Epilogue Part 1: An Early Graduation
Simon
"For all the crap you gave me about Baz, you sure don't seem to mind showing affection in public when you're the one initiating it," I say to Penny. She and Shepard are sitting across from me in our booth at the pub, their arms wrapped around each other. She stops snogging Shepard long enough to kick me under the table.
"I haven't seen him in three months!" she says in her defense. "We'd have stayed home, but Baz insisted we meet you here tonight to celebrate."
I turn to Baz, "Celebrate?" I ask. "But my birthday isn't for another week."
He's looking over my shoulder at a couple who just walked in. "Wellbelove! Sacha! Glad you could make it!" He stands up and shakes Sacha's hand after hugging Agatha.
I whirl around. I haven't seen Agatha since she came home to visit last Christmas. We stay in touch primarily by phone (I call her at least once a week). We're actually really good friends now.
Agatha went back to California two weeks after we defeated the Mage. Penny was sad to see her go. I think she thought Agatha might stay after everything that happened. But Agatha can be as fiercely independent as Penny sometimes. She wanted to get back to her friends and finish her degree.
Agatha's studying holistic veterinary medicine now. Baz says she's been brainwashed by California, but I think the appeal is how far away from magic it is (even more so than modern medicine). Sacha wanting to start his own equine veterinary clinic with a variety of treatment options may also be a contributing factor to her choice of study.
Sacha and Agatha started dating last summer. Or I guess I should say they restarted dating. She introduced us to him before she went back to California and he comes out with us sometimes now, even when Agatha isn't around.
I think she almost stayed here for Sacha, but he's been so wrapped up in his graduate research program. He wouldn't have had a lot of time to see her even if she was in London. I know they write letters to each other constantly, and he flies out to visit her every couple months. He was just over there back in April.
Agatha told Sacha about the whole magic thing last Christmas. He was invited to the Wellbelove's family gathering along with the Grimms and Bunces (the three families are quite close now). We were all being careful about using magic in front of him, but he walked in on Penny's younger siblings playfully dueling on the front lawn when he took out the rubbish for Agatha's mum.
Rather than alter his memory, Dr. Wellbelove agreed to remove the ban on Agatha being able to talk about Watford. She told him everything that night. He took it rather well, I think. It seems the reason they ended things the first time is Agatha had a hard time lying and he could sense she was keeping something big from him. He seemed almost relieved it wasn't another boy (Agatha and I weren't dating yet when they broke up, and I don't pose much of a threat now with how much I swoon over Baz on a regular basis).
Last Christmas I also met my grandmother, Lady Salisbury- or Ruth, as she asked me to call her. Apparently Agatha's parents had met with her privately beforehand and told her the whole story about the Mage, Lucy, and me. They had been prepared to wipe her memory if it didn't sit well with her, but she had only expressed wanting to meet me in the end.
My hand was sweating in Baz's when we walked into the den to sit with her for the first time at the Wellbelove's house. Agatha and her parents were running around finishing last minute preparations for everyone's arrival that evening, so it was just Baz and I sitting across from Lady Salisbury.
I didn't know how she was going to react- knowing I'm a big part of why her two children are no longer alive.
"People make their own choices, Simon," my therapist had said to me last August. "Even if those choices are motivated by you in some way, that doesn't make you responsible."
My therapist helped me work through a lot of issues in the months after the Mage's death. I started seeing her again because I hadn't realized how broken I was until I found myself so willing to let everything I love slip away last summer. I didn't ever want to get to that point again. Baz was very supportive and even sat in on a few of my Skype sessions with her.
But my grandmother didn't look at me with hatred that day. She looked at me with love. "There's so much of her in your face," she said smiling sadly. She reached out for my hands and then stood up to pull me into a hug. I felt Baz rub my back for a second before he stepped out to give us some time alone.
Ruth had brought photos of Lucy and Christopher from when they were babies all the way up until they were young adults. She told me so many stories that day, but I yearned to hear more. Now I visit her once a month for tea at my mother's childhood home. My grandfather died several years back, so it's just Ruth and a few cats in the large house. Agatha's mum says I've been really good for her. But I think we've been really good for each other.
Once Agatha and Sacha have settled into our booth I turn to Baz again. "Really- what are we celebrating?"
"A couple things actually," Baz says as he takes a sip of his wine. He still doesn't drink much, but he'll have a glass or two when we're out with friends now.
"First off- I figured Bunce and Shepard deserved a proper 'Bon Voyage' before they set off to Egypt next week- though maybe a 'Good Luck' would be better seeing as how they'll be accompanied by my aunt and Nico." Penny laughs and Shepard looks affronted.
"Hey, you're talking about my best vampire friend!" Shepard says playfully. I glance nervously at Sacha, but he's laughing along with us.
Baz puts his arm over his chest in mock horror. "That hurts, Shepard."
I wasn't surprised to see Nicodemus fighting with us at Watford last summer. He's always wanted to have a go at the Mage after what happened with Ebb. What had surprised me was Dr. Wellbelove's insistence that he be unstricken from the record afterwards. Penny said he had been moved by both Ebb and Nicodemus risking their lives for Agatha.
Nicodemus had politely refused this proposal. I don't think he regrets his decision to cross over, but he and Baz both agree that mages shouldn't have any reason to aspire to their fate. Instead, Nicodemus allowed Dr. Wellbelove to thank him by replacing his missing teeth. He didn't replace them with fangs, but his eyeteeth are slightly sharper than a normal bloke's now.
Baz and Nicodemus have spent a lot of time together this year. I think it's helpful that Baz has someone to talk to that understands him in a way I can't. And I'd much rather Nicodemus be his mentor than that git, Lamb.
Baz and I reluctantly went back to America over fall break last year. We were part of a team the Coven sent to work with the American mages to take out the NowNext compound. I was afraid we might run into the Las Vegas vampires again, but we heard they had severed ties after that day in the desert.
The Coven knows the Mage tried to come back and that my power has returned and anchored in Baz. They saw how strong I was, and also how my power is cut off if contact with Baz is broken. This aspect appealed to both sides of the political spectrum. They saw it as a fair balance. I think the differences in the two sides are lessening every day, though.
Baz has been going to more and more Coven meetings with his father. I join him occasionally. Baz shared his interpretation of the prophecy with the Coven shortly after we defeated the Mage, and everyone seems to be rallying around the concept of unity now. They are all willing to look past old prejudices and move forward. Baz is still a big part of that. While he comes from the old families, he also appreciates that we need to change- starting with opening up Watford to more magical types. There's even talk of building another school in the future to accommodate additional students.
Baz also convinced his father and some others to strike down the motion that would reinstate the rules regarding trials for incoming students. These used to be done to see who was worthy of a magical education. He spoke about how everyone should have an equal opportunity. I think it was hearing Christopher's story that convinced him of this.
Some old traditions did return to Watford this year. The headmistress brought back the drama society and they gave out memory books at the Leavers ball. The nursery was also restored when the Weeping Tower didn't swallow it up again after the summer. Fiona even spoke at the dedication ceremony since the new nursery was named in memory of her sister.
The more traditional members of the Coven were touched by these gestures to honor the past and proposed setting up scholarships for those students that couldn't afford to attend Watford. This led to other funds and social programs being created to benefit the magical community. Instead of taxes being raised for the old families, they can now choose from a variety of causes to support.
It's not a perfect setup, but it's a step in the right direction.
I think Baz will officially join the Coven after university. He's been loading up on political science courses this past term. I don't know how he even fits in time with me between classes, Coven meetings, recreational football league games, and LSE orchestra practice (I used my magic to repair his violin the moment I saw it splintered on the floor of his flat- I couldn't bear the thought of never hearing him play again). I make it easier for him to see me by attending his scrimmages and concerts with Penny, but I've been busy with my own schedule, too.
"The second thing we are celebrating," Baz continues, "is Snow's early graduation!"
I lower my arm holding my cider and frown at him. "I didn't graduate. I'm dropping out."
Baz makes a pshhhtt sound and waves a dismissive hand at me. "Technicality," he says.
"Simon, dropping out to devote your time to disadvantaged children across London is admirable," Agatha says, reaching over to cover my hand with hers.
