The Hero Killings

25 - Finale

Anika smiled as she helped Asher into his suit. "How are you feeling?"

"Nervous." Asher admitted, he was side stepping in attempts to calm himself.

"You'll be fine darling. You, you've changed Carter so much. He used to be so angry. Now, well he's a different man. "You made Alex so happy too. I know it." Asher's smiled faded. Alex death would haunt him for the rest of his life. Between his sons new name, and memories. Nightmares that would continue to wake him in screaming fits. "Smile Asher, you're about to join our family for a second time."

Asher brought him smile right back, he needed to make things right. He adjusted his top and went to leave the house to walk towards the arch Carter and Max had built.

Carter was determined to give Asher some form of normalcy. He didn't want to upset Asher any longer.

As Asher stepped out of the house he couldn't help but smile. Star was walking hand in hand with his little girl. the toddler was mostly walking now, and the two were determined to be flower girls. Star tossed most of the petals while Avery babbled and stumbled.

Asher took one more deep breath and finally made his way to Carter. The man smiled as Asher stood across from him. Max was the officiant of sorts, the family sat waiting for the wedding to officially begin. Carter was smiling ear to ear while Asher tried not to get the jitters.

Clearing his throat Max harbored the family's attention. "As a family for years we've gone through ups and downs. Many of us have been lucky to find our person through fate. Carter and Asher have both gone through so much both together and individually." Asher's hands were shaking as he listened to him speak. He was holding back tears, he was excited to marry Carter but he also feared this place. He feared the family still, but he knew this was his place. He had no where else to go.

"Carter do you take Asher to be your husband, and the other parent to your children?"

"I do." Carter replied with a big smile on his face. "Forever and always."

Max smiled turning his attention back to Asher. "Do you Asher take Carter s your husband and promise to help raise his children as your own?"

Asher looked to Alexander and Avery who were sitting on Jace and Anika's lap. He looked to Carter and nodded. "I do."

Max smiled. "Under old laws and new for our family, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may now seal it with a kiss." Carter swept Asher off his feet, he kissed him desperately. The family cheered happy to have them officially married under the families laws once more. Carter held him closely. Max's eldest children's 'significant others' were still trying to escape, they were tied down to the chairs and neither understood how anyone could willingly accept this family or their traditions.

The family made their way to Max's home for a grand meal. As they all sat around the table and the children were placed in highchairs and boosters Asher looked upon the meal on the table.

"If I dont eat this my parents will question things." Carter whispered as he leaned over. "It-it's Valery. I've got to Ash."

Asher froze in his place. "As long as I dont have to, and this is all you eat of flesh for months." Asher managed out while he got his plate and Avery's. Alexander's plate was mashed potatoes and infant crackers. Sitting beside Avery, Asher avoided contact with Carter's plate.

Avery squealed happily and quickly reached for apples and carrots. "Momma." She babbled as she reached for Asher, Asher smiled softly booping her nose. He loved her, and he regretted knowing that she would never really know her mother.

"They're going to be just fine here." Carter whispered with a soft smile. Asher only nodded, he really hoped that was tur.e

Anika stood up with a smile. "I have a small surprise for you."

Asher looked up as she made her way to the kitchen, Lia and Nina fallowed behind her. As the three women returned from the kitchen Asher was holding back tears. "We know as a child you and your sister made cupcakes, and that red velvet is something you and Carter both share. We hope they taste good."

Asher was handed a cupcake with a little heart on the top. "Thank you.. so much... Th-Thank you.."

"You're our family, and you deserve to be treated with kindness and love." Anika smiled.

thank you.. I'm glad we are back home." Asher managed out, he wasn't sure if it was a lie or if it was truthful. "I'm just glad these two are safe." He retorted as he kissed Avery's forehead and offered Alexander some more mashed potatoes.

Carter kissed Asher raising a cupcake for the family to continue to dine. As they continued to chat and celebrated the sound of a car parking was heard. Max, Jace, Carter, and Harlee stood up and headed to the door. A man stepped up and introduced himself. "Sorry I got lost, found your little campsite which I'm lucky I did." He tilted his head and sniffed the air. "Cooking good for a camp."

"Its a rental." Jace lied. "Has ovens. My son just got married."

Carter tilted his head. "Lucky bride."

Asher rolled his eyes a soft bit at the comment, lucky yes, bride no. "We can offer you a phone to call for someone inside." Max suggested. The man stepped inside with a soft grin, he was offered a cupcake from Star and the rest of the group waited to see what happened next. "It's been a while since you helped the family Carter, want to help your brother and I?" Jace asked. Carter's eyes shot to Asher. He only nodded, he knew it was a long shot he would stop killing ever. They needed the family to protect them, to protect their kids.

It wasn't long before the man was handed lifeless phone. "Hey I think th-ahh fuck." Carter made the first stab, Harlee and Jace soon were stabbing the man again and again. Asher gulped and took Alexander from his highchair and held him close while he ran his hand through Avery's hair. Life would never be the same, but at least his kids would be safe.

Jace smiled as he held his bloody knife up. "The family is finally back together."

Carter nodded. He took Alexander from Asher's hands placing his own blood caked one on Asher's shoulder. "This is where we will stay now. We will be raising our kids here, living our life here."

Asher looked towards the body on the floor. He was right back where it started, but at least this time he wasn't in chains and the threat of death no longer loomed over his head. He looked between his children, and promised he wouldn't let them live the way he did. He wouldn't let his children be the way their father was, he was determined to raise them better. To make them better.