Hey all!
Here it is, the final chapter!
I can't believe it took me this long to finish this, so a big THANK YOU to everyone who has been waiting for updates! While I was writing the last two scenes, I was smiling at how cute it was.
Slight spoiler: During the dance, this version of the song is what I'm imagining is playing (ffn doesn't like links so add this to the end of Youtube) 7Zw6XnB1NHk
There's so much else I could say, but I won't(maybe on Tumblr). There is currently no plan for a sequel, but I can never promise that with any of my stories.
Izzy is about 7.5 weeks old at the start of the chapter, and 10 weeks old on NYE.
Enjoy!
X
X
X
Chapter 32
*Tues Dec 14*
"Thank you for squeezing us in, Dr Beeks." Carlton said as they took a seat.
"You're welcome." Dr Beeks smiled as she poured some glasses of water. "I always try to keep a few appointments available for emergencies. You said it was urgent?"
"Time-sensitive, yes; although I wouldn't quite call it an emergency." He picked up a glass and turned to Sharon. "Sharon?"
Sharon bit her lip as she squeezed a pillow to her chest. "I just got news that there might be a cure for my curse."
"Condition." Carlton corrected.
"Eh, tomato, potato."
Dr Beeks frowned, "Really? I hadn't heard anything about that."
"Erma, my witch doctor and fairy godmother, just returned from Asia where she tracked down a possible treatment. There's no documentation of anyone successfully using it in the past 100 years or so, but Erma seems pretty confident that it will work."
"Wow, that is interesting news. Are you nervous about it not working?"
Sharon shook her head and looked down. "I trust Erma. I just need to decide if I want to spend the rest of my life as Shawn or as Sharon. If it does work, we don't even know if I will continue changing once a month."
"And do you have to make a decision soon?"
"Well, there's a full moon next week so it would be a good time to test it out. Or we can wait another month."
"How can I help you?"
Sharon shrugged, "I mainly need an impartial person as a sounding board as I weigh the pros and cons."
"I'm happy to do that. Would you like Carlton to leave the room?"
"Yeah," Sharon winced. "Sorry, Lassie."
"I understand." Carlton nodded as he stood. "I can sit in the waiting room."
"Thank you, Carlton. If we have time at the end, we can talk one on one." Beeks smiled.
"Thank you."
X
X
X
*Mon Dec 20*
Sharon paced quickly around the living room as she glanced between the window and the clock.
"Sharon, come sit down." Carlton said calmly from the couch.
She shook her head. "I can't, I'm too wound up."
"You said you needed to chant some mantras, which would probably work better if you were sitting and relaxed."
"What if this doesn't work?"
"Then we can try again next month."
"Maybe I should go be with Izzy, she usually starts one of her colic episodes about now."
"Your father will be with Izzy while your mother and I are with you. If Henry needs any help, I can go."
"Lassie, I'm so scared."
"I know, but what's the worst that can happen?"
Sharon shrugged and hugged her chest as she continued pacing. "I don't know. If I'm Shawn, Izzy might not want me anymore and she might starve."
"I highly doubt that will happen." He stood up, walked over to her, and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Everything will be okay. You're not alone, we will figure everything out together."
She snorted, "Here you are again, optimistic Lassie, to save me from myself. My hero."
"You don't need saving, you just need guidance and cheerleading."
"Now I've got the image of you in a cheerleader skirt in my head." She smiled.
"As long as it stays in your head."
"I don't know, that might be a good Halloween costume for you, or bedroom roleplay."
"I would rather give up my badge and live in a hippie colony."
"Hey, hippie colonies are fun! I've been part of several."
"Of course you have." Carlton rolled his eyes.
Sharon laughed and pulled him into a hug. "Thanks Lassie. I'm glad you're here with me."
"Ditto," Carlton whispered as he returned the hug.
After a minute, they heard a light cough before Madeleine said, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's about 10 minutes until sunset. We should probably get started with the meditation."
"Okay, mom." Sharon sighed as they pulled apart.
X
X
X
*Thurs Dec 23*
"Hey Lassie?" Shawn whispered as they spooned on the bed.
"Hmmm?" Carlton responded, half asleep from his position as the big spoon.
"What's your wish for tomorrow morning?"
"I wish to get some sleep before waking up at dawn."
"You know what I mean! Do you wish for Sharon back or for me to stay as Shawn?" Shawn tried not to squeeze the arms that were wrapped around his middle.
