Mag-log inEpilogue — Two Years LaterThe smell of barbecue drifted across the gardens.Children's laughter echoed from somewhere near the fountain.Music played softly beneath the old oak tree.It was Sunday.Some traditions never changed.---Alex stood behind the grill wearing the same faded apron he'd refused to replace for years.Alicia walked past carrying a bowl of fruit."You know we could buy you a new one."Alex looked down at the apron."It's lucky.""It has three holes.""They're lucky holes."She laughed."I married a very strange man.""You absolutely did.""And I'd do it again."He smiled."I was hoping you'd say that."---The George estate had changed over the years.Not because the house had grown bigger.Because it had grown louder.There were bicycles leaning against the porch.Blankets spread across the lawn.Coffee mugs abandoned on garden tables.Signs that people actually lived there.Exactly the way Alicia always wanted.---"Mom!"Alicia turned just in time to see Aiden
Alicia's POVThe house woke before sunrise.Not because anyone had set an alarm.Because today...My son was getting married.I stood in the kitchen, staring out at the gardens with a cup of coffee warming my hands.The same gardens where Alex had once asked me to marry him.The same gardens where Aiden had learned to ride a bicycle.The same gardens where our family gathered every Sunday.Today...They would witness another beginning."You've been standing there for ten minutes."I smiled without turning around."I know."Alex wrapped an arm around my waist."You okay?"I nodded."I just..."I laughed softly."...I still remember holding him the day he was born."Alex rested his chin on my shoulder."And now he's old enough to have someone else nagging him."I elbowed him lightly."Emily doesn't nag.""Give her time."We both laughed.---Upstairs...Aiden stood in front of the mirror adjusting his tie.For the third time."No."Alex said from the doorway."You've made it worse."Aid
Zara's POV"You know this is your wedding, right?"Zara looked at the mountain of fabric spread across the fitting room."I was beginning to suspect."The bridal consultant laughed."Most brides are excited.""I am excited."Zara sighed dramatically."I'm just discovering that weddings involve... decisions.""So many decisions.""What flowers?""What music?""What napkins?"The consultant smiled."You'd be surprised how passionate people become about napkins.""I already am."---Across town...Ryan was having a very different conversation."I don't care what color the ties are."Alex laughed."You should probably pretend to care."Ryan adjusted his suit jacket."I'll wear whatever Zara tells me.""That's smart.""I've learned."Marcus grinned from the other side of the room."So..."Ryan looked up."You nervous?""A little."Marcus nodded thoughtfully."Good."Ryan frowned."Good?""It means you understand how important this is."Alex smiled quietly.Marcus had a way of saying the ri
Aiden's POVI bought the ring on a Wednesday.Not because I had planned to.Because I happened to walk past a small jewelry store after meeting with one of my professors.I almost kept walking.Then I remembered something Grandpa Henry had written in his letter to Mom.When you know, you'll know.For years, I thought he had been talking about Mom and Dad.Now...I finally understood.---The jewelry store wasn't flashy.There were no giant displays or security guards standing at every corner.Just warm lights.Wooden shelves.And an elderly man polishing a watch behind the counter.He smiled as I walked in."Looking for something special?"I laughed nervously."I think so.""For yourself?"I shook my head."For someone I love."The man smiled."The best reason."---For almost an hour, he showed me different rings.Some were enormous.Some were covered in diamonds.Some probably cost more than my first car would.None of them felt right.Then he opened one final tray.Simple.Platinum
Alex's POVSunday dinners had become a tradition without anyone ever officially deciding they were.No invitations.No schedule.By six o'clock every Sunday, everyone simply... arrived.Ryan usually brought dessert.Zara claimed she'd help in the kitchen and then somehow disappeared whenever dishes needed washing.Emily arrived early enough for Alicia to insist she taste everything before dinner.And Aiden...Aiden walked in as though he'd never spent ten weeks away.Some things didn't need to be relearned.They simply picked up where they had left off.---"This is cheating."I looked up from the grill.Ryan frowned."What is?""You brought cheesecake.""So?""You know that's my favorite."Ryan smiled innocently."I had no idea.""Liar.""I've been part of this family long enough to know your weaknesses."I laughed."Fair enough."From inside the house, Zara called out,"He's right, Alex! You'd forgive almost anything if there's cheesecake involved.""I heard that!""I wanted you to!
Alicia's POVThere were exactly twenty-three minutes until Aiden's flight landed.Not that I was counting.Alex glanced at his watch."You've checked the arrivals board five times.""Four.""It was five."Ryan looked up from his coffee."I counted six."I sighed dramatically."I liked Alex better."Ryan laughed."I'll take that as a compliment."Zara slipped her arm through mine."Relax.""I am relaxed."She looked at me."You reorganized the flowers in the lounge.""They looked uneven.""There weren't any flowers.""...There are now."Alex chuckled."I missed this."I turned toward him."Missed what?""You fussing over Aiden.""I do not fuss."He raised an eyebrow."Our son is twenty-two years old.""I know.""And you packed him three extra sandwiches.""They were homemade.""Exactly."Even Emily laughed.---The arrival board changed.LANDED.Almost instantly, the entire group stood.No one said a word.They simply drifted toward the security doors.Waiting.Watching.Looking for on
Alicia lay on the bed in her room, asleep, tossing and turning. A small tear ran down her cheek as she slept and she muttered softly; “Alex.”She dreamed that she and Alex were once again together. Gazing into her eyes as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world, he stood in front of her wi
The article dropped before dawn.Alicia saw it because Zara called her, voice sharp and already furious.“Don’t panic,” Zara said. “But also—panic a little.”Alicia sat up in bed, heart already racing. Aiden was still asleep down the hall. Alex had left before sunrise, careful and quiet, like they
Sunday morning came slowly.Alicia woke before the alarm, the apartment wrapped in that quiet hour before the city decided what kind of day it would be. Aiden was still asleep. The light through the curtains was pale, almost gray.She lay on her back, staring at the ceiling, listening.No footsteps
By Friday evening, Alicia finally let Alex come over.Aiden was asleep by the time he arrived. The apartment was dim, warm with the familiar sounds of home — the refrigerator humming, the faint noise of traffic below, the ticking clock on the wall she always forgot to replace the batteries in.Alex