During the fall term, my advisor suggested I get involved with a volunteer project to help compensate for my less than stellar academic performance the previous year. I ended up signing up with an organization called ReachOut. It matches volunteers with children to mentor throughout the year. I was matched with an 11-year-old boy named Ethan. He was very stubborn and overly blunt when I met him. We hit it off right away.
I enjoyed volunteering so much that I started helping out beyond my days with Ethan. When I met the Project Manager while setting up for our annual charity run, I mentioned how much I would have benefited from a program like this growing up in a group home. She had only smiled at me then, but the next week I was sitting down with her over lunch to discuss how we could expand our services and projects to orphaned children throughout London. A month later, she offered me a full-time job to assist with getting the initiative off the ground starting in July.
Baz and Penny weren't thrilled about me dropping out of university after only two years, but I felt it was the right move for me. I kept up decent enough grades this year (thanks to tutoring and Penny's study sessions), but getting a university degree was never a big goal of mine. It had just seemed like the next logical step after Watford.
I told Baz and Penny I may go back someday and finish up my remaining years, but I had finally found something that was really mine. Not a destiny someone else had laid out for me. I had to take the job. Agatha understood this well and cheered me on for it.
"Daphne is insisting on buying out a table at ReachOut's next gala," Baz tells me as the food is delivered to our table. We're helping his family move back to the Hampshire estate starting next week. Magic has finally been restored to the area and the few remaining dead spots around England keep shrinking every day.
"Maybe she can split it with Ruth," I say. My grandmother has been very supportive of my job offer, too. Agatha's mum thinks she is just happy to have someone in her family to brag about again.
While we were open to everyone about me being Lucy's child, we did not reveal that the Mage was my father to the public. It's safer that way. There are still those that are not quite over the Mage's actions, even if he is gone for good this time. People just assume the Mage treated me like a son because he once had a thing for Lucy. Only our families know the truth.
"Anything else we're celebrating?" Shepard asks. Baz looks over at Agatha.
"Well, actually," Agatha begins casually, "Sacha has just asked me to marry him, and I said yes."
My jaw drops in surprise and Penny starts squealing, practically climbing over Shepard to reach Agatha.
I hit Baz's arm playfully. "Did you know?"
"I may have helped Sacha pick out the ring," Baz says shrugging.
"Let me see it!" Penny demands when she finally stops hugging her.
Agatha pulls the ring out of her purse and Sacha leans over to take it from her, sliding it onto her ring finger. He truly adores her, I think to myself. Baz must feel the same if he helped Sacha with the ring. He squeezes my leg under the table and congratulates them both.
"Does that mean you're moving back now?" Penny asks, still elated over the news.
"No Penelope," Agatha says sternly. "We both want to finish university first. But I will move back after graduation. I promise."
Baz
Snow and I walk back to my flat after saying our goodbyes to everyone at the pub.
We're meeting up with Bunce and Shepard tomorrow afternoon. Shepard's been working on his sword fighting skills in Omaha this past year and wants to try to take on Simon. I'm not sure who to place my money on in that match-up after cleaning up the pile of merwolves he slaughtered.
Simon and I had presented Shepard with a sword similar to the Sword of Mages after the battle at Watford. We both felt he had earned it. I had retrieved it from my family's dusty basement of artifacts (it was one of the many heirlooms left to me, but as Snow pointed out in Nebraska, I'm not much of a swordsman). Simon had used his magic to alter the hilt. It now has "Shep" carved into it with waves curling around the letters. I think Simon was thinking of Blue when he designed it.
Shepard didn't think the sword would be of any use to him without magic, but Nicodemus had assured him that he would have more muscle memory than he thought after how he had wielded it in battle. Shepard shrugged at this, but accepted the gift gratefully before heading back to America. He was flying into Nevada first to get his truck (my father called ahead and paid off the parking charges as a sort of 'thank you for helping save my son's boyfriend' gift) and then he was going to drive it back to Omaha. He was reaching the end of his boss' goodwill to let him take time off and had to get back to work.
