EPILOGUE
Zest for Life
Hey guys! This is indeed the last chapter! Please remember to add your favourite line!
Reponse to reviews!
princess mh: Haha, I loved that too! Marcia's my favourite OC thus far, she's super feisty!
CreativeWritingSoul: Thank you for that! Indeed it was a sweet line. I enjoyed writing that single sentence, I have to say! Look, I don't know much about pregnancy XD but assuming it was a large cup of coffee I guess…meh. Shhh, no spoilers about Daring!
—
ONE YEAR LATER
Daring opened the door to his little sister Darling's mansion, almost stumbling as two tiny figures grabbed his legs.
"Uncle Daring!" cried the little boy, hair platinum blonde with beautiful brown eyes.
"Hey there, kiddo," the blonde man laughed, picking up his nephew. His niece, with dark hair and icy blue eyes, waved her arms to be picked up. He grinned and lifted her up.
The young boy was called Dexter, after his deceased uncle he never knew. The young girl was called Raena, after Raven's nickname. Sadly, Raena was born mute. Despite this, she was a cheerful, bright, and lovely girl.
Raena kissed Daring on the cheek and grinned.
"Where's your mother?" he asked.
"Kitten," Dexter answered, giggling.
"Kitchen, you mean?"
"Yeah, that's what I said. Kitten."
Daring laughed. Darling was indeed inside the kitchen, making dinner. She beamed at her older brother. "Hey, Daring! What's up?"
Raena and Dexter went off to play in the nursery. Daring sat down on a bar stool. "Maddie and Humphrey's wedding is next Saturday. Here's the invitation." He handed her a pale blue envelope.
Darling wiped her hands on her apron and opened it. She was startled when a melody played the second she brushed her hand against a hidden button. She unfolded the paper and jumped when a pop-out paper bird sprung out.
"That's Maddie for you," Daring chuckled, smiling at Darling's surprise. Darling grinned too. She read the dates, information, timing, and location.
"Those two lovebirds," she laughed. "I can't wait. I'd better go shopping for a new dress. I need something for the twins too." She smiled and continued making dinner. "We're having curry. Want to join?"
"Thanks, Darling," Daring smiled. "That'd be great."
—
"HOLY SHIT! YOU'RE GETTING HITCHED!?" Briar screeched when Maddie told her. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME BEFORE!?"
"We were in Greece when he asked, remember?" Maddie grinned, cheekily. She was perched on a tall chair in a bar next to Briar. "I wanted to keep it a surprise. We've already planned out the wedding. It will be small, and romantic. Nothing too big. Humphrey is the most romantic, handsome person I've ever met!"
Briar sipped at her beverage. "How was the proposal?"
"Absolutely amazing."
"Gimme details, honey," the brunette probed, smiling.
Madeline gave a dreamy sigh. "Well it went something like this…"
—
Madeline and Humphrey were walking hand in hand down the beach, admiring the sunset. Suddenly, Humphrey stopped and turned to her.
"What's wrong?" she asked, confused.
"I just want to ask you a question," he replied. "What does tea mean to you?"
"Tea?" Maddie repeated. "Tea to me means comfort, beauty, and art." She smiled softly.
"Well, remember a year ago, when you were tea leaves, and I was water?" Humphrey asked, looking a little anxious.
Maddie's breath hitched in her throat. "Yes?"
"Together, we are tea, aren't we?" he smiled. "Maddie, together, we are comfort, beauty, and art."
He got down on one knee. "Madeline Hatter, will you marry this dorky, awkward, scaredy-cat in front of you?"
"Yes!" Maddie squealed. "Yes, I will!"
Humphrey grinned, and took out a teabag. Maddie took it and tore it open to see a beautiful silver ring, with an aquamarine flanked by amethysts. She gently put it on her ring finger and beamed at her new fiance before pulling him into a kiss.
—
Hopper heard his wife before he saw her.
"Who's a good boy? You are! Yes, you are!" cooed Briar's voice. He chuckled and walked downstairs. Briar was fawning over their pet iguana, Diva (named by Briar).
