they knew lay ahead of them.
Steve had been meeting the press to give out information on a serial rapist that seemed to be targeting his precinct. Rae had drawn up an initial profile of the offender, but he was leaving very few clues to help anyone find him. There had been another attack the night before the conference, which had increased the media interest.
As he was finally able to dismiss those in the room with him Steve caught sight of someone he knew and with a smile waved her over.
"Rachael, hi."
"Captain Sloan. It seems strange to see you in a different setting."
"Do you have time for a coffee? I have my own office now, not one I've borrowed." He smiled and indicated with his hand which way the young reporter should go as he saw her nod.
Once they were sat, a drink in front of each of them, in the easy chairs that Steve had room for in his pleasantly spacious office, they had talked for a while about general things, before he smiled at her and asked one final question.
"So, how are you doing now that Large is behind bars for good?" Rachael Collins had been a great help to both Steve and Rae during the investigation into the Red Rose murders, finding the link between the Los Angeles killings and one in New York, which had opened up new possibilities and answered some of the questions that they had had about Nicholas's past.
Rachael also had a far sadder connection to the case, her sister having been one of the victims killed in San Francisco.
"You know I didn't think it would make that much difference, after all it wasn't gonna bring her back or anything, but I feel, even though he hasn't been tried for her killing yet, that she is already far more at peace than she was. My folks feel that too I think."
"Good, I'm glad. If there is ever anything I can do, let me know." Steve finished the last of his coffee and then smiled, "I'm guessing you have a deadline, so I'll let you go."
"I do, thank you, but before I leave, how is your partner? I saw her give evidence at the trial, she really suffered didn't she?"
"Yeah, she did, but she's doing well. She's made a whole new career for herself in profiling, and despite everything that happened, she's happy and content again now."
"I am delighted to hear it. Maybe someday I'll contact her, do an article on her, profile the profiler, so to speak, if she was interested. Right now though, as you said, I have a deadline to meet. I hope you catch your rapist, Captain Sloan, and thanks for the coffee."
"It's Steve, and you're very welcome."
They shook hands, and then Steve watched as the reporter left his office. There was, he had to agree, a calmness about her now, maybe almost a beginning of acceptance of what had happened to her and her family, and he knew that she would survive, would grow stronger, and that made him feel a whole lot better about her circumstances, and those of the others who had been left behind.
ooo
Rae put her hands behind her head and then stretched her back. She had been working on a case for the FBI for a week, going over the files she'd been sent, studying crime scene photos and gradually building up a picture of the person, a man, she was sure, who had kidnapped a young girl of ten from her school in Northridge. Rae knew that they did their own profiling, this, she had a feeling was a test, to see whether, in an emergency, she could be called upon to help out.
Although she had never actually advertised in the press, Rae had been busy ever since she had completed the relevant courses and felt confident enough to start to profile as a freelance. Not only was she doing work for the LAPD and, right now, the FBI but also for private companies, helping to draw up employment profiles to assist them in recruiting the right person for the right job.
She had to admit to enjoying her new job enormously, some of the cases she was involved in were traumatic, especially those that targeted children, but she knew she was still making a difference, was still helping those who needed it most, and that helped to put the trauma into perspective.
Pausing for a moment to drink some of her coffee, and to check she still had plenty of time to get herself ready for the party that evening, Rae relaxed her shoulders, and then let her mind run back to a day in the hospital when her future plans had come under the microscope and had been discussed with a man she had grown to consider a close friend.
"I'm sorry, would you rather I came back?" She had seen a shadow cross the threshold of her room, but, sobbing quietly, hadn't looked up until she recognized the voice.
"No … is ok." She tried to staunch the flow of tears and, being marginally successful, tried a smile as well.
Although it was over two weeks since her operation it was only the second morning that she had been alone. The first one had been fine, she had enjoyed it, but now, today, it wasn't fine, it was lonely, it sat heavily on her, and she could do nothing but cry.
