final chapter! ahh <3 there will be no epilogue so read a/n at the end to know why! thank you guys for sticking with me throughout ellie and archie's story. i present to you a very lengthy last chapter, ignore weird mistakes and typos, enjoy!

p.s. the picture to the side is a sunrise i managed to capture one morning on my way to school. it'll make sense when you read the chapter ;)

* * *

Life offers no "do-overs" but does allow us the capacity to "get-over" the mistakes we've made and to forgive ourselves and eachother.

* * *

1:00 pm

It was an uneventful morning as I sat on the couch next to Caroline, who was sulking while she waited for her dad to come pick her up. After two days of board games, role playing, and stories under the fort covers, our technology shut down weekend has finally reached its end. You could only go somewhat primitive for so long before you break and turn to this generation's means of entertainment and communication. We were watching episode after episode of a show on Cartoon Network as Luca became later by the minute. He and Kate were finally back in town and weren't wasting any time on collecting their daughter.

While we were focused solely on the TV, Archie, on the other hand, was immersed into all his devices. His prepared grand breakfast that resulted in very full stomachs was definitely his way of softening the fact that he had to disappear into his office all day and catch up on emails and phone calls. But it was okay. After all, he gained redemption during the last two days. No contact with his mother or anyone else was made after I received the call from Archie's mother. He never called her back, but I knew I was going to have to see my mother-in-law soon.

I sighed as I ran a hand across the couch. Now that I think about it, I could look at this closing weekend through the eyes of Caroline; it was a complete bummer. Disassembling the fort gave me the same feeling you get after the end of a vacation that was nothing short of blissful. It was our return to reality and reality didn't always contain pleasent moments. Our talks beneath the lights were in no way drama inducing, but filled with stories that made us laugh and smile instead. It's what made these two days feel like a dream you wouldn't mind having for a little while longer. With a kid and two adults who still had a bit of child in them, it wasn't hard for us to discover new forms of entertainment when under the rule of no technology.

I don't think Luca will be too thrilled with us ruining his daughter's sleeping schedule, though.

Sleep was something Archie and I did not get a lot of. When our little visitor dozed off, we were awake and taking advantage of as much of the day as possible. I didn't want to sleep. I didn't want to dream and forget what happened the moment I woke up. How I spend my time with Archie now, awake and conscious, would create memories that would last more than a night's dream.

With those ten months of distance and only a few weeks of having crossed it, I was still craving for time with him - time to do whatever we wished to do. It didn't matter if we spent that time just cuddled up under the fort for a little bit, since our couch was not available for use. It was the fact that he was there - really there - that made me fight to keep my eyes open so I could treasure that moment for as long as I could.

It took an hour more of episodes before Luca arrived. Caroline snapped out of her slump as she became excited by the thought of being reunited with her father again. Luca's unit was as close and tight as they could get.

"Go on ahead, Caroline. I'm going to get Archie, but look to make sure it's actually your dad, okay?" I picked up her weekend bag before walking over to Archie's office. It took a good thirty seconds before I was greeted by the joyous exchanges between daughter and father.

I gave two knocks on the door before entering with a smile that quickly faded as I realized what I walked into.

" . . . you tonight, Mom. No. I've been doing work-related things all morning and should be finished by the time I leave tonight. Don't worry, I'll be there. Okay." The annoyance he felt for this conversation was clearly shown through Archie's expression, but it softened to a welcoming smile as I stepped into the room.

I held Caroline's backpack up. "Luca's here," I informed him.

He nodded, then gave his mother a speedy response paired with a goodbye before hanging up. "Does she have everything?" he asked, taking the purple floral bag from me and slinging it over his shoulder.

"I'm sure she does. If not we'll just drop by when we have the time to return whatever she's left," I replied.

Archie gave Caroline's bag a last check before nodding. "Seems like everything is here. With Luca's attitude, he'll probably go off at me if she leaves something as little as a pair of socks."

"He's not that unreasonable. Besides." I paused and tuned in on the words spewing from Caroline's mouth. She was recapping every detail of her weekend with us, all being said with a bare breath between words that were each laced with satisfaction of a great time. "Caroline really enjoyed herself this weekend and that's all that Luca could've wished for," I concluded softly.