To make up for being unable to bear children, Briar had bought an iguana instead. Hopper was allergic to cat fur, dog fur, and probably every other kind of fur, so an iguana it was. Diva was a surprisingly tolerant animal, although she hated the doorbell.
"Maddie's getting hitched! Can you believe it?" Briar grinned, giddily. I'll wear the dress I bought with Ashlynn, the black one with fabric roses. It will be such a blast!"
"Calm down, it's a wedding!" he laughed.
Wedding or not, it was clear Briar would be a very happy girl for the rest of her life. She had a new pet, a great husband, and more friends than she could ask for. Everything seemed perfect.
—
Cerise was walking with her boyfriend down in a park. She had just finished another marathon and they were resting.
She looked over to Reece, who was smiling back, and suddenly a great surge of an unfamiliar emotion flooded her body. She wasn't sure what it was, but she felt very obligated to say something.
So she did.
"Reece, will you marry me?" she asked.
Reece stopped in his tracks. "What?"
It was silent for a moment before he cracked a smile. He leaned down a pecked her on the lips.
"Hey, I didn't get a ring. And I should be the one to propose," Reece said. "Oh, how the tables have turned."
"Hey, that's sexist!" she grinned.
"That's chivalry!" he responded.
Cerise laughed. "The ring's on me. I was the one who asked, anyway."
"Hmm…I think being chivalric is suddenly very boring…does that mean you get me flowers too?"
—
It was finally the day of Madeline and Humphrey's wedding. This was a true union of two souls. The couple had chosen a secluded, grassy meadow-ish place in the city's Royal Botanical Gardens.
The trees were strewn with fairylights, baby-blue streamers, and tea bags with purple tags. Seats painted in different colours were arranged in front of a wooden podium. On the podium was a thick white wire arch with lavender sprigs and cream-coloured carnations.
The guests were already seated. The bride and groom hadn't arrived yet, but the earlier the better, it seemed.
Darling was in a gorgeous strapless diamond-coloured dress, with many folds in the skirt. She had a necklace with a single pink stone in the middle. Dexter and Raena were dressed in similarly coloured clothes - Dexter in a white collared t-shirt, grey shorts and a blue bow tie. Raena had a lace sleeveless top tucked neatly into a grey skirt.
The bridesmaids, Raven, Cerise, and Briar (the latter being the matron of honour) were sitting in a dressing room far from the wedding grounds. They were waiting for Maddie to arrive. With her she would bring the bridesmaid dresses. They still wore their best dresses - Briar in her black one with fabric roses, Raven in a silk purple dress with a halter-neck and white sash, and Cerise in a scarlet off-the-shoulder frock with a black choker necklace.
"Hey, guys!" cried Maddie, in a bubbly voice. She was carrying a coathanger with protective covering, along with a shoe box.
"Where are the dresses?" Cerise asked.
Maddie laughed, then kissed each of them on their cheeks. "Silly! I don't have any."
It seemed so…'Maddie' that they didn't question it.
The bride ducked into a cubicle made of hung-up fabric to change. When she came out, she was fawned over by her friends.
Maddie was dressed in a sweetheart necklined white dress. It wasn't very long. It only reached just past her knees. Her skirt was poofy, with light, turquoise coloured silk flowers lining the hem. There was a violet sash around her waist. She had kitten heels, the colour of her sash, with turquoise flowers near the back.
"You look gorgeous!" Briar gushed. Maddie's hair was in a side braid, done by Poppy earlier. Briar and Raven did Maddie's makeup as Cerise placed a garland of light turquoise flowers on Maddie's head, attached to a white veil.
Maddie grabbed her bouquet, the colours of the petals matching her outfit. Outside, Mr Hatter was waiting for her, in a matching suit. The bridesmaids followed, and an excited chattering began among them.
—
"I-I think the ceremony's starting," Marcia managed.
"Can we wait?" Daring responded.
The situation was a little odd. The two were making out in a storage closet. In fact, they had been making out for a very long time now.
"No," Marcia responded bluntly, unhooking her legs from his waist.
"Why not?" he asked, kissing her neck.
"Fuck you," she sighed, dragging him off after fixing her skirts.
