Last one. Whoa.

Hope you guys had as much fun reading as I did writing…

And now, without further ado, the epilogue!

Later that night.

Nudge opened her mouth, a shrill whine escaping. "Do we have to go to bed, Max? We're not even tired, right Ang?"

"Nope." She failed to stop from yawning.

I had to laugh at their effort. "Goodnight, guys."

"But you and Fang and Iggy get to stay up!" Angel protested.

"Goodnight," I repeated; my teeth close to clenching.

The girls and Gazzy continued to grumble about it, but eventually all settled down. Nudge situated herself on the floor between the two queen sized beds provided in our hotel room. She was asleep before we could even stack fists, so I kissed her forehead and turned to Angel.

My baby was already snuggled up under the blankets; her eyes drifting shut. I muttered another goodnight and promised to be in bed soon-seeing as we were sharing a bed-just as her eyes finally closed.

The Gasman was the only one still awake of the 3, but he was struggling to stay that way. His head lolled against the chair that he would be sleeping in.

I ruffled his hair. "Goodnight, my little trooper."

"Goodnight."

I turned to leave, my back to him when I heard my name called out.

"Yeah, Gaz?"

"I'm glad you didn't die today."

The corner of my mouth curled up in the form of a smile. "Me too. Go to bed, though, okay? Busy day tomorrow."

I didn't hear another word out of him.

Back by the TV, Iggy was lounging on the couch, listening intently to what was happening on screen. I grimaced as Arnold Schwarzenegger fired a machine gun.

After shortly lecturing Iggy on movie choices, and totally cheering when Arnold maimed someone, I left my blind brother in charge. Opening the sliding glass door that led to the balcony, I chuckled as breezy night air rushed past me. It was almost as exhilarating as flying. Almost. "It's so beautiful out tonight," I noted. "Agreed." The response startled me. I whirled around, expecting to see Fang in the doorway, but saw nothing. In an instant I felt breathing tickle my neck.

"I wondered where you were."

A ghost of a grin passed his lips. "No one came looking." I nervously tightened my hoodie around me. "Well, I wasn't sure how serious you were about-" His quite laughter stopped me. "Max."

"What?"

The laughter continued. "We both know you wouldn't have let me leave that easily."

"You're right," I laughed, "I would have found you and kicked your butt. No joke." My expression changed.

"I know, I know," He put up his hands in mock surrender, "but I wouldn't have left anyways."

"Earlier you said-"

"I know what I said. Really though, I won't ever leave you guys. And you know why?"

The length of that response made me gasp in fake surprise. "Fang!" I cried, "You said 3 whole sentences! Are you feeling okay?"

He growled when I tried to put my hand on his forehead. "Someone's fully recovered."

"Not fully." My shoulders tightened as I remembered the shocks of pain.

"You really scared us," Fang admitted, "You really scared me."

"I-I scared you?" Disbelief colored my voice. "The great Fang, scared by me?"

His eyes hardened as he poked a finger to my chest. "I'm serious!"

"Okay, I get it." Taking a deep breath, I said, "I didn't mean to scare you, Fang."

"You don't get it!" He chastised, "You'll never get it!"

"What won't I get?"

He waited a second before breathing, "I really do love you, Max. I can't lose you. Never."

"I… I love you too!" I yelled, giggling at the way the words felt, coming out of my mouth. "I love Fang!" More giggling escaped as I screamed even louder.

Fang started to laugh as well. "Louder, Max. People and Alaska still can't hear you!"

My grin grew as I belted out, "I love Fang!" The words made me high. I don't know what it was. I just couldn't stop saying it. Even when my sleeping flock gathered around the door, I continued to profess my love.

I screeched until my voice started to fade. When my mouth finally shut, Fang's lips captured mine. I had never been happier. How was that? Good, bad, gooey? Come on. Last chance to review. Make it count!

Peace out,

~Faxisthegreatest123~