"And what about you? Did you enjoy yourself?" His eyes sought mine intently. The flicker of doubt I saw in those dark brown depths urged me to take him by the shoulders and actually give them a little shake. Was he being serious?

"Are you kidding me, Archie?" I gaped at him, actually shocked to find that he wasn't fully confident in the things he did to make this weekend as best as it could be. "I couldn't care less about the massive fort cleanup or the two days without electronics. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend, so stop looking at me like that."

My smile was one of countless smiles I've done within these last few days, and the main source who caused them was standing in front me of with a look of unnecessary doubt. It was washed off with the wave of relief.

His wide grin was back as he took me by the waist and hugged me tightly, pressing a kiss to the exposed skin above my collar bone and murmuring against it, "I kind of wish you kept the fort up a little longer. Would've been nice to cuddle up in it, just the two of us."

"Well, that's why we have a big, comfy bed for all that 'just the two of us' activities."

His lips quirked up into a sly smirk. "Oh, definitely," he murmured, then wrapped an arm around my shoulders so that he could steer us out of the room. "Come on, let's get out there before Luca gets really impatient. We don't want him abusing any more of our furniture like he did our front door."

I laughed. "I don't think he'll be punching our couch cushions if he doesn't see us right away," I said, grinning at the ridiculous image I had in my head that made my brother look like the next Donkey Kong.

He shrugged. "Never know."

I slowed as we reached the corner of the hallway. "So will AJ and I be eating dinner alone tonight?" I asked him in reference to his phone call. Now that Julia succeeded in getting contact, it sounds like the two will be going out for dinner.

At that, his good mood died off. His arm dropped from my shoulder. "No," he said, his hands traveling down the length of my arms slowly until he intertwined his fingers with mine, "just AJ, if I'm lucky enough to have you accompany me tonight. But, of course, we'll feed her before we leave."

Forcing a smile was difficult. "You want me to come with you, then?"

"I would like it if you did," Archie responded with a light squeeze to my hands, "but if you're not up for it, I could always go alone."

My gut twisted at the mere thought of sitting through a whole dinner course with Julia, but I didn't want Archie to bear all the questions his mother was bound to have. I doubt the evening conversation will be about what she's been up to. There was more pressing topics to discuss, such as how much longer until I'm kicked to the curb after what I did to her daughter. If I go, at least Archie won't be the only one being put on the spot, smack in the center of a question bombardment.

"I'll go with you," I agreed.

Archie hoisted Caroline's backpack up higher onto his shoulder, brows furrowing with my compliance. He expected me to turn down his request, didn't he? Well, even if I wasn't choosing to hide from his mother, I was already formulating in my head a plan to get through the night.

Putting a brave face on would be my game plan, even against the daggers that will undoubtedly be thrown my way. Who knows, maybe she'll be putting up her own smiling act. However she decided to treat me, sitting through this dinner was not going to be an easy task, and I didn't expect it to be. Her daughter's death was in my hands. I've got my own dagger already placed within me because Ari no longer is turning heads with just the sheer confidence in her walk. Facing such a ringing reminder of that will force that knife deeper. It's a pain I've learned to live with. I knew by now that the past isn't simply going to disappear, and the feeling of overwhelming guilt was just as common as happiness.

"You're sure you want to come?" Archie asked, his lips turning down in a frown. "It's fine if you don't want to go," he added.

Possibly tonight I'll wish that I took advantage of his giving me another chance to back out. For now, though, I was determined to show up at that restaurant with my chin held high. I had a reason to be happy that I was showing up with Archie, and it's because we both stayed around long enough to do so. That reason alone should have me strutting in with the same air of confidence as Ari had.

That was something I couldn't compete with, though. The woman walked like she was owning up to every damn challenge life threw at her, while as I was still crumbling at the most sudden curve ball that was pitched to me.

7:14 pm

Archie turned the car off and heaved out a sigh. My hands tightened around each other as I observed the lively atmosphere through the restaurant's window. There's no way I believe we'll have that same atmosphere at our own table.

"This is your chance, Elle," he said softly, drawing my eyes away from the smiling group of friends sitting directly next to the window. "Are you sure you'd like to continue on with this?"

