Author Note: Thanks goes to Amy Lynne Weed and jessahvi for becoming followers to this story. Thanks also goes to THE Kid Hardy, Guest, DeeMarie426, LindaPipeBomb, and Lilygirl95 for the reviews. So we've finally come down the final chapter. I'm so thrilled to know that so many of liked this story. I really hope that you give my next story and chance as well. It's called 'Pull Me Down'. I hope you enjoy reading the last installment.

"Cos' I'd give my life for you

And I'd die right here for you

You are the one

We're one and the same

You are my life

Just call out my name

And I'll lead you through this open door"

'I Live' by: Nemesea

Chapter 43/Epilogue

Rydia felt weird holding that Diva's Championship over her shoulder; but she played the part of a champion well. Rydia owed Emilee a lot for everything she did. She was the one who outsmarted Nick in the first place. None of the others had achieved that, not even her. Standing in front of her father's grave gave her a sense of peace that hadn't been there since the beginning of the whole situation.

"He's finally going to get what's coming to him, dad." She whispered placing her hand against the headstone.

The breeze picked up, flowing through her long hair. It was as if there were words attached to that gust of wind. There were so many things he missed. Some good and some bad; but it was all part of the circle of retribution. Placing the rose across the top of the stone, she turned away making her way back to the waiting car.

"Are you okay?" Roman asked as he watched her sit down on the passenger seat.

"Yeah...I told him that Nick will finally get what's coming to him. We all should be able to rest now that he's behind bars."

He nodded his head and started the car up. He drove quickly back to the airport. Their flight was going to take them back home. Dean and Mia had just gotten home with Rylynn and they both wanted to see the baby. Especially Rydia. Leaving Texas was hard for her, since she spent all of her life there; but now that she lived in Florida things were slightly different. This time she had the man that completed her by her side.

Pensacola, Florida/ Dean and Mia's Home

Mia held Rylynn close to her chest, rocking her in a chair near the open window. Gazing down at her daughter's perfect face made her realize exactly what she now had, and that was a family of her own. Dean walked into the nursery with two glasses of Iced Tea. He leaned over to place her glass on the windowsill. "You know that you can put her down." He stated placing a gentle hand on his daughter's tiny head.

"I don't want to. I didn't get to hold her when she was born for more than a second. They wouldn't let me hold her while she was in the intensive care unit." She replied.

"I know. The others will be here soon."

He knelt down and placed his lips against the warm cheek of Rylynn. Her dark hair was just like her mother's and looking at her blue eyes was like looking into a mirror. There was no doubt in his mind that she'd grow up to be just as beautiful as her mother. "Okay miss Rylynn, are you ready to meet everyone?" Mia asked snuggling into her daughter's face.

It didn't take long for door to be knocked upon. Dean quickly walked out of the room to answer it. The door was opened to reveal Seth and Skye standing there with smiles upon their faces. Skye's fingers were twined with Seth's. He wondered when the change had happened; but then he did realize that he wasn't fully aware while his daughter was being born.

"Hey guys, come on in. Mia will be down shortly. She getting the baby ready."

"So how does it feel? To be a father, I mean." Skye asked with a smile.

"There is no other feeling like it. She has changed me completely."

Seth had nothing to say, because he knew that Mia and Rylynn were the best for him. He wanted the best for his friend. Skye turned in his direction and gave him a soft kiss to his lips before walking into the large living room. Emilee was the next to arrive. She wanted to be there for the new mother as much as she could. On top of the fact that she wanted to be friends with the entire group.

"Emilee, it's so great to see you." Mia said walking down the stairs holding a bundle of pink in her arms.

"Did you really think I'd miss this?" She asked.

"Well considering what happened on the day I gave birth, I wasn't so sure I'd ever see you again."

Mia made the rest of the way down the stairs and entered the living room, hoping that everyone was there; but there were two that were missing. Her sister and Roman. Skye stood up and started her small walk to the new mom. "I've been waiting to see her for so long and that I see her...I can say that she's absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you."

"So where is Rydia and Roman?" Emilee asked.

"They said they were coming right?" Mia asked looking at Dean with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, I talked to Roman this morning." He replied.

The sound of a key unlocking the front door was an indication that they had arrived. Rydia opened the door and pulled her bags inside. She turned her head to see everyone in the living room. A smile appeared on her lips almost instantly. Roman entered the home seconds later. His long black hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and his beautifully dark eyes connected with the small infant in Mia's arms.

"Oh my, she's so beautiful." Rydia swooned instantly closing the distance between her and her niece.

"Well she was named partially for you. You've been through so much over the last year that no one could ever understand. You are strong and I want her to know that about you."

"Mia, my strength came from all of you. If I didn't have any of you, I would have given up a long time ago.

Roman twined his fingers with hers, giving her the strength that she spoke of. Mia knew that if Roman wouldn't have involved himself in her sister's life, things would have turned out so very differently. She had to thank him for that, because maybe Rydia wouldn't be standing there in front of her without him. "Roman..." Mia started.

"Yeah..."

