AN: So, this is the final chapter. A while ago, I toyed with the idea of drawing it out, but I have decided it's time to bring this world to a close. Thanks to everyone who's been along for the ride :)

Chapter 29

"At some point, you realize your parents are human. They make the best decisions they can with the options available to them." – Cory Monteith

Aubrey and Veronica were both only in the hospital for a matter of hours – but it was more than enough time for a frantic Logan to join them there.

He had gently cradled his little girl in his arms, mindful of her injuries, particularly her shoulder.

He had hugged and kissed Veronica too, relieved that his rash wife had rescued their daughter without sustaining a serious injury too.

They had returned home early on Sunday morning, to Violet and the boys and Keith and Alicia. There had been brief and thankful greetings, before Veronica and Aubrey had been put to bed, both in Veronica and Logan's bed.

Logan had had no sleep the night before either, and caught a few hours as well, while Keith and Alicia held down the fort.

There was only one week left of school before Christmas Break started, so it was decided that Aubrey would not return to school, and only do a little bit of work from home. She needed time and rest to recover – her shoulder had been dislocated, her ankle sprained, and was generally shaken up.

Most nights after her return she awoke crying, with nightmares, and Logan and Veronica had taken to sleeping in a rocking chair by her bed.

Aubrey had had as many people as were allowed drop by and check on her after her return home, and during daylight hours, she had coped quite well with this, enjoying the distraction.

Dan, Caroline and Justin all popped by every day after school, and many of Aubrey's school friends had called and texted her to check in.

The entire Echolls family where pretty shaken up over the whole ordeal, as were their close family friends. However, they were trying to not let it put a dampener on the upcoming holiday season, and looking for ways to ease everyone into the spirit of Christmas, taking care to be sensitive with the Echolls.

Returning to normalcy, and creating a safe and nurturing environment would be key in Aubrey, and the whole family's, recovery.

On the Wednesday after Aubrey's safe return, Caroline came by straight after school, there being no cheerleading practice as there was a break between the football and basketball seasons.

Veronica let Caroline in, a more sober faced, quiet Caroline than usual. She had been very shaken up by Aubrey's ordeal.

"She's in her bed, reading a book," Veronica told Caroline, after kissing her cheek. "It's really good of you to squeeze in a visit today, even though it's your mom's birthday."

"It's weird not seeing Aubrey at school every day, I get lonely, so I guess she does too," Caroline replied. "We're having dinner for Mom, I'll make sure I'll get home in time. How's your arm doing, Aunt Ronica?"

"Still a little sore, but I'm definitely on the mend," Veronica replied. "Do you want me to remind you to go home about 5?"

"Yeah, thanks," Caroline said with a grateful smile. "I'll see you in a bit."

Caroline walked up the stairs, her bag slung gracefully over her shoulder, carefully curled hair swaying as she moved.

"Hey Vi," she said, sticking her head into Violet's room.

"Hey Care," Violet replied. "Okay if I come in to you two in a bit?"

"Sure," Caroline agreed easily. Other time, Caroline usually would've put her off, but she didn't have the heart to, what with what had happened.

"I'm here!" Caroline said brightly, walking through Aubrey's open door into her room.

"Hey," Aubrey replied cheerfully. "I wasn't expecting you!"

"Surprise," Caroline said with a grin.

"Good surprise," Aubrey grinned.

"How are you feeling?" Caroline asked, hopping on the bed with Aubrey.

"Tired of this stupid sling," Aubrey moaned. "I guess I'm lucky it wasn't as bad as it could have been – the tearing wasn't too severe. I'll still have to do quite a bit of physio. That, combined with my ankle, will probably keep me out of cheering until next fall."

"That sucks, Aub," Caroline said sympathetically. "Well, at least you and Dan can spend Friday nights together now, what with him not playing sport and you not cheering."

"Yeah, that will be nice," Aubrey agreed. "Anything interesting happen at school today?"

