STH © SEGA

Sarah belongs to me, BlackPetals23. Flame and Sunny belong to Phantomask. Alicia belongs to aliciathewolf45. Thanks, guys.

Edited.

Enjoy!

Chapter Nineteen:

We've Survived Another Vacation

The sun was warm, the sand was warm, and Silver was pretty sure he was about to catch on fire. It didn't help that Blaze had fire powers instead of water powers.

His white fur looked a little pink so he had to cover up with a shirt, but even that was too hot. So, he worked with the blanket he was supposed to be sitting on. It wasn't until random kids started coming up to him, asking him if they could bury him did he let go of the blanket.

So, there was Tails sunbathing in a chair, then to his right was Knuckles, then Sonic, and then Shadow. And then Silver was buried under the hot sand and actually enjoying it.

"You've made yourself an oven, dude," Sonic stated.

"Actually, the sand is cooler under the surface," Tails said. "They did him a favor besides the fact that it'll take forever to get the sand out of his fur and quills."

Silver groaned. "And I was just about to enjoy myself."

"Hey, we survived another vacation," Knuckles stated. "What's not to enjoy anymore?"

"How about the fact that Shadow hasn't popped the question yet?" Sonic rested back contentedly in his chair while Shadow glared at him.

"You were going to ask Amy to marry you?" Knuckles peered over at him including Tails. Silver did his best to crane his neck up to glare at Shadow.

Sonic's eyes opened and he gradually turned his head to smirk at Shadow. "You only told me?"

"I told you this morning."

"But you didn't tell them."

"So?"

Sonic dramatically leaned over and exhaled. "I knew you always wanted me as your best man."

"Hey! What about me?!" Silver yelled. "I've been Amy's bestie for years now!"

Shadow looked down at him as if he was a commoner and Shadow was a king. "Well, then I'm sure Amy will be happy to have you has her maid of honor."

Everyone except Silver chuckled or smirked at the statement. Silver glared up at Shadow before pointing up at him with the only free hand he had. "You know what? I'm gonna make that happen and make sure I embarrass you on your wedding day."

"That's if Amy Rose accepts," Knuckles put his hands behind his head.

"Of course she will!" Tails whacked the echidna's shoulder. "I mean, if Rouge said yes to you, Shadow's got this in the bag."

It was Knuckles' turn to glare.

News spread around fast in East Mobius. The townspeople were throwing a banquet in honor of the heroes. Of course, that meant the heroes would be going as the honorary guests.

"They say there will be the best food in Mobius," Sonic looked at his nails while Shadow set out his only suit. "And the fireworks will be out of this world."

"I know what you're thinking," Shadow stated without looking at the blue blur.

Sonic smirked and leaned against the bed. They were the only ones in their hotel room. The girls were in the swimming pool cooling off from the hot sun at the beach. "Oh?"

Shadow merely turned around and threw the small ring box at Sonic who caught it with ease. The hero inspected with humming. "Hmhm…Hmhm…That looks good…That's a nice touch…Oh, oh dear."

"What?" Shadow snorted and peered over his shoulder at Sonic.

The blue hedgehog had put the ring on his left hand, ring finger. He sadly looked up at Shadow. "I'm afraid it doesn't fit, sire."

"Give that to me!" Shadow yanked it off Sonic's finger and put it back in the box while the blue hedgehog held his red finger.

"Ow…So harsh," Sonic kissed his finger.

Shadow chuckled at his frenemy before staring at the ring in the box seriously. "Do you think she'll say yes?"

There was a short pause and then Sonic clasped his hand onto Shadow's shoulder. "Hell yeah. I mean if she doesn't, we'll have to tie to her to a rock and throw her into the ocean."

