Ignited ✔️

Epilogue

I wipe the tears that dribbled down my cheeks. My knees were soaked from the rain that had been pouring down since this morning.

The marble headstone in front of me glistened in the rain.

William Robinson 1969-2009

Nobody knew my father for who he was. They never knew the real him. The kind and sweet side of him. Hell I barely knew that side of him before he disappeared.

My phone buzzes in my hand and despite my shitty mood and the tears streaming down my face, I find myself smiling when I see the name on the screen.

Prince Charming

"Hello?" I croak into the phone.

"Hey princess" he breaths on the other line.

"How was therapy?" I ask as I give my dads stone one last pat before slowly heading back to my car.

"Same old same." He grumbles.

"Has it helped any you think?" I know he doesn't like going but I've seen a lot of improvement in the last year he's been going.

"It does. But I hate talking about my father and when it comes to my mamma it's so hard because I miss her so much"

My heart goes out to him.

When we came back to Bristol two years ago, the first thing River did was go to the police. He told them everything about the gang and his father. He even admitted to the things he's done, including kill my father.

The whole first year back River spent in jail alongside his father, before getting out over the summer for good behavior. His sentence was reduced because he admitted to everything and turned in one of the most wanted men in the northern part of the states.

When he was finally released his parole officer suggested he go to therapy to talk about everything that happened. To help rid him of the guilt from all the crimes he committed. He finally agreed and he's been in New York trying to stay healthy.

I miss him like crazy.

"How are you doing?"

I shrug my shoulders in response before remembering he's not here to see me.

"I went and saw dad." I tell him as I slip into my car. I was soaked from head to toe, so I put my heater on full blast and put River on speaker.

"And? How'd that go?"

I sniffle and fight the tears. "It's hard" I tell him with my voice cracking. "I know he's been gone for so long but it still hurts"

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there princess" he whispers, and I know he's genuine.

"I know, I'm fine. I just. I need to go home and cry while I watch those stupid animal movies that make everyone cry."

"Do you need me to come down this weekend?" He asks

"I-I'll be fine River, I don't want you to spend the time away from your-"

"Emery, you are the most important thing in my life, I can miss a few days of therapy to be with you. I love you and I want to be sure that you're okay"

I smile slightly as I pull up to the beach. The rain had stopped slightly but the sky was still dark with clouds and the lightning shooting through the sky.

"I love you too. But I promise you I'm fine, I'm just going to take some time to myself and then go home and sleep."

I hear him sigh on the other line as I make it to the stairs leading up to the lighthouse.

"Where are you now?" He asks dropping the subject.

"I just got to the lighthouse." I mumble, taking one step at a time.

"There's something I need to tell you" he says after a short pause.

"Yeah?" I ask as I push the door open to the balcony and step out onto it.

I stop in my tracks and my heart leaps at the sight in front of me. River was standing dressed in his ripped jeans and a hoodie, just like I remember. The only thing that's changed is the bouquet of wildflowers in his hand.

He hangs up the phone and smiles at me. "Surprise princess"

Tears sprung to my eyes as I rushed to him and wrapped my arms around him.

"I missed you" I mumble into his neck as I hold him tightly.

"I missed you too" he replies, stroking my wet hair.

I pull away slightly and look up at him. His face was burned into my mind and yet he looked different than before. He still had those piercing hazel eyes, and a slightly crooked nose. He still had the scar on the side of his face and the piercing in his lip, but he looked lighter, happier.

He leans down and kisses me, slipping his tongue into my mouth. I kiss him back and run my fingers through his hair.

"You need a haircut" I mumble against his lips as I play with his raven hair.

He laughs lightly and scratches the stubble on his chin against my cheek.

I squirm and break out into hysterics as it tickles my skin.

"Stop. Stop!" I shout through the laughs.

He stops his assault and kisses me once again as his arms tighten around my waist.

My head drops to his shoulder as I lean against him and just take in the scent I've missed so much.

"I hate being away from you" he whispers into my hair. "I want to be with you all the time princess, all day, forever"

A smile makes its way onto my face as I bury it farther into his neck.

"Wait a second" he says in a stern voice.

I glance up at him and furrow my brows.

"What?"

"Move in with me?"

"What?" I ask. I didn't just hear that right.

"Why not? I only have a few months left of therapy and then I'm back here for good. I know we are meant to be together Emery, so why not? I want forever with you, I want to make breakfast, and I want to snuggle up on the couch as we binge the newest season of Criminal Minds. I want to wake up next to you every morning in a place that's ours."

I picture it in my head and can't help the smile. I loved what I saw and I wanted it.

"Okay"

His face lights up and he leans in to kiss me once again. I knew I couldn't get enough of this man. I always knew things would change when I met him, I just didn't know it would've turned out like this.

I get lost in his kiss and I get lost in the fire that he ignited in me. I loved him so much and I knew that we would be okay.

We breathlessly pull away from each other and I lean my forehead against his. His bright eyes gaze into mine and I go back to the day we met, standing in this very spot.

"Don't worry princess I'll be out of here by the end of the summer"

Back then I wasn't sure what to make of him. But now, I knew him. I knew that he was the kindest soul to ever live and I was damn lucky he chose me.

I smile up at him. "I love you Prince Charming"

"I love you too princess"

THE END