I was still in the process of mustering up what it takes to put on a brave face. "We're already here," I said.

Archie's face remained solemn. "I have no problem turning this car around and driving you home," he responded. "Answer me honestly, baby girl. I don't want to force you to go in there if you aren't comfortable."

I shook my head at his offer and said, "I want to do this. I don't want to hide. She may not be part of the minority rooting for us, but she's still family." It was painful to turn and look at him, especially when I could so easily see Ari's face if I stared long enough.

This is going to be hard enough as it is. I was responsible for the death of Julia's daughter and if she told me straight forward that she didn't want to see me ever again after tonight, then I'll respect that.

"If you ever want to leave, just tell me." He still looked doubtful in my decision.

"Okay."

"And when we get home, we'll talk. About everything," he added.

My eyes strayed down towards my lap. "Everything?" I asked quietly. "Even about the night I left?"

It was too dark sitting here in the parking lot to notice a shift in Archie's behavior, but his sharp intake of breath was like a booming echo within an empty warehouse. His getting drunk isn't something I would think twice about if it weren't for the two year sober streak he had going. In the seven years I've spent with him, I know full well how much of a reckless fool he could become when he downed too much.

An incident at a work party two years ago almost cost him his job when he spoke his opinions about the boss to the boss man himself. It was like his brain disconnected all together, leaving him prone to idiotic behavior and left with barely any morals.

I mauled over the thought of asking Luca what happened that night. Even if I did ask him, he wouldn't tell me. He's said before that if Archie is so determined to right things, then he needs to work on his communication. No one else was left to spill any details, so it had to come from the man himself. Hopefully, he didn't do anything too stupid.

"Everything," Archie promised and got out of the car. As we approached the young man behind the desk, I scanned the area in search for Julia. I wonder if she got here before us. It'd give me more time to toughen my spine if she wasn't. It was too bad that when Archie said, "Reservation for Luttrell," the young man led us to a table that had the woman in question already waiting.

She still looked as sharp as ever with her graying hair tucked neatly behind her ears and into a low bun. Her eyes widened when it landed on me. She stood from her seat and straightened her blouse, clearing her throat before saying, quite formally, "Elizabeth. I didn't know you were coming, too."

My eyes widened. She didn't know I was coming?

It was then that I noticed that the reserved table was intended to seat only two. I glanced at Archie, barely holding back an accusatory glare. He was smiling innocently at his mother. Not only did I insist on coming to this dinner, but I wasn't even invited by the lady who offered. Wonderful.

"I guess I forgot to tell you, Mom," he said with a casual shrug while he turned to the waiter. "Can you set up an extra plate setting? Ellie, you can take that seat and I'll just sit on the side."

My cheeks were burning from intruding in on their dinner. "Archie, if I wasn't invited why did you lead me to believe that I was?" I asked him with an accusing tone that I couldn't help but use this time. I wasn't welcome here for God's sakes!

"I thought it'd be nice to bring you along," he answered calmly, thanking the waiter when he came back with a chair and an extra plate. "What did you want to talk about anyway, Mom? I'm sure Elle can sit in on it."

She still looked as if she was still trying to comprehend my presence. "I-I just . . . I wanted to talk about the two of you, actually," she answered, slowly.

Archie's expression grew chipper. Ignoring the look I was sending him, he took my hand and led me to my seat. He held it firmly in his as he sat in his own chair and looked at his mother with a bright grin.

"That's great, then. Now the two of us could answer any questions you've got, and can happily report that we've been working things out since we were finally reunited from our time away from home. There's obviously still things that need to be said and explained, but we're making progress. Slow but sure. Right, Elle?"

His thumb brushed across the mood ring. I took a deep breath and straightened up in the process.

"That's right."

8:29 pm

Dinner was . . . not enough to make me run all the way home, to say the least.

Julia was not smiling. She was not smiling throughout this whole dinner; yet, she spoke with no trace of venom in her voice and asked genuine questions about how he and I were doing - in a separate matter, though. She asked about Archie and the company, and she asked how my time was when I fled to stay with Riley's family for a break. Luca and his family were also brought up; she was very curious to know more about how much Caroline has grown.