"Well, I don't think it is ok, but I'll come in anyway." He had watched her, she could feel his eyes on her, as he made his way to the seat next to the bed, and then just as she thought she might be recovering enough for the tears to stop he spoke again.
"Rae, what is it?" His tone was soft, one she had never heard from him before, and the floodgates opened, her shoulders heaved, and she tried to turn away as she felt his hands, one on each arm pull her towards him.
His grasp was stiff, awkward, as if he didn't really know how he had gotten into the position he found himself in, but still he didn't release her and, suddenly glad that it wasn't Jesse, Steve, or even Alex who was with her, but someone she could open her heart to without causing them extra distress, she let her tears flow as never before.
She had no idea how long she cried for, just that he had never once relaxed his grip on her nor said a word, but had let her release the pent up emotions and tensions until she felt able to gulp the final sobs out and then rub clumsily at her eyes.
"Let me." He handed her a tissue and she pressed it against her face, not terribly accurately it had to be said, but the tears were blotted up and then she smiled.
"You want … come in 'gain?"
"No, I think maybe I came in at just the right time."
"Yes, Rae think so too."
"I am sorry that I wasn't able to visit you sooner after your operation. How are you dealing with the changes that it has caused?" There was uncertainty on his face and the way he voiced his question, and Rae knew that she was putting the man in an awkward position by showing her emotions in this way.
"Is just coming to terms." There was no need to say anything else, and so she leant back against the pillows, hoping that he understood in the way she thought he would.
"Of course, of course, and it is a lot to come to terms with. Rae, it's easy for us to tell you to take one day at a time, after all, it is all any of us can do, but you can't deal with everything at once, you really do have to take it slowly."
"But even … even though right dec … dec …ision, I look and it gone … I miss it."
She could feel the tears again, just as she had all day so far, but now she was able to swallow them down, they weren't as pressing as they had been.
"Yes, and you will imagine it is there for a while I would think."
"Maybe, I hope not but … it too soon … I not know."
"Have you eliminated the pain that you were under before you had this done?"
"Yes … it going. Look …" She had pointed to where her medication chart was resting. "Pain relief low … that good."
"Yes, it is, but if you require it ask for it, and don't make yourself out to be super human; you have to let your mind heal as well as your body. If you need to cry like you did today then let it out, don't keep it in. It took me too long to allow myself to do that, don't let yourself be that way."
The bond between them, so strong, forged out of friendship, out of a secret shared, out of an admiration one for the other, reasserted itself and Rae nodded.
"You have new life … new son, grandson, I have new life too … I just have to …" she had thought then, the word was right there, in her mind, but it wouldn't make the journey to her lips, but finally she grabbed it. "adapt."
"Well, my new life is going just fine, and I have no doubt that yours will be too, in a while."
She had nodded, what he said was true, she could see the happiness in his eyes when he was with her, when he could relax and let someone else in and discuss his family, even just a little. She too would change, would work her life around how she was, and it would work out as he said, just fine.
The table that Rae worked on was over the bed, and on it were two files. Over the last few days she had been reading through the notes that Ron had left for her, knowing he was testing her powers of observation and understanding as well as keeping her from going stir crazy.
"You look like you're busy, I'm glad to see that." Rae had a feeling that he was also pleased to be able to move onto a safer subject.
"Thank you." Rae knew the information that Ron had left her wasn't at all confidential. In fact it was notes that he himself had written using personality traits and crime scene details of various killers and other serial criminals to paint verbal scenarios for her to sketch a report from and so she opened the first file and turned it to face her boss.
The Chief began to read the set of circumstances that had been placed in front of him. Rae had learnt later that he recognized some of the particulars, but had known she probably wouldn't. There was just enough information to get her interest piqued and when he had finished reading he smiled, just slightly, and then spoke.
"I see, and I imagine that Agent Wagner has provided you with this. What do you intend to do with it?"
"I … I profile." She was suddenly unsure, what if he laughed, or ridiculed her suggestion? Maybe he would think she could no longer do any job in law enforcement, and her concerns began to make her feel doubtful.
