INSEPARABLE

•°Epilogue°•

"Mommy, aunt Yara is here with her big elephant tummy!"
My 3-year-old daughter, Omar shouts, running to the door in her black tutu and black flats.

"Omar, bad words!"
Zed, Danny's son, whom we legally adopted scolded his sister, as he walked downstairs.

"But daddy says big elephant tummy too." She talked back trying to reach for the door handle.

"Zed, get your sister's bag from her room."
I said picking Omar up. I opened the door and there was my sister in law and my best friend too.

"I missed you so much. Gush! My feet are killing me."
Yara complained stepping into the house. I look back when I heard my husband coming downstairs, his eyes are puffy. His black shirt is hanging loosely.

This must be the hardest hit ever. I put Omar down and she hops in Yara's arms.

"I missed you more Yara. I'll be back in a sec."
I walk up to Ashton. I help him tuck his shirt in properly and hug him as if my life depends on it. I hate seeing him like this.

He wraps his arms around my waist and buried his face in the crotch of my neck.

"Babe, It's okay."
I started rubbing his back.

"It's not, Shallo. He was a great leader and the best father. He got his gang back but he can't stay to lead it."

He clears his throat and pulled out of the hug I always find comfort in.

"Come on. We are gonna be late."

Zed comes running and hands me Omar's bag of toys. I watch as Ashton pick Omar up. He tickles her and she giggles, wiggling in his arms. He holds Zed's hand and led us out of the house.

We drive into St Brian's cemetery, where we are going to bury Frank. Yeah, my paps in law died. His death remains a mystery.

It's still shocking as he was so full of life. It hurts so bad to know that he's gone and gone for good. He was like a father to me these past few years. I remember how much he loved and respected Ashton. I can't even begin to imagine the pain Ashton's currently in. I put my dark shades on as I held Zed's hand.

Ashton adjusts Omar in his arms as he led us into the crowd. He chooses a seat next to his grandma. Even though she lost her first son, she's still smiling.
I see aunt Luu, Bebe. Gid and his father, Uncle Ben. Ara is with aunt Ria far behind.

I greet them all. Ashton hands Omar to grandma as I accompanied him to the podium. He stares at the ground contemplating for a few seconds. Probably gathering all the courage he'll need to bid farewell to his father.
I squeeze his hand acknowledging that I'm with him through it all.

"My father was never a weak man. He never complained of any kind of illness. The last time he was in the hospital was when he caught feelings for my mom and he had to confirm he wasn't losing his mind..."

I hear roars of chuckles. 

"I don't know if life will go back to how it was when my father was still alive but like they say, life goes on.
We take it from where he left off. Thank you all for leaving what you were doing at your respective homes, just to come and say goodbye to Frank Mustafa one last time. Thank you again."

The crowd put their hands together as Ashton stepped down from the podium. He snakes his hand around my waist, with Zed by my side as we returned to our seats
A few more people went up to deliver their speeches including grandma.

We go through all the procedures of the funeral.
Ashton takes the kids along with him as he offered to drop Ms Mustafa off, while Andre takes us home.
"He's broken, Shay. I don't know if you can see that." Andre says without a warning.

"I know."
He pulls over at the gate and I step down from his car. Yara comes out and hugs me. I watch as they drive off.

I walk into the house. It was quite like I expected. I walk up to my room. I find Ashton sitting on the tiny couch next to the bed, in the dark. I flick the lights on and walked up to him.

"You came back earlier than I expected."

"Yeah, I missed you."
He says, his gaze fixed on the ground.

"And the kids?"

"Grandma suggested I leave them with her."

"I'm sorry about your father."
He looks up and taps his lap. I gently sit and he clears his throat.

"It's alright babe. These things happen."

He thrusts in his pocket and pulls out a black tiny box.

"If I knew my father would leave us so soon I would have done this a long time ago."

"What are you doing?"

"Will you marry me? Again? I mean properly this time? No contract, no enforcement whatsoever." I giggle and hold my hand out in front of him.

"I'd marry you a hundred times in a row Ashton."

"Thank you. I love you so much."

"I love you more."

He pushed the ring on my finger and our lips met. He kissed me gently like he is afraid of hurting me. He parted my lips with his warm tongue. He carries me bridal style to the bed.

"I want you so bad."

He looks at me like I'm the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

"You already have me, Ashton."

"Your ass is slow. Come here!"

THE END