Epilogue 1 - Mia
EPILOGUE 1 - MIA
S pring sunlight bathes the town square as a chorus of young voices rises above the usual morning bustle. Monster children of all kinds are practicing for a new show we have been working on, their natural abilities blending in ways that would have been unthinkable just months ago. Pixie wings create crystal chimes while young trolls tap out complex rhythms on hollow logs. A group of sasquatch younglings harmonize, their traditional calls weaving through the melody.
I almost have to pinch myself.
This is all real.
And in the center of it all stands Koda’s son – our son - no longer Whisper, but now proudly calling himself "Spark."
"I have to admit, the name fits him," Thokk rumbles, fighting a grin as we walk along, making our way to the Bullhorn.
"Oh, it sure does!" I laugh, “It spread immediately, like wildfire you might say,” I laugh again. As soon as Murk called him that, it just stuck.”
Koda grumbles, "It's just until he's sixteen. Then he'll get his proper adult name."
I catch the mischievous glint in his eye. "Oh? Like you did? Speaking of childhood names..."
"Don't even think about it," he warns, but I can’t resist.
"Fluffy?" I whisper, and Koda growls playfully. “Was it Thokk or Kalen who told you? They will pay,” he says with a mock scowl.
I dodge Koda's attempt to grab me, teasing, "Don't worry, Fluffy. Your secret's safe with me."
“So, this is the place?” Zoe and Olivia interrupt our banter, as they look up at the old storefront we're considering for the youth arts center.
“This is it,” Koda says proudly. “Just needs a little paint... and maybe a few extra beams to hold up the roof,” he adds with a smile.
"I think it’s perfect," Olivia announces. "And there's room next door for a café too."
"Thank the gods for Finn," Zoe adds. "But we are gonna need to talk about getting a steady supply."
Koda shakes his head. "You humans and your coffee."
“Like monsters don’t have vices?” I say teasingly.
“None that you’ll ever find out about!” he jokes back.
“Oh, we’ll see about that,” I laugh stroking his strong furry arm. But I can see he's already mentally calculating renovation costs.
Manly men stuff.
“I guess we should go get ready,” I say to Koda as he continues to survey the storefront.
“You think so!” We’ll see you there! This is so exciting!” Zoe beams.
Holy magical wonderland!
I can barely believe my eyes as I take in what they’ve done with the beer garden. Kalen's fairy lights have been woven through what looks like a thousand blooming vines, creating a sparkling canopy overhead. Did they raid every flower shop in twenty miles?
Do they even have flower shops here?
Wherever they came from, the effect is breathtaking.
"Wow, they really went all out," I whisper to Koda, whose specially-oiled fur practically gleams in the twinkling light. He looks like some kind of majestic fairy tale beast...
I guess he kinda is... but he’s my beast.
Just the sight of the intimate gathering makes my heart swell - Zoe and Olivia with their mates, little Spark practically bouncing with excitement, and all our friends who helped make this possible.
"Ready to make it official?" Elowen asks, eyes twinkling as she takes her place before us. Her silver hair catches the light, making her look properly witchy.
"Born ready," I say, adjusting my flower crown. Koda squeezes my hand.
. "Dearly beloved monsters, mythical beings, and... one very special human," she begins with a wink.
As she speaks about fate and destiny and love that bridges worlds, my eyes scan amongst this magical place, and all my new magical friends.
I realize my human friends are pretty magical too.
My heart is full to bursting as I give Zoe and Olivia a wink.
But my eyes keep coming back to my big teddy bear. He catches my eye and gives me that soft smile that makes my knees weak.
"Under the eyes of the ancients, and the all-that-is," Elowen's voice rings out, "I now pronounce you Sasquatch and wife!"
The crowd erupts in cheers of "Huzzah!" as Koda pulls me into a kiss.
And it’s almost immediate.
Suddenly, warmth blooms across my chest. It can only be one thing.
With all eyes on me, I can’t help but look down as my claiming mark bursts into vibrant color.
“Haha!” I cry out in delight as it finally reveals itself... it’s not just a tornado, it’s as if the tornado has sucked up a rainbow full of sparkles!
“Isn’t it pretty!” I can’t help but gush.
"Just like you," Koda rumbles softly. "Beautiful, wild, and kinda unstoppable."
I beam up at him through happy tears. "I love you, my big fuzzy teddy bear."
And I love you my little whirlwind.
As I turn, I am surrounded with love on every side. New friends and magical adventures await us both. I can’t wait for whatever will come next for my friend and I.
But mostly I can’t wait to spend forever with my furbaby.