Are there really "happy endings"?

An odd thing stuck in my mind the past couple of days. People, myself included, will talk about a happy ending, but is it really an ending?

Like when you read a good book, and you get to the ending, and it's a happy ending, is it really an ending in your mind? Sure, the book is over, but part of what makes the 'ending' good is that it really is a beginning of something wonderful for the characters.

But, when things really, actually end, is it ever a happy ending?