The Footsteps to Freedom

Chapter 18

Alas, this is the last and final chapter :(

my journey with you has come to an end. i really really really hope you guys enjoyed my story, and i really enjoyed writing it. please please please fulfill my final wish and comment below!!!

Thomas turned the key in the lock and looked at Alice, a finger to his lips. Slowly, he pushed the door open and went inside, Alice right behind him. They slowly snuck into the house and moved stealthily towards the living room. They knew everyone was there watching the news because Thomas had peeked into the window a few moments before. Thomas looked at Alice and held up a finger, then two, and finally three.

"Surprise!" they both shouted as they jumped into the living room, million dollar smiles plastered on their faces. Jess, Mr. Byrne, and Mrs. Byrne all jumped up and screamed happily. They all attacked Thomas and practically knocked him to the ground.

"Thomas!" his mother cried as tears flew out of her eyes. "How did you get out?"

"Oh I am so glad you are home!" Mr. Byrne exclaimed.

Jess didn't say a single word; she just buried her head into her older brother's shoulder, with both of her parents' arms around them. There was not a single dry eye in the room, and Alice was extremely happy, though nobody had noticed her yet. She stood back and watched the Byrne family express their jubilance at the return of Thomas.

Finally, Jess looked up. "Oh my God, it's Alice!" She released herself from her family and threw herself at Alice. Alice hugged her back fiercely, and said, "Oh Jess, I missed you so much!"

"Not more than me! With both you and Thomas gone, I didn't know what to do with myself," Jess said as she pulled herself away. Mr. and Mrs. Byrne then took their turns in welcoming Alice back.

"Alice's family doesn't know anything yet," Thomas said, a twinkle in his eye. He still had one more secret to tell and he was trying to hold it back.

"Don't you dare," Alice warned him playfully, as she could see his urge to speak. "We want to surprise them too, but I don't have the house key anymore."

"Easy," Jess said. "I'll go over and after I'm in, I'll unlock the door for you."

"Let's go!" Alice said excitedly. Thomas took her hand and led her to the front door. They waited a minute for Jess to go, and then followed her, with Thomas's parents close behind.

The Kinsley family was also gathered in the living room, with Jess of course. A repeat of what happened in the house next door took place as the family noticed Alice and then Thomas. Their long story was also told by the excited couple. Finally, when everyone was settled, Jason asked Alice, "So are you Alice Roberts or Alice Kinsley now?"

"Neither!" Alice exclaimed and she looked at Thomas, who sat next to her. Both of their eyes were glowing. "I'm Alice Byrne!"

"Don't you know that a married woman takes her husband's last name?" Thomas asked playfully as he put a loving arm around his wife.

"Are you trying to say..." Haley started.

"Yes, that is exactly what we are saying," Thomas said. "May 25. Which, in case you haven't noticed, was only yesterday!"

"Looks like you owe someone a honeymoon," Jess said, disappointed that she missed their marriage. "Where are you two going to go?"

"Home!" they both said at the same time. They looked at each other and began to laugh.

"I missed being home," Alice admitted. "I don't want to go away to any other place."

"Home missed you too," Mrs. Kinsley said with a smile and Alice leaned over to plant a kiss on her mother's thin cheek.