Things End, Deal With It

twenty nine |epilogue|

this is the epilogue oops.. I hope it's not weird, and I hope you understand. it's gonna be sups short too.. ok bye

"Good morning," Nash says quietly through the phone.

"Mornin'," I reply, closing my eyes again.

"You know why I'm calling you, right?"

"Yes, Nash."

"Okay. Then get out of bed." I groan and roll over.

"You're still in bed," I retort.

"I'm getting up right now." I hear him grunt as he sits up in his bed.

"Fine." I get out of bed too, leaving Axl in bed asleep, and rub my eyes. "Are you coming to get me?" I yawn.

"Yeah. I'll text you when I'm on my way."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye." I put my phone on the stand and walk over to my closet. I stretch as I look through my closet for something to wear. It's fall and getting colder as it heads to mid-November. I take out a pair of black jeans and a gray sweater. I lay them on my bed and go into the bathroom. I wash my face, dry it off, then apply my makeup. I brush my teeth and hair then braid it. I go back to my room and get dressed. I check my phone to find a text from Nash. He's on his way.

"Hey, baby boy," I whisper to Axl and rub his head. He opens his eyes and sits up. "Let's go eat." Before I take Axl downstairs, I put on a pair of socks and slip my phone into my back pocket. I fill Axl's bowl with food and refill his water. While he's eating, I gather my English book, my English notebook, and my art history book. I stack them on the table and sit down. Nash texts me that he's bringing breakfast from McDonald's. "Yes," I say to myself. Axl comes over and puts his head on my thigh. His chin is dripping with water. "Ax." I groan and move his head. He jumps and puts his front paws on my leg. I scoot the chair back to get up, but Axl jumps up onto my lap. "Axl, you're getting too big for this." He licks my cheek. Yes, he still does that. "Come on. Let's go." I pick him up with a grunt and put him on the floor. I take him outside, and he does his business. When we go back inside, Mom is in the kitchen making herself tea.

"Morning, honey." Her voice is scratchy and rough.

"Morning. Feeling any better?" She shakes her head and takes a drink from her mug. "Need me to stay home and take care of you?"

"Cheyenne, you aren't getting out of school and work that easily. I'll be fine."

"Worth the try." The front door opens, and Nash shouts,

"The king has arrived!" Mom laughs, and Nash walks into the kitchen. "How are you lovely ladies doin' on this lovely mornin'?" He sets a McDonald's bag on the counter and wraps an arm around my waist. He kisses my cheek and leans into me.

"Still sick," Mom pipes up and takes another drink of her tea. "I'm going back to bed. Have a good day at school." She kisses my cheek and heads upstairs.

"So, what did you get me?" I look in the bag and take out the box. "Ah, fuck yes. A cinnamon melt." Nash laughs. "Thank you, baby." I kiss him and turn back to the food. I reach back into the bag and pull out the plastic fork.

"Oh, yeah," Nash starts, unwrapping himself from me. "I have something else for you." He goes back outside while I stuff my face. He comes back in, and I smile.

"Ah, thank you." I swallow my food and take the coffee from his hands.

"I know you don't like McDonald's coffee so I went to Dunkin." I hug him then get back to my food. I finish off the food and toss it into the trash. I get Axl outside with food, water, and his toys. I text Mom reminding her to check on him if she feels up to it. I put on my shoes, and I'm ready. I take my coffee, and Nash grabs my books as we walk to his new car. I put my drink in the cup holder and take my books.

"I love you, Cheyenne."

"I love you, Nashy." We lean over the console and kiss before Nash starts the car and drives us to school.