Epilogue
ARI
“ M y dad built this whole town,” Kaden states to the other ten-year-olds around the picnic table in our backyard.
Their little eyes go wide with wonder, and then Alec chimes in.
“My dad helped build it, too!”
“And mine,” Cece adds.
Kaden rolls his eyes, which makes me bite back a giggle. He’s so proud of his dad. I am, too.
“Who wants birthday cake?” I ask, distracting the kids from squabbling about whose dad did the most. These kids love the community we’ve built over the years, and even though it’s small, we’ve got heart and humanity.
Huxley comes out carrying a large sheet cake, almost like he knew exactly what was going to happen. I’ve loved getting to know him and the other men who fought alongside my Wilder. We all have families now, and our numbers are growing by the year.
“What are you thinking about, love?” my husband asks as he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.
I lean against his chest and rest my head on his shoulder. “Just about the life we’ve built and the people we’ve surrounded ourselves with,” I tell him with a contented smile.
It’s true. Over the last decade, Wilder and I have had three beautiful children—Kaden, our ten-year-old, Max, our six-year-old, and Tina, our three-year-old.
Even with building up the old mining town, which we’ve since renamed Serenity, and raising our kids, my husband has always ensured I have time to write and sketch to my heart’s desire.
I don’t travel as much as I used to, but Wilder planned a haunted hike across the Smoky Mountains one year, which gave me a lot of content. He also picks at least one or two haunted places a year to take me to as a special treat for the two of us.
Between my writing and art, I have a decent side hustle while still having the flexibility to take care of my kids and help out around town with whoever needs it.
The authority structure is a bit loose, but for the most part, people have been fine governing themselves.
That’s why most people move all the way out here in the first place.
“Have we done a good job?” Wilder asks, nuzzling into the side of my neck. He presses the softest kiss there, making me sigh sweetly.
“The best. I love our lives. Thank you for finding me all those years ago,” I whisper.
“Thank you for saving me from myself,” he murmurs back. “I love you more today than I did back then, and I know I’ll love you even more tomorrow.”
My lips find his, sealing our promises with a kiss.
THE END