rowan | g.d

Epilouge

35

10 years later

"Okay Joseph, you lock up the gym. I'm going home." I call out grabbing my purse and keys. I hear and 'ok' signaling he's heard my request.

I smile to my self when I walk out of the office to the gym, kids come here to learn how to box or fight and there's always this one kid, CJ. He's quite and keeps to himself but his fighting skill are magnificent. He reminds me of my younger self. I got his name and age out of him after he would stay until we had to kick him out. He's fifteen and his full name is CJ Cage. I remember the first time I seen his face, he was bruised and battered, he came in around five thirty on a Wednesday. He was scrawny and seemed distance.

I took him under my wing and taught him how to fight. He's quite sarcastic and charming, another reason why I see myself in him. I like to call him the Golden star to this gym, kids, adults come and go in this place. Some are consistent here and I've also created a bond with them as well as the men and Joseph.

A year into CJ coming here Ill be adopting him in a short month. He had told me his father hits him and his mother sits back and allows it. He broke down sobbing to me about how he hates to even go home. Home is a place we're you should feel safe, unfortunately CJ got the bad end of stick, just like I did with my father.

"Come on buddy, your going to break your god damn hand." I laugh waking up to CJ. He sends me a glare before sighing and backing down. "Good boy." I tease grabbing a rag for him, I chuck it at him to wipe of the sweat. He catches it swiftly wiping his forehead.

"What time is it." His raspy voice asks, ahhh puberty, it's the primetime of girls getting tits and guys getting boners.

"It's ten buddy, come on I'm sure your best friend misses you." I wink. He smiles nodding, his brown hair is damp but his eyes shine at the mention of his best friend. "Ready." I ask. He nods wordlessly following me out.

—

"I'm home." I call out as soon and me and CJ step foot in the house. I hear laughter and multiple feet running in our direction. "My babies." I yell bending down to give each and everyone of them a hug. They giggle wrapping there little arms around me and CJ.

"Hello beautiful." An all to familiar voice cuts in. With a wide smile on my face I look up seeing my handsome husband leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed, smiling at me. I give my babies a kiss on there foreheads keeping my eyes strain on my lover. I stand up walking up to him. He uncrosses his arms wrapping me into his arms. He leans down a little just enough to capture my lips with his, the butterflies and sparks erupt through out me. Just like the first time we kissed in that alley.

"Hello gray." I grin when I pull away from our long kiss. His eyes twinkle and the cheeky smirk on his lips tells me that he indeed missed me as much as I missed him today.

After I had killed my father Grayson was rushed to the ER immediately. Father had shot him just below the heart and to this day I thank whoever is above that he was lucky enough. That I was lucky enough. I didn't go to jail or anything, I told the police everything leading up to me killing him and considering it was self defense they let me go with a clean slate.

"Mommy!" A little voice yells tugging on my pants. I break away from Grayson's eyes looking down, Esther, my babygirl that me and Grayson adopted when she was only one years old is smiling at me with her big brown eyes. I bend down picking her up, "Hello you little monster." I tease tickling at her sides.