One Year Later

One Year Later

“And though that story is obviously fiction,” Micah said as he paced the room, kissing the top of his baby’s head. “It is a wonderful example of how your decisions change the shape of reality, even if you don’t know exactly what the outcome will be. The energy that you put out always affects change, whether you can see it or not; every thought, every action, every word, has a multitude of consequences. The universe doesn’t control us; we change it even as it changes us. Any questions?”

One bright young student who had already impressed him raised her hand.

“Yes, Elisa?”

“You say that story you just told us was fiction,” she said, turning her eyes suspiciously at him. “But I’ve never heard of it, and I read all the paranormal stuff I can get my hands on.”

“Nobody can read everything,” Micah said mildly.

“Yeah, okay, but I heard a rumor that a bunch of kids actually did go out and do crazy stuff every full moon. Is that true?”

“Oh, I’m sure it is,” Micah said with a grin. “Our perceptions of what the full moon is and does...our own superstitions...shape how we behave when the moon is full. If you believe that the moon has the power to turn you into a monster, you will give yourself permission to become a monster when the moon is full. You see?”

“Oh,” she said. She obviously wasn’t convinced, but the bell rang before she could say anything else.

“Don’t forget your homework!” Micah called out to the scrambling teens. “Two page essay on how your choices have changed the world. It’s due Monday!”

The kids acknowledged him in various ways as they left. One boy, undersized from a lifetime of neglect, shot him a conspiratorial smile. Micah winked at him with a grin, enjoying the truth of their fiction as much as the kid did.

“You can always tell the truth if you frame it as fiction,” Micah murmured to his sleeping son. “No matter what the truth is.”

The end of the day held as much excitement for him as the beginning did these days. Even after nine months, going home to Zeke hadn’t become mundane; the thrill of walking into their rebuilt modular out in Dogshead, that home which held so many memories for them, hadn’t faded. They were living atop Zeke’s roots, growing a new family out of the burnt husk of the old.

Zeke’s father had apparently had a crisis of conscience at some point during his last year on earth, and had amended his will to leave his house to Zeke, with the provision that he take care of his younger brother if need be. To Benjamin, he left his stash of stocks, silver, gold, and guns. To Zack, his photo albums and the cedar chest filled with his mother’s belongings, as well as the camper and truck. These last two had been no surprise; but the fact that he included Zeke at all was a bit of a shock. The house and property were paid in full, and the rural home taxes were virtually nonexistent; so for the first time in Zeke’s life, he found himself with extra money. It had been a bit of an adjustment, but with baby Justice to buy things for, he had quickly learned how to handle the responsibility.

Brandy, George, Aster and his baby, Change, were all waiting for them when they came home. Friday was family day, and Aster had been fully integrated into the family. Change was walking now and putting everything in his mouth, which had been a wonderful help when Micah and Zeke tried to baby-proof their house prior to Justice’s birth; he toddled through all of their defenses without even trying. After a few months of that, Micah was confident that Justice wouldn’t find so much as a piece of fluff to choke on.

“What are you guys all dressed up for?” Micah asked as he hugged his mother. “Did I forget about something important?”

“Nope,” Brandy said with a sly grin. “We’re having dinner a little early tonight. A celebration.”

“Of...?”

But she only grinned at him. George was beaming too, nearly bursting with the secret he kept. Even Aster was glowing with delight, and Micah began to feel conspicuously out of the loop.

“Where’s Zeke?” He asked as he settled Justice into his bouncy cradle seat.

Change immediately toddled over to give the baby sloppy kisses and poke his chubby fingers into the baby’s fluffy rolls and folds. Justice batted at him, cooing, and Micah argued with himself about whether to separate the clumsy toddler from the fragile newborn; in the end, he just perched within arm’s reach and let them play.

“Oh, he’ll be here in a minute,” Brandy said brightly. “He had to make a couple of quick stops on his way home.”

