Last chapter of this fic! I would like to thank everyone who read this and enjoyed it, so THANK YOU! It was fun while it lasted, but now the fun is over and the curtain is being drawn. But there will be more fics from me yet! :)

Chapter Forty-Three

"You can't catch me, mummy!"

Aerron squeals with delight as I chase him through the long emerald-green grass. He runs to Dark Ace, who scoops him up and throws him in the air before catching him again, making Aerron giggle.

"Again, daddy, again!" Aerron giggles.

"Be careful!" I call out overly cautious.

"He's fine, honey! Look, he loves this."

Dark Ace throws Aerron in the air again, and I feel like my heart stops for a moment before he catches him again. I realize that he's completely safe with Dark Ace; he would never put his son in any kind of danger.

Dark Ace puts Aerron down so he can run over to me, arms open wide and giggling.

"Make me fly, mummy!"

"Do you want to fly, sweetheart?" I ask, as I scoop him up in my arms and twirl him around, hugging him tight.

"Yeah! Make me fly, mummy!" he squeals again.

I throw him into the air, catching him and doing it again a few more times before placing him back on the ground to run to his father. They both walk over to me and Dark Ace wraps me protectively in his arms, and the child hugs our legs together. We're the perfect little family, and I couldn't feel safer anywhere else than in this man's arms, any happier than with my little son giggling happily.

"I love you, Phoenix," Dark Ace whispers.

"I love you too, Damyan."

"Are you mad at me?"

"No, why?"

"The only time you call me by name is when you're pissed off at me."

"Don't swear around Aerron," I scold, smacking Dark Ace on the arm gently.

"Okay, don't hit me," he laughs.

"Sometimes I like calling you by your real name," I shrug, wrapping my arms around his neck at standing on my tip-toes to kiss him quickly.

"And sometimes I think we should have another kid."

"We've been through this already, no. Not until Aerron is at least five."

"Why must everything be a debate with you, frustrating wife of mine?" Dark Ace rolls his eyes at me.

"Because you're equally frustrating, husband of mine," I reply, poking him in the chest playfully.

I smile as I think back to our wedding day…

"What the hell am I doing, Piper?" I breathe as I begin to freak out.

"Don't stress out, you're going to ruin your makeup. It's not as bad as you might think," Piper replies, continuing to do the lace up the back of my dress.

"I'm freaking out. I can't get married, I can't do it. Get me out of this stupid dress." I struggle away from her and thrash about, attempting to slip out of my long gown.

"No. Phoenix, just calm down. All you do is have to walk down the aisle, say a few words and put rings on each other's fingers. It's simple."

"It's Dark Ace. I'm marrying Dark Ace. What is wrong with this picture?"

"Stop worrying about what other people think and just focus on how much you love him. That's what you told me to do when I flipped out about marrying Finn, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember…" my voice fades away, and I begin pacing back and forth, shaking my hands in front of me maniacally.

The stress of organizing a wedding has gotten to me and I finally feel the effects of it.

"Phoenix, don't make me slap you and drag you down that aisle, because I will. Now sit the hell down so I can finish doing your hair," Piper scolds.

I do as she says, my legs jiggling up and down. I take countless deep breaths, trying to steady my nerves. Why did I agree to marry him? We already have a kid, is this necessary? Oh sweet Atmos, I need to take my mind off this.

"Okay, I'm all done. You look stunning, Phoenix."

I look in the mirror; I don't even recognize myself, if my hair were white I would look exactly like my mother – I've never looked like my mum, not that I can remember anyway.

"Where's Junko? He's supposed to be giving me away," I breathe, looking around frantically.

"Um…about that…"

"What is it, Piper? What's happened? Sweet freaking Atmos I knew something was going to go wrong, I just knew it."

"Nothing has gone wrong. There was a last minute change."

"But Junko is the only one who isn't against this wedding, who else is going to walk me down the aisle now?"

I begin fidgeting with the hairbrush, rapping it over my knee, the table, every available surface.

"Aerrow reconsidered. He wants to do it," Piper shrugs.

"Aerrow? But weren't you flat out convincing him to attend this wedding in the first place?" I squeak, standing up and grabbing Piper by the shoulders.

"Phoenix, calm down, you're being worse than Stork. Aerrow has reconsidered your request and wants to walk you down the aisle. Now pull yourself together, dam it!" Piper scolds.

I take a few deep breaths and sit down trying to relax. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Slowly, I feel myself calm down.

