The Stepbrother 2: Noah

Epilogue

Noah-

Dr.

Avery looked around the room, a slight smile on her face as she took us all in.

"It's good to see everyone here together.

It’s odd since you all are usually behind my screen," she said, chuckling.

We had all gotten busy and hadn’t had sessions for about a year.

Troy suggested we start again since we were all in the same place for once.

Dr.

Avery adjusted her glasses and turned to me first.

"Noah, how are you doing? How has this past year been for you?"

I shrugged, leaning back in my chair.

"I'm fine," I said, feeling Creed’s eyes on me.

"For once, I feel… steady." It was the simplest way to say it, and I meant it.

After everything we'd been through, it felt like we’d finally found some stability—even if it was barely hanging by a thread.

I still found myself thinking about Maine and my mother sometimes and feeling overwhelmed with grief, but those days were becoming less and less frequent.

Dr.

Avery smiled, nodding, before turning her attention to Scarlett.

"And you, Scarlett? How are things with you and Troy?"

Scarlett glanced over at Troy, her hand finding his and giving it a squeeze.

"He gets on my nerves, but we’re doing okay," she said with a small smirk.

"We’re communicating better, finally.

And… well, we’re getting married again."

Dr.

Avery raised her eyebrows.

"Congratulations.

It sounds like you’ve both made some progress."

Troy chuckled, his usual grin lighting up his face.

"We’ve learned a thing or two," he said.

"Mostly that we drive each other crazy, but hey, that’s what keeps it interesting."

Jason laughed, and Creed rolled her eyes.

Dr.

Avery looked over at Jason, who was sitting with his hands folded in his lap, looking as if he was hoping she'd notice him.

"Jason, how does it feel to be a dad?" she asked.

Before he could answer, Creed chimed in.

"He wouldn’t really know, since Akane lives with us, but… he’s trying, I guess."

Jason’s face morphed into a scowl.

"Hey, I’m doing the best I can.”

Scarlett jumped in.

"Don’t do him like that, Creed.

He’s come a long way."

Creed sighed, crossing her arms, but she didn’t argue back.

Jason had made strides since his second go at rehab, even if he still had a lot to figure out.

At least he was showing up, and that was more than we could’ve said a year ago.

Dr.

Avery made a note.

I knew she was writing that we had barely improved.

"It sounds like everyone’s finding their own way, even if it’s a bit unconventional."

The therapist cleared her throat, drawing our attention back to her.

"And where are the kids today?"

"In the waiting room with the babysitter," I said.

"DJ, Akane, and Ayaan.

Devon finally allowed DJ to spend the summer with us.

Rave is at home with my father—she’s almost one, and she’s a screamer."

I laughed, and so did everyone else.

My father had become a huge help in being the stable one, the reliable one.

His career never picked back up but if I was honest…

I think that was a good thing.

He couldn’t handle it the first time.

I doubted he would be able to now.

But I would never say that aloud.

Dr.

Avery let the laughter settle before speaking again.

"I think we should end on a positive note.

It’s clear that you all care about each other deeply, even when it’s complicated.

That’s what family is, after all.

Maybe you will all find time to start regular visits again."

We all nodded, but I doubted any of us would actually follow through.

As we filed out of her office, heading towards the waiting room to collect the kids, I felt Creed slip her hand into mine.

I looked down at her, and she gave me a small smile.

“I love you,”

she whispered, and as we walked out of that office, back into the chaos of our lives, I knew we’d be okay because as long as Creed loved me, I felt like a fucking superhero.