Epilogue

7 Years Later

It was Christmas time again. The years came and went and time marched on. After Pete died, it felt like a part of everyone died. Leila was an empty shell just walking around. She stayed in Chicago during her pregnancy. She was constantly around friends; she hated being alone. When she was alone, the only thing she did was think, and thinking always led to tears. Casie was in the room when she gave birth to her baby boy; who she named Peter Michael Wentz. He was born in late June. The baby wasn't even a month old when she moved back to Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Wentz tried to stop her, but Leila had to leave; promising not to cut them out of the baby's life. She called every so often, and visited a couple of times a year, but that was it. The only person she called everyday was Casie. And only Casie knew exactly what she was doing. She e-mailed pictures all the time of her and the baby. Years kept rolling by. Casie and Andrew got married and had a set of twin little girls, Lily and Rose, who were the spitting image of Andrew. The only way to tell them apart were the eyes. Lily had Casie's blue eyes, while Rose had Andrew's brown. They were two years old, and a hand full. Casie still lived in Chicago with Andrew, for his job. But she frequented Alabama often. Her mother absolutely loves to have all her grandchildren in her house; as long as they didn't break too many things. Andy and Heather also got married, but decided not to have children yet. Casie pursued her love of art, which helps as she has little ones to take care of; she paints from home. Andy had moved on to drum for another band. Heather had proven that she had a set of pipes on her, and she was singing lead for the same band. Cara was busy with her nursing job at the country hospital. Patrick was busy as ever with his job Decaydance records. They had moved into bigger house after their daughter, Cyndi, came along. And Joe and Danielle were working on their third child. Danielle is a stay at home mom, while Joe manages a string of small rock bands.

It was the holiday season, and Danielle was throwing all their friends a small party, hoping to see all of her extended family. She had been cooking all day, ham and dressings and pies. She had just finished a couple of trays of cookies for the kids.

"Mommy! Mommy! Daddy's home!" Esme, seven years old, cried from the living room. Esme looked just like her mother, with her father's eyes. Her light brown hair flowing down her back. She had on a gold colored dress and had kicked off her shoes somewhere in the house. In her hair was hairbow, pinned up on the side, to match her dress.

Danielle waddled into the room, carrying a tray of Christmas cookies. She had a red sweater that was trimmed in green and gold with a pair of black slacks. Esme squealed and ran to the plate, grabbing up two sprinkled snacks.

"Esme, sweetie save some for our guests," Danielle sighed, carefully sitting down on the chair. A curly haired four year old boy, with bright green eyes, came hurtling into the room behind his sister; wearing a pair of khakis and red button down shirt. He spotted the cookies and soon began fighting her for the cookie he wanted.

"Mark! Quit bugging your sister! All the cookies taste the same! And do not get your clothes dirty!" Mark pouted, but did as his mother asked.

There was a flurry of noise from the hall.

"Knock knock! Where is everybody?" Joe called, hanging his coat on the peg. He walked into the living room to see his very pregnant wife and children. He strolled to Dani, and sat next to her, kissing her cheek.

"Have a good day?" Dani asked, massaging her temples.

"Life as a rockstar isn't as hectic as parenting. Nor, I find, as enjoyable. And that is saying something," Joe laughed. Danielle rolled her eyes, smiling nonetheless.

"I'm going to go change," Joe said, standing up and disappearing up the stairs.

"So, when does everyone arrive?" Dani asked, as Joe walked back down, dressed just like his son, but instead of a red shirt, he was wearing green. Dani looked over at the clock. The hands pointing at the Roman numerals declaring it was five in the evening.

"Anytime now, actually." And no sooner than the words left his lips, the door bell rang. "I'll get it." Joe laughed, seeing his wife try to get up off the couch.

He reached the door, a smile still tugging at the corners of his lips. He pulled the door back to reveal Cara and Patrick. Cara was wearing a very pretty knee length dress with matching high heeled shoes. Patrick wore a pair of black dress pants and black button down shirt. A twelve year old Micah stood behind them, dressed in white buttoned shirt and red pants. In Cara's arms was their five year old daughter, Cyndi. She had dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. She had Patrick's lips and Cara's long lashes. She had a very cute dress; the top was red with green bows and the skirt was white with multi-colored ornaments on it.

"Uncle Joe! " Micah exclaimed. He ran in and gave him a hug. Joe laughed and squeezed him tight.

"Cookies in the living room, kid. So are Esme and Mark."

