23. Brendan
Epilogue
Sunlight pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my custom suite.
The morning glow warms the polished wood floor.
Dust motes dance in the air. I sit in my power chair.
This chair represents years of hard work.
I spent hours in rehab sessions training my fingers to gain the motor control needed for the joystick.
The occupational therapist worked with me every single afternoon.
We practiced gripping small foam balls. We practiced pushing large buttons.
My hand rests on the control pad right now.
My thumb nudges the lever. The chair glides across the wide-open floor plan.
Every room in this house offers wide doorways.
This custom design allows me to move from the bedroom to the living space without a single barrier.
Every detail here exists for my comfort.
Two four-year-old girls sit on the plush rug a few feet away.
They focus on a massive tower of wooden blocks.
They are fraternal twins. One girl has a mop of curly red hair matching Simon.
Her name is Sophie. The other girl, Jade, has dark, straight hair and deep, dark eyes matching both Kel and Wally.
They stack the blocks with frantic energy.
Their tiny fingers move fast. Cali, our old calico cat, dozes in a patch of sunlight on my bed.
Her tail flicks every time a block hits the rug.
"Give me the green one!" Sophie reaches across the rug. "It goes on top!"
"No, it goes right here!" Jade snatches the green piece. She shoves it into the middle of the precarious wooden structure. "Timber!"
Sophie points at the leaning tower. "It's falling!"
Jade laughs. Her voice rings out like a bell. I understand every word. I enjoy the chaotic rhythm of their play. I feel lucky to watch them grow.
My mind feels clear today. The thick, gray fog that clouded my thoughts for so many years stays away. I remember the early days after the crash. Those years felt like a long, dark blur. Every day looked the same.
Vayda played historical programs and nature documentaries on the television for me. I enjoyed the shows. I liked watching the vibrant coral reefs and the massive mountain ranges. The narrators spoke with calm voices. The bright colors flashed across the screen and gave my mind something to process.
But the routine turned monotonous over time. The endless hours of sitting in the same spot blended together into one long day. The walls of the old house felt tight. My words stayed trapped inside my chest.
Vayda looked sad then. Her eyes carried a weight that made my chest ache. I wanted to help her. My muscles lacked the coordination to reach out. I existed in a loop of hums and silence.
Then the guys showed up. Wally, Kel, and Simon came into our lives.
They brought loud voices and something different, new.
Vayda started to smile again. The air in the rooms felt lighter.
I watched her energy shift from grief into a vibrant, living thing.
That change gave me a target. I pushed myself to wake up.
I pushed myself to find the man buried underneath the injury.
I work hard with the speech therapist every Tuesday and Thursday.
The sessions exhaust me. We practice shaping vowels.
We practice moving my tongue against the roof of my mouth.
Progress keeps me motivated. I speak in small, simple words.
The twins act as my best teachers. They drag me into the present moment every single time they run into the room.
The door to my suite swings open. Vayda walks inside.
She carries a ceramic mug of tea. The steam rises in a thin ribbon above the cup.
She wears a soft linen shirt. Her hair stays pulled back in a loose clip.
Silver strands show far more than the red now.
She looks happy. I watch the way her expression brightens when she catches the girls playing on the rug.
Wally, Kel, and Simon follow her through the doorway. They fill the space with their size. The familiar scents of worn leather, amber, and bergamot wash into the room.
"You kick like a feral mule in your sleep." Simon rubs his ribs, bumping his hip against Vayda as he passes by.
"You sleep sideways across the entire mattress." Kel shoves Simon's shoulder. "I spent half the night fighting for an inch of space."
"I need room to stretch." Simon grins, dodging another shove.
Vayda laughs. The sound makes my chest feel light. I understand the banter. I let out a low rumble of amusement from my chest. The guys hear the sound and smile in my direction.
Wally walks over to my side. He checks the position of my chair. His hand rests on the backrest for a second. He looks at me with a steady, kind gaze.
"Good morning, Bren." Wally keeps his voice low. "Need the footrest adjusted?"
I give a small shake of my head. "No."
I watch Vayda settle into the room. My feelings for her changed a long time ago.
I used to love her with a desperate, romantic hunger.
That fire burned out in the long years after the crash.
Now, a deep, solid affection takes its place.
I love her like a brother loves a sister.
I love her with a protective instinct. I want her to keep smiling for the rest of my life.
I love the girls, too. Wally, Kel, and Simon act like the brothers I always wanted. They treat me with respect. They talk to me like an equal. They include me in the plans for the day. They treat this house like our sanctuary.
Kel walks over to the twins. He scoops Sophie off the rug.
"Flying lesson time!" Kel tosses her into the air.
Sophie squeals in delight. "Higher!"
He catches her, pulling her against his broad shoulder. The movement stretches the dark cedar branch tattooed on the side of his neck. The dark ink trails down his collarbone, slipping out of sight beneath the collar of his long-sleeve shirt. He looks over at me and gives me a thumbs-up.
Simon sits on the rug with Jade. He helps her stack the fallen blocks.
"Put the red block here." Simon taps the foundation. "Build a strong base first."
"Like a castle!" Sophie shouts, slamming the red block into place.
Simon shows her how to balance the weight of the tower so it stays upright.
Wally leans against the wall near my chair. He crosses his arms over his chest. He watches the scene with a satisfied expression. He built this life. He helped Vayda create this environment. I feel a rush of gratitude for the strength he brings to the pack.
Jade stands up. She waddles over to my chair. She reaches out with a small, pudgy hand. She presses a smooth, wooden star block against my curled fingers.
"Here." Jade looks up at me, her dark eyes shining with excitement. "For you, Un-ca B."
I look down at the small piece of wood. I hold it against my palm. I lift my gaze to find Vayda standing near the group. She watches me with a look of pride. She knows how hard I work to be present. She knows how much effort I put into every word I speak.
I take a deep breath. I force my lungs to push air through my vocal cords. I focus on the structure of the word. I articulate the syllables.
"Life... is good."
My voice sounds raspy. The words ring clear in the quiet room.
Vayda walks over. She leans down and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. The sunlight hits the blocks. The girls giggle. The guys laugh at another joke Simon tells. Everything in the room clicks into place. My life feels whole. I watch my pack, my family, and I feel at absolute peace.
The End.