Reign of the Rejected Rosary (Ryden/Peterick)

Epilogue

Fifteen years. And I'm still not over him.
  
I went to California, just like he wanted. It took me a year, but I got a place by the beach. I could see the ocean from the balcony, and I couldn't shake the thought of how much Ryan would've loved it.

Ryan would've loved anything. He never got to see the country. He never got to finish his degree. He never got a chance.
  
I took our dog to the beach every day. Even in the rain. Her name was Sonny. When I adopted her she was just a puppy. She made me so happy when I missed him so much.
  
I talked to Ryan as I walked her on the beach every evening. People would stare or even laugh, but I really didn't care. I promised him.

I talked to Pete, too. I even talked to Patrick. I didn't know if Patrick was still alive or not. I hadn't heard from him since the day he left me in the parking lot.
  
The last walk was the worst. I knew Sonny wasn't going to make it much longer. I carried her down the beach. It was the middle of May, almost fifteen years since Ryan died. I held the small corgi in my arms, petting behind her ears. I told Ryan that he would get to meet her soon.
  
She died that night, and I realized there was nothing left keeping me and Ryan together. I couldn't be by myself. And I had to let Ryan go.
  
I waited the months until the day he died, exactly fifteen years later. I stood on the Golden Gate Bridge, looking out at the Pacific Ocean. It was late at night, no one caring. I sat up on the railing, hugging the urn to my chest.
  
"Hey Ry," I said. "I know it's late, but I'm ready to do this now." I sighed. "I miss you, but you know that. I know you're taking care of Sonny. She made me happy when I missed you so much. She kept me going. My promise to you made me want to keep living. But I... can't. But I promised you the ocean. And I'm ready to let you go, because I love you so much."
  
I opened the urn, and tilted it down. I watched as his ashes fell to the ocean, just like he wanted. I dropped the vase into the water. The darkness made the water look black, and I couldn't see the vase fall into the ocean.
  
"I love you, Ryan. I can't be without you anymore. I'm so lonley."

I carefully stood up, the wind hitting my back, like it wanted to push me into the water. The rosary was still in my pocket, weighing down.

The roar of the cars were behind me, but I could still hear the pounding of running footsteps.

"Wait!" yelled a familiar voice. I felt them grab my jacket and help pull me down from the ledge. "I almost did the same thing. I promise it can get better."

I turned around to be met with a pair of blue-green eyes I could never forget.

"Patrick."

The end

Author's Note
Well that's the end! Thank you all so very much for reading, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed it! I'm sorry the ending was kind of bittersweet. All loose ends should be tied up, but feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

Obviously this story turned out to be a little more about Brendon and Patrick's friendship than their love lives, which wasn't really my intention at first, but I feel like if the ships were too focused on it would take away from the point.

If for some reason you liked my writing and want to read more of it, I have other Ryden and Peterick fics up on my profile. My newest Peterick, "The Will of Love and Life," is up now, and I've never put so much effort into a story as I am that one. I'm super proud of it and would love for you to check it out.

My last time signing off on "Reign of the Rejected Rosary."
     
---Anna