Learning to Live, Again

Epilogue

Niamh

I knelt by the grave, head in my hands as I sobbed. This would be the last time I would visit him, and that was met with both relief and sorrow. He was dead because of me, and there was nothing I could do to bring him back. He'd saved me, but I couldn't save him.

My mother, bless her heart, stood back with my sons, holding them against her while they watched their mother break down into sobs. I couldn't stop, my hand reaching out to touch the words on the gravestone:

"Caleb Adams

Good Cop; Great Man; Amazing Uncle

Died in the line of duty protecting an innocent".

Shaking my head, I glared at the last line. I wasn't an innocent.. I was anything but. It was my fault he'd died. If he hadn't of jumped in front of me, he-

I took a deep breath. It wasn't good to dwell on the past.. I needed to leave.

"Kayla? The car's waiting for you..." Bile rose in my throat at the name. It was my new name, for my new identity somewhere far away.

Slowly, I stood up, my hand resting on the gravestone. I would miss him so much.. I did miss him, so much.

"Goodbye, Caleb," I whispered. "Thank you.. for saving my sons."

I turned away from the grave, walking slowly towards my sons. Heath and Dean each took a hand, gripping it tightly in their own. They were terrified, and I could only hope that one day they'd be able to overcome it.. I didn't want them to be afraid for the rest of their lives.

"Mommy," Heath whispers, "what's my name, again?"

I kneel down, pulling my boys in front of me. My little Heath and Dean. "Charles, baby.. your name is Charles.."

"And Dean is..?"

"Leo.. He is Leo."

Slowly, Heath nodded. Their names may be changed, but they will always be my Heath and Dean. "Alright, loves," I whisper. "Let's go.. Your daddy's waiting for us..." I kiss their foreheads, standing up and making my way towards the car.

Suddenly, Dean yanks his hand out of mine and rushes back to the grave. He hugs his teddy bear against him before setting it and something else on the grave. He kneels down, whispering something to the stone. Once he's done, he stands up and walks to us. My heart is heavy as he leaves the teddy bear and a dog collar.

"Baby," I whisper, my voice heavy with emotion. "What did you say to him?"

Dean looks up at me, a small smile on his face. "I told him.. thank you."