Micah took off to the living room. Cara walked over the threshold, with Patrick following her. They shrugged their coats off, and hung them on the rack. Patrick embraced Joe like a brother.

"Good to see you man! A month is really too long," Patrick chuckled, making Joe smile.

"I know what you mean. And Cara, nice to see you! Give me little nut!" Joe exclaimed, snatching Cyndi out of Cara's arms. Cyndi let out a string of giggles.

"Unca Joe! Let me down!" she squealed. Joe gave her a wet kiss on the cheek.

"Ew! Gross!" she screamed and wiggled free of Joe's grasp and ran to the living room. Joe laughed and grabbed up Cara in a hug.

"Is she coming?" Cara asked, following her children into the living room.

"I'm not sure. I haven't heard from her lately," Danielle said, answering her question. Patrick and Cara sat down on the loveseat across from the couch. The kids were shoveling cookies down hand over fist. Then Mark stood up fast.

"Hey! You wanna see the toy daddy got me?" he practically yelled, spraying cookie crumbs across the coffee table. The kids nodded in agreement, and took off out of the room, talking at top speed.

"So, Dani," Cara began, "When's the boy due?"

"Less than a month, praise Jesus!" she exclaimed.

Their laughter was interrupted by the doorbell. Cara stood up to answer it. She pried the door open to reveal Andy and Heather. Heather had a black mini skirt and form fitting red top and black high heeled shoes. Andy, to everyone's surprise, was wearing a shirt that had no tears in it.

"Hey Heather!" Cara said, pulling in the house and into a hug.

"Good to see you too," Heather laughed hugging her back. Heather walked on and Andy wrapped and arm around Cara, walking her back to the group.

"How's it going?" Andy asked, sitting next to Joe on the couch.

"Pretty good. Nursing and a housewife… you know.. all that jazz!" Cara laughed.

"I don't know how you do it. I can handle the kids alone, not to mention being a nurse. I'd lose my mind," Danielle said, resting a hand on her swelling belly. The group laughed.

"Leila going to get to come?" Andy asked, looking around at Dani.

"We don't know yet. Casie might know," she said.

"I hope so…. I haven't seen her in close to a year," Heather said, sighing.

They sat there like that, reminiscing; about the good ole days. Then the conversation moved from past times, to present work. They were talking about Patrick's new project when someone rapped on the door. Cara went to get it again.

"CASIE!" Cara screamed. They hadn't seen each other in a month either.

"Well, hello Cara!" Casie replied, slightly deaf. Casie had on a black long sleeve shirt with a red flowing skirt and black heels.

Cara felt something clinging to her waist. She looked down to see Casie's twin girls hugging her. Their dark brown hair was both in pigtails with green and red ribbon. One had on a green dress and the other had a red on; with white stockings and black paton shoes. Casie noticed Cara smirking at the girls.

"Andrew's big into dressing the girls in matching outfits. His mother did it with him and Pete," Casie said, a small smile playing at her lips.

"Hey there Lily, Rose," Cara smiled, wrapping an arm around each of them. "All the kids are up in Mark's room playing with toys if you wan- " and before she had the words out of her mouth, the girls shot up the stairs and out of sight.

"Andrew, how are you?" Cara asked, hugging him softly.

"Tired, but happy to see all my friends again," he said, smiling.

"Nice shirt," Cara said, trying to hold back her laughter. It was a red sweater with reindeers flying on it. Andrew flushed a little.

"My mom gave it to me. I wore to make her happy."

"Come on it and sit down. Everyone's nearly already here."

The walked into the living and Joe left to get more chairs. Casie looked up at the ceiling, hearing loud rumbles echoing down. She smirked and looked over at Danielle.

"I hope nothing gets damage too badly," she laughed. Everyone joined in after hearing a particularly loud bang, following by louder screams.

"Well, I guess we're only waiting for Leila now to eat," Danielle said. She looked over at Casie. "She is coming, right?"

"Oh yes. She was still at Andrew's parents when we left," Casie nodded.

"Oh good! I'm so happy she got to make it," Cara exclaimed.

"And she has a surprise for you all," Casie added slowly.

Everyone exchanged glances. They didn't know what she hadn't told them, and was a little surprised that they didn't know. All their questions were about to be answered as the door bell rang. Casie went to answer it. They all heard Leila's voice as she greeted Casie. All eyes were on the doorway as Casie filed back in with Leila at her heels. She looked the same as she always had, but had the definite lines of aging on her face. She had a white skirt and red top with white beads sewn in a haphazard pattern and red flats.

