/ɛpɪlɒɡ/

(n.) a section at the end of a book that serves as a conclusion to what has happened.

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We've decided on forever.

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You.

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On the friendlier and more emotionally put together note, I hereby present to all of you the epilogue of Hers, and I cannot tell you how hard it was to write this - I was pretty much so emotionally distraught that I went into a freaking writer's block, but I really hope you guys enjoy this, and I hope I did a good job and gave this story a justified epilogue.

I will be hosting a one shot and dedications chapter, so no worries.

There will be no A/N at the end of the chapter because I am probably sobbing, but I hope you enjoy.

This is the longest chapter I have ever written, and God, I cannot even believe that Hers is finished. (dfnkjk)

P.S. Chase isn't mentioned because the plot changed in my head, and I am still deciding on a few characters, so bear with me.

-Nadia xoxo

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"Okay listen you fuckfaces, there is only five minutes until she comes so CAN WE HAVE SOME FUCKING ORDER AROUND HERE?" Luke bellowed, his eyes dilated with adrenalin as he and Andrew scurried off to recheck the balloons and decorations while Aiden rolled his eyes.

"It isn't even his surprise party," he muttered, and through the three months Aaron hasn't seen him, he got a slight tan.

Aaron shrugged. "You know how he is when it comes to Rose," he said simply.

Aiden pursed his lips. "He's been like that with Lana too," he said.

"I guess it's his way of showing us he approves of our girls."

Aiden shrugged, still annoyed. "I'll go check on the cake. I don't even know how to check a cake, like do I make sure it is position straight at the mid-point of the plate?"

Aaron let out a little laugh. "I think Luke asked you to check the candles," he said.

"No, it was the cake."

"I'm pretty sure I heard candles."

Aiden gave him a flat look. "Fine, I'll go check the candles."

"That's great –"

"– and give the cake the attention it deserves."

Aaron grinned. "I won't tell Luke."

Aiden winked. "Now we're talking."

Every second that ticked made Aaron's nerves clog with anxiety, and it was bad enough just landing an eight hour flight, and with this much tension piling up in his stomach, he was afraid he wasn't even going to last five minutes.

And it was hard – truly, it was hard going away for the first semester of University in London while Aaron left Rose here. He left her here all alone while he packed his things and boarded a plane; he left her here when he had dog eared books to carry around to study, and he left her here when it was her last year.

And it hurt – it hurt a lot actually – and Aaron was sure that the only thing that kept him sane throughout the course of those three months was the stunning smile he would receive from her when he returns.

Aaron remembered – he remembered the day Rose dropped him off in the airport; the tear stained kisses and the whispered promises – Promise me you'll come back for me Aaron – Rose was trying so hard not to break down while Aaron was already crumbled.

Huddled against his chest, Rose was making sure he was going to be okay in London all alone, and her tears always managed to make her eyes beautiful. Aaron had his fair share of tears too, but he wanted to be strong for Rose – for the woman who held his love in full on her scarred palms.

He could never forget how she wore his black shirt when they were waiting for boarding; how her hair was down just the way he liked it, and how her hands were entwined with his so tightly as though she was diffusing a part of her into him.

A part of her of which Aaron could remember on the lonely nights in London, and of the rainy afternoons in the park when he wished he could see Rose's eyes among the shades of blue and navy swirled and dotted into the cloudy sky.

The tear sprung back to both their eyes as his flight was announced to be boarding, and he hugged her like it was the last time he would. Her sobs could be felt through her collarbones, but Aaron just tried to kiss all the sorrow away.

Aaron?

Hmm?

You're getting me the UK Editions of Harry Potter when you come back.

Even Helen's glazed hazel eyes twinkled with pride as she hugged him, and he could feel Peter's callused palm give him an encouraging pat on the back.

Aiden, Luke and Andrew gave him small hugs – the same ones they gave to Tristan when he left about two weeks ago.

And it was saddening but lovely all the same when he boarded that plane; when he realized he had no one else to thank but Rose for this opportunity that he never could've dreamed off.

