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Crossroads- Epilogue
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Epilogue- October, 2015
“That’s it, keep going! Don’t slow down. Almost there.” Lara panted. Her face was flushed as she glanced sidelong at Bette, who was struggling to keep pace with her. The two women wore similar pained expressions as they entered the finishing chute.
Lara glanced at the clock. “23:19!” She took four strides more and pulled off to the side, bending over, elbows on her knees as she tried to regulate her breathing. Bette followed a bit more slowly, gasping as she bent over.
“You’re gonna wind up killing me one of these days,” she groaned. Her eyes, however twinkled with humour, and she wore a satisfied expression. “That was a good pace, though.”
“Pretty good for someone pushing fifty.” Lara teased.
Bette stuck out her tongue good-naturedly. “They say fifty is the new twenty y’know.” She paused, and then continued. “And, I’ve got one more year before I get there…so stop rushing me.”
Lara grinned. She watched Bette as they stretched their fatigued leg muscles. The years had been kind, Bette was still devastatingly beautiful, even more so, in Lara’s opinion, because she’d allowed the random strands of gray to remain, lending an air of strength to the woman. Impulsively she reached out and grabbed Bette’s hand. With a squeeze she said, “Come on. Let’s go get some water.”
Bette allowed herself to be pulled along. Lara had been a solid presence in Bette’s life over the past nine years, and she’d enjoyed watching the young chef grow her career into ownership of a very successful catering company specializing in creative menus for small parties.
As they drank their water they wandered around the post-race festivities. The park was covered with booths handing out various food stuffs and promotional literature. The common theme to all the booths was the pink balloons, scarves and ribbons unique to the Susan G. Komen Run for the Cure. Lara watched the women who were milling around, several sporting pink hats indicating their status as a breast cancer survivor. She read the signs that were pinned to many runners’ backs, dedicating this day to the memory of someone who’d lost their battle, or, increasingly, in celebration of one or more who’d defeated the disease. She felt the weight of her own sign, pinned to her shirt. It offered two names–women whose battle with the disease had ended too soon. As always during this annual event she felt the tears bubble to the surface.
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okay, at first, i thought lara was getting a little sum sum! but alas…she was just jogging! oh well! her and alice still ahve to “Catch up” as you put it. lol, kinda sad about carmen though…it was nice that her and shane atleast built a friendship again, although…i dont think i could be ‘just friends’ with either of them! power to em tho! great update, it was amazing to here from you again! its been too long.
oops looks my comments didn’t pop up the first time. PURE GOLD! (one last pun, LOL). Such a sexcellent piece of fanfic, Goldrun, you should be proud. Sigh, alas, things in Crossroads-Land have winded down…I can’t wait to start reading your next one whenever you can start it. For a second there I thought Alice might be the other name Lara was running the race for the cure for, but then having a Lace family at the end? Aw, SUCH a nice touch. It just implies that everyone is healthy again, accompanying each other on their mutual journey. And Dana lives indeed. Also enjoyed how you showed us how everyone else was doing with life’s happenings–well done. Maybe I will end up writing something myself after all (although you and Blue are a tough act to follow…btw I’m glad that gauntlet is down, heeehee!). Thanks again for a truly memorable fanfic with all the highs and lows and touching developments. Good onya and catch you next time!
Bittersweet… but mostly sweet. It’s a graceul ending to a fine story. Thank you, and I can’t wait for you to post again. Cheers
Wow, that was such a sweet ending for an absolutely stellar story, Gold – though you did have me very worried at the beginning with all the huffing and puffing between Lara and Bette, and then with the unidentified second name on Lara’s sign (poor Carmen, though!). I really liked your codas for each of the gang’s stories, and I loved the idea of Lace having their own little baby (and naming her Dana was just a perfect choice). I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed reading this story the whole way through. Your consistent development of the characters and their relationships, mixed with the countless great moments of humour and poignancy, made this one of my all-time favs. I’m already excited to read your next foray into ficdom – gauntlet accepted! :)
This ending is …. realistic. =) sthwat. Im so excited abt ur new lace story…. thou i know u wont update anytime soon… but i will b here …waitin’ =)
I love this story as I always do can’t wait to see what you do next so please post soon great update
Gold, what a sweet ending. I’ve often thought that Alice would name her daughter Dana, so I absolutely loved seeing that. Sad to have lost Carmen, but this epilogue was tremendously satisfying…thanks for the update. I’m looking forward to your next story!
Awesome, shame it had to end cause it was a great story. Problem little toe eh? You should see a foot dr about that……. ;-) Cant wait for the next story xx
I had the same worries as Bluemini. But Bette and Lara..naah, never. ;) But I really did think Alice might be the one who didn’t survive breast cancer. Seriously, once you get adepted to last.fm you will be hooked. ;)My newest discovery (which last.fm recommended me based on my musical taste) is Missy Higgins.
i´ll be there! december sounds great ;-)love the end of your storry. they are all so sweet and i will miss them very much. so i hope you will continue some day…like allway i´m very late, but i was in denmark…cu soon, big hug, naren