"Okay, I think I'm okay now…" I whisper.

"Good, because Aerrow is here."

As if on cue, Aerrow appears through the door, looking sharp in a casual suit.

"The last time I saw you in a gown was on your fifteenth birthday. You look beautiful, Phoenix," Aerrow says and strides forward to kiss my cheek.

"Thanks. So, you um, decided to walk me down the aisle?"

"Yeah, I realized that this is the last chance I'll get to spend time with you while you're still completely you."

"What do you mean, still completely me?"

"Well, you're taking his last name."

"That's true, but I'm still keeping my surname, I'm hyphenating it."

"I'm surprised you're not making Dark Ace take your name," Aerrow laughs, patting my shoulder.

I shake my head at him and make sure everything is ready.

"Piper, is everyone seated? What about Dark Ace, is he ready?"

"Everything is ready. I think it's time."

I nod my head and Piper winks at me before disappearing through the curtains and the music begins to play.

"Are you ready to become Mrs Dark Ace?" Aerrow teases.

"No. I'm freaking out," I mutter acidly.

"Just so you know, every one of the Storm Hawks respects your decision. We know it's not your fault you love him. In fact, we're all very proud of you for doing what no one else ever has. You tamed the beast."

Aerrow's words calm me greatly, and a smile makes its way onto my face.

"Thank you, Aerrow – for being here. It means so much to me."

"No problem. Let's go get you married, Talon."

"Watch yourself, Sky Knight. My re-knighting is pending, I hope you know."

Aerrow laughs and I place my arm in the crook of his before we step through the curtains and begin down the aisle. When my eyes fall upon Dark Ace, I almost laugh. He is in a brilliant suit, and looks so uncomfortable with everybody's eyes on him. Until they turn to me. I blush under everyone's gaze, but keep my eyes locked on Dark Ace's. When we reach the end, Aerrow takes my hand and places it in Dark Ace's, looking directly at him.

Without ire in his tone, Aerrow nods his head and says, "Be good to her, she's family."

"Have I been anything other than good to her?" Dark Ace replies quietly, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Aerrow nods in a placating kind of way and goes to sit down. The celebrant goes through the boring words of, "welcome you here today blah, blah, blah."

And then it gets to the part where we say our vows. Seeing as we decided against a traditional wedding, we planned our vows differently too.

"They say this feeling fades," I speak barely loud enough for everybody else to hear.

"It gets stronger every day," Dark Ace replies, gazing into my eyes.

"And they say that beauty fades."

"You're more beautiful than ever."

"They said we'd drift away."

"We're still standing here."

"You will always have my heart."

"Til death do us part."

The celebrant says more words, and then, "I now pronounce you Husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Dark Ace pulls me to him and kisses me unashamedly, ignoring the people around us. I break away and wipe my eyes, taking his hand in mine.

"I love you, Talon."

"I love you too, Little Birdie."

I'm preparing dinner for Aerron, who is clinging to one of my legs.

"Aerron, sweetheart, go see daddy and let me make your dinner," I chuckle, ruffling his thick black hair.

His little crimson eyes gaze up at me and he pouts, hugging my leg tighter.

"Dark Ace! Come get your son, I'm trying to do stuff," I call over my shoulder, while I continue to peel potatoes.

Dark Ace emerges and lifts Aerron into the air, blowing a raspberry on his belly. Aerron squeals and giggles, trying to swat his father's head away.

"Stop it, daddy!" he squeals smacking his hands on Dark Ace's head.

"Uh-uh, what did mummy say about hitting?" Dark Ace scolds Aerron, bringing him close to cuddle him.

"Sorry, daddy," Aerron says contritely, wrapping his small arms around his father's neck and hiding his face.

"Don't do it again, okay?"

"Okay daddy."

I chuckle to myself at how adorable my son is, and I am constantly overwhelmed at how much of a great father Dark Ace is – the perfect husband. I turn around after I have placed the potatoes in the pot to cook, and spot something on his shirt. My eyebrows shoot up instantly.

"So, what did you end up doing today, dear?" I ask, trying to keep my tone normal.

"Before you yell at me, let me put Aerron in his play pen," Dark Ace rolls his eyes at me before disappearing into the living room and returning a moment later.

"The truce with the Raptors, it didn't happen did it?" I sigh, rubbing my forehead.

He shrugs in reply and I eye the green stain on his shirt.

"For fuck's sake, Damyan," I growl exasperatedly. "I haven't killed once since Aerron was born, why can't you do the same?"

