Well this is it, guys! The final chapter! I can't believe this is the end! I'd gotten so used to working on this story during my free time. It's going to to be so weird not going back to my beloved 100 page document. This is the first piece I ever finished. I'm proud of it, and I hope you guys enjoyed it. Huge thank you to everyone who took the time to review my story (or even follow it, or add it to their favorites!)

**UPDATE**

I just started writing the sequel to this story! I'm planning to update every 5 days. I'm thinking there will be 12-13 chapters to it. If you guys want to start reading it, here's the link : s/13119473/1/Through-Thick-Thin

EPILOGUE

''Mom, that's way too tight.''

''Just sit still for a minute, will you?''

''Mom, I'm telling you, I can do it myself.''

Karen huffed, exasperated. ''Will you just let me do it? You're leaving for California with Jane in a couple months, and I won't be around to do these things for you anymore. Can you please just let me help my only son get ready for prom?'' she begged, looking like she was just about to start crying.

Mike sighed. She was right. And he hated when his mother was right. He also hated when she looked at him with puppy eyes like that. She knew how to pull on his heartstrings. She was an evil woman.

''Okay,'' he conceded. Karen beamed at him.

''And we're done,'' she declared, making one last adjustment to his tie. ''Go on! Have a look!''

He studied himself carefully in the hallway mirror. He had gone for a classic black tux and shoes. El had chosen a pink dress, and she'd instructed him to buy a pink undershirt to match, much to his dismay. But there was nothing he wouldn't do to please her. And wearing a pink blouse to prom was unfortunately one of those things.

''What do you think, Holly?'' he asked his little sister, turning to face her.

Holly nodded at him in approval. ''Pink is my favorite color. You look really good.''

''Do you think El will like it?''

''I think you could go to prom wearing pyjamas, and El would like it.''

Mike smiled fondly at her. Wise words from a ten year-old.

Nancy appeared from the kitchen. She looked Mike up and down, her face twisting up into a smirk.

''Nice choice of color, Mike. I never thought pink would look so good on you.''

''Shut up, Nancy.''

''Hey,'' snapped Karen, glaring at the two of them. ''Cut it out, both of you. It's Mike's prom night. I won't have you guys bickering at each other. This is a happy day.''

''She started it.''

''It was a compliment. Jeez. Why are you so touchy?''

Mike rolled his eyes at her. ''Whatever. Holly thinks I look good, and she's obviously the smarter sister. I don't care what you think,'' he said, grimacing at Nancy, then turned to wink at his little sister. Holly smiled proudly back at him.

''Suck up,'' said Nancy, ruffling her little sister's hair.

''Hey!'' complained Holly, giggling, then wrapped her arms around Nancy.

Karen beamed at her three children. ''Oh, I have to get my camera! We have to take some pictures!''

Mike's face fell. ''No, Mom, you really don't.''

''Mike, I'm taking pictures on your prom day, and you're just going to have to accept that.''

Mike groaned. He should have known. Karen ran up the stairs and right back down seconds later, camera in hand.

''TED! PICTURE TIME!'' she shouted in the direction of the living room area. ''Okay, sweetie, just one by yourself to start with, right here in front of the staircase,'' she instructed.

Mike sighed and positioned himself.

''Smile! You look so handsome!''

Mike tried to smile, but it came out more as a cringe.

Karen made a face. ''Mike, you're going to have to do better than that. It's your prom night. Can't I get a genuine smile?''

''Mom, I like the more candid pictures. You know - the ones taken right there in the moment, not when it's set up I have to fake smile,'' complained Mike. ''It's not real.''

''Well, the pictures are real, I'm telling you. And you're going to look back at them years from now and wished you'd have smiled. So, big smile!'' she encouraged cheerily. Mike barely had time to react that Karen had already snapped the picture.

''Okay! But give me a second! Jeez.''

The doorbell rang.

''Thank God,'' muttered Mike, and ran to get the door.

It was Eleven. And Mike had never seen her look so beautiful.

Her shoulder length brown hair was twisted into a side braid, with miniature pink flowers tucked into it. Her dress was a light pink, and fit her figure perfectly. It was cut shorter in the front, revealing her perfect, tanned legs and flashy pink heels. Her diamond earrings and necklace sparkled in the sun.

Simply put, she took his breath away.

''Hey,'' she said.

''Wow,'' breathed Mike. ''You look like an angel.''

El offered him a shy smile, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. ''Thanks,'' she said, taking both his hands in hers. ''You look quite handsome, yourself. I like the pink.''

Mike rolled his eyes. ''Please don't mention it.''

El laughed. ''No, I'm serious. It looks great on you.''

''JANE!'' gasped Karen. ''You look FABULOUS, darling. Oh, you look so STUNNING!''

''Thank you, Karen.''

Holly stared at her, wide-eyed. ''You look like a princess,'' she declared.

El crouched down to her level. ''You're the princess, Hol.''

Nancy appeared at her side and gave her a hug. ''You really do look amazing, El.''

''Jane honey, come take a picture with Mike - right here, okay? We were just getting started, you got here just in time!'' ushered Karen.

Mike turned to face her, a curious look on his face. ''Wait, why are you here though? I thought I was picking you up?''

A smile crept upon her lips. "I have a surprise for you."

Mike's eyebrows shot up. "You know I love it when you say that. What is it?"

El took his hand. "Come outside. There's something I want to show you."

Mike followed her out, confused. The first thing he noticed was the 1989 black convertible Mustang parked in the driveway.

"What… wait… what is this?"

"That," said El, glancing back at the car. "Is a 1989 black convertible mustang, I believe." She turned to face Mike. "And it's all yours."

Mike's mouth fell open. He blinked. "What?"

El was so giddy, she looked like she was just about to explode with happiness. "The retribution money came in today," she blurted out. "So I went and got it for you." She clapped her hands together excitedly and did a little dance.

Mike just stood there looking at her, stunned. His eyes darted towards the car, then back at El. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious! Do you love it?!"

"Do I love it? Of course I love it!'' he cried. He ran over to the car and touched it, just to make sure it was real. It even smelled amazing.

''You really got it for me? It's not just a rental?''

''I told you, the retribution money came in! Of course I got it for you! We need a car to get to California, don't we?''

Mike was so happy he genuinely thought he was going to cry. High school was ending. And in a few months, he'd be cruising off for Berkeley with the love of his life at his side in their brand new convertible Mustang.

All of his dreams were coming true.

He took three long strands towards El and took her in his arms, lifting her up in the air. He squeezed her tightly and he made her twirl. She giggled, holding on firmly to his neck.

''Thank you, El,'' he whispered. ''Thank you so, so much. I can't believe it.'' He ran towards the Mustang again. ''I can't believe it!'' he repeated, stroking the hood of the car.

''Now that I've got money, you better get used to me getting things for you. I'm officially your sugar mama. That's what that means, right?''

Mike laughed. ''Yes, that's what it means.''

El snaked her arms around his neck again. ''I like it. It has a nice ring to it. Kiss me,'' she whispered. Mike happily obliged.

''Alright. Take me to prom, Mike Wheeler.''