Heather and Raven

Epilogue

"Are you sure I look presentable?" Raven asks for what must be the fifteenth time.

He's tugging on the collar of his flannel and looks more nervous than I've ever seen him. It took the combined efforts of Kate, Drew, and me to talk him out of wearing a formal button-up to the diner we'd be meeting his biological mother at. In the end, it was Drew who convinced him by pointing out his mother wanted to get to know him, not some polished shell that only contained all his best qualities.

"Jesus, Raven, if you keep tugging on it, you're gonna rip the collar straight off," I chuckle, shrugging deeper into my leather jacket (well, it was his, but it's mine now). Raven immediately drops his hand and I have to bite back a laugh as I reach up to cup his face between my hands. "You look amazing, Raven. And you look like yourself, which is the most important part."

"I know but-"

I just kiss him. No amount of reasoning is going to shut him up otherwise, and if he doesn't stop talking, we're going to be late, so I hope this does the trick. As I pull away, I actually hold my breath. That's how anxious I am he might start right back up again. But Raven opens his eyes and nods slowly.

"Okay. Point taken."

"Oh, thank God. I wasn't sure what else I could do. Does this mean we can finally get out of the car?"

Because yes, ladies and gentlemen, we're sitting in the damn parking lot of the diner, waiting for Raven to pull himself together. As if he's reading my mind, Raven gives me a sheepish smile.

"Sorry I'm freaking out so much."

I shake my head. "It's okay to be nervous. But we're going to be late if we don't go in now. Are you still sure of this?"

Raven nods. "I'm sure. Let's go inside."

Before we go in, he silently takes my hand. It's been two weeks, but it still makes my heart speed up. Then again, I don't think I'll ever get used to this. And even if I could, I wouldn't want to. I want to be amazed by this feeling for the rest of my life. Raven smiles down at me, and if it's anything to go by, he wouldn't change it for the world either.

I softly squeeze his hand. "I've got your back. Always."

His smile brightens. "I know."

And with a last deep breath, he leads the way inside.

Very, very short epilogue, but I wanted to show a little bit of how Heather and Raven function as a real couple. Also, I wanted some closure on Raven's decision with his birth mother. I'm considering writing out their meeting as a sort of extra chapter, but for now it's up to your imagination how it went.
As always, thank you for reading! And consider leaving a vote or comment if you liked it!