Move Along... (Epilogue)

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Tasha- I'll email you!

Sophie- Lol. Great. Thanks!

Ani- Many thanks. That comment made me feel all good inside. I'm very shy and touchy about my writing.

Marijah A- No sequel, sorry. :'(

Rachel T.- Okayz.... lol.

Emily Green- Okay, I'll try to get this published someday just for you! How are you going to make it more read than the Bible, though? It would probably have to have its own channel, along with a movie. And a good movie that does a justice, not like Twilight or anything like that!

Emily Morgan- Lol. Sounds like you're begging. Yes, epilogue. My new story, not a sequel for this, is called "Frostbite".

Bethanyfellows- Her name shall be Beth, if that's ok. ;)

Lol X-Thanks!

JJ-Lol.

Sapna- I'm not making a sequel, if that's what you mean. Sorry. But thanks for the comment, all the same.

K- Thanks!

Luv It- Thanks. I was worried it took away from Daniel's line.
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^.^ ...3 Yrs. Later... ^.^
"Elizabeth!" I yelled up the stairs. "Thad, Danny, Carmen, come down here now! Time for school!"

Lizzie trudged downstairs, sporting a jeans skirt with black leggings and a cute blue top. She grinned at me. "Yes, Mom."

I rolled my eyes and hit her on the shoulder. "Bite your tongue, Miss Sweet Sixteen."

She winked and started for the kitchen. Thad came down next. "Hey, Carter," he greeted nicely, waving slightly. His hair was uncombed, but he was wearing clean clothes. He was getting better at human time, even if it has been years.

Carmen, now eight years old, smiled and hugged me. "Good morning, Mommy."

I kissed her on the forehead. "Hey, sweety. Dad's getting breakfast ready. Get some, before the teens devour it." She nodded and dashed off.

I started up the stairs for Danny. I didn't bother to knock and knelt over by his bed, shaking him slightly. "Wake up, sleepy head," I cooed.

Danny groaned and looked up at me with dark green eyes. He gave me a smile. "I don't wanna go to school. I'm sick."

I smiled and felt his forehead. "No fever. You're not pale at all. Something tells me you're going to school today."

He shook his head and held out his hands. "Carry me."

I sighed, rolled my eyes, and picked him up. He was like a baby, next to Carmen. I carried him downstairs, rejecting his little pleas to stay home from school, and headed to the kitchen. Thad and Elizabeth were chowing down, Carmen was nibbling on some pancakes. I set down Danny next to Carmen and ruffled Elizabeth's hair before taking another sip of coffee.

Adrian slipped in, hair a wild mess. I bit y lip on a smile.

Eilzabeth groaned. "Oh, God, would you two stop ogling at each other for ONCE?" she groaned again, much more distinct. "I'd think after three years you two would pop out of this honeymoon phase!"

I rolled my eyes, playfully glaring at her. She winked and bit into a piece of toast. Elizabeth always teased us; she said it was her obligation since Adrian was her older brother. But I got back at her since she was dating Thad, which was great when I made her do chores and anything else to make her hustled. It was a back and forth thing between us.

I walked the crazy four to school like I always did. Motorized vehicles were rare, with everybody using gas while the world was out of commission, and I was a bit overprotective. Carmen was more like my kid, whereas the others were like little siblings.

A twelfth grade teacher had survived the major catastrophe. We used what used to be a nursing home as a school building. Mariah and Teagan had found an aunt that was still alive and was staying with her. Miley had actually found her older brother, and she stayed with him a few states away. I heard about them every once in a while, since word traveled fast with so few people left in the world.

The vampires were gone, people had hunted off most of the diseased animals, and the human population was slowly getting higher. There was even talk of us getting the TV's back on soon. But nobody knew who had helped in this catastrophe, and I liked it that way.

I dropped the kids off, waving at the teacher and the ten other kids inside, then started back for the house. We were staying at the mansion. Jax had spent most of his days cooped up in the library, or in his study, so we only saw him when we went to visit or he needed food.

