AN

Here it is folks, the sort of short but pretty sappy epologue. Enjoy!

Disclaimer-I own nothing.

No Escape

Epilogue

Ichigo shoveled the last of the snow from the sidewalk and stretched his back. The last ten months had been good. Not easy, but good.

The only shadow that had passed over their lives was Renji's suicide shortly after his arrest. Ichigo hadn't realized just how insane he'd become over the years. At least he was no longer suffering.

"Watch, Uncle Ichigo!" yelled Natsuki.

"I'm watching."

She slid down the gently sloping lawn on her sled, squealing as she zoomed past him. Ichigo smiled and wished he'd remembered the camera this time. That was one of those dad things he hadn't quite gotten the hang of-knowing which moments were going to be the kind he wanted to preserve.

Maybe he should just keep one with him all the time. Seemed like lately, every moment was a good one, worthy of saving.

The home of bad memories had earned a new name. Now it was just home.

"Cocoa's done!" called Rukia from the kitchen.

Natsuki brushed off the snow and ran inside.

Kon and Ririn were holding hands, cute as ever. He'd been accepted at Tokyo University, thanks to his hard work and kick-ass SAT scores. He was leaving next fall, and apparently, he and Ririn were getting in all the time together they could before he went off to become a marine biologist.

Momo was in school, too, working on her nursing degree, which was great for Ichigo and Rukia, because they got to see Natsuki more often than ever.

Ichigo had never thought babysitting could be so much fun.

Rukia set steaming mugs of cocoa in front of them. Her wedding ring sparkled, filling Ichigo with a sense of pride. She was his wife. His family. He could hardly believe how lucky he was to have her in his life permanently.

"You got more marshmallows," said Natsuki.

He gave her an indulgent grin and switched the cups. "Better."

"Yup."

Rukia sat down beside him, close enough to touch. So he did. How could he possibly resist touching a woman as warm and beautiful and sexy as Rukia? He didn't waste effort trying anymore.

"We got a letter today," she said.

Ichigo slid his hand along her thigh. He wouldn't have a chance to be alone with her until after Momo came to pick up Natsuki, but that just gave him more time to plan what he wanted to do to her tonight. Something special.

The idea made his blood heat.

"Oh, yeah?" he asked, a little distracted by thoughts of getting her naked.

Rukia gave him a knowing grin. "Kara will be coming to live with us next week."

Ichigo's heart stopped for a second. This was it. His first foster child with Rukia. Part of him wasn't sure it would ever really happen.

He should have been scared, but he wasn't. He was excited. Thrilled.

He was a father. Uryu had given him a great job designing security plans that let him work from home a lot. He had Rukia and Kon. He had Natsuki a lot of the time. Now he was going to have another little girl to love, too. He was the luckiest man alive.

"Really?" asked Natsuki, her face glowing with anticipation. "Is she the girl you told me about? The one who's almost my age?"

"She sure is," said Rukia.

"We'll get to play together all the time, won't we?"

"All the time," said Ichigo. "When she gets here, maybe you can help us paint her room."

"Purple," declared Natsuki.

"We'll let Kara pick the color, okay?"

"But I get to help?"

"You do."

"Because I'm part of the family?" asked Natsuki.

"That's right," said Ichigo, but he was looking at Rukia. "We're all family now."

"Even the little boy inside Aunt Rukia's belly?" persisted Natsuki.

Ichigo's grin widdened as he reached out a hand and traced a soothing circle over Rukia's round belly. "Especially him."

"Alright guys, whose up for a movie night?" Rukia asked, rising to her feet and pulling Ichigo with her.

"I am!" Natsuki squealed and followed after them as they joined Kon and Ririn in the living room.

Ichigo couldn't think of a time when he had been so content. He could definitely get used to this. This was what life was all about. Being surrounded by the ones you cherished most in the whole wide world. Nothing could ever be better.

AN

Wow, I can't believe it's really over. I feel kind of nostalgic and sad. I just want to thank all of you lovely readers for hanging on to this cray rollercoaster of a story and supporting me the whole way. It's been an honor to serve you. I hope to see you soon in another story!