✦Joshler✦: He's A Butcher With A Smile

Epilogue

Ok guys so I know this fanfic wasn't very long, but I'm so happy some of you liked it- that was my goal :)) Thanks for reading, and I'm sorry in advance for this chapter
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"If you gave someone your heart and they died, did they take it with them? Did you spend the rest of forever with a hole inside you that couldn't be filled?"
—Jodi Picoult

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60 years later~

It's been 364 days since he died. Tomorrow will mark one year since he "left this Earth for a bigger, better place," as the funeral home had said; though it felt as if just yesterday he was up on the alter with me, saying I do as sunshine poured down on us.

The love of my life, Josh, was now in heaven. He'd faded away peacefully, I can say that at least. But it still hurt every time I caught his lingering scent in the house, or passed pictures of us on the dusty shelves.

I stared into the mirror at my leathery skin and pale, grey hair, hoping that he would somehow appear behind me to help me adjust my bowtie which my shaky fingers were attempting to tighten.

It was a miracle that I'd lasted this long, after all those times I'd wished to be taken away from this life. It was him that had given me my will to live, and he is still the reason why I trudge on today- to please him, wherever his spirit is.

"Probably at a Taco Bell," I chuckled aloud in my raspy, cracked voice, even though I knew the last of the Taco Bells had shut down years ago. I remember the day me and Josh found out- we'd both cried for a while and sent many angry letters to them.

It was torture living without him, and going through the motions as if my heart wasn't shattering with every breath.

^^^^^^^^^^^

Another day had come and gone, and I laid down in my bed carefully. I tried not to break my frail body as I reached over to switch off the lamp. Sighing, I turned over to face the empty space next to me, placing my hand on the small indent that Josh's sleeping body had made in the mattress after many years of snuggling. A faint image of us together playing a show danced through my head, but I couldn't remember any of the details with my antique, useless brain. I could only recall how much I enjoyed being there with Josh. That same feeling filled me again as I continued to imagine us together.

"Goodnight my love." I felt tears spilling onto my cheeks as I recited the words I said every night, remembering a time when he would say it back. I closed my eyes and forced my mind to shut down, which I had gotten good at;
and before I knew it, I was being taken by sleep.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

I was jolted awake, my eyes opening to reveal blinding but extraordinary light. It came from somewhere above, and seemed to wash away all the pain and suffering that had been consuming me. I was weightless and free in the glowing rays.

I looked around, confused but delighted. And then I saw him, coming down from the light. He was more beautiful than ever, making my insides jump around and jumble into knots. I'd missed him so, so much.

"Josh?" I gawked in awe as he joined me where I was standing beside my bed. He grabbed my hand, which gave me the same breathtaking feeling as when we were together before. He smiled, belated that I was finally with him.

"What's happening?" I asked, now noticing that neither of us were in our old, worn down bodies, but our lively ones from when we'd first met.

"Well darling, it was my time to leave before, and now it's yours," his words sunk in as he gestured towards the white light which illuminated everything.

I then heard a crowd cheering, which sounded larger than any crowd we've ever had. "What's that?" I asked him, again looking up to try and see what the noise was. But all I could see was the light.

"We have a show to play, babe," Josh told me happily. I gasped, my heart leaping at the though of being able to perform again. But I was more excited to be reunited with him.

"So we can be together now?" I grinned, cupping his cheek and staring into his eyes, wondering if this really could be the eternity I'd always wanted with him. "Yes," he nodded, happy tears running down his face. I didn't feel anything but pure happiness, for the first time. It was spectacular. "Follow me," he said eagerly, "I have so much to show you."

And we walked into the light.