Drowning

Epilogue

I smiled happily at the sound of multiple feet racing across the hardwood floor of my home in Alaska. From beside me, Jasper's grin widened, biting back a chuckle as someone crashed to the floor.

"Come on, daddy." A little giggle echoed through the house. "You're so clumsy."

"Oh, I'm clumsy?" Seth's voice teased. "I'll show you clumsy, Reina Sue."

"I'll save you, Reina!"

"How about we all settle down for dinner?" Bree laughed, wrangling her husband and two children.

I smiled fondly at our family, resting my head on Jasper's shoulder as I watched Seth and the children dart off toward the dining room.

"Do you regret not raising our own children?" Jasper asked, leaning down to whisper in my ear.

"Raising Seth and Bree, and now their children is more than enough for me, Jas." I grinned. "So long as we're still aunt and uncle. I would rather drown than be called grandma."

"Oh, my love." Jasper chuckled, kissing the side of my head. "The children are smart. They know who and what we really are."

"Let me believe they are still innocent." I giggled, pulling out of his arms. 

"Josie!" Seth and Bree's daughter, Reina Sue Clearwater, greeted excitedly. She stood on her chair and threw herself into my arms, making me laugh loudly.

"Hello, my darling." I smiled softly.

"Me next!" Reina's brother, Harry Lee Clearwater, threw himself into my arms next.

"Goodness, it's like you hadn't just seen me in the living room."

"We just love you." Reina laid her head on my shoulder. I pecked her forehead and stuck my tongue out at Harry. 

"And I love you both." I said, putting them back down onto the floor. "But I do believe your mother said it was time for dinner."

They both sat in their seats, on opposite sides of the table. Seth and Bree sat beside them, and Jasper and I sat at the head of the table, watching with fond smiles as our family joked and talked at the dinner table.

"Thank you." I whispered to Jasper.

"For what, darling?" He furrowed his brow at me.

"For giving me this wonderful life." I smiled, leaning up and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "If I hadn't found you, I wouldn't have a family."

"Thank you for giving me this life." Jasper countered, smiling down at me. "You're the single greatest thing to have ever crossed my path."

"I love you." I hummed.

"I love you most." Jasper teased, placing a kiss on my lips.

"Ew!" Reina cried out, making me giggle and pull away from Jasper.

"I'm trying to eat!" Little Harry said dramatically.

With a soft smile on my lips, I watched as Jasper reached over and tickled Harry's side. Bree and Seth erupted into laughter at his sweet giggle, and I sat back and observed my family, grateful that Prudence changed me.

Unknowingly, she gave me the life I'd alwats longed for, and I couldn't help but think that she knew this was going to be the outcome of my immortal life.