Disclaimer: For the final time, I own nothing. Enjoy.

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Seduction of Summer

Epilogue

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.
-Russel Baker

"It was a complete let down right? Totally awkward, not to mention painful?" Cassie said, interrogating me while we sun baked in the dying afternoon sun. I felt as if I was in an episode of The O.C. It had taken me a few weeks to bring this up with her. As I cringed, I was regretting my decision already.

Luke and I hadn't been able to find some more alone time since the night. Preparations for the baby and the wedding were going full steam, leaving Martha and Jack at our house till the early hours of the morning sometimes.

And Mum didn't trust us. Or me. She saw the change.

"I knew it was a mistake to tell you so soon." I laughed turning to face her. "But yes and yes." I said, watching her smile turn into a smirk. "Well, it wasn't a complete let down. It changed things between Luke and I. Took us to this whole new level. Cliched right?" I finished, turning to face her.

"Yeah, very cliched." She agreed, turning back to face the sun. "But it's not like its anything different with any teenage couples and their first times. Its awkward, painful, a complete let down, yet it bonds you together for a very long time." She said, closing her eyes and becoming lost in her own world.

I sat up slightly, looking for Luke in the almost tame surf. That huge summer storm had left the ocean calmer, which meant the waves were few and slow for the last couple of weeks, including today. I could see Luke and Ric in the distance, waiting out back for the next wave, obviously in mid conversation about exactly the same thing Cassie and I had been speaking about.

It seemed weird that within the summer we'd gone from best friends to broken people, then back to best friends, like some cruel circle of fate. The events had forged stronger bonds between the four of us though, despite the fact that the wounds were still healing.

Cassie would still flinch mildly if Ric touched me, and Ric would generally look as if he wanted to hit something if Henry was ever mentioned. There were battle wounds and scars that would never fully heal. They would stick around to remind us of what we have.

To remind me of what I could have lost, I thought, watching Luke attempt to catch a small wave into shore.

Summer held an allure no other season could match. With its natural heat, which created passion and romance, it would always be my preferred season. It would always be able to seduce me as no other season could.

But as the sun began to fade in the distance, there was a chill in the air signifying the end of my favourite season. School was back, and the hot February days were drawing to a close.

Autumn, with its crisp leaves and short, chilly winds would soon creep in, followed by (a not so cold winter). And I'd soon be missing the days where lying on the beach seemed like the only important thing in the world to do.

The summer had taught me so much, and I was grateful for that. As Luke and Ric walked towards Cassie and I, I realised just how grateful I really was, to have everything back to how it was, with Cassie, and especially with Luke.

However, as he and Ric launched their wet selves upon Cassie and myself, I began to wonder if I really was that grateful. Screaming at him, I was picked up swiftly and thrown over his shoulder, as he ran towards the water, with only one thing in mind.

"Luke, I swear, if you do that I'll never speak to you." I threatened weakly over his shoulder.

"Well that's a chance I'll just have to take." He replied as he reached the waters edge, throwing me into the water in one movement. The water crashed around me, as my entire body was soaked from head to toe.

Standing up as the water receded around me, I glared at Luke as he doubled over in laugher.

"That's so not funny." I said, as Cassie came over to join me, also soaked from head to toe.

"Aww girls, we were only having a bit of fun." Ric said, standing next to Luke, still trying to stifle his laughter.

"All you ever do in summer is lay at the beach sun baking. Its boring and we were so sick of it. We decided it was time you actually went in the water." Luke said, looking at me with puppy dog eyes.

"I was quite content not being wet." Cassie stated simply beside me, folding her arms across her chest and adopting a glare similar to mine.

All it took was a simple glance between Ric and Luke before Cassie and I were tackled once again, and were pushed into the water, the boys holding onto us strongly against the waves.

It was good to be held in his strong arms as the waves crashed against us. It felt good just to be able to muck around with friends, and not have to worry.

As the waves calmed for a while, I turned to face Luke, who was still holding me in his arms.

"You do realise I'm never speaking to you again for doing this?" I asked, cocking one eyebrow and staring at him.

"I wouldn't love you if you didn't even consider that option." He replied, capturing my lips into a kiss, which was broken apart as another wave came crashing down.

As it calmed once more, I looked at Luke intently.

"I love you too."

Finis

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AN: Awww I loved the Epilogue so much more than my final chapter. It was pure fluff. I hope that that short, sweet ending makes up for my horrible last chapter. It's been a grand ride, but Seduction of Summer has come to an end. Anyone who has ever read it, please review my final curtain call. Also, PLEASE tell me what you think of my ideas for new stories. I've already started writing one, but I think I'm going to begin another. I just don't know which one.

A HUGE Thank You goes out to my faithful reviewers at BTTB and Fan Fiction. You guys made me want to write this story till the end, and I'm sorry that it's over too. I think there shall be a future, maybe in a while, after another has been written. Who knows?

It's been a grand ride for us all.