Epilogue

*Five-Years-Later*

Sitting up top of his usual go-to spot, over the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn gazed out at the city he'd grown to love. Manhattan was a busy, loud, and rough city, but he had grown to see its profound beauty within its rough edges.

The humans still hadn't accepted him or his kind just yet, but that didn't bother him as much as it used to.

Five years ago, he'd once sat in the same spot, depressed beyond measure and so lonely, he swore it would eat him up, but now, life was beautiful, and he was the happiest he'd ever been. And that was all because five years ago, his life had changed forever for good. Five years ago was when he met the love of his life and soul-mate, Rose.

Being a human at the time, she had changed his mind about life and forever changed his heart. In her, he'd found his equal but then quickly found out that she was leaps and bounds above him. Still, he thanked the Gods for her every day and wasn't sure what he did to deserve such a beautiful woman. But he didn't question it, nor did he ever question their soul-bond and the beautiful gift they received from their powerfully passionate love.

The summer breeze was lightly blowing through his wild mane of long white hair, and he'd closed his eyes to the peaceful sensation. His claws tingled just then before he heard the sound of smaller, feathered wings approach him from behind and the other voice he loved with all his heart.

"Hey, dad! Whatcha doing?"

Smiling, Brooklyn turned and faced his five-year-old son, Nashville, who was in his hybrid-gargoyle form. His tan skin was the same color as Rose's, but he had long, white hair like him, pointed ears, and a small beaked jaw. His wings were feathered like Rose's but were a mixture of tan, gold, and red colors, and his eyes weren't brown like his but hazel-green like Rose's.

"Hey, Gnash," Brooklyn greeted, hugging him tightly. "How'd you find me?"

"Uncle Broadway said I could probably find you here."

Brooklyn nodded and hummed, then realized something. "Wait, Uncle Broadway told you to come and find me… all by yourself?"

"No," Gnash laughed, shaking his head, "he and Uncle Lex are coming. I just flew faster than them. They are slowpokes."

Brooklyn chuckled, then looked up right as a panting Lexington and Broadway landed next to them.

"He… he's fast," Broadway said, holding his chest. "Sorry, Brook, we tried to keep up."

"It's alright, no worries," Brooklyn laughed, hugging his son closer to his side. "Where's Artus and Kei?"

"Back with Akira and Angela," Broadway said. "They'll join us in a little bit."

"When are we going to the beach?" Nashville suddenly asked, tugging on Brooklyn's arm. "You promised that we would get there before the sun rises!"

"Relax, it'll happen," Brooklyn said, smiling at his often impatient young son; he then looked at his brother's. "Is Goliath, Coldstone, and Hudson back from patrol yet?"

"Not yet," Lexington said, "but they should be on their way back soon."

Brooklyn nodded.

"Well, now that you have Gnash, Broadway and I are probably going to head back and help the ladies with the kiddos. We'll see you two soon!"

"Yeah, okay," Brooklyn said, "thanks for bringing him to me."

Broadway and Lexington waved, then spread their wings and took off into the night. Brooklyn watched them go, smiling, then looked down at his son.

"So, how come you're up so early? It's almost five in the morning. We aren't leaving for the beach in another two hours."

Nashville shrugged. "I dunno. I wasn't tired and am really excited to go! It's not often that the Clan hangs out together during the day. Most of the time, you all are snoozing, and it's super boring during the day."

Brooklyn snorted. "What are you talking about? You're usually playing with Alex, hanging out with mom, doing your schoolwork, or taking your day naps. You have a lot to do during the day."

"Yeah, but it's boring human stuff," Nashville whined. "I like flying, staying up late, and kicking criminals butts!" He did a karate kick in the air but then lost his footing and slipped.

Brooklyn caught him by his arm, laughing, and straightened him up. "Well, boring or not, you have to focus and do what is still required of you."

"But, why?" Nashville complained. "Why can't I just stay in my gargoyle form and hang out with the clan every night? I know I am born from both gargoyle and human worlds, but I don't want to live in the human world!"

Brooklyn shut his eyes and took a deep breath. His son had inherited both his and Rose's stubbornness, which was good for when he was an adult but bad for when he was a child. Not only that, but his son had his same hot-headed temper, which was now biting him in the butt.

"Look, bud, I know you don't, but you need to do your best in school and try to learn how the human world works. Since you don't turn into stone during the day, you must learn how this world works, how to eventually get a job, and find a balance in it all."

"Yeah, but that's a lot to learn!"

