Disclaimer: For the last time in this story, you know the drill. I own only what JK Rowling doesn't (not much). I hope you enjoy this last chapter/epilogue!

Albus rolled out of bed, grabbing hold of his cane, the last physical vestige of the "Mumbai Incident". He walked to the bathroom with only a slight limp and flipped on the light. December found him with his own flat in London. He relished in the silence every time he apparated into the living room after work. Despite his mother's designs on decorating the flat, he had bought everything himself. Of course, because of this, most of the furniture was second hand and he had very little that matched but it was his. It wasn't his parent's; it was James' . . . it wasn't Madhavi's. Everything in the flat belonged to him.

He grabbed hold of his toothbrush and brushed his teeth. In the hot shower, he washed away the grimy day-after feeling that always seemed to accompany visits from Rose. It was Christmas Eve and things, for the moment were looking up. Teddy and Victoire had given birth to twins, a boy and a girl, only a month before. This would be their first official Weasley holiday. Albus had been named godfather.

He pulled on his favorite pair of jeans and a green sweater. He looked at his wrist watch, cursing under his breath, something that included "Rose" and "bloody gin". If he hurried, he would have just enough time to stop into the office and swing by the flower shop on Green's End before getting to the Burrow for supper. Suppressing his anger at Rose for getting him pissed every chance she got, he made his coffee and toast as quietly as possible. She was passed out on the sofa, her party dress still on. His breakfast eaten (or would it be considered lunch?), he apparated to the Ministry. He still had about twenty translations to sort through.

It was 4:30 before he got to the florist and it took another 15 minutes to decide between red tulips or white roses. He finally decided on tulips, hoping his grandmother would like them. In a considerably good mood, he apparated to the outside of the Burrow. It was the first time he had ever come to Christmas dinner by himself. He knocked on the door smartly, wanting everyone to see that he hadn't come with his parents. The door opened to his grandmother who pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Oh Albus, they're lovely!" she gushed, taking the flowers from him. She led him into the living room which was abuzz with activity. His father was talking with his Uncle Ron and Uncle Charlie, probably Quidditch by the looks on their faces. Fleur and Maureen were helping Angelina string fairy lights around the massive Christmas Tree. Percy and Audrey were conversing jovially with his grandfather, mother and Aunt Hermione. The cousins were playing an assortment of games in front of the fire and Bill was standing off to the side with Teddy and Victoire, playing with his grandchildren. Albus made a b-line for them.

"Remus has been waking up at two every morning," Victoire was saying.

"And Dora wakes up as soon as we have Remus back to sleep," Teddy put in. Bill was grinning.

"Welcome to parenthood! You can kiss sleep goodbye for the next few years." Teddy had Dora, who was wrapped in a pink blanket, resting in the crook of his arm. Bill tickled Remus' chin, gazing at him fondly.

"Al!" Teddy exclaimed, catching sight of his surrogate brother.

"Happy Christmas Teddy, Victoire, Uncle Bill," Albus greeted allowing Teddy to give him a one-armed hug.

"How's the leg?" Bill asked. Albus colored a little.

"Fine, just a little limp, that's all."

"Would you like to hold your goddaughter?" Teddy asked.

"Of course," Albus accepted the little bundle. "She's getting so big. I feel like she's gained at least a quarter stone since Thursday!"

"Not quite though at the rate she's eating you never know." Victoire chuckled, running a loving finger over her daughter's nose.

"Pretty soon they'll be going to Hogwarts," Bill said sagely.

"Don't say that!" Victoire ordered. "I want them to stay babies forever."

"So did I." Bill kissed his daughter gently on the cheek.

"Well, one thing's for sure, this one's not dating anyone ever," Teddy put in protectively.

"Good luck with that. That was always my plan."

"If your little princess doesn't get to date anyone, what about Remus?"

"Sons are different," Teddy stated, crossing his arms over his chest. Al looked up and saw a shock of red near the door; Rose had managed to get off of the couch.

"I'll see you all later," Al said, rolling his eyes and handing Dora back to Teddy. He ambled toward Rose. She had mentioned she was bringing someone; he hoped it wasn't a boyfriend. He had never liked Rose's boyfriends. She always managed to pick over-confident ego maniacs. Rose was ladling eggnog into a cup. She was dressed in a simple red sweater, a pleated brow skirt and a pair of knee-high boots. "So I see you finally managed to wake up," he quipped. She turned, grinning.

"Yep, nothing a bit of coffee couldn't cure. Hey Al, there's someone I'd like you to meet." Albus bit back a groan. She grabbed the hand of a girl Al hadn't noticed. She turned and Al's breath caught in his throat. She was beautiful. She had the most beautiful caramel colored skin, her cheeks slightly rosy. Her brown hair was tightly crimped and fly-away. Her eyes were the color of burnt honey and her lips were ever-so-pink. "Al, this is Allie Lansana. I told you about her, the translator in Sierra Leone."

"How do you do," Allie greeted faintly, looking deep into his eyes. Rose's grin widened and she snuck away.

"Fine," Al choked out. "Would you like some eggnog?"

"I'd love some, thank you." Al turned away and ladled two cups. Upon looking at her again, he nearly dropped the cups.

"S-s-so," he stammered. "What is Allie short for, Allison?" Inside he was screaming "YOU IDIOT!" but he kept his face as neutral as possible. She shook her head.

"Calochortus actually. My father's a botanist. "Is Al short for anything?"

"Albus, my parents were just cruel. What is a Calochortus?"

"It's a type of flower. My favorite is the fairy lantern or globe Lily. Its scientific name is Calochortus Albus . . . " they both fell silent, looking at each other more in amazement. Albus had never believed in fate but . . . "That's strange," she murmured.

"Very," Albus replied, resting a hand on her arm."

"Almost like-"

"Serendipity." They both looked up at the same time and saw a kissing ball that had certainly not been there before. Without thinking, before analyzing, Albus leaned forward and kissed her. Their glasses of eggnog fell to the floor but neither noticed. Al felt a warmth spread through his fingertips as he rested them on her arms. Harry, who happened to look up at the right moment, smiled. Al was going to be just fine. Rose was barely containing herself. It had worked better than she could have imagined.

The two parted, gazing into each other's eyes, both wanting to say that they had never done anything like that before. They both wanted to say a thousand things but neither could find the voice. They could only gaze into each other's eyes in bewilderment; love certainly worked in mysterious ways.

Love comforteth like sunshine after rain.

-William Shakespeare Sonnet (Venus and Adonis)

A/N: It's done. I hope you all liked it. Thanks so much to my loyal reviewers (Bad Mum and MBP in particular). REVIEW!!!! Just this one last time; it would make me so happy.