A/N: Thank you everyone for making this my most followed and reviewed story - It makes me feel great! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
The time has finally come for this to end! Here is the final chapter and the epilogue should have uploaded at the same time (because I want you to read them at the same time but the second part is so much later time-wise that it can't be in the same chapter).

Congratulations!

Kevin woke, looked down and smiled. He knew that Clyde would never know of him smiling at such a thing, and when his boyfriend awoke he would act cross about it, but Kevin secretly loved it when Clyde slept open-mouthed, drooling on him. It meant Clyde was having very happy dreams.

He stroked Clyde's head and looked at the time on his bedside alarm clock - seven-thirty. He knew Clyde would have to get up for church soon, but they had a little longer. He slipped out of bed, pulled on Clyde's robe - because he was only wearing boxers on his lower half - and decided to make breakfast.

Downstairs, he narrowly avoiding having his ankles bitten by the cat, who hated him and always would. He knew she was definitely going to utilise his absence from the bed to curl up next to Clyde. He frowned at the cat and threatened to feed her to his mom if she didn't start behaving. He laughed at his own racist joke and walked into the kitchen. Susan was already up and dressed in her church clothes, doing what appeared to be paperwork. She smiled at Kevin.

"Good morning, love."

"Morning."

"I saw your mom yesterday at the store; she spoke to me." Kevin's eyes opened wide and he stared at Susan in shock, immediately worrying that his mom had offended her. Often the things she said came out offensive, even if she didn't mean it like that.

"Was she okay with you?"

"She was more than okay. She invited us over for dinner tonight."

"She what?!" Kevin gasped. "That's quite... wow. Mom almost never has guests over." She wasn't big on entertaining and having others judging her abilities, as outstanding as her cooking was. Like herself, she believed that everyone would immediately pick out the negative points, while leaving their praise and positive feelings buried inside.

"She wants Clyde to come as well, so we can all have a meal together for the first time."

"And did you accept?"

"Yes. Is that alright with you, love? I know how your mom can be..."

Kevin bit his lip and nodded. "It's fine with me. She's really trying at the moment. It... It could be good."

Susan smiled. "I'm sure it will be." She stood up and brushed her fringe out her eyes. "Now, what can I get you."

"Oh no! It's fine!" chimed Kevin. "You're busy doing work. I'm happy to make breakfast. Clyde's still sleeping and I know food is one of his favourite things to wake up to." He smiled at Susan, who was glancing back at her papers. He was amazed sometimes how calm she stayed. Even though she always had too much work, she never acted like it was a problem. She could spend a whole day with the family and still get it done for the next day. Kevin had no idea how but he thought she was marvellous.

"I do need to get these done." She sat down again and picked up her pen. Kevin nodded and fetched the frying pan from its place in the cupboard, deciding to make eggs. It was an accepted fact in the house that Kevin knew where all the cooking implements were - he'd made dinner for Clyde more than enough times... or breakfast... or lunch... or any meal really that wasn't from a fast-food joint. He loved this fact. It made him happy to be such an important part of Clyde and his love of food, because if you didn't get an enjoyment from food, you wouldn't survive with Clyde Donovan very long.

Kevin heard a moaning voice to suggest that maybe his boyfriend wasn't sleeping after all.

"Kevinnn," Clyde whined as he walked down the stairs and trundled lazily into the kitchen. He had neglected to put anything more on his bottom half than boxers, but was wearing an old t-shirt. "I woke up on my own!" He stuck his bottom lip out and pulled on Kevin's waist. Kevin turned around and gave him a hug before flicking his bottom lip.

"You lived."

"That's not the point!"

"I'm making you breakfast."

"Well..." Clyde looked at the eggs in the pan hungrily. "Okay, I forgive you." He kissed Kevin's head and sat down at the kitchen table, turning to Susan. "Good morning."

She sighed. "Clyde, aren't you going to offer to make the eggs since Kevin's your guest?" Clyde laughed at the thought and Kevin turned around quickly, raising his eyebrow.

"Do you really think that's wise?"

She blinked and then shook her head. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking." She patted Clyde's back. "Just sit there and keep very still."

Clyde nodded. "That's probably best."

"Actually, now you're here, there's something your father and I need to tell you." She turned her head to the living room door and called his name. After no reply she called louder and then waited. Roger appeared in the doorway, half-dressed in his church clothes. His pants were on and his shirt buttoned, but untucked and he seemed engaged in a battle with his tie.