Rose lingered on his mind the whole time he was there; secret smiles that bloomed on his lips when the teacher made an accidental Harry Potter reference and quiet chuckles when he spotted the Bertie Bott's Ever Flavor beans while he was buying some milk for his dorm.

She abided wherever he went, and Aaron loved every second of it.

The golden rays of the sun and the stars at night; the pink of roses and the bark of trees – it all always came back to Rose.

"Aaron! There's only thirty seven seconds left, go hide!"

Aaron smiled sheepishly before he ducked under the table (It was an unoriginal hiding spot, but he was too tall for anything else.) He could hear footsteps patter in front of the door before it twisted open.

"What am I doing here?"

Aaron's arms became numb when he heard Rose's voice. They did talk every day, and made it a point to Skype one another on weekends to continue reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, but it was so different finally hearing it in person.

"Lana? What am I doing here? I thought Aiden said he left his shoes by the door," It was hard staying quiet when the love of his life was only a few feet away.

"Yeah about that..."

"SURPRISE!"

Aaron did hit his head as he got up; wincing as the spot just above his left ear throbbed, but he could feel his entire body glitch when he met Rose's wide gaze.

And it was as magical as he thought of it in his daydreams during class; her honey eyes swirled with stars as her sunlit curls were pulled up into her signature ponytail.

Perhaps it was even more magical than what it was in his head.

And he raced for her; scooping her in his arms as everyone around them cheered, the light in her eyes his burst of sunshine in a tunnel of darkness.

It was beautiful; feeling the warmth of her skin and smelling the shampoo in her hair, feeling her soft curls on his fingers and the delicate breath from her lips.

Rose was crying before he even got to kiss her; her salty tears dripping onto his neck, but Aaron was too busy reciting the dips and crevices of her lips to even care.

"What are you doing here?" she said, wrapping her arms tighter around Aaron's neck.

"Did you really think I would miss your graduation?" Aaron's smile was flimsy, one that he couldn't really control.

"Well..." Aaron felt like his eyes were taking in every single inch of Rose into his mind – his heart. "I don't know," she muttered, "I thought Uni was going to be a pain."

Aaron grinned. "Surprise?"

"You are an idiot,"

"And I am hungry," Luke chimed in, "so let's eat cake."

Rose's smile was infectious; a light quirk of her lips that Aaron could only imagine in his head and random doodles of his notebook for the past twelve weeks.

And Rose's fingers were as soft as they always were; chipped nail polish and random pen smears, careless bruises and paper cuts, her fingers were as he always knew them to be.

"WHY IS THERE A SLICE OF CAKE MISSING OH MY GOD AIDEN I TOLD YOU TO CHECK ON IT."

Aiden's grin was one that made Aaron smile and Rose giggle.

●●●

Lana's grin was tweaked with excitement; her hazel eyes sparkling in exhilaration as they all ate their slices of cake.

"What?" Aiden said, exhausted. "I know that look. What's up?"

"Guess who entered this year's University Program?" Lana drew out, the grin on her lips only widening.

"Lana," Rose said, pursing her lips.

Aaron could feel the fork tremble in his hands. "You did?" His heart was beating so fast fast fast –

Rose's smile was shy, and Aaron swore he saw stars in his eyes. "Yeah," she said bashfully, the pink – that Aaron missed so much – settling on her cheeks.

"And..." Luke said, his fork abruptly stopped as he keenly waited for Rose's answer.

Her smile was like a million stars rebirthing. "I got first place."

It only took three seconds of silence before everyone exploded into a festive celebration; Luke and Aiden lifting Rose up on their shoulders as they did in Aaron's graduation as Lana and Andrew cheered.

Aaron smile was one that he would remember; pride swirled in the skin of his lips and pure joy etched into his blue irises.

He took Rose down from Aiden and Luke (Just as he did in his graduation) and gave her a hug. "I'm so proud of you," he whispered, leaving her a kiss on her neck.

"I hope you have some room in your dorm," Rose said, and he could feel her smile against his chest, "because I'm going to bunk in with you losers."

