Extended Epilogue
Nico
These last few weeks have been some of the best and worst of my life.
Cassi has moved in and every moment spent with her is like a new high of happiness that I never thought would be achievable.
In the same breath, there is a heaviness to her eyes, to her smile.
One that isn’t easily ignored or forgotten.
Instead of trying to erase it, all I can do is support her, try to make her have more good days than bad.
That’s the only thing I have the power to control right now, that’s what my therapist yaps on about at least.
Cassi’s parents have been disappointingly distant.
I will never understand the grief they are facing with the loss of their child, but it is as if they have forgotten they have one other child, who nearly died at the hands of the other.
It’s easier to toss her to the wayside than face that truth and mar Carly’s memory further, I think.
Though, they have reached out recently, apologizing for being so absent, Cassi is not ready to rebuild a relationship.
Not like the one they had, at least. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Henry and Mary but protecting Cassi and her mental and physical wellbeing will always be my top priority.
So, for now, distance is what we all need.
Cassi and I have began a new tradition that every Sunday, we drive to my mother’s grave and have lunch with her.
I haven’t visited her grave since her funeral, the thought of it too painful for me to bear.
With Cassi, I found my strength in doing so and in turn, some peace.
It felt like a necessary closure discovering the details of Carly’s horrors.
Though I carry an immense amount of guilt with me, it feels…
healing to know exactly what happened to her.
Yet I’ll never be able to silence that little voice inside my head that tells me it was all my fault.
Had I never pursued Carly, stayed with her, introduced her to my mother…
.the list goes on, she would more than likely be here.
Then again, I might never have met Cassi, and that is something I struggle to wish.
Tammy, the barista that unknowingly saved Cassi’s life is facing manslaughter as well as a handful of other bullshit charges.
I have Bill working for her and he says he feels optimistic he will be able to get her off with some probation.
I hope so, I owe her more than I could ever express and have promised to repay her in any way possible once this mess is behind her.
Arianna and her fiancé have visited us for a weekend, and Naomi has promised to do the same soon.
Though I don’t know the details, it appears she is neck deep in hot water.
From what I gather, Cassi doesn’t know much about her situation but whatever she does know, she hasn’t spoken a word to me.
I see the nervous looks Cassi and Arianna have shared, though.
The whispered phone calls Cassi and Naomi have shared.
Arianna’s fiancé and I have both offered to help in any way we can, but of course we have been turned down.
So long as no harm or trouble comes to my love, I will sit on the sidelines and wait.
We’re laying in bed tonight, watching one of Cassi’s favorite movies that she has seen a million fucking times. She laughs at the same lines during the same scenes every time. And every fucking time it brings smile to my face.
I don’t know what the future holds for us for certain, we are in survival mode at the moment. The board moved to not suspend me, but I decided to take a sabbatical instead. I will resume work when I am ready but until then, I’m living my days with the love of my life by my side.
There is a little velvet box in my bedside table drawer, practically begging to be taken out.
I know now is not the time, though. I didn’t even mean on purchasing it.
I was walking down the street one afternoon and I just saw it, glimmering in the window and I knew she had to have it.
She’s not ready for that at the moment, though, and that’s okay.
I am, and I’ll patiently wait until she is.
This thing between us is not just permanent, it’s forever.
Pressing a kiss against her head, I lean into her further as I hold her tighter. I can’t even believe that all of this has unraveled in such little time. That both of our lives flipped onto their heads from that One Night. One Night of Scandal turned into our start of forever.