Shadow gave him a look while the hero smiled innocently.

~~~.~~~

The town square of East Mobius was rather hard to find on a normal day. East Mobius was such a large city; you figured it would be in the center when it was actually lined up with the beach. However, tonight was the easiest night to find it.

Mobians paraded all along the streets while police cars led the parade. A limo carrying all of the friends was in the middle of the parade, sandwiched between the police cruisers, a giant float representing the heroes of Mobius, and then another limo in the back with flags on it. Police cruisers filled in the back of the parade as well, flanking the second limo.

Silver was already digging into the shrimp cocktail that their chauffeur got them, along with champagne and water. He slurped up part of the cocktail sauce that was about to fall and glanced over at a purring Blaze. He smiled at her and blushed. "Do you like my suit?"

She scrutinized the clothing material. "Yes. It looks very good on you." She clasped his purple tie and tightened it to the point where Silver was clutching his throat. "I especially like your tie."

"I did too before it was choking me," Silver coughed and glared playfully at her. "And look at you, Miss Fancy Dress."

Blaze blushed as Silver reached forward and twirled her hair. "And you curled your hair. First time in months since you've done that."

"It was a special occasion."

Silver hummed before planting a soft kiss to her lips. "You look very beautiful, Blazey Wazey."

Blaze opened her mouth to say something about the nickname but only sighed and shook her head softly. She grabbed his chin and brought him closer, pecking his cheek quickly before letting him go back to the food.

Amy smiled at the two before glancing at her own boyfriend. Shadow was tugging at his green tie that was meant to match her emerald dress. Shadow wasn't used to wearing suits, though Mobius was starting to pick up on the clothes trend like on Earth. Amy had a feeling it wouldn't be long until everyone in Mobius would be wearing clothes.

She grimaced and felt a little bad for the guys. They had gone so long not having to wear clothes, and simply having their fur, that she wasn't sure they would change styles so quickly and willingly. Maybe Silver since the white hedgehog was always into trying new stuff, but Amy couldn't possibly imagine Shadow wearing clothes every day.

There were times he dressed up—such as this one—but Amy could tell it was normally only to impress her. Amy smiled lightly as Shadow met her eye contact and raised an eyebrow.

"Rose? What are you looking at me like that for?" Shadow inquired, resting his hand on his thigh while nervously scratching the fabric.

Amy giggled softly and shook her head, looking out the small window of the limo. It intrigued Shadow and he frowned as she dismissed his question. The bolshie hedgehog exhaled heavily and leaned back, still keeping an eye on Amy Rose until someone cleared their throat.

He glanced over lazily at Sonic and snorted as the hero of Mobius gave him a knowing look.

If all goes well, I'm going to punch him into oblivion. See if he can get to my wedding in time then.

Shadow smirked as he looked at Amy again.

There was no doubt that matrimony was in his mind. He loved Amy Rose for everything he was worth. He wasn't going to let her go so easily and he doubted she would walk out of his life. He just hoped he wasn't jumping the gun here. Amy seemed like the one to want that happily ever after with her Prince Charming, the wedding bells, the sunset—but would she say yes to the least likely person who would want that same dream?

Shadow mulled it around in his mind. He decided he was worrying too much and that Amy would indeed say yes.

He just hoped he wasn't trying to fool himself.

The banquet was held in the mayor's house—a large and exquisite mansion in the middle of town square. It was a little odd to Knuckles that the mayor lived in the town square but said nothing of it.

So there the heroes and acquaintances were, dining at a long table designed to fit plenty of people. The President of Mobius sat at the head of the table, glancing down at the heroes once and awhile as he talked to his lovely wife.

Knuckles' eyes widened when he first saw the President's wife.

Sally Acorn.

He gulped extremely loudly and glanced at Sonic, raising his eyebrows like a weirdo. Sonic gave him an odd look before glancing in the direction that Knuckles was pointing in. He too was a little astonished.

"We haven't spoken to her in years," Knuckles whispered as they sat side by side at the table. "Do you think she noticed us yet?"

"Oh, I'm sure. Plus, I bet she knows who she was already dining with—I mean, c'mon, we're the heroes of Mobius. Do you know any other heroes risking their tails and hindquarters for these people?" Sonic whispered back while avoiding Sarah's curious looks.

Rouge was also trying to figure out what in the world Knuckles was so fond at looking at. She was rather a jealous bat whereas Sarah merely thought Knuckles and Sonic looked funny leaning against each other and whispering into each other's ears.

Sally Acorn sat on the right of her husband, the opposite side of the table that Sonic and Knuckles were on and a long ways away from them, but she didn't fail to notice where they were. It was true, once her husband had stated who he was dining with; she made it her duty to come along for the ride. They were the occupants of the second limo with the flags.

She peaked down at the heroes and softly smiled. Sonic, Knuckles and Tails were sitting together like old times. Her husband reached over the table and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze. She glanced up at him and he nodded at his head.

"You said you wanted to speak to them, love. During the dinner is the only time we'll see them."

"Are we not staying for the fireworks?" Sally asked quizzically.

The President of Mobius shook his head. "We are, but they will be out in the town square."

"I will talk to them during the dance." She gave him a warm smile and resumed eating. Her husband raised an eyebrow though and sighed, muttering, "Alright, dear."

