What If

Epilogue

Two Weeks Later
Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, IL

After Sean got discharged from the hospital, we stayed in Portland for a week. I got to spend some time with...my mom while he recovered. He was still in the sling and had to continue his rehab when we got back to New York. But, he was doing better. We were doing better. A lot of the week was spent in the hotel room. We could barely keep our hands off each other. Even with his healing arm, he still seemed unable to get enough of me. Sometimes it was fast and hard; like he couldn't control himself. I loved that. Other times it was slow. Very slow. He would kiss every inch of my body while he told me how much he loved me. I loved that, too. I still didn't know which I liked more.

Once he felt well enough to leave Portland, we made our way to Chicago. We arrived at the Rosehill Cemetery five minutes ago and I parked his car ten feet from a large stone mausoleum.
I was nervous about being here. I know this meant a lot to him. It meant a lot to me, too.

He held my hand I followed him inside. It was absolutely beautiful. I started looking at some of the names.

"Is this your family, too?" I asked.

"Yeah, that's my dad's parents and those are my mom's. They had this made when I was young and had them moved here."

I was mesmerized by the love that went into this place. I turned when Sean got quiet. He was looking at the wall on the right and I went to stand beside him.

I read the names and my heart squeezed in my chest.

Thomas Alexander Williams
Loving Husband and Father
November 6, 1955 - July 4, 2018

Madilyn Leah Williams
Loving Wife and Mother
April 23, 1956 - July 4, 2018

He traced his fingers over the names. "This is the first time I've been here since their funeral. I just-- couldn't face them."

"It wasn't your fault," I reminded him. I don't care how many times it took to make him believe it; I was going to always make sure he knew he wasn't to blame for their death.

He looked at me with a sad smile. "My mother would have loved you."

"Really?" I asked with a smile.

"Yeah." A laugh escaped him. "My dad, too. If he got to meet you, I would have gotten frequent reminders to treat you like a queen."

I wrapped my arms around his waist. "He would be proud to see the man you've become. They both would."

He looked back to his parents and I felt him let out a sigh. Relief? "Yeah, I think they would be, too."

We stayed a few more minutes before heading back to the car. He opened the driver door for me since he still couldn't drive. I slid inside and he went around the car to get in the passenger seat.

"So," I said as I started the car. "What now?"

"Now, beautiful, we start the next chapter of our lives."

Washington State Penitentiary
Walla Walla, Washington
February 11, 2020

"Mr. Preston, it says here you have applied for a Compassionate Release based on the fact you have a terminal illness. Is that correct?"

"Yes," I answered immediately. It took forever to get this fucking hearing. I barely had any time left as it was.

"If it is granted, how you plan to spend your time?"

"With my family." Mainly one person.

They talked quietly for a long while. Going over my history in prison and whether or not I would be a danger to anyone.

"Mr. Preston. If we approve this, do you agree to follow the rules of your parole?"

"Yes, I will."

More whispering for ten fucking minutes. Christ, make up your fucking minds.

"We have made our decision. In the case of Johnathon Preston, parole granted."

The End

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Hey, everyone! Thank you so much for being a part of Lydia and Sean's journey so far! It has been an emotional ride <3

A special thank you to beautifulbliss26 and amelierhys for helping me through some occasional late night writer's block. You are the best!