Epilogue

70 years later...

It was odd, really. He had never truly considered what it would be like to die. Sure, over the years he and Skye had had many heated discussions over what might await one after passing, but he had never actually sat down and constructed a theory.

Skye was religious, a common side-effect of loosing a parent early, and they had raised their three kids with the idea that something bigger than any of them existed, but he had never spent too much energy on the topic.

And yet, here he was, having lived on this planet for 94 years, with no idea what lay in his future. And yet, somehow, he wasn't the least bit scared. Had you asked him a year ago, or even a week ago, if he had been ready to die, his answer would have been a stout, "No." But now things were different. Nothing had changed, but suddenly he was okay with it if this was his last day, his last hour, his last breath even.

Everyone was there. Four generations of Penderwicks. One wife. Three children. Ten grandchildren. Forty-two great-grandchildren. Three dogs and a cat. The bedroom could hardly hold them all. They were all as dear to him as life itself. More so, even. But there was one who he would always hold above all the rest. She would probably kill him if he didn't.

Even with white hair and smile lines around her mouth, Skye was a sight to behold. There she sat, thin and slightly shrunken with age, with tears in her eyes, as beautiful as ever.

"Jeffrey." Her voice was frailer then it had been in their younger days, but it still held the same conviction, the same urgency that had always set her apart from all others. "Jeffery, don't you dare die on me."

He smiled. "It's time, Skye. We're old. There's nothing wrong with dying now."

She shook her head. "I know. But I don't want to loose you. It's sounds stupid, I know, but I don't feel like we've had enough time. I don't want it to be over."

"We've had 83 years, Skye. That's about as good as you can get."

"It's not enough."

"It will never be enough, Skye. We both know that. Now please, let me go. I'm ready."

"No. You're not supposed to die first. I'm older, remember? You're the one who's supposed to have to live without me. Not vise versa. If you die now, you stupid man, I'll never forgive you. Ever."

He couldn't stop the smile that slid onto his face, despite the situation. "Skye, I love you. I always have, and I always, always will. I have loved you from the very first moment you slammed into me in the tunnel. You have been an amazing wife to me, a spectacular mother to my children.

"But more than anything else you've always, always been my best friend. There is no one else in this world who ever even ran a close second for that title. I have always known that you would be there for me, and you always had my back.

"Now please, honey, let me go. We all have a time, and this is mine. If you ever loved me, let me go, because I can't die if you don't."

Her eyes fluttered for a moment, resting closed for a split second, before she opened them again. The tears were running down her cheeks, her crystal clear blue eyes shining, but there was finally a smile on her face. Ever so slightly, she nodded.

"I love you with all my heart, Jeffrey. I never told you that enough. You are the best man I ever knew, and I am so, so lucky to have had you in my life. You are my whole world, and you always have been. And you better appreciate how hard this is for me, but I'm letting you go. You, Jeffrey Penderwick, are free to go. I'll love you for as long as the sun shines."

"So, what? Another 3 billion years?"

She shook her head, sending loose tears flying. "5 billion. Maybe longer. I love you."

And with that he sighed, and as a ghost of a smile caressed his face, his spirit soared upward in a white flash, blinding him with it's brightness. And somewhere, from a long way away, her voice broke through the clouds. "He's an honorary Penderwick, and the best this family has ever seen."

(End.)

Okay, I realize that, after my author's note last chapter, this must have come as quite the surprise. I am sorry to say that, over the course of the last few hours, my life, and the life of this story, has changed rapidly. Three hours ago, received a phone call providing me with a opportunity I never dreamed of.

I won't bore you with the details, but it was an offer I couldn't refuse, and one that is going to take up a good deal of my time in the nest few years. Enough time, that it wouldn't be fair to you guys to keep you waiting. I did, however feel like this story deserved an ending. Hopefully I was able to do it justice.

I haven't had a chance to see if any of you reviewed the last chapter (sorry about that) but if you did, thank you very much. You guys have been a driving force I will never forget. Your time and dedication mean so much to me. I still plan on publishing stories here when I get the chance, but it will most likely be sporadic.

Thank you so much for everything.

Signing off,

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