Chapter 19: The Epilogue

Cat Valentine had a strict routine, one that she liked to stick to ensure that her morning was at the highest level of productivity. At exactly half six, she would wake up and bounce out of bed, and today was no different. Jumping into the shower she would lather her skin in strawberry shower gel, quickly wash her hair, then bounce back out of the shower. Every action was complete with precision, hair curled in perfect loose waves, her dark eyes stood out even more once after her careful application of mascara and liner. By 6.47 on the dot, Cat was humming to herself happily as she whizzed down the staircase and bounded into the kitchen.

Nate was already awake, his arm draped loosely around the slim brunette who was situated beside him. Cat smiled at her Tori who gave her a small wave, then proceeded to avert her attention back to Nate. Tori Vega could have went out with any other boy under the sun… so why did she choose her brother?

Even despite this, she still greeted her brother warmly as she grabbed a bowl of cereal. As she munched down the sugary goodness, she watched her brother intently. She had never seen him so… settled, he hadn't thrown a fit in weeks, he smiled more, laughed more… he was happier and if that was because of Tori, then Cat supposed that she could bear it.

"Hey Tori!" she said waving a spoon in the Latina's face, "I finally have an idea for the assignment Sikowitz set us!"

Tori smiled warmly, "That's great Cat! You can tell me about it on the way to school."

The redhead smiled giddily back at her as she bounced out of her seat, nearly tripping over her little black kitten who squeaked and ran for cover under the sofa.

"Sorry Merlin!" she squealed as she rushed over to retrieve her pet, carrying him with her she was about to put him in her backpack when Nate scowled, "Cat… I do not want to take another call from your principle about taking pets into school."

Cat pouted as she set Merlin back on the ground, "But he likes it at Hollywood Arts."

"Cat he tried to play with Eric, who we all know is deathly allergic to cats." Tori said, as she grabbed Nate's hand and pulled him to his feet.

"It wasn't that bad." Cat tried to argue, "The ambulance arrived in plenty of time and besides, Merlin can't help it that he's friendly."

Nate shook his head as he stole a glance at Tori who laughed at the redhead, "I know Cat, now come on, we are going to be late."

Nate drove them to school, Cat had now been downgraded to the backseat of his small convertible, but she didn't mind, it meant that she could play games or buy more items from sky store instead of striking up a conversation with Nate. With Nate's driving, it only took a matter of minutes before they arrived at Hollywood Arts. Tori kissed Nate before hopping out of the car and heading towards the Asphalt Café in search of André. Nate hopped out of the car and pulled back his chair so Cat could jump out of the car. He smiled at his sister, who grinned up at him, her purple giraffe situated under the crook of her arm. With her pink backpack and childish manner, Nate could still barely believe what his sister had achieved.

It had been months since the incident, since Nate had brought her back to their house in Hollywood and put her to bed in her little pink room. The Elders had been hard at work, Hollywood Arts had been fixed overnight, Tori Vega did not remember the ordeal that she had been put through, in fact…no one in LA remembered that fateful night that almost changed everything. He and Jade had made a pact to never mention it again and they hadn't. Sometimes they would lock eyes and they would both know what the other was thinking, but it was never said outloud.

They never spoke of how Cat Valentine was truly extraordinary and more courageous than anyone could ever imagine.

She kissed him on the cheek before rushing off, her brightly pattern peplum top flouncing, backpack bashing off her back as she rushed into the school building in search of her friends. Nate chuckled at his sister and gave a gratifying smile to some girls who were watching him (just like they always did) before jumping back into his car. Before he drove off, he caught a glimpse of Jade West, she was wearing her clunky boots with black leggings and an emerald green jumper. Sensing she was being watched she turned her head and spotted him staring, she smiled at him, a knowing smile, a secret friendship… hell, a secret life only the pair of them truly knew about.

He watched as she grabbed his hand, that boy who meant so much more to Jade than being an Angel, so much so that she gave up her place. Just like Cat, Jade had retired, she chose this boy of eternal beauty and immortality. Jade West too, was now perfectly ordinary… and she had never been happier.

As for Cat Valentine, she ran down the halls of Hollywood Arts like any other day, laughing to herself because she finally understood a joke that André had told her two days ago, handing out whatever candy she had stuffed in her bra today. Stopping off at her locker she opened it and began to weave her hand through the mountain of stuffed toys in search of her textbooks. The bell sounded for first period, and everyone began to head to class, leaving Cat behind in search of her textbook. Finally locating it she rushed off toward Sikowitz's class, opening her textbook she tried to read as she ran, which was never a good idea, because when she rounded the corner, she smashed straight into a body.

Together they toppled back, Cat's book skidded across the floor until it bounced off the vending machine. She groaned, rubbing her temples. The boy beside her mumbled something as he got to his feet, and extended his hand to help her up. Grabbing her backpack, Cat's eyes travelled up his body until finally, she landed on his eyes. Her stomach knotted and twisted, he was so familiar and yet… she couldn't place him at all, she had certainly never met him before.

"I'm sorry." She apologised as she accepted his hand, "I should have looked where I was going."

"It's okay." He replied, "It was my fault anyway. I'm new here and I have no idea where I am going."

Cat smiled at the boy, "Oh really!" she said, her voice alive once more, "Well I am old here so I can help."

She didn't know what was wrong with her, but she felt an instant connection to this boy that she couldn't explain, and she didn't know if it was destiny, or a case of good luck… or maybe even a little dose of magic.

But she knew was meant to meet this boy.

Because that's what life was; a series of moments. They occur so often and at such a great speed that normally they would pass by without so much as a second thought. Often they are so mundane, so mind-numbingly normal that Cat Valentine would never have wasted her precious time dwelling on them.

But sometimes, if they are interesting enough, they would manage to catch her attention ever so slightly... and it just so happened that this was one of those strange occurrences.

Holding out her hand, she smiled warmly at the boy, "It's nice to meet you, I'm Cat."

"Nice to meet you Cat.", he said as he accepted her handshake.

"I'm Robbie."

FULL CIRCLE!

I am actually very very happy with this ending, was it worth the wait!?

:'( Don't you just love a happy ending!

Oh the end, how I love the end... It is both a happy and sad occasion.

Thank you so so so much if you actually made it to the end! I wouldn't have been surprised if you got bored half way!

Looking to my regulars now:
Silent Hopes,

CaburpleGiraffe,

Sofia13,

Sweettface,

Aprildlc3,

KayRock

and to anyone else I forgot! Thank you guys! Your reviews encouraged me to write! Wouldn't have been possible without you guys.

And now its time to move on, to what, I actually have no idea.. maybe I'll take Cabbie requests.. or another break ;)

Tell me what you think in one final review!

Love you all!

Sweeney7760!