Skins: Fire

Bonus - Graduation

17 Years Later

The boys anxiously run out of the car.

"Boys, slow down!" Ana calls out as she, Freddie and their 12 year old daughter, Annie get out of the car.

"But mum!"

"Boys! Listen to your mother." Freddie says. James and Jr. look at each other.

"Speed walk race to the door?" James suggests.

"You're on. Ready, set, go!" The two are off. Ana chuckles and rolls her eyes as the couple follow their sons. "I win!"

"No. I win!"

"You both won." Freddie says. The five go into the jail and check in. They sit down in the visitors room, waiting for Cook to come out.

Cook walks down the hall in excitement. He loves when his nephews come to visit. He loved it when they were babies, but when they started talking, that made things better. And James... he is upset that Cook is in jail, but he understands why. And he's grateful for what Cook did for his mum.

The door opens and Cook steps in and gets un-cuffed.

"Uncle Cook!" Jr. says excitedly. Cook comes over and greets everyone. The 36 year old sits down.

"So? How did your exams go?" He asks.

"We both got all A's!" The boys say together. Cook claps his hands together in happiness.

"Fucking A man! I'm so proud of you boys! So when do you leave for university?"

"2 months." James says.

"And that means I get the house all to myself!" Annie says excitedly.

"Oh come on sis, you know you're going to miss us." Jr. says.

"I plead the fifth."

"I really am proud of both of you."

"Wait until we graduate university. Then you're going to be really proud." James says.

~

"Alright. This is it. My baby boys are going off to college."

"I still don't understand why we can't actually go to campus with you." Freddie says. "It won't take us long to say goodbye to you both."

"Because you know mum." Jr. says. "It's gonna be hard for her to say goodbye."

"I love how you're talking about me as if I'm not here." Ana rolls her eyes.

"Oh you know we love you mum." James kisses his mother's cheek.

"I know. But it's... gonna be hard."

"They won't be gone forever mum." Annie says. "They'll be back for holiday. You will be back for holiday right?" James and Jr. look at each other. "Right?! For mum's sake."

"Sure." The Twins say.

"If you don't come to us, we'll come to you." Ana says.

"Yeah. Yeah we'll come." James says quickly.

"Do you both have everything before you leave?" Freddie asks.

"Yes dad." Jr. says. "We have to go if we're going to get there in time."

"Alright, alright." Freddie says. "One more hug." The family hugs before Freddie gets in his car to go to Exeter to major in Medical and James gets in his car to go to Cambridge to major in engineering.

Ana and Freddie watch their boys drive out of their driveway.

"Are you ok mum?" Annie asks.

"Yeah. I'm ok. I'm just gonna be sad for a little while."

"What about me?" Freddie asks. "I'm gonna be sad too."

"Yeah but you're a guy."

"So?"

"So... you don't cry. Women are much more emotional."

"She's right Freds." Ana shrugs. "We are."

"Whatever." Freddie rolls his eyes and looks at Ana. "Should we tell her?" Ana looks at Annie.

"Tell me what...?"

"I think we should."

"Your mother and I have decided that since your brothers are off at university, that you can have a pet." Annie's face lights up.

"Really?" Her parents nod. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you so much! I want a dog! I have to go look them up now!" Annie runs inside to do her research.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Freddie asks pulling his wife into his arms.

"I should be asking you that question."

"I'm going to miss my boys. Very much. But they're off doing great things and I couldn't be more proud."

"Thank you." Ana says. "For giving me such a glorious life."

"It's not over yet love."

"Damn straight." The couple kiss and go back inside hand in hand.