TONIGHT WE'RE GOLD

epilogue

It gets better.

Gerard reminds himself while he's sitting with his husband on the couch and they're watching their kids perform a song for them. In that moment, it's all worth it.

Frank just came back from playing a show in Florida. He's still not doing tours, and just plays at a local venue every other week. But he's happy, and that's all that matters.

The twins just turned four a couple months ago, and they're planning on taking them to Disney World, but it's a surprise. Emi loves dinosaurs and singing just like her dad Frank. And Dylan loves cats and drawing, just like him.

Gerard just released a children's book, The Elf and the Mighty Dragon. He wrote it for the twins, and never planned on releasing it, but his agents somehow convinced him. He accepted on the condition that he'd do no book tours or any press. He just wants to spend time with his family. They're all that matters.

Thinking back of those days when he thought he'd die alone, and trying to kill himself, and now he can't stop laughing at Dylan's impression of Frank when he plays guitar.

And holding Frank's hand still feels unreal. Knowing that he'll be there with him, holding his hand and loving him for the rest of their lives. Their kids. The life they built. Yeah, there's still days that are hard, and days when he's too depressed to get out of bed. And days when Frank's the one who doesn't feel great. But they've learned to communicate and help each other. And those days, the four of them just watch Disney movies, cuddling in bed, or Emi tells stories to them, or Dylan and him sit and draw all day.

It gets better, he reminds himself again.

He wishes he could talk to that version of him who was considering taking all those pills, and tell him to keep trying. That the most beautiful man is arriving soon and that they'll be happy together.

'Dinner is ready!' Frank yells from the kitchen, and Gerard is back to reality.

As he gets up, Emi jumps on his back, and he carries her to the dining room. Nights are no longer quiet in the house, but he likes it that way. Once upon a time, he was afraid to admit he wanted kids because he was afraid he'd never have them. But once again, here he is.

Happy.

Frank serves them dinner – spaghetti and garlic bread –, and they talk about their plans for the weekend. Going to see Nanna Linda, and an appointment at the vet for Lois. Gerard mentions he needs to go to shopping for the kids since none of their pants fit anymore, and Frank says if they behave they can go to the part afterwards.

'But can we come back home first, Dada?' Dylan asks. 'I want Lois and Soup to come with us.'

'Only if they behave.'

Gerard cleans the table and does the dishes, while Frank helps the kids wash their hands and face. It's the weekend, and classes are over, so he lets them go and play with the pets for a little longer, and maybe they'll watch a movie later.

When Gerard joins them, the kids are working on a painting on the floor, and Frank is rearranging his records on the new bookcase he bought. Gerard can't help smiling at the view.

His life couldn't be any more perfect.

And without saying a word, Gerard gets closer and he seems to be helping him, but he's just looking for something. 'There,' he says when he finally finds the record he was looking for, and he walks to the record player and puts it on.

It's Be My Baby, by The Ronettes.

The song's just starting when Frank turns to him, a little confused. Gerard just takes his hand and drags him to the middle of the living room. He doesn't need to say a word for Frank to know what this is about.

And though Gerard hasn't learned to dance in the past five years, it's all too perfect.

His dream come true.

Dancing with the love of his life while their kids watch them. They hear them giggling as Frank and Gerard sway around, unable to stop smiling.

So won't you, please, be my, be my baby
Be my little baby, my one and only baby
Say you'll be my darlin', be my, be my baby
Be my baby now, my one and only baby

Frank sings to the song, soft and sweet in his ear.

They kiss, causing the twins to laugh more. 'Come on, you dorks,' Frank tells them. 'Dance with us.'

They run to their parents, and the four of them keep dancing, and it's even better than their dream.

The greatest love story, and it's theirs.

Everything is perfect.

****

And they lived happily ever after

THE END