Micah wanted to ask what for, but he was pretty sure he wouldn’t get a straight answer. He busied himself playing with the babies, and soon he heard tires crunching on the gravel drive. Brandy, George, and Aster all inhaled sharply and held their breath for a second, earning themselves a suspicious look from Micah. The door opened energetically as Zack bounded through, grinning from ear to ear. Benjamin followed, to Micah’s great surprise. He had avoided Zeke since their father’s funeral, and had only just barely began speaking to him again. Zeke was last in the door, carrying a massive flower arrangement. It was shaped like the head of a wolf outlined against a full moon made of baby’s breath.

Micah stood to greet them, but was overwhelmed by the flowers which Zeke pushed into his hands.

“Happy anniversary,” Zeke said with a laugh. “Of the day we saved the world.”

“Oh, wow!” Micah laughed. “That’s today?”

He set the flowers on the shelf above the TV, out of reach of grasping little fingers.

“Yep,” Zeke said. “Brandy, how are the kids?”

“The kids are alright,” Brandy said with a grin. “They’re doing better now that they only have to deal with human monsters.”

“I bet,” Micah said sympathetically. “They’re doing better in school, too. Almost as if living through something as insane as that made every other challenge a breeze. My D students from last year are rolling in A’s this year. I think some of them will actually go on to college.”

Zack was twitching and bouncing out of the corner of his eye.

“What’s the matter with you?” Micah laughed, turning to Zack.

“That was just the first part,” Zack said. “And I can’t keep secrets. Zeke....”

“Oh, right!” Zeke said, pretending to have forgotten. “I have something else for you.”

“Not more flowers, I hope,” Micah said with a chuckle, eying the massive centerpiece.

“Better than flowers,” Zeke said. He paused, his brow crinkling. “I hope.”

“Of course it’s better than flowers! Flowers don’t even compare to...!” Zack said, writhing as if he would burst.

“Shut up Zack,” Zeke said, but he was smiling.

Zack clapped his hands over his mouth, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Aster took Micah’s place on the floor, gently guiding Change’s hands away from Justice’s eyes. He grinned up at Micah with stars in his eyes, making Micah’s face flush though he didn’t know why.

Zeke gazed into Micah’s eyes, his own eyes brimming with emotion. Taking Micah’s hands in his, he led him to the throne-like armchair in the corner of the living room. He cupped Micah’s face in his hands, kissed him tenderly, then pushed him gently into the chair.

“Micah,” he began as he sank to one knee.

Micah’s heart leapt then turned over, releasing a flurry of butterflies.

“You have given me life,” Zeke continued softly. “Not to mention giving life to our family. Literally. The scars you carry on your body testify your love every single day. You....” He choked up, fighting tears. “Damn it, I had a whole speech,” he sniffed. “But screw it.”

Micah laughed through the tightness in his own throat and squeezed Zeke’s hands.

“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” Zeke said quietly. “You’ve given me things I can never repay, parts of myself I could never have found without you. You’ve given me the strength to live without you, and the desire to never prove that. Micah....” He pulled a ring box out of his pocket, opening it to reveal a masculine ring in silver, etched with wolf heads. “Will you stay with me forever?”

Micah laughed as tears spilled down his cheeks. “Of course I will,” he said through a shuddering breath. “Forever and ever.”

Zeke’s tears flowed unashamedly down his face as he pulled Micah from his seat, yanking him into a firm, powerful embrace. They kissed, which made Change laugh hysterically, then brushed the tears from each other’s faces.

“Choices, right?” Zeke said quietly, caressing Micah with a smoldering gaze.

“Right,” Micah agreed. He looked down at the ring now circling his finger. “Good choice.”

They embraced again as their family burst into emotional applause. George and Zack cried openly, while Brandy and Benjamin sniffed and smiled with shining eyes. As he held Micah against him, Zeke began to feel the torn shreds of his life begin to knit together. Here he was, surrounded by his family in his father’s house...and he couldn’t have been happier. He sent a salute to the ceiling, a final thank you to the old man for bringing him into this world. He used to hate him for that very thing. As it turned out, though, this world didn’t have to be so bad. It was all about balancing chance and choice. As Justice burbled happily at his feet, Zeke thought he’d done a pretty okay job of it.