Note: Thanks for everyone who read and enjoyed the story. Special thanks to SilverMidnight52, TRDowden1, sunsetsoverwater, magickmaven, and Compactor, for their time and patience helping me with the story! You are all kind, thoughtful authors! Thank you so much!

Who knows if there will be any future "Otter Pond" stories in the future.

Epilogue: Wedding Planning

Three Months Later

Jennifer couldn't take the torture anymore and finally screamed.

Duke jumped a little in his seat, as the papers he was sorting scattered around. He looked to see Jennifer resting her head on the table in defeat.

"What's wrong?" Duke asked.

Jennifer looked up and gave Duke an awkward smile.

"I'm sorry; did I mess up your inventory?" Jennifer asked, embarrassed.

Duke gave her a relaxed smile. "Don't worry; I needed a break, and I think you need one as well."

Jennifer smiled, agreeing, and walked over to Duke, as he collected his papers.

"What are you working on?" Jennifer asked, once she sat down next to him.

"Just cleaning out Silver Eyes Estate; so far I got them into 'recycle,' 'throw away,' 'donate,' or 'destroy,'" Duke said, reviewing his filling system.

Obviously Arla and Wade no longer had control over Silver Eyes Estate, but Duke wanted his home 'fumigated' and 'cleansed' before he moved back. The Teague brothers and Jennifer welcomed Duke and his servants to stay at True Heart Castle. They also assisted in cleaning out the Estate. When they found the brick that held Roland's ghost, Vince and Dave took it, discreetly winked at Jennifer and Duke, saying: "We'll put him somewhere safe."

The transition into True Heart Castle went quite well, and former friends were reunited. Eleanor and Gloria were actually old friends who haven't seen each other in years, and were happy to catch up on news. Also, ever since the residents of Silver Eyes Estate moved in, romance was in the air. Stan was courting Julia, and Rudy was going out with Jess. Even the Teague brothers were dating Eleanor and Gloria. Perhaps Duke was the first living example of the Crocker family motto: 'Omnia Vincit Amor:' 'Loves Conquers All.'

Audrey's and Nathan's wedding was fast approaching; it was one week away and Jennifer and Duke helped with the plans. Working on their wedding helped Jennifer and Duke plan their own wedding, even though a date was not set.

The worst event which occurred was having James killed by Arla, which was painful for everyone, and left Nathan without a best man. However, he did ask Duke to fill the role, which surprised everyone, including Duke! Duke happily accepted, even before Nathan said Duke didn't have to make a speech. Jennifer was honored and delighted when Audrey asked her to be her maid of honor.

The next unfortunate event was that Sir Howard was supposed to be the one who gave away Audrey since he was her guardian. Then a political scandal was revealed and he fled to unknown lands to escape prosecution. Even though it was unconventional, Charlotte thought she should give away the bride, and everyone liked the idea. Vince and Dave created a believable false backstory for Charlotte to protect her true identity.

Author's Note: Charlotte asked Duke to introduce her to the Teague brothers, Gloria, and his servants as they had gained her trust and to thank them.

After those problems were solved, Nathan and Audrey just had to deal with normal issues of planning a wedding. Well, expect for the etiquette lessons for Tommy, Claire, and Dwight, but they weren't that difficult. Just those lessons were constantly interrupted by the animals asking questions about human behaviors and customs.

"So what's the problem?" Duke asked when he was done filing.

"It's the wedding venues; nothing seems right," Jennifer said.

"Perhaps another opinion would help," Duke offered.

"No, I don't want to—"

"It's our wedding; I should be involved as well," Duke said, grinning.

Jennifer smiled, and kissed Duke on his cheek and hugged him before she ran back to the table and collected the pamphlets. She laid them out for Duke. Duke looked through each one.

"Let's see . . . huh . . . um . . ." Duke muttered as he looked through the pamphlets. After he put the last one down, he had a brilliant smile on his face. "I got it."

"What?" Jennifer eagerly asked.

"We'll elope."

Jennifer rolled her eyes and playfully poked Duke. "I promise Vince and Dave that they'll be at my wedding. How am I going to explain to them that I eloped?"

"Okay; we'll elope and have them be witnesses," Duke answered.

