Gypsy

Epilogue

...Five years later...

We pull into the parking lot across from the apartment complex and Adam shuts off the engine. He looks over at me and offers me a warm smile. I'll never get used to that. That's the smile he reserves for only me, and every time I see it, it does funny things to my heart.

"Are you ready for this?" he asks, the bright light of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"No. Are you?"

"No."

We laugh, knowing damned good and well we're both lying. I've been ready for this for a while, as has he. We're coming back home.

I watch as Adam opens the door then climbs down out of his seat. He crosses to my side, opens my door, then helps me out of our truck. When my feet finally touch the ground, he leans down and kisses me softly. I'll never get tired of that either.

When he pulls away, he takes my hand in his, and we head to the apartment we once shared with our friends. It's funny that no matter how long we've been gone, or how long it's been since our last visit, it still feels like home to me. We walk up the stairs together, then down that same, familiar hall, until we reach the door that had once been ours, too. 

Adam knocks, then turns to look at me with a grin. "It's showtime."

I giggle at that because, just like him, I know what's coming when this door opens. I am not disappointed. It opens and standing before us Micah, one of the sweetest guys I've ever known.

"Gypsy!" He rushes out and wraps me up in his arms then spins me around several times. When he finally sets me down again, I stumble a little, and then I laugh with the same joy he's shown to me.

"Hi, Micah. It's good to see you, too."

"Adam, my man! Damn it's good to have you back. Movie roulette hasn't been the same without you!" He pulls Adam into a tight hug then thumps his back hard. When he pulls away his eyes glisten with his own happiness.

"Micah, you haven't changed a bit," Adam laughs.

"And I have no plans to. But what are we just standing here for? The gang's all inside and waiting for you guys!" He steps aside and ushers us in.

There are voices coming from the living room and I smile at the familiarity of it. It seems like only yesterday when mine and Adam's had been an integral part of that sound. My stomach does an excited flip as we walk down the hall then step through the doorway.

Everyone looks up at us and for a moment time stops. Maddox and Livia sit on the sofa; their son, Ian, squirms in Maddox's arms. Andre sits beside them, his smile as wide and bright as it's ever been.

Craig is in a chair grinning at us, too. And, for once, he is completely silent.

There is a young woman in the other chair I've yet to meet but have heard so much about: Shayla Morley, Micah's "best girl and game of life partner".

My friends. My family.

And then time starts up again. Everyone is up from their seats and crowded around us, and they're all talking at once. Damn, I've missed these people.

"Oh, my, God!" Shayla screeches. "Micah, is that …?"

Micah slings his arm over my shoulders then lifts his head with pride. "Yeah, babe, this is my girl, Gypsy."

"Holy shit! I swear to God, I thought you were lying when you said you knew her!" 

She looks from him to me and I give her a wide smile as I step forward and pull her into a hug. When I pull away, I leave my hands on her shoulders. Her mouth hangs in an amusing 'O' as she looks at me.