Thanks for your wonderful reviews – didn't quite hit the 30 I'd hoped for but maybe I was being a little greedy but perhaps you can send this story out with a flurry (ok, so I'm a review slut – not going to be ashamed of it!)

So, this really is the end of this one. Hope it's all been worth the wait!

:o)

Ranger found what he was searching for and stood, dressed to kill in a black tux with his long black hair pulled tight into the back of his neck in a black leather tie, a pale blue buttonniere in his lapel. He motioned to Steph and Connor who were seated on a nearby bench to keep out of the heat of the afternoon sun and the couple got up to join him. Connor was dressed in a single breasted black lounge suit and Steph was wearing a knee length simple, form fitting sleeveless white dress with subtle beaded detail round the neckline that flared out slightly at the hips, show casing the tiny bump that nestled there. Almost flat, thanks to her seemingly permanently swollen ankles, pale blue satin Mary Janes on her feet matched with the rose in Ranger's jacket

The only sounds around them came from the impatient sounds of busy traffic and the staccato drum beat of huge construction projects that bustled around them, oblivious to the emotions that hung thickly in the air.

Steph smiled sadly as she moved slightly faster, pulling a reluctant Connor along by his hand and it wasn't long before the three of them met in front of the long, waist high bronze parapet that was the sole focus of their rendezvous. The everyday sounds were now replaced by the soft thunderous sounds of cascading water.

Silently Connor traced the words etched into the metal as a tear slowly tipped from his eye and slid down his cheek. He didn't notice it.

Megan Rose Armitage

William Frank Deary

Mary Louise Deary

Vanessa Grace Deary

He stared without seeing as tears continued to wander unhindered down his face before hurling themselves, seemingly recklessly, from the line of his jaw and onto the pavement – oddly reminiscent of a desperate act captured on camera which spread round the stunned world like wildfire so many years ago on this very spot.

Steph grabbed his hand again and gave it a squeeze to give him comfort and he briefly raised his eyes and gave her a watery smile before returning to the words at the end of his fingertips. The midday sun glinted from a large solitary diamond on Steph's left hand - the only piece of jewellery she was wearing - as Ranger wrapped his arm round her from behind, separating her from Connor as he splayed his hands protectively over her abdomen.

They stood for what seemed like hours "lest we forget" someone finally said quietly and all three of them nodded.

The trio split up, Connor continued to stare at the names of his lost family, seemingly unaware that he was now on his own as the others headed off towards a different section of the parapet, searching out the segment that was dedicated to the firemen that were lost on that awful day.

When they reached their destination, Ranger finally found the words 'Harry Arthur Plum' which lay before them, etched for eternity.

Leaning her head against his shoulder, Steph let out a deep sorrowful sigh.

"Babe." He said, pulling her closer, lending her his strength.

"They will not be forgotten." He finally added.

They all stood lost in their thoughts and memories of that horrendous, life changing day so long ago, as darkness slunk up and began to wrap itself around them and lights began to glow from the bases of the two monuments like fingers searching, reaching into the darkening sky.

Eventually, the lone man walked over to the couple.

"Thank you." He said. His simple words conveying so much more.

Ranger nodded before straightening up and glancing at his watch.

"Time to go, I don't think Rees and Vera would forgive us if we're late."

"Yeah, Ranger is never late." Steph giggled "and Les would never let him forget it if he's late for our big day too!"

A lightbulb went off in Connor's head. "Hey, isn't it bad luck to see your bride on your wedding day?" he asked bemusedly.

"Don't think it matters for a joint wedding." Steph stage whispered.

Ranger smirked "Babe."

"What? Works for me!" she added pretending to be offended as her hands wandered up the outside of his jacket as he hugged her close.

Everyone nodded at the relief this happy banter had provided. As they turned to leave Connor thought he heard a woman's voice whispering his name.

"Sorry Steph, what was that?" he asked as he turned round, he thought he'd heard someone say "It's time."

