Excuse me while I wipe my tears. This is the last chapter of this incredible journey. Don't worry, I'll get all sappy in the final authors note in the other "chapter" which is right after this. I also celebrated 7 months with this story on July 31. Wow a lot of things happened in those seven months.

And for the very last time, don't forget to vote and comment. Please enjoy. Bittersweet moment.

I stared at my reflection and let out a very shaking breath in nervousness. Mike stood behind me, smiling broadly, and put an arm around my shoulders.

"How do I look?" I asked him nervously.

Mike grinned in reassurance, "Amazing."

A lot has happened in the last four years since that spy school reunion.

When I got back to that motel after the conversation with Mark Dazy, I had a lot to figure out. Hailey and I had a long conversation. At that time, we mutually agreed to separate from each other. I knew Mark was going to tell her that he is alive soon. Together, on good terms, we agreed it would be best to take a break.

I know now that, at that time in my life, I wasn't ready for any type of relationship. I was at a very low point, as I had just lost my apartment and was suffering a bit of an identity crisis. I was in a stressful situation and wasn't my normal self. As cheesy as this sounds, I needed to love myself before giving love to anyone else. During that time, I was self conscious and didn't love who I was. I was in no shape phycologically to be in a relationship. After a lot of soul searching and life had calmed down, I found who I was and learned to be content with who I was.

The shock Hailey felt after hearing that Mark was alive didn't make her ready for a relationship either. She had to process that information and have extensive talks with her dad. The physiological stress that comes with guilt was taking a toll, and then she had to learn that the guilt was for nothing as her dad was still alive. Hailey had a lot of personal pressure to deal with. We needed to get our own lives together.

So for the next two years, Hailey and I,  respectively, focused on our careers. It was great for our mental health so that we could focus our energy somewhere else. I worked my way up to be COO of the private equity firm and Hailey went back to work in New York. She published many articles on the molecular biology properties of neurons and neural circuits. They were absolutely fascinating and I read all of them.

Erica was so kind as to lend me the money for a new apartment in the better side of Washington DC. The Erica Bank was even better than a real bank because she charged no interest. She literally offered to just buy me an apartment but I felt really bad being a charity case so I told her that I would pay her back.

Zoe suffered a hectic year after our reunion. Kurt and Zoe went into crazy legal battles over the house, divorce, parental guardianship over Jackson and Stella, child support, emotional and physical abuse and tons more. Luckily, Erica was supplying lawyers and money to Zoe's case while Kurt had to fund everything himself. In the end, Zoe got sole guardianship over the kids as the court deemed it unsafe for the children to be with him alone (and Kurt could visit only with approval from Zoe) and Kurt had to pay child support. After a ton of court dates, Kurt was not prosecuted with any charges for emotional or physical abuse. He never hit her and cheating on your wife isn't a felony in Illinois, as awful as it is. However, as all the documents are in Kurt's name, he still owns the house. But after all these legal battles, I'm sure he'll have to sell the house to pay for the lawyers. Plus he has to pay off the mortgage still. But still, because of all this, Zoe, Jackson and Stella were technically homeless.

Scott was arrested for a year. He was charged with conspiring with terrorists or something. Because he was helpful and didn't actually do anything physically wrong, that was the best case scenario for him.

Oh and Joshua died, along with Murray and everyone else at that riverside house. There was an ongoing investigation blah blah blah on his whole case, but that thing was a giant headache so I didn't really keep up with it. Unfortunate that they came to the end that way but, let's face it, we all expected it sometime.

Anyway, because Zoe and her family are homeless and Scott was in prison, Erica hired Zoe as her personal assistant. Scott previously had the job and because Zoe went straight from college to being a mom, Zoe has no work experience at all. She was struggling to find work as a single mother with a newborn and absolutely no work experience in her field. Erica needed an assistant and it worked out perfectly. Zoe has one of the three guest houses on Erica's LA property but prefers to stay in the main house. Jackson absolutely loves it as there's a bowling alley and pool. He went through a bit of a confused and depressed state while his parents were getting divorced. Luckily, Erica loves to spoil him so he's been pretty happy recently. Zoe is planning to stay with Erica until she can afford to get her own place, but she's still planning to stay near Erica in LA. I'm so happy for both of them and that they're close, but I'm sad that I live on the opposite side of the country so I can't visit them too often. I'm pretty close to Mike though!

