Fateful Signs (Ballad of the Seer, Book Three)

Epilogue - Life Goes On

Life, as it turned out, did go on after happily ever after. In fact, there was so much left to come.

        At prom, Jack and Bianca were once again crowned king and queen, as expected. Drew got in trouble for spiking the punch and getting sloppy drunk, which is when he threw up on his date - Sara George. As punishment, he was told he had to attend summer school.

        The last days of school went quickly. The seniors declared their college choices and made plans to move onto the next phase of their life. Graduation came and went with its typical fanfare. Tears were shed, yearbooks were signed, hugs were shared, and friends promised that they wouldn't drift apart, despite heading off to opposite ends of the country in a few short months.

        In traditional fashion, Bianca held the end of the year Shaw Survival Party. That's where Lily and her friends gathered to say goodbye and have fun one last time before everything changed. Although, Lily had no doubt that her friends would stay connected. They had a bond deeper than typical high school friends. They had risked their lives for one another time and again. That sort of tie didn't break so easily.

        "I really can't believe you're not going to be around everyday." Lily told Jack, trying to resist the urge to cry. "I mean, where is my ex-boyfriend drama going to come from now."

        "Jeez," Jack laughed. "That seems like forever ago now, doesn't it?"

        Lily nodded. "Looking back, I kinda can't believe we managed to become friends after that."

        "Mostly due to your neurotic need to fix people."

        Lily punched Jack's shoulder. She knew he barely felt it. She also knew he was kidding. "It would've been easier if you hadn't been such a huge dick."

        Jack burst out laughing. "True, true."

        "In the end, you didn't need my help. You did it all on your own."

        "Come on, now, Lil," Jack cocked his head to side, looking incredulous. "You know I never would have made it through my troubles if not for you."

        Lily shrugged. "Maybe." She didn't think she was as important as all that. "You did manage to keep yourself together while I was M-I-A."

        "I became a shut-in, and I nearly destroyed my relationship with Dianna in the process."

        "You found another werewolf without me. You discovered your family's history." Lily reminded him. "That's why I'm not at all worried about you. You're going to do great at Notre Dame."

        "I hope you're right. I just worry that I should've gone somewhere closer to home."

        "Why?" Lily asked. "Because of Dianna."

        He nodded. "She's not exactly one for patience and delayed gratification. Her longest relationship before me was like a month."

        There was a sudden explosion from the backyard. Through the huge picture windows, the night sky was lit with dazzling colors.

        Lily smiled and shook her head. "Dianna is capable of so much more than you're giving her credit for. And those other relationships didn't last because she didn't love them."