Chapter 10 – Epilogue
One Year Later
A cool breeze rustled my hair as the warm sun beat down on my skin. I looked out over the vast expanse of ocean in front of me, the waves a soothing lullaby as they flowed in and out with the tide.
There was a giggle to my left, and I looked down the beach to see Kenzi lounging on a blanket under a large white and red striped umbrella. She looked happy, and why wouldn't she, as two striking Latin men lay on either side of her, completely captivated by her presence.
I swear she has some kind of sixth sense because she looked up from her adoring gentlemen friends to pull down her sunshades and give me an encouraging glance, smiling faintly. I smiled back and waved her off, I was happy to see her happy.
It had been a hard year on us. With everything that happened back in Chicago, then the big move, and now me working almost round the clock at the Hospital Centro Médico. The hours didn't bother me though. Honestly I was grateful for them. I was doing what I loved, helping and healing people; and besides, I didn't sleep so well these days anyhow.
Rest is a luxury for the wealthy. And the dead.
Kenzi and I had become close. In a way we had to. Neither of us had any family to call our own, and we were each other's only remaining ties to her.
A strong warm gust of wind blew my golden lock in front of my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away, tucking them behind my ear.
It broke my heart to think of her, and yet it was all I did.
Call me a masochist.
Sure, I walked into that office that day lookin' for some down on their luck shmuck to take the fall if I needed it. I wanted my out, it's all I've ever wanted. But that's not what I found. I did find my out, but now. Now it hardly seemed worth it without her by my side.
I had my work after all.
I'd like to say if I could go back I'd do it all differently. But I wouldn't. With all the trouble the Nighthawk brought, it also brought me the greatest love I've known. The only love I've ever known. And I wouldn't change that for the world. Call me selfish. But I'd rather have those hand full of nights with her in that cold town than a life never knowing she existed.
And for that, I suppose I have to thank the Nighthawk Lounge.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading. I'm sure I'll get bombarded with upset reviews that our favorite gumshoe didn't make it, but as I've said before, this is a noir, and I was staying true to the genre. And that my friends, means a more "realistic", unhappy ending.
Go read my other stories, spoiler warning, they end pretty well for our girls. ;)
Anyhow, thanks again for reading and all of your positive feedback!