EPILOGUE: THE WEDDING YEARS IN THE MAKING

Sparkyville, USA 5 months later, Location: A small chapel

Tricia, Roy, a few months pregnant Sally, Schroeder, Marcie, and Franklin walked in to the small chapel on the north end of Sparkyville. Sally and Schroeder had married about a couple of weeks after Lucy's funeral, and then took a honeymoon to Germany, the birthplace of Beethoven. Tricia and Roy got married in front of a Justice of the Peace not too long afterwards. Sally was pregnant with her first child. She and Schroeder didn't want to know what it was, as of yet.

"So how was Germany?" Tricia asked Sally and Schroeder.

"It was fun," said Sally. "I just wished that it was Oktoberfest when we went, so we could ride some rides and sample some German beer and pretzels."

"We did see some of the sights where Beethoven performed and some related landmarks," added Schroeder. "Plus with Sally being pregnant, I think it's safe to say beer is definitely out of the question for the next six months."

"Don't remind me, babe!" sighed Sally. The others laughed as they took their seats. Frieda and Pig Pen walked in holding hands and lovey-dovey toward each other,

"Well I see you two are going strong," Franklin observed.

"Yeah, we are," said Pig Pen. "Who would have thought we'd get together, eh?"

"Yeah," agreed Frieda. "I always thought Pig Pen was one of the nicest guys around. It was always the dirt that got in the way, but now that he stays clean, it's easier to get closer to this wonderful man." And she kissed him softy on the lips.

"I have to admit, that IS a miracle," said Sally, to which everyone else agreed. Tricia looked and saw Audrey sitting with Rerun and his father, Larry.

"Hey, Audrey, Rerun, Mr. V," Tricia greeted. "How is little Zoe doing?"

"She is wonderful," said Audrey, who was holding Zoe, now an infant.

"And how about you, Rerun?" Tricia wondered. "Any lucky girl snatch you up, yet?"

"Well I found out Sally's friend Eudora actually lives not too far from us in Massachusetts," Rerun replied. "She stays just a few miles from Martha's Vineyard. We started doing stuff together. If anything happens, it happens."

"I'm doing great, too," said Larry. "Things with my boys are better than ever." And at that moment, the pastor said it was time to start. Everyone turned around and looked.

Charlie walked first down the aisle with his parents at both sides of him. He was dressed in a white tuxedo with red bowtie and vest. After seating his parents in the first pew, Linus and Patty marched down the aisle arm in arm then splitting when they got to the front. Patty's young niece served as flower girl, and Marcie and Franklin's youngest son was the ring bearer. Then the wedding march music started, and everyone got up. Violet, dressed in a long, sleek white gown with a tiara on holding a bouquet of white roses, was escorted by her father down the aisle towards her groom, who looked at her with complete love. As Mr. Gray presented her to Charlie, he said to his soon-to-be son-in-law, "I always knew you two would end up together. Take care of my baby girl, Charles."

"I will, sir," Charlie said. And then the pastor began the wedding ceremony.

"Dearly beloved," he began, "we are gathered here today to join this man, and this woman, in holy matrimony. If there's anyone who think these two should not be wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." Everyone looked around. But no one spoke up against the marriage, so the pastor continued.

"I shall now ask the bride and groom to face each other." And Charlie and Violet faced one another. "Charles Brown, do you take this woman, to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part, for as long as you shall live?"

"I do," Charlie said.

"Violet Gray, do you take this man, to be your wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part, for as long as you shall live?"

"I do," said Violet.

"The rings, please?" And Linus handed Charlie the ring for Violet, and Patty handed Violet the ring for Charlie. And they placed the rings on each of their ring fingers.

The pastor finished, "By the powers vested in me, for the city of Sparkyville, in this great state, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Charles, you may kiss your bride." And Charlie and Violet kissed one another with love. Maureen, Charlie's mother cried as her oldest son was now finally married, as did most of the woman in the chapel. Linus smiled for his best friend. He finally landed the love of his life.

And the pastor announced, "Ladies and gentleman, it gives me great pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Charles Monroe Brown." And everyone applauded.

"You go, Chuck!" shouted Tricia. "You sly dog!"

As the wedding party exited the chapel, Linus said to Charlie, "Well, we are both married men now."