"I see. I know you were interested in that type of work when you were in homicide. In fact you did consult with the FBI and Agent Wagner in particular, to help you with the Red Rose case, didn't you?"
"Yes … Sir … he was … it was … close."
"You obviously feel that this is a good way to help solve crimes." The Chief, Rae knew, wasn't convinced; it took concrete evidence to persuade the head of the LAPD of the truth in anything, she had learnt that during her time working with him, and so she tried, slowly, to explain her feelings.
"I think … useful … can help … not find killer … rapist but … eli … minate … innocent."
"Yes, yes, I see. So you are saying that by having a profile we could direct our manpower towards a more realistic or specific group of people?"
"Yes." Her face had lit up, she could feel herself smiling broadly and then the smile was reflected back on John Masters' face.
"I think it is an excellent career move for you, Rae, and I wish you every success with it."
"Thank you." For a minute or two the room was filled with silence as the Chief read the second set of information, but as he closed the file Rae was suddenly conscious of the fact that the discussion between them, although definitely helpful to her, had become somewhat stilted, and before she even realised what she was doing she reached forward and took John Masters' hand into her own.
"Thank you."
"For what, Detective?" She had felt him try to pull away, but then relax and leave his hand where it was.
"You 'portant … you busy. Still visit with me … you good friend. Thank you."
This time the hand had been pulled away as the Chief stood up. Rae knew that she had probably embarrassed the man, but she'd needed to say it, still needed to say more.
"Sir … you need friends … every one needs … I here … always." She had busied herself immediately with the files, carefully, if a little clumsily, putting everything back into its place, and when she looked up again she could see that Masters had moved closer to her again.
"Yes, well, I need to be going, but …" He had paused, and Rae had seen the indecision in his eyes before he spoke. "Rae, I would like to visit again. I … I appreciate your words, thank you."
She'd wished she could hug him, maybe get him to unbend a little, but knew, realistically that it would never happen, and so, instead, she had smiled and nodded. "I would like too … and home, when I home … you visit."
To her surprise, the Chief had visited with her at home on a number of occasions, and they had enjoyed their time together. She still called him Sir, and probably always would do, but that didn't matter, what did matter was that he had confided in her on a number of occasions and asked her advice. She knew now that he truly saw her as a friend, and that was a very nice feeling, a very nice feeling indeed.
ooo
Jesse finally dropped his soiled scrubs into the laundry bin and headed for the showers. It had been a busy day, but most of his days were. Mark had told him of his decision to retire in roughly a year's time, and Jesse knew that the hospital would be a less pleasant place without Mark Sloan in it.
It would still be his place though, and as he let the water pummel his tired muscles he realised that whatever his parents had thought of him, of his potential for the future he was just how and where he wanted to be.
That thought made him feel positive, at peace with himself, and hurrying to towel himself dry he dressed so that he could return to his wife and family, and the pleasantness that the evening would provide.
ooo
"I'm not sayin' that she should have gotten the death penalty, I'm just sayin' that it wouldn't have mattered which state she was tried in, the means of carryin' it out is the same." David, deep in conversation with Ron Wagner, was animated as he spoke.
"Any feelin's that I had for the woman are long gone, my only concern now is how I will tell all of this to our daughter when she is old enough to ask where her momma is."
The little girl, a small, blonde, imitation of her mother, was playing happily in the playhouse that Jo had had constructed in the back yard. The fact that, to Damita, and Anneya who was playing with her, it was almost the size of a proper home wasn't lost on either girl, and they were deep into a game of house.
"I don't have an answer for that one; I would guess that no one really does. Speak to a counsellor before you tell her anything, because it will be traumatic for her."
"Yeah, I'll do that, an' I will find me a child therapist as well in case she needs it. But I think I have a few years to do all of those thin's."
"Me too, can I get you another beer?" The tall FBI agent could see that his companion, who was even taller than he was, had an empty glass, and so together they headed back towards the bar, smiling at the young woman serving there as they did so.
ooo
Jo and Rae had found themselves a nice quiet spot to sit and relax. They were still able to keep an eye on their respective children but they could also chat, and enjoy each other's company.
