by V, Krissy
“I think I’m happy to go back to Ending.”
“Me too.”
“And you’ll move in with me. Both of you?”
“Yes, we will.”
Jaden throws himself at Carter. “Are we going to live with you?”
“Yes, buddy. You are.”
“Can I call you Dad then?”
My heart stops for a moment.
“Of course you can, if you want to. I’d be happy for you to call me that. I’m your friend though, just remember that.” Carter looks at me with tears in his eyes as he lifts Jaden in a hug and sits him on the side of the bed next to me. They both lean down and hug me, and for the first time in my life, I feel it’s complete. There’s nothing missing. This is how my life was meant to be. Me, Jaden, and Carter. Together.
Epilogue
JADEN
It’s been five years since Carter became my dad. It was horrible when they were all shooting each other and I had nightmares for months afterwards, but so did Mom. Well, Kenzie, but I call her Mom. She’s the one who brought me up and did everything she could to protect me.
We moved back to Ending as soon as she was able to leave the hospital. We all had to have physio but I made loads of friends when I told them the story. Some of the boys thought I made it up until they saw it in the papers.
We live in the village of Ending now. We never went back to the cabin in the Happy Endings Resort. I love it here.
Mom and Dad are getting married today. I’m best man and they’ve told me it’s a big responsibility, but I’m also going to be walking Mom down the aisle and giving her over to the best man in the world. I’m only eleven, but I know how important it is to walk with her. I’ve been practicing my speech, and although I’m nervous, I know they won’t mind if I mess it up. Mom told me to speak from the heart.
Everyone knows who we are, but as far as they’re concerned, we are still Kenzie and Jaden, and that’s how we live our lives now. We left our old life behind five years ago.
Today’s celebration is another chapter in our lives and I’m glad I can share it with the people I love.
Dad told me that love will find you wherever you are, and if it’s true, you’ll get through anything.
I’m going to remember that when I get a girlfriend, although Suzie from school is looking at me weirdly right now. It must be the suit. She blushes when I look back and smile at her.
Wish me luck. It’s going to be an interesting day!
THE END