Brooklyn gazed down at his son, nodded, then held him close. "I also know that, but if you take it a little bit at a time, it's not so bad. It's important you learn responsibility, accountability, and how to work hard." He paused, then said, "Look at it this way. Your mom does all of that for us. She spends most of the night with the Clan, helping on patrols, then spends the day with you and sleeping. After having you, she went onto medical school to become a nurse and now holds a job with a nearby hospital and works when they need her to come in. She brings in some money and allows you both the opportunity to still live in the human world."

"Well, I'm not mom," Nashville suddenly said quietly, looking out at the city, but Brooklyn smiled endearingly down at him.

"You're more like her than you realize, Gnash. You have her strength, courage, and amazing ability to care for others."

Nashville stayed quiet, then sighed, "I miss her. When is she coming back from Avalon?"

"She should be back any minute now, Gnash," Brooklyn answered quietly, looking out at the Manhattan skyline.

"I don't like it when she goes with Anubis," Nashville said, looking up at Brooklyn. "She's gone for an entire day, but it feels like forever, and when she returns, she's always cranky."

Brooklyn chuckled and nodded. "Yeah…" But he stopped and lowered his gaze.

Nashville was right.

Whenever Rose left with Anubis to do her duty as Goddess of Death in Avalon and Hel, she always came back with a harder shell than before, but after a day or so with them, she softened, was happier, and smiled again.

Brooklyn didn't like when she left them either, because he knew how difficult it was for his sweet mate to deal with those who had died; however, it was a responsibility she took seriously, and he admired her for that.

Rose not only did that but was still working as a human and went through nursing school to increase her job opportunities for her and Nashville's financial future. He was in constant awe of his beautiful mate. Rose was one of the hardest working women he'd ever met, and at first, it was challenging to work around, but now that she took a shift at the hospital working once a week, it wasn't terrible to work out anymore. Most of the time, she was home at the Castle with Nashville.

"Dad, why does mom have to go to Avalon?"

Brooklyn blinked out of his thoughts and looked down at Nashville. "Um, well, she's the Goddess of Death for the Faeries. You know this. Her mother and father ruled the Underworlds, and so she helps Anubis, once a month, to help souls who are stuck there to move on and find peace. Between Anubis and Puck, your mother has also learned more about her magic." He patted his son's shoulder. "Then, she and Puck teach you and Alex how to control yours."

Nashville looked down at his clawed hands and willed a small stream of red-electrified magic from them.

"Yeah, I guess…"

"Your mother had to learn her magic all on her own," Brooklyn said. "Her road hasn't been easy, but you know what? She does what she does because it is what is expected of her, and because that's who she is." He smiled. "Helping others is part of who you are."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right," Nashville said, pausing for a moment before re-energizing. "Welp, this has been fun! Let's go back to the Castle and get ready to go to the beach! I can't wait for mom to get home and for everyone to use their sunstone gems to watch their first sunrise!"

Brooklyn chuckled, then touched the sunstone gem necklace around his neck, and was also excited. Lord Oberon had finally come through with his promise and recently given the entire clan sunstone gems so that they could stay awake during the day if need be. This morning was going to be the first time everyone was going to have them, including children.

"Race you back to the Castle, dad!" Nashville yelled, spreading his feathered wings, and just like that, he was off.

Chuckling, Brooklyn spread his long, red, wings and took off gliding after his son. Even though Nashville had the speed and agility to fly, instead of gliding, his wings were far more substantial and capable of catching up to him.

Soon, towers of steel and glass were beneath them, and Nashville took the chance in playing tag with Brooklyn. Laughing hysterically, he veered in and out of buildings, but Brooklyn was right behind him every time.

Nashville was a very talented flier for his young age and caught onto the skill at two years old. Broadway and Angela's son, Artus, was two and a half years old and was just now learning to use his wings, but Lexington and Akira's daughter, Kei, being only a year- old, in gargoyle years, was still too young.

Nashville had grown with each passing year as a human does, but Brooklyn had a feeling he would level out and grow as a gargoyle grew in adulthood and age only half the time as humans did, but only time would tell.

All Brooklyn knew was that he, his son, and Rose were connected through All-Father Aesir's gifted soul-bond and would live a long time. Rose would live as long as he did. They would always be together, and that thought brought him great joy.

Minutes passed as he chased and played with Nashville, both laughing. Smirking, Brooklyn darted on one side of the building, while Nashville went on the other side, then popped out and caught him in his arms.

"Gotcha!"

Nashville shrieked out a giggle, and then in mid-air, they both wrestled and tumbled over each other. Rose always got anxious whenever they did so, but this was how Brooklyn best bonded with his son, and it was also how gargoyle young learned to glide so well.

