Epilogue-The End

*Several Years Later*

Eva pulled off her glasses, and she exhaled deeply. Feeling Alaric's arms around her, she smiled as he kissed the top of her head, "Is it done?”

She nodded, "Just finished. Could you read the last chapter and tell me what you think?”

Handing him the pages of her last novel, he gave her a serious look, "You sure you’re ready to retire?”

She shook her head yes, "I’m exhausted, and I want to just enjoy…us.” She smirked, "Besides, I don’t think we’re going anywhere anytime soon. Your father doesn’t want us up there and your sister doesn’t want you down there with her.”

He laughed, "Touché,” and sitting next to her on the couch he began to read.

*"Their lives had changed drastically over the passing years. As if the rain understood they deserved more, and finally allowed them the sun. Each of the four brothers now married, deeply in love and loved deeply, shortly learned that their wives wanted to remain together in their home. So, with the help of their aunt and grandfather, they expanded it, and as the years progressed, their small families grew.*

*Callum and Charlee struggled to bear a child, the stress of not getting pregnant wore down on them heavily. After their third year of trying, Callum pulled Charlee in his arms. “Your three favorite places still the same?”

*She nodded and she heard him snap. They traveled to her favorite places, and then to his top three. They explored every bit of the earth, enjoying mischief and unbridled love for one another. And when they returned Charlee slowly felt herself become sick. Not wanting to worry Callum, she scheduled an appointment. She held her breath, and as the doctor spoke, she no longer could hear over her own sobs. Racing home, she found Callum and immediately told him the news.*

*“Okay! 30…29..28…FUCK THIS! I’M PREGNANT!!!” She blurted and his face paled as he quickly pulled her in his arms.*

*Kissing her face over and over, Callum felt his own tears. And when their beautiful daughter was born, Callum took one look at her face and all his fears of what kind of father he would immediately went out of the door. His heart swelled with love, he looked to his wife. *

*“I’m so incredibly happy Lee,” He whispered to her.*

*She smiled in return, “Me too.”*

*Their daughter Chloe was so much like her mother, her soul radiated light. And she was like her father, mischievous but tried her best to be good. As the years continued, Callum and Charlee had two more children, Cecilia and Carson, but no matter how big their family grew they made sure to always make time for one another. The Isner Institute blossomed and eventually had to be expanded. The children there adored both Callum and Charlee for what made them both different. And as Callum tucked in his children, and climbed into bed next to his wife, he held her close to him, knowing if anything, he’d done something good enough to be given his family.*

*Fabian danced with Fiona often. Unable to get enough of the way she looked at him with so much love. Even after all these years, the two couldn’t keep their hands off of one another. He twirled her around the room, pulling her close as the music played. He loved hearing their twin sons Francis and Felix, pretend to gag at their PDA. And one day he sat them down and patted their hands.*

*“It is my hope that one day you two find someone who makes you feel,” He stood and they looked at one another.*

*“Feel what?”*

*Watching Fiona paint, she looked up and him and gave him a bright smile. He looked back to his sons, “Everything” And went to help her with her mural.*

*Fabian eventually painted a portrait of himself, one that showed him before and after. One side showed him with a massive hole in his chest, the other side of him with it almost closed. Fiona hugged him tightly.*

*“I love it…are you going to hang it?” *

*He shook his head no, “This is my own personal reminder of how far I’ve come.”*

*Fiona and Fabian continued their work at the art studio, and with time Fabian took it over so that Fiona could focus more on being a sex therapist. Ian and Faye laid on the floor of their specialty room and looked at the ceiling. She turned and laid her head on the chest of the man who owned her heart. Fabian lifted her head and kissed her and felt her nuzzle into him, and he waved placing a blanket over them both. Drifting off to sleep, he felt the last of his emptiness disappear. For a man who once knew no emotions, and no sense of completion, he now had everything he could ever dream. A family, and the love of a woman whose one brown, one blue, eyes were his favorite pair.*

*Waylon and Willow still sparred every day, though now Willow had a little help. A red-headed firecracker like her mother, Wynter had her father wrapped around her finger.

*“NO FAIR! NO FAIR!” Waylon laughed as they both pounced on him. Tackling his wife, he pinned her arms, “You’re going to pay for that later my little brat.”*

*She smirked and flipped him, pinning him, “I sure hope so.”*

*They playfully grabbed their daughter listening to a melodious laugh. Though they only had one child, they were extremely happy, and so was she. Surrounded by love, Waylon made it his mission to keep Wynter’s mental health in mind. “Never-”*

*“Alone.” She always finished his sentence, smiling as she grew old enough to understand what it meant.*

*Waylon and Willow took the world by storm, becoming the most sought-after MMA trainers. They fought in the ring hard and loved one another just as fiercely outside of it. They continued to work on their anger and learning to effectively communicate their feelings. Not just for them, but for their daughter who they wanted to teach that there was nothing wrong with expressing yourself, especially to the ones you love. And perhaps it was the remembrance of being on that ledge that would always make him look at his little brother differently. He hugged Declan a little longer each time he saw him.