Carlton sighed as he moved his head off the pillow so his voice wouldn't be muffled. "Just for you to be happy and healthy. I am in love with you: your spirit, your soul; it doesn't matter to me what your body looks like or what the world sees. It took Sharon for me to get my head out of the sand in order to see what was right in front of me: an amazing detective who lives life with their whole being."
Shawn laughed and wiped a tear away. "You just called me an amazing detective."
"Good luck proving that. I plead the fifth." He kissed the back of Shawn's head. "Now can we go to sleep, please? We only have about five hours before we need to get up."
"Sure. I love you, Lassie."
"Ditto." Carlton mumbled as he squeezed his arms around Shawn.
Shawn laughed. "I've totally rubbed off on you."
X
X
X
*New Years Eve*
"Spencer! Hurry up! We're going to be late!" Carlton knocked on the bathroom door.
"What are you talking about?! The party doesn't start for another hour and lasts all night, we can arrive whenever we want."
"I told the Chief that I would help set up the food the caterers are bringing."
Shawn opened the door and gave him a look. "Well, that sounds like a you problem. How about you go ahead, and I'll just hitch a ride with Gus?"
"You know Guster is picking up Juliet."
"Yeah."
"As a date."
"So?"
"Guster specifically told you not to bother him before the party today."
Shawn rolled his eyes. "Ugg, party pooper."
"I'm going to go warm up the car…."
"Why, it's like 50 degrees outside."
"And if your butt is not in the passenger seat in 10 minutes, then I am leaving without you."
"10 minutes?! Lassie!" Shawn whined.
"I can make it 5."
"No, 10 is good. I'm almost done with my hair."
"It's been a half hour and you barely have any hair."
Gasp!* "How dare you! I have twice as much hair as you and exponentially more than my dad!"
"Nine and a half minutes."
"Okay!" Shawn huffed as he shut the door.
Carlton shook his head as he went into the nursery. "Thank you again Henry for handling tonight."
"I'm just glad that Shawn agreed to go out." Henry smiled as he finished changing Isabella.
"Me too. Don't be afraid to call us home early, especially if Isabella has one of her colic episodes."
"We'll be fine, Maddie should be awake in a few hours to trade off." Henry picked Isabella up and handed her to Carlton. "Here, watch her for a minute while I go to the bathroom."
"Shawn is in there, but feel free to kick him out and tell him he has about 8 minutes."
Henry rolled his eyes as he left. "He's been hogging the bathroom for an hour. You should consider getting a second bathroom put in."
"I'll think about it." Carlton mumbled as he rocked the baby.
"SHAWN! QUIT HOGGING THE BATHROOM!"
"Damn it, dad! Don't sneak up on people!"
"OUT!"
"Okay, okay! I was done anyways!"
Carlton chuckled.
Shawn came in and gave Carlton a look. "I thought you were in the car."
"A better offer came along, but I still plan on leaving in 7 minutes."
"Okay." Shawn leaned in and tickled the baby. "Hello little munchkin, are you going to be good for Grandpapa and Nana?"
"She's a Lassiter, of course she'll be good."
"But she's also a Spencer, so she'll be tempted to rebel."
"Let's hope not. Are you ready to leave?"
"Almost. Just need to find my phone and borrow your jacket."
"You left your phone to charge by the bed, and why do you need to borrow my jacket? You have your own."
"Mine doesn't look good with my suit!"
"I have another rain jacket in the front closet if you insist."
"Thanks Lassie!" Shawn kissed Carlton then the baby. "Good night, Izzy. I'll see you later!" He smiled as he headed for the front door.
"Don't forget your phone!" Carlton called.
"Yeah, yeah!"
Henry chuckled as he entered the nursery. "Good luck tonight, although I don't think you'll need it."
"As long as I don't shoot him before I ask." Carlton whispered as he passed over the baby.
"Just don't hit anything vital."
"Right."
X
X
X
*A few hours later*
Carlton was staring into his drink when Juliet joined him at a table. "Hey, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just trying to calm my nerves."
"You'll be fine." Juliet smiled. "Where is Shawn, anyways?"
"Showing off baby pictures to basically everyone here." He rolled his eyes.
Juliet laughed, "I'm surprised you're not joining in."
"Not really my thing."
"I know. So, do you need any last-minute help?"
