Epilogue
JONATHAN
TWO MONTHS LATER
Adam is standing on the back porch, gazing out at the garden. I approach quietly, careful not to startle him. The children are laughing and shrieking across the grass, playing in the same tree I played in as a child.
I set a gentle hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Ready?”
He nods and takes my hand. In the other, he holds a silver urn.
The last months have been a whirlwind as we coordinated this move from both sides of the Atlantic. Adam returned home to the children, where they packed up the estate, while I remained with Dad in New York. In the last few weeks of our stay there, the city started to open up, so we were even able to see some of the tourist sights.
Now, we’re finally home. All of us. The children love the house and Dad, of course, loves the children.
He even managed to pull some strings, with Zane’s help, to get them placed at St Alcuin’s. Dad is returning to teach there and Zane is happy to have Enrique in his class. Although, we’ll monitor him to see if he maybe needs a special school.
Going to school will be an adjustment for them, especially Ben. But I’ve met with their teachers and we have a roadmap planned. For the time being, I’m going to be a stay-at-home dad while helping with the foundation where I can.
We reach the pond. Bright daffodils bow in the gentle breeze. This is where my mother’s ashes are scattered. Adam’s grip tightens on my hand.
“We don’t have to do this today,” I say. “Or here, even, if you’ve changed your mind?”
Adam shakes his head. “He should be here, with the rest of us.” He opens the urn.
Lloyd’s ashes dance on the breeze before settling in the grass and over the water. If his spirit did haunt that old estate, the place where his dreams died, I hope that he will feel welcome haunting us here too and being part of our new family.
Distantly, I hear the notes of Für Elise floating towards us from the house. Mal must be practicing.
I wrap my arms around Adam and hold him close. He kisses the top of my head.
We don’t have everything figured out, but we’re together and that’s more than I ever could have asked for.
Thank you for reading The Beast’s Heart.