~~~.~~~

Dancing had never been Sonic's strong suit. Thankfully, he had chosen a partner that didn't like to dance. Unfortunately, he had a good friend who loved to dance.

Amy and Sonic were currently doing the waltz as good as the male could manage while he tried to keep up with the female's flawless movements. Shadow was snickering at him as he stood beside Sarah who was busy talking to Rouge.

Sonic twirled Amy around as best as he could and fortunately, that was the only part he was good at during the dance though he wasn't entirely sure it was part of the waltz. When he got out of earshot of his rival and his girlfriend, he asked Amy in a low whisper, "Did you see Sally?"

"Yes," Amy nodded and gave him a look. "Didn't you know?"

Sonic looked at her like she was bizarre. "You mean you've known that they were married and she was the ruler of us?"

Amy sheepishly smiled and was about to answer when someone answered for her.

"Amy, I presume, always keeps up to date with her magazines."

The two stopped short. Sonic looked past Amy while the pink hedgehog had to turn around. The two stared in wonder at Sally Acorn. Her long hair was up in what looked like a messy bun and her gown signified great wealth.

"The only thing missing is the crown…" Amy whispered.

Sally gave her a warm smile. "Hello, Amy." She glanced between the two. "Are things well between the two of you?"

"Yes, we're just fine," Amy motioned between her and Sonic. "Not dating, but friends."

Sally looked rather surprised to hear this as she had missed Amy growing up and getting out of her fan state. "Really?"

"You won't believe who Miss Rose is dating," a voice said. Amy knew it all too well as the arm snaked around her waist and she glanced up to meet those vermillion eyes.

"Oh, my God." Sally blinked in surprise at Shadow. The ebony hedgehog brought Amy closer to his chest, smirking at the startled ruler. "Y-You two?"

"A little bit of a shock,"—Sonic rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled—"But times change and people change, Sally."

The chipmunk nodded. "So they have. What about you, Sonic? A lady in your life yet?"

"Ah," he wiped his nose while looking into the distance as Shadow gave him a knowing look. "A lady? She doesn't call herself that, that's for sure."

Shadow snorted and nodded while Amy swatted his shoulder and gave him a glare. "Sarah's not particularly good with manners like kings and queens, Rose. You can't deny that."

Amy rolled her eyes. "Still, she's our friend. Don't bother in trying to get away with insulting her in front of me."

"She says she's not a lady herself," Shadow retorted.

Sally smiled at Sonic. "I'm happy for you."

"Ditto."

"But where are the rest of you?" Sally searched around the ballroom of the mayor's gargantuan house.

"Well, Rouge is over there with Sarah as we speak," Amy turned around, moving Sonic aside, to point at the ivory bat.

Rouge was indeed still standing where the three had left her. Sarah was unfortunately not there. Amy frowned and said, "I thought she was there. She was the last time I checked."

Sonic shrugged. "She probably decided to dance or get some more champagne. Lord knows I'm hoping she's not a terrible drunk."

Amy giggled slightly into Shadow's arm and they returned back to Sally. The chipmunk had waved at Rouge who nodded back slightly, looking confused at why Sally was there in the first place. Amy guessed even Rouge didn't know who the President's wife was.

~.~

Sarah had found Tails trying to stuff as many truffles (or what looked like truffles) into his mouth before having to face Cream when she came out of the bathroom.

The female guessed Cream didn't let Tails have chocolate often, or at least not truffles. Sarah leaned up against the refreshment table, planning on getting herself a little snack, when she came upon the sight of a fox with chubby cheeks and wide eyes as he gazed up at her, being hunched over the table.

She raised an eyebrow. "Tails?"

"What?" Though it came out muffled and chocolate started to dribble out of the side of his muzzle.

"…What in the world are you doing?"

Tails swallowed and coughed, holding his throat, "Just…eating. You?"