"I want to thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

Mia handed Rylynn over to a waiting Skye. That was the first time Dean had really seen her without the baby in her arms. He watched his fiance take steps to close the gap between her and Roman. "If you hadn't gotten involved with Ry, I seriously doubt that she'd be here today to celebrate my daughter with me. You had every opportunity to walk away from her when things got rough and almost unmanageable; but you didn't. You are the reason my sister is alive."

"No, I'm not the only reason. We all protected her. I love her and would have never given up on her, even when she couldn't remember me."

Rydia smiled and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Mia smiled and nodded her head in understanding. Roman turned to the side to face his girlfriend. The group watched anxiously. They were waiting for what they knew was coming. "What?" Rydia asked wondering why he was staring at her so intently.

"Rydia, you realize that us meeting was fate. I was meant to be yours. I was meant to break you free of Nick."

"Of course, I know that."

Roman reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Rydia's heart started to accelerate. She had a feeling that she knew what was coming and that her sister had something to do with it. She watched him kneel down on one knee in front of her. His fingers opened the box to reveal the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen.

"Rydia Isabel Chandler, will you marry me?" He asked.

Her words were caught in her through as she tried to hold back the tears of joy that were threatening to spill over her lashes. Seth watched closely. He was happy that she finally had everything that she deserved in life. "Yes..." She choked out nodding her head at the same time.

He pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her finger before standing up to kiss her. All Emilee could do was watch the former love of her life become engaged right before her eyes. She thought that it would hurt more than it really did. She was happy for them, because despite everything that happened she would find someone of her own.

Texas State Prison

Nick sat in a small room awaiting to see his father. He was actually surprised that the man wanted to see him after being caught by the cops. It didn't surprise him to learn that he cut him out of the will. His actions spoke for themselves and none of them were creditable. Taping his fingertips on the wooden top of the table, the door finally opened to reveal his father.

"Hello dad." Nick greeted.

"I didn't come here to chit chat with you. I came here to say goodbye."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You have disgraced our family. Do you have any idea what you've done to all of us? Your mother? Your sister?"

Nick snorted in annoyance. He really didn't give a damn about some family reputation. Ronald continued to glare at his son. He really couldn't comprehend the state of mind his son had to be to commit such crimes against Rydia and the people she was close to. "There is no excuse that makes your actions okay. You tortured that woman and the people she loves. You left her in a freaking coma for six months."

"She deserved everything she got and then some. She got lucky that someone actually outsmarted me; otherwise, she'd be dead."

Ronald was appalled by Nick's words. He wondered where he had gone wrong as a parent to have raised such a heartless and emotionless man as a son. "It doesn't matter. We will be supporting Rydia during the trial. You will be punished to the fullest extend of the law."

"Is that all you came here to tell me?"

Ronald turned his back to his son and walked out of the conference room. Nick just stared at the wall in front of him thinking about everything he had done to the woman he once loved with every fiber of his being. He honestly didn't know what changed inside him; but there was no going back and there was certainly no apologizing for anything. It would be meaningless and a waste of his time to try.

Epilogue

Rydia and the others sat in the courtroom. They were awaiting the sentencing for Nick Grayson. Karen Chandler sat behind her daughters holding her sleeping granddaughter in her arms. She watched Rydia twist her engagement ring around her finger over and over again in attempts to calm her nerves. Roman grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"All rise for the honorable Judge."

Every stood up as the judge made his way back to his seat. Nick turned his head slightly to see Rydia. His heart broke upon seeing the sparkle of the diamond on her finger. That was all he ever wanted with her, now that he had had time to think about everything he had done to her. "As the jury reached a verdict?" The judge asked.

"We have your honor." Jury number one stated.

She passed a piece of paper to the officer and then he passed it to the judge. He quickly read it contents before allowing the jury member speak the verdict. "On the count of murder in the second degree of Paul Chandler, how does the jury find him?"

"Guilty."

"On the count of attempted murder of Rydia Chandler and Skye Atherton, how does to jury find him?"

"Guilty."

A wave of relief washed over the entire group. They were finally completely free of him and they could finally live their lives without having to look over their shoulders. Nick had been sentenced to fifty years in prison without parole. Rydia watched as the officer carted Nick away. He looked back to see her one more time before he could no longer see her face.

"Well Paul finally got justice, how do you feel?" Skye asked Karen.

"Better. I feel a lot better knowing that he is behind bars and can longer hurt any of you ever again." She replied.

Outside the courthouse, Roman and Rydia sat down on the stairs awaiting everyone else to emerge. His hand rested on her thigh. "Are you okay?" He asked softly kissing her temple. She nodded her head and leaned against his chest.

"I'm just so glad this is over and we can concentrate on us."

"You are my everything, Rydia and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

She lifted her head up and looked into his eyes. There was nothing but honesty in them. Plunging forward, she captured his lips with her own. His hands cupped the sides of her face as his lips caressed hers. Her heart swelled at the thought of them being together forever and maybe someday they'd welcome a child into their world; but until then they vowed to make each other happy on a daily basis. "Forever, baby girl. Forever." He whispered against her lips before kissing them once more.

End Note: Well there you have it. I hope you all enjoyed the ending. Please let me know what you all thought and if you all want to, you can read my new story 'Pull Me Down'. I really enjoyed writing this for all of you.