Just as children play outside with each other, gargoyle young do the same thing in the air, which strengthens their wings.

"Dad, let go!" Nashville laughed, pushing at Brooklyn, who was tickling him mercilessly. When he let him go, Nashville collapsed his wings and dove away from him.

Then, the chase was on again.

"Come get me, dad!"

Chuckling and shaking his head, Brooklyn took a deep breath and realized just how much energy the young had, the same energy he once had, but now, he was tiring out.

Collapsing his wings, he took off after Nashville, laughing. Splitting up again, he took one way around the Empire State Building, while Nashville went the other way, and geared himself to catch his son again.

"Gotcha!" Brooklyn yelled when he cleared the building but stopped, realizing that Nashville was nowhere to be seen. "Gnash?"

Brooklyn flapped his wings, keeping himself hovering in the air, and looked around. "Gnash?" But his young son was nowhere to be found.

Taking a breath to calm himself, he glided on the other side of the Empire State Building, where he last saw him, wondering if he was now playing hide-and-go-seek with him, but there was still no sign of him.

"Nashville?" Brooklyn called out loudly, this time having no amusement in his voice but straight authority.

No answer.

Trying not to panic, he shut his eyes and focused on the soul-bond he had to his son and wife to find out if he was nearby or not. But, before he could locate him, loud cries and sounds of struggle arose from below him.

Looking down, Brooklyn blinked in shock and saw his brothers fighting a few humans up the top of a nearby building roof. Looking closer at the scene, he instantly recognized their familiar armor and get-away hovercraft.

"The Pack," Brooklyn growled.

Brother and sister crime partners, Jackal and Hyena, with their other partner, Wolf, were all part of the once-popular television series, 'the Pack,' where they played superheroes. He, Lexington, and Broadway loved the show once before they realized that they weren't superheroes at all but were crooks, actors, and one of the evilest and twisted-minded humans he'd ever met.

Fox and Dingo had since left the Pack to live a better life, but the remaining three had surgically enhanced themselves to either be genetically altered like Wolf was or technologically messed up like Jackal and Hyena were.

Still, the three weren't easy to fight, nor a group he ever looked forward to running into. He always left with more bruises and sore limbs than he cared to admit.

Down below, Lexington and Broadway were fighting them and were losing. Brooklyn heard their cries, roars, and growls from where he was and was going to help them, but he had to find Nashville first.

Then, almost immediately as he thought of his son, he found him and gasped in horror. Nashville was diving towards the Pack, Lexington, and Broadway and was going to help out.

"Damn it, Gnash!" Brooklyn hissed, instantly collapsing his wings and diving as quickly as he could towards them. His son had the desire to protect as a gargoyle did, but his passion for adventure, mischief, and to prove himself was what was aging Brooklyn, due to stress, with each passing night.

Brooklyn was too far behind his son, but when he saw Nashville enter the fight and body-slamming into Jackal, he yelled out, "NO! GNASH, DON'T!"

In the fight, Nashville body-slammed into Jackal, then rolled across the rooftop, getting the attention of the werewolf-like man named Wolf and the cyborg-like human Hyena. Jackal grunted against getting knocked down but then got up and stared at Nashville with his computer-chipped eye.

"Well, well, well," Wolf growled in a low, snarling voice, gnashing his sharp teeth at him, "what do we have here?"

"I don't know, Wolf," Hyena added with a sneering mocking tone, "but it looks like some new and fresh gargoyle meat to fry."

"Yes, and a young one, at that," Jackal drawled, grinning evilly at Nashville, "how lovely."

Nashville growled, activated his claws with red magic, and yelled, "I'm not afraid of freaks like you!"

"Gnash!" Broadway yelled as he and Lex were struggling against the coiled steel Jackal had trapped them in. "What are you doing? Get out of here!"

But, no one paid him heed.

The Pack broke rank, and, like actual animals to prey, they encircled Nashville, having found a weaker gargoyle to prey upon.

Roaring a small growl, Nashville threw some magic out at Wolf as they surrounded him, but the wolfman simply stared at it as the magic fizzled out before touching his chest.

Blinking in fear, Nashville looked down at his claws, and the Pack roared out laughing.

"Ooh," Hyena mocked, "that was cute. Little baby gargoyle has got some magical abilities in him." She cackled again. "Maybe, we'll leave the others to our trap and take this one for some target practice! He could be a lot of fun to play with before we tear him into pieces!"

"Yes," Wolf snarled, now beginning to drool at his maw, "I wonder what delicious secrets we can squeeze from him?"

"How about who his parents are?" Jackal added. "I don't know of any gargoyles from Goliath's clan that have magic."

