Giorni in Roma (Days in Rome) - Chapter Twelve ENDING!

Firstly, I have to say that I was so happy this morning to find that I got one comment FINALLY ! Haha, it was my fault anyway too. I was just lazy to post, even though everything was already written. But I don't mind the comments, or no comments at all. I mean, writing is like an art, and some like it, some don't, Some have something to say about it, and some don't.

To Anony Moose: Haha! Thank you for commenting ! Firstly, yes, this is the last chapter sadly, but many more stories to come ! I think after this, I'm going to re post my "The Bend in an Oasis" story again, because it's revised, and makes more sense. I'm not the type to say "Oh, this story needs a happy ending, or a closed ending. I'm more into the halfway open-ended endings." Plus, posting that story again gives me some more time to continue writing another story which I think might be the story most dear to my heart.
Also, the main relationship I wanted to capture in this story was Aimee's and Greg's, and creating another one would take away from it in my mind. But nonetheless, I hope you enjoy ! This last chapter is for all who commented in one way or another, and to the many readers I have so greatly appreciated !
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As the door was being bombarded, the writers and photographers inside were well prepared to say goodbye to the world and hello to heaven. Each pair held on to each other tight and said one last word - Goodbye.

If you're about to die, hold on to the person you love, but don't cover your face so you can't see. This was the tip that could have saved Madison, Aimee, Hilary, Greg, Ryan, and Nate dozens of heartbeats. The door was broken apart by a large log, but holding that log were men... in Italian Police suits. Then walked in another man... with very familiar characteristics.

Waiting for their death to come, they waited and waited, but nothing happened. The waited a little while longer; still nothing.

"Ciao Bella,"

Madison's heart did a double flip and while still holding to Ryan's hand, she breathed heavily and turned to see the same person she saw when she first arrived in Rome. "Charlie..." the name came out as a barely recognizable sound. "Charlie!" Madison said again, this time louder.

"My God," Ryan, along with the others looked up and saw warm greeting smiles from the officers and Charlie.

So they were saved! Madison hugged Charlie and questioned how he had gotten here and why there were so many officers. Before anything else was said, a scruffy officer pushed them into the car and they were driven off to the hospital. Though nothing was wrong, they were admitted into special rooms and all slept for hours until the night.

Madison woke up in her white room and looked up to see an Italian nurse looking down on her and checking her pulse.

"Hey, do you know where Charlie is?"

"Who?" she asked in her accent.

Madison but her lip and remembered that it was nighttime. "Oh, I mean Antonio."

She nodded and headed outside. Madison saw a silhouette of a man, a woman and two little kids. The door opened and in walked Charlie with his wife and kids. He said something in Italian to his wife but before she left the room with her children, she smiled at Madison.

"Feeling better Bella?" Charlie sat down on the plastic chair beside her bed.

"Yes," Madison paused. "Actually, you never told me how you found us."

Charlie sighed and began to talk. "You should know something first Bella, some things are meant to be said, and some aren't. In this case, I'll have to say everything," he stopped to see Madison nod and then continued. "On the day when I drove you and your friends to the Trevi Fountain, we saw those men, correct? Well, aside from what you said, I went ahead, talked around, and found out that they were working for a man by the name of George Henley. I presume that you know him right? Well, I searched the name up, and that's how I figured out he was the President of Capital Magazine. I had also figured out they wanted to kill you and your friends to get a share of George's money from the Magazine. From that day when I figured everything out, I began to follow you and your friends. When you guys ran away that night, I wondered where you went so then I saw... "Him" in the lobby. I'm so sorry Madison. Well anyway, I began to wonder where you could have gone. I contacted the police and we went on a night search. I saw Greg and Aimee on the bridge one night so we managed to get there. Then in the morning, the sun reflected something shiny near the cottage and we found those granola bar wrappers in front of the door. We took a chance, and knocked. No one answered of course so then we suspected you guys could have been scared. Well, the end is that we found you."

