𝗘𝗫𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗘. ❪ 𝚔𝚊𝚖 ❫

epilogue

☾ 𝐄 𝐏 𝐈 𝐋 𝐎 𝐆 𝐔 𝐄 ☾

Phillipa Sencen ran down the hallway, into the living room. The bubbly, energetic five-year-old was holding an old photograph in one hand. In the other she clutched a stuffed unicorn, a present from Aunt Linh and Aunt Sophie.

"Tam! Come 'ere!" She yelled.

"What is it?" Keefe asked. "Tam's not here."

"What's this?" She demanded, showing him the picture.

"Where'd you find it?"

"In your bedroom."

"Why were you in my room?"

"I was gonna play dress up with your clothes."

"Fair enough. I have great style."

"You're silly, Keefie." Phillipa said. "Tell me what's in this picture!"

Keefe examined the photograph closely. A group of smiling teens stared back at him in black and white. It wasn't as if he had forgotten about the shot, but it hurt to see it all the same. Each angle felt like a blow: his arms draped lazily around Fitz and Sophie's shoulders, Biana and Linh posing like human movie stars, Dex making a silly face behind Tam while Marella laughed at them. They were so happy and fun then.

"This is me and my friends when we were younger," he told Phillipa.

"Who's that?" She asked, pointing at Biana. "She looks like me!"

"That's your mom, Pippa. Biana, remember?"

"Oh."

"That's your uncle Fitz." Keefe pointed at his old best friend.

"Where are you?" Phillipa asked.

"I'm right there, next to Sophie."

"Where's Linny and Tam?"

"Linh's being silly with Biana, and I think Dex is photobombing Tam. At least I think that's what it's called."

"Who's Dex?"

"Another old friend."

"Oh." Pippa thought for a minute. "Why's everybody dead now?"

"Not everyone died," Keefe clarified. "I'm still alive, and so are Tam, Linh, and Sophie. You see us every day."

"I'm glad you're not dead, Keefie," she said, reaching her arms towards him. He picked her up, twirling her around.

"Me too, Pippa," Keefe said. "Do you want to play a game?"

"No. I wanna make... Mallowmelt."

"Only if you share it with me."

She considered this offer. "Okay."

Keefe carried her into the kitchen, and started gathering the ingredients. The picture Phillipa found had reawakened old memories that he'd have to talk to Tam about later. Linh and Sophie would want to see the picture too.

He glanced over a Pippa, who was attempting to measure chocolate, but really just eating it. She reminded him of a younger Keefe. He was glad that after everything that had happened, she had a home with him here. There was no more danger that Keefe could see. He and his friends could finally exhale.

a/n:
two updates in a day! I feel like an author now!