Daring laughed. "You can fuck me after the wedding."
Marcia rolled her eyes but smiled. Their relationship started after both realised they had a large amount of sexual tension between them. Still, she loved him anyway. He wasn't just a boytoy.
They walked briskly to the ceremony and sat down in the second row, just as the wedding march began to play. Maddie was walked down the aisle by her father, who was sobbing quietly to himself.
"Don't leak, dad," Maddie whispered, giving him a brief hug before standing next to her husband-to-be.
The ceremony began. Everyone either listened attentively or cried into a handkerchief. It was a lovely event. Madeline and Humphrey were just meant to be.
"Humphrey Dumpty, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do," Humphrey said, smiling at Maddie.
"Madeline Hatter, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," Maddie grinned.
"Does anyone object to this marriage?"
Briar shot glares to everyone in the crowd to silence anyone who dared to object.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Humphrey lifted Maddie's veil and bent down to kiss her. There were some barely stifled squeals among the crowd.
The reception was full of dancing, food, and laughter. It was indeed a terrific day. Maddie and Humphrey were given congratulations by just about everyone.
"Now the bouquet toss!" Maddie giggled. She turned around and hurled the bouquet over her shoulder. All the women reached out for it eagerly. However, Cerise, with the skills of a pro footballer, dived and caught it with her left hand.
Reece laughed as he helped her up. "This is why I love you," he chuckled.
The day ended reluctantly. Everyone enjoyed the happy festivities and were upset to leave. One by one, the guests departed.
Ashlynn and Hunter drove straight to Blondie, Cedar, and Xavier's house. They were extremely happy. Not only had the day been amazing, but they now had what they'd always wanted - a child.
Ashlynn rang the doorbell. It was opened immediately by Cedar. Xavier was behind her, carrying a baby.
"Thanks for babysitting her for us," Hunter grinned. Cedar only smiled back.
Xavier gave the infant to Ashlynn. "Whenever she's over, I'm not lonely anymore!" he joked.
What Xavier was saying was this: Ashlynn's baby, Samantha, was born autistic, the same kind that Xavier had. Still, the two parents adored Samantha like she was the most beautiful, lovely, healthy girl in the world.
"It's amazing, isn't it?" Cedar said. "Just a few months ago, you were in my office calling Maurice."
"Who's now engaged to one of our best friends," Hunter laughed. "Time flies, doesn't it?"
"Miracles really happen, don't they?" Xavier mused. "It's as if there is nothing in the world that can hold us down."
"I agree," Ashlynn said, eyes shining as she cradled her baby daughter. They gave their farewells and drove back to their house, happiness flooding their systems.
—
"AAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHH! SON OF A—"
"Reece?" Cerise cried, head snapping up. She stood up just as Reece came hurtling out of the house, screaming bloody murder. He had gone inside his house to collect his pyjamas for their couple-y slumber party (it was Reece's idea to name it 'slumber party').
"What's wrong?" she said, taking her fiance by the shoulders.
Reece groaned. "My eyes! I'm scarred for life!"
At this, Cerise laughed. "It's Marcia and Daring, isn't it?"
"It's not funny!" he huffed. "Seeing your sister almost naked is never a funny thing!" Cerise only laughed harder. The fact that her ex and her boss were an item didn't bother her in the least. However, it did amuse her.
"My eeeeyyyyyyyeeeeeeesssss!" Reece screeched. "I need to scrub my brain with bleach!"
"Hey, it's okay," Cerise reassured. "How about we have a bacon-fest?"
He considerably calmed down. "Hmm, bacon…"
With pictures of sleeping bags and bowls of bacon dancing in their heads, the couple set off to their 'slumber party'.
—
Briar and Hopper were sobbing hysterically and hugging each other. Diva sat on Briar's lap wondering what they were crying about.
The couple were extremely foolish. Briar had suggested to watch Titanic, because the songs were apparently very sing-along-worthy. Hopper had heard there were many stupid love choices.
Instead, they ended up crying like idiots.
"GIVE HIM THE FUCKING DOOR!" Briar wailed.
"WHAT KIND OF FATE IS THIS?!" Hopper screeched.