All these questions, I knew, were just beating around the bush of what Julia really wanted to know. Sure, she wants to get caught up on what's happening in our lives, but I know that Caroline's end of the year project or the interior design of Archie's office space isn't the sole information she was seeking.

I knew what she wanted to ask, and it was something along the lines of "so are you two actually going to stay together even though your wife killed your twin sister?"

As we reached the end of our meal, I began to believe that she was never going to bring up any of those touchy topics.

And then, Archie mentioned moving.

"You know, Elle." He was munching on the last piece of his garlic bread. "If you wanted to find a job more closer to the city, we could always find a place near there. It'd cut the travel time for my work, too, but only if you want to."

I blinked at him. Move? Not once have I ever thought about moving, if you don't count that time I was positive our marriage was on the brink of failure and I was going to have to move out, not into a new place with him.

I paused my fork mid-twirl in the pasta, tilting my head. "You want to move?" I asked, surprised.

His lip tipped up into that half smile he did when he was juggling an idea. "I wouldn't be opposed to it. It definitely would give us some sort of a fresh start."

A fresh start was not something I was opposed to either. I smiled down at my noodles.

"So," Julia spoke, no longer holding either of her utensils as she directed her attention on us. "Are you two doing good now?"

There it was. Archie's question initiated it.

What answer did she want us to say? Yes? No?

But Archie and I . . .

"We're all right."

Both Archie and his mother were surprised when I was the first to speak. I haven't exactly been very chatty tonight, but that question easily compelled me to say something. I was especially urged to continue when a look of disappointment and sadness dimmed the brightness in Archie's eyes. I took his hand.

"We're working our way up to good, and will eventually - hopefully - reach great," I said, smiling at Archie. Some of the light returned to him. "I'll be the first to admit that we aren't exactly good right now," I continued on, taking on a more somber note. "Our relationship hasn't been the same since . . . the accident. It's going to take more than a few weeks to steady ourselves after the past several months. I've been knocked down to my knees by everything that's happened, and have been lying there for more than over half a year. Once I finally took some time to myself and really got to reflect, I was able to get up, dust myself off, and continue walking. I just didn't know that Archie was going to still walk by me."

And I couldn't have been any more grateful or happy that he did, I added in my thoughts.

Archie's expression softened. "Elle, I . . ." he began, but I shook my head. Julia stared intensely as she heard me out. I could feel my strong front cracking with each second I held her gaze.

"I know that I'm probably not wanted here. That you're still angry at me for what happened. But I just wanted you to know that I'm so -" My voice wavered. Archie squeezed my hand. "I'm so sorry, Julia," I said quietly, because if I talked any louder I would surely break down. "I'm so, so sorry for what happened. For what you must have felt. For what you must have gone through. It was my stupid, horrible mistake that ruined everything, and I'll never forgive myself for what happened. I certainly know that I don't deserve your forgiveness, either."

Her silence dragged on for a long, agonizing moment before she spoke. "You're right. I don't forgive you."

Well, it's not like I wasn't expecting that answer. I had hoped, though. She was the one who gave me a thoughtful old scrapbook as a wedding gift and always lent an ear when I needed one. I couldn't help but hope that in the time that's passed, Julia finally forgave me.

It seemed like Archie was hoping, too.

Archie scowled in new found disappointment. "Well, I forgive her," he said, his voice strong and hard. "Even if you don't, even if Luca doesn't, or anyone else for that matter, it doesn't matter because I do."

She shook her head. "That's not all that matters," Julia answered back, undeterred by the anger that her response initiated.

"Yes, it is," he gritted out. "I -"

"Forgiveness," Julia cut off sharply, "can not be one sided." Archie's flame went out as he digested her words. I hung on to everything she said. Her expression softened as she looked at me, it reminded me of the way she used to be when I was around "Ellie. His forgiveness alone is not enough. It does not work that way. Without forgiving yourself, it means you'll never let go of the past. Guilt will find a permanent home within you, hindering you. How can you truly move on in the future when you're still living in the past?" she asked.

I felt it all at once.

The truth of her words stole my breath, mixing in with the already existent and persistent feeling of guilt and blame that I've felt but suppressed through these past months. How could I have not realized?

