I don't own MR

Fang

7 years later

Before life caught up with me and time spiralled out of control, I used to love to go to the park. There, I could safely tuck myself inside my own little bubble and keep my problems from devouring my hope. Watching kids tumble over themselves and laugh louder than I could think had always been a nice experience. They were amusing in the way they could turn a slide into a tunnel that led to another dimension. I had never had the luck of such an imagination, but I could definitely watch as theirs took over.

Now, after what felt like a lifetime of constantly moving, of losing people I cared about, after having conversation after conversation with old friends, I found myself in yet another park, sitting on a swing as it tugged languidly back and forth without a purpose- just like me.

I had lost myself a long time ago. Seven years ago. And I hadn't yet been able to find all the pieces that would put me back together. I was okay, but far from great. I didn't have to run anymore though, which was a good thing considering I didn't have the heart to do so. I had a steady job, a nice apartment, a constant supply of food that wasn't canned, and a surprise visit from my friends every now and then.

Ari came the least. Only Thanksgiving and Christmas. If we were lucky he'd stay for New Years. He knew I couldn't handle seeing him. It was too hard to look into those dark eyes that also belonged to the one person in my life who I had ever loved. It was hard for him too. To see me without Max. We had talked about it once a few years after her death, and decided it just wasn't worth it to put each other through the misery.

He was happy now, anyways. With a girlfriend who he actually had time for. He didn't love her like Lupo, of course, but she was a close second, and he didn't need me to ruin his joy.

Iggy and Lupo went back to Italy but still took a flight back to America to see me once every couple months. Just two years ago they had started bringing a handsome baby boy. He was quiet, but wild.

Sometimes I felt jealous. They had something to call their own. What did I have? A tattoo and a ring? It wasn't exactly the same as the real thing.

I gazed up from the mulch to look at the children, who ran around screaming excitedly, jumping like monkeys. Some climbed over things not meant to be climbed and others burrowed themselves under the playground and waited for the time to strike. They were all playing a different game at once. It was the kind of harmony most people couldn't even dream of.

A sigh fell from my lips as the creaking chain halted and I was left to just sit. Some of the mothers and fathers sent me wary looks, and the kids kept their distance, but I didn't mind. I was a criminal after all. I steal stole when the thrill called for it. I still got away with murder when it was the only option.

"Hey, Mister." I blinked, scanning my peripheral vision. When I saw nothing I glanced down, and a girl came into view. She was wrapped up in a purple coat, a black skirt just barely peeking out from underneath it. She wore combat boots- tough against the cold weather beginning to set in.

I didn't respond, only peered at her, waiting for further of an explanation. She didn't say anything else for a moment, just looked back towards the parents, where a young man gave her a nod. There was something familiar about him. Something on the tip of my tongue threatening to recede if I didn't remember at that moment. "Are you Fang Walker?" My confusion doubled as the little girl looked up at me, a fierce gaze in her chocolate brown eyes. They were familiar too, but I understand why immediately.

I hadn't been called that name in a long time. I went by Nick Ride, now, holding my own connection to Max without giving too much away. If anyone really wanted to find me they could, but I guess they had stopped after they realized Max wasn't out to kill anymore.

"Who's asking?" I finally asked, raising an eyebrow in question. The little girl mimicked my movement, flicking her raven black hair over her shoulder and crossing her arms over her chest. She had bangs. Adorable bangs that almost drooped to her eyes.

"Me." She snapped, sounding angry although she didn't look it. She must have been a handful for whoever had to raise her. She couldn't have been more than seven and yet she had the attitude of a teenager.

"Oh yeah? Well what about that man over there?" I pondered, gesturing to the familiar person. He still lingered, although he looked ready to leave.

"Uncle Sammy told me to make sure you were Fang and then he was going to leave once I gave the thumbs up." She explained. Sam. That's who it was. The same Sam who had helped us out so long ago.

"Wait a minute, why would he leave you?" I demanded, bewildered by the idea of it.

"Because you're my daddy so I need to be with you." What?

I stared down at the girl, astonished by the accusation even as she gave the thumbs up and Sam began to walk away. "Hold on! I can't be your dad! I never had any kids!" I persisted, but she only rolled her eyes, reaching deep into her coat.

"Uncle Sammy said you'd deny it, so it's good he gave me this." The little girl handed me an envelope. I cautiously flipped it over to look at the back. I already knew what I was going to see, although my breath still caught in my throat when I did.

Fang.

It was scrawled in Max's handwriting.

For a long moment I only stared, unsure of what to do or how to feel, but then, with a sudden adrenaline rush, I ripped the letter open, my eyes scanning over random words quickly before I went all the way back to the top.

"Can you read it to me? Uncle Sammy says mommy wrote it." I glanced down at the little girl. She should have been able to read. Maybe not well, but Max never had a big vocabulary.