"We are, Linus," agreed Charlie. "But it's not over for us. Not by a long shot." And the wedding party entered the limo and drove to the union building where the reception would take place. Everyone else followed. As Larry was about to get in the car with Rerun, Audrey, and Zoe, he noticed his ex-wife, Lacey, watching from a distance.

"I'll be right back, folks," he said and he went over to talk to his former spouse.

"I'm sorry, Larry," she said. "Maureen told me about Charlie getting married. I had to at least get a glimpse of my granddaughter."

"It's all right, Lace," said Larry. "I'm not mad at you for that. She is a cutie, isn't she?

"Yes, she is. I can tell she takes after Linus."

"Well, I better meet up with them before they start looking for me. Take care of yourself, Lacey."

"You too, Larry. And for what it's worth, it was good to see you."

"It was good to see you too." And Larry headed back for the car and they left for the reception.

Afterward by Linus

Linus here. You may be wondering what happened afterwards. Well I can fill you in on all of that right now. First up Charlie and Violet are doing great. He moved to Los Angeles from Vallejo so Violet can continue her acting career, plus he and Susan, his business partner, had opened another Brown's Bistro in the LA area. The original Vallejo location is still open, and it's being ran by the top manager there, though Charlie maintains ownership.

Months after Charlie and Violet's wedding, Sally and Schroeder welcomed a baby boy. Schroeder is already playing Beethoven music for him. They named him Forte. Weird, isn't it? They still live in Philadelphia and Schroeder still teaches music and plays with the orchestra, and Sally still runs her salon. She is trying to get Mr. and Mrs. Brown to move out there so they can be close to their grandson, while Charlie is trying to get them out to the California sun. Who will win this sibling battle of the parents? No one knows.

Tricia and Roy, after finding out that they can't have children due to Tricia being infertile, they have adopted a baby boy from Zimbabwe. They named him Scout. And they made Marcie and Franklin godparents to him.

Speaking of Marcie and Franklin, they are still living in Baltimore with their two boys. Marcie is expecting a third child on the way, and she's hoping for a girl, this time. The friendship between her and Tricia have been restored completely. And while they can't talk to each other daily, they keep in contact regularly as much as they can.

Patty and Mark are still doing fine, as well. Their twins are growing fast. Charlie and Violet had invited the whole family out to California so they can get some of that west coast flavor. And to possibly take the kids to Knott's Berry Farm. I heard that's a great theme park.

Frieda and Pig Pen have become an item. I guess it took him getting cleaned up to land the girl with the naturally curly hair. And they've never been happier together.

Rerun has also found love in one of the unlikeliest of places. Right here in Massachusetts, Eudora lives a few miles from us, and she and my brother have been seeing each other for a while now. Rerun has come a long way from where he was. He's still healing some, but I think he'll be okay. If I can get over losing my leg, he can get past his demons.

Dad has also found happiness again. After moving in with us, he's met a lady his age who is a widow looking for companionship. When he's not taking care of his granddaughter, he's with this new lady-friend of his doing everything together.

Rerun and I don't talk to mom. We have no desire to.

And as for me, Audrey and I are great. Zoe is our world and she's like her daddy in many ways. She actually holds on to a blanket like I used to do, and she is smart as a whip. She hasn't started believing in things like the Great Pumpkin as of yet, but give her time. I'm sure she'll come up with something similar.

I think about Lucy often and how things might have been different for us had she gotten the help she needed early on. I'm no longer mad at her or harbor any animosity towards her. I now understand a lot of her actions were beyond her control and that she couldn't help it. One thing mom did teach us in this whole situation was how NOT to raise your kids and to get them the help they need early on. And I will get Zoe the help she needs, if it comes to pass. It's still early in the game, but I'm always looking for any signs of self-destructive behavior and excessive crabbiness. But I don't go overboard, either. I think the whole situation with Lucy, crazy and out of control as it was, was a blessing in disguise. It showed me what to look for if one of my kids were acting the same and what to do if something like that ever happens. Only time will tell. All I know is from learning about her situation, I now understand my sister better, and posthumously, regained my love for her.

THE END

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I want to thank everyone who followed this mini-series and enjoyed it. I will be taking a few weeks off, but will still check in here on . Next month PEANUTS: The Next Chapter returns and we start a new story arc called "The Play". Stay tuned.