Epilogue
September 8th
It was a picture-perfect postcard of a day with the sun shining brightly over crystal blue skies. Although warm, the humidity had lessened, and a breeze softened the sun’s rays. It was a day for picnics and barbeques. For family reunions and first dates and weddings.
Mia and Roman left their house in the late morning. The invitation had been unexpected, and they were more than a little curious. The day after Scott was released from the hospital, Jennifer and Thomas had come to Roman’s office to thank them and settle their account. As far as everyone was concerned, the case was closed. It was time to move on.
Except maybe it wasn’t.
“Tell me the truth, are you glad we didn’t have to adopt JP?” Mia asked.
Roman smiled full-out. “So glad. I mean, he’s cute and all, but we’re at max capacity in the dog department. I honestly thought the poor little guy was a goner anyway. I’m still not sure why Kerry didn’t just kill him and be done with it.”
“She was probably hanging onto him just in case she needed to bend Eliza to her will one more time. He was the ultimate leverage for keeping that girl in line. After, I’ll bet Kerry would’ve killed him without a second thought. I’ll never forget how scared he was when we found him in her car.”
“Or how happy Eliza was. For a moment there, she was hugging him so hard, I was worried she’d accidentally smother him.”
Mia dabbed at her eye where a tear threatened to fall. “It was an epic reunion, that’s for sure. And the EMT guys were so sweet to let her take JP in the ambulance with Scott.”
“You know, I’m still not sure I like her all that much, but when it really mattered, Eliza came through like a champion,” Roman said.
“Scott wouldn’t be alive right now if not for her decision to help. And she did it knowing there was a good chance she might lose the thing she loved the most. JP was literally all she had left in the world. That right there, my friend, is bravery.”
“Funny how sometimes it’s the most unlikely person who steps up in the biggest way.” Roman flicked on his indicator and made a turn onto a side street. “And talking about other unexpected outcomes, I’m still not over Tracey and Eliza making amends.”
“I think the fact Eliza put her neck out for Maryanne and made sure her killer paid was all it took. Plus, she probably felt Maryanne would’ve wanted them to have each other to lean on. They may never be besties, but I think they’ll stay on friendly terms. It’s a way for them to keep Maryanne’s memory alive.”
The parking area only contained a handful of cars. Roman found a shady spot and turned off the engine. Mia took out her phone and brought up the text with instructions before grabbing the flowers from the back seat.
“We’re supposed to head to the east side,” she told Roman.
The cemetery was a large one and they walked along a path between the gravestones. When they crested a small rise, Eliza and Scott were visible in the distance. As they got closer, JP caught sight of them first and turned to stare before clawing at Eliza’s legs. She crouched down to pat him, her long pink skirt spreading across the grass, then glanced over and saw Mia and Roman approaching. Scooping up the Min Pin, she stood to face them.
“I’m so glad you came. I wasn’t … I mean, I’d have understood if you didn’t show,” she said.
“Hey, good to see you guys.” Scott turned. He held out a hand to Roman and the two men shook.
“You look a whole lot better than the last time we saw you,” Mia said, grasping his hand and squeezing gently. “How’re you feeling?”
“My stamina isn’t what it used to be and sometimes my brain goes soggy, but I can’t complain.” He released Mia’s hand, and his gaze flicked to Roman then back to her. “There’s no way I can ever thank you enough. If Kerry had gotten away … well, I don’t think I’d be feeling too great. Just knowing she was still out there and might circle back to get her revenge on my family would’ve been hard to take.”
“All in a day’s work,” Mia said.
“I doubt you’ll have to worry about Kerry Jones ever again. From what my contacts tell me, the case against her is solid. Mostly thanks to you and your sting operation at the house. I think it still would’ve been okay, but having a solid confession from the perp is what they call a slam dunk,” Roman said.
“The only question is, why didn’t you give us a heads-up? It was stupid to go all lone wolf and put yourself in danger,” Mia said, tucking the flowers firmly in at her elbow before shaking a finger at him.
Eliza shifted closer to Scott “I know. I told him the exact same thing. He could have died … every time I think about it, I get the shakes.”
“I didn’t want to do anything to tip Kerry off. She had zero suspicions about me, and for my plan to work, I had to keep on being the clueless, lovelorn stooge. The stakes were so damn high. Unless I got enough evidence, Eliza would never have been free and my family always in danger. It still freaks me out knowing she’s my half-sister.”