Before he left, Bunce and I took him over to her parents' house to discuss his curse. The headmistress agreed that the best plan was to continue looking into Egyptian mythology and her dad set Bunce up with some contacts in Cairo. When they had exhausted their research here, the next step was to actually travel to Egypt. Shepard and Bunce began saving up and planning out the trip, which they are now leaving for next week. Nicodemus and my aunt agreed to accompany them when Bunce's mother asked. Snow and I offered to go as well, but I think Bunce still finds us barely tolerable to be around for that long (although to be fair- she and Shepard aren't that much better). She promised to send for us if things get dicey. I'm hoping they don't. I think we've had enough perilous adventures for several lifetimes.
Our parents had in fact, not murdered us when they heard about our vampire killing spree in Nevada (we definitely left out the scuffle at the Ren Faire in our retelling). I guess saving the world from the Mage earned us some mercy points. Simon and I were roped into a task force, though, to take out the NowNext, but this seemed easy compared to what we had been through at Watford. Simon is practically unstoppable when he unleashes his magic on something.
We were able to wipe the minds of the humans that remained at the compound, and the American mages promised to keep a better eye on the situation moving forward. Bunce's father was with us because he had a good relationship with the mages over there already. He let them know we'll send help whenever they need it. The Coven is even working on establishing an International Relations committee right now to help unite our people across different countries, starting with America.
Shepard recently sold his truck and most of his possessions (on top of working extra shifts at the art supplies store) to save up enough money to stay in London now. Sacha helped him get a job in admissions at RVC for the upcoming school year so he could get a work visa. He's going to move in with Bunce once when they finish their mission in Cairo. Simon has technically been Bunce's roommate this year, but he spends more nights at my flat than his own. We picked out a new place to share together that's halfway between my university and his job. We don't move in for a few weeks, but I've already started boxing up some of my things. I'm eager to start this new chapter.
When we get back to my flat, Simon tries to pull me into the bedroom but I steer him towards the sofa instead.
"Wait here," I say and I go to retrieve a small cardboard box from my dresser drawer.
Snow is looking at me suspiciously when I return. I hand the box over to him.
"What's this?" he asks.
I sigh. "Just open it," I nudge him.
He pulls off the lid. Sitting inside the black box are a few strands of long, white hair.
"I feel like this is supposed to be meaningful, but it's...," he holds up the hair between his fingers quizzically, "a little creepy, right?"
"They're mine," I say.
"Still creepy. Plus your hair's black," Simon says practically, as if correcting a child about something simple. He puts the hair back in the box and sets it on the coffee table. I turn my body towards him.
"I found them last week. When I was fixing my hair for the orchestra concert." Snow is still looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to continue. I look at him more meaningfully and I see the realization hit him.
"You're aging," he says. I nod. He's silent for a minute. "But you're a vampire," he says, reaching out to touch my face.
"I met with Dr. Wellbelove last weekend. I went with Nicodemus. He took blood samples from us both, and there's something different about mine. I'm slightly more alive than I am a vampire," I try to explain.
Simon holds both my hands in his now. "What does that mean?"
"It means, Nicodemus will always look like he did when he turned. But I will keep changing." Simon's mouth is hanging open slightly. I wish I knew what he was thinking.
"How?" he finally says quietly.
"Dr. Wellbelove thinks it has to do with my mother. You know he read over the Mage's journals with the rest of our parents after Watford?" Simon nods. Bunce's mum kept the journals from the Coven as they would reveal too much about my past and Simon's, but the four of us wanted our families to know the truth.
I continue. "He thinks that when she cast her final spell to sacrifice herself, she directed the little life she had left to me. So that I'd never fully become…" I swallow hard because I can't finish the words.
"You're going to grow old," Simon says. A grin starts to spread slowly across his face. Then he makes a clicking noise with his tongue and whispers "Damn."
"What?" I say, furrowing my eyebrows.
"I was looking forward to people wondering how an old bloke like myself could keep such a handsome young man around as I got older." I kiss the smirk off his face.
"Please. I'll always have better hair and I clearly got all the fashion sense in this relationship." I gesture down to my impeccable outfit next to Snow's faded t-shirt and jeans.
He takes me by the collar then. We end up in bed with our legs tangled up in each other, my lips warm from his kisses.
"You're really going to grow old?" Simon whispers, smiling at me.
I smile back at him. "Yes Snow. I'm going to grow old. With you," I pause for a moment. "If you'll have me."
Simon pulls me closer until his face is pressed against my chest. "You don't have to ask," he whispers back.