"Can't you read it yourself… Kid?" I suggested, keeping myself calm. I couldn't believe it yet. It was impossible after all. When would she have been made? When would Max have the time to give birth and hide it from me? It just wasn't adding up.

"No. I have dys… dys… a disorder." She finally stuttered. Dyslexia. Our child- no, not our child. It wasn't official yet- had dyslexia. "Uncle Sammy says it's because mommy did bad things while the stork was bringing me." Like drinking.

I gulped, looking back down at the letter. "Okay, I'll read it to you, but I'm going to read it to myself first." I mumbled, looking down at the paper. If I didn't think I could pretend to smell Max's scent on the letter. It was intoxicating.

"Yay!" The little girl climbed into my lap, and although I audibly flinched she only cuddled close, squinting intently at the note she couldn't read. I took a deep breath, wrapping an arm around her awkwardly so she wouldn't fall off. She did look a lot like Max. Maybe one day she'd be the spitting image of her. I bit my lip, looking down at her. She glanced at me, staring up into my dark eyes, calculating my emotions.

"Are you okay, Daddy?" She asked, and I nodded once.

She was my daughter. In that moment I had no other choice but to accept it. "Fine, Baby Girl." I whispered, pressing my lips to the top of her head before beginning to read the letter. I wasn't sure how yet but I was out of options. This little girl had to be mine. Please let her be mine.

Fang,

Here's big-secret-I-never-told-you number two. Our daughter. She was born on May 22nd and she should be seven when you read this.

So let me start off with how this happened, and how she exists, because I know you're probably really confused about that.

Remember the first time I was pregnant? And then Jeb told us she was dead? He lied. It was one of his mind games to try and tear us apart. He never killed her, and so she stayed. I found out a little before I got my expiration date, and thought maybe I would tell you and we could be a family. But then I did get the date. It just showed up on the back of my neck and I realized I couldn't tell you. I was supposed to die about twenty days after her due date. I couldn't leave you with a child like that. I figured she'd just be a burden and so I kept her a secret.

The month I went away I had her, I took care of her, made sure she was healthy, and then I came back to say my final goodbye to you. I'm writing this a few days after having her so I don't know how it all went but I hope you still love me because I still love you. I always will.

I've taken some pictures. They're in the letter too. I thought you might want to see our little girl in her first few days of life. God, she's beautiful. I'd never admit this out loud but I'm so proud to have been able to give birth to something so wonderful.

I was going to let you name her originally, but then I looked at her, I held her, I fed her, and I decided I wanted to call her a name I loved and I hope you like it too. So meet Sophia Walker, our beautiful girl.

Now, for the sappy stuff because there's no way I could keep myself from writing a letter about it even though I'm probably going to be telling you it soon.

I love everything about you, Fang. Every little detail and flaw. I never thought I could love so passionately until I met you. I never thought I could cry so hard, smile so wide, actually want to look nice. But then you changed me and I'm glad you did. It was a pleasure to have you turn me into something I never would have been without love.

I could keep going on but I don't want this to be pages long so I'm going to stop here, and say goodbye. But that doesn't mean I'm going anywhere. I'll always be in your heart and you'll always be in mine. Smile. You look so handsome when you smile. Hug Sophia tight and tell her all about our wonderful adventures.

Always yours,

Max

Alright, welcome to the final AN of Fugitives.

Wow, this has been one wild ride but let me start off super fast with if you have any questions feel free to PM me and I will answer them all XD

Okay so moving on. This has been crazy, and I've had so much support for this story. I still get reviews on chapter 1 sometimes and it's wonderful. to know people still click on it and take a look. This was also an amazing story to help explore my writing and get better at it. Was it too long? Probably. Were there some really crappy chapter? Oh yeah. But this is my story. And I'm proud to be connected to it.

So with that being said there are two very important people I need to thank for going above and beyond, pushing me, and always helping me out even when they don't realize it.

Random (Illegallyblonde) who has been an amazing friend. You've encouraged me, helped me out with some of the chapters, and always left reviews that make me laugh. We haven't talked much lately but that doesn't change the fact that you were my first real friend on this site and I'm always looking forward to talking to you and having long conversations about randomness that give me all kinds of inspiration to write. I love you and finish the Figgy Campaign or I'll cry.

And M (MPHknows) who has helped me through thick and thin to write this story and given me inspiration through the simplest PMs. You don't realize this but this story would most definitely not be where it's at right now without you XD. You've helped me so much with the plot and have been honest with me through it all which is very important to me. You are absolutely amazing and fabulous and I know you always have my back and I always have yours. I love you and I hope you update MaGLH because I love that story too.Okay and just so everybody knows there will be a spin-off coming around in the very distant future. I don't know what it will be called yet but it will have the famous lettering fugitives has in the title so it will do the upper case / lower-case pattern. Be on the look out for it next summer because that's probably when I'm going to upload it.

Signing off for the last time on this story, and for the last time with my famous 'Soar on'

Soar on

VR