"I like it too much. You said you didn't want to change me, so why do you expect that I will just stop?"

I scoff in annoyance. "Because…because you know how much it makes me want you. We can't just drop everything and go fuck around anymore, we have a kid to look after."

"I knew it. You love it when you know I've killed, and you just can't resist how bad I am," he whispers, sauntering towards me, a salacious grin upon his face.

"Oh, no you don't Talon," I snarl, backing up against the bench and placing my hands on his chest. "I'm trying to cook." My voice is a whisper as Dark Ace closes in on me.

"My mother would love to babysit," he breathes as his hands rest on my hips.

I reach over and turn the stove off, then reach into his pocket to pull out a message crystal, holding it in front of his face.

Dark Ace takes it and contacts his mother, walking out of the kitchen. I shake my head and scowl. Damn that man, he really knows how to get under my skin. I laugh to myself and take the tea-towel from my shoulder and place it on the bench before wandering out into the living room where Aerron is playing happily with his toys. I stoop down to pick him up and cuddle him.

"Do you want to go have a sleepover at grandma's?" I ask, tickling him.

"Yeah!" he replies excitedly, his face lighting up.

"Go help daddy pack your overnight bag then," I say, putting him down and watching him run off down the hallway to Dark Ace, who already has Aerron's overnight bag ready.

When they both come to sit beside me, I eye Dark Ace speculatively.

"Something tells me that you already had this arranged," I murmur, crossing my leg over the other.

He says nothing, only winks at me.

"Just you wait," I whisper, narrowing my eyes threateningly.

Just then, there is a knock on the door, and I jump up to answer it.

"Anya, come in," I smile.

Aerron comes tearing down the hallway screaming, "Grandma!"

Anya bends down to scoop him up in her arms, smiling widely.

"Hello baby boy! Have you been good for your mummy while your daddy was away?" Anya asks, nuzzling his cheek.

Aerron nods, and giggles.

"Mother," Dark Ace nods in greeting, handing Anya Aerron's bag.

"You be good for grandma, okay?" I say, ruffling his hair

Aerron nods, and Anya walks back out the door, waving to us.

"Bye!"

"Bye, see you tomorrow."

I close the door and make my way back to the kitchen to tidy up. I barely take two steps before Dark Ace throws me against the wall, his body pinning mine.

"Do you remember, Little Birdie, when this would make your pretty skin crawl?" Dark Ace breathes, causing a shiver to run down my spine.

"I always loved it," I breathe back nudging his nose with my own.

"Oh, I know. It always took every ounce of my strength not to rip your clothes off and just ravage you."

"Nothing's stopping you now," I challenge, shrugging my shoulder once.

Dark Ace smirks and it's wicked. The next second his mouth is on mine, kissing me fiercely.

I lie spent, catching my breath with my head resting on Dark Ace's chest, while his left hand runs up and down my back.

"I think I have a mental disorder," I mumble as I trace my index finger up and down his body.

"What makes you say that?" he asks, and I hear the laughter in his tone.

"I love you. What normal female falls in love with the Dark Ace?"

He shrugs and I snuggle closer to him.

"For some reason I never got the overwhelming urge to kill you like I do with other people, you know."

"That's love right there," I giggle, lifting my head and gazing at him.

"No, it wasn't love, you were just extremely fun. Except when you pissed me off to the point where I had to threaten your life."

"I knew about after the third time you did that, that you would never kill me."

"I kind of figured that."

We lie silent for a while, just listening to each other breathing. I can hear his heartbeat, and it's soothing. Dark Ace - the most feared man in all of Atmos, the most skilled fighter and pilot. Dark Ace, my husband. I don't think I will ever get my head around the fact that he can go from murdering some poor fool, to being the most caring father. And that thought reminds…

"I would limit the Killing if I were you. We're in my side of the Atmos now, not yours. Murder is punishable by death. Don't let anyone catch you," I mumble, nuzzling his chest.

Dark Ace chuckles and stretches out around me, pulling me closer before quickly shifting so that he's leaning over me.

"Don't worry, I cover my tracks now. I'm surprisingly good at that, seeing as I've never had to do it before."

"Hmm, maybe you should make sure that all evidence is destroyed too," I say, raising my eyebrows at him.

"Okay, that was a momentary lapse in judgment on my part, I'll admit that. But no one is going to know I did it."

"But you will be the first to be suspected if you kill an Atmosian. So please don't kill any of the good guys."

"The good guys?"