"Oh, well, that's easy enough to find out," Hyena sneered, then looked at Nashville and grinned evilly.

Nashville whirled around, keeping them in as much of his sights as he could. "I'm not afraid of you!"

"Oh, but you should be, little one," Wolf growled, holding his sharp claws out to maim him. Nashville was backed up against the wall, looked around, and still saw he was alone, then did what was natural to him.

Taking a deep breath, he let a roar out, but it only came out as a small growl. Again, the Pack howled in laughter at the sad attempt.

"He's so cute; I can't get over it!" Hyena shrieked in laughter. "It's going to be really too bad when we have to kill him."

"Yeah, just for more kicks and giggles, give us another impressive and terrifying roar," Jackal mocked, holding his arms out to Nashville. Inviting him. "Come on, kid... let's hear it."

Nashville grit his sharp teeth bravely, took another deep breath, and opened his mouth, but a deafening mature roar filled the air instead.

"Huh?" Jackal, Wolf, and Hyena said all at once, looking confused, but before they could turn, Brooklyn flew in from the side, at full free-falling speeds, and took all three of them down, roaring in full fury.

Nashville backed up and watched his father fight the Pack with impressive strength, agility, and skill, with wide eyes.

Brooklyn's eyes were lit up brightly white, his sharp teeth were out, and he was throwing jaw-breaking punches in every direction. However, as aggressive as he was, he was still outnumbered. Once Wolf, Jackal, and Hyena refocused, they split up and were now taking on Brooklyn quickly.

"Brooklyn!" Lexington yelled as both he and Broadway were still fighting against the steel trap, but every time they tried, electricity zapped them.

Wolf roared and jumped on Brooklyn's back as he was taking on Jackal and Hyena. Roaring, Brooklyn flailed, trying to fight him off, but Wolf got his furry arms around his neck and was choking him out.

"I've got this one," Wolf bellowed to the others, "get the kid and let's get the hell outta here!"

Hyena and Jackal jumped forward, using flips to get across to take Nashville.

"FLY GNASH!" Broadway roared. "GO! GET OUT OF HERE!"

At his Uncle's severe warning and seeing his dad struggle and in trouble, now Nashville looked afraid, but before he could fly away, Jackal activated his cyborg arms, like long snakes, and coiled around his small frame.

Nashville grunted and strained against them, but he was nowhere near strong enough to break through them.

"Got him," Jackal said easily, laughing. "Now, let's GO!"

"NO!" Brooklyn roared, unable to breathe, but threw himself backward and body-slammed Wolf to the ground. Once free, he shot forward towards them, his claws out to maim them. "GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF MY SON!"

"Your son?" Hyena cackled, "my, my, my… I think we found papa bear." She activated her leg, stretching it out, and caught Brooklyn in the stomach, mid-launch, and kicked him away.

Brooklyn grunted out in pain, rolled, and held his stomach. Hyena cackled out a laugh again and looked at him with interest.

"Yes, I can see some resemblance, but I don't recall this red monster ever having magic."

"Ah, but remember, dear sister," Jackal added, still holding Nashville prisoner, "there is always a mate in these equations. If papa is here, then there has to be a mama bear around here somewhere."

"Oh yes, a magical mama," Hyena laughed, walked up to Nashville, and extended a steel finger, and tickled his chin, "Between her and you, we'll have so much fun playing target practice!"

Nashville growled at her and bit her steel finger, but Hyena threw her head back and laughed shrilly. She pulled her finger out from his mouth, then backhanded him across the face with so much force, a cry naturally escaped his mouth.

Brooklyn grunted out another growl, stabbed his claws into the cement roof, and crawled towards them, but Wolf punched him in the face, then head-locked him again.

Nashville's hurt eyes looked into Hyena's cold and evil ones.

"There…" she cooed, "now that I've taught you some manners…" she leaned towards him and hissed, "where is your mommy, little baby? Hmm? Where is she? Our little play date won't be complete without her here."

When he didn't answer, she backhanded him across the face again. The slap stung his face, and Brooklyn, Broadway, and Lexington were all roaring. Nashville blinked back his stinging tears, and as much as he wanted to cry, he kept his mouth shut.

"No? You won't tell me?" Hyena whispered, "well, that's fine. I guess I'll just have to beat the truth out of you. If you thought my slaps hurt then, well..." she ran her razor-sharp finger along his beaked jaw, "we'll just have to see what you say when I start chopping off your limbs."

Nashville's eyes widened in fear as she cackled, "God, I just love tormenting you stupid, filthy beasts! Now, it's time to slice and dice you into little pieces!"

