Epilogue

"How're you feeling?" Zayn asked, sitting down on the couch next to me. He handed me the cup of tea and I took a sip of the warm liquid.

"Better. This damned cold has gotten me beat! Good thing it won't spread to anyone else," I said with a crooked smile.

"At least that's all you have!" Zayn poked my nose. "I need to make sure my throat isn't scratchy by next week, or else I'm a bit of a mess."

"No shit, pop star." I stuck out my tongue. Zayn reached up and held onto my chin, wiggling my head back and forth.

"You're the one with the audition in three days! You better get practicing! Oh, wait, you can't!" Zayn poked more fun at me, while literally poking me.

"Oh, shut up." 

Zayn hopped up at the sound of the door buzzer. I turned around on the couch to peek over the edge, waiting for the little toddler to come running through the doorway. I saw his little head peek out from behind Tracy's legs and I ducked down. I'd peek back up and he'd look out from behind her legs.

"C'mon in!" Zayn gestured for the small family to come in. Kris and Tracy walked in hand-in-hand, making me smile. "Hey, buddy!" Zayn lifted Jared up off the ground and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. The 4-year-old wiped the kiss off and wiggled to get down.

"Jared!" I called out. He came running towards the couch, right into my arms.

"Ray!" He said with a cheery reflection in his voice. "Mumma got me toys!" 

"Let me see 'em!" Jared then ran off towards the bag that Kris sat down next to the doorway. I stood up and brushed off my pants. "Hello, friends."

Tracy chuckled. "Hello, friend." I gave her a hug then Kris his own. "How's the happy couple?"

"Fantastic," Zayn said from behind me. He placed his hand on my back and rubbed his thumb over my spine. "How're you?"

"Perfect," Tracy said with a grin. Kris nodded and looked over to Jared. 

You could see the light in each of their eyes whenever they looked at Jared. They were grinning always. Jared had that affect on a room. The way Jade did. 

We always think of Jade, but I'm no longer dwelling on the fact that I didn't protect her. Of course I miss her still. I miss her more and more each day, but it's not sending me into depression anymore. I got the help I needed. Zayn saved me.

"How's the cold, Ray?" Kris asked.

"It's getting better!" I said with a smile. "You guys want anything before we sit on the porch?"

"I'll take a beer, babe," Zayn said, putting his hand up a bit. "Another one for Kris, too."

Kris and Zayn are finally on good terms. They're actually like best friends. It's great since Kris is still with the ad agency and now are sponsoring One Direction's tour. They're not only friends, but co-workers. Something Zayn's manager is very happy about.

"How's the ending tour? What're the fellas gonna do?" Kris asked as they waited for the beer. 

"Well, we're planning one more. Louis and Liam have plans for after the final one. Harry is planning on recording something with someone, not really sure. And Niall is just going back to Ireland or sticking around here," Zayn explained.

"So there won't be any more One Direction after next year?" Tracy asked. 

I smiled as Zayn just chuckled. "One Direction won't ever die. We're just growing up. It was about time."

Eventually, we were all sitting on the porch, laughing as Jared ran through the sprinkler. Zayn and I quit smoking together, helping each other with that journey. Tracy couldn't be more happy that I have quit, along with Kris. 

"How about that audition you have coming up?" Kris asked me. Jared came running up to me and I wrapped a towel around him before placing him on my knee.

"I'm actually quite nervous. I'm a little worried that I won't do good." I rubbed his arms to warm him up. He turned around and smiled.

"Don't worry, Ray Ray. The sun will shine again!" He hopped off my lap and went running to get his toy truck.

We all sat there, unsure of what to say. I haven't heard that saying since Jade attempted to say it to Kris one day. For her, it came out more like "Da shun wee shin ageen." But it still made us all smile. Now, to hear it the way she intended us to, makes me smile.

Zayn rubbed my back and gave me a sympathetic smile. I just gave him a large grin back. 

"She's still here," I said quietly. Zayn nodded, his smile expanding. He leaned over and kissed my lips softly.

"So, you guys planning on going back to Bradford anytime soon?" Tracy asked. I peeked over to Zayn and he shook his head.

"We're staying put," Zayn cooed.

Tracy and I ended up in the kitchen, making dinner while the lads stayed in the living room and watched a game. Jared crashed on the sofa, out cold.

"He didn't take a very good nap today. He's exhausted," Tracy said, peering into the living room.

There was a loud cheer from the guys and they stood up, hands in the air. "Guess our team scored," I laughed out.

I handed Tracy some plates and she put them on the table. I kept handing her the necessary items for dinner while she was setting the table. "Are you guys doing anything special for the end of the tour?" 

