Epilogue

Xander

Almost a year later….

World Series MVP

Texas Riders

I stare at the trophy on the shelf, distracting myself for the moment. Papa's team went back to the series again this year. Only this time, his stats were a lot better through the season and he won the MVP award. I remember how proud he was. We all were. But it was more than just a game or season for him.

Over the last year, I have learned a lot about my father. Having gone from only knowing minor details about his life in America to seeing everything up close, it's been...I can't lie, overwhelming. Don't get me wrong. I'm one hundred percent happy that we moved. I love being here. I've made a few good friends, a couple of fake ones - comes with being the child of a major league baseball player - and gained a whole family. But I had to grow up fast.

It wasn't long after Ma and Papa got engaged that our family became front-page news. Papa tried to keep the media out of our lives, away from me, but it couldn't be stopped. I didn't understand why people were so obsessed with us. Why we couldn't leave the house. Why I couldn't go to a regular school. I started getting angry and that's when it all changed. Let me tell you, finding out about the skeletons in your parent's closets is something no child should have to deal with. Unfortunately, when your face is plastered on social media, magazines, and TV, you don't have a choice. Even if they hadn't told me, I would have found out anytime I opened Facebook or turned on the news. I learned quickly that everything we say or do must be well thought out if we're anywhere outsiders can hear or see. When I go into a store, I have to keep my head down and watch who I talk to.

I'm ten years old for crying out loud. Well, almost eleven. But still. I'm not even a teenager yet and I know things I probably shouldn't. As Uncle Adrian says, 'It is what it is', at this point. I learned what I had to do in order to be able to live a somewhat normal life. I still consider myself lucky though. I have an amazing family, a baby sister on the way, and Papa got me a puppy. Plus, Mama said after the wedding, things should calm down media-wise, and we should be able to go back to our basic life. I can't wait for that. But for now, I have to walk down the aisle and watch my Mama marry Papa.

"You ready little man?"

"That's 'best little man to you," I laugh.

"My apologies."

"Do I look okay?" I brush over my tie one more time.

"You look sharp, just like your old man."

I cringe, "Oh, no. We can't have that. I have to change."

He laughs straight from his belly, "You are your mother's son."

"What can I say, she raised me well."

"That she did, kid. That she did. I wouldn't have it any other way."

I would, but I don't say that.

I'd rather have not had a nine-year gap in meeting my father, growing up with only pictures and stories. I would have rathered that we had been a true family from the start and have made memories to look back on when I get older. Yeah, we can start now, but I feel like I will always be missing that part of me. Uncle Adrian once told me, the amount of time we spend with the people in our lives isn't important - it's the fact that we got to spend what time we did with them - the impact we make on those around us that truly matters. I can't help but wonder though...will those missing nine years affect us more than we think?

"Ready, Xander?" Papa pokes his head back in the door.

I smile back, shake the bad thoughts from my mind, and head downstairs. No matter what happens, we're a family - and this family is forever.

Adrian

If you had told me a year ago that I would be standing next to my nephew as his father marries his mother, I would have told you to put down the crack pipe.

When Dimitri left, I never thought this day would come. I thought I'd be the one holding her hand, saying I do, and running off into the sunset. You can stop laughing. I know it would have never happened, but a kid could dream, alright. Shit, that's what we were back then. Babies. Too damn young to be dealing with the shit life throws at us. But hey, look at us now. Dimitri and Rose are getting married, expanding their family. Lissa and Chris joined our family, leaving out the psycho aunt. And the love of my life standing on the other side of Little, beautiful as ever in her bridesmaid dress.

Our wedding is next, just after the new year. Since Chris and Lissa got married last spring, and Rose and Dimitri took the winter date, we decided to wait. Summer is just too hot here, and with Zmey visiting during that time, the pool house wasn't available for when we got kