BLACK

(48) Zoë

Remember, if you don't like it, you can always pretend something else happened.

Epilogue — Closure

A grimace had been smeared across my face, lips peeled back distastefully while I drummed my nails against my teeth. Though sitting just above the tubs edge, I could see my portrait in the lower half of the bathroom mirror, the swell of the pink scar on my shoulder, and the sparkling reflection of the diamond on my left ring finger. The sun was high in the morning sky, rays shining through the small window in the shower like a halo above my head. They shone straight down into my hands, which I grimaced at.

My heart had slowed rather than speed up. I could almost count its individual beats if I weren't so transfixed in my thoughts. My breathing was still paced, regular inhales and exhales. Yet I was cold, in the corner of the bathroom. I was feeling as blue as the paint on the walls.

When my phone vibrated against the counter top, my heart rate spiked from being startled. I darted forward, grabbing the damn thing quickly.

Hubby

I barely had a chance to clear my throat before he angrily raised his voice. "Why are you crying?"

"Good morning to you too," I said, wiping my eyes with my free hand.

"Noire."

I sighed, "Is it illegal for me to cry now?"

"Yes," Oren says. "Why are you sad?"

I rolled my eyes. "Who said I was sad? Maybe these are tears of happiness."

"Are they?"

I glanced to my lap again, lost in thought. "It's nothing really, I'm just watching a sad movie."

"Which movie?"

"Titanic." I deadpanned.

"Uh huh," He groans. "I'm calling Maryse."

My heart fluttered again, but I ignored it. "Fine."

"Bye," He says.

"I love you," I waited.

I smiled at his heavy sigh on the other end. "I love you too. Bye."

I laid the phone down on the tubs edge, staring at my lap again. An hour ago, just one hour ago, my life had been so different. Easier, if you will. I had been happy, I knew I was happy.

Sixty minutes ago.

Now I'm not so sure.

~

"There's someone here," My father put down his newspaper, staring blankly ahead at the dining table.

His words made me quit my dishwashing, cocking an eyebrow at him. "Mom and Noelle are upstairs."

For the past four weeks, I had been visiting my family. It wasn't my first time since finding Oren, but it was my first time without Oren visiting with me. He had his own work to do, and so instead his little sister Maryse came with me. It was peaceful in my parents house finally. Noelle and Pierre got along great, and Rosalia and Jean had both moved out so most mornings were quiet now.

"No, I already considered them." My father shakes his head. "I'm counting five heartbeats."

I pulled the drain on the dishes, barely attentive to my fathers craziness. After all of my years, I figured it best to just ignore when shifters became anxious about their surroundings. "Maybe Pierre—"