"Yes, love?" Roger growled at his wonky knot. "This is what happens when you spend a lifetime wearing clip-ons!" She laughed and stood up to fix it, smiling lovingly. He sighed and let her.

"I was just saying that we have something to tell Clyde, preferably before we force Megan up?"

"Ah, yes." He nodded. "Tell Clyde first to see what he thinks." Roger turned to look at his son.

"What is it?" asked Clyde, looking between the two of them, and at the eggs in the pan. A possibility entered his mind and he smiled because it was something that would make him very happy. Kevin continued cooking the eggs and listened quietly, though he could see in Susan's face that it was meant for him to hear as well. Roger smiled.

"I asked Susan to marry me."

Yes, it was exactly what Clyde was expecting and had expected for a while. He jumped up and wrapped his arms around his father, hugging him tightly. He let go after a few seconds and did the same to Susan, grinning manically.

"Can we take it that you approve?" asked his dad with an amused voice.

"YES YES YES!" Clyde jumped excitedly. "I've been waiting for this moment! I knew it would happen! Oh my God, it happened!" He stopped jumping and frowned at Susan's hand. "Where's the ring!?"

"Ah!" exclaimed Clyde's dad, reaching in his trouser pocket and pulling out a small black box. "Obviously we didn't want you to see it before we told you." He opened the box and carefully removed the diamond ring. The ring was beautiful, tasteful with a small clear diamond inside. He showed it to Clyde and Kevin, who marvelled at its beauty, and then placed it gently on Susan's finger with a kiss. "I love you."

Just as Clyde was planning on waking her, Megan appeared in the doorway and sniffed the eggs. "Mmmm." She looked around at them all and noticed Clyde's face. She sighed. "Why are you crying so early in the morning?" She flicked her eyes to her dad and Susan and then eventually down to the ring. Her eyes went wide in an expression similar to seeing a ghost and having it hand you a million dollars - shock. Her mouth fell open and she stared in silence.

Roger spoke softly. "Susan and I are engaged."

Megan burst into tears and threw herself at them. "A proper family! I have a proper family!" Susan had of course cried then... The whole family had cried. If not for it being so early in the morning and the family having to be at church very soon, they would have been uncorking champagne.

Clyde wiped a tear from his eye. "This day is perfect."

"Well..." Kevin said hesitantly.

"What?"

"Your family's coming over to mine for dinner." He smiled awkwardly. "If there's one person who can ruin a perfect day, it's my mom."

Clyde took a deep breath. "That's certainly... an interesting development."

"Bring the cat," replied Kevin. "We can eat her." He smirked and handed Clyde a plate of eggs. "Enjoy..."

That evening, Clyde and Kevin sat on Kevin's bed, facing each other and preparing themselves for the hopefully lovely evening they were about to enjoy. Kevin fastened the button on Clyde's left sleeve and smiled. Clyde smiled back and remembered a message he'd been meaning to deliver.

"Megan isn't coming. She's gone over to Karen's."

"She'd rather put up with Kenny's parents than mine?" Kevin chuckled. Clyde shook his head and laughed too, massaging his hands over Kevin's shoulders and feeling this was doing a good job when Kevin closed his eyes and groaned slightly.

"She's just being Megan. It's what she does best."

"...Can't argue with that!" Kevin made another pleased noise as Clyde dug his hands deeper. He pulled on Clyde's shirt, fumbling for the buttons. Clyde laughed lightly.

"My parents will be here any minute. Stop making me all scruffy; you just sorted me out!"

"... I know." Kevin slipped his hand around Clyde's back instead, pulling him closer with a soft sigh. "But that feels good." He ran his hands up Clyde's back. Clyde dropped his hands from Kevin's shoulders to his waist, kissing him slowly as he did so. Kevin kissed back, remaining silent and revelling in the moment until Clyde withdrew his lips spoke again.

"Hey, babe." Kevin could detect the worry in Clyde's tone. He drew his head back and stroked Clyde's face with his thumb.

"Yes?"

