Four years later…

Arturia looked up at the morning sky. University had taught her the value of being a morning person, of the warm sun on her face and the chirping of the birds. The blue sky above eased her, and the soft fresh breeze gave her a sense of happiness and life, even if getting out of bed that morning had been a huge struggle.

She held the hand of her tiny niece. Her silky blonde hair was up in little pig tails while her green eyes were wide in wonder. "Where are we going, aunty?"

"We, Mordred, are going to the farmer's market." Arturia smiled down at her, glancing over at the Thames, watching as the water rushed past them. London had grown to be a lovely place for her, she had become truly happy and content with herself and learned to appreciate a lot about life. She had come a long way from high school, far from what felt like a fuzzy dream of a relationship.

Looking back from where she was, from the safety of her last year in university, from her assured future ahead, high school had been so long ago; a memory much too far away for her to reach. She liked it that way, though, an experience that helped her become the person she was that day.

The farmer's market buzzed with life. The sweet smells of flowers and honey danced about the stands as the Farmers called out prices and drew the attention of customers. Arturia stopped by a flower stand, picking up a few white roses with different wild flowers; admiring how they were blooming nicely and the soft paper wrapped around them nicely.

"We're off to visit mum," Arturia squeezed the little girl's plump hand.

"Mummy!" Mordred cheered, toothy grin and sparkling eyes.

Arturia crouched down to see the little girl. "Is there anything you want to eat?" She asked, bright smile on her pink lips as she tilted her head. A diamond stud glistening in the bright sun. Her light denim jacket stretching nicely over her shoulders and her freckled cheeks a soft pink.

"Lollipop!" Mordred smiled, "Lollipop!"

"Oh no, how about cake? But don't tell mum that I let you have sweets so early in the morning."

"Cake!" She clapped her little hands, jumping up and down.

Arturia nodded and stood, taking the little girl's hand again and leading her towards a home-made sweets stand she had seen earlier. They walked through the busy aisles and reached the small pink sweets stand.

"—Cherry cake please." A deep voice invaded her mind and she turned her head, her heart skipping a beat. A sudden rush of familiarity and nostalgia filled her heart and her breath caught in her throat.

She was not exactly ready to see him so suddenly, especially on such a sunny and bright morning. A life that seemed so far away found her in nothing more than an instant.

He too looked happy, bright, and as handsome as the day they met, but the light of morning sun caused a soft glow upon him that it swelled her heart. She had never once forgotten him, he had always remained in her heart, even if she had moved away from thinking of him.

"Cake! Cake! Cake!" Mordred chanted, catching the attention of the tall man.

The spring air, the sweet smell of pastries and flowers, the deafening sound of her heart beat… The moment she looked him in the eyes, the beautiful memories of their high school romance rushed back like a thousand shooting stars. A smile spread on his lips and she recalled the struggles they faced.

"Arturia," he breathed, and at the sound of his voice, she eased. After all they had endured, after the times they had only thought of themselves and nothing more, they were fine. They were perfectly fine.

"Diarmuid," she smiled. He'd grown older, he looked stronger and somewhat seemed completely different. He was a new man, he was a better man, she believed it. His smile was brighter, and he seemed slightly shorter than she recalled.

"Wow, you look," his eyes sparkled, "you look wonderful."

"Thank you,"

"You've gotten taller, haven't you? And your hair, you grew it out; it looks amazing." He stepped towards her, noting the little girl that pulled on Arturia's arm. "Who's this cutie?" He crouched down to the child's eye level, giving her a big smile and extending his hand. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

The little girl hid behind Arturia's leg, but quickly re-emerged when she saw that Arturia had given her a reassuring nod. "My name is Mordred; the powerful and strong! Aunty's favourite niece!"

Arturia tittered again, something he missed, and pat her niece's head. "My only niece," she laughed.

"Oh, you're Morgana's daughter then," the little girl took his hand, shaking it violently, "It's such a pleasure, little lady."

"Aunty, he's so very handsome, will you marry him?" Mordred looked up, green eyes bright and full of passion.

Arturia's cheeks radiated and she tried to laugh it off. "Mordred, you know that is very un-ladylike of you to say."

Diarmuid finally stood. "It's been such a long time." His eyes lingered on her nostalgically. "How are you?"

She shrugged, "You know, I'm doing alright. And you? Anything new?"

"Well, I am in my father's business, making sure to be diligent in my work. I was really scared at first but it's going well." He nodded, rubbing his neck (a habit she was happy to see once more).

"Anyone special in your life?" She asked, not exactly sure of what she wanted to hear.

"No one, really. I've been trying hard to work well… And you?"

She shook hear head. "I had a boyfriend for a while in university, but it wasn't really meant to be."

Diarmuid nodded. "Are, uhm, those flowers for someone?"

"Yes," she smiled, "for my mum. I was hoping to see her before I need to drop Mordred off and head to class."

"Then, I shouldn't keep you any longer." He gave a hopeless look, as if thinking deeply.

Arturia nodded, giving him one last smile. "It was nice seeing you, I'm happy to see you're doing great." They bid a farewell and soon she had turned to leave, Mordred in one hand and the flowers in the other.

"Wait!" She stopped, looking back into the honey eyes of Diarmuid.

"Yes?" She breathed, her feelings for him resurfacing by just the look on his face.

"Could I get you number, maybe? We could, uhm, we could properly catch up some time…" His cheeks were red, and his smile was as genuine as it could ever be. "If you'd want, that is..."

Arturia smiled, her heart swelling in her chest. "Yes, I'd really that."

A fresh spring morning. Blossoming flowers and a gentle breeze… an encounter that might bring more troubles and toils, but maybe there would be happiness at last.

Author's Note

Finally, this is the real end…

I thought hard and for a very long time about how I should end this fic and who would end up together and who wouldn't. I tried to make this ending as realistically logical as I could get while keeping sort of an open ending to the readers. To be honest (what I have learned from my own experiences and others') is that the people you met in high school and the relationships you build will not always stay the same. People change (whether for better or for worse); they start to realize who they are and who they want to be, and who they'd like to keep in their lives. And relationships are constantly evolving. Many of you might think that what I wrote is unlikely or impossible...but change might not happen in one year, or even two…three and four years is a long time, especially in University; where you mature, and you do change, you grow more, you learn more, you experience more, and you won't be the exact same person you were in high school.

Maybe this note is a bit intense, I don't mean it to be. This story has been a huge part of my life, I started this story back in my senior year of high school and now I'm going into my fourth year of university. This fic has been with me throughout a long time and I've been all over the place (mentally/emotionally) while on this journey. I can really see the difference between who I was then and who I am now, I have also seen that change in my friends, in friends' relationships (not my own lol) and it is life-changing.

Now, if you are in high school, this is not meant to scare you, it's more of a testimony haha.

Either way, I want to thank every single one of you for your favourites, feedbacks, and supporting me all throughout this fic. Maybe I'm a bit sentimental to let this one go (since I did start it back in high school) but I'm glad I could bring it to a close. Honestly, and truthfully speaking, I would have never gotten this far (in this story/fanfic career) if it were not for you or for the strong support I am getting from some new friends that I have gained in this school year.

I had really thought of ending my fanfic career this year, but I've recently received lots of support and motivation that I think I will be staying for a while longer…

Sincerely, with love, for the last time on Act Naturally,

Ms. AtomicBomb