Accusing, Denying - Flower Husbands Book 2

Epilogue: Familiar Friends

!!TW/CW: None!!

. . .

"Jules?" Jimmy pushed open the door to her shop. "I've got a surprise for you."

Her loud sigh echoed through the room followed by the sound of a chair creaking as she stood. "Is it new fabric?" She rounded the door and very nearly dropped the mug she'd been holding. "Oh, my God!" She set the mug quickly on a table and hugged Scott tight. "You're alive!"

Scott laughed. He hugged back. "I'm alive."

"You're alive! You're, like, here and breathing and-" she pushed him back, holding him at arm's length and raking her gaze slowly over him. "Healthy! And looking mighty stylish in those clothes. Say, what incredible artist made this look you're wearing?"

"Just some back alley tailor I met a while back. She's pretty cool," Scott joked.

"Well, you'll have to introduce me, then."

. . .

Scott rapped gently on Marjorie's front door.

They could hear scuttling on the other side, a brief silence, then a wild gasp.

Marjorie threw the door open and pulled Scott down to her level. "My baby! You're home!"

"Ma?" A masculine voice shouted. "Is Arli back?" A taller hybrid peeked from around the corner. He frowned. "Who's this?"

A familiar elf came, too. She smiled. "Scott! You're here!"

Scott waved from where he was still held down by Marjorie's motherly embrace. "Uh-huh."

. . .

Scott, Jimmy, Marjorie, Laila, and who he'd learned to be Jack sat in the living area with mugs of warm tea.

Marjorie made Scott recount every detail about his past month or so and asked questions only a mother could come up with. She asked about his eating habits and his sleep schedule. She asked if his friends were nice to him. She asked if he was enjoying himself with his newfound freedom.

After nearly an hour of comfortable conversation between mostly Marjorie and Scott, the front door opened again.

"Ma," Arli called, "I've got the bouquet samples from-" her jaw dropped and she covered her mouth. The flowers she'd been carrying fell from her hand as she hobbled forward.

Scott bounced up and was quick to meet the pregnant fishwoman half way.

Arli hugged around his stomach. "You-!"

Scott pet her hair. "Sorry, Arli."

"If I could bend over, Scott," Arli grumbled, "I would whack you upside the head with those flowers."

Scott smiled. "I'm sure you would."

"Arli, hunny?" A panicked voice shouted. "Are you alright? I heard you gasp." Someone who Scott could only guess was Arli's soon-to-be husband, Lotus, came frantically into the living room.

He blinked in surprise. "Correct me if I'm terribly wrong, but, are you perhaps... Scott?"

. . .

Scott cuddled into Jimmy's chest.

The couple had spent a long day catching up with Marjorie and her family and were, needless to say, exhausted.

Jimmy's fingers fiddled with the small feathers at the base of Scott's wings. He pulled one up to cover just a bit more of Scott's bare back. He planted a soft kiss in Scott's hair. He whispered, "I love you."

Scott's only response was a small puff of breath and a content hum. He had long since been asleep.

The front door slid open quietly. Cerrano crept in. "Dad?"

"Cerrano," Jimmy greeted.

"The villagers are talking. Something about a new visitor. Did Miss Laila invite family?"

"Scott's asleep."

Cerrano sighed as he turned away from the door. "Dad. I know you miss him, but..."

"No, Cerrano. He's right here. He's asleep. Be quiet."

Cerrano's eyes fixed on Scott's large wings draped over the couch. He noticed the flower crowns resting on the coffee table. He gasped. "Mr. Scott's alive!"

Jimmy shushed him. "Cerrano! He just fell asleep."

"Sorry."

"You take the bed, kiddo. I want to stay here with Scott."

Cerrano smiled. "Welcome home, Mr. Scott." He put out the torch on the wall and headed to bed.

Jimmy fell asleep humming to himself a special song.

. . .

645 Words

Hope you enjoyed, as always. I am going to take a break from this series and perhaps get back to work on some one-shots from different fandoms before I finish book 3. I may not post these works to Wattpad; They might be an Ao3 exclusive.

Thank you all! Good day :]