Epilogue
Three months later…
Remi finished packing his clothes and his tool chests, a few things that made him feel a connection to home, and placed them in his car.
He put his laptop in his backpack along with all his chargers for his electronics and put it on the front passenger side floorboard of his car.
He stood back and looked at the car. There wasn’t much there.
Yet, it was all he was taking. Clothes, shoes and boots, tools, phone and laptop.
“You got it all?” Daniel asked walking out and draping an arm over Remi’s shoulder.
“Looks like it,” Remi said. “I even took my photo album, and the family picture from my bedroom wall.”
“We’re going to miss you so much, son,” Daniel said.
“I’m going to miss you, too. But I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t try.”
“I understand. And we can be there in a day if you need something. Right away if it’s an emergency. Tempest can blink us over there, or whatever it is that she does.”
Remi laughed. “I will let you know. And don’t worry, I’m not going off the deep end again. I will not.”
“If you do, I’ll make Tempest find you, she’s not pregnant anymore. And when I get my hands on you, I will embarrass you so badly,” Daniel said.
Remi laughed. “Deal,” he said, glancing down at his boots. “I really am sorry about all that.”
“It’s alright. It brought you to here, right?”
“That it did. Humbled me more than I thought I needed to be humbled,” Remi said.
“But also introduced me to a great job, and some awesome people. On the one hand I hate to leave, but Giada has a good grip on it. She fully grasped everything I was doing, and if it’s about building, she knows to go to you. She’ll do you proud.”
“I think so, too. She’s really come into her own since she moved into the shelter and started working for us. She can handle it,” Daniel said.
“She loves her little house. It’s perfect for her and her two little ones,” Remi said.
“Here you go! I loaded you up with sandwiches, brownies, chips, protein bars, and there’s a small ice chest for you sitting just inside the door that’s full of drinks, too,” Avaleigh said.
“I’ll grab that for you,” Daniel said.
“Mom, you didn’t have to do all that,” Remi said.
“Yes, I did. I won’t get to do it for a long time, and I needed to make sure you’re taken care of for the drive, if nothing else,’ Avaleigh said.
“I might be back sooner rather than later.”
Daniel shook his head as he handed over the small ice chest. “Nah, just dig your heels in and fight.”
Remi nodded.
“You talk to anybody yet?”
“No, I’m going by Brandt’s on my way out of town, though.”
“That takes care of home, but what about there? You should call before you get on the road,” Daniel said. “I know it’ll be no problem, but it’s just a matter of respect.”
“Yes, sir. I might. I don’t want to be turned away before I get there, though.”
“There is that chance. But you can always head that way anyway,” Daniel said.
“Remi?” Angelle said from the doorway.
“Hey, come tell me goodbye,” Remi said.
Angelle ran over to him and threw herself in his arms. “I’m going to miss you. I’ve always had you to depend on.”
“I’m going to miss you, too. And you can still depend on me. I’ll come back and shake some things up if you want me to,” Remi said. “And you can call me anytime you want. I’ll always answer your calls.”
Angelle laughed. “Okay.”
“Besides, you have somebody else to depend on now. I kind of think he’s more than capable of handling the job.”
“Who?” she asked.
“Boon! He’s been here twice since Elijah was born! I don’t think he’s that excited about the baby. It’s you.”
“Don’t rush her,” Daniel said.
Remi laughed. “Angelle knows better than you or me what she wants. She’s a lot stronger than anybody gives her credit for.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Avaleigh said. “But I can only lose one of you a month.”
“You hear me, Angelle? Don’t forget how strong you are. Don’t let fear stop you from reaching for what makes you happy,” Remi said. “Momma taught me that a long, long time ago. And I know she told you the same thing. Don’t forget it.”
“I won’t,” Angelle said.
“When’s your boyfriend coming back to see you?” Remi asked.
“I don’t know,” Angelle said. “And he’s just a friend.”
“Don’t you believe that for a second,” Remi said. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
Angelle blushed, but didn’t answer. Instead she hugged Remi again. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too. Take care of Mom and Dad for me.”