"Didn't say anything." Replied a confused Steph, her eyebrows knitting together monetarily in mild confusion. "You ok?"

Connor nodded his head slightly then heard the voice again. It sounded familiar. He tipped his head slightly and listened again.

"I'm so proud of, Con, you've come so far. Go, live your life to the max, you deserve it. We'll be watching and smiling." It whispered.

"Megan?"

"Mhmmm. Be the man you know you can be, fulfil our dream, Con." The voice added softly, smiling with amusement.

"Megan?!" He whispered again, reverently.

"You OK, Buddy?" Ranger asked concerned as he put his hand on Connor's shoulder.

Connor gulped then nodded. "Never better." he added, his eyes searching the empty air around him.

The three of them turned and began to walk away.

"Don't ever forget us. But it's time for you to be move on and be happy… to love again." The voice whispered.

Connor nodded.

"You sure you're ok?" Steph asked, grabbing his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze which Connor returned.

"Yeah, never better." He replied. "I'll catch you up, just be a minute."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, we mustn't keep the other happy couple waiting. I'll meet you there."

Ranger nodded and sensing Connor's need to be alone for a couple more minutes he softly tugged on Steph's arm. "Let's get that weight off your feet, Babe." He said. "It's just a couple of blocks to the hotel and it's a nice night." Steph smiled in agreement.

"See you at the altar." She grinned at Connor before the pair moved off.

"I don't know if you can still hear me." Connor continued.

The wind shifted and seemed to caress his face. He leant into its soft touch.

"There's so much more I wanted to say." He added, his eyes filling again as his heart seemed to constrict painfully in his chest.

"I wanted to meet our baby. I wanted to know what he or she looked like…"

"She…"

"I wanted to know that my baby sister was happy…"

"She was so in love…"

"I'm glad. Oh I've so missed you, Megs…"

"I know…"

"Please don't leave me ever again." He added panicking slightly as he sensed her presence lessening.

"Gotta go, Con. I'll be watching, move on, Baby, it's time to love again. Please love again…"

"I don't know if I can…"

"You will… when the time is right…"

He sighed, the strength of her voice was weakening.

"Thank you." He whispered fiercely. "For loving me so much…"

"Go grab the life we never had, for me? Please?" Her voice replied with just as much passion even as her strength faded and the last word was only an echo.

A fading memory…

He nodded, no more words seemed to be needed.

None would have come out anyway.

He knew at that moment she'd finally gone.

Taking a deep breath to settle his faltering breath, he closed his eyes to push out the last of the tears.

As he stepped away from Ground Zero he turned and bumped into a petite blonde with startling grey eyes. "sorry!" he said as he returned her to an upright position. She giggled at his apparent nervousness. The sound went straight to his heart.

"That's ok." She added, gently removing the hands that still held her.

"Oh, sorry!" he said again as he released her, flushing with embarrassment.

"I just wanted to check that you were alright. I don't mean to sound nosy but you seemed in need of a friend." She explained as she handed him a kleenex.

"Silly really." He replied. "This is the first time I've had the courage to come here. It's been… cathartic. I needed to …" he was lost for words as he dabbed at his eyes, self consciously.

"I understand." The woman added. "I lost my husband that day. We'd only been married a month." She added, searing pain momentarily flooding her face. Taking a breath to settle herself "If you ever just want to talk…" she continued brightly.

"Yeah, thanks." He added then looked at his watch. "Crap! Gonna be late!" he winced out. "Friend's getting married." He added, seemingly reluctant to leave this unexpected, albeit tenuous, link to his past.

"Gimme a call if you want to talk." She added, rifling through a small satchel slung diagonally across her body and pulling out a card which she handed him.

"Will do!" he waved as he turned and began to leave, glancing quickly at the card he was holding. "Martha Wrobel, friendly ear to those who need it." The card said.

Looking heavenward, he smiled. Perhaps he would be ok after all.

So, waddya think? Please let me know, it's my only form of payment and makes all the hours of soul searching for the right words worth it.

Bye for now.

xxx