Epilogue
The mausoleum is packed with my favorite people laughing, crying, and waiting as I add the powdered medication to the concoction I’m supposed to drink. Despite the emotions running high, they’re all here, dressed in their best black attire, standing around my casket.
“You’re sure about this?” Mendez asks one last time, his voice a bit less stable than usual.
I nod and take a hearty swig of the lethal beverage.
Even though it tastes terrible, there’s not a single doubt in my mind that this is the right decision.
I’ve lived a full life. I’ve seen the sights, traveled near and far…
found my person. I’ve been more fortunate than most. And in the end, I’m truly not losing anything by passing on.
If anything, it’s been incredibly taxing to wait this long.
I’m ready to join Sol on the other side.
She squeezes my hand, as if she can read my mind.
Jayden approaches with a glass of the whiskey Sol and I picked up on our trip to Edinburgh.
Happy memories of breathtaking medieval architecture, watching Sol run through castles, and cemetery walks at dusk fill my mind with each sip.
I kiss her tattooed hand, and seeing my own excitement reflected back at me takes away any fear about the discomfort of my impending death.
I know she’ll be at my side through it as I take my final breaths.
But I savor these last few minutes, taking it all in. The brisk winter breeze blows through the open doors, bringing with it a breath of fresh air and some much-needed levity that’s contagious.
“Speech, speech, speech, speech!” Hale chants enthusiastically.
Mendez rolls his eyes as I take hold of his shoulder to give myself some momentum—despite my slower aging due to my ghostly condition, I’m not as agile as I once was—and climb up onto the bier.
Looking down at everyone, I feel completely and utterly fulfilled.
I’m incredibly fortunate that I’ve surrounded myself with people who understand and love me on a fundamental level.
People who I know won’t forget about me in death.
“First and foremost, I just want to take a moment to thank you all for being here. I know this has been difficult for everyone to come to terms with. But I’m not going anywhere; you always know where to find me.
” Taking a moment, I make eye contact with each of my friends who have become so much more than that; what started out as a ragtag team of misfits has turned into a family.
“I know you all have your own lives, but please don’t be strangers. ”
“You all are welcome here any time,” Sol chimes in as I pull the custom keys we had made from my pocket. Inspired by some of her favorite antique styles in her collection, she was adamant about designing the keys with each of them in mind.
Crouching down, I hand them out.
Zoey is the last to grab theirs, clutching my hand between their palms. “We’ll miss you on the annual New Year’s investigation trip, but I’ll make sure to come by and tell you all about it.” My heart aches just a bit at the reminder of the commitment we all made to each other after retiring.
“Don’t be a stranger, Z.”
With a quick hug, they finish off their glass and leave with the last of the fading sunlight.
“Don’t worry about anything, I’ll make sure everything is handled according to plan.” All business, Mendez assures me that he won’t drop the ball on my final wishes and plans for both this house and the Murphy residence—I have to keep my promise to my girls.
“Thanks, man, I’m not worried at all. Take care of yourself, okay? I’d better see you over here soon.” He nods and claps me on the back before making his exit.
“You two enjoy your retirement. You already know I’ll be over here all the time once the honeymoon period is over.” Hale winks, then gives me a quick peck on the cheek.
Finally, it’s Jayden’s turn to say his goodbyes. His blue eyes are rimmed with tears. “Don’t even start, because if you do, then I will.” I point at him sternly even though my body feels weaker by the second. “This isn’t goodbye, not even close.”
“Still feels like I have to mourn you a bit. It’s the end of an era, you know.” He tilts his head back to prevent the tears from escaping.
“I’m still here. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” Fitting our hands together, I pull him in for a hug. “Whenever you need me, you know I’m here. Don’t forget that.”
“I know.” The hug feels like a thousand conversations all at once, and when it ends, I’m confident he’ll be all right, even if he needs some time to adjust. Walking backwards, he keeps his gaze on mine until he passes through the doors.
Taking a dramatic bow, I situate myself within the casket.
“I love you, man,” Jay calls over his shoulder from some distance, earning a final laugh from me.
“He’ll be okay,” Sol reassures me. I know it. We all do. “Are you ready?”
“There’s nothing I’ve looked forward to more.
” My tongue is heavy as I try to form my next sentence.
Sol pats my hand, reminding me we don’t need words to communicate.
Instead, I focus on my breaths, appreciating them as they slip away from me.
In the comforting hold of death’s embrace, I find my anchor in the afterlife one last time as the finality of my passing takes root.
I rise from my casket with ease, everything lighter than before, and drag Sol against me. Dipping her for a kiss, I pour all my hopes and contentment into her sweet mouth, sealing the promise of forever with our lips.
“Welcome to the afterlife, Hawthorne Addams. We’ve been waiting for you,” she whispers, a renewed fire in her molten eyes as she looks at me with all the adoration a man could ask for.
“Let’s go home.” Sweeping my arm under her legs, I clutch her against me as I step out into the night and make the short journey from the mausoleum into the house with Curio prancing behind us.
“What now?” Sol asks through laughter as I set her feet on the sacred ground.
“Now we rest in peace, spending our days and nights doing whatever we please.”
“I like the sound of that. I think we’ve earned it.”
“Me too, Nightingale. Me, too.”