Within My Mind I Suffer

The End

Weeks passed after that day and Alex gradually got the rest of his memory back. When he was ready, he visited his father who was sentenced to life in prison and told him all that was on his chest. Ryan only got five years in prison with the help of Ellie. All the while, Fawn and Alex were never far apart from each other; Fawn by Alex's side in his time of need. Only she saw his tears and only she wiped them away with kisses and caresses. As the New Years approached, the pages to a book of ups and downs was finally coming to an end. 

~*~

"Come on Alex! We'll miss the countdown!" Fawn yelled over her shoulder, grabbing his arm and tugging him towards the living room where Ellie, "Dee", Mike, and her mom sat on the couch, eagerly counting down with the crowd. 

"10! 9! 8!" 

Alex stumbled after Fawn with the bottle of champagne in his hand. 

"5! 4! 3!" They yelled, Fawn and Alex finally joining in.

"2! 1!" Alex popped open the champagne bottle, the cork flying around the room and hitting Mike on the head. 

"Whoops." Alex said, clearly pleased with his unintentional aim. 

"You looking for a fight, brat?" Mike threatened jokingly as he rubbed his head.

"Come now you two! It's New Years! Can't you get along for at least today?!" She said, exasperated by their constant bickering. 

"We'll get along when hell freezes over." Alex grumbled and Ellie smacked his head. 

"Ow! Fine then. No champagne for you!" He said crossly as he poured champagne in everyone's glasses, skipping over Ellie's. 

A deadly smile creeped over her face as she walked towards Alex, pinching his cheek and slightly pulling on it. "If you know what is good for you, I would suggest you pour me some champagne like a good little boy." She drawled out in a low, threatening voice and held out her glass again.

Alex rolled his eyes, but you could tell he was shaken up a little because his hands slightly shook as he poured her some champagne. "Good boy!" She said cheerily, skipping back towards Dee and clanking glasses before kissing him. 

Alex turned around to do the same with Fawn but stopped short when he saw Mike hug Fawn and kiss her cheek. 

"Whoah! Back up there!" Alex yelled, coming in between Fawn and Mike, glaring at Mike. 

"Chill out, little brat." Mike said, ruffling Alex's hair. "It's just a friendly kiss on the cheek." He smirked down at Alex, knowing that he was aggravating Alex with each word he said. 

"Just go away." Alex retorted, grabbing Fawn's hand and pulling her towards the table where he had laid their glasses. 

"So, I can finally say I got a New Years kiss." Fawn said seductively, laying a hand on Alex's chest and winking up at him.

"Who said I was going to give you a kiss. After all, you're cheating on me with  Mike." He responded, pouting and crossing his arms.

"Don't make such an ugly face." Fawn said, taking a sip from her champagne glass. "But hey, if you won't kiss me, I'll get Mike to do it." She said casually, turning around and walking towards Mike. 

She didn't take two steps before she felt Alex's arms wrap around her. "Noo. Don't go." He whined, squeezing her to make his point that he wasn't going to let her go. 

"Hhhmmm... alright. I won't go. But I want a kiss in exchange." She said, turning around to look at him. 

"Deal." Alex said quickly, cupping her face and closing in the distance between their faces. It wasn't slow and sweet though; it was one full of need. A need to be reassured that this wasn't a dream, that this was finally a new beginning where they could be together without any problems. 

"I love you." Fawn whispered as she pulled out of the kiss.

"I love you too." Alex whispered back, his eyes lingering on her lips before meeting her gaze.

"And I love both of you!" Ellie yelled cheerfully, wrapping her arms around the both of them, followed by Fawn's mom who squished them in a big bear hug. 

"And I love all three of you!" Mike exclaimed, joining in the group hug.

"Uh... Mike. You know there are four of us right?" Fawn said, glancing up at him. 

"I know." He stated simply, earning a laugh from everyone except Alex who only glared at him. Dee joined in the group, wrapping his arms around Ellie and resting his head on hers. 

"This is really cheesy." Fawn and Alex said in unison as they broke away from the group, hand in hand. Their faces glowed with excitement as they heard a boom coming from outside. 

"Are those fireworks?!" Fawn exclaimed excitedly, looking at Alex with sparkling eyes.

"They are!" Alex replied with just as much enthusiasm, tugging her eagerly towards the door. "Come on! Let's go watch them!" 

Everyone watched them as they ran hand in hand out the door like a bunch of little kids. They watched them run into a new beginning. 

~*~

The end! I'm so happy I finished my first book! It was one of my New Years resolutions. xD I hope you all enjoyed it. And thank you all for all the votes and comments. :) 

~ Catalina