I thought that all I needed was Archie's forgiveness. That after he opened up to me again and closed the distance between us, that everything would finally turn back to normal again. But the guilt never went away. It was only suppressed. Suppressed and suppressed until I was reminded of my mistake and I began to beat myself up for it all over again.

Here I was wishing for forgiveness when I haven't even forgave myself?

My sight blurred. I swiped at the tears and looked around. It was getting harder to breathe. The room of people made me feel like I was one sardine packed with dozens more in a can. More things closing up on me - suffocating me.

Visibly trembling, I pushed my chair back and stood quickly. I was too far gone to put a brave face on. I needed to get out of here.

Archie saw my distress and got up, digging into his wallet for money. "We're leaving," he muttered, throwing some bills onto the table before grasping my elbow. "It's okay, baby girl. We'll go now, we'll go."

"Ellie, wait!" Julia called before we could get too far. Archie tried to pull me along, yelling a reply of, "you've done enough," when I stopped and turned towards her. Tears glistened in her eyes, too.

"You can never forget what happened, but you can always forgive yourself for what did."

And I ran.

3:46 am

So much for any dream escaping tonight.

What's the logical thing to do when you relive your worst memory in a nightmare and wake up in full tears? Simply go out to the garage, get into the car, and continue to cry your feelings out dry. Some logic, huh? Getting into the same wretched vehicle that played a big part in the biggest mistake of my life. At least here, I couldn't disturb Archie's sleep. Becoming a sniveling mess would surely wake him up.

My eyes were so puffed up by the time I finished that my eyelids were practically half shut. I could've closed what little distance there was left and perhaps fall back asleep, but I wasn't going to take the risk of going down memory lane again.

I rested my forehead against the steering wheel, taking breaths in one hiccup at a time.

The car door unsurprisingly opened to reveal Archie maybe an hour after I slipped out of bed. There really was no need to explain why I was sitting out in the garage this early in the morning. The puffy eyes explained quite a deal when you considered the night I was having.

He gestured for me to get out of the car. "C'mon. Out you go." His voice was clear of that sleepy rasp.

"I don't want to," I mumbled, turning away, resting my chin on the top of the wheel. Archie went silent, then sighed. Something big and soft draped across my shoulders. I tugged the corners of the blanket closer to my body and leaned back, giving him a look.

"Is this your way of approving that I can stay in the car until I ultimately fall asleep, which by the way is highly unlikely?"

"Nope," he said, taking my hand and tugging me out. "It's to keep you comfortable while we go on a joyride."

I let him tow me to the passenger seat, though still baffled by the fact that he wanted to go to a joyride now. "A joy ride?" I repeated. "Why?"

"They make you sleepy," he stated simply, and shut the door. That was something I couldn't argue with. There's something about being on the road that makes me drowsy. Nobody should expect me to be telling the stories when on a road trip. I'll be out for most of the time. Archie would be carrying my sleeping form into the house by sunrise if it weren't for my adamant refusal to go back to sleep.

Once he opened his door, I told him just that. "I don't want to sleep, Archie. I'm afraid I'll dream of . . ."

Archie didn't need me to finish to know just what feared dream that was. I closed my eyes when he cupped my cheek gently, leaning ever so slightly into his touch.

What did I do to ever deserve his forgiveness?

"It's okay if you don't want to sleep. You can enjoy the ride with me."

5:06 am

Almost two hours of our morning were spent driving around with no destination in mind. More than once did I try to convince Archie to turn the car back around and head home, but he insisted on continuing. I didn't put up much of a fight after that, especially when the first streak of sunrise began to peak on the horizon. Fascinated by the sight of a new set of colors merging in the sky, I let time slip away and my mind quiet itself as I gazed out the window, all balled up in the blanket Archie gave me before we left the house.

Hues of purple, blue, pink, and yellow painted the early morning sky. It brought me back to my high school days when I would observe the different sunrises that occurred each morning on my way to school.

Wanting to express just how enchanted I was by today's colors, I turned in time to see Archie release a yawn. I frowned. "Pull over somewhere, Archie," I demanded. "You're tired. I can tell."

He waved me off with his hand. "Hold on, I know the perfect place to stop." He turned to me with a tired yet teasing smile. "You can continue your thoughtful window gazing pose now."

