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Bonus Epilogue

He makes me see the world in a different way. One full of happiness and hope. -Flora

Flora

The pig-tailed little girl skips down the driveway. Her blonde hair gleams in the sunlight. A little boy lets out a squeal as he follows her at full speed. His little fists pump as he runs to chase his big sister.

“Frannie, wait for Nick! He’s trying to catch up!” I wince as baby Nick takes a tumble on the sidewalk. He cries for barely a second before he’s up again and running after his big sister.

I chuckle. “He does not have your art of sneaking up on someone at all.” I reach for my husband’s hand, and he links his fingers with mine.

“No, not yet. Maybe one day, but hopefully not. I hope he’s an easy teenager and I wasn’t, at all. I was too damn sneaky.”

He brings our entwined hands to his mouth and gives me a kiss on the back of my hand.

I nod at our two children as they race to the swings. “Can you believe we made those two?” I ask in awe. “Our beautiful babies.”

Levi pauses and our steps slow. “The only reason we were able to make those two is because you gave me a chance. You overcame your past and trusted me. I thank God for that every day.”

He gives me a gentle kiss on my lips, and I sigh.

Healing takes a long time. Sometimes, people never really heal. I spent a long time guarding my heart so I wouldn’t get hurt again.

We built a new house within the gates of the Silver Snakes compound and I took a job as a counselor at a nearby school. I help other troubled teens going through trauma. The Silver Snakes have become my family. Between the Survivor’s Club and the MC, we are surrounded by people we care about. I sometimes think that damaged people have this way of finding people in this world. Just like Levi and I did. We were both broken, but together we made each other complete. I love this man so damn much.

I’m so glad I let this gentle protector into my life and that he decided to stay. When our little girl cries out for her daddy, I watch my sweet man run to her to pick her up.

This is what my happily-ever-after looks like and I couldn’t be more grateful for it.