Fading Reflections

Epilogue

(Haha! Bet you thought it was over! Jk, this is just a short chapter about their lives after. I didn't really like the way I ended the series, so I wanted to make it a bit happier. It's an optional chapter so you don't have to read it if you don't want to.

Have an amazing day!❤❤❤)

-Evelyn-

It’s been so long since I’ve been in Vita. Roughly a year I believe? Anyway, it’s been too long. I’ve been so busy taking care of my people and making a million reforms. I’m glad that I’ll be able to relax for a change.

I grab my cool, red dress and a pair of white slippers and get dressed. I left Tamisra and Revon in charge while I’m away. They’ve been helping me tremendously with my new responsibilities as guardian. I couldn’t thank them enough.

A rhythmic knock sounds from my door.

“Come in!”

An excited Meredith enters in a pale teal, floor length gown.

“Are you ready yet?”

“Almost.”

“Well hurry up! Frankie and I are waiting for you!”

“Done,” I grin.

“Good,” she yanks my arm and drags me out.

We hop in the car and drive out to the edge. Francisco and Meredith are cuddling together in the backseat. They’re quite a cute couple.

After the war, I appointed Francisco as head of the police department. He’s been faring well. I made the right decision to put him in charge. I trust him with the safety of my people.

Meredith has been slowly taking over her mother’s tailor shop. I’m proud to see her flourish into not only a skilled seamstress, but a great manager.

Once we pass through the mirror, we’re tackled by Lilly, Sophia, and Marls.

“You’re late!” Lilly scolds.

“Blame Evelyn!” Meredith chuckles.

We get up, dust ourselves off, and rush down stairs.

In the backyard, rows of chairs are neatly placed, all facing a big, white arch. A few people are already sitting down.

“I’m going to go back inside. Flower girl duties!” Sophia says giddily. I’m glad to see her so happy. She deserves to be a normal kid for once.

Marleen excuses herself too.

Lilly and I take a seat next to someone she met. I recognize her, but I don’t remember her name.

“Aoife! This is my sister, Evelyn. Evelyn, this is Aoife!”

“Hello, it’s nice to meet you, Aoife!”

“Same here, dear.”

We talk a bit until Allie and Jordan walk down the aisle arm in arm. The crown goes silent. Allie stands behind the podium.

Then Sophia comes in her lavender dress, tossing rose petals along the aisle.

We all look back to see Marcus and Marleen arm in arm, a gleam in Arc’s eyes.

Sophia and Marleen stand on opposite sides of the couple.

They haven’t even said their vows and I can see them tearing up. I’m so happy for them!

They say their I do’s and kiss. The whole crowd cheers and happy tears erupt.

When they pull away, Jordan looks out into the crowd and starts to speak.

“I’m so glad to have such an amazing husband to spend the rest of my life with. From the moment I saw you, I knew that we were meant to be. You are my family….but there’s something missing.”

The crowd goes silent, but Marcus and Jordan are smiling excitedly.

Marcus interrupts, “Sophia, can you come over here?”

She walks over to them and they kneel in front of her.

“Sophia, we want to know if you’ll be the missing piece to our family.”

She bursts into tears and nods.

My heart melts from this beautiful union. Sophia finally has a family.

Sadly, her mother passed a month after the war. She was devastated. She may not have a mother, but now she has two fathers who’ll give her all the love in the world.

I turn my gaze to Lilly. We smile with our puffy, red eyes. This has been the first day of forever.

…………

We congratulated the newlyweds and their daughter during the after party. Their smiles were permanently etched onto their lips.

I was about to dig in when Lilliana tugs on my sleeve and asks to talk in private. I see the worry on her face so I obviously comply. We walk into an empty room.

“What’s bugging you, Lillybug?”

“Well….you remember Aoife?”

“Yes?” I reply hesitantly.

“She asked to be my mentor.”

“What?”

“Look, when I’m old enough, I’ll be a guardian just like you. She’s one of the current guardians of Nihil and when she resigns I’ll have to take her place. She offered to teach me the ins and outs to make my transition easier.”

“Where is the pathway to Nihil?”

“In Versailles, France.”

“Lilly, I’m not going to make this choice for you. This is your life to live, not mine.”

“But what if I’m not ready? What if I mess up?”

“I’ll be here for you. If you’re ever struggling you can visit me. I’ll always have time for you.”

“It’s just….I don’t want to go there alone.”

“Maybe you could ask Marleen? I heard that Versailles has a decent medical school that Marleen has been looking at.”

“Do you think she’ll actually come with me?”

“I guess you’ll have to ask her.”

She wraps her arms around my waist tightly.

“Thank you.”

“Of course, Lillybug.”

She runs off to ask Marleen, leaving me in an empty room. I step out to see a room full of life and happiness.

Everything is changing. A year and a half ago I was a nervous wreck, afraid of myself and what I could do. Looking at my reflection now, I almost don’t recognize my younger self.

The changes I see around me are a bit unsettling in the moment, but I know that it’s all for the better.

Everything is changing and though I’m changing too, I’ll always know who I am.