"NO! GNASH!" Brooklyn roared in complete desperation as Hyena raised her knife-like fingers in the air. "NO!"

Nashville shut his eyes tightly, but no pain came.

The air around them exploded instead.

Hyena gasped, but when she, Jackal, and Wolf turned, they froze and watched in genuine awe what was transpiring before them.

A female figure with wings emerged through a red, smoke-like portal, and her entire body was engulfed in flames. The fire around her was so hot and raging, her body should have been burning in unthinkable agony, but still, she stood firm before them.

The portal closed, her fire slowly faded, and standing before them was a beautiful female with pointed ears, black-feathered wings, waist-long auburn red hair, tan skin, and a black bodysuit that hugged her curvy but strongly built body.

Her face was thin, her chin was sharp and defined, and her eyes were gleaming yellow and had a strange movement as if they were made out of the fire.

Brooklyn looked up right as his soul-bond burst to life and smiled.

Standing before them all, with eyes enraged and full of such danger, even he was slightly afraid, was the Goddess of Death, his mate and the love of his life, but, worse for the Pack, was Nashville's mother.

Rose.

"What in the…?" Jackal gasped, but Rose was already moving.

Fire and red, electrified magic erupted out of her like a lasso, taking Jackal, Hyena, and Wolf down in one single moment. Lexington and Broadway's trap exploded, freeing them, and now that Wolf was gone, Brooklyn was able to breathe again.

Nashville fell onto his backside when Jackal released him and stared in amazement as his mother unleashed herself upon them. Her red magic acted like ropes and tied each of them up against the steel walls of the rooftop.

The Pack was crying and roaring out, but no matter how much they struggled to get out of her grasp, they couldn't.

Rose gritted her fanged teeth at them, stepped closer, then roared, "SILENCE!"

The air exploded again, and the Pack went silent. More out of shock than anything. They were entranced by her flaming eyes and powerful magic swirling around her hands.

Now free, Lexington and Broadway stood up and came behind Rose. Brooklyn rushed over to Nashville, took him into his arms, and shushed him as he began softly crying.

Rose had stayed silent, staring at the Pack with rage, but at the sound of her son's sobs, she closed her fists. The magical ropes tightened themselves around the Pack with such bone-crushing force that had they been human, she would have snapped them in half.

"If any of you ever put your hands on my son again, harm my mate or any of my clan members, I will not hesitate to kill you," Rose hissed above their cries. She tightened their grips so tightly that no sounds could come from any of them. They stared at her with wide eyes, unable to breathe, but she held their terrified gazes with her deathly glare. "Furthermore, if any of you freaks of nature so much as cross into Manhattan again, you will be very sorry, indeed. Trust me. I'm the last person you want to see again. Do I make myself clear?"

When they still couldn't speak, she opened her fist and released them all. The Pack coughed and gasped in the air.

"Who…" Jackal looked up at her, holding his chest, and gasped, "who are you?"

"I'm your worst nightmare if I ever see you hurting my son or loved ones again," Rose whispered, glaring at him so intensely, he physically recoiled from her. Before they could speak, she flicked her wrist and magically knocked them all unconscious.

Letting her magic fade, Rose stared at the three of them with a disgusted look, and no one said anything for a few seconds until she was clapped on the back by Lexington and Broadway.

"Now, that is how you deal with the Pack!" Broadway cheered. "Whoo! Well done, Rose!"

"Yeah!" Lexington added. "Maybe now they'll think twice about messing with us!"

Rose chuckled and turned to face them, smiling. "Thanks, well, no one messes with this mama bear and her family. I'll rip them apart." She looked over at the unconscious criminals. "As for the Pack, if they escape prison again, then we will be ready for them."

Lexington and Broadway nodded and smiled.

"Mom!"

Rose turned, knelt, and collected Nashville in her arms at her son's cry, hugging him tightly.

"Are you alright?" She asked, kissing his head. When he didn't answer, she cupped his face in her hands and examined his face. Hyena had given him a small cut under his swollen and beginning black eye.

"Oh, baby…"

"I'm fine, mom," Nashville said, but Rose shook her head, sighing heavily. With a sad smile, she lightly caressed her hand over his face, healing his cuts with magic.

"There," she whispered, "all better."

"Thanks, mom." Nashville then hugged her tightly again, resting his face against her chest. "I missed you."

"Oh Gnash," Rose whispered, hugging him tightly, "I missed you too."

"Yeah, we're glad you're back," Lexington added, and Rose looked up and smiled at him.

"Thanks, it's always nice to be back…" she paused, then looked up at Brooklyn, who was smiling at her. She tilted her head at him and stood.