"There is only one book shelf per dorm,"

"You know what, never mind."

Aaron chuckled, ruffling Rose's hair before kissing her forehead. "I found a way to stack and hide books under the beds,"

"That sounds aggravating, but I agree."

Aaron grinned. "I guess I'll be seeing more of you then,"

"Unfortunately yes. Now I'm going to have to put up with you in a different country.

"If it makes you feel any better, we can visit the nine and three quarters train station."

"You know me too well."

♡♡♡

It was the biggest cliché really.

The horrible music and the expensive food, prom was one occasion that Rose and Lana always joked about – Queen Bee more like I just splurge my kidney on a dress than I am eventually going to trip over – and it was ridiculous.

Prom King and Prom Queen that no one gave two thoughts about, the silly dance moves that were sprawled all over the dance floor – Rose knew prom was just another immense motivation to make senior year so much more interesting.

But how could Rose's senior year feel interesting when Aaron was six thousand two hundred and seventy one kilometers away? How could she possibly think about what dress she would wear and what hairstyle she would do when Aaron was in London all alone?

Well, maybe he wasn't alone, but he definitely wasn't with her, and it made Rose feel – well, alone.

And it was stories written over and over again; the way he would whisper You look beautiful, and the manner that his eyes would twinkle with galaxies as his smile was a masterpiece of its own. How Aaron would slip her corsage on her wrist with gentle fingers and soft eyes; how Aaron was supposed to be there.

And it was tedious at first; knowing that her blue eyed wonder wouldn't be there when she dolled up for the first time in a while, that he won't be able to recklessly dance with her all the slow songs.

But in time, Rose knew that circumstances like this couldn't be helped; that Aaron had his own life to worry about, and she understood that there would be a million other opportunities for him to see her dolled up, but there was just something about prom that made it sting.

I-I'm sorry, things came up and I don't think I can make it –

Don't worry about it, I'll be fine.

And Rose did accept it, but she didn't know why she couldn't keep her end of the deal.

But when Lana came over and told her that Aiden forgot something at Aaron's place, Rose was already sure Aaron wasn't coming to her prom tomorrow.

Why can't you go alone?

It creepy, and besides, I might get kidnapped. It's quarter past eight.

Since when did kidnapping ever stop you from fifty percent off shoes?

That's different.

And Rose should've been happy for Lana; the sparkles in her eyes when she rambled on the dress that she and Aiden took hours to decide, and how he promised her the best day he could – Rose was happy for Lana, she truly was, but the sweetness of the whole conversation had a bitter aftertaste when Rose remembered she was going alone.

She remembered how prom should've been like every cliché high school novel she read; heartfelt giggles and flowy dresses, Rose now understood why some people looked forward to prom.

For the bright lights and sincere smiles; for pats on the back that say You made it, and proud tears that only signify victory in a battle that seemed hopeless.

And when Rose spotted Aaron's blue eyes that were supposed to be a thousand miles away, it was like magic.

And her she was; styling her hair and doing her makeup from the videos she saw on YouTube the night before, the smile on her lips only widening knowing that Aaron was going to pick her up at eight o'clock sharp.

Rose did decide to wear the dress she wore to Damien's party almost a year ago – for old times' sake, and also because Rose was too lazy to go dress shopping – and Rose was surprised to see it fit perfectly on her like it did last time.

The sparkles and stars on the black dress washed Rose with waves of memories that she now cherished with gentle fingers and soft palms; memories that at the time, only brought fear and panic in Rose's veins, but now were a reminder that bloomed a soft smile on her lips.

It felt like Rose has come a long way ever since Aaron's parents, and it never dawned upon her until she plucked the dress out from the bottom of her closet.

And it was beautiful; just as the first time she wore it, but Rose felt like she was wearing it this time with victory on her shoulders instead of insecurity in her stomach.

Helen was a wreck when Rose came down the stairs; her hazel eyes already swimming with tears before Rose even touched the floor. Surely Helen wore a simple dress while Peter wore a blue button down and a pair of blue jeans, there was still something impeccable about their smiles that Rose could feel her whole body tingle.

