Gathering Roses

Epilogue

The horrors of those few days faded rather quickly for Emmy, who was soon back to her sweet self. Cass still couldn't completely relax and accept that Jimmy was never going to chase them again, even now, almost a month later.

Their neighbor Dean had returned from his trip, and was surprised to find Cass and Emmy cleaning up their home. Cass had given him an abridged version of their weekend, and Dean didn't quite know how to react. He never would have expected his friendly, quiet neighbors to have such a past— or have something so terrible happen to them. He offered his spare room, but Cass declined, knowing Ginger would rip Wallace to shreds, and she didn't want to be responsible for the death of Dean's long time pal. Today happened to be the anniversary of Jed and Maya's deaths. Emmy had her third birthday two weeks ago— Cass had invited Tuck and his parents in addition to Dean to celebrate. She'd found a table and some chairs at a garage sale, but her home still looked pretty sparse. They were rebuilding, piece by piece, just as Cass was rebuilding her mind, regaining strength a little at a time.

The company made no mention of her scarred table and rickety chairs. They instead had a wonderful time watching Emmy stuff the cake in her mouth and open her presents. Tuck had given her a stuffed puppy dog, which was now her new favorite toy and went everywhere with her.

Tuck. Cass still couldn't believe how lucky she and Emmy had been to meet him that day. He'd again refused Cass' offer to fix his van and spent his days running around town on calls. Dean had recommended him to his VA buddies, and now Tuck had more business than he knew what to do with. "The dents and scratches make it look like I have more experience," he joked at dinner one night, winking at Cass as Tina and Frank chuckled. Cass and Emmy had become regulars at the Millers', Emmy often demanding to go to "Tina an' Fwank's". Cass obliged her as much as she could— after all, she'd use any excuse to see Tuck.

"Cass." She looked up from her daydreaming on the back deck. Tuck was walking towards her with Emmy, tears flowing down her face. Cass was alarmed at the sight, but then confused when she saw that Emmy was grinning. Cass looked at Tuck, confused. He just shrugged, smiling, and let Emmy go to her.

"Here, Mama." Emmy handed her three roses, obviously picked right out of Dean's flower bed. Her little hands were cut from where the thorns had dug into her skin, but she seemed so proud to bring them to Cass.

"Oh, thank you Emmy! I love them." Cass smiled and hugged Emmy close. "One for evewybody in our fambly." Emmy cheerily said. She took two of the roses from Cass and handed one to Tuck, then kept one for herself. Cass' heart flipped as Tuck put his arm around Emmy and sat on her other side. Emmy skipped away almost as soon as he sat down, typical of her energetic nature. She danced with her flower as she ran back to Dean's yard.

"Cass, I want to be in your life." Tuck's declaration tore her from Emmy's escapade, surprise taking over her face. He continued before she could respond. "I don't know how it happened, but I'd do anything for you without thinking. I think about you all the time and I don't want to go back to how it was before I met you." Tuck paused to look at Cass. "Is that ok?" Cass leaned into him, smiling.

"I wouldn't want it any other way." She looked up at him, into his eyes, into his promises. He looked down at her, seeing the love that looked back up at him. He pressed his lips to hers, drawing her even closer to him.

The moment was broken by Emmy's cry. They looked up to see her in the flower bed, holding one hand in the other.

Tuck and Cass went over to her, Cass exclaiming over her hand, kissing it and telling Emmy everything would be ok. She hugged Emmy, only to be wrapped in a three-way hug with Tuck. Emmy giggled, her pain forgotten.

As they walked back to Cass' deck, Cass looked down at the roses Emmy had gathered. They were like the memories she'd gathered all through her life. Some tears, some pain, but an overwhelming sense of beauty and happiness. The thorns made the roses real and worth it, just like the trials in Cass' life. She reached over and held Tuck's hand. This particular rose was one she couldn't wait to see bloom, already having experienced its thorns. Cass finally felt at home, and it wasn't because of the town, her job, or her house. It was her family— Emmy, Dean, Tina and Frank, and Tuck. She knew that they would be by her side through thick and thin, and that was what made Lincoln her home. She looked forward to the future, but was also content to live in the moment, soaking up all the little things with Emmy, and gathering many more roses— even if they came with some thorns.

THE END