I rolled my eyes and punched his arm lightly, but resumed casting stares at the sky. Even the clouds looked a different color.

"Here we are," Archie announced as he turned into the lot of a very familiar park. I recognized it as the home of the big tree famous for people climbing and swinging on its bark. I sought out its tall branches from where we were and smiled when I saw it. After years of wind torrents, intense rain, and extreme warmth, that old tree held up strong.

Archie got out of the car and stretched his long limbs, letting out yet another yawn that imitated that of a lion. I got out and did the same.

"Sleepy, aren't you? We could've just turned right around and went home," I said to him as I wrapped my arms and the blanket around him.

He gazed down at me with intent. "Wouldn't have been a good night if I did that," he murmured while cradling my face. "I heard you crying in the bathroom before you climbed into bed."

Damn, and here I thought I was being discreet using a towel to drown out the noise. Feeling my bright mood disintegrate, I leaned against the side of the car with a heavy sigh, training my eyes on the ground.

"I don't forgive myself, Archie."

My abrupt statement snapped Archie out of whatever drowsy trance he was in. I pulled the blanket tighter around my body, wishing I hadn't opened my big mouth and ruin the light, content mood that was created during our ride. But Archie's gaze grew serious and he waited for me to continue.

Well, if we were going to talk, it might as well be now.

"I don't forgive myself for what happened," I repeated, instantly hit with the ever so familiar guilt and regret that's been consuming me for months. I shook my head at him. "I'll never understand why you forgave me. Or how you can look at me without thinking that you're married to the woman who killed your sister, for that matter. Until I came home, I was sure you were going to ask for a divorce."

Archie was the one gazing out into horizon now. His jaw clenched. "And I was sure you were going to ask for a divorce when I came home and found you gone."

Oh, what communication would've done if we just opened our ears to each other.

"When I came back and you weren't there, I thought to myself, 'Wow. You finally did it. You pushed her away and you pushed her too far, and now she's gone,'" he continued. "As you've so often pointed out, I threw myself into work after Ari died. Tried to distract myself from the loss and, yes, to keep some distance from you."

Just as I suspected, I thought, shutting my eyes. My shoulders dropped, just as my head did.

"I always told myself that it was to help support us, especially since you lost your job shortly after the accident," he went on. "Time went by and we continued on. I knew things weren't the same between us, but I didn't think much about it. That's how things turned out. But you know why I didn't try to do anything?"

I muttered my guess, "Because you were still angry and upset."

"Yes, but not as much. But also because . . ." His brow furrowed, as if he was struggling to put his thoughts together. I braced myself for what he was going to say.

"Because what?" I asked him.

"Because . . . you were still there when I came home," Archie finished, quietly. I stole a glance at him from the corner of my eye."Every night, I came home to you. I slept by your side and woke up with you still there. You were always there and the moment I found you out weren't, it was one hell of a rude awakening. One that did have me getting completely drunk to ease the slap reality gave me when I realized how stupid I was for keeping you at distance for so long."

"You had every right to be that way, though, didn't you?" I managed to squeeze out through the lump in my throat. I opened the car door and sat down on the backseat, leaving my feet hanging out on the edge. "I went to visit Riley and her family because Sarah suggested I took some time to think. But all I thought about when I was there was that all of this is my fault. One awful mistake and a whole world of consequences came crashing down on me. I mean, I killed my husband's sister. It's only reasonable for you to be upset in return, no matter how angry I was that you were."

How could've I been under the illusion that everything would turn out okay after I gained Archie's forgiveness again and moved on when I haven't done it myself?

We sat in a considerable amount of silence before Archie spoke again. He stepped in front of me.

"Listen to me, Elle."

I nodded.

"Also look at me."Archie kneeled down, trying to connect those brown eyes with mine. I've not so skillfully avoided making contact with him, yet was forced to meet them reluctantly when he held my chin between his fingers. "I don't want you to hurt over this anymore," he whispered. "My mom was right. You have to forgive to let go of the past and move on with your future. You have to forgive yourself, Elle."

He didn't have to tell me twice on that one. My shoulders slumped. "I know," I sighed, head dropping down once more. "It's not going to be easy or quick, I'll tell you that much."