"I can't help but feeling slightly guilty. I've been feeling it all day." Clyde sighed and looked into Kevin's bright eyes. "You don't think... You don't think that if my mom looks down on us she'll think I'm replacing her?" He bit his lip. "That's not what I'm doing." He brought a hand up to his head as the expected pain pierced through it. Kevin's hands immediately found their way there as well, and began rubbing.

"No. I don't think she'd think that." He looked into Clyde's slightly sad eyes honestly. "I think that she'll be glad Roger has found someone who makes him happy again, and that you have gained a different type of mother figure. Not a replacement, but someone important to you nonetheless."

"You're right." Clyde sighed and nodded.

"And she'd be so proud at how you've turned out. She'd only want what's best for you, and she'd see how having Susan helps."

Clyde smiled, feeling his headache melt away under Kevin's hands and words. "Yeah?" He leant close to Kevin and kissed him softly once more. He knew all that. He'd just wanted to hear it spoken simply, not twisted around in his head until it held a different meaning. "I love you."

"I love you too." Kevin grinned into another kiss and ran his fingers through Clyde's hair. "And I'd show you if we had time." He satisfied himself instead by kissing up and along Clyde's jaw, until the doorbell rang. They both straightened their shirts and Clyde made a quick prayer for everything to go well. He concluded later that night that obviously somebody had listened.

Kevin's mom was a very observant lady, from the moment she opened the door and took in Susan's appearance, she saw it. Grabbing Susan's hand and forcefully pulling it towards her - so much that Susan had to stumble forward with it - she exclaimed, "You're engaged! Congratulations." She nodded her head at Roger. "Very lovely ring. Good man."

"Thank you," said Susan, smiling and slowly drawing her hand back. "We've only just made the news public. It's very exciting." She grinned down at her ring again. Clyde smiled at her and also looked at the ring again - it really was a beautiful diamond. He had to appreciate such fine jewellery.

Kevin's dad shook Clyde's dad's hand. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," replied Roger. "And thank you for inviting us over."

"We are very honoured to have guests." Mr Stoley smiled and led them into the living room. "My wife loves cooking." She made a noise of agreement, still gazing over Susan's ring and demanding to know every detail.

Kevin looked at Clyde as much to say, "This is going to be a very interesting night." However, regardless of prejudgement, it went surprisingly well. There was no yelling - save for the dads having a 'heated discussion' about the football results, when they both realised they'd supported the opposing teams. Kevin didn't like to think about who'd won in terms of the actual football results because they'd both explained and excused the various points, judging the true score in a very different way.

As they were finishing their main courses and Kevin was drifting between listening to the conversation and having private words with Clyde, Susan said something that regained his interest. She paid a compliment about him to his mother about how polite and considerate he was and how he made a brilliant boyfriend for Clyde. Kevin smiled and bit his lip, looking to his mom for her reply. She smiled proudly.

"Yes, Kevin is a great boy. Very smart. He'll go far, just you watch."

"I'm sure he will!" replied Susan.

Mrs Stoley nodded. "He'll go far... in anything he wants to do. If he doesn't want to be a doctor then that's fine." She linked eyes with Kevin. "I'm proud of you and any way you chose to live your life, because you are a kind and peaceful boy with great passion for the things you love. That passion makes up for if the things you love are a bit-" she flicked her eyes to Clyde, "-unusual."

Kevin shared a mutual smile with his mom for a few silent moments. "Thank you."

She nodded and turned away. "So, Susan, you're a doctor. You must be very clever, I like that..." Kevin fazed out of listening and grinned at Clyde. Clyde grinned back and squeezed his hand under the table.

"This is all so amazing," whispered Kevin.

"Yeah. I guess all we needed was to have faith that things would get better. There was a lot standing in Frodo's way to destroy the ring, but if he could do that, then of course you could wait for your mom to come around."

Kevin laughed. "And Frodo managed to overcome all his obstacles, but only with the help of Sam. Without Sam, he'd have died countless times." He stroked Clyde's hair. Clyde smiled knowingly.

"Yeah. Sam's pretty awesome."

"He's the best."

"I'm sure, if he were here right now, he'd like to know what's for dessert?" Clyde blinked innocently.

"Cheesecake."

"He told me that was one of his favourites!"

"Frodo knows." Kevin grinned and tuned back into the other conversation, which had turned to his father's last trip to China. He felt Clyde's hand creep to his thigh but ignored it, knowing that his boyfriend would just have to be patient for his real dessert. He smirked.