Save Me from Myself

Epilogue

10 years later

Esme's POV

I woke up on the 10th anniversary of Cali's death with my 7 year old daughter, Arianna, jumping on my bed.

"Ari, what is it?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

She smiled at me, "Mommy, you have   visitors. Daddy told me to wake you, it's already 2 in the afternoon."

"It's 2?? Who's here?" I yawned loudly and sat up.

"Uncle JoJo and Auntie Layla." She exclaimed excitedly.

I sighed. I love it when they visit, but god why did it have to be today?

"Okay baby, thank you. I'll be there in a minute. Make me some coffee please?"

She grinned, "Okie dokie. I always do."

I got out of my warm bed and looked in the mirror. I looked like a mess. Tears were dried up on my cheeks, my hair looked like Albert Einstein's (no offense to Einstein), my nose was as red as Rudolph the red nose reindeer, and my eyes were puffy, like I had a series allergic reaction to something.

I quickly got dressed and washed my face. I put my hair into a bun and took a deep breath. Then, I walked out the bedroom door.

The second I saw Joey and Layla, I ran over to them. "Hey guys." I said, choking back my tears. "I'm glad you're both here."

Joey smiled a little and Layla smiled and wiped her eyes. "It's good to be here. I'm sorry it's taken me so long, my studying in Florida took a few more years than I expected." She said, hugging me tightly. She hadn't been here for the anniversary in a long time.

I smiled, "You're here now. That's what matters."

"COFFEE!" Ari exclaimed as she brought it to me.

I laughed, "Thank you hun. Where's Dakota?"

She shrugged, "Probably upstairs reading. Want me to go get him?" I nodded and she raced up the stairs.

Joey hugged me again, "God I've missed you. When Dakota gets down here, I think there's something you need to do. Do you still have it?"

I sighed, "Yeah. It's been ten years, and every day all I want to do is open it. Do you think he's ready for whatever it is?"

"I'm not sure. But I think it's time." He said, looking like he was still considering it.

"Well, come outside. Let's all talk before we do anything. I want to know what's been going on." I concluded, walking out on the patio.

They sat down and we were all silent for a minute.

"So Joey, how are you and the Mr. doing?" I asked, wiggling my eyebrows at him.

He smirked at me, "Pretty well. We're looking into adoption actually. I just have to stop working so often, and then everything will be perfect." Joey works as a journalist, and he pretty much never leaves the office. But he's happy.

"I know exactly what you mean, Jo. I swear, if I had known becoming a nurse would take so long, I would've never done it. But I think it's worth it. Except when kids punch me as I give them shots. That, I could definitely live without." Layla added, laughing a little. "The little demons hate me more than they hate the goddamn shot."

Joey and I cracked up, "Being a counselor isn't any better. It may be rewarding sometimes, but the teen angst will be the death of me. I love it though. I'm helping kids that are almost as screwed up as we were." I said, "Almost."