"Same but not as vigorous," Sarah stated, earning a dead pan from Tails. "Where's Cream? I figured you two would be dancing."

"Eh," Tails shrugged. "Dancing isn't really my thing. Planes and mechanical stuff is but dancing is not."

A hand reached up out from under the table. Sarah shrieked and jumped back while Tails raised his eyebrow at the hand. It took them both a second to realize who it was that was trying to reach for anything edible on the table.

"Vector?" Tails whispered, bending down as Sarah kneeled and lifted the table cloth.

"SH!" Vector ripped the cloth back into place and hid there.

Tails rolled his eyes. "Vector, what are you doing down there?"

"There's no one by the name of Vector here," Vector said in a nasally tone. "Now go away."

Sarah scoffed and lifted the table cloth up the entire way, resting it on the table top. "What on Mobius are—"

She stopped when she noticed Espio was under the table too, holding a plate of food and a drink beside him. Vector gulped and stared at the hedgehog and fox with wide eyes.

"What are you two doing?" Sarah questioned, "Especially at a banquet like this?"

"It doesn't really matter what time it is or where we are or who on Mobius owns these table cloths," Vector said. "It's Alicia. She's looking for us."

"Why?"

"Well…Um…We told her we accidentally got caught up in the fighting when we didn't really do much fighting," Vector stated and reaching up onto the table as he looked for food. "So, you see, she got angry at knowing the truth."

"The truth?" Tails raised his eyebrow. "What truth? That you forgot about her and Charmy like you guys forgot about Cream and me?"

Sarah punched his shoulder, earning a hiss from the fox. Vector nodded as he clasped his hands. "She isn't sweet anymore, guys! She's after us!"

"I would be too," Sarah deadpanned.

"Oh, you can't tell her where we are! Please! Please!"

Tails sighed and let the table cloth hang down to the ground, all the while Vector was saying, "Oh, thank you! Thank you!"

Sarah shook her head. "I'm totally finding Alicia."

"C'mon, she can pound their heads in at the hotel," Tails linked elbows with the female. "Let's dance."

Sarah gave him a look. "I thought you said it wasn't really your thing, Mr. Mechanic?"

"That doesn't mean I don't know how to dance. And besides, if Cream catches me eating desserts when I'm supposed to be on a diet because she apparently can't do it alone, I'll be in Vector and Espio's position—under the table and fearing for my life."

She nodded as she weighed the options of that happening. "Valid reason. Fine. Let's dance."

The two left the poor souls under the table to fidget in fear.

Everyone seemed huddled together down in the town square—the President and Sally were located on the mayor's balcony, watching with said mayor and his wife.

Cream had found Tails during his dance with Sarah and had ushered the two outside to watch the fireworks once she saw people starting to leave.

Sarah was currently searching for her boyfriend, trying to ignore Tails being lovey dovey with Cream as they made "smacking" sounds. Sarah shuddered and walked farther away from the couple.

Instead of finding the blue hedgehog, she ran into Vector and Espio. With a glare, Sarah stood up and brushed her dress off. "What in the world did you two do now?"

"She's coming!" Vector shrieked, wide eyes frantically looking around the crowd. "I just can't see her! Espio?"

"We're doomed," the chameleon said in a monotone voice. "My first girlfriend and she's going to kill me."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Quit being dramatic—she'll stop being mad soon and when she stops being mad, she'll stop caring."

"Well, from what we just did, it'll take her longer to calm down, I suppose," Espio bluntly stated while Vector shivered in fright.

"What'd you do?" Sarah was a little nervous to ask, but knew the two could've blown up the monument of the President of Mobius if they wanted to. If they really got into trouble, someone might as well be there to bail them out.

"We needed something to stall her and buy us time to escape from her clutches," Espio started.

Vector interrupted, continuing for his best friend, "So we may or may not have lost her in the line of fire."

Sarah blinked. "…The line of…what?"

At that statement, fireworks started going off. Some flew into the sky and popped, others were fountain fireworks and the sparks didn't make it very far off the ground. The line of fire, or the firework pit where the fireworks were lit, was in front of the crowd—rather far from the three Mobians.

But it wasn't far enough.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! ESPIO, VECTOR, I'M GONNA KILL YOU TWO!"