Mike has been doing great. On our reunion mission, he went completely sober. It was very hard for him but he persevered and is still sober. After making amends with the MLB, Mike was allowed back on the team for the next season. He pitched the best season of his career thus far and Boston loves him again. Cameron, on the other hand, was dragged through the dirt. Mike exposed Cameron and how he sabotaged him for that newbie. Cameron had to pay heavy fines and because the newbie player wasn't technically paying him, without Mike's paycheck he was broke. That newbie dropped Cameron as an agent as well and because of his public humiliation, no one else would sign him. Mike is thriving with his new agent and is doing fantastic, even four years later.

As for Audrey, after she dropped up in the wilderness a while back, she convinced everyone in the plane that they wouldn't be able to find us until the morning. Because all these agents assigned with Audrey were lazy, they immediately agreed and went back home to DC. The next day, Audrey sent a crew of CIA agents to search for us, but these were the complete idiots of the group and one fell into a ravine. It took them a whole other day to get that agent out. She had to keep the CIA at bay once she called telling me about Hailey being the one who applied the drug to Mark's glass. We called her immediately after everything went down in DC. She alerted everyone at the CIA and now in charge of the Joshua investigation. She had to play dumb and pretend like some of her intel from us was from other sources. We would technically get into a lot of trouble if the CIA found out what we did.

Jawa and Chip did excellent in their respective fields too. Jawa got two silver and one gold medal at the Olympics for team USA. Chip's movie made hundreds of millions dollars domestically in the box office. They were both doing great.

As for my friend's romantic lives, eh, not too exciting. Chip is rumored in the tabloids to be dating some model from Hawaii he's never met. Zoe is doing some light dating in LA, but nothing too serious. Mike is too focused on his career for a girlfriend at the moment. Erica isn't dating anyone as she claims everyone from LA is trying to use her for fame and clout, which is probably true. Jawa is starting to date a fellow Olympian he met during the Olympics. I'm very happy for him! We'll see in the future, though. You never know.

So back to me. In those two years of focusing on my career, I dated around a little bit. I dated some mutual friends, some co-workers and some people I just met. They were all very nice and wonderful people, but I didn't really feel a solid connection. On a whim one day, I reached back out to Hailey, to see if she wanted to grab a cup of coffee. I hadn't seen her in awhile and I really wanted to see her and catch up. Plus I wanted to pick her brain about this particular article she wrote about the emergent properties of neurons. She was working in New York at the time so it was only a fairly short drive to meet her.

We had a wonderful chat. That one chat became once every month. Once every two weeks. Hailey and I started over. We talked about where we both were mentally back then versus now. We were both in bad spots back then. She was dealing with tremendous guilt and grief about her father and I was struggling with financial and personal stress. Two years later when we grabbed coffee, we were doing much better. Hailey frequently talked with her father and went to therapy for everything. We ultimately both forgave each other.

Hailey and I officially started dating about two and a half years after the spy school reunion. We both went through that crazy mission together and, because of our shared experiences, really could get along. Plus, it would be hard explaining to our boyfriend or girlfriend about being a spy or thinking you murdered your father. We re-introduced each other and became acquainted with the normal parts of each other. What our favorite foods were or what our favorite thing to do on the weekend was. And honestly, once we learned to trust each other and love each other, it was absolutely amazing. After two years of dating, I proposed to Hailey with the ring given to me by her father those four years ago. I kept it, thinking about the possibility, but never really considering it seriously until we started dating. She was surprised and delighted it was with that ring. It showed to her that her father approved of this marriage. We moved in together in her large apartment in New York two months later. Our equity firm wasn't doing too well at the time so I stepped down. Erica needed a new financial advisor, so she hired me to be hers. It was great because I could work from home in New York while Hailey went to work. It also gave us an excuse to visit Zoe and Erica often.