"Yes, the people opposite of you," I tease, reaching my hands into his hair and bringing his head down to kiss him.

He makes a low growl from the back of his throat and breaks away, gazing at me.

"You know if we were to have another child, I would be too busy to go kill people."

I sigh and roll my eyes at him.

"We'll see, Talon. I'm to be re-knighted next week, don't forget."

"I always preferred you as a Sky Knight, your innocence really got to me," Dark Ace smirks before grazing my earlobe with his teeth.

"My innocence escaped me by the age of sixteen I'll have you know."

"Oh. Mrs Sicarius, you were a little minx, weren't you?" he teases, and I push him off me, laughing.

"Don't tease me or I'll hurt you," I threaten, before straddling his hips and holding his arms above his head.

"I love it when you talk dirty," he winks playfully, causing me to burst out in a fit of giggles.

As I recover, I gaze at my husband and thank the Atmos for returning him to me all those years ago.

Two wonderful years have gone by and my title of Sky Knight is reinstated in its entirety. We discovered that Aerron has my powers just after his fourth birthday, and the following week discovered that I was with child…again. At first I was apprehensive about having another child, but eventually I warmed up to the idea and now have a beautiful daughter.

"Phoenix, get here, quick!" Dark Ace calls urgently from the living room.

Dropping what I'm doing I rush to the lounge room in a panic.

"What's the matter?" I breathe.

"Look," he replies, and points to where the children are playing.

I gasp; they're both surrounded in blue-green auras.

"Calithea has it too?" I ask completely struck with pride.

"It appears so," Dark Ace replies with a smile.

"By the Atmos, I can't believe her powers developed so early!" I exclaim, going to sit with my children, crossing my legs.

"Mummy, you glow too!" Aerron commands, and points his little fingers.

"Okay sweetheart, mummy will glow too," I smile, urging my aura out, making sure that it is the same colour as the children's.

"Dad!" Calithea squeals and holds her arms out to Dark Ace who strides over and sits down, picking her up and placing her in his lap.

"You glow like your mummy and brother now, darling," he says, kissing the top of her head.

Calithea's emerald-green eyes shine brightly and she giggles loudly. Aerron climbs into my lap and reaches across to hold his sisters hand.

"Why doesn't daddy glow like us?" Aerron asks.

"Because you're special like mummy and Calithea, and I'm not," Dark Ace replies to him, ruffling his black hair.

"Is there other special people, Daddy?"

Dark Ace smiles widely before replying to his son, "No. Only you, mummy and Calithea are special."

"You're special, too, honey," I say, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "Only you can defeat me in any battle, that's pretty damn special."

Dark Ace chuckles and shakes his head at me before standing up from the floor with Calithea in his arms, and sitting on the sofa. I join him, placing Aerron next to me.

"What time are you expecting your friends over?"

"They should be here soon. Any minute, actually," I reply, standing up. "Are the cooking crystals ready?"

"Yes dear," Dark Ace smirks playfully.

A barbeque with the Storm Hawks and Dark Ace, who would have thought this would ever happen? I laugh quietly to myself and rush to the door when I hear a knock.

"No, all that I'm saying is, if the chain reaction between a Firebolt and a Solaris crystal could cause devastation across one quarter of the Atmos, then to counteract such an event, you sit back and watch it happen, because there would be nothing you could do about it," Finn says, examining his nails and shrugging his shoulders.

"There is actually some truth to that," I laugh, shaking my head.

"But you still have no idea what you're talking about," Piper says, rolling her eyes at him playfully.

Dark Ace is seated next to me with Calithea on his lap and Aerron is chasing Radaar around the table. Piper and Finn have begun to quietly bicker, but by the tone of their voices it sounds more playful than serious. Aerrow is exchanging small talk with Dark Ace. I must say that they have come a long way from wanting to kill each other to being civil. I don't think that they will ever become friends, no, not even close to that, but not wanting to kill each other is good enough for me.

My life, my family all here on this perfect day, I couldn't be more grateful.

My name is Phoenix Emeraldia and this is my story. It has been a rollercoaster, but now it's a smooth path – I can see where I am going finally and I have my family to walk alongside me. Whatever the Atmos brings me next, I'll be ready, and my family will be along with me for the ride.

I am Phoenix of Emeraldia, Ancillary Sky Knight of the Storm Hawks, mother and wife. My life is complete.

Signing off for now…

Merry Meet, Merry part and Merry Meet Again! Blessed Be )O(