“I will,” Angelle said.
Remi hugged Avaleigh and Daniel. “I love you. I’ll keep in touch.”
“See that you do. I love you more than anything,” Avaleigh said.
“Me, too,” Daniel said, hugging him tightly. “I love you, son. We’ll see you soon.”
“Let me know when you get there,” Avaleigh said, as Remi got in his car.
“I will. I’ll call. Love you guys!”
Remi put his car in gear and backed away from the house, then turned his car toward the gravel drive.
He followed it to the highway, crossed over and drove straight to Brandt’s house.
He noticed Daisy’s jeep outside and smiled to himself.
Ever since Elijah had been born, she’d been spending a lot of time at Brandt’s with the new baby.
He knocked on the door, and waited. He’d not told anybody he was stopping by.
Brandt opened the door almost right away. “Hey! I didn’t know you were coming over.”
“Me, either. Am I interrupting anything, or do you have a minute?”
“Come on in, it’s just family. We’re relaxing and trying to decide what we’re going to send out for.”
“Nobody delivers this far out here,” Remi said, walking into the house behind Brandt.
“I know. That’s what brother-in-laws are for,” Brandt said, tagging Charlie in the back of the head with the burp cloth he had on his shoulder.
“Oh, I see how it is,” Charlie said. “It’s not my company you want, it’s the delivery service.”
“Did you ever think it was anything else?” Brandt teased. “No, seriously, though. Bailey and Shaun are coming over, and are going to bring whatever it is we decide on.”
“Nice. Two delivery services,” Remi said with a chuckle.
“Hey, Remi,” Tempest said.
“How you feeling, Tempest?” Remi asked.
“Other than the breaking down at stupid commercials on television, I’m alright.”
“Hormones,” Daisy said. “It’ll get back to normal soon.”
“It’s been three months! I mean, how much time do they need?” Tempest asked.
“More months,” Daisy said with a shrug.
Elijah started whining in his bassinet and Tempest got up.
“You know what? Let me,” Remi said, moving toward the bassinet.
“Really? Okay,” Tempest said.
“Yeah. It might be a while before I get to see him again,” Remi said, lifting Elijah and cradling him close. “Man, those eyes! They’re so green!”
Tempest smiled. “My boy is pretty.”
“Yeah he is,” Remi said.
“What are you talking about, might be a while?” Brandt asked.
“I decided last night. I’m heading out. I’ve been saving every penny I could get my hands on, granted it’s not a lot, but it’s enough to make a start, and that’s all I’ll need.”
“Where are you going?” Brandt asked.
“I gotta see what’ll happen if I refuse to accept things as they are.”
“You mean if you make a nuisance of yourself,” Brandt said.
“Yeah, well, I can’t just leave it alone. It would kill me never knowing,” Remi said.
“I get that, ten thousand percent. And, let me buy your house back. I’ve just been waiting, leaving it the way we left it until you said otherwise. I can transfer the money today.”
“No, Brandt. I don’t want you to be out of that much money. I really hope I don’t come back, at least not full time — no offense. I don’t need it. Give it to Daisy. Daisy, you and Charlie are getting married, right? You and Charlie can have it.”
Daisy raised her finger and waggled a round yellow diamond at him.
“You know we are! But, we’ve bought Jobe’s house.
Jobe isn’t coming back unless it’s to visit, and we decided to stay close to my parents.
Dad and Carson are really close. That’s where Carson is now!
And it just feels like home over there to me, you know? ”
“Makes sense. You always kind of have seemed like an older, wiser individual than any of the rest of us. The other side fits you,” Remi said.
Remi focused on Brandt again. “So, what about Shaun and Bailey? I don’t know if they’d be interested, but maybe see if Shaun and Bailey want it.”
“I might. But in the meantime, I’m going to pay you for it.
If you ever come back or just visit, something will be available.
Maybe we’ll just keep yours as one to use when people visit.
We still have Ronan, and Cristian’s brother and sister, and Tessa, too that may want to build on the property.
But now, yours is the only one not occupied.