"I think we're ready. Guster said that he set up multiple cameras and is good to go." He finished his drink as he recognized the song the band started. "This is my cue. Make sure that Shawn is paying attention to the stage when this song ends."
"You got it." She patted him on the arm as he left to make his way backstage.
X
X
X
"We can already tell that she's going to be one smart cookie; how can she not with such amazing parents!" Shawn smiled as he swiped to the next picture on his camera to show the group of officers surrounding him. "She's already taking after Lassie; just look at that adorable black hair and grumpy face!"
"Hey Shawn?" Juliet interrupted.
"Yeah, Jules?" Shawn answered as he swiped to the next picture.
"Can I borrow you for a minute? It's important."
"Sure, sure. Sorry everyone, I'll catch up with you all later!"
Juliet wrapped her arm around his and led him towards the stage. "How are you doing? I feel like we haven't talked in forever."
"Jules, we just hung out a few days ago. Is this really why you pulled me aside? Where's Gus anyways?"
"He's around." She cryptically.
"That doesn't sound good. What's going on? Am I about to be punk'd?"
"No, not at all."
"And where's Lassie? I haven't seen him in awhile either."
"You know how Carlton is about crowds, he needed a break."
"You mean a drink." Shawn frowned as he looked at the area around the bar. "Huh, I don't see either of them. Are you sure they're not setting up a prank?"
Juliet smiled as she heard the band finish the current song. "You're just not looking in the right area."
"Then where should I be looking?" He asked as he scanned the second floor.
"How about the stage?" She asked as Carlton walked onto stage.
"What?! Why?" Shawn frowned as he turned around. "Lassie?"
Carlton cleared his throat before speaking into a microphone. "Good Evening, everyone. For those who don't know me, my name is Carlton Lassiter, Head Detective of the SBPD." He paused for the polite applause before continuing.
"What's Lassie doing?" Shawn whispered as he moved closer to the stage.
"Thank you for coming out tonight and celebrating another year. Fortunately, neither agency lost anyone this year, which means we had a good year. Usually either the police chief or fire chief say a few words at this time, honoring some heroic people, but I asked if I could steal the spotlight and talk about one specific hero."
Carlton took a deep breath. "Most of you have met Shawn Spencer, one of the SBPD's consultants. Tonight he's been showing off baby pictures to practically everyone here, much to my chagrin."
Shawn shrugged as a few people laughed.
"For those who don't know Shawn, he's one of the most determined, passionate, and stubborn people around, sometimes more stubborn than myself. You might have noticed that Shawn hasn't been around most of this past year, and he's had a very good reason. I won't go into the details, but Shawn and I, we have a baby now: unplanned but the perfect miracle, in more ways than one. For you see, a year ago, I would have said I hated Shawn's guts and wished he never came into my life."
Shawn felt Juliet squeeze his hand and he flashed her a small smile before looking back at Carlton.
"But, a baby changes people. I'm not saying a baby solves every relationship problem, and I wouldn't suggest anyone have a baby if they truly don't want one; but our baby made me look at Shawn differently. Yes, he still annoys the hell out of me sometimes and needs to act like a grown up more often than he cares to. But he lives life to the fullest while also stopping to smell the roses. He can see the good in any situation and any person, no matter how grumpy or disgruntled they might be, I'm exhibits A through D; although sometimes he has trouble seeing the light inside of himself."
Carlton locked eyes with Shawn. "I know my life would be very dull and dreary without Shawn's light, and I'm willing to spend the rest of my life reminding Shawn of what an amazing person he really is. But first, Shawn, can you come up to the stage?"
Shawn shook his head as he felt Juliet let go of his hand. "This is a prank, isn't it? Am I dreaming?"
"No, now get up there!" Juliet whispered as she nudged him forward.
Shawn took some deep breaths before he jumped up on stage.
"You could have used the stairs." Carlton rolled his eyes.
Shawn shrugged, "This way was quicker."
Carlton took a deep breath as he reached for Shawn's hand. "Shawn. You are everything I never knew I needed in a partner. While I like to keep things a bit more private than you do, know that while I might sometimes be embarrassed by what you do, I will never be ashamed of you and I will never hide the fact that I love you just as you are. So, in front of all our coworkers, I just have one, very important question to ask:" Carlton knelt down on one knee and held out a ring. "Shawn Henry Spencer, Will you marry me?"
"Yes! Yes I will marry you, Carlton Jedediah Lassiter!" Shawn fell to the floor and kissed Carlton on the lips.
