That very night, a celebration took place in Thorn Valley. The rats had many
things to celebrate that night. A good harvest. Rhiannon was gone for good.
And, last but not least, the wedding engagement of Justin and Isabella. The
light from the bonfire flickered off Isabella's face as she watched the rats'
party. Several rats, including Terrence, had started providing musical
entertainment (Irish folk music) and several other rats began dancing to it. Isabella
laughed when she saw Jenner twirling his daughter around. Jenny looked like she
was having a blast. Paul sat with the band, playing his guitar. Jonathan sat
with his family, content to watch the dancers with his wife. Sullivan and
Isaac, who had made a full recoverey, were involved in deep conversation.
Serena, after quite a bit of prodding, finally persuaded Paul to dance with
her. Paul looked embarrassed at first, then started to get into it. He
performed a series of what looked like tap dancing moves. He crossed his arms
and looked at his mother.

Serena was up to the challenge. She picked up her skirts and copied his
moves exactly. She laughed at Paul's surprised face.

Just then Jenner walked up to his son."May I cut in?" Paul gladly
let his father take his place. Serena and Jenner couldn't seem to stop smiling
at each other as they glided across the clearing together.

Justin broke away from Lita, whom he had been dancing with, and crossed over
to Isabella."Care to dance, Izzy?" he offered.

Now Isabella was really laughing."Don't call me Izzy," she said
with a straight face.

"Fine," Justin said."Isabella, then." She took his arm
and began to dance.

Justin lifted her up in the air and swung her around. He brought her down
again, and soon they were in a close embrace.

Okay, so she wasn't a damsel in distress, Justin thought. She isn't a
goddess.

She wasn't a perfect angel, either.

But somehow, Justin thought, grinning at his fiancee, I think I like it
better this way.

He didn't need to use any tricks to win her over. She already loved him for
who he was. And he felt the same about her.

He turned to look at the band. Instead, he saw the transparent figure of
Nicodemus. He smiled. He knew that this spirit would always be there for him,
keeping the rats safe from danger.

And that, Justin thought to himself, Is what has kept Serena going. It's
what has kept me going!

Love is the key.

After all, wasn't love what had brought Jenner back?

Real love never dies.

And, it seems, neither does friendship.

The End.