Chapter 40: Cheers to happy endings + Bonus

Charlie

"Okay, this is a little odd,"

"I know, seeing the two of us at the same time is weird. You have no idea what I did when I first found out I had a doppelganger,"

Samuel laughed. "Hmm...you probably screamed and thought we were gonna harm you," when Darlene looked at him in confusion, he elaborated. "We broke into her apartment."

"And you were the one who said, 'It's okay we won't harm you.'" I quoted Sam, using the air-quotes.

"I should not be here for long, The King might get a little suspicious. So, please tell me everything before the guards show up," Darlene said, impatiently while frantically looking towards the entrance to spot any guards.

"Long story short, McCrae is here to take over the throne and he'll stop at nothing until he is crowned king. All we gotta do is stop that son of a bitch!"

"Anyone got any plans?" Nicole asked, looking from me to Darlene and back to me.

"You expect me to have a plan?" I raised my eyebrow at her.

She argued. "You've sent him to jail once, Charlie! If anyone can do it again, but make it worse for him this time, it's you!"

Unfortunately, for the first time in history, I was running out of ideas. The thought of McCrae running a kingdom and destroying people's lives in the process made it seem horrifying and somehow final. We only had one shot at this. If we screwed up, god knows where each of us would end up.

Francine said. "Charlie has sent Mackey to jail once. If she's the one making the plans, he'd know. He can always be a step ahead."

"In that case, he knows all of us and the ways we think - given that, he has practically grown up with us," Samuel said.

Jamie said. "So what are you suggesting?"

Francine smiled. "We are in this together. All of us should contribute to planning. That way he won't see it coming."

Samuel stared at the distance, a satisfied smile on his face. "Hmm...that sounds good. I can already see McCrae being dragged out by the guards in front of the subjects and him yelling at how he's not defeated yet,"

Jamie smiled. "Ah...the satisfaction!"

I could imagine the whole thing playing in my head. McCrae would be taken by the guards and would be sentenced to death, Francine will get her crown, Samuel and Nicole would probably get married...? That was still a long way down the road. Let's not think of that possibility at the moment. Jamie would probably be busy with his own kingdom and as for me?

I'd be back in my old life, working the same job, living in the same apartment. The only thing that would be different is the hospital runs to meet dad. I wouldn't have to go to the hospital anymore. Wow! I never, well...I did think that I wouldn't have to go to the hospital someday (not gonna lie) but what I didn't know were the circumstances. I had thought dad would be discharged and I would finally be able to take him home. However, life didn't always roll that way.

One takeaway from this entire story.

Although, there are plenty.

This one just takes the cherry on top.

"I can't believe it'll be over soon. Oh, how I wish to be out of this hell-hole! God, how do the females stay here?!" Nicole said, pointing out a lady in the neighboring cell, peacefully sleeping.

I rolled my eyes. Typical Nicole Anderson.

"Just like any other human,"

Samuel stood up, a look of determination on his face. "This time McCrae will finally be out of our lives and we can all have our happily ever afters,"

I stood up, a smile reflecting the one on Sam's face. Everyone followed suit. All of us pretended to have fake wine glasses in our hands, cheering on our future possibilities.

"Cheers to happy endings,"

---

A/N: This is gonna be a really short chapter. I repeat SHORT! (Oh well, you already knew that given you guys read the chapter now!) All I wanna say is thank you. Thank you for sticking with this story for this long and showering your love over all the characters here. We all appreciate it tons. These last 10 chapters are the 'Finale' of this book. Everything that we built up from day one will finally pay off in the final chapters of this book. This book was/is my favorite book until now and I hope to dear God that the same is for you all.

Before we bow down and take our leaves forever, there is a bonus (behind the scenes)

---

Charlie (shoving her hands into her jeans' pockets): Man, is it the end already?

Jamie nods his head, agreeing: It is. Although, you still have 10 more chapters to officially call it 'THE END'.

Samuel: Absolutely, 10 more chapters Cherie. The story's not over yet.

Nicole: I cannot wait for this to finally get over! Imagine all the things we'd do after all of this is over!

Francine smirks: The first thing is your wedding, is not it?

Nicole grins: You know me so well, princess!

Charlie pouts: I thought I was the one who knew you well! You changed friends so quickly, Nicole. I am so disappointed!

Nicole walks towards Charlie and hugs her.

Nicole: You will never be replaced, Charlie. You were, are, and will forever be close to my heart. If it weren't for you, a lot of things wouldn't have happened!