I stepped through the front door and collapsed on the couch, sighing and letting my eyes drift to a close. I heard footsteps coming closer, than a puzzled voice saying, "It's not even noon yet and you're exhausted."

I opened one eyes and smiled sheepishly at Adrian. "Just thinking of come-backs to Elizabeth's jokes. She's thinking of then now more than ever." I blushed and added, "I may be a bit tired."

He chuckled came by my side. I lifted my head and he moved so my head sat in his lap. Adrian smiled down at me. "So, where does all if this leave us?"

I gave him a playful glare, matched with a grin. "You and your labels."

He smiled down at me. "Born in a different time, love."

I nodded and closed my eyes. "Trust me, I know. Ex-vampire boyfriend and all."

Adrian gave me the sad puppy look. "Boyfriend? I'm with you for three years through nine levels of Hell, and the title 'boyfriend' is all I receive. I feel hurt."

I smiled and boosted myself on my elbows to kiss him for a moment, the settled myself with my bottom on his lap and my back against the armrest. "Sorry, Vampire Boy. I'm not a big romance girl who stresses about a label every three seconds. But I'm actually living in the same house as you; isn't that enough for now."

Adrian looked down at me for a moment, then smiled and lowered his lips to mine. "For now," he murmured, then kissed me again.

^.^ ...7 Years Later... ^.^
"Mommy!" a cheerful, soprano toddler voice murmured in my ear. "Mommy! Daddy!"

I rolled over, away from my husband's chest, and looked over at Beth. "Honey, Mommy and Daddy are trying to sleep, okay?" I said, pushing the covers up higher around my neck. "Are Carmen and Danny up yet?"

She shook her head violently, dark hair flying. She gave me a little grin. I kissed her forehead and started to try to get her off the bed. "Go bug them for now, okay? Or go back to bed. Everybody's sleepy."

Beth nodded, suddenly sullen. "Bye, Mommy."

I sighed as she left the room. I ran out of bed and dragged on a baggy sweatshirt and some underwear, then ran out the room and picked up my daughter from behind. She squealed and flailed around. Then she calmed down when she saw it was me and gave me a giant grin. "Hi, Mommy."

I smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "Hi, Bethy."

She giggled. "Pancakes?" she asked, hopeful.

I pretended to think about it for a moment, then smiled and said, "Sure. Go wake up Carmen and Danny."

Beth squealed like she always did when she was excited, then bolted out of my arms and went to wake up the rest of the family. I smiled and walked back into the bedroom, where Adrian was watching me through half-lidded eyes. "You handled that well," he said with a smile, then looked at what I was wearing. "And that is a great look on you."

I smiled slightly and curled under the covers next to him. "We have to get up. Our daughter wants pancakes."

He smiled and gave me a lingering kiss in the lips. I growled, "No, you will NOT try that again. We're lucky enough Beth normally knocks. Get up."

Adrian groaned. I started to get up, but he grabbed my wrist and we ended up so I was straddling his waist. His eyebrows were raised slightly. "Huh. Interesting."

I smiled and kissed him softly. "Save it for tonight, we have kids to take care of. Get on some clothes."

"Do I have to? I wanted to walk around like a J-Bird," he said sarcastically, winking before he disappeared into the closet.

I took a quick shower then headed into the closet, picking out some comfy faded jeans and a tank top, then some dark tennis shoes. I pulled my dark hair into a ponytail and headed downstairs. Carmen, twelve and loving it, grinned and gave me a hug. "Hey, Mom. Pancakes this morning?"

I nodded and ruffled her chocolaty hair, then pecked Danny on the forehead. "Morning, kiddo. How you feeling?"

Danny smiled. "Fine, sis. Mrs. Schmecher's killing me with math homework."

I grinned and stated on pancakes.
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Right after lunch, we had a surprise guest. Carmen opened the door while I was drawing with Beth. "Wizzy!" she yelled from across the house. I picked up Beth, setting her snug against my hip, and went to the door.

Sure enough, twenty year old Elizabeth was standing there. Though she lived next door, I didn't see her as much. She and Thad were holed up together day and night, Worse than Adrian and I.

