Time passed and winter came. Audrey was growing more and more miserable. She wasn't allowed to visit the village without an escort now. Even so whenever she did enter the village she looked around for a sign of Ted, hoping he had found a job somewhere else. But no sign of him. Not seeing him in months caused her to realize how much she really did like Ted...maybe even more than liked. She sung to herself one day in her room about it:

He was very sweet, and really kind

He wasn't rich but he was still so refined

Though now he's not here...I'm not sure

But there is something there that wasn't there before

My life is now very blah

Without Ted I have no reason to smile or ha

They way I feel I can't ignore

There is certainly something new that wasn't there before

New and a bit alarming

Who'd have ever thought that this could be?

My best friend, now my Prince Charming

For the true heart in him I have finally seen

"Ted...I love you." Audrey realized. "I need to see you again."

Now more desperate than ever, Audrey sneaked out that very night. She headed for Ted's house, only to find an old note on the door. She read it and felt horrible: Ted had admitted his love for her in the note and explained why he left. He also left instructions on how to get to his grandpa's estate (thanks to Grammy Norma), so Audrey followed those instructions all the way to the estate.

Since she was on foot it took a very long time, but she kept going. It was the next evening when she finally reached the estate. Exhausted, she knocked on the door and collapsed.

Once-ler went downstairs to open the door, wondering who his visitor could be.

"If Sally hadn't lost her husband in a hunting accident years ago I would guess that it's him at the door." Once-ler remarked.

Imagine his surprise when he opened the door: there was a beautiful red-haired girl unconscious at his doorstep. Once-ler quickly and gently picked her up and took her inside.

"Hm...?" Audrey said weakly.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you." Once-ler said. "I'd better bring you to the fireplace so that you can warm up."

"You must be Ted's grandfather." Audrey realized despite her condition.

"That's right...are you Audrey?" Once-ler asked.

"Yes..."

"Rest on this chair then, I'll go get him." Once-ler gently helped her sit on a chair in front of the fireplace.

"Thank you..."

Once-ler rushed to Ted's bedroom and knocked on the door.

"Grampy? What is it?" Ted asked after opening the door.

"There's a red-haired woman named Audrey downstairs." Once-ler explained.

Ted dropped his mouth open and even paled a bit. He then rushed downstairs to see if it was true. When he saw Audrey in the living room near the fireplace he still wasn't sure if it was true.

"Audrey?" He said.

Audrey, having regained enough strength to open her eyes, opened them and saw Ted.

"Ted!" Audrey gasped happily.

She instantly forgot how tired and cold she was and rushed over to hug Ted tightly. Ted froze at first, confused by many things, but then hugged her back.

"I can't believe you're here...I mean I did leave you instructions on my note but still..." Ted didn't know whether to cheer or cry.

"I snuck out, last night." Audrey explained. "I had to see you Ted because...I love you."

Ted's heart suddenly healed and started to beat faster. He beamed, overjoyed.

"I love you too...which you already know thanks to my note but I've been waiting to say that to you for years." Ted smiled.

"How come you never said anything before?" Audrey asked.

"Insecure, I guess, and also scared that you'd reject me."

"You have nothing to be insecure about, you're the best guy I've ever known and will ever know." Audrey smiled. "And I'll never reject you."

Ted and Audrey then kissed.

By that point Sally and Grammy Norma had arrived, having overheard Once-ler talking to Ted. Obviously they were overjoyed for their son/grandson. Once-ler was there too, but in the background.

"Audrey," Ted said once he and Audrey ended the kiss. "I know you've already met my mom and grandma, but now I'd like you to officially meet my grandfather Once-ler."

Audrey now clearly saw Once-ler for the first time. She gasped and put a hand to her mouth.

"What happened to you?" She asked.

Once-ler explained his backstory.

"Oh." Audrey looked at him sympathetically. "I'm very sorry to hear that. Still, I'm glad you're a very kind man, and thank you for letting me in."

Once-ler smiled.

"No problem, I'm just glad that Ted is with the one he loves." He said. "And feel free to stay for as long as you want."

"I'll stay here as long as Ted stays." Audrey smiled.

"Then that'll be forever." Ted smiled back.

"Sounds perfect."