Beautiful Scars [1] ✔

Epilogue

I gripped the sink, eyes shut tightly as vomit entered the sink yet again.

I coughed, disgusted as more vomit fell into the dirtied sink. I coughed one last time and then spit, turning the faucet knob.

Water splashed into the sink, and I watched as the puke dissolved down the drain without a second glance.

I grabbed the red towel resting on the floor and dried my hands, then eyed the wedding ring that was sitting on the counter.

I dried my fingers carefully, then put the ring on, taking deep breaths, hoping to calm whatever storm was brewing inside me.

I closed the open toilet seat and sat down on it, holding my head in my hands.

Why have I been so sick?

It's been a week, and I've been vomiting nonstop. I couldn't control it.

Whatever. I needed more Advil. It didn't help that last night Mrs. Tilly came over with a terrible headache. God, she must've gave me something.

That's just great. Just fantastic.

I jerked open the medicine cabinet and found exactly what I was looking for.

But realized something else entirely.

~***~

I opened the door abruptly, then ran outside, not bothering to close it behind me. Where was he?

I hadn't seen him for an hour; The last time I saw him, he was fixing me chicken noodle soup.

"Homemade, " he told me, since I was worth the extra effort.

I gripped my sweaty hands together the moment I saw him.

I took a deep breath then ran as fast as I could to him, doubling over when I reached him.

"Sofa, what are you doing out of bed? You're gonna get worse."

"But, Aston, listen-"

He shook his head, wiping the grease off of his hands with a worn out towel. He was fixing his truck. Obviously. "You're so stubborn," He commented, chuckling.

I smirked, and he raised his eyebrows. "Where have I heard that before?" I challenged.

He sniffled and looked at me. "You hurt my feelings, Sophia. You'll pay for it, you know."

He smirked, walking closer as I started backwards. "Oh really, how?"

"By this.." He gripped my waist and lifted me up, heaving as he flopped me over his shoulder.

"Aston, stop!" I squealed.

He chuckled, grinning like a madman. "Only if you say cheese."

"Cheese? What the hell does cheese have to do with this situation?"

He snorted, then said childishly, "Because it ryhmes with please. And language," he tsked, "That's points off."

"God, you're so childish sometimes."

I gasped as he dropped me lightly onto the ground, flopping down next to me.

This was the perfect moment to tell him. But I didn't know how.

He noticed my silent state and stroked my hand, his touch sending jolts of electricity down my arm. "Are you okay?"

I took a deep breath. "Aston, I have to tell you something. I'm not sure if you'll even like it or not, but I have to tell you."

"Did you cheat on me with a rodeo clown?"

I laughed. "No, that's not it."

"Is it my cooking? Did you not like the soup? I put too much pepper, huh? I always knew pepper was not good in soup, but I didn't-"

"Aston," I interrupted. "It's not about soup or cooking or anything like that. It's something bigger than that."

He opened his mouth to speak, but I held one hand up to silence him.

"Don't ask about your baking because that's not it either, " I added with a roll of my eyes. "The thing is, Aston, I'm- I'm-"

"You're what?"

"I'm pregnant."

His jaw dropped and he swallowed, and I felt my heart racing a mile a minute. "Are you serious?" he asked.

"God, I'm sorry. I should've known you didn't want kids-"

"Sophia, I never said I didn't want kids. I want kids, but only with you. And it looks like I'm getting my wish.."

He grinned, then kissed me. The kiss deepened, and I shoved him off of me, a small smile forming. "Careful, you'll hurt her."

"Her? How do you know it's a 'her'?"

I shrugged. "Mother's Intuition."

He slapped me lightly and I grinned. "So, what're you gonna name her?"

"Lissa. Lissa Amarie Clarks."

His eyes watered. "You'd name our daughter after my sister?"

I grabbed his hand and squeezed. "I made that promise to myself the day she died and the day we got married, Aston. I won't forget about her. Our kids will grow up knowing her, even though she's not here."

Silence formed in the air, and I stared at the sky, watching as little clouds formed. It was perfect. This was perfect.

And as he leaned over and kissed me fiercely, I realized something.

I wasn't a burden.

I was a survivor.

These weren't reminders of pain.

They were reminders of something I had lived through.

And what Melissa said was true.

These were my battle scars.

                  ~***~

Hi guys! This is the end.

No more Sophia and Aston.

Or is there???

Check out the next chapter for interviews, more info, and maybe a sequel?

Thanks so much for riding this rollercoaster with me,

Katlyn :)