A/N: This story was co-written by AO3's obsessivedaydreamer and posted here with her permission

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Epilogue - KATE

One thing she was sure of: she would never fly anywhere with James ever again.

Kate'd carefully planned out her activities for the flight, making sure the twelve hours they'd all spend in that tin can thousands of feet off the ground were well spent. From reading the book she'd had on her nightstand for three months and had yet to touch, to getting ahead on some studying for her first semester of college in the fall, to watching a movie with Jack on the tiny screens on the back of the seats in front of them, to as nice of a nap as she could take in the economy class seats.

And it would've all worked out if her dad hadn't given up his seat, trading with James. "All you kids sit together", he'd said. Though she had seen him strike up a conversation with the beautiful older woman in the seat next to his and couldn't be mad at him for it.

James, however, she could be mad at. And would.

She knew how excited he'd been to see Juliet again — they all were. It had been months, nearly a year, since they'd been with her in person, since Sam had taken her back home, back to her sister. And, although they'd kept in touch over text and Skype, it still wasn't the same, especially when it came to celebrating good news or comforting each other.

Her sister had given them all hope when her health started to improve upon Juliet's return, but that hadn't lasted very long either. She'd passed away that March, two weeks shy of Juliet's eighteenth birthday and it had been a trying time for all of them. Comforting your best friend — or girlfriend — over the internet wasn't easy.

The invitations had come in the mail a few days after graduation. The Coronation of Queen Juliana Charlotte Elizabeth Carlson that summer would be the biggest event of their lives, and of course they had to attend. They were all family now, Sam had told them. And when her dad said something that heartfelt, he definitely meant it.

James had started to go off the rails then. Worried about what he should pack, what he should wear, and how long it would be okay to stay without imposing.

She'd talked to Juliet about it, laughing it off, although his half-panicked state annoyed her. They'd both thought Juliet inviting him to stay for as long as he wished to would calm him down at least a little.

They'd been wrong.

He'd decided to take a gap year and spend it in Europe, mainly in Isbjörn, to spend time with Juliet, until he figured out what he wanted to do with his life, with his future. (The one thing he was sure of was that Juliet would be in it.)

They'd all supported that choice, even his parents, although they had been a little reluctant at first. But Juliet had extended an invitation to them, as well, if they so wished to visit them during James' stay.

The plans had only added to his anxiety, to his need to make sure everything was perfect. He'd nearly lost it at Kate a few weeks before their flight, when he'd enlisted her help to find a present for Juliet and nothing she'd suggested had been good enough.

Throughout the flight, he'd bounced his legs, gone for walks up and down the narrow aisle, tried starting different books and watching a variety of movies, but most of all, he had bothered Kate countless times, either asking for the time or "Are we there yet? How much longer?"

Kate had considered waking Jack up and asking him to switch seats with her, just so he could handle James for a bit. She would rather have to deal with a crying baby than with him.

She'd been so thankful when they'd finally landed. Despite getting nothing done and no sleep the entire flight due to all of the interruptions from the manchild on a sugar rush next to her, their arrival had meant his restlessness would ease, or at least be put to good use.

He'd been the first on his feet when they'd taxied into their gate, pulling all their carry-ons off the overhead compartment, and if it hadn't been so adorable, she would've rolled her eyes harder.

He'd cut through the sea of people, making way for them to pass through, even after they'd picked up the rest of their luggage, throwing around "Excuse me, I'm sorry" like those were the only words he knew, until they made it to the car service arranged by Juliet's guard.

It wasn't until they were on a boat, traveling off the coast towards the small island that Kate had finally had the chance to get some space from the ball of anxiety that was starting to seep into her psyche as well.

Jack had been more quietly excited. Withdrawn and contained, the way he always was, almost scared that he could ruin the event if he allowed himself to be more expressive with his feelings, but he'd shared with her how proud he was of their friend and how grateful he'd been for the time they'd spent together, early in the school year, because it had led him to Kate — or Kate to him.