She looked sheepishly around the room. "Hi…"

Upon hearing her speak, they all stood up and rushed to her. Casie dodged out of the way and went to join Andrew. She looked on as everyone greeted and hugged Leila in turn.

"It's so good to see you!" Dani said.

"Yes, it's been too long!" Patrick added.

"You look good!" Joe smirked.

"Where's little Pete?" Cara asked, the last to get to hug her.

Leila smiled at all of them, and turned around and held out her hand. A little boy, who was the spitting image of Pete, walked up and took her hand. He had medium length dark brown hair, which nearly fell into his caramel colored eyes. With Pete's Hawaiian background and Leila's Indian, he of course had a darker complexion and was stocky in stature. He was dressed in complete Pete fashion; with a dark red hoodie and jeans. He smiled at everyone, showing them a smile that was identical to Leila's.

"Oh my…" Cara gasped. It had been too long since she had seen him. "Petey, you look more like your father every time I see you!"

"Thanks!" he said, letting go of his mother's hand and running to hug her. Just like they had with Leila, they took turns hugging him.

"So, Casie tells us you have a surprise for us?" Dani said, who was standing the closest to Leila. Leila threw Casie a furtive look and nodded. She closed her eyes and took a deep breathe.

"Yes, I do. And I'm sorry I haven't told y'all sooner, but I was afraid of what you would say. I know you guys would never be mean to me, but you know… That and how I was feeling," she added. Again, she turned around and motioned someone forward.

A tall blonde haired man, with striking blue eyes behind silver rimmed glasses. He had a deep blue button down shirt and black slacks. In his arms was a girl with thick dark blonde hair with a red ribbon tied up. Her small round face was buried in the man's neck. She peeked through her hair to reveal a set of sparkling green eyes.

"This is Josh Davis. My husband."

There was a collective gasp. Leila was afraid to look at them, so she fixed her eyes on Casie. She gave her a supportive smile and a nod. The little girl in Josh's arms looked over at Leila and her face lit up.

"Mommy!" she squealed and started reach her arms out. Josh walked her over to Leila, and she wrapped her up, straddling her on her hips. The girl threw her arms around her neck, burying her face again. Josh stood behind Leila, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"And this is our daughter, Crimson Faye. She just turned two."

Dani was the first to recover. She hitched a smile on her face and walked up to the little girl. "Well, aren't you the cutest! And you have your mommy's eyes, too."

"I think she looks more like her father," Leila said, "that's what's lucky about it."

Josh rolled his eyes. "Stop that Leila."

"Well, Crimson, there are other kids up stairs, playing with their toys…. You can join them if you like. You and your brother?"

Crimson looked up at Leila with questioning eyes. "Yes baby, its okay." Leila stepped out of Josh's arms, and knelt down in front of little Pete.

"Petey, will you take your sister up to Mark's room? And look after her, okay?"

Pete nodded and took Crimson's hand, "C'mon Crim."

"Otay Bubba," Crimson said in her little voice, following Pete upstairs.

"This is our surprise?" Patrick asked, eyeing Leila and Josh.

Leila nodded. "I was afraid. At first, when I moved back, Josh was there for me. He was just my friend. He would help out with Pete when he was baby. And after a couple of years, I started to love him. I loved back when I was in high school, and then I met Pete…. Well, you know. I felt extremely guilty for the feelings I have for Josh. It felt like I had my chance for happiness and it was stolen from me when Pete died."

"You thought, since Pete died, you should live the rest of your life alone?" Joe asked, his mouth hanging open slightly. Leila merely nodded.

"But that's not what Pete would have wanted," Andy said. "He loved you, and he wanted you to be happy."

"I know this now. Casie and Josh helped me realize that. But I was still afraid to tell you," she said, hanging her head.

"You think we would have thought that you shouldn't be happy with another man because you were supposed to be forever Pete's," Cara surmised. Leila made a sound was supposed to be a confirmation.

"That's absurd," Patrick said, a smile playing at his lips. "We all love you, and want you to be happy. And Pete would have too."

Leila looked up at him, with tears swimming in her eyes.

"Oh Leila," Cara said, running up to hug her. "I'm happy your happy!"

"See, I told ya," Josh murmured from behind her.

"Oh shut up!" Leila said, laughing through her tears.

"So, who's ready to eat!" Dani announced.

A/N:

I'm sad it's over, I've worked hard and long on this story and I'm glad that it's finally finished! Thanks guys who have stuck with me through all of this! I hope you enjoyed the journey!