Eternal

1

A/N

It's here. The sequel has finally arrived. So this story is titled Forever and Always and it is going to be a little different to SAFP in the sense that it doesn't only follow Matt and Liz anymore. So, you're gonna see more from Jude and Claire, Denny and Alice as well as Maria and Theo. Of course, Liz and Matt will also be involved.

Without further ado... Enjoy!
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If anyone asks, there isn't a predominant season. Of all four available, the best moment you can find in your multiple seconds to years of existence, is the transition from Summer to Autumn. Those couple of days when the wind gets stronger and the and the sun flows further away, are something you just can't miss.'

The crisp air surrounded them as the Cadillac accelerated at full speed, her chocolate brown hair blowing in the cool breeze. They had left Manhattan and were on the way to something better, something more. As she turned her head towards the left, she looked out into the distance and watched a dying, green leaf fall to the ground. The beginning of the end.

Her hand reached out onto his thigh and she clenched it so tightly. Smiling at her, with his gleaming white teeth, he took her hand in his palm and kissed it gently. Instead of letting it go and resuming with both hands back on the wheel, he kept it within his palm. He kept that hold on her.

Haunting the road ahead of them and marking the ground they had covered from behind them, the engine revved and the pulsating harsh air brushed their cheeks, kissing them with delight. Her brown eyes looked at him lovingly with a smile.

It was the end of one chapter, but the beginning of another. She didn't care about everything she was leaving behind, her brother and sister or her parents. None of them would miss her anyways. She was alone but then she met him. He completed her. He was the half that she had always been missing that she'd finally found.

****

She freezes as she stares into his eyes.

Only a few days ago, she remembers, she was in the South of France, happy with Jude. Unfortunately, that all has come to an end as all the complications of their lives come into play once more.

As far as she can recall, she's only had a few encounters with Matt. Her mind traces back to that time when Liz took her to meet him. He's changed so much. His eyes are far more fatigued and his lips are worn and cracked. While his build is still similar to how it used to be, everything else has an in depth difference to it. His smile is now a frown and his bright, youthful smile is now muted. Overall, his whole demeanour isn't as attractive as it used to be.

Cowering away, Claire takes a few steps back, her eyes refusing to meet his.

"Claire!" He says again.

Sombre, she doesn't reply as her pulse skyrockets and her heart painfully bangs against her chest. Behind her, she feels herself walk into a firm, secure pillow and she knows Jude is standing right behind her.

This wasn't part of the plan.

Repentant, Claire hides her fingers as if they've been trapped in a glacier since her birthing, then clouds her body behind Jude, almost walking away completely.

"You..." Matt turns his attention to Jude, "you knew she was alive and you kept it from us!"

Enraged, Matt's eyes glint, smoky and red while his fists lock into the shape of a ball, strangling the air between his palm and fingers. But still, he remains grounded. Instead of a full, informative and detailed answer, Jude inhales deeply and pulls Claire closer to his side.