Ethel had her happily ever after. It may have ended too soon, but it was more than some people got. After Gravel gets hurt, it's Ethel to the rescue, nursing him back to health, and unearthing feelings she had tried to hide for so long.
Gravel doesn't want to settle down. He's lived his life his way for the past forty years, why mess with something that isn't broke? Except Ethel manages to sneak her way in, making Gravel second guess his plan, wondering if maybe there has been something missing all along.