Fast forward to today. Our wedding day. We were getting married in this beautiful private garden in Washington DC. Hailey's whole giant extended family was there and my family was there. Plus all of our friends of course.

Mike was helping me get ready. The guests were mingling outside on the beach and Hailey was getting ready with her bridesmaids. Hailey was never super close with any of her sisters as they were all much older than she was, so she asked Erica to be her maid of honor. Erica and Hailey stayed in very close touch after the mission. Hailey was one of the few people who Erica actually tolerated. They went to lunch whenever each other was in town and Erica, Hailey and Zoe even went on a girls trip to Hawaii or something. Erica was the first person I actually told about hypothetically proposing to Hailey and Erica loved the idea (also because I think she wanted to go to a wedding). It's been a whirlwind to get to this point in organizing the wedding and stuff, but it's been super fun for Hailey and I to do it together.

It was weird seeing my actual real family talking with my spy school friends. It seemed like a weird mix that shouldn't be together. I was told to always hide the existence of spy school and it's students, so it was odd to see them all come together. Hailey's and my family thought they were just friends from middle school, which I guess they technically were. As I peeked out the curtain, I saw Audrey talking to my cousin Pete. It was strange to witness, but I loved it nonetheless.

I was apprehensive to do so (in fear of rejection) but with Erica's encouragement, I asked Cyrus, Alexander and Catherine to attend my wedding. Alexander said yes first immediately and hung up on me to get a new suit tailored. Catherine said she was delighted and honored to come. When I called her, I think she was on a helicopter or something, still doing missions for the MI6. She couldn't tell me though. Cyrus took more convincing. I hadn't seen him in almost fifteen years. He is eighty seven now but looks about seventy. I think my grandpa was jealous of how fit and young Cyrus looked. Cyrus first complained about there being no point to weddings and rambled about "back in the day" how they just went to the courthouse and it was a done deal. But eventually, he agreed to come. I couldn't be sure, but I think Cyrus is still working in the CIA. Even he was too old to be in the field any longer (officially that is) so he works in terrorist intel.

Audrey came, despite her crazy busy schedule. She was one of the lead agents on Joshua's case and had to sort his whole mess out. I can tell it was stressful and I convinced her to come to the wedding for one weekend to let loose a little bit. I think she needed it.

Hailey's whole family came. Her many, many siblings, their children, her cousins, her father and even Diana came. Her whole family had a lot of talking to do. The Dazy family had to work it out together with the whole dad-not-being-dead-despite-months thing. Diana and Hailey weren't really on the best terms as they were still a little cold to each other. But despite all of that, they were still sisters and Diana wanted to be there and support her little sister.

I hadn't seen Hailey yet. We wanted to keep intact the tradition that the bride and groom don't see each other until they're at the altar. There was still plenty of time before the wedding started, but because I'm an overplanner, I wanted to be ready extra early.

Even though I knew I was certain with my decision to marry Hailey, I was still nervous. I was making the biggest, best decision of my life. How could I not be nervous?

Mike grinned into the mirror at me. As my best man, he was helping me get ready.

"Dude, you look amazing. Hailey is lucky to have you. You're lucky to have her. It's gonna be a great day, you know that right? Best day of your life."

I nodded. It was very reassuring and true. Before I could respond, someone burst into our tent area. Mike immediately put his hands over my eyes in case it was Hailey. No, it was Erica, Zoe and Audrey.

They were all bridesmaids (and of course maid of honor) and looked beautiful. Our color theme was white, light teal and pale pink. The girls in the wedding wore pale pink floor length summer dresses and the men wore black tuxedos with teal ties and pocket squares. Jackson was our ring bear and had the most adorable tiny tux on.

Anyway, the girls burst into my tent. They all looked gorgeous. Erica hired this Hollywood stylist team as "only a part of your wedding gift" for all of our preparations. I'm sure Hailey will look stunning. Everyone in the wedding looked fantastic, including me, if I do say so myself.