When the credits rolled, they were still in tears over the whole thing. Briar closed the TV and blew her nose into a tissue.
"It seems just yesterday we were arguing behind the door," Hopper mused. "I remember I wanted to punch your face so bad."
"And I remember I wanted to knee your balls so bad," Briar laughed. Her phone gave a small 'ting'. She took it out and looked at the message Maddie had sent.
Hey Briar! Can you meet Cerise, Rae, Ash and I behind the cathedral tomorrow in the afternoon at 4:06 sharp? Thanks!
Briar frowned at the cryptic message but said nothing. Perhaps there was a surprise in store.
—
"Mama," Axel gurgled when Raven scooped him into his arms.
"Mama's here," Raven smiled, stroking her baby's cheek. 'Axel' meant 'Father is peace'. Considering that Axel brought her peace after Dexter's passing, it seemed a suitable name. She sat down in the rocking chair with her baby and started to sing.
"Don't be afraid my love, my love,
I will be by your side always.
Daddy is here, looking from above,
He will stay with you in all your days.
Never be scared and never be sad,
We will be here and keep by your side.
Please don't cry and please don't be mad,
It's never too late to say goodbye."
Axel slowly drifted to sleep. Raven got off the rocking chair and placed him gently in his cot. She walked over to the balcony, resting her arms on the banister. She gazed up at the sky, indigo, shining with stars. The moon glittered a perfect crescent.
It had been Dexter's birthday yesterday. She had bought him a present - a star named after him. She gazed into the distance and saw the star, Dexterous, shining. It flickered like it was laughing.
"Are you proud of me, Dex?" she whispered, a tear falling down her cheek. "I hope you are. I hope you can see Axel." She smiled, feeling at peace with herself. "Goodbye, Dex. I'll see you tomorrow." She walked back inside, shutting the balcony doors.
—
Ginger sat in the prison cell. The days had been easier to bear with her newfound friend, Cupid. Now the two were silent and still, each thinking their own thoughts.
"Mail!" cried a voice. The two women stood up as two envelopes fluttered through the bars. It was allowed for criminals to recieve letters from family and friends, and they were grateful to have some kind of connection to the outside world. It was clear that both of them felt guilt and regret.
Ginger opened the letter addressed to her. The paper was pale pink. It smelt like roses. At once, she knew who it was from. She unfolded the piece of paper and read it.
Dear Ginger,
Hey! It's Briar and I just wanted to write to you.
I'm sorry for bashing you on the head. And I'm sorry for calling you a bitch. These days, the only thing I know is to judge people like they're a book - from the cover.
I know you were super nice in high school. I was kinda dumb…okay, really dumb…to assume you've just taken to the dark side or something. I know there's always a reason behind something evil. And hey, evil people don't even exist! Thanks to Daring and Marcia and Blondie I've learnt that.
I heard about what happened, and why you decided to steal. I'm really sorry to be a nosy bitch about it, but I just had to find out. And I'm kind of glad I did.
I'm sorry about your parents. From personal experience I know it's hard losing someone you love. I hope you're coping alright. I'm sorry that you don't have a place to go to for the night. I think you should've just told me, or someone, from the start. They would have understood.
When you get out of prison, there's a package waiting for you that I gave to the chief officer. Surprise surprise, it's Faybelle.
In the package I've given you some money and the earrings you took (they looked better on you anyway, I bet), plus your very own fold-up fire poker for defense.
During cold or dangerous nights, my guest room door is always open.
Thank you for teaching me, through what happened to you, that nothing is as simple as good and bad, black and white.
Have a good(ish?) time remaining in prison (that sounded passive aggressive, I know).
Yours truly,
Briar Beauty.
Ginger started to cry. She couldn't help it. It startled her how kind people could be. It really did.
Something stirred inside her. Something warm and golden.
It was her cold heart starting to melt.
—
Cerise, upon getting Maddie's text the night before, but perplexed to say the least. Not only was 4:06 a weird time, but behind a church? Was someone getting married again?
After she dropped off (aka dragged) Reece back to his own house (this was difficult with complaints of an 'R-rated couple' coming from her fiance) and drove off to the cathedral.