Jennifer's response was to throw a pillow at him, which Duke retaliated by pulling her into his lap and tickling her. The tickle fight ended with Duke lying on the sofa and Jennifer sitting on him.

"I'll tell you why we can't elope; it would be rude to not invite Charlotte, especially since she gave us early wedding presents," Jennifer said.

Duke smiled and shifted so Jennifer was once again sitting on his lap, and kissed her.

"I wouldn't do that to Charlotte," Duke said, combing his fingers through her hair. "Not after everything she has done for us."

Duke actually thought changing into an otter at will was cool and accepted Charlotte's offer. She also gave Jennifer the ability to communicate and understand animals. Charlotte told the couple to consider her gifts as early wedding presents.

Jennifer smiled back and kissed Duke. Duke then noticed the time.

"Hey, we better get going to the wedding rehearsal; I don't want Nathan to be annoyed with me again," Duke said and helped Jennifer to her feet as he stood up.

"But we still need to pick a wedding venue," Jennifer said.

Duke looked at Jennifer and kissed her.

"We have plenty of time to think and plan," Duke said as he took her hand. "We don't need to rush; we can do this together."

Jennifer smiled back. "You're right; we can do this together."

Duke grinned as they left to get prepared for the wedding rehearsal.

Nathan's and Audrey's wedding day was wonderful. Audrey looked lovely in her wedding dress, and Charlotte and Jennifer looked pretty in their own dresses. Nathan and Duke looked quite handsome in their suits.

Tommy, Dwight, and Claire behaved like humans during the ceremony, even though Tommy wanted to sleep, Claire wanted to preen herself, and Dwight wanted to start sampling the wedding banquet.

The ceremony was beautiful, yet simple, and everyone cheered when Audrey and Nathan kissed at the end.

Before the party, Nathan had an announcement that Aether Lands and Spiral Guard were merging into one region: Aether Guard. Jennifer and Duke had also decided to merge their regions into one land named Silver Heart.

Everyone had a grand time at the party. In the middle of the celebration, Jennifer heard the orchestra playing her favorite song that was performed at her party. Jennifer looked at Audrey, and noticed Nathan whispering to Duke.

"Nathan and I wanted to give you another chance since Wade and Arla ruined your party," Audrey said, as Duke walked over to Jennifer and offered his hand.

Jennifer looked at Duke, then back at Audrey. She smiled her thanks to the bride and accepted Duke's hand.

Duke led Jennifer to the dance floor, and they began dancing. Dancing with Duke was more amazing than she dreamed, as they smiled as each other, enjoying their dance.

The crowd applauded when they were done, and they smiled back their acknowledgement. Jennifer then got Duke's attention, by nodding, indicating Audrey, Nathan, and Charlotte. The three were staring at something else. Jennifer and Duke followed their gaze, and couldn't believe their eyes.

Outside, applauding, was James's ghost. Audrey tried to hide her tears as James gratefully smiled at them. Duke and Jennifer discreetly waved at him, and he nodded back. As he waved to his cousin, her family, and friends, the breeze picked up, and James floated away with the flower petals, finally at peace.

When the wedding was over, and Audrey and Nathan were off on their honeymoon, Jennifer asked Duke if they could stop by his cabin for some quiet time, and he agreed.

Jennifer looked out at Rouge Pond as Duke lounged on top of his bed, watching her.

"It would be nice if we could have the wedding here," Jennifer said, looking at Duke, then thought over her idea. "That wouldn't work; we can't show everyone Rouge Pond."

Duke smiled. "We'll think of something; it will be all right."

Jennifer smiled back, agreeing. She then joined Duke lounging on the bed. The two looked at each other smiling, admiring their matching rings. They then kissed, embracing each other. Duke was soon aware that Jennifer was taking off his shirt. Duke paused.

"I am doing—" Jennifer started to say.

"No; I'm just surprised that all," Duke said. "You're not worried giving birth to anthropomorphic otters?"

Jennifer chuckled. "Like you said, we'll make things work."

Duke smiled at her as he undid her dress and they kissed.

Since that night, they lived—

Author's Note: No, no, that's too clique and oversimplified their relationship. What are the right words?

. . . . . . . .

Got it.

After their wedding, and everything Duke and Jennifer have been through, they knew that they will be okay.