"I thought this new job of yours was supposed to mean we could spend more time together." Jo tried to look hurt, but it was obvious that she was delighted Rae was busy.
"It was … it not work that way ... I turn down job today … not want it take over … but it … it good … it in … inter … testing." She pulled a face, knowing that she had messed up a word, and was grateful when Jo carried on as if it hadn't happened.
"I never used it when I was a cop, but I can see its uses, an' I am glad you are enjoyin' it."
Carefully Rae picked up her glass and drank from it. It wasn't actually glass, she had asked for a plastic container so that she didn't break anything. The mug collection at Oak Place had gotten smaller by the day since she had been home, and she had even considered drinking her coffee through a straw.
Looking up she saw Jo smiling and turned to see their husbands sitting with Mark and
Amanda, talking and enjoying each other's company. She smiled too, wondering fleetingly what they were discussing, but not needing to go and find out.
Eliana was sitting just a little way away from her mom, she had a box of blocks in front of her and was happily playing with Jayden, showing him how to rest each block on top of another. She was very often to be found helping him with his walking, drawing pictures or, as she was now, just playing his type of games with him. The nanny always kept a close eye, but it was clear that the little girl adored Jayden and wanted to spend time with him. Both moms had discussed the possibility of a wedding one day before laughing aloud at their all too vivid and silly imaginations.
It was clear though that there was a definite bond between them, as well as between Eliana and Daniel, and both Rae and Jo knew that the next generation of Travis's and Sloans would be close friends too. That knowledge was a great comfort to them, and gave them hope for the future of both families.
"So, weddin' bells?" Jo asked with a smile.
"Not know … they go into house building though!"
"Sloans Homes", it has a certain rin' to it." Laughing Jo picked up the digital camera from the table next to her and began to take some pictures. All the memories they were making now were happy ones, and that was the way she wanted it to stay.
ooo
As a Walters' social gathering Steve knew it was a pretty small affair. Alex and Shannon were chatting with Cheryl and Martin, the children were playing with various toys around the place, Daniel and Maddie had stayed for a while, but had left a little over an hour earlier promising to return if their other party was a dud.
Ron and David who had been chatting for almost the entire time they had been in the garden were now talking with Michael, who, Steve knew, had cast an expert eye over the food, staff and service more than once.
Jo and Rae, finally able to enjoy the time together that both had looked forward too when the Travis's had moved into Oak Place, were sitting on the rug with Eliana and Jayden playing bricks. It had taken Rae a while to get down onto the ground, and he could see that her brick stacking abilities weren't that much better than his son's, but she was enjoying herself, and that filled his heart with love and admiration for her.
"Hey!" Jesse blew across in front of his face, "I'll give you a penny for them."
"Actually for once they're worth far more than that." He looked around at the three people sitting with them. "We've come a long way, haven't we?"
Mark understood immediately what he was saying and nodded his head. "Yes, we have. It's been hard sometimes, when people you love are hurt or hurting it's never easy, but look around you, I think it has all been worth it."
"Oh yeah." For a moment he paused, thinking something through before sharing his thoughts. "I guess it all started the day I met Rae in Masters' office. Jesse asked her on a date that same night, and the rest, as they say, is history."
"Some small countries don't have a history as turbulent as we do!" Jesse shook his head and heard Steve laugh.
"Would you change any of it? I know the injuries, the pain, no one wants any of that, but in the end even though we're all different than we were then, I think we're more fulfilled as well."
Amanda let her eyes travel to where Ron was standing as she listened to Steve, and, as if knowing that he was being looked at, and by whom, he turned and smiled at her.
"No, I wouldn't change it. I have a beautiful wife, two wonderful daughters, a job I love and my friends around me at work and at home. No man could want for more." The words, spoken with feeling, showed those who sat with him, and had loved him the longest, just how content Jesse was with his life and, as if warming to the theme, Amanda then spoke.
