A Summer of New Beginnings | Completed |

Epilogue

Two years later

Gavin's chasing Maison around the yard, Maison crying out in delight. I hold Maisie tight in my arms. Her curly hair's flowing down her back, her pale blue sundress matching her cute sandals she kicked off into the grass. I gaze out over my yard. Two home of a Driftwood Graduate signs stand out against the Happy Graduation signs lining my yard, illuminated by string lights strung in the trees in my yard. Miles and AD are standing in the tent, talking. Jessi's in a flowy dress, her blonde hair in a french braid, running down her back, leaning on Miles' shoulder. Marie and my father are talking with Gavin's mom and her boyfriend, Josh on our deck overlooking the beach. It's been better now at Gavin's house since the divorce. He's much happier now and his mother is too. She radiates happiness, her hand resting on Josh's arm. His pale brown eyes gaze at her, his dimples showing as he smiles at her, his black hair falling into his eyes. His navy short-sleeved shirt is paired with a pair of khaki shorts, creating a casual look. I turn my gaze back towards Gavin. His dark brown eyes gaze over Maison, his hair falling into his eyes, his checkered shirt and gray basketball shorts having the Coastline logo embroidered on them. Jessi walks over to me, following my gaze, glancing towards Gavin.

"I can't wait for college with you two."

I smile. "Me either."

She glances at Miles. "He's going to visit every weekend. We're going to make it work."

"That's good. You two are an adorable couple."

She heads over to the tent, grabbing a drink.

Gavin walks over, Maison in his arms, his strawberry blonde hair a mess, in his adorable checkered shirt and his khaki shorts, his shoes in the grass.

I smile. "Hi, guys."

Maison smiles, his eyes lighting up. "Aspen!"

Gavin nods. "Aspen, my girlfriend."

He comes closer, letting Maison down. He goes towards my dad, wrapping his arms around our father's leg. I let Maisie down and she runs towards my parents, hugging Marie, smiling as Marie lifts her up. "I can't wait for college, with you."

He smiles. "I can't either. It's going to be great."

"Cake!" Marie comes out of the door leading to the deck, a cake in hand. It's a half-white, half-white cake, a gray graduation cap in the middle, Happy Graduation! lining the bottom. We head over, lining up for our slices.

Gavin grabs two, handing one to me. "Thanks."

He smiles. "Anytime."

"Which half do you like?"

He grins. "The chocolate, of course."

I stare at him. "No way. Vanilla side all the way."

He leans over, sticking his fork in the vanilla side I cut off. "I don't mind if I do."

I smile. "I'll just take your vanilla side, then." I scoop the vanilla side he cut off onto my plate."

He laughs.

"Picture time!" Marie smiles her phone in hand. AD, Miles, and Jessi come over grouping together. The twins come running over. I scoop Maisie into my arms. Gavin stands next to me, his hand on my shoulder. Jessi comes over by me, Miles right next to her. AD stands on the other side, Maison in his arms. Marie smiles. "Say College!"

We all smile, focusing our gaze on Marie. "College!"

The flash goes off, capturing the moment. He turns to me. "And to think if we weren't penpals, we would never have started hanging out."

"I know. And we would have never started dating."

He smiles. "Funny how things work out."

I turn to Gavin, pulling him close, as we kiss. "I love you, Aspen."

I smile, resting my head on his shoulder. "I love you too, Gavin."