AN: Here is the final installment in Solace. This is it! If this does not answer your questions than…maybe you are not looking close enough.
Review replies after the show. Enjoy
Spoilers: For the finale episode, How to stop an exploding man. (as if you did not know that)
Epilog:
Peter took a deep breath as he reached forward and pressed the doorbell. His gaze shifted to Claire at his side.
"You ready?" He asked.
"Are you?" She gave him that look. As if she was seeing through his calm façade with ease. Claire was too good at that look. She defiantly got that from her grandmother. The door opened slowly and Nathan's oldest son peered out at them.
"Uncle Peter!" Simon said in surprise. Peter placed a hand on his nephew's head as he stepped around the kid and looked inside the Petrelli's house.
"Who is it Simon…" Heidi started to say as she came down the stairs. She wore black and her eyes were red from tears. It broke Peter's heart to see her like that. He kicked himself for the thousandth time for not being here for her sooner.
Heidi's eyes widened as she saw him. She ran down the stairs and threw her arms around her brother-in-law. He held her tight and suddenly a thought clicked in his mind. She had walked down the stairs, and run to him…run…
"Heidi you can walk!" He gasped in amazement. She pulled back and managed a sad smile.
"Miracles happen Peter," She said weakly. He pulled her into another hug.
"Yes they do Heidi…"
"I know," Heidi said looking deeply into his eyes. "Angela told me…everything." Peter met her gaze reluctantly.
"I'm sorry," He barely managed to whisper. She shook her head unable to voice her answer. Heidi wrapped her arms around him again and took comfort in his strength. He had always been more of a brother than a brother-in-law to her and she was glad to have him returned, and safe.
Once Heidi finally managed to regain herself and pull away she glanced at Claire standing awkwardly across the room. Heidi looked back at Peter questioningly.
"Heidi…you are way over due for a meeting," Peter said taking her hand and guiding her over to Claire. Heidi looked the girl over and understanding dawned in her eyes. She threw her arms around a very surprised Claire.
Peter smiled softly. Apparently Angela had told Heidi everything. He turned and stole unnoticed up the flight of stairs.
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Angela heard the doorbell but did not move from her spot. Let Heidi handle whoever it was. Nothing mattered to her anymore.
She sat on the window seat in her room, staring out the glass but saw nothing. She heard the sound of soft footsteps approaching but did not even turn around. It was probably one of her grandson's coming up to try and coax her from her room. She felt tears slid down her pale face.
Why should she leave her room? What was the point? It didn't matter anymore.
"Mom," it was such a soft whisper, but it echoed loudly in her heart. Angela leapt up and turned around in one quick motion.
"Peter?" She barely dared to believe it, afraid that she would wake up and it would all have been a cruel dream sent to tease her mind.
But the scene did not fade. Peter stood there in her doorway looking very different from the man that had shown up in her house five days prior. Gone was the guilt and anger, softened was the sorrow. Instead of blaming her, his eyes appeared to be pleading for forgiveness. Like a child that had come to their senses a little too late.
"Can I come in?" He sounded so much like the Peter she knew, the Peter she had thought was lost. She ran across the room and nearly tackled her son. He caught her in his strong arms and hugged her warmly.
"I'm sorry mom," Peter whispered. Angela looked up into his unguarded eyes.
"Me to Peter," She replied feebly. Wondering if the words could ever give justice to her feelings.
"I love you mom."
"I love you too…my son."
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Claire examined the people around her. Each face held a different story, but each shared one thing in common…their love for Nathan Petrelli. It was a sea of black clothes and sorrow filled faces.
She turned back to the minister as he spoke over the open grave. It was an empty coffin they were burying that day, but most of the people there did not know that.
A soft shudder ran through her though she had no idea why. Her gaze turned to Peter, who was looking at her also. She knew with that one glance that he had felt it too.
Claire wondered what it was…but part of her knew. Just like she knew that Peter had survived. It was the same feeling exactly. She turned her eyes to the sky…
END
AT: Well there it is folks. Hope you enjoyed this little tale. And if you did check out some of my other stories, I think you will enjoy them too.
Review Replies:
I want to quickly thank all my reviews, with out you guys I might not have gotten this finished. Really. You helped me more than you know.
GreenLeoFiend: as always you helped me greatly. You are an awesome muse! Thanks so much. That verse fits perfectly. thanks for sharing.
SapphireFlame: thank you for being such a loyal reviewer! I appreciate it greatly. you rock
Ajeff: you must learn one thing about me Anna, never trust anything until the ending. thanks for the reviews!
ChocoholicCat: wow –blush- I am extremely honored that you think that! You have no idea what that means to me. You are so kind. I hope the ending lived up to that wonderful statement. –blushes again-
dragoneyes5000: Thank you for reviewing!
Polly: Thank you for your kind review! Yes…him and his rooftops. LOL. I always had mixed feelings toward the Petrelli Mama. Which I think comes through these last chapters. Sorry now surrogate family life here…I would like to try and write that though, but I felt this ended where it needed too. Maybe a sequel. But don't quote me on that
–sweats- anyway I will defiantly let you know if that does come to pass.
LostBluePhantom: LOL! Sorry. Like I said to Polly it ended where I thought was best…but hey if you guys really want one I could possibly do a Bennet and Peter focused sequel. Maybe something a little more light hearted…hmmmm…you guys have really got me thinking now. If you are really interested let me know in your reviews.