On the drive from the boat to the palace, Kate had lost it and cussed at James to calm down or she'd throw him out of the car. Jack had snickered, glad that he hadn't had to say something because things were better between the two boys but they weren't the best of friends, still. Sam had given her one of his stern glares and she forced herself to apologize, but had been grateful that her words had been efficient.

They'd all quietly gaped at the castle that slowly revealed itself past the city they'd entered upon arrival; grand and elegant, behind guarded walls.

Juliet had waited for them just on the other side of the gate, with two of her guards standing at her sides. James had all but flown out of the car, rushing towards her to pick her up, and had she not done the same, Kate couldn't be entirely sure her guards wouldn't have taken him down.

James spinning her around had become their signature move and it made Kate smile, half forgetting that she was annoyed with him. She leaned into Jack, watching until Juliet came to them and pulled them both into a tight hug.

She looked different, more mature, more… royal, but the way she smiled and rambled, excited about their presence, was enough to remind them that she was the same Juliet they'd known.

And now, reunited, even if temporarily for the rest of them, they felt content.

Seeing Juliet being crowned queen had been emotional for all of them. Especially Sam.

Kate hadn't realized just how much her father cared for Juliet until he'd shivered next to her, trying to contain himself, as tears spilled out of the corner of his eyes.

He'd known her since she was a child, since her parents had died, even if they hadn't developed much of a relationship until she'd moved in with them for that short while. To him, to them, she was like his kid, too.

James wasn't too far behind. Kate knew he was fighting every instinct to reach for his phone to photograph her. He was keen on capturing every important moment they shared, every single time he thought she looked beautiful, which was basically all the time. Kate'd had to remind him countless times that there'd be plenty of pictures for him to choose for his lockscreen later, and from a variety of angles.

She couldn't blame him, though. Juliet looked beautiful and she'd made sure to point that out the very second she'd seen her in her dress — a beautiful long-sleeved, royal blue gown with a sabrina neckline and gems sewn onto the shoulders and half down her arms, where her sleeves parted.

Kate could tell Juliet felt beautiful as she swirled around in front of the elegant mirror the seamstress had led her to. It was simple, but perfect for her, unlike those puffed-up gowns her sister had tried to make her wear that made her feel like Marie Antoinette.

Juliet had told her not to worry about clothes, that she had a surprise for her. She'd joked about the boys not getting the same treatment. "They can just wear suits like every other man, they'll all look like penguins anyway.", she'd joked. Kate had been grateful, because no matter how much research she'd done, she couldn't seem to find anything that seemed worthy of a coronation, especially her best friend's.

She hadn't expected to cry over a dress and if Juliet told anyone, she would deny it profusely, but she had teared up when the seamstress came back into the room holding an off-shoulder forest green gown that'd clip around the waist and flow more widely down her legs until it reached the floor. It only took a couple of adjustments for it to fit her perfectly and make her feel like a princess, too.

Jack had nearly spit out his water that morning when she'd gone to the room assigned to him to pick him up. He'd kissed her, hands on either side of her face, mumbling against her lips just how beautiful he thought she was.

"I present to you, Queen Juliana of Isbjörn", she heard the archbishop Juliet was facing say as he placed the golden crown gently atop her head.

The crowd erupted in cheers as she turned to face them, overjoyed to have a new queen, one who seemed as kind and thoughtful as her sister had been. Kate had no doubt that Juliet would be an even better queen.

They quieted down when she began to speak, entranced by her presence and by the words she spoke, promises of a fair and intentional reign that she hoped would help them blossom as a nation.

"If there is one thing I've learned in my short life is that family and love are the most important things you can have. And family doesn't have to be blood. Family can be the people who love you for who you are, who have your back, who protect you, and have your best interests in mind.

While the loss of my sister still feels fresh and it pains me to remember she is gone, her legacy will always remain, not just with me, but with the people of Isbjörn and I can only hope I can make her, and them, and the family I have left proud."

She glanced at them, smiling through her tears. Her words rang true in Kate's mind, and all she could do was nod in agreement. Here, with them, she truly had found her family.

"I got you, Blondie.", she heard James say to himself, beside Jack, and couldn't help to think that, yeah. They really did.