7 years later.

Hazel Grace Lancaster smiled as Augustus Waters came up from behind, entwining his warm fingers with hers. After such a long time, she still couldn't believe that they were together once again. Although she didn't know how long this would last as this too might be taken away from then anytime, she still cherished the present and savored the bliss of the current moment. With Augustus.

Hazel had watched with a heavy hollowness as her parents broke down and cried then and there at the hospital when she left. She had watched her own funeral, her own body being cremated to ashes and buried under the soil although Augustus discouraged her from doing so. She just had to watch.

That was seven years ago though. Sure, Hazel could hardly keep track of time- it was like some third space here, covered in pure white and she didn't know which day ended and the next started. Perhaps there was no time at all up here. She just knew, as if it was just etched in her mind. Skye, of course, was seven years old too. Hazel had watched from above, teary-eyed, as she blew out all seven candles in one breath after her much-too-young grandparents sung a quiet birthday song for her a couple weeks back.

"Hazel Grace," Augustus whispered, nudging her shoulder. "She's back."

"What?" She shook her head, clearing her mind of the nostalgic distractions.

"Skye. She's back from school; look."

Hazel looked, and felt tears swimming behind her eyes almost immediately, as always when she sees her daughter, growing up too quickly but so, so well. Skye bounced through the front door, her face radiant and bright, her huge backpack hitched on her shoulders.

"I'm home!" she squealed as her grandparents scooted across the living room, taking her things from her.

"Isaac," Augustus said under his breath as his best friend walked into the living room, smiling. Someone was holding on to his arm, leading him into the room. Hannah.

A new ache spread in Hazel's heart. Poor Isaac; both his best friends left him in such a short span of time. It was a miracle that he was still dating Hannah, and Hazel sincerely hoped that they would continue going steady and that Hannah wouldn't break his heart. He deserved all the love he could get.

Skye flopped down on the couch, seeming tired out. Her grandparents disappeared back into the kitchen, probably preparing her lunch.

"How's school?" Isaac asked, settling beside her carefully.

"Great!" she said enthusiastically. "Except that..." Her smile started to fade. "My teacher was collecting back the Math tests today and she scolded me when she saw the signature box blank. I told her it was because I wasn't sure who I should let sign it, and she suddenly remembered that well, you know, yeah, and immediately said sorry to me. So yeahhh."

From above, Hazel's heart shattered into a million tiny fragments and she bit her lip, trying not to cry. Augustus squeezed her hand tightly. He was trying for a smile, but she saw the tear that slipped from the corner of his eye.

"Oh, Skye," Isaac whispered, awkwardly putting his hand on her shoulder. "I'll sign them in the future, don't worry."

Skye nodded. "Thanks."

She was being so mature for a seven year old, and life was being too hard on her for somebody so young. Most seven year olds spend their time running about in their backyard without a single care in the world, and it pained Hazel that her daughter had to go through so much hurt and the feeling of emptiness, like some parts of her were washed down the drain, while growing up.

There was a silence, and Augustus almost steered Hazel away because she was tearing up by now. Then, Skye spoke.

"Uncle Isaac, can I ask you a question?" she said in a serious voice, which would be funny coming from a seven-year-old if not for the current tension.

Hazel saw Isaac hesitate, then,"Sure."

"Is it my fault that both my mummy and daddy are... not here? Did they die because of me?" Skye asked plainly, no emotions evident in her voice.

Hazel's legs gave way and she would have crumpled if Gus hadn't reached out quickly to support the small of her back, pulling her towards him as Hazel buried her face in his shirt.

Isaac was rubbing Skye's shoulder comfortingly before but then he froze when she asked the question. "Of course not, Skye," he said automatically.

"My mummy then," she pressed on. "She died while giving birth to me, right?"

"She was very strong," was all Isaac said. "We were all proud of her, but when the time came for her to go, she had to go. But it's not your fault, Skye. What she wanted most was to give birth to you successfully, and she did it, because she knew she had to." He was too, about to cry, but forced the tears back desperately.

Skye sat back upright and nodded, like she understood. "I'm proud of her, too."

Above, Augustus whispered in Hazel's ear,"You heard that, didn't you? She's proud of you, and so am I."

"Yeah." Hazel blinked her tears back quickly and looked up at Augustus, the shape of his face, his sharp jawline, the lashes that cast fine shadows over his eyes. Her hand moved to circle his neck where his brown hair curled just slightly, and she slanted her lips against his as Augustus brushed his fingers across her cheek, gently, as if they had all the time in the world. His eyes fluttered shut and he kissed her back. Hazel, his Hazel, was really the best thing that had ever happened to him. Both of them shut themselves away, so that it was just them, for now.

END.

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hi yes so this sequel is over lol

thank you for reading! <3