Passions Uncovered

Epilogue

5 Years Later

Maya, a five-year-old girl with wavy hair, sat on the steps, concealed from the adults, eavesdropping on their conversation. Everyone assumed she was asleep for the night. Her aunt informed her mother that Aries was departing for America first thing in the morning. With her eyes glistening and throat constricted, she ascended the stairs one by one to her cousin's bedroom. She quietly pushed open the door and tiptoed over to his bed, climbing up and curling next to her elder cousin. From the moment she was born, Maya had been inseparable from him. Aries couldn't go anywhere without her following along.

Tear-streaked, Maya clung to Aries, burying her head against his chest, pleading not to be left alone. "Aries, why do you have to go so far away? I don't want you to leave me behind."

Aries held his baby cousin tightly by his side and whispered, "Maya, my sweet little girl. I know you don't understand right now. But you will when you get older. I must go. This way, I can find a better way to protect you and the family."

The morning sun shone brightly down on the little girl, who was still fast asleep. Aries descended the stairs and joined his family for what he thought would be their final breakfast together. The conversation around the table was light and carefree. "Mia, you might have your hands full after I leave. Maya overheard you and my mother discussing my departure, and now she's quite upset."

The twins soon rose from their seats and headed upstairs to Aries' bedroom to collect his luggage. They then carried it out to the waiting car, where their parents and aunt were already waiting with moist eyes and difficulty swallowing. The family watched as the twins stored the luggage in the trunk. Bianca walked over to her son, holding him tightly, knowing that this would be the last time she would get to hug her baby boy for a long time. This was a scene that the parents had never dreamed would happen.

Angel gazed at his wife and son, his mind wandering back to the time when their twins were born. With his gaze on them, he remembered the traumatic events that had occurred on that hurtful day. Following the birth of his twins, Bianca slipped into a coma after giving birth and the kids' grandmother abducted Aries, holding him captive for several years.

Dante handed the car keys to his twin brother as he hugged him goodbye. Having never been apart from his brother since the day they were born, this day tore him apart. Aries's family stood in the yard gazing at his dust trail as he drove out of the driveway and down the road, embarking on the next chapter of his life, arms encircled around each other.

Aries was driving out of the city when he heard rustling in the backseat. He looked in the rearview mirror and saw a pair of tiny, pale green eyes staring back at him. He slammed on the brakes, turned around in his seat, and moved the blanket aside to reveal his little cousin, Maya. She had hidden herself in the backseat without anyone noticing. "Maya, what are you doing back there?" Aries asked sternly.

"You left without me! How could you leave me behind? You don't love me anymore!" Maya replied, her voice quivering with emotion.

I love you, Maya. It's hard to see me go to college. I know how you feel, but I promise you that I'll always be there for you. I'll come back to visit during holidays, summer breaks, and after graduation. You're my family, and nothing will ever change that. And don't worry about Dante. He's still here, and he'll always be here to protect you. It's scary to think about me leaving, but I promise you that everything will be okay. We'll always be together in our hearts, no matter where we are.

Maya's eyes filled with tears as she cried out, "Dante's mean! I want you to stay with me!" She climbed up behind Aries and started choking him as she cried out, "Don't go! Don't go!" Aries wrapped his arms around her and held her close, whispering softly in her ear that everything would be okay.

Aries was desperate to soothe his baby cousin, but nothing seemed to work. As he gazed into her innocent eyes, he felt a deep sense of sadness and helplessness. He knew he couldn't abandon her in this state of distress. Without a second thought, he put his car in reverse and headed back home. His heart was heavy with the weight of his responsibility, but he was determined to do whatever it took to make things right.

Putting his car in park, he jumped out of the front seat and grabbed the little girl out of the backseat, carrying her back into the house. Opening the front door with Maya still in his arms, he yelled through the house as he searched for his mother and aunt. "Can someone please come down here?" Both women soon joined him in the front room. "Aries, what the hell is going on? Why are you back here?" asked Aunt Mia.

"I had a runaway child in the back of my car. One who threw a fit and tried to choke me," replied Aries. He paused for a moment before continuing, "I was so scared for her safety. I couldn't just leave her there alone. I had to bring her back home." Aries looked down at Maya, who was now fast asleep in his arms, and smiled. "I'm just glad she's safe now."

I turned my head and looked at my baby cousin Maya. She was so small and innocent, yet so full of life. She looked at me with a huge smile on her face. I smiled at her and placed my cheek on her tiny head. "Well, I guess it's a university in Canada instead of America," I said, feeling a sense of warmth and love in my heart. It was a moment I would never forget, a moment that reminded me of the beauty and joy that life has to offer.

She hugged me tightly around my neck and exclaimed, "Yay, yay, you're staying." I shook my head and watched her as she ran away. "Dante, Uncle Angel! Aries is not leaving anymore. He's staying here," she announced. My brother looked at me with a curious expression. I shrugged and whispered, "I'll explain later."  

Author Note.....

OK, Ok, Guys we finally made after two years we are finished with this book. But don't fear because there is a 3rd book in this trilogy that follows the twins who are now grown and Baby Mya (Vince and Mia's daughter.)