"You're so beautiful," Helen sobbed, cradling Rose in her arms as her fingers brushed through her hair. "I'm so proud of you." she added, her voice becoming wobbly.

Peter was next, leaving Rose a simple kiss on the forehead – a feeble gesture, but Rose could see the gleam of tears in his blue eyes. He gave her a shoulder a small squeeze, and Rose could see Helen huddle to a corner and pick up a camera.

"We're just waiting for Aaron now," Helen said, wiping away her tears.

And seventy five seconds later, the door bell rang. Rose's eyes glanced up at the clock, smiling when she saw it was eight o'clock sharp.

Just as he promised.

Helen practically pounced to get the door, and Rose could hear the little squeal she let out as she huddled Aaron inside.

He looked splendid as he always did; a tuxedo on his tall frame, while he wore the sun in his smile and the sky in his eyes.

It was just as beautiful as it was in Rose's head; how he smiled a smile that was only for Rose, and how his hands were trembling as they reached out for hers.

Rose could see the wonder settle in his eyelashes, and Aaron was practically wobbling when he reached her. His mouth was quivering too, and Rose almost wanted to look away in embarrassment.

She could never get used it when Aaron looked at her like that.

"86172," Aaron said quietly, and he immediately shut his eyes and pursed his lips. "Christ, I'm sorry," he said, "I guess my brain goes whacky when you look like this."

Rose smiled.

And Aaron did as Rose read in those cliché novels; he took her hand and whispered to her You look beautiful, and he slipped on her corsage that so perfectly matched her dress.

Helen snapped most of the pictures; Aaron's smile one that defeated the universe itself as he and Rose posed for the photos that were going to stay in the McLean photo book for eternity.

Rose linked her arm with Aaron's as she waved her parents a final goodbye; Helen practically screaming that she would be there in around half an hour.

Aaron led Rose into a limo – a freaking 107' limo.

Rose could feel her jaw drop. "Aaron –"

The moonlight picked up how delicate his smile was. "Rose," he said quietly. "Let me treat you like a queen tonight."

"But this must've cost a fortune –"

His eyes glimmered with sincerity. "I want to treat my lady," he said. "Is that so wrong?"

She smiled at him. He smiled back.

He opened the door for her, leaving her a small kiss to her forehead when he went in after her. His fingers found hers even in the darkness of the limo.

All Rose knew – and all she needed to know – was that Aaron was going to be there when she graduated.

♡♡♡

Rose's graduation gown was too long for her.

And Aaron couldn't stop laughing.

He did try to hide his smile in the beginning, but now that Rose was twirling around in her graduation gown like some sort of lunatic, he completely lost it.

That's the smallest size there is, Rose.

Aaron!

Giggles and deep chuckles, Aaron and Rose entered prom looking like two flushed lunatics rather than all the posh and put together couples that followed. And of course, they were given weird looks, but since when did both of them care?

Lana and Aiden were next to join them, all smiles and crystalline eyes as they greeted Aaron and Rose. It was hard not smiling when Rose had every reason to.

"You both look amazing!" Lana squealed, smiling.

Aaron shrugged. Rose smiled.

"Rose!"

She could feel her jaw drop when she felt two little arms wrap around her hips, almost hyperventilating in fact, because she thought the little guy wouldn't make it.

"James?" Rose's voice cracked as her eyes filled with tears.

"In the flesh," James grew taller, almost up to Rose's shoulders now. "Missed me?"

"Are you kidding?" She engulfed him in a hug as she controlled her tear ducts. "Of course I did."

Aaron's smile was cotton candy sweet.

"You did this?" Rose asked him, kissing James' forehead. His hair grew longer; curling at the nape of his neck now.

"Of course I had to get my brothers to see you graduate Rose," he said simply.

"Alright, but I hope you didn't go through much trouble – wait," she paused, "brothers? As in plural?"

"It's good to see you're doing great in grammar," Damien's smile was one that Rose hasn't seen in a while.