We are past due on having a few available for whoever might need one, even if it’s just during the holidays.
Thinking about starting to build again soon and take care of that. ”
“See, you’re going to need your money. I don’t want to be a burden,” Remi said truthfully.
“You never have been a burden. You’re family, Remi. And you’re clan. No matter where you go, or what you do, you’ll always have a home here. I hope, though, that you never come back here unless it’s with your own family.”
Remi smiled as he held Elijah close. “That’s a second from me.” He handed Elijah to Tempest, then hugged her. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too,” Tempest said, tearing up. “I hate tears! Why are you making me cry?”
Remi laughed. “I’m sorry.”
“Come here,” she said, lifting her free arm toward Remi. “Give me another hug.”
He leaned over and she pulled him in tight.
A green mist scattered from where her hand rested on his back, and down his back where it quickly dissipated, evidence that Tempest put a layer of protection around Remi. “You take care of you, and let us know you’re alright when you can.”
“I will,” Remi said as he went over to hug Daisy. “It does my heart good to see you happy and your old self again.”
“Thank you. Turns out all I needed to heal was Charlie.”
Remi shook Charlie’s hand. “Just because I’m not here doesn’t mean you get to cut me from the guest list.”
Charlie and Daisy both laughed. “Not a chance. You will be there,” Charlie said.
“Come on, I’ll walk you out,” Brandt said.
“I’ll miss all y’all. I love you guys,” Remi said, following Brandt out of the door.
“We love you!” they all called out.
When they got out on the porch, Brandt reached in his pocket and pulled out some cash. “Here.”
“Brandt…”
“Take the money, or I’ll be worried about you not having enough. And text me your account number.”
Remi sighed.
“I’ll just get your momma to give it to me. And you know she will,” Brandt said.
“Fine,” Remi said, taking his phone out and texting Brandt his checking account number.
Brandt looked at the text when his phone pinged and nodded. “It might take a few days. It’s a large amount and it has to go to a different bank. But it’ll be there.”
“It’s all good. You just gave me some extra money right here. And I wasn’t planning on money from the house anyway.”
“Ain’t it nice how good things happen that we didn’t expect?” Brandt said.
“It is. And I’m so happy for Daisy. Haven’t seen that light she has inside her for a while.”
“She’s not the only one that did some healing,” Brandt said.
“That is true,” Remi said, as he started down the stairs.
They walked down to ground level and Brandt just stood there for a minute looking at Remi’s car. He stepped forward and hugged Remi for a long time. “I always wanted to grow up to be like you,” Brandt confessed.
“Oh, Brandt, no. You’re so much better,” Remi answered, hugging Brandt just as tightly.
“You call me,” Brandt said, tapping his own temple. “You’re not blocked, and you won’t be. All I need is your call for help and a location and I’ll have Tempest get me there so fast you won’t even believe it.”
“I appreciate it.”
“You drive safe, Remi.”
“I will, and I’ll let you know when I get there.”
Brandt nodded and walked back over near his steps. He stood there and watched as Remi pulled out and drove away, before he slowly went up stairs and took a minute just for himself, outside on his porch.
Remi drove up to the front of the neighborhood, pausing just before pulling out onto the highway. He put his car in park, and looked down at his phone riding in the cup holder near his knee. He picked it up and dialed a number he knew from memory.
It rang three or four times before it was finally answered. “Hello?”
“Uncle Riley?”
“Yeah?”
Remi took a deep breath and let it out as he gathered his courage. “Uncle Riley, I request sanctuary.”
The line was quiet for a few moments.
“It won’t be easy,” Riley said.
“I am well aware,” Remi said.
“I just got one thing to say…”
“Yes, sir?” Remi answered.
“What took you so damn long?!” Riley demanded.
Remi smiled to himself. “Had some healing to do.”
“You get it done?” Riley asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Come on, then. I grant you sanctuary — temporarily. You’ll have to earn permanent status.”
“Yes, sir. I’m on my way,” Remi said.
The end, for now.
Thank you for reading “Healed, Legacy, Book 5”.
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