This is it. The epilogue. I just wanted you folks to know that it has been an honour working with you and I can't wait to do it again. I'll miss you people so much. Stayed tuned after this chapter for a little sneak preview of Love is Blind.

Epilogue

Fang

It had taken almost a year of scrimping and saving up cash, and almost two months more to search through almost every jewellery store on the face of the earth before I found the one that was as perfect and beautiful and unique as the person I wanted to give it to. I even had to show it to Allison, Dr. Martinez, and Ella before I decided that it was good enough. And I still felt like I'd made a mistake, even as I walked out of the store with the box in the place where all my money used to be.

Once it was safely tucked away in my pocket, and I had no fear of it falling out during the flight, I took a few bounds and leaped into the air, heading back for the Martinez's house. I wanted to do something special and unique with it, to reflect the girl I was giving it to, but I wasn't exactly known for my overflowing creative juices.

I unlocked the door with my key—which had been given to me after I'd gotten here the first time and found myself locked out—and stepped into the house. It was completely dark, which didn't surprise me, considering it was two in the morning. I thought of all the ways that this could backfire:

She could explode at me for waking her up

She could explode at me for waiting so long

She could say no

I think the last one was by far the worst.

So I opened the door and walked into the even-darker bedroom, got down on the floor next to her bed, and started whispering her name.

"Max?" I hissed, and repeated until she rolled over toward me and peeled her eyes open. She flicked on the light and blinked a few times.

"Fang?" she said, sounding tired. "What the hell are you doing down there?" She sat up and looked down at me with half open eyes.

"Max, we've been through a lot together, and I've left you more times than I can count, but even when we were back at The School, I knew that you were the person that I wanted to spend my whole life with, no matter what." She was starting to wake up now, and she looked confused. "Max, I want you to know that no matter what we're doing, or where we are, or how far apart, you're always close to me." I moved one of my hands over my heart. "You're always here." I dug into my pocket and pulled out the tiny box. "And that's why I wanted to give you this," I flipped the box open. "So that you had something to remind you that we're always together. Always." I swallowed back what I tried to convince myself was just fear and nothing else, and said, "Maximum Ride, will you please marry me?"

Max was completely awake now. Her wide eyes were filled with moisture that was fighting hard to stay inside her eyes. She just sat there, and I was starting to worry that she wasn't going to take it; that she was going to say no. I tried to keep those fears locked away in the back of my head.

"Well, go ahead," I prompted. "Take it."

With a wide grin, she took the tiny, golden ring out of the box and slid it on her finger. I stood up as a huge load was taken off my shoulders and I felt instantly lighter. I opened my arms and Max leaped off the bed into them. She slammed her lips against mine and I gladly accepted them, pulling her tight against my body.

"What the hell is going on in here?" Iggy's voice said sleepily from the door. We ignored it, staying confined from the world in our own little bubble of happiness.

That was, until Little One started to cry.

Max

This felt all too familiar; all the people, waiting in their seats, being scared as hell to step out and be seen by all those people, especially looking like I was. The only difference this time was that instead of having only two girls talk me into going out, I had three.

"Max," Nudge's soothing voice said, "stop worrying about everything. You look amazing."

Liar, I thought.

"You really do, Max," Angel said. They both looked stunning in their matching blue satin dresses that flowed down to just below their knees. It was late August, and very hot.

"They're right. You need to relax and just let things go as they should," Ella told me.

I looked into the full-length mirror for the zillionth time that sunny afternoon. My dress was ivory-coloured. It flowed all the way down to my feet, but stayed hugged tight to my body. The straps fell off my shoulders and hung level with the top of the dress, which was cut low and emphasized my modest bust. Tiny glass beads were imbedded near the bottom, and I kept worrying that I was going to step on them. The fabric was very light, so I didn't feel like I was sweating to death out in the heat of the day. My blonde hair was curled beyond it's normal amount and hung in little ringlets around the top of my dress, making me feel a little less slutty.

I felt totally wrong.

"Max, it's time to go!" Nudge announced excitedly. Ella smiled at me and ran to take her seat next to Mom. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was it.

Just like they did almost five years ago now, Angel stepped out first, walked down the aisle with Gazzy, and they split off. Then Nudge and Iggy.

Finally, it was my turn. I felt like I was going to be sick, and was about to do so when my feet dragged me forward and I walked, side by side, next to Fang.

I looked over at him. He was dressed in a black tux, which matched his hair perfectly. He was the perfect contrast to me, with my white dress and blonde hair.

"You look amazing," he whispered to me.

"I'm gonna throw up," I told him. He half-grinned, reached over, and grabbed my hand.

"You'll be fine," he assured me. We stood in front of the other friend of my mom's who was a judge.

"Family and friends," he said. "We are gathered here today to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony…"

I looked from Fang to the crowd who was watching us. In the front were Mom and Ella. Little One was sitting patiently in Ella's lap, blowing spit bubbles. Across from them were Allison and Mrs. Neill, who had flown in for the occasion. Behind them were Brigid Dwyer and her crew. I turned back to Fang and, grinning like an idiot, sent a few Ha-Ha-He's-Mine-Now-Bitch thoughts her way.

"Maximum?" the judge said. I jumped.

"Yes!" I said, not knowing what I was agreeing with.

"I now pronounce you man and wife," the judge said with finality. "You may now kiss the bride."

Fang was quick to obey. And he didn't hold back either. He grabbed me and dipped me down toward the ground, kissing me with a passion so extreme that I felt light-headed.

And that was when I knew that, no matter what, we were together.

Forever.