*Because while he knew Declan wanted nothing, Waylon needed to let him know, “You kept my feet on the ground.” and Declan would always respond,*

*"Because I needed you and if you left, what kind of big brother would you be?”*

*Willow and Waylon visited her parent's graves often, and when Wynter was old enough they explained what really happened, knowing how damaging secrets could be. Waylon looked around his quiet wing of the house. Entering his bedroom, he saw his wife smile at him.*

*“Is she asleep?” *

*He nodded and she beckoned him, “I wanna be the big spoon.”*

*He laughed, “No.” Seeing her cut her eyes, he surrendered, “Just for a little while.” *

*Waylon allowed his wife to hold him, and it made his eyes burn bright blue. For everything the protector had been through, he had a family and a wife that made sure he felt just as protected and never alone again.**

*Declan and Desiree toured everywhere. Lectures, talk shows, he soon grew to be as famous as her. They were revered not only for their intelligence but their mental sparring. It was both entertaining and refreshing and made them a household name. That didn’t matter much to them, they were more concerned about being together. And when their son Darius came along, they decided to slow down. Desiree fell into motherhood beautifully her heart beating out of her chest, every time her two favorite boys looked at her with so much love. Didn’t matter if she was dressed up, or in crinkled pajamas, she was their moon and stars and it made her feel amazing.*

*Darius adored his father and wanted so badly to be like him. Even at a young age, he would follow Declan around the house. He was fascinated with his father, and everything he did and eventually managed to convince Declan to let him help. He was a fast learner, skilled, and complimented his father's work, but Declan made sure they worked continuously on time management. *

*“No overheating, no thinking you can’t ask for help if it becomes too much.”

*It was yet another thing Darius grew to love about his father.*

*Declan and Desiree's souls were as entwined as they were, often pulling to one another when they were away too long. That didn’t bother them either, it was a confirmation of their love. The brother who was the most worried about how powerful he was, fell for a woman who was just as powerful in her way. She showed him how to open up and try. And perhaps it was the fact Desiree was pregnant with their daughter who they named Daisy, Declan couldn’t help but remember his grandfather's words.

*“Could you imagine if we’d honored your request?”*

*He would have missed out on so much. He would forever be thankful both he and his Dezzy were made to return. He laid his hand on her stomach and felt his daughter kick.*

*“You think she knows it me?”*

*He saw two more feverish kicks and he smiled, his happiness all over his face.**

*Four brothers learned first-hand that humanity is much like their lives. Filled with some people who hold onto the guilt of letting others around them down. Their sins etched into their skin like a mural telling a story of their pain and failed attempts at being good. Some people with holes in their hearts so big from their trauma, that they carry an emptiness that seems to swallow them whole And some that feel the wind wisp through their hair as their loneliness turns to anger leaving them contemplating flying off the ledge. And then there are the ones who take all the pain of others and put it on their shoulders while hiding their own.*

*And perhaps some aren’t as fortunate as the brothers, who had one another, their parents, and the love of their lives to help pull them through. Some who couldn’t find their way out of the darkness, no matter how hard they tried. But many do fight, the ones who know that they're a bit of a sinner, but a bit of a saint too. Who can forgive themselves for the pain they caused, while trying every day to do good for others. The ones who faced their emptiness head-on, and work through their trauma regaining a bit more of their completion each time by simply waking up.

*The ones who got off of the ledge and clung to others, as they healed from their loneliness while keeping their feet to the ground for the ones they love. The ones who sat everyone’s weight down, and carried their own, lightening it day by day, with the help of those who care about them the most. And just knowing that there were others out there like them, eight adults who were once eight children, forced to grow up quicker than any child should ever have to, held onto their spouses a little tighter. Breathed a little easier, felt a lot lighter, finally having the peace they always deserved.*

Alaric placed the manuscript down and looked at his wife, "That was beautiful.”

She smiled, "Thank you.”

He arched his brow, "You did forget one thing though.”

She smirked, "Oh, what’s that?”

Alaric stood and snapped his fingers. Eva saw the light dim, and he created a spotlight at the corner of the room with a small quartet of instruments. She closed her eyes as they played, the sweet melodious song they did, the night he’d originally asked her to danced and every time after. Extending his hand, he arched his brow, "Come on My Peculiarly Frustrating Non-human, dance with me.”

Eva shook her head in laughter, "You are so silly.”

He chuckled, "Now Eva…you know you have to say yes, else risk making the poor instruments sad.” She took her husband's hand and he pulled her into his arms. Rising from the floor, she placed her head on his chest, "I love you so much Eva.”

"And I love you…Something Wicked.”

Alaric grinned, "Enough to let me keep you?”

She lifted and looked him in his eyes, "Forever.”

Alaric smiled as he leaned down and kissed her deeply.