"Charlie, I can't thank you enough. If you did listen to me, my friends and I probably would be dead right now," she smiled at him and Charlie got up to leave the room. "One more thing though, what about George and his men?"

Charlie laughed and sat back down. "Don't worry, we sent word to the British Police - they've captured George now. We found the silver bullet on the stone, and we traced that to a building that makes tons of those. Turns out, all of his men were hiding there. We got them all, don't worry."

Charlie walked out and behind the curtain, Madison saw him talking to yet, another person. Well that person ran in and kissed Madison on the forehead with such force that she almost felt winded for a second.

"Ryan! I thought you were still in your room."

He scratched his head. "Actually, everyone's been out for a while now. You've been sleeping."

She blushed. "Oh."

Ryan turned his head towards the door and said, "Ready to get out of here?"

Madison stepped out of the bed and let Ryan smooth out her hair with his fingers. "I've never been more ready in my life."

Charlie had arranged for the five to get a flight back to London a week after. Madison was feeling upset that now, after the trouble had passed, she would have to leave Rome for good.

All five friends along with Ryan felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders after the news of George's arrest but they all felt the same way - they didn't want to leave Rome.

"Well... looks like this is it," Ryan said. They were standing in the exact spot where Madison had arrived at the Fiumicino Airport. Greg and Nate shook hands with him and after, Hilary and Aimee both gave long-lasting hugs. "Can I talk to you for a second before you leave?" he asked Madison.

They walked off to the big glass window which showed the planes arriving and departing. "Madison, I'm going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too Ryan," she said.

He took both of her hands and looked deep at her face. "Wait, I didn't finish. I'm going to miss you so much... for the three months we'll be apart."

"Three?"

"I got a job in England. I'm going to be taking pictures for the same Magazine Hilary's going to be working for."

Madison was overwhelmed with happiness and at the same time, completely speechless. She let her suitcase fall and jumped forward to Ryan. They hugged in a warm embrace ignoring the rushing calls of her friends.

Ryan looked forward as the five friends walking side by side entered the hallway towards the British Airlines plane. He waved as Madison turned around and winked.
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Epilogue

One Year Later

"Are you ready?" Madison asked.

"Yes!" Greg said.

"Got the ring?"

"Yes!"

"Know what you're going to say?"

"Yes!"

"Nervous?"

"Yes!"

Madison sighed and turned to Hilary. "Are you going to say anything besides yes?"

"Yes!"

Ryan and Nate both groaned. "Get out there!"

Greg took baby steps towards the girl sitting on a bench in front of Big Ben at first, but loud whistles from behind urged him to go faster. Aimee had no idea what was to come next but it happened; he kneeled in front of her and with a trembling hand, held out a silver ring and tried to speak, but nothing came out of his mouth.

Nate, along with the others hid behind a flower bush and yelled out for Greg, "Marry him Aimee!"

Greg felt relief but was still questioning what the answer would be. "Oh you silly boy. Yes, I'll marry you."

He put the ring on her finger and picked her up from the bench. He spun her around as cheers and claps came from behind the bush.

So things have all worked out! Greg and Aimee are engaged now. Actually, he picked a good time to ask her too - it was in front of Big Ben.
Nate actually got signed for an architecture program in France. He's spending two years there. We're throwing him a goodbye party on Friday.
Hilary and Ryan are having a great time at their new job. Speaking of Ryan, he and I have decided to take a trip this summer to the States. Bring back some memories.
As for me, I've been writing. Actually... my short story is being featured in Hilary's magazine. So who says dreams can't happen? All I know is that this dream couldn't have happened if it wasn't for my Days in Rome.
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Thank you for reading everyone ! This story meant so much to me because I wrote it in my last year of junior high and my teachers praised me for it. I dedicate this story to all the wonderful teachers I've had during my three years in junior high & The Bend in an Oasis will come out shortly, maybe in a day or two. AND oh my goodness ! I'm kinda a perfectionist, so I just noticed, that I actually spelled the chapter number out on all of my chapters, except for chapter 11. Ain't that something?