Archie grinned. "That's okay. I don't plan on going anywhere. You're my future, after all."

Although I could've collapsed in sheer relief that I no longer had to continue on with life guessing how much longer I was going to be with Archie, I shook my head and put up a front of mock disappointment as I replied, "Such a cheesy line."

Despite that, his words and this talk has put me to an ease that I haven't experienced in a while. The talk I so desperately hoped we would have through those past ten months has finally happened. My perspective on life has changed to one less dark and foggy, making the world appear brighter than before. Julia contributed to that when she practically held the revelation in front of my eyes.

One day. One day I'll find it in myself forgive.

Feeling lighter, happier, I stood and shut the car door behind me. "Ready to go home and get some sleep?" I asked, holding my hand out for him to take. He was still kneeling on the floor. If an early morning jogger came by, they might've been a little weirded out by the two fully grown adults standing around in the parking lot in their pajamas.

"Wait." He shifted onto his right knee. "I'm not done being cheesy," he said as he produced my wedding ring from his pocket. My eyes widened; the morning rays reflected off the single diamond. It's been so long since I've seen it, the mood ring began to feel like my actual wedding ring.

Laughing when he dramatically cleared his throat, all prepared to make a love speech, I pulled him to his feet. "We're already married, you dork. You don't need to propose. I've already agreed to love and to hold, in sickness and in health."

He shrugged. "It was all part of the romance," Archie explained in defense. "But if that's the case . . ."

An additional amount of weight was lifted off my entire being as the ring slipped onto my finger. I smiled down at it, then turned to Archie with a serious expression on my face. "Just because I got the real thing back doesn't mean I'm not going to keep that mood ring."

He shrugged. "Keep it. Wear it both if you'd like," he agreed, looping his arms around my waist, pulling me close. His forehead rested against mine, and my eyes fluttered shut on instinct. "They both are a symbol of my promise to you. That I'll love you now and through everything. Main difference is that one of them is going to stain your finger when you wear it."

"Doesn't matter to me," I murmured, tugging him down by the shirt for a kiss that possessed all the love, passion, and gratefulness I had for this man.

I never thought I'd be standing here with Archie ten months ago. Just a few weeks ago, the future I predicted in my head was the total opposite of the present, because I wasn't with him at all. Now that we've taken a few more steps forward in moving past everything, I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else but with Archie.

"Ready to go home?" I asked, nuzzling my face into the groove of his neck. Another car ride will positively work it's magic on me this time, considering how hard I fought to keep my eyes open to prevent any reoccurring nightmares. When I sleep today, it'll be nothing but pleasant dreams.

"Actually . . ." he trailed slowly."If you really love me, Ellie, you'll come commit one last cheesy act with me and carve stuff into the tree."

I pulled back and stared at him, incredulous. "After all this, you still want to go off and carve? At 6 am in the morning?"

He smiled as if what I summed up was absolutely normal.

My inability to resist that smile and deny him led to me sitting on the floor as Archie scratched and scraped away with the use of his old pocket knife. I leaned back against the tree and waited for him to finish his cheesy carving of our initials. I wonder if the original one was still here.

I myself also carved something into the bark with the spare Archie brought. Only visible if you looked hard enough, three letters were written in a few mere strokes of the knife.

"Ari," it read.

I leaned back against the trunk, listening to Archie with closed eyes.

One day.

* * *
and . . . that it :) wow, guys! i can't believe WIS is finally over? i remember when this idea was bubbling in my head and i just had to get it down, and now the whole story is completed. this story definitely was something new for me - it was more serious than what i've written so far and it's a lot harder for me to write serious and sad scenes than light-hearted ones. but this story was definitely a learning experience and one that i enjoyed writing :)

i've decided that there will be NO EPILOGUE. i think the ending itself is open enough for you guys to imagine what happens to ellie and archie rather than giving it an official one, you know? i hope you guys respect that!

i want to thank all of you guys who made it to the end of this story and stuck with me. i appreciate your love and support so much and i'm glad to have shared a&e's story with you :) i'm off to write more and more things, but this concludes WIS!

one last chapter question for this story is: if you were to take a joyride anywhere in the world, where would you like to go? what would you like to see?

i (very, very much) love you guys to the moon and back,

-jesse xx