"Justin ended things with Emma," Caroline announced with innocent glee. She loved news, and wasn't aware of Justin and Aubrey's discussion at the Winter Formal, prior to Aubrey's abduction.

"Oh," Aubrey said quietly, the memories from their chat flooding back. She really hadn't dwelt on it at all since she'd been rescued. In fact, she'd quite forgot the whole awkward situation. Trauma liked she'd experienced had a way of removing most other thoughts from your mind.

"Oh?" Caroline queried.

"I haven't had a chance to tell you about a chat I had with Justin at the Winter Formal," Aubrey began.

"Gee, I wonder why?" Caroline teased gently. "We don't have to talk about it now, if you don't want."

"That's sweet, but I know you're dying to know, and I'd rather talk about it than not," Aubrey answered.

"Should I get popcorn?" Caroline asked with playful excitement.

"Sit your ass down and listen, because we're only talking about this once," Aubrey said seriously.

With wide eyes, Caroline nodded and sat down.

"So, over the few weeks before the Winter Formal, I sort of figured out Justin had feelings for me, more than friends feelings," Aubrey began.

It was as if a light switch had flicked on in Caroline's brain, and she uttered a small, "Oh," as everything made sense and fell into place.

"Yeah," Aubrey agreed.

"I can't believe I never saw that," Caroline said slowly.

"Me too," Aubrey agreed. "Anyway, I caught him looking longingly at me when I was dancing with Dan, so I decided to confront him then and there."

"That poor boy," Caroline said with a smile.

"I know, but it had to be done. It wasn't fair on me, or him, or Emma, for things to go on with him pining after me," Aubrey explained. "So we talked, and I explained that I knew how he felt, but that he needs to deal with it someway, because I'm with Dan, and I really care about him. I also mentioned he should probably be fair to Emma."

"Well, that explains today then," Caroline surmised. "Does Dan know?"

"I'm pretty sure he does, but we haven't talked about it. He's too busy checking that I'm okay for us to talk about romantic problems," Aubrey said with a sigh.

"Do you want to talk to him about it?" Caroline asked curiously. "I'd rather move right along and sweep it under the rug."

"So would I, which is why you will never speak of this again, nor will I, or Justin," Aubrey said firmly. "I do want to talk to Dan though, I have something to say to him, but I'm just not sure how to go about it."

"Sometimes, it's just best not to think too much about it, just tell him what's on your mind," Caroline advised, coming up with an uncommon pearl of wisdom. Usually she was too busy making sure she was an airhead to be serious.

"That's good advice," Aubrey said quietly. "Where did you come up with it?"

"Oh, just while I thought you were dead and that I'd never see you again," Caroline answered with a dry laugh. "So, for the record, I am very glad that you're not dead, and I'm also very glad that you're my best friend, and I love you. I love you, and this whole crazy group of people that make up our family."

"I guess things like being kidnapped do have a way of making appreciate what really is important," Aubrey agreed. "And I love you too, Care."

"And I love you both," Violet said with a sniffle from the doorway.

"Come and get into bed with us, you silly thing," Aubrey said with a tearfully giggle.

When Veronica came up half an hour later to remind Caroline to come home, she found the three of them cuddled up on Aubrey's bed, all mostly asleep in front of the movie they had put on.

Veronica smiled tenderly at the picture they made, three young girls, emotionally wrecked and tired from the last week or so. She was glad that they at least seemed to be relying on each other. When she was younger, it had taken her a long time to lean on anyone, or to let anyone in to her pain. So as a parent, it was rewarding to see that she had taught her children well, and learned from their mistakes. It was also refreshing to see Caroline display some of the maturity Veronica knew was nestled beneath the surface.

"Caroline, it's five," Veronica said softly.

The next few months were busy ones for the Echolls and their friends and family.

Veronica wrapped things up with the FBI, she gave interviews and evidence regarding Aubrey's attacks and kidnapping. Aubrey, Caroline, Dan, Justin and Logan all had to be questioned by the FBI for the final time.

