♜ Epilogue ♜

I love y'all. Happy reading! And make sure to read the author's note at the end ♡

"So, what will we call her?" Madeline asked, smiling down at the baby in her arms.

"We agreed that if it was a girl, you would name her."

Madeline looked up at Spencer with a magnificent beam on her face that made him fall even more in love with her if that was even possible. "I have an idea. Elizabeth Valentina Kinghart. It's a mouthful but we can call her Ellie for short."

Ellie for his sister and Valentina for her mother. Yes, it definitely was possible to fall in love with her even more. Spencer bent down to place a kiss on her temple before moving his chair closer to his family. He leaned on her shoulder and stared at his daughter. His finger landed on the palm of her hand, making her curl up her tiny, chubby fingers to grip it. Her eyes sparkled brilliantly and Spencer could see Madeline in them.

"I can't believe this. Maddie, we're parents."

Madeline didn't respond and instead she turned to face him and smile. Tear after tear suddenly escaped her eyes, immediately worrying Spencer. He rushed to grab her a tissue and dab her cheeks for her.

"What's wrong?"

She sniffed and stared at Ellie. "Nothing. I'm just... I'm so happy. This is everything I've ever wanted. Spence, this is our endgame. She is our endgame. And she's perfect."

Spencer planted a kiss on her temple and shut his watery eyes, causing a few tears to escape and roll down his cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too," She sighed, resting her forehead against his.

The door swung open and Aunt Nora boomed in holding a hamper so big it covered her face. Behind her were two men, one holding a five foot teddy bear and the other holding a ton of hydrangea bouquets.

"Set them there," Nora instructed before turning her attention to the young family staring at her. She clapped her hands together, rushing to Madeline and gasped when she saw Ellie.

"She's so beautiful! Wow, she's.... wow."

Spencer smiled and stuck his finger in her small fist again, moving it up and down. "I know."

"What's her name?" Nora asked.

"Elizabeth Valentina Kinghart."

Nora failed to hide her disdain. "It's very... long."

Madeline laughed. "That's why she'll mainly go by Ellie."

The smile reappeared on Nora's face. "I love it! And, uh, how was the...uh...birth-giving?" Nora asked, awkwardly gesturing to Madeline's abdomen for some reason.

Madeline looked at Spencer and chuckled. "Labour wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Then again, I was under a lot of painkillers!"

"Oh gosh... I don't think I can ever put my body through that! I'll adopt if I ever change my mind about wanting kids. You're my hero for doing this."

"Thanks Nor," Madeline chuckled.

"So, anyway, I brought a gift!"

Spencer pointed at the pile of presents that were trailed in behind her.. "Yes, Nor. We can see!"

"No! Not those." She dug into her pocket and pulled out something sparkly.

Madeline and Spencer watched curiously as she walked over to Ellie's crib and pinned it on the outside. Spencer had to squint to make out what it was but, once he did, he bursted into laughter. Madeline gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.

"It's my old Swarovski crown pin! I mailed it to you when I was in rehab. Nora, how do you still have that?!"

"Well, after I left Notre Dame, I broke the tradition of passing it on to the next queen bee because, let's face it, it's a stupid tradition. Instead, I pocketed it and advised all the incoming seniors to stop caring about silly hierarchies."

"Really? And how did that go?" Madeline asked bemusedly.

"Um... not well. But at least I got to keep the pin! And don't worry, it doesn't mean that I want your daughter to become the next queen bee when she goes to high school. Heck, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. But Ellie is basically royalty. The princess of the King and Queen of New York. So, I say it's very well-fitting!"

"Thank you, Nor. It's wonderful," Spencer said, embracing her in a hug. "My sister was the one who bought it and started that tradition so it's something to connect Ellie to baby Ellie.

"We really appreciate it. Thank you," Madeline added. Spencer loved hearing her voice. It was as sweet and smooth as honey. Literally music to his ears.

"Where is everyone?" Nora asked after a few moments of silence. "I was expecting a lot more people to be here."

"Oh, well, my dad, Priya and Ravi went to India. I wasn't meant to go into labour for another two weeks so they left."

"How is your brother? I miss him." Nora asked Madeline.

"Ravi's good! He's beginning to sit up on his own." Madeline replied.

"I can't believe he's technically going to be Ellie's uncle..."

Madeline frowned. "Don't remind me."

Spencer laughed. "Let's not talk about that, yeah? Anyway, my mom is in the cafeteria. And Charlie... Actually, I don't know where Charlie is. He was meant to come hours ago but he must have gotten distracted. Typical."

Nora looked around and her smile fell. "I really expected Oliver to come... I know things between him and I aren't particularly great but he should be here for you."

Spencer shrugged. "In his defense, I don't think he even knows. I haven't spoken to him in a while."

Madeline frowned. "I hope he's okay."

"Me too," Nora sighed before turning her attention to the television, hung high up on the wall. She gasped and pointed at the screen. "Isn't that Senator Orwell! And your ex! What was her name.... Amelie!"

Nora had this superpower that gave her the ability to make any situation feel awkward. This was one of those situations.

Spencer glanced up to the view of Senator Orwell giving a speech on the one percent. Standing behind her, in a pale blue suit was Amelie. She had cut her hair and dyed it brown. It suited her.