"Oh my god, Ben, you look amazing!" Zoe squealed.

They all fawned over me and my fancy tuxedo I got fitted.

"How does Hailey look?" Mike asked them, as Zoe and Erica were just with her getting ready.

Erica opened her mouth but I quickly interrupted her.

"No! Don't tell me! It'll ruin the surprise and give us back luck!"

Erica rolled her eyes at me good in nature, "Calm down, I can say that she looks absolutely gorgeous. You're one lucky man Ripley."

I nodded with a big goofy smile on my face, "I know."

About the last name. I was technically, legally, still Ben Randoph. But I fought with the CIA (mainly got Audrey to fight for me) and they let me get Ripley back now that I Joshua and Murray were dead. So I'm legally Benjamin Ripley again. Hailey decided not to take my last name in honor of her father and I completely respected and supported that.

Suddenly, more people burst into the tent.

"Did you tell him yet?!" Chip exclaimed excitedly with Jawa on his heels.

"Tell me what?" I asked, confused.

"No, shut up you idiots," Audrey playfully shoved Chip.

"What?" I asked before a dark bag was abruptly shoved over my head. Luckily I hadn't done my hair yet. Someone grabbed my wrist and applied pressure to a nerve, causing me to black out. Oh no, not my wedding day... was the only thing I could think before falling into the darkness.

XXX

I woke up once the vehicle the kidnappers trapped me in hit a pothole. The dark bag was still securely over my head. We must have been there already when two strong arms lifted me up and out of the car. They plopped me right on my feet. The bag was yanked off my head and Erica was standing in front of me proudly. Zoe, Audrey, Mike, Jawa and Chip were grinning happily next to me.

I recognized this area. Gosh, I haven't been here in almost fifteen years. I used to live close, but I avoided the area. I refused to go. We were back at spy school.

It looked kinda gothic all abandoned. It hasn't been used in fifteen years. Sometimes the CIA would have new recruits use its training grounds, but other than that it's been unused. It was in poor shape.

Erica stepped out of the way and stood next to me.

"Congratulations, Ben." Confused, I looked up. In replacement of the familiar ancient metal sign that said 'St. Smithen's Academy for Boys and Girls', a new, fresh sign took its place.

I read the new sign aloud. "The Benjamin Ripley Math and Science Academy," I wheeled on them, who were all smiling broadly.

"Is this real?!" I exclaimed in excitement.

"Yep," Erica said, "Here's your wedding present from all of us. Congratulations on your new chapter in your life."

"Thanks to the very generous donations from, well, mainly the rich people; Erica, Mike and Chip, the CIA has enough funds to re-open The Academy of Espionage, under the alias The Benjamin Ripley Math and Science Academy. A whole new generation of kids will be trained, like us, to be the next batch of CIA spies." Audrey explained.

I was speechless. Honored, shocked, amazed, happy and excited. We had all naturally formed a line, looking at the new sign. I put my arm around Mike. Erica clutched my hand. Chip side hugged Erica. Zoe put her arm around Mike's torso. Jawa put his arm around Chip's neck. Audrey rested her hand on Zoe's arm. I laid my head on Mike's shoulder. And we just stood there, imagining all the kids who will embark on the same wonderful journey we all went on, the one that brought us together.

And there we have it. The end of Spy School Reunion. I know some of you may not be too  happy with how I decided to end the Ben's arc, but I hope you'll support me and my creative choice.

I want to thank each and every one of you for all of your love and support through this story. I'm going to stop myself before I get too gross and sappy and ask you to read the next chapter, which is the final author's note. Here, I'll go full sappy while also giving some explanations and commentary now that the story is actually over. 

BUT BEFORE YOU GO!!! THERE IS ONE FINAL MISSION!!!! Since the very beginning of the book, I've been putting clues in each chapter that result in a secret code. It's one final puzzle. There will be full details in the authors note! It's posted now! Go check it out! See you soon!