Keep it Secret - COMPLETED

Epilogue

The wind blew softly through the trees, carrying with it the faint smell of rain. The sky was a muted gray, the kind of overcast day that matched the somber mood hanging in the air. It had been year since Stella's passing, and while the world continued to turn, Elijiah's life had changed in ways he had never anticipated. He stood now at the cemetery, his hands in his pockets, staring down at the simple gravestone that bore Stella's name. His eyes, still heavy with grief, lingered on the inscription:

Stella Harper
Beloved Daughter, Friend, and Mother
1996 – 2020

Underneath, in smaller letters, were the words he had chosen: Always in our hearts.

He wasn't alone today. His daughter, Stella Grace, lay in the stroller beside him, cooing softly as she looked up at the sky. She's a one year old now, and though her presence was a constant reminder of what he had lost, she was also the reason he kept moving forward. Stella Grace had Stella's eyes—deep, warm brown—and every time she looked at him, Elijiah's saw a piece of Stella that had never truly left.

His heart ached with the weight of it all, but he had learned to carry the pain. He had no choice.

After Stella accident, life had felt like a whirlwind.

When Stella Grace was finally born, it was both the happiest and the most devastating moment of Elijiah's life. He held his newborn daughter in his arms, feeling her warmth and tiny breaths, while Stella's life slipped away. The machines were turned off, the room went quiet, and Jake was left with the overwhelming joy of fatherhood and the crushing grief of losing the love of his life.

The funeral had been a blur. His friends had been there, supporting him as they always had, but nothing could have prepared him for the finality of it. The burial, the quiet condolences, the endless stream of people telling him how sorry they were. It had all felt distant, like he was watching someone else's life unfold from a distance.

In the months that followed, Elijiah's had thrown himself into being a father. There was no time to fall apart, no time to wallow in his grief. Stella Grace needed him. Every cry, every feeding, every sleepless night was a distraction from the pain, but it also became a new source of love and purpose. Slowly, Elijiah began to see that while Stella was gone, she had left him a piece of herself in Stella Grace. That realization became the anchor that kept him from sinking into despair.

Elijiah's stands at her grave, flowers in hand. He kneels down, placing them gently on the ground, his heart heavy with memories. As he looks up, he sees Helen and Fernando approaching, each carrying a small bouquet of flowers.

They stand together in silence, a shared understanding of loss between them. Elijiah speaks first, his voice steady.

"She would have loved to see you both." He said softly.

Helen wipes away a tear, her voice trembling.

Helen who's choking back emotion "We think about her every day. We want to be here for Mia and honor her memory."

Fernando nods, placing a comforting hand on Helen's back.

"We promise to keep her memory alive for our granddaughter."

Elijiah's smiles, feeling a sense of unity among them. They all share a moment of silence, remembering the incredible young woman who brought them all together through her love.

As Stella parent's leave the cemetery, Elijiah remain sitted with Stella Grace on his hands, Elijiah stood by Stella grave, he heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching behind him. He turned to see Gael, Spade, Aston, and Naveen walking toward him, their expressions solemn but supportive. They had been there for him through it all—every step of the way—and today was no different.