The last time he heard from her was a few months ago. A drunk phone call. It woke him up in the middle of the night. It was hard to make out exactly what she was saying/slurring. Maria's voice was clearer in the background. She called him a bunch of explicit names which he totally deserved. There was nothing to justify how he treated her and he would have to live with that dark spot on his conscience forever. Maria also mentioned something about Josh being a much better match. Maybe Amelie got back together with him. Maybe not. But one thing he knew for certain was that she was far more happier following her dream job than she would ever be if they stayed together. He saw her from time to time standing diligently behind Senator Orwell, sometimes even whispering cues into her ear as she gave her speeches. He hoped she was okay and that she had gotten over him. But, from experience, Spencer knew just how difficult it was to get over heartbreak. Hopefully some day she could forgive him.

"Yeah... it is..."

Madeline reached out to squeeze his hand. "I had to break someone's heart too. And his sunken face will be forever engrained in my mind. But so will your face the moment I told you I loved you. The way it lit up... I'll never forget it."

"Guys, stop third-wheeling me!" Nora whined.

Madeline laughed and turned her attention to her just as Spencer's phone buzzed in his pocket. He quickly excused himself to take the call.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Daddy Cool! Damn, I can't believe you're a father. It's so.... bizarre!"

Spencer chuckled. "Thanks for that, Charlie! When are you coming to see your niece?"

"Soon! But first I have a surprise for you here. You have to come over."

"I can't just leave my newborn daughter to visit you!"

Charlie groaned. "Look, I only live like two blocks away! Just come over-"

"I can't-"

"I promise it will be worth your time! Come! And don't drive."

"Oh my god, Charlie, did you get me a car?!"

Charlie paused for a moment. "Uh... whatever, Spencer just come over! And don't drive!"

Spencer's eyes flickered to Madeline who was busy chatting to Nora. He sighed in resignation. "Fine. But we have to be quick."

♜♜♜

Spencer nodded at the doorman as he marched in with a gigantic beam on his face. It was no coincidence that there was a lime green Porsche outside. It was the same one Spencer had wanted when he was younger. Charlie could be a jackass but he was also pretty considerate and generous when it came to giving gifts. Spencer could almost feel the wind rushing through his hair in his new droptop. It was going to be epic.

The elevator couldn't get there fast enough. Spencer sprinted in when he finally reached Charlie's place, not bothering to knock. His eyes landed on the glistening keys of his new car, sitting atop the entryway table. Beside them were two glasses of whiskey. There were cigars on the floor too, as if Charlie dropped them there. Weird.

He creeped into the living room but Charlie wasn't there either. Nor was he in the kitchen or the office (which, frankly, was just a waste of space because Charlie never worked). However, he could hear sounds coming from his room. Charlie's voice and someone else's.

"Spence would freak if he saw this," Charlie's muffled voice said.

Did Charlie have another surprise for him? Another present? Oh god. Was it another car?! Because if it were then Spencer would probably just collapse right there and then out of joy. Two cars in one day?! Charlie really was the best brother.

"You really shouldn't have, bro!" Spencer exclaimed as he swung open Charlie's bedroom door gleefully.

His face immediately dropped when he was greeted with the sight of Charlie's bare ass. Spencer let out a yelp as Charlie scrambled to get off the guy he was making out with. Spencer could have been fine. He had seen his brother in a lot more compromising positions. However, as the other guy looked up in shock, Spencer's eyes widened and his mouth dropped. It was a sight that Spencer would never forget.

The guy cursed and quickly reached to cover his bare body with a bed sheet. Charlie buried his head in his hands but whether in regret or worry, Spencer didn't know. However what he did know, or at least thought he knew, was that Oliver Scott was straight. So finding him making out with his brother was probably the most shocking thing he would ever be confronted with.

"What. The. Fuck."

♜♜♜

AND THAT'S A WRAP ON TKOM! Now onto the fun facts

♜ I wrote the Charlie/Oliver twist (haha oliver twist) before I even wrote Opulent Glory

♜ This was the fastest book in the entire series to write, mainly because I've had a clear trajectory since the very beginning.

♜ The final chapter was meant to be Spencer proposing to Maddie but it seemed too perfect so I cut it. Plus, who knows whether or not they'll stay together forever....

♜ I definitely plan on writing an extra in 'Off-Screen' just about Amelie and what happens to her

♜ My favourite chapter in this book is actually a deleted chapter. It's about Aisha (from Opulent Glory) coming up to Spencer with an idea about a film in which a Muslim girl "unapologetically rejects stereotypes". I might release it in Off-Screen?

♜ Best Fiends will begin after Nora and Oliver break up (for the first time right before she goes to see Ben). It will explore Charlie and Oliver's very complex relationship.

I haven't published Best Fiends yet because it synopsis will inevitably spoil this chapter but I will probably publish it next week, just to give everyone a chance to read this epilogue. I personally love how this book ended (both in chapter 29 and in this epilogue) but I would love to hear your opinions!

And, finally, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who gave this book a chance. I know this series probably feels like it's dragging on but 'Best Fiends' will be the final book. All of your lovely comments meant so much to me and I wish I could list you all off in a trail of shoutouts but there's so many people who shockingly love my work! I never would have imagined my books would be hitting such milestones. So thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Love,

-hexed

xoxo

PS- stay safe!! Covid-19 is scary and I hope your isolation is going okay. If you feel anxious or down or you just need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to PM me. I'll be there for youuuuu when the rain starts to pour.