Epilogue — Everything Will Be All Right

That night, the six of us sat in the living room, watching a movie. We had selected a nice children’s movie, for Amber. But one of the quality ones that older kids could like too. Aiden even put down his game for ten minutes during the movie, so clearly, we did the right thing.

Amber sat in my lap, and I leaned heavily on Kier the entire time. He didn’t seem to mind the extra weight, putting his arm around me. I kept thinking about that morning, when I’d finally gotten the courage up to kiss him. I’d been thinking about it for days and calling myself all kinds of colorful names for not getting the courage up already. When I finally did, it turned out so much better than I could have ever guessed. I just wanted to keep kissing him.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, we had things to do. School to attend, children to watch, houses to figure out. We’d agreed that I’d keep sleeping in Kier’s room, but we still had to somehow get my things in there. Not that I had much, but it took up room. We had to figure out where that room would come from.

The movie came to an end, and Amber leapt off me and started to crow about the ways she would’ve changed this or that thing. I couldn’t help but find her adorable and wanted to just snuggle the crap out of her.

Kier stretched, and said, “How about some hot chocolate?”

The kids cheered. Ash did not. He shrugged, and said he’d drink it if someone brought him some. I started to think his cynicism would keep him from enjoying things and I’d have to talk with him about that.

I followed Kier into the kitchen just as the siren outside started to go off, warning about daybreak. I perched on the counter while Kier moved around the kitchen, getting things ready. “You have training tomorrow, right?” I asked.

Kier nodded. “I do. They’ll probably work me extra hard, because my next field assignment is coming up soon. They always make it their personal mission to try killing me before those.”

“Do you know what the assignment will be?” I asked.

Kier shook his head. “No. They never tell me beforehand. A good policy to have, honestly.”

“Well, I’ll take care of the kids,” I said. “So, you don’t have to worry about that. You still need to teach me how to drive though.”

Kier nodded. “We’ll start that Thursday. I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

And I felt certain that I’d get him killed, and that the kids would all turn against me afterward. I also thought that driving would make my life a lot easier and agreed with Kier that I needed to learn. Even if the thought gave me stomach cramps and made me want to scream.

I watched Kier pour the hot chocolate into different mugs and bring one over to me. The kids all came to get theirs, and then went back to the living room. They all seemed to be playing different games, but I figured it would be fine, as long as no one got hurt in the process.

Kier and I stayed in the kitchen, and I watched him. He looked content, and the hard lines of his face had mostly disappeared. I nudged him with my foot, getting his attention.

When Kier looked up, I leaned over and kissed him square on the mouth. I felt his lips turn up in a smile and tried not to get too giddy about that. He turned toward me, cupping one of my cheeks with the palm of his hand. He kissed me deeper, braver than me in every aspect of this relationship. I let him kiss me, though, enjoying the feel of his mouth moving against mine. He tasted sweet, from the hot chocolate, and I could drown in it.

“Ew!” Aiden shouted from the kitchen doorway. “No! Why do you have to start this? No one wants to see you two kissing!”

Kier pulled away from me, a smile on his face. “I think I have to hurt him.”

“Absolutely,” I said.

He turned to stare at his little brother. “No one asked you.”

“You should have!” Aiden said. “I don’t want to watch you kissing!”

“Then don’t look,” Kier advised.

“How am I supposed to know where this is going to happen?” he shouted, flailing around. “I was just coming in here for more marshmallows, because you never give us enough, and boom! Kissing! Gross, gross kissing! You owe me!”

“You should probably leave now,” I said. “Because all this talk about kissing makes me want to…” I started to lean toward Kier, a smile on my face.

Aiden flailed even harder. “No!” He ran out of the room and up the stairs. It amused me when he came back, grabbed his hot chocolate, and disappeared again. Ash shook his head from his chair, while the girls both laughed.

“Well, I guess we get to deal with that,” Kier said, looking back at me with a smile. He leaned in and pressed his mouth against mine. I responded immediately, even going so far as to give his bottom lip a little nibble. Just something to remind him that I liked doing this.

Another smile curved his mouth up, and he rocked back.

Amber came running into the kitchen and grabbed my hand. “Whilda! It’s time for you to read me a story!” she shouted, hauling me off the counter, because I let her.

I sighed and looked over my shoulder at Kier. “I’ll find you later.”

He smirked and raised his cup. “I’ll be here.”

“You better be.”

His amused chuckle followed me up the stairs.