"I'm not sure. Zayn mentioned me going to the last show in America and we spend some time there," I explained.

"That would be brilliant, Ray! Do it!" She cheered. 

I shrugged my shoulders. I was about to reply when Zayn came trotting in, gave me a sloppy kiss on the cheek and went to get more beers.

"Zayn!" Tracy called out. He came back over, a beer in each hand. "Make sure to convince your girlfriend here to go to America again with you."

"Ok," he said with a wink. He went running back into the living room and plopped onto the sofa. Jared woke up and hopped off the other sofa and came tumbling into the kitchen. Tracy lifted him and placed him on her hip.

"Come eat!" I yelled to the guys. They came walking in and took their places at the table. I sat down next to Zayn, Tracy next to Jared and Jared between his two parents. We dished out the food and began to eat, making small talk like usual.

"Have you talked to Niall lately?" Zayn asked me. I shook my head and cocked my head. "He's been wanting to stop by and get those recipes."

"Tell him anytime," I said before putting a fork full of rice in my mouth. I looked over to Jared who was messily scooping some into his mouth. Tracy followed my line of sight and dropped her fork to stop Jared. "Don't worry, Trace." We all laughed at the messy boy, feeding more encouragement for him to continue.

"He's a kid, he makes messes," Zayn said with a smile. "Isn't that right, Jared?"

Jared nodded with a mouth full of chicken and rice.

Once dinner was done, Tracy, Kris, and Jared left to put Jared to bed. Zayn and I ended up lounging on the couch together, watching some movie that was on TV.

"Are you happy?" Zayn asked, tightening his grip around my waist.

I lifted my head and furrowed my eyebrows. "Of course, Zayn."

He pushed me off a little, making me sit up. He leaned forward, turning the TV off. I sat there, my legs crossed and my mind confused. He turned to me and smiled nervously. I looked at him and chuckled. "What's wrong?"

"So, you're happy with life right now?"

"Yes, Zayn. Now will you tell me what's going on?" I asked, placing my hand on his knee. 

"Do you want to get married?" He blurted out.

I froze, my jaw dropped. I was trying to find the right words to say, but my mouth kept opening and closing. The only word able to escape was, "What?"

"That was awful. Let me retry this," Zayn said, biting at his lip. He slowly stood me up in front of the couch and held both of my hands.

"Raven, I love and adore you. I cherish your prescence and heart. We've been through so much in the past 6 years. Since the random night we met, I knew I would have you back in my arms again."

I began to cry, being the emotional girl I am. I covered my mouth with my hand and gasped as Zayn got onto one knee and pulled out a ring. He held the beautiful item in front of me and grabbed my hand.

"Raven, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you as your husband. Will you marry me?"

I nodded vigorously, allowing Zayn to put the ring on my finger. I began sobbing as he stood up and wrapped his arms around my waist. I jumped up and wrapped my legs around his torso as I continued to cry. I kissed him all over his face, chuckled leaving my lips every so often. I was in hysterics. Zayn kept wiping tears away from my face and kissed my forehead.

"I'm sorry it wasn't romantic," he apologized.

"Don't be sorry. This was perfect. You're perfect." I gave him a big kiss and hugged him tightly. 

My life was good. It would be better with Jade, but life throws random obsticles to get through. Zayn and I got through that one, and more. We will just continue to go through random problems, too. 

If it weren't for that random decision to go out, to go to that club, to go home with Zayn, I wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't be with the man I love, living in a beautiful city, with the memory of our little girl. 

Random things happen in life. You can either let it ruin you, or build you up. I was just lucky enough to have someone there to help me.

That random someone that changed my life for forever.

The End

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dajflds;af 

this is it! this is the end!

thank you for everything you've done for this story, not me. You did this for the story! I hope you guys understand that I had to end it. There wasn't much left to say and now you can see how Zayn and Raven ended. Usually with a happy ending and that's what we got :) 

thank you guys for everything. you guys all deserve a hug, but I can't hug through a screen.. so pretend.

You saw how I struggled, how I succeeded, how I made mistakes. You saw this story flourish! and I am beyond happy for it. 

I have more stories that I can't get enough of writing. I hope to see some of you guys on those, too. 

I love you all, so much. Over 3,000 reads WHILE writing? That has never happened to me. I am beyond happy. Thank you guys.. I was speechless several times while writing. You guys made me so happy :)

I hope you guys contine to stay amazing. Smile always, laugh often, and be you. 

And remember,

random is an ok thing.

love always,

G x