Samuel laughed.

Samuel: Cherie, she is blaming you for all the bad things that happened!

Nicole shoots him a glare and Samuel instantly looks anywhere, but her - acting completely ignorant.

Nicole stomps towards Samuel and they start talking in the distance while Charlie witnesses the whole thing with a smile.

Jamie walks towards her and puts his arm on her shoulder.

Jamie: Someone seems to be enjoying the quarrels.

Charlie smiles.

Charlie: The quarrels are part of the normalcy thing. Things will get back to normal soon. That's what I'm enjoying.

Jamie smiles.

Jamie: Never in the world did I think Samuel will get into a serious relationship.

Charlie laughs.

Charlie: Tell me about it.

Francine now walks towards the duo and crosses her arms against her chest.

Francine: I pray to God that the smiles on their faces never vanish.

Charlie: That all of the people worldwide get their happy endings and end up with people they wished to end up with.

Jamie: I pray that all the wishes come true.

Jeremiah, Augustus, and McCrae at the very back watching the main cast of THE PRINCESS AND THE TOMBOY.

McCrae: Why are they acting so weird and cheesy all of a sudden? Especially Robinson. God, I am so disappointed in her.

Jeremiah, snickers: You're disappointed in her? We should've been the ones disappointed in you. You would've been an amazing Prince, yet you decide to be a psychopath, billionaire instead.

Augustus: You're getting ahead of the story, Jeremiah. You shouldn't be knowing this yet.

Jeremiah: Right back at ya, pal. You shouldn't be knowing me either.

McCrae: Yet, we three are the ones who had to make an entrance together.

Augustus and Jeremiah: Tell me about it.

McCrae sighs: It'll all be over soon. Are we ready to let go of this, yet?

Jeremiah: I dunno. It might be the end of one chapter but maybe there's more to come.

Augustus: I agree. Every end marks a new beginning.

McCrae: Hmmm.

THE MAIN CAST SOON REALISES THAT THEY'RE BEING WATCHED

Charlie: Is it just me? Or are we being watched?

Jamie stealthily looks behind his shoulder and laughs.

Charlie: What are you laughing about?

Jamie: Oh you know, how the love of your life is enjoying the view.

Charlie: What view?

Jamie sighs: I cannot believe that out of all the people, you were the one to not get it. You disappoint me, Charlie.

Jeremiah: Did they notice us?

Augustus: Perhaps not. Knowing Charlie, she would not be so calm if she knew she was watched.

McCrae, snickers: Knowing Charlie? Ha! You think you know her?! You barely were seen with her in the whole book. Matter of fact: she doesn't care about you.

Augustus: You son of a -

Jeremiah, sensing an incoming fight, quickly pulls back Augustus.

Jeremiah: Guys...

He points to the camera on his right.

Jeremiah: I'm sure we're all being watched right now.

McCrae smiles: And we're in our characters as per the Author's wish.

Charlie, Francine: I don't think so.

Charlie waves the letter she received a few minutes ago.

Charlie: It says, "Dear everyone, I suppose you all were gathered here for a reason - no matter how cliche it sounds. I hope to see you all fulfilling my last wishes before I have to bid you all farewell..."

Nicole gasps: Is she dying?! Omg! I wanted to meet her so bad!!

Samuel places a hand on her shoulder: Of course not, darling! She meant to say that this might be the last time she sees us. So she expects us to follow protocol.

McCrae: The protocol's childish, don't you think?

Everyone: She's just seventeen!

McCrae mumbles: No wonder.

Charlie rolls the paper and shoves it in her pockets.

Charlie: Okay, so here goes.

Francine: Our lives have been a mess since day 1

Charlie: But no matter what, we pulled/still pulling through.

Samuel: From dad's orders to Liz and I formulate a plan to get her out of the castle.

Jamie: From meeting me to meeting Charlie for the first time.

Jeremiah: From switching roles to meeting Augustus and me and having to take detours before the final destination.

Augustus: From liking to eventually fall in love while having to save the Kingdom of Titania from the clutches of a mad man.

McCrae: And maybe after that, who knows? Going their separate ways and finally close this chapter in their lives.

The Author: The whole point in writing this story was just for fun at first which turned out to be a lot more than that in the "almost end". It has been a major pleasure to live my life with them. To grow with them. And I couldn't be grateful enough. Even if they were just people who I've created in my mind. They're my family. And they always will be.

Lots of Love,💕💕

THE CAST OF THE PRINCESS AND THE TOMBOY 💕