Vector's shoulders slumped as he turned around with Espio. Sarah pushed her way between the two and together, all three gaped. No one could see Alicia as she was screaming at the top of her lungs. It had been unknown to her that her so-called boyfriend and friend had led her right into the firework pit.

"The trap worked." Espio didn't sound really pleased.

Vector gulped. "She's going to kill us twenty different ways, Espio."

"Not if Sonic kills you first," Sarah snorted and glanced at them. "She's our friend—you just about killed her."

There was a pause before Vector came up with a solution, grabbing onto Espio's arm. "Just slowly walk away…and blame everything on Silver."

~~~.~~~

Rouge sat in a chair at a bistro with Knuckles, Scourge, and Fiona. The four had left to let Fiona catch some air—stating that she was feeling claustrophobic and couldn't breathe.

The ivory bat watched the fireworks dreamily while Knuckles was pondering. It seemed odd to Rouge so she turned to her fiancé and hummed. "What are you thinking about, handsome?" She gripped his hand and laced their fingers together.

Knuckles softly shook his head. "I can't help but wonder how Amy and Shadow are doing."

Rouge's ear tilted. "Why?"

"Shadow's going to propose tonight."

"Oh! How wonderful!" Rouge exclaimed, slapping Scourge on the back roughly, making the green hedgehog cough and glare at the bat. "It's about time my best friend manned up! Ha!"

"I just can't help but think negative thoughts," Knuckles mumbled, picking away at his napkin while a waiter set out water for them.

Fiona took her glass and sipped some before glancing off into the crowd. "I bet Amy will be thrilled. She's got to say yes."

Rouge looked at her nail. "Speaking of weddings, we'll have to postpone ours due to Silver's traumatic sacrificing and kidnapping."

Fiona raised her eyebrows as she set her drink down. Knuckles nodded in agreement with his fiancée and Scourge was too busy watching the fireworks. When he caught his mate's gaze, he asked, "What?"

She responded with, "You sacrificed Silver?"

Amy was used to Shadow being somewhat spontaneous on dates because the ebony hedgehog knew that Amy would like such things as bungee jumping, rafting, or parasailing.

Whereas Shadow always felt like he was about to die or have a heart attack in the middle of the damn thing. But, he liked Amy Rose and tried hard to keep her happy. So, he figured she might as well think about his happiness and say yes to his proposal.

Shadow had started to think negative thoughts like Knuckles and was starting to tell himself that Amy owed him that much.

What the hell are you thinking? She doesn't owe you anything. She doesn't have to be married to you.

But all of him would sure appreciate it if Amy Rose would become his wife and mate. They'd been dating long enough, he felt like. Plus, for some reason, Shadow had never felt so strongly about anyone before. He had gone on dates earlier because of Rouge, but once the bat put Shadow and Amy together—something clicked for him.

All of the other girls were either too preppy or too shy. Some were too loud and partied too hard. Amy? She was…just right.

~.~

Now Amy loved Shadow, but when he continued to pull her along, farther away from the crowd and fireworks, she became a little nervous.

He had never tugged her away from a party before but he insisted she might want a quieter more romantic place for the plan he had up his sleeve. Amy swallowed while she walked hand in hand with her dark knight.

She had plenty of ideas swarming through her head.

This is our first time in East Mobius—it might be our first date in East Mobius and he wanted it really romantic for us.

Or maybe he's just going to some alleyway to take advantage of me.

She shook the thought out of her head.

Don't be silly, Amy.

So, the pink flower continued to follow Shadow—growing a little more worrisome by the passing second. It wasn't until five minutes later that Amy decided to speak up.

"U-Um, Shadow?"

He faltered in his steps, catching the anxiety and fear in her voice. "Rose?" He brought her close to his chest and she put her hands it, pushing them apart. It brought distress to his mind as he thought of her rejection.

His eyebrows furrowed. That didn't explain why she seemed scared. "Amy?"

"W-Where are we going?" Amy whispered, looking back to the fireworks. "We're a long way from everyone else."

Shadow nipped her ear, making her jump. "Exactly," he whispered before kissing her head. "I figured with not many people at any restaurants and being heroes of Mobius, we could easily get into one of the most romantic East Mobius restaurants."

Amy's ears perked up and she softly smiled up at him. "Really?" She tilted her head and looked at him mischievously. "What are you up to?"

Shadow had to blink away his surprise. "N-Nothing, Rose. Just a simple yet romantic date night." He walked ahead of her, letting her go, before offering his arm. "Care to join me or do you wish to go back to the fireworks?"

Without any hesitation, Amy took a step towards him and grabbed his arm.