"However, it's not nice to feel my mate and son's life in mortal danger the second I return from doing my deathly duties in Avalon."

Brooklyn chuckled. "We weren't in mortal danger…"

"No?" Rose raised her eyebrow at him.

"No, just the usual danger."

Rose slowly approached him with a dark smile and stood inches from his face, her eyes gleaming into his. "I leave Avalon for one day, and both you and our son get yourselves into trouble." She then sighed dramatically. "Whatever am I going to do with you two?"

"Hey," Brooklyn chuckled, "the Pack started it. Besides, I had everything completely under control."

Rose raised her eyebrows, even more, inching herself towards his lips. At her look of disbelief, Brooklyn snorted out a laugh.

"Okay, maybe not completely…"

"No," Rose breathed seductively, "not even a little bit, my love."

"Hey," Brooklyn whispered, wrapping his arms around her hips and pulling her close, "you can trust me to protect our son."

"I do trust you... but I also just took these freaks out for you."

"Well," Brooklyn whispered, now inches from her lips, "what do you want me to say?"

Rose shrugged. "A simple thank you would suffice."

Chuckling under his breath, Brooklyn cupped Rose's face and held her eyes with intensity. With a growl, he crushed his lips to hers and kissed her passionately.

Lexington and Broadway rolled their eyes, having been used to them by now, but Nashville groaned. He'd seen this embarrassing display of affection all too often from his parents.

"Get a room!"

Brooklyn and Rose broke apart, still in each other's tight grasp, and stared at their son with wide eyes.

"What did you just say?" Rose asked, and Nashville backed away from their narrowed gazes, chuckling nervously.

"Uh, huh, I mean… uh… I, um…" he looked over at his uncles, then yelled, "the last one to the castle is a rotten egg!"

With a blast of air from his wings, he took off into the night, and both Lexington and Broadway laughed but spread their wings and followed after him.

"Alright, alright, we're coming!" Lexington yelled.

Brooklyn laughed, watching them all go, as Rose shook her head in disbelief and whirled around on him.

"Where did he learn that saying?"

Brooklyn held his claws up. "Hey, not me. I may... accidentally teach him... other things, like maybe swearing and stuff... but not that!" When she looked unconvinced, he laughed, "honest!"

Rolling her eyes, she then laughed. Knowing he was safe from her wrath, Brooklyn looked at her, smiled endearingly, then kissed her deeply again. Moaning, she leaned herself into him and grabbed at his mane of hair passionately.

"One day apart from you is too much," Brooklyn breathed against her lips, holding her close. "Oh, my love, I've missed you."

"Trust me, Brooklyn," Rose moaned, shutting her eyes and getting lost in their kiss. "I've missed you more."

They kissed for a few seconds more, then released each other before Brooklyn pulled her into a hug. Feeling her, smelling her, and letting their soul-bond crash between them was sometimes all it took for him to become whole.

Brooklyn ran his claws through her long hair, exhaled a breath, then released her and cupped her face to gaze into her beautiful, amber eyes.

"Thank you for saving us."

Rose smiled. "You're welcome. I wasn't about to let them hurt any of you."

"I know," Brooklyn said softly, paused, then said, "but… you do trust that I can protect all of us, right?"

"Of course I do," Rose said, kissing his lips again. "You protect Gnash and me all the time, my love." She paused, then grinned, "just, sometimes, my inner Mr. Hyde or she Hulk has to come to help out. I mean, we are a fighting team, right?"

Brooklyn smiled warmly. "Absolutely."

"Well, that's all I was doing."

Brooklyn pressed his lips to hers again, loving her with all his heart and soul. They kissed for a few seconds before he pulled away and cupped her face. "We better get going to our family outing. We don't want to miss the sunrise."

"Okay," Rose whispered, pulled away from him, then breathed seductively over her shoulder, "the first one to the castle gets to pick where, when, and how we have sex later on…"

At that, Brooklyn was already gone before she could spread her wings, and Rose tipped her head back and laughed.

The family outing to see the sunrise was at Brooklyn and Rose's favorite 'get-away' nature preserve island at Caumsett State Park. It was where he once brought her for a date, where they made passionate love under the stars and was where they were now bringing everyone.

The cliffs over the beach and ocean reminded the Clan of Scotland, and because it was a nature preserve, it was relatively untouched and not bothered by humans.

As Rose and Brooklyn watched Nashville turn into a human child with a flash of magic and run along the beach with Bronx, they held hands and smiled endearingly at him.

Sunrise was only a few minutes away, and by now, the entire clan was there with sand toys, chairs, food, and drink.

