Well guys --- this one is officially over! I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much I have writing it:) Thanks for all the kind comments and feedback and thanks to Shama for her continued help!

Epilogue

Three Months Later

Squeezing John's hand reassuringly Natalie glanced over at him with concern evident in her eyes. "Do you want me to wait in the car?" she asked softly.

John took a deep breath and met her eyes. "Would you mind coming with me?"

Shaking her head, Natalie undid her seatbelt and climbed out of the car. Walking over to the drivers side, she waited until John got out of the car and took his hand in hers. "I love you," she said as they began walking knowing that John needed all the support he could get.

Grateful to have her there with him, he smiled over at her. "I love you too."

They walked in silence along the stone path for the next few minutes until they finally stopped in front of the small, headstone that read 'Thomas McBain, devoted husband, loving father and dedicated officer.'

Hearing John draw in a shaky breath, Natalie moved closer to him. "Do you know that I haven't been here since his funeral?" John began slowly. "I mean what type of son does that?"

"I'm sure he understands."

John suddenly went silent and dropped down to his knees in front of the grave. "It's finally over Dad… Spencer Truman was sentenced to death today for your murder." His voice started off cold, and detached but finally John broke. "I'm sorry it took me so long, I'm sorry I haven't been here, I'm sorry for letting you down…"

Now it was Natalie's turn to kneel down beside John. "You didn't let him down."

John looked over at her and Natalie was shocked to see that tears had formed in the corners of his eyes. "Yes I did. I've hurt so many people. That's not how he raised me."

Natalie pulled him closer. "Everyone makes mistakes John. I know your father would be proud of the man you've become." John took a few seconds to let her words absorb, finally he looked back at the tombstone. "Dad, I want you to meet Natalie. For some crazy reason she actually puts up with me." John shot a look over at Natalie then smiled at the grave, "You would love her Dad, in fact she might be the only person who could beat you at pool."

Seeing that John's tears were gone, Natalie laughed. "Might be?" she asked jokingly.

"My dad was the best pool player in AC. No one could ever beat him."

Smiling, Natalie looked down at the stone, "Well then I guess it's a good thing your son never got as good as you, because I have too much fun wiping the floor with him."

Touched that she was actually speaking to his father as if he was there, John once again realized how much he loved her. Taking her hand in his he looked over at her. "It's finally over." He looked back at the grave and whispered, "Goodbye Dad, I love you."

Standing up, he helped Natalie to her feet and pulled her into a hug. "It's over." He rubbed his hand over hers and smiled has he came in contact with the diamond solitaire that sat on her ring finger. "And it's time for me to move on."

"Does that mean you are ready to set a date?" She asked shyly although the excitement was evident in her voice.

John nodded. "I can not wait for you to become Mrs. John McBain." Wrapping an arm around her waist the two of them walked toward the exit of the cemetery, and toward the beginning of their life together.