~~~.~~~

Amy was astounded by the restaurant. The balcony where they sat hung over the water of the ocean and Amy could still see the fireworks going off.

"Oh, Shadow, this is beautiful…"

The ebony hedgehog smiled softly at his girlfriend. He sighed inaudibly as he felt the box inside his suit pocket rest against his chest. It was now or never, but he wasn't quite sure when exactly to do it. He had told the waiter so he wouldn't impulsively interrupt them. The few Mobians around them had stared for quite some time before going back to their own meals.

No one was in the inside of the restaurant. Everyone wanted to be on the balcony to watch the fireworks and eat from a five star restaurant. So, Shadow still had to deal with some unfamiliar people who he was sure were gawking at him and Amy.

Not many civilians knew of their relationship. In the HEROES magazine for Mobius, it featured everything that the heroes were doing. It had helped Tails start his many businesses. It showed threats from Eggman and the latest issue actually told about their camping trip and the murders in the mountains.

Shadow had no doubt the hotel catastrophe would be in the next issue.

He didn't normally read any other magazine. It was the only one he bought when he was too lazy to call his only friends in the universe to see how they were doing. That and Amy decided his apartment needed some decoration besides mahogany.

HEROES didn't show the relationship of the heroes, particularly because most of them were hard to find when not fighting Eggman. Amy and Cream were easy to find because they worked at a bakery and started to live a more normal life but occasionally decided to fight. Tails and his businesses were easy to find as well. So those three were normally the topic of the magazine and did many interviews.

It kind of bugged Shadow that as a young adult now and very gorgeous, Amy had male fans yet didn't tell them she was taken. She never spoke of a love interest or her relationship status with Shadow in interviews.

It made the male a little more terrified to propose.

He sucked in a breath.

It's now or never.

"Rose?"

Amy turned around and tore her gaze away from the fireworks. "Ye—"

She stopped once she saw Shadow wasn't across the table, but kneeling in front of her, holding her hands. It happened so fast that she almost forgot he had powers. Her words got caught in her throat, but she wanted to ask him what he was doing.

Upon seeing Amy's shocked face, Shadow's ears pinned back. He breathed out heavily before speaking. "Amy, you and I both know I don't do these sorts of things without really thinking about them and taking them seriously. And I've taken this relationship seriously—maybe more than I should." He had to slow down to catch his breath and make sure he didn't blabber this entire speech out. "I-I…" His gaze faltered and he looked down before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the box.

Amy softly smiled and waited for him to continue.

His red eyes met her green and he found the courage to speak once more. "I don't want to marry anyone but you, if you'll have me. I know people might say things if word ever gets out and considering the stares we're getting now, something tells me word will get out. But, I don't care. I've learned to block out people's words instead of taking them to my head and it's because I love you. I've…I've never felt this way with someone before. So..Amy Rose will you marry me?"

The words spilled off his tongue, it seemed, and Shadow was blushing red. It was a sight to behold and Amy and everyone in that restaurant saw it.

There was a long waited pause before Amy responded. "Yes."

Relief flooded through Shadow at that moment and he smiled a genuine smile. Amy bit her bottom lip while he slipped the ring on her finger. Shadow wrapped his arms around her and brought her into a hug while the audience clapped and resumed eating.

The two hugged tightly for a long minute or so.

Shadow nipped the side of her neck and smirked when she shivered. "If you ever peek in my drawers again, there will be hell to pay."

Amy smiled innocently against his shoulder. "How did you know I already knew?"

"I didn't know until now. What you said on the camping trip and the fact that you're not bursting into tears right now kind of gave it away," Shadow whispered against her skin. "Quit snooping, Rose, you might spoil some surprises in the future."

Amy laughed against his body as she responded, "Deal."

I ain't done yet! Got an Epilogue and then we'll be done!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Honestly, this story should've been done last week but on Friday…I got hit in the head with a metal object and had to get staples in my head. I'm totally fine but I didn't feel up to writing until today.

Next chapter's title:

Epilogue: One Year Later

Arrivederci!