~*~Chapter Twenty-Five: The Epilogue~*~

One year later, Todd and Marty had returned to their son's tiny grave. It was nestled beneath a giant oak tree, near the site where the mansion had once stood. Their love had only got stronger since their loss. Now that Marty had become a vampire, they had been traveling the world. Something brought them back here, to the tiny grave of their son. Both of them missed little Lucas so much.

Todd lay a dozen fresh red roses on their son's grave. Their beloved son ~ taken too soon.

Todd put an arm around Marty and pulled her in close. He lovingly kissed the top of her head. "Our son was a miracle... one we did not expect. I sometimes wonder..." Todd's words trailed off. He didn't dare say what his heart desired. As much as he longed for it, he was also afraid.

A tiny mewing sound was heard as something came to join them. Marty just looked at Todd giving him a smile. Todd looked down to see a small black cat at his feet. It was their old friend, Sailor. Somehow, he had survived the destruction of the mansion. He seemed very happy to see them. Todd picked up Sailor and held him close.

"Sailor wants to go home with us, Marty," Todd said as he stroked the cat's fur.

"How are you doing, old pal?" Todd asked Sailor.

Marty smiled when she saw their dear friend. "We need to take him with us," she agreed. She reached over to pet Sailor, who was nestled in Todd's arms.

"We will," Todd agreed as he cuddled the little cat in his arms. "I hope he likes traveling."

Sailor meowed as if he liked the idea. Todd chuckled softly, handing him over to Marty so he could kneel at their baby's grave. He said a few words over Lucas, telling him he loved him and missed him. He then stood up and looked at Marty.

"I've been thinking, Marty. I sometimes wonder if we will ever have another child," said Todd. "Yet I know it's probably not possible, because we thought we'd never have him."

Marty was holding Sailor in her arms. She mentally told Lucas goodbye. She missed him so much. Then hearing Todd's words she gave him a mysterious smile.

Todd saw the gleam in her eyes and didn't say a word. He put his arm around her waist as the walked out of the cemetery together as she held Sailor in her arms.

Music, when soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory,
Odours, when sweet violets sicken,
Live within the sense they quicken.

Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,
Are heaped for the beloved's bed;
And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,
Love itself shall slumber on

(Music, when soft voices die, a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley)

THE END