The entire room exploded in applause and Shawn could make out Gus's "whoops" over it all. Pulling back from the kiss, Shawn wiped the tears from his face. "Oh Lassie, I can't believe you just did this! And in front of everyone."
"Me neither. But I don't want to hide our love. Can I give you the ring now?" Carlton smiled as he held up the ring again.
"Yes, of course!" Shawn shakily held out his hand. "Oh, Lassie, it's amazing! When did you even buy it?"
"About a month ago."
"You've been planning this for a month?!"
"Yes." Carlton stood and helped Shawn up as well.
"Wow, I am so off my game if I hadn't noticed anything."
Carlton chuckled as he held up their joined hands to the crowd, which was still cheering and applauding. He nodded to the band before leading Shawn to the dance floor. "There's one more surprise."
"Of course there is."
The band started playing 'Can't Help Falling in Love with You.'
"Oh Lassie, I love this song." Shawn sighed as they reached the middle of the dance floor.
"I thought you would say that." Carlton pulled Shawn closer and started slow dancing.
"If only the band had a singer."
"I don't think we need one." Carlton leaned closer and started singing softly, "Wise men say, Only fools rush in, But I can't help falling in love with you."
"So much for not crying," Shawn mumbled as he tightened his grip on Carlton.
"Shall I stay? Would it be a sin, If I can't help falling in love with you?"
Shawn glanced over when he noticed movement. Juliet and Gus joined the dance floor, soon followed by the McNabbs and other couples.
"Like a river flows, Surely to the sea, Darling, so it goes. Some things are meant to be."
Juliet and Gus danced over to them and Juliet whispered, "Congratulations! I'm so happy for both of you!"
"Thanks!" Shawn grinned.
"Thank you both." Carlton added.
"How the hell did you all pull this off without me noticing?!" Shawn whined.
Gus scoffed, "We're just that good."
"Enjoy your moment." Juliet grinned as they moved on. "We'll tell you later."
"This is amazing." Shawn sighed as he leaned his head on Carlton's shoulder.
"You deserve it and more," Carlton whispered before singing softly again.
"For I can't help falling in love with you."
X
X
X
Epilogue:
*Jan 17th*
"Do you think I'll turn into Sharon tomorrow tonight?" Shawn whispered as he cuddled with Izzy on the couch, Carlton sitting next to them.
"I don't know, did you take any of your meds or herbal stuff?" Carlton asked as he started a movie.
"Yeah, but there's still the chance that I will change."
"Do you want to change?"
Shawn shrugged as he stared at Izzy.
After a few moments of silence, Carlton prompted, "Shawn? You can tell me the truth, I won't be mad or upset."
Shawn sniffled, "I guess I'm afraid of not turning back into Shawn if I do become Sharon."
"Do you not like being Sharon?"
"I don't like how I feel as Sharon: less secure, nervous, uncomfortable. For several years, Sharon was a bit of freedom. I could do almost anything I wanted without people connecting me to either my dad or my job; there were no strings holding me down. But being stuck as Sharon, losing the freedom and anonymity? That was scary. The uncertainty of what was going to happen next was definitely driving part of my anxious and depressive spirals, and was making it harder to pull myself out." Shawn laughed shakily as he wiped a tear away. "I'm probably not even making any sense."
"You are. I won't lie and say that I understand, I could never truly understand how it feels to be you; but I am here for you. Now and, hopefully, forever."
"But being with a woman would be so much easier for you, and you wouldn't have to explain how Izzy is biologically both of ours."
"Yes and no. Your mental health supersedes any societal pressure, and people don't need to know the details of our lives. You seemed healthier, more positive and more confident as Shawn this past month than almost any time as Sharon."
"Well, between my meds working and someone proposing, I've been more prone to positivity lately." Shawn smiled at him.
Carlton picked up Shawn's left hand and kissed his knuckles. "Maybe I should have proposed earlier."
"Nah, I don't think it would have worked as well. Plus the way you proposed was perfect. I still can't believe that you did that!"
"Me neither. And I don't regret it."
"But I'm such a mess!"
"So am I, so is everyone. I tried having the picture perfect marriage once, and it just imploded. " Carlton moved closer so he could lean their foreheads together. "I chose you, and any chaos that might ensue, over a picture perfect yet loveless marriage."
"Ditto," Shawn whispered as he brushed their lips together. "Love you, Lassie."
"Love you, too."
End?