Once this had happened, Aubrey was free to complete her recovery, both physical and mental. Meaning, she had to go to therapy. Any of her friends and family affected by her ordeal were also offered counselling, but Aubrey was required to have regular therapy, to discuss what she had been through.

At first she didn't like the idea of talking to a stranger, but in the end, her nightmares, and general fatigue led her to start talking, and once she started, she didn't stop, realising that her therapist was actually helping her.

Aubrey went back to school, attended dances and sporting events, went out with Dan and her friends. Her family life went back to normal too, with weekly Thursday dinners, holidays together, and everyday general things.

The only hiccup in the return to normalcy for the Echolls was Laura's pre-trial in February, and then her trial in April.

Additionally, in March, Jake Kane breathed his last, and went to be with Lianne. This caused Veronica, Logan, Duncan and Lily some pain, largely connected to days gone by, and memories from their youths. Still, they had all known the day would come, and when they lay Jake to rest, all dressed in ridiculously expensive black, none of them were bitter or angry.

The days continued to pass and it was May. Mother's Day had almost arrived, Prom was nearly upon them, and the last day of school lay just around the corner.

Aubrey attended the Junior Prom with Dan, and had had a night well worthy of her girlish dreams, mostly achieved by the romantic gesture of Dan, and the threat of Logan rolling heads lest anything more happen to his baby.

On Mother's Day, the Echolls, Casablancas, Mars, Fennells, Kanes and Armisteads were all gathered together for their usual 'family' get-together.

Aubrey and Caroline were in the living room, surrounded by the younger girls, importantly telling them about Prom from the night before. They went into great detail about everything, and were gratified by the way the other girls eagerly listened.

"So, it turns out, after everything, my daughter is mostly superficial," Mac said a little sadly.

"She's not really, Q," Veronica said comfortingly. "It's just a frivolous exterior. She's a good girl, I see a lot of good in her. There's a lot of good in all of them. Neptune's changing, slowly, and bit by bit, and our kids are good kids, much better than the ones in the world we grew up in."

"Stop, thief!" Ollie shouted, chasing Tom and Carter through the kitchen.

Veronica and Mac chuckled and Mac said wryly, "At least that's the extent of their criminal involvement."

"Come on, out of the kitchen, V, it's Mother's Day," Wallace said, coming in from the deck. "You and Mac go and sit with the others, I think D-Man and Logan and I can get the table set, and the food on it for once."

"It's a good thing you didn't add Dick to that list, or the food wouldn't make the table," Veronica teased. "Come on Q, let's let our men be domestically chivalrous for once."

The food made it to the table, and soon they were all gathered around to eat, from the eldest – Keith Mars, down to little Maegan Armistead.

"Before we eat, I'd just like to say something," Keith said. "Today is Mother's Day, so I would just like to take a moment to pay tribute to the wonderful mothers in our midst. Of course, I couldn't be more proud of Veronica, who is my daughter, I've watched her grow from an impulsive teen to a mature, loving mother and wife, successful in her professional life and personal life. She has given me four beautiful grandchildren, and she is a wonderful mother to them. I'd also like to honour my wife, Alicia, you have taught me a lot about being a wonderful mother and parent, and I thank you for your love and support, extended to my daughter, as well as me. I won't run on too much longer, but I'd also like to say that I've watched all of you women grow and mature over the years. Mac grew from Veronica's tech genius sidekick, to a wonderful mother of three, who somehow domesticated Dick Casablacs. Amanda and Eva, you both are very important to two men who are important to me, and my daughter, and you became lovely additions to our special family. And Lily, little Lily, you were the first child I ever was a grandparent - of sorts - to, and now you're a mother, and a wonderful one at that. We men could not do what we do, without you women, and I'm very thankful we have you all, and this day on which to honour you. You bring so much joy to our lives. So, I'd like to make a toast, to mothers, and, to family. You are proof that you get out of life what you put in."

The End

Thanks for reading! I'm also going to post a little one shot I wrote a while ago about Violet and James :) Feel free to check it out, as a little glimpse into the future. It's called Everything I Do.