"Well, I don't have any more children than I did when Rae first arrived, but I have a husband, a wonderful marriage and, to quote Jesse, 'a job I love and my friends around me at work and at home.' Although not quite as close as he does. I wouldn't change anything, well, anything that didn't hurt at any rate."
"It's a lucky man, or woman, who knows when he is content, or maybe that should be a wise man or woman. All the problems we've encountered have been because of men and women who couldn't be satisfied with their lot in life. They had to kill or maim to make things better in their eyes, it didn't work for any of them, but it does teach us all a lesson." Mark was speaking seriously, needing to get his point across, that what they had now had been earnt, that the pain and suffering had been payment, willingly given, to improve the lives of others, known and unknown.
"None of us can see what is coming and I thank God for that. We can be sure though that all of us, through thick and thin, will be here for each other, and that is more important than anything money or power can give us."
Steve had nodded and then placed his hand over that of his father. The open show of affection wouldn't have been possible even a few months ago, but here, in his own back yard, with only his friends and family around him he felt comfortable showing just how much he loved his dad.
After a few moments Steve carefully stood up, and moved across to where he could see Juan filling some flutes with champagne. He waited patiently, with his wife now at his side, as the small catering staff handed a drink to each of their guests before gently tapping his own glass with a spoon and watching as the noise floated across the Beverly Hills evening air and caught everyone's attention.
"It's a beautiful night, but somehow it wouldn't really matter if it was raining, snowing, even blowing a force nine gale. Nothing could take away from the fact that tonight, finally, we can all get together to celebrate."
He looked around, at Alex and Shannon, Ron and Amanda, David with his daughter holding his hand, and that of her Uncle Michael, at Cheryl and Martin, and saw that his friend, smiling broadly, was wearing the diamond engagement ring that he knew had been bought just two days earlier. Martin had been so excited with his news that he had called Jo and Rae to tell them, before he had even asked Cheryl. None of them had been in anydoubt that their friend would accept though, she lovedhim with all her heart.
Steve felt Jo move closer to him and take his hand into her own, saw Jesse with his arm around a now standing Rae, with Eliana and Anneya 'talking' animatedly just beside them. Then as he smiled, Jayden, his legs now stocky and firm, made his way, just a little shakily, towards him and he swooped down and swung him up into the air, the cry of glee breaking the silence and causing every one to smile before he finished the arc and placed him back on the grass in front of him. As his eyes looked further round he saw Daniel and Maddie come back into the garden making his family complete, and then, as his eyes locked with those of his father, he knew the celebration would go on, every day, in little ways in each of their lives for as long as they all lived.
There was so much that he could say, but he didn't, instead, lifting his glass just slightly, he smiled and then spoke, "It's been a rough ride, interesting, but rough, we made it through, all of us. So please, raise your glasses as we look forward together. To the future."
Glasses were raised, eyes and smiles were bright as just two words echoed off into the night, and all of them felt a sense of friendship and belonging they knew would never end.
"The future."
The End.
A/N. That is the end of a long journey, one which has taken me from tentatively writing a few chapters in Suffer Little Children, to completing stories with over fifty chapters in The Long Walk Home. Rae Yeager has opened up a new world to me, along with those characters we all love to read and write about. As I say goodbye to her I am embarking on a new venture, trying to write original fiction with only my own characters. I know however, that I will be escaping back to Steve, Mark, Jesse and Amanda from time to time, how could I not?
I have gained special friends as I have written my stories. Two ladies have beta read for me almost from the very beginning, they know who they are, and I hope also know that I couldn't have done this without them. Two other equally special friends, gained a little later, added a different perspective to my writing, seeing things from different angles, helping me, I hope, to become better at this fanfiction thing we do.
Rae is now disappearing into the mist, it is hard to say leave her, but it is the right thing to do. I have had some fantastic reviews on my stories about her and I would like to thank all of you who have stuck with me, even for a few chapters, it has been a wonderful experience and I have enjoyed every part of it.
Tracy