Elizabeth looked great. Her golden-blond hair was falling in loose ringlets around her face and shoulders, dark blue eyes shining. And she was glowing. I was a bit scared to know what made her so happy. She was almost brighter than the sun.

She gave me a huge grin and a hug when I came into view. "Carter! My God, I haven't seen you in forever! You look great!" She focused to the toddler in my arms. "Well, hello. You're Beth?" The little girl nodded shyly. "And how old are you?" Beth held up on finger. "One year old? That is so cool!" She smiled and returned her gaze to me. "She's adorable. Gets her looks after you. She's blessed."

I smiled. "Yes, but she has Adrian's eyes." Along with silky but wavy black hair, my daughter had gorgeous dark blue eyes, surrounded by thick black lashes. Beth's hair was a normal light pink, like any other baby's. She has a beauty mark next to her eye.

Elizabeth grinned. "Speaking of my dork of a brother, where is he? I need everybody to hear this."

I gave her a curious look. She smiled and set me down on the couch. Danny was on the floor in front of me, army men breaking through the Lego fortress, with Carmen trying to make Beth tell her name on my side. Adrian sat next to me, confusion clear on his face. "Do you have any clue what's going on?" he asked.

I shrugged. Elizabeth came back in, her brightness dimmed with nervousness. "Okay, so--I'm getting married. To Thad. I'm engaged to Thad."

I blinked. When had they gotten serious? Adrian seemed thrown off as well. I decided to cure the nervous silence and hugged Elizabeth. "Congratulations. But where's Thad? Isn't he supposed to be here too?"

She blushed. "Well -- I was afraid Adrian would kill him or something."

Adrian hugged his sister. "I would absolutely do that. But, congrats. I still have to hurt him, though. It's what brothers do."

Elizabeth grinned and hugged each of us, Beth crammed in the middle. "Oh, and Carter, you're the maid of honor. Be afraid."

I smiled and hugged her again. "Hey, it's my honor and my burden. I'll be fine. Remember, I was with you when you were insane."
###
Right before bed, I caught Adrian drawing with Beth. "Kitty!" Beth demanded.

Adrian chuckled. "Okay, okay." A minute later he said, "Is this good?"

Beth squealed. "Pwetty kitty!"

Adrian chuckled and picked her up, kissing her forehead. "Well, it's past a certain artist's bedtime. Time for bed, tiny."

"But Daddy..."

"Beth, Mom would kill both of us. C'mon. I'll read you a story. Which one?"

"Frog! Princess!" she shouted.

I saw Adrian scratching his head. "Okay--Mom must have read you that one. But I'll try it out."

Beth saw me in the doorway and squealed loudly. Adrian turned and smiled at me. "Ten minutes, and I am all yours," he said before going upstairs.
###
I laid my head on Adrian's shoulder, thinking. "We've had the weirdest life," I said, point-blank.

Adrian looked at me. "True, but it's been pretty great." He paused before adding, "It would probably make a great story."

I thought about it, then slowly smiled. "You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to start writing tomorrow."

Adrian smiled for a second, then got a look in his eye and his smile faded. I looked at him. "What?" I asked.

He just looked at me. "I'm wondering how I got off lucky enough to find you."

I smiled, touched, and said, "It was Elizabeth who found me, remember? You didn't want to see me ever again."

Adrian chuckled. "I'm serious. Out if hundreds of people, why on earth would you choose me?" He shook his head. "It's a concept I'm still trying to grasp."

I kissed him for a moment and said, "Because I love you."

He smiled then said, "If love is great, and there are no greater things, then what I feel for you must be the greatest."

I chuckled and said, "How can you be so inhumanly romantic?"

"I was a vampire; gives me enough time to come up with some nice come-on lines," he said with a straight face.

I smiled and kissed him again, just enjoying being with the one I love the most.

THE END!
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~*So, I would like to take this moment to apologize and thank everybody who helped me actually go through with one of my stories. I hadn't realized it's been over a month since I should have posted this. So, my thanks are to these people, and anybody who read my story at all!

Once again, many thanks and my apologies for the long wait!