A/N: Thanks again to everyone who had read this story! I'm so glad you all liked it! This is the final chapter and I hope it's a good ending. Please read my new story Family Ties. Thanks for everything!

Chapter 28: Epilogue

Ten Years Later

July 4th

Jack was starting up the grill for their annual 4th of July cookout. He and Kate started it after they were married and it was going to be their 11th wedding anniversary next month. It was hard to believe it had been that long ago.

"Daddy! Mom wanted me to give these to you." A little girl who looked very similar to Kate carried a plate of hamburgers for Jack to put on the grill.

"Thank you Kristy!" Jack told his daughter. The 10-year-old smiled up at him. He put the hamburgers on the grill while Kristy watched.

Kristina Faith Shepherd was born on August 18th, 3 days after Kate and Jack's 1rst anniversary. She was the spitting image of her mother with her wavy hair and green eyes. But her personality was all Jack.

Father and daughter headed into the house to help set up. A little boy was trying to get the hotdogs out of the wrapper, while a yellow lab was trying to eat them.

"Dad! Vincent's trying to eat the food!" The little boy told Jack.

"Come here Vincent!" The dog ran over to Jack and he gave him his favorite chew toy. It would distract the dog for a while. Kristy joined her brother to help.

"Need some help J.J.?" She asked.

"I can get it." Jack Jr. replied and the package bust open. "Finally!"

Jack laughed at his son's reaction. J.J. was 8-years-old, but tried to act older. He acted more like Kate with his tree climbing and adventurous personality. J.J. looked just like his father with the brown eyes and dark hair.

Kate walked into the room. "I just got off the phone with Claire. Her, Charlie, and the kids will be here in a couple of minuets."

"Cool!" J.J. replied. "Aaron's supposed to show me these new skateboarding tricks!"

"Just wear you helmet." Kate kissed her son's head.

"Ew. Gross mom." J.J.'s face was all smushed up from Kate's action.

"Is Lien coming?" Kristy asked.

"Yes. Sun and Jin are on their way over."

"Lilly and I were wanting to see her!" Kristy smiled. Kristy, Lien, and Lilly were smaller versions of their mothers, and very cute to watch together.

"Kate. Sawyer and Ana are coming." Jack told his wife.

"Really?" Even with the divorce?" Kate was shocked. That road trip Sawyer and Ana took to Tennessee after graduation, created their son Josh. They both got married, but it only lasted a few years. They rarely spoke to each other, except when it concerned Josh.

"Yeah." Jack continued. "Ana's married now, so it shouldn't be too big of a problem since he's not coming. Anyway, I better get back to the food."

"All right. I'll let everyone in." Kate gave Jack a quick kiss.

"Yuck!" Kristy and J.J. said together.

The parents just laughed.

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Everyone had actually showed up. The kids were all now playing while the adults talked about many things. Sawyer and Ana were getting along. So far no fights broke out.

"So Jacko? How do you feel about being the first one of us to turn the big 3 0.?" Sawyer asked joking. "Besides Sun and Jin."

"I'm actually fine with it. I'm officially a doctor now, so that's one of the good things." Jack replied.

"How are things at the hospital for the 3 of you?" Ana asked. "It's been so long since I saw all of you."

Claire and Sun were registered nurses at the same hospital Jack worked at. The 3 of them actually treated a lot of patients together.

"It's really great. I've always wanted to do this. And with Lien in school, I don't feel so bad for working." Sun answered.

Claire added, "Yeah, I love helping out patients. Being a nurse is a great experience."

"I think Claire and I finally know how our dad felt about work and coming home to us." Jack stated.

"Definitely. I've got news! Charlie has just gotten a big promotion!" Claire announced.

"Yes. It's true." Charlie joked. "I've got a lot of artists looking at my songs and wanting to record them."

Everyone congratulated them. Claire and Charlie's lives were going well too. They got married after Aaron turned 2 and Charlie officially adopted him. They honeymooned in Australia. Claire went back to school and got her nursing degree, but Charlie's band didn't do so well. After their big tour, Liam wanted to be with Megan. Charlie understood and he focused on song writing. Claire and Charlie's daughter Lilly was born when Aaron was 4. Aaron and Lilly were very close with Kristy and J.J., who were all playing together now with Lien and Josh.

"Freckles, how's the picture business?" Sawyer asked.

"I think those nicknames are getting old." She teased. "Actually, the firm is doing great. Amanda and I have gotten a lot of clients and I've been able to work at home. I'm here for Kristy and J.J. like I always wanted to."

"Kate? Where's the bathroom? I think Sophia needs a changing." Starla, Hurley's wife, asked. Her and Hurley met at a record store and they got married 3 years ago. Sophia was their first child.

"I'll go show you." Kate led her into the house. When Starla was done, they rejoined the friends.

"How are things with Danny Ana?" Claire asked hoping Sawyer wouldn't get mad.

"Really good. We met while I was patrolling. He's a fellow officer." Ana was now a cop for the LAPD. "We've been married for 2 years and he's totally different from Sawyer."

"I wasn't that bad." Sawyer said.

Ana just stared at him. "I t just wasn't supposed to work out."

"At least we have Josh." He replied nicely. Ana nodded and looked towards their son playing basketball with J.J. and Aaron.

Kristy walked over to her parents. "Mom! Dad! Look with Lilly, Lien, and me found!" She handed her parents the photo.

"I was wondering where this was! Thanks Kristy!" Kate hugged her daughter.

"It's our graduation photo." Jack said as he laid it on the table. Everyone came to look at it, even the kids.

"I can't believe that it was 11 years ago!" Charlie said.

Kate was pointing out who was who to all the kids. The 6 kids were fascinated.

"Is that me?" Aaron asked pointing to the baby.

"Where was I?" Lilly asked with her blue eyes huge.

Claire responded, "Yes, that's you Aaron. Lilly, you weren't here yet."

"Oh." The little girl looked sad.

"Don't worry Lilly. Me, J.J., Lien, Josh, and Sophia weren't there either." Kristy tried to make her cousin feel better. "But were here NOW!" Kristy smiled.

The adults laughed at the way she had said that.

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BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The fireworks were going now. The radio was playing the soundtrack for them. From Jack and Kate's house, they all could bee seen real close.

The kids were fascinated at the many color lights exploding in the air. Jack, Kate, Claire, and Charlie started to clean up in the house, while the other adults watched the kids.

"It's still bloody hard to believe that we are all together." Charlie said. "Most friendships don't last this long."

"Well, were different." Kate smiled.

Jack hugged his wife. "So that's what it is!" He teased. "We're just not normal." Kate showed him playfully.

"No." Claire laughed. "But I think I have the answer."

"What?" Charlie asked, while Jack and Kate looked at her.

"We're family." She moved closer to the other 3.

"Thicker than water." Jack suddenly said.

"What's that mean Jack?" Charlie asked.

"Blood is thicker than water. It's an old saying." Jack explained.

"It means family is the most important thing." Kate added.

"Come on everyone! You all are missing the fireworks! It is the 4th!" Kristy suddenly said from the door.

Kate laughed. "Let's get back to those fireworks." She led the way outside.

Claire hesitated. Jack placed an arm around her. "What's wrong sis?"

"I just wish mom and dad were here." Margo had recently passed away from cancer.

Jack hugged his little sister. "They are. They always are."

Claire smiled. "Thanks." She touched her still worn angel necklace from her dad.

"Let's go see what the kids are up to." Jack and Claire went back outside to sit with their family and friends.