Him?

Epilogue 02

Nine years later

Alexis placed the cap on Nathan's head for about the hundredth time that day. The kid just wouldn't keep it on despite the cold wind that was picking up around them. He frowned up at his mom who determinedly adjusted the cap some more, messing up his hair in the process. 

"Mom, stop it!" he complained, to which Alexis just laughed lightly. 

Nathan's little sister, Ariadne who was silently watching the kids in a sandbox play in the middle of the park suddenly giggled. She let go of her brother's little finger and toddled off towards a huge food truck that was colorfully painted with ice-cream, hotdogs, and other junk food. 

"Oh, look who found some treats, Nate," Alexis said, stepping around her son to follow the tiny resemblance of her husband. 

Her phone rang as she neared the food truck and she smiled at the caller ID as Alexis brought it to her ear. "Hey, handsome."  

"Hey, sweetheart. You're at the park again, aren't you?" Destiny's pleasant voice greeted her, placing the rose color on her cheeks like it usually does. 

"Yeah, but we're on our way home now. Just gonna get something to eat first."

"Okay dear. How did Nate's game go? Is Ari's fever gone?" It was the first time Destiny had missed his son's little league baseball game. He was the head of Sammy's marketing team and was working overtime to help the small business transition from just a single deli to a chain, with franchises everywhere.  

"They won fifteen to ten, but Nate is still pissed because Haley couldn't make it." The eight-year-old angrily kicked a pebble as he tailed his little sister, "and Ari is fine now. Doctor Cecile said it's just her teething." 

Destiny let out a sigh of relief, "Oh thank God. Nate will get over it, sooner or later."

"You think?" Alexis replied as she slowed down as she neared the truck and then stopped suddenly as she saw who was running the business.  Destiny's next sentence went in a blur as she got distracted. Surprise, excited, happy, disappointed or downright horrified, she had no idea how she felt at seeing him again after so many years. 

"Lexi, are you still there?" Destiny asked on the line. 

"Uhh, yes! I'm here. We'll be home in a few. Love you. Bye!" She hung up and picked up her baby from the ground. 

Alexis joined the line being two other people who were ordering food. Nathan asked if he could get a hotdog and Alexis nodded mindlessly. Ariadne demanded a slice of pizza which Alexis complied with, not even sure if that was being sold or even reprimanding her little girl for the attitude. 

When did he get out? How come I didn't know? Was he here all along. I came to the park almost every day with my kids and Destiny. Does Destiny know? 

All these questions and more raced through her head. She was so deep in thoughts that the two other customers left her standing in front of the serving window looking dazed. A tap on the counter made her look up and Ismael's unfamiliar warm smile greeted her. 

"I know. I should've told you." He said before she could get her brain to make her talk. 

She blinked. "Hhhey..." Alexis fought herself to pick out at least one solid sentence, "When did you get out?"

"About a month ago," Her ex-boyfriend answered. He smiled sadly at Ariadne who stretched out a tiny hand towards him. "I was gonna tell you but you stopped visiting, and so I decided I should get back on my feet first." 

"I was busy..." was the next thing Alexis said that wasn't properly thought through. 

"No kidding," Ismael replied, laughing a little. The sadness and regret never left his eyes. It has been fifteen years since they split up, ten years since he was imprisoned. And now he's back. Down from the high horse where fame had placed him. He was given another chance to fix his life for the better. Not a second one, or third or several for that matter, but a chance nonetheless. 

Alexis shook her head to clear it a little, or as much as she could. "Yeah," she forced a smile, "I'm glad you're back. So what do you have here?" 

"Just a few snacks and frozen treats. Y'know, food that people like to munch on as they stroll through the park. What can I get you guys?" 

Alexis allowed Nathan to place their orders after she introduced Ismael to her children. She wasn't at all hesitant to do so, nor did she have any thought about if he would try to kidnap them or try anything that he would have if it was a few years ago. She knew he was a changed man by the look of remorse he held in his eyes every time they met hers. He had lost the cocky, arrogant air that used to surround him. He was the passionate fourteen-year-old, presumed orphan she fell for at the beginning, not the sneaky pathological liar that tore them apart back then.   

"How did you start all this?" Alexis asked out of curiosity as he worked silently. 

"I sold my camera." He answered. He sounded nonchalant as if it was something light and not so much of a big deal. But, as Alexis took note of his body language and the sound of his voice, she knew. He sold a piece of him to make an honest living. 

That camera was his everything. At one point, the Thirteen-year-old Alexis would wonder if he loved her half as much as he loved the small DSLR Cannon.  By the end of their relationship, he had about three different tripods, the lenses changed over five times, and several other pieces of equipment bought just for the camera. Alexis stood speechless. 

"Speaking of that," Ismael said, "I have something for you."

He handed Nate his order and disappeared into the truck again as he told them to wait. He returned shortly with a small wooden box with a tiny, golden star-shaped lock attached to it. A matching key rested on the top of the box. 

"I think you should have this." He said softly.

She took it silently, knowing exactly what was inside it. She nodded, said a forced goodbye and walked away, her son tagging along.