Eliza scowled. “Her big beef against your dad was so whacked. Rhonda cheated on him, got pregnant, and flat-out left him. Then she comes back years later, messed up on drugs and wanting to hang with the son she walked out on. Thomas did right to protect you. But he wasn’t mean about it. He helped support her financially. Then gave Kerry money, too. Like what was her problem?”
“Some people are just born twisted and evil. Kerry is definitely one of them,” Roman said.
“Here, these are for Maryanne. I picked them from my garden this morning,” Mia said, holding the flowers out to Eliza.
Eliza set the Min Pin down at her feet and gently took the flowers. “They’re beautiful. Hydrangeas were Maryanne’s absolute faves, and she had a potted dahlia in her dorm room at Darby.” Her lips trembled and when her eyes filled with tears, she blinked rapidly. “It’s almost like you knew. Thanks.”
She turned and walked the few steps over to the white marble headstone with Maryanne Patricia Wentworth etched under a dragonfly. The epitaph read, ‘Daughter, sister, friend. You are a song in our hearts forever.’
There was already a vase with a small bunch of daisies sitting at the base of the headstone, and Eliza added Mia’s bouquet next to it. She ran her fingers along the top of the marble before straightening and pointing to the next two graves bearing the names of her parents.
“It’s still so unreal that my whole family is here. If I could go back in time, I’d never have that fight with dad or ….” She covered her eyes with her hand and exhaled shakily. “I can barely believe I was such a snotty-nosed brat. Who pitches a fit and poisons their own father?”
Scott patted her shoulder. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You made a mistake and I’d say you’re still paying the price.”
Eliza fished out a Kleenex from her pocket and blew her nose. “Whatever price I’m paying, it’ll never be enough.” She sighed. “But this isn’t supposed to be about me. This day is for Maryanne. “
She turned back to her sister’s grave and clasped her hands in front of her. JP, who’d been nosing around in the grass, came over and sat at her feet as if understanding this was a sacred moment. Mia noted he was wearing a tiny pink bowtie, the same color as Eliza’s dress.
“I guess I invited all of you today because I wanted you to meet my sister, Maryanne. And for her to see everyone who helped avenge her death. Even though it doesn’t make up for anything, I like to think she’d be happy to know Kerry’s paying for what she did. I miss you, little sis. I know I was only two minutes older, but it still counts. I hope wherever you are, you’re happy and at peace. Please keep an eye on me, okay? I’m trying to be a better person, but I’ll probably screw up a bunch of times and I might need your help. Anyway, that’s all I wanted to tell you.”
All four bowed their heads and after a few seconds, Scott patted Eliza’s arm. “I’m sure your sister is proud of you.”
Roman nodded. “Yeah, good job.”
“I’m glad you invited us. It was nice to meet Maryanne,” Mia said. She paused and glanced back and forth between Eliza and Scott. “So, it’s totally none of my business, but are you two still married?”
Scott glanced at Eliza. “Funny you should ask. As it happens, we’re still legally wed.”
“But I made him change his will back, so I don’t get any money. Plus, I signed a prenup. Though I guess it’s actually a postnup, but whatever,” Eliza said all in a rush.
“And we’re taking it slow. She’s living at her place and I’m in the house in Walkerton.”
“Basically, we’re just dating,” Eliza said, smiling up at Scott. “He’s being so sweet to me. I mean after everything that happened, I thought he’d want to run a million miles away, but he hasn’t.”
Scott shrugged. “Considering how we met and what we’ve been through, I don’t know if we stand a chance or not, but I know I like her. A lot. And she did save my life, so there’s that.”
Eliza actually blushed. “And I really like him. I may have saved his life, but he saved mine, too. Without him, I’d still be stuck with Kerry—if she hadn’t outright killed me by now.”
Mia let out a sigh. “Aw. That’s so great to hear.”
“Just so you know, Mia and I met under … unusual circumstances and like Eliza, she had a hell of a back story. Still, we’re proof that it can sometimes all work out,” Roman said, taking Mia’s hand and lacing his fingers through hers.
She beamed up at him before turning her attention back to Eliza and Scott. “We’ll be rooting for you.”
“We were going to grab lunch at Capris, do you want to join us?” Scott asked.
“No, we have to get on, but thanks. Maybe we’ll see you around,” Roman said.
“Good luck with everything. And I really hope you find that happily ever after—I can promise you it’s worth fighting for,” Mia said.
*****
Thank you so much for reading No Happily Ever After.