The brunette parked her car and walked to the back, a secluded little nook. Waiting for her was Maddie and Raven.
"What's this for?" Cerise asked the short girl.
"You'll see," Maddie responded, smiling. "It's a mystery person."
Arriving next was Ashlynn and Briar, both wondering who this so-called person could be. They had all arrived at this point, so Maddie decided to introduce them to the person.
Out of seeming nowhere, a figure popped out. They attempted a one-handed cartwheel, failed miserably, and smashed into the wall of the cathedral.
The women winced as said figure stood up. They noticed it was a girl. She could have been ten. She could have been twenty. It was strangely hard to tell her age. The girl was very short, very eccentric, and very asian.
"Hello!" greeted the…girl? Woman? Banjo?
"Erm…" Raven started. "Who are you?"
"Excellent question!" cried the…person. "My name is Reade, and I am not a banjo."
"We never thought you were a banjo," said Cerise.
"That's right," responded Reade cheerily. "I just wrote it after I said hello. It's a metaphor to demonstrate how weird I am."
Ashlynn furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean, you…wrote it?"
The asian not-a-banjo laughed again. "I'm the author of this story, of course!"
There was a silence as it sunk it. It seemed ridiculous, and yet it made a lot of sense. The girls (aside from Maddie, who knew all this time) were interested in this new discovery. They began to ask Reade some questions, which the author answered.
"Is this story going to…stop?"
"That's right. This is the epilogue right now."
"Will there be a sequel?"
"No, sorry. Maybe some one-shots if the readers begged for it."
"Who's your favourite in this story?"
"That's easy! Briar's always been my bias." (Briar was especially happy at this one.)
"How did you come up with all these problems?"
"Imagination, that's all."
More questions were asked; more were answered. In the end, Reade seemed like a rather amiable person.
The girls started getting a little sad upon hearing they were currently in the epilogue.
"It's the end of the story now, isn't it?" Ashlynn sighed, blinking back tears. "It seems so strange."
Reade only smiled. "It may be the end of your story, but it's the beginning of Raena's and Dexter's and Samantha's and Axel's. Nothing ends, not really. It only…stops for a while. I might not be able to see you all again, but you will always be there with me."
"Awwwww…" Raven grinned.
"No, literally. You're on my device. And the internet."
"Also…" Reade turned to look at you. Yes, you! The reader!
"Whoever you are, I'd like to thank you for taking this journey with me. It was fun and a little frustrating, but we made it in the end. It says a lot that you take your time to review, favourite, follow, even click on the title! This story couldn't have been done without you! If you want to read more of my writing, just click on my name next to the title and enjoy!"
The author continued her talk.
"I'd like to acknowledge my two most loyal reviewers, CreativeWritingSoul and princess mh. You both reviewed on every single chapter, and you read the author's notes! That's a lot for me! Thank you two so much, and thank you for being supportive and generating ideas like idea-generating machines."
This being said, Reade turned back to the five young women.
"I've written this fanfiction to teach people and to entertain people. I want to teach people that firstly, your happily ever afters aren't clear at first, but they are always there. Secondly, never underestimate the power of friendship and a little love. And thirdly, you all come from a world of perfect endings and fairytales. I changed everything drastically. Y'know why? With writing, anything and everything is possible."
The girls were silent for a few moments, taking this in. Everything seemed to make sense, to tie in.
"Thank you all. I need to go now."
With that, Reade turned around and walked off, fading a little with each step to the point where she wasn't there anymore.
The sun was beginning the set. The five of them sat down, thinking and realising and watching the sun slip over the horizon.
Raven, Cerise, Briar, Ashlynn and Maddie began to cry.
Why?
It had been a truly shocking two years. What with car crashes, suicide attempts, alcohol, autism, trauma and lies, they had not only survived but come out stronger than before. Facing all those problems only strengthened their friendship.
They cried for relief, for sadness, out of confusion.
They cried because they had finally found their happily ever afters.
THE END
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IS JUST THE BEGINNING
(OF COURSE)
~ Thank you ~
- Reade-Queen-Of-Versailles