Epilogue

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Ten years have gone by, and life has been pretty good. I graduated sixth in my class, and got a decent job at Oxford University, as a teacher. I've been teaching astronomy for about five years; so far, my classes have been fantastic, and all the students love me.

I don't know what Phil's been up to, nor do I really care. All I know, is that he graduated fourteenth in the class, and graduation was the last time I saw him. I don't know what job he has. I don't know if he's married, or in a relationship. I don't know anything.

***

"Girls!" Zoe yelled. "Girls, stop running!" she continued. "Why do I even bother?" she mumbled.

Zoe, and her daughters, walked into the small little flower shop. Zoe walked up to the counter and waited for someone to come up to help her. Her tapped her nails impatiently on the counter as she looked around for someone to help her.

"Girls!" she called. "Please come here!"
"Hi, sorry about the wait, how can I..." the sales lady trailed off. "Zoe?"
"Louise!" she cheered. "Wow, it's been forever," she giggled. "How have you been?"
"I've been good," she nodded. "How 'bout you?"
"Can't complain," she said.
"Mum," a girl said.
"Yes, Jessica?" she sighed.
"Can I buy this?" she said, holding up a potted tulip.
"No, honey, we're not here for that. Maybe you can buy one next week,"
"But mum, I want it now!"
"Jessica, stop acting like a brat. Where's Becky?" Zoe asked.
"Somewhere," she shrugged.
"Just go find her, please," she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Okay," she said, walking away with the flower.
"I'm sorry about them," she chuckled.
"It's okay," Louise insisted. "I have a daughter of my own,"
"Oh, really? How old is she?"
"She's five. How old are your girls?"
"They turn ten in a few months,"
"They're twins?" she gasped.
"Yeah," Zoe blushed.
"Well, congratulations,"
"Thanks," she said. "I'm sure you were able to tell, but I'm pregnant with number three,"
"I noticed... Just didn't wanna say anything," she laughed. "How far along are you?"
"I'm gonna be six months, next week,"
"Wow! You look amazing for nearly breaking your third trimester,"
"Thank you," she laughed.
"Do you know what it is?"
"It's a boy,"
"Oh, how nice," she said. "Do you know what you're gonna name it?"
"Phil,"
"Yeah?" A man with black hair emerged from the back room and stepped up to the counter. "How can I help you?"
"Phil?" Zoe laughed. "How the hell are you?"
"Do I know you?"
"It's me... Zoe..."
"Oh my god!" he cheered. "You got big... Busy? I don't know how to say it without being insulting," he laughed.

It was the kind of awkward laugh he had whenever he laughed really hard, and his eyes squinted when his tongue poked out of his mouth.

"Yeah, I'm pregnant," she said.
"Congratulations!"
"Thank you," Zoe smiled.
"Is this your first kid?"
"Third,"
"Wow, really?"
"Yeah,"
"Where are the other two?"
"Running around the shop... Sorry 'bout that..."
"It's fine. As long as they don't damage anything,"
"Yeah, I'd assume your boss would be pissed,"
"I mean, I wouldn't be pissed. I'd just be kinda-"
"Wait, you own this place," she interrupted.
"Mhmm,"
"Oh, congratulations, Phil. I know this is what you've always wanted,"
"Thanks, Zoe," he beamed. "So, how can I help you?"
"I'm here to pick up the flowers for Hazel's wedding,"
"Hazel's getting married?" Louise asked.
"Yeah, in like three days,"
"Good for her,"
"Yeah..."
"Are you married?"
"Yeah,"
"How long?"
"Ten years,"
"Wait... You would've needed to be in college when you got married..."
"Yep..."
"I don't ever remember you dating anyone,"
"I wasn't dating anyone,"
"Then who-"
"Hey, hon, I cleared out the trunk. There should be plenty of room for-"
"Dan..." Phil whispered.
"What?" I mumbled, looking up from my phone.

Shit...

"Nothing," Zoe said. "Help me load the flowers in the car,"
"No, you shouldn't be lifting anything. Go in the car, turn the AC up, and just relax,"
"You're a peach," she said. "Girls! Let's go!"
"Coming, mum!" they yelled.
"Remember, six bouquets, seventeen centerpieces, and ten of the really big arrangements that kinda just go anywhere,"
"I got it,"
"Awesome," she kissed my cheek. "Keys, please,"
"Here y'go,"
"Thanks," she said as she left the shop.
"The, um... The flowers are in the back..."

Phil, Louise, and I each took as many flowers as we could carry. After a few trips, all the flowers were loaded in the trunk of my car. Louise had started making conversation with Zoe, and I headed back inside to pay for everything.

"So, um... You're married?"
"Yep," I awkwardly said.
"Are the, uh, first kids yours?"
"Mhmm," I mumbled, handing him my credit card.
"I heard you were gonna name the new one, Phil... Is that true?"
"Yeah," I blushed. "Philip, actually, but we'd call him Phil,"
"Would his middle name, by any chance, be Michael?" Phil joked.
"Yeah, actually," I whispered.
"Who's idea was that?"
"Mine," I said.
"Really? I thought you hated my guts,"
"Well, you have a nice name,"
"You can thank my mum for that,"
"How is she, by the way?"
"She's good... She misses you..."
"Really?" I chuckled.
"Oh, yeah! She always complained about the guys I brought home. She'd always go, 'He's not Dan! Where's Dan?' and other stupid stuff along those lines,"
"That's actually really funny," I smirked.
"Can I ask you something?" he asked.
"Yeah, I guess," I shrugged.
"I-If you and Zoe have nine year olds, and you've been married for ten years... When did you guys get together?"
"I don't wanna talk about it, Phil,"
"Dan... Please..."
"It was the night we broke up," I said. "There... Happy?"
"Wait, so you wouldn't fuck me, yet, you fuck her?" he yelled.
"I was drunk! I had no idea what I was doing..."
"Do you love her?"
"Yeah... I do..." I smiled.
"Do you love the girls?"
"Of course I do. They're my daughters; they're the most important people in my life,"
"I'm glad life's working out for you, Dan,"
"I'm glad your life's working out as well," I said.
"Sign here..." Phil whispered, handing me a receipt. I scribbled down my name and pushed the piece of paper back to him. "Would you like a receipt?"
"Yes, please," I mumbled. "Hey Phil..."
"Yeah?"
"I know this is kinda random, but... Are you married?"
"No," he pursed his lips. "I was supposed to get married ten years ago, but my plans fell through,"
"I know," I sighed.
"Can I ask you one more question?"
"Sure," I said.
"Do you still love me?"
"Look, Phil..." I whispered. "It was nice seeing you again, but I gotta go..."

I pursed my lips and started heading for the door. Once I knew he couldn't see my face anymore, tears started dripping onto my cheeks. I started pushing the door open, when I heard Phil's, all too familiar voice.

"Would you live for me?" he called.

I took my hand off the knob and let the door close on its own. I peered over my right shoulder and met his sad eyes. Tears were staining his face... His beautiful, pale, face... I stifled a breath, and took a second to collect myself. I looked to the floor for a minute as the tears continued pouring out.

"I'd live a millennium, if I could..."

Phil looked to the counter, and cracked a sad smile. He nodded for a bit before he adjusted his posture, and show me, his no longer sad eyes.

"I'll see you around, pretty boy," he whispered.
"Yeah... I'll see you around..."

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