Healing Takes Time

Epilogue

Epilogue

I yawned and stared out the window, trying to keep myself from nodding off. We were in the car going home. We'd been eating pavement for about three hours now, and the gentle bouncing of the car was putting me to sleep. I was waiting for a reply from Marco, though, so I couldn't go to sleep.

I was woken up at 9 that morning, and I just barely had enough time to take a shower before I was being kicked out of the bathroom by Mikasa. I'd had a few minutes of free time, so I went outside to find Marco one last time like I promised. He was helping Bertholdt load their car, but he stopped to greet me with that God damned warm smile of his. We didn't get to say much since they were leaving in a few minutes, but I can tell you that I was a blushing mess by the end.

My phone vibrated in my hand. No! A bump made me ruin my picture!!! D:

I almost laughed out loud. He'd told me he was coloring in one of Armin's coloring books. Can't you do another one?

I guess, but this was supposed to be for you. (;

Cue the major blushing. I'll still take the picture.

Even if it's ruined?

I smiled at my phone. Your face is ruined but I still love how it looks ;)

Ha ha very funny. Not. How rude. (:

Not rude if it's true, I replied. No, but for real. I'll still take it. I'll even hang it up on my wall if you want me to.

:D !!!

I snorted. Just don't fuck it up even more.

D: !!!

You're a loser.

But I'm your loser. (; (:

I yawned and knew I was about to lose my uphill battle with falling asleep. That you are, Freckles. That you are. I cradled my phone in my hand, but I fell asleep before I could get a reply.

* * *

Somehow I managed to sleep through all the bathroom and food breaks by some miracle from above. That is, until Mom shook me awake when we were two hours from home. We were at our last stop before the home stretch, and I was starving. I bought a package of mini donuts and a cup of coffee before settling into my seat again. Once we were back on the road, I checked my phone. I had several texts from Marco ranging from right after I fell asleep until twenty minutes ago.

:D

Jean, Jean, Jean!!! I found out we've had most of our things moved down to our new home. We're just going home to get some final things, and then we're coming!!!

I can't wait to be able to see you whenever I want.

You'll give me a tour, right? I'd really love that.

Nuuu! Your picture! It dropped down the seat!!

We got it. It's okay.

I'm so tired.

And bored.

Save meeeeeeeeeeee

Did you fall asleep on me???

We just got home. How long is it until you guys get home?

Oh gosh, I just realized I'm blowing your phone up. I'm sorry. D:

Normally, I would've been exasperated. I've never had a single person send me twelve texts within almost as many hours. Wait, I've been asleep for almost twelve hours? Damn. That must've been a new nap time record for me.

It's okay. :) I texted back. We're about two hours out.

I looked out the window. The stars were starting to come out on one side of the van, and the sun was still setting on the other side. It was quite beautiful, if I was being perfectly honest.

That's a long time. Yay! You're alive!!! (;

Yeah, sorry. I fell asleep, I replied.

For over eleven hours???

Excuse you, but I was going for the gold. I am not about that half-assed, pussy life.

Jean! Language! ;P I am a child

You are. I realized I was smiling.

Talking to him made the ride home much faster. I didn't even realize we were in the city limits until Dad turned the van by the church we lived by. I was hit with a kind of sad feeling. The summer was about half over already. This was my last year of high school before I could do what I wanted, whatever the hell that was supposed to be.

"Kids, we're home," Mom called out, turning around. Mikasa stirred and poked Eren. Connie was already awake and playing with Mom's phone. I sat up straighter and unbuckled. Dad pulled the van up to the curb, and I jumped out immediately, stretching. Somebody popped the trunk, and I grabbed my bag. I set it on the curb and helped the kids get theirs out. Mom shooed me away when I tried to help her. I just laughed and skirted out of her reach.

As soon as the door was unlocked, Connie ran inside to the back and let Erwin in. "Hey, buddy!" I exclaimed when I saw him. His tail was going a mile a minute and and looked like he was smiling. I rubbed him behind the ears.

"Erwin!" Connie jumped onto his back. "Onward!"

I sighed and watched the leave, but I didn't say anything. I'd leave that to my parents. I simply picked my bag up and carried it upstairs. It was good to be home, that was for sure. I didn't realize how much I missed my bed until now. I flopped down on it.

My phone buzzed with another text requesting to video chat with me, and I smiled. It really was good to be home.

* * *

The man made sure to stay a safe distance away from the car he was tailing as they headed home. Now that he knew the two adults the boy with the freckles was related to, he knew who the kid was. With this newfound knowledge, he realized that he would stop at nothing--absolutely nothing--to see his son in person again.

* * *
This is the end. I was originally going to make it longer, but I had a goal to get done by December 31 with this. Anyway, there's going to be another one. I've already decided to call it Half the Battle. I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but the title to Healing Takes Time is actually a joke. It's from the video I linked at the top. Then the next one is a half joke so...

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful new years. I hope you all will read the next one!