Note 1: Here it is! The official last chapter! There will be a few bonus chapters, but...next to that... "When Summer Becomes Winter" has ended!

-End Note 1-

Spring 3, six years later

I was leaning against the front of the farm house, keeping a close eye on my young five year old who was 'practicing her ballet dancing' as I celebrated my twenty-first birthday drinking a glass of fine wine my mother offered me. I didn't particularly enjoy it, but I didn't want to hurt her feelings, so I took tiny sips.

I sighed, captivated by my darling daughter's beauty. Cadence was the complete opposite of me as a child, she was such a girly girl and no matter how much I tried to deny it, she was the splitting image of her father! From her facial features to her hair color and eye color. I felt tears form in my eyes as I straightened myself, dumping the rest of my wine in the soil. I placed the wine glass on a little table and dusted my hands before walking over to her, smiling.

"Are you ready to go inside?" Cadence nodded her head as she grabbed my hand leading me into the farmhouse. I stopped her from pulling me all the way in, bending to her height; I gave her a kiss on her nose and smiled.

"I'm going to go out for a bit. Be good for grandma and grandpa, okay?" she nodded, burying her face into my neck.

"I love you mommy!" she exclaimed as I held her tight. She broke the embrace and looked into my eyes with her big blue eyes, "You'll come back, right?" she asked, as I tapped her nose.

"You know I will." I looked behind Cadence, towards my parents. "I'll try not to take too long."

"Don't worry, Clara!" Mom said as I giggled.

"Hey, it's my job to worry, right?" Mom returned the giggle.

"Yes you are right! I meant to say, have fun!"

"And don't rush back. You need a break!" Dad exclaimed, picking Cadence up, causing her to squeal in delight.

"See you later, mommy!" Cadence exclaimed, holding her arm out in a wave. I walked out the door towards the De Sainte-Coquille park where Leann had planned my birthday party. I smiled at seeing my friends enjoying themselves. I walked over to my cousin first, poking her in the rib with my elbow smiling.

"So is it true? Are you and Orland finally tying the knot?" she blushed a bit, nodding.

"He proposed to me a few days ago! We're planning for the wedding to be sometime in the summer, although we're still deciding on the exact date. However, you, Uncle Jack, Aunt Rosalind, and Cadence are definitely getting an invitation!" I giggled before hugging her.

"Thanks, and congratulations!" I kissed her cheek before making my way towards Roy and Cammy.

"Wow! You look amazing for just having a baby, Cammy! Speaking of, how is Owen? I bet he's a handful like his father." Motioning my hand towards Roy, Cammy began laughing.

"Nah, he's more like his grandma!" Cammy giggled, bumping Roy with her hip. I walked towards the twins.

"Thanks for coming, Sera and Serena." I noticed a man with silver-blue colored hair and striking violet eyes next to Sera and a woman with luscious peachy colored hair and beautiful icy blue eyes next to Serena. "Oh! You must be Katja and Liam. Sera and Serena have told me so much about you! It's nice to finally meet you!" I shook their hands politely.

"The pleasure is mine." Katja began, "Serena talks about her sister and friends all the time in our letters! I'm just so glad I could meet everyone today!"

"Same here!" Liam exclaimed, "And any friend of Sera's is a friend of mine!"

"So, how did you meet? I never heard the full story! All I know is that when they came back to school from their week long trip in the summer, Sera was over the moon for Liam! And the year after that, Serena was gaga over Katja." The twins giggled.

"We'll have to make it a point to tell you someday, Clara!" Serena exclaimed.

"But for now, go mingle with your other guests!" Sera exclaimed as I gave a warm smile, embracing the twins.

"I'm glad you two are happy!" They hugged me back.

"Thanks, Clara!" they said at the same time, breaking our embrace, rushing over to embrace their spouses. I walked over to Orland smiling; I placed my hands on my hips.

"And why aren't you hanging out with your fiancée? If my cousin's not good enough for you I will fight you!" I joked as he chuckled also.

"The lady ordered some punch, so I'm getting her some. She's ecstatic to see everyone. So, I'm letting her talk with the girls before we marry and move." I gasped.

"You two are leaving Alvarna?" I asked as he nodded.

"We found a nice manor in the capital. And we love it a lot." I felt a hint of sadness but I smiled.

"Be sure to visit often! Cadence loves you two!" he blushed and smiled one of his rare smiles.

"Don't worry, Clara. We will." I had to say a hello to someone else as well, so as no one was looking I snuck my way towards the church and into the burial ground, plopping myself in front of a certain stone.

"Hi, Leonel." I began, pausing for a moment as if he would reply to me, "I really miss you. Cadence is doing great." Tears began to roll down my cheeks.

"I really wish you could see her. She's so beautiful, talented, and all around wonderful! You would be so proud of her." I began to sob a bit, "I know I am." I just collapsed on his stone, hugging it ever so tightly as if I were crying into his shoulder, I gently gave it a friendly peck before lifting myself off, saying my good-bye.

"We love you, Leonel." I whispered as I walked back to my party, leaving his stone; which seemed to be the only stone shimmering in the sunlight.

Note 2: I want to thank my readers for well...reading! You guys are amazing for that! I will be working on finishing up "Spring Essence" now!

I also have a few sequels lined up, as well as the events from "When Summer Becomes Winter" told by Leonel's perspective! I hope you look forward to them!

Thank you so much!

-End Note 2-