Fate (Boyxboy)

Epilogue

(A year and six months later)

May 4, 2024

I wake to the sound of giggles and the sweet aroma of freshly made pancakes. A smile blooms from ear to ear as I listen to precious laughter and the gorgeous voice of my husband. With ease, I get up and sigh contently as I slip out from under the blankets and saunter out of the room and down the stairs towards the living room.

Peeking around the corner, I can see Ollie and Jace huddled with blankets and pillows around the coffee table, sat on the floor and watching Saturday morning cartoons while happily eating up pancakes drenched in syrup.

I can't help but grin at the sight as I walk in, "Watching Pokemon without me again? I'm hurt."

Ollie's big, wide eyes dart up to my own before her tiny self is up and running to me, only to be scooped up and lifted into a hug. "Mornin', uncle Kaily! We tried to wake you but uncle Jace said you were tired cuz you were up late again!"

Jace is at my side quickly too, pressing a sweet hello kiss to my cheek, "Your breakfast is covered up in the oven. Still warm, I only just made them."

I smile and nod, letting Ollie get back to her show as I go to grab my pancakes and then join them again. Ever since Ollie came to live with us, things have been amazing and she's forced us into multiple little rituals that she used to do with her parents. I shouldn't say 'forced', because in all honesty, we love doing these things just as much as she does.

Every Friday night we have a fun supper, which usually consists of take-away or some whacky recipe that Grams makes up, and then Saturday morning we have pancakes in the living room while watching cartoons all morning since Jace and I are both free on Saturday mornings. Sunday we have proper family meals and then Jace and I usually help her with her weekend homework before letting her watch a movie with us before tucking her into bed.

Two of my favourites, however, have to be that whenever a really nice, sunny day comes along we all take a day off to go to our beach, and every month, on the date of the accident that claimed Ollie's parents, our bestfriends, and my sister; we bring flowers to their graves and Ollie likes us to give her mum and dad updates about everything.

I remember the first time... it was so hard to see their names upon the stones. Ollie immediately sat down and started rambling about her days and what's been going on as if her mom were there, nodding along and as if she'd get a response. Before I knew it, I found myself sitting next to her and talking to my sister too, and we just never stopped. Zoe may be gone physically, but she's still with us. In our hearts and when things get difficult, I know that just like my mom, she's there watching over me.

To say things haven't changed would be a lie. Grams became ill and since then, the doctor's have advised that she have someone live with her to help her and keep an eye on her in case she is to fall or need assistance with anything. Jace immediately wanted to have her come live with us, but with Grams not working, and us already having to support Ollie and ourselves, Grams refused to disturb our new life. Instead, Rhys and Kyle offered for her to move in with them, while she rents out her old house to Jared and his now husband, allowing them to finally leave their small flat.

Seth and Charlie. Their relationship proved to be quite interesting. They've had their moments, good and bad--with two strong personalities it's bound to happen--but they always seem to manage to work out their differences. Seth teaches Charlie patience and understanding, and Charlie teaches Seth to be more open and trusting. It's a beautiful relationship even in the worst of times. Charlie decided to make his transfer to London permanent and the two of them actually did take up my offer and moved into my old flat. As far as I know, things seem to be going pretty well for them.