Akira and Lexington were dipping their little daughter's toes into the ocean water, Kei. Broadway and Angela were playing frisbee with their two-year-old son, Artus, along the beach, and Hudson was sitting in a chair, with his feet in the breaking of the waves, laughing at Gnash and Bronx running and playing catch with a giant stick.

Nearby, Elisa held her adopted two-year-old human son, Nicholas, in her arms, with Goliath hovering over her shoulder.

Rose smiled at them.

Elisa had been approved for adoption five years ago, and two years- ago, she finally got her son, with whom she was raising with Goliath as his father.

"Can you believe this?" Brooklyn suddenly said, walking with Rose towards the trails that would lead them on the cliffs above the beach.

As they walked through sand and soft grass, Rose took off her flip-flops, held up her summer dress so it didn't trail in the sand, and leaned into him.

"What? That our family has grown exponentially since we first met?"

"Yeah," Brooklyn said, "that, and how everything worked out, despite all that we went through."

Rose nodded, moving her blowing hair from her face, but didn't say anything.

They didn't have to.

When they reached the top of the cliff, most everyone had come to join them, including Nashville. The sun was minutes from rising, and with excited chatter, the Manhattan clan placed their gifted sunstone gem necklaces around their and their children's necks.

"Almost there," Hudson said excitedly, looking younger than Rose had ever seen him before. "For the first time, I'll be able to see the sun."

Brooklyn wrapped his arms around Rose's waist from behind, wrapped his wings around them for warmth, and held her close. The cool breeze blew through their hair, and with a smile, Rose rested her head back against him, so they were cheek to cheek, then raised her hand and held his beaked jaw.

Smiling, Brooklyn trailed his claw up her side, up her arm, until he held onto her hand and placed kisses on her neck.

Giggling, Rose shut her eyes and listened to the joyous sounds of her family talking and laughing. The sounds of Nashville running around with Bronx barking, the other young gargoyle children squealing happily-

Then her eyes shot open.

"Brooklyn…" she whispered.

"Hmm?"

Turning in his arms, she looked at him with wide eyes, and he narrowed his eye bones at her.

"What's wrong?"

In awe, she opened and shut her mouth a few times, then gasped, "… this is the vision we once had. That time I was in the hospital, and you healed me for the first time when I was a human. The vision of our future. Do you remember that?"

Brooklyn cracked a soft smile. "Of course, I remember."

Rose stared at him, then pieced it together. "So, you knew. That's what you set this up!" Tears welled up in her eyes, and she cupped his face. "You wanted us to finally have made it to the beautiful future we'd always dreamed about."

"I did," Brooklyn breathed, smiling down at her. "I wanted you to remember that, even though you being the Goddess of Death is tough and isn't an ideal thing, you can come back home to me, to our family, and see that we have made it. To see that we will continue to make our life and future beautiful. Together."

Rose was beyond words. Her love for him erupted in her chest, in their soul-bond, and every time she thought she couldn't love him more, he managed to change that.

Exhaling a dry sob, she leaned against his face, right as the sun peaked above the horizon. The happy chatter from the clan ceased, and with gasps, everyone stared at the rising sun for the first time, but Brooklyn stared into Rose's eyes, admiring how the light illuminated her beauty.

"It's so… beautiful…" Hudson breathed, with tears streaming down his face.

"Yes," Brooklyn breathed, still looking at Rose, "it is." He paused again, then whispered, "Rose… you have given me everything, our son, your love, and you've made life so beautiful for me, and yet, I feel like it's not enough. What more can I give to you?" When Rose chuckled at him, he shook his head and breathed, "I'm serious. What can I give you?"

Rose smiled, shook her head, and then looked around at what they had. Their clan, beautiful son, and her mate. Her beautiful, selfless, amazing, handsome, sexy, and romantic mate.

The light from the sun made his skin more colorful and made his dark brown eyes more profoundly passionate.

"I already have everything I have always wanted," she whispered, smiling up at him. Just then, their son laughed, and something shot through her. Another familiar soul. Pausing, she then smiled. "Actually... now that you mention it, there may be one more thing you could give me."

"Name it," Brooklyn breathed. "Name it, and it's yours."

Rose smiled and stared into those gorgeous eyes she loved. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she was sure that he could feel her anticipation, but nothing had felt more right. She was ready to tell him her plan, and there was nothing she'd want more than to see his face when she told him what she had been feeling in her soul lately.

"Name it, Rose," he breathed again, his lips inches from hers. "What can I give you?"

"A little girl," Rose whispered.

Brooklyn blinked, but her smile said it all.

