EPILOGUE
I'D BEEN RUNNING around like crazy this past week, planning Dad’s coming home party. He'd been gone for two years. Two long years. I visited every week, though it had been hard at first to see him in that place. He didn’t belong there.
There had been a number of changes in my life since that day in the courthouse. For one, I was supporting a diamond ring on my left hand. Dad had yet to see it, though according to Kellan, he'd given his blessing months ago. Every time I looked at my hand, I had to pause to take in the ring. It was hard to believe that I was engaged. Kellan seemed to be in a similar state of mind. He often played with the ring on my hand, almost as though he couldn’t quite believe it was there.
I was attending college, working hard to get my degree. Nathan hadn't been able to deliver on his promise that Dad wouldn't be going to prison, but he had seen to it that Kellan and I were rewarded for our help. I’d used the cash to pay for college, and Kellan had started up his own security company.
It was a dream come true. He wouldn’t have to leave for days – sometimes weeks – at a time. He wouldn’t be going after fugitives on the run. Ever since he quit bounty hunting last year, a load had been taken off my shoulders. I couldn’t be happier. And neither could Kellan. He loved his job. And there would be a special role there for Dad once he had settled in.
I had thought long and hard about this party, about whether I should just make a quiet dinner at home for the three of us. Dad had lost a lot of friends after he went prison, but some still remained. I wanted him to see that he wouldn't be coming back to nothing. He had a lot of people waiting for him.
Axel would be stopping by later. He had a job interview this morning and wouldn’t make it here until late afternoon. I was happy for him. Things were going good for him, and his dreams were beginning to lift off. I saw him every now and then, but not as often as I used to. And that was okay. We would always be friends, but we weren’t kids anymore. He’d moved on, and had a lovely girlfriend that he’d been with for over a year. I'd met her a few times, and she was absolutely perfect for him.
Kellan came up beside me. Placing a large beer crate on the floor, he began to unload the bottles onto a table. He’d rolled up the sleeves of his black button-down, and I loved the way his arms flexed as he moved. "We can't have a barbecue without beer, ballerina," he said. He hadn’t looked up, but as always, he knew when I was near.
"I didn't say anything."
Abandoning the beer, he pulled me into a long, heated kiss. We both tasted slightly of wine, having had a little celebration of our own this morning. The taste was anything but off-putting. It reminded me of how we'd celebrated my 21st birthday. Heat pooled between my legs as I remembered that evening, and Kellan's arms tightened around me, almost as though he’d heard my thoughts.
"Knock it off, you two," a voice said behind us. I pulled back, seeing Phoenix approach. There was a laid-back smile on his face. His hair was neat, his gaze calm. I loved seeing him like this.
He'd started going to group therapy sessions last year, and the change in him since then had been astounding. He was doing so much better, and admitted that he was happier than he had been in a long while.
The long, agonizing trial coming to an end had also helped. The police had determined that it had been Archie Chambers who had caused Poppy’s death. It had been his footprint that had landed the blow that had eventually killed her.
We both still visited Poppy’s grave regularly. Phoenix never really went back to his house. The memories there had been too unpleasant. He’d sold it almost a year ago, and now lived in an apartment in the middle of town. It was an adjustment for him – being around so many people – but it was good for him. His social circle had expanded greatly, and he’d even gone on a few dates.
"My house. My man. I can kiss him if I want to." I stuck my tongue out at him, and he burst out into laughter. It brought a smile to my face. Things had been rough for a long time, especially last year when he'd – unbeknownst to any of us – stopped taking his medication. I was so happy to see him doing well. I hoped things would only continue to go up from here.
Max approached us, beer bottle in hand. "You can kiss me too, if you want," he said, smirking at me. Kellan gave him a light shove, and I rolled my eyes, having long since gotten used to his flirtation.
“I can also kick you out,” I said, crossing my arms.
“You might want to hold that thought, babe. I came to tell you that a taxi just pulled up outside," Maxi said, a genuine smile taking over his face.
I straightened, looking towards Kellan. For some reason, nerves settled in my stomach.
Kellan and I had planned to bring Dad home, but he'd wanted to come by himself. I hadn’t pushed it, sensing that he needed his first moments of freedom to be alone. I also suspected that he hadn't come straight here. There was another important woman in his life, one that he hadn’t been able to visit in over two years. Mom.
I looked around the beautifully furnished house, and the spread I'd put together, knowing instinctively that Mom would be proud. She’d be so happy to see us all together.
I love you, Mom. I hope I've made you proud, I said silently.
Kellan squeezed my hand, his gorgeous grey eyes conveying all the support and warmth in the world. We made our way towards the open front door.
Dad stepped inside.
He was home.