Gasping, he reached down and cupped her stomach. "Rose… are you…?"

"Not yet," she whispered, "but tonight… I was hoping that we could…" she leaned forward and kissed his lips, "get started and make that dream a reality."

Gasping, Brooklyn melted into her. Grabbing her by the legs, he lifted her to straddle his waist and kissed her passionately.

She giggled against his kiss. "So… is that a yes?"

"Oh, Rose," he breathed, "there's nothing I'd like more. Yes! Yes, Rose. Yes, I'll give you another baby." He paused, stared into her eyes with tears in his. "But… are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm sure," Rose whispered. "Look at our son…" They both did, and she smiled at Brooklyn. "He is the best gift you've given me, but I'm ready for another. I want to make another baby with you."

When he looked back at her, he grinned mischievously. "Do you want to get started right now? We can leave Gnash with the clan, and then you and I could take a quick flight to the other side of the island…" he rested his lips against hers, speaking so low his voice made her lower abdomen turn molten with desire, "we can strip down, take it slow, and feel every inch of each other."

Rose curled her toes and took a gasping breath. "Tonight, my love. I've already asked the clan to watch him while he sleeps." She smiled at his disappointed look, then whispered, "When we return to the castle, I want you to sleep and then be ready to give me your all when you wake up tonight."

"Oh, I don't need sleep to do that," Brooklyn said, kissing her again, "I give my all to you every time we make love."

Rose giggled. "Oh, trust me, I know…"

Brooklyn smiled warmly at her. "So, what do you want to name our baby girl? If that is, it's not another boy."

Rose thought about it, then smiled and shook her head. "It's a girl, Brooklyn. I can feel her soul in my powers. She's there, waiting for us to bring her into this world."

"And so we shall, my love," Brooklyn breathed, with tears welling up in his eyes. "What shall we name her?"

"I was thinking… Destiny," Rose whispered.

"Destiny…" he mulled it over for a few seconds, smiled, then nodded, "I love it. Destiny, it is."

Smiling at each other, they pulled each other in for another passionate kiss, and Brooklyn breathed against her lips, "I love you, Rose. You are everything to me, and I cannot tell you how happy you and Gnash make me! I love you, forever and for always, and cannot wait to expand our family."

Smiling through her tears, she nodded and was grateful that they would have an eternity to feel this love of theirs and to share their beautiful life together.

"I know," Rose whispered, kissing his lips again, "I love you, too, more than anything in this world."

Brooklyn smiled at her, his joy spilling over through their soul-bond, and was thinking the same thing she was.

I know.

Their lips, tongues, and mouths danced feverishly, and they couldn't hold onto each other tightly enough. Their love was the most powerful force on earth and was the heart of everything good in their life.

Surrounded by their loved ones and in each other's arms, they were home, and it was here, in the beautiful life that they had created together, where they would forever remain, being one-soul and two intertwined hearts, now and forever.

I love thee with a love that shall not die. Till the sun grows cold, and the stars grow old, I'll love thee.

~ William Shakespeare

~ The End ~

**Author's note and thank you-

Two years ago I had a crazy idea for a fan-fiction. A story I kept seeing in my head as I watched the cartoons, and desperately wanted to read the story for myself, so I wrote Gargoyles- The Heart of Everything. I have a lot of editing to do on that one since I have bought editing software, but I am so proud of Rose and Brooklyn's story.

So, much, I kept going.

That's where Gargoyles- The Heart of Darkness and Heart of a Warrior came in.

I saw so much potential for Rose and Brooklyn's characters, and since the comics and cartoons offer so much rich content, I knew exactly where to take these characters. I knew that Rose's character was going to grow through trial, suffering, and grief. I wanted her to embark on a journey of self-healing and maturity- as well as Brooklyn- and that's exactly what we got.

Guys... I cannot thank you enough for taking this journey with me and for my avid readers who loved my story as much as I do. THANK YOU for your reviews and for reading my story. It means the world to me and is the reason I kept going.

I'll be around fan-fiction editing my first two books (and the beginning of this one) a bit more thoroughly, but I'm going to now be working on an original story that I can hopefully get published.

But, we'll see! It's a story, again, that I see in my head, am excited about, and want to read. So, I'm going to write it!

For now, as Puck once said, "I need a very long nap." That's me, (ha-ha). It's a bitter-sweet thing to be done with a two-year project, but I'm so proud of it and hope you love it enough to keep coming back to read and re-read it.

For now, as always, continue to shine on, and I wish the best of luck to all of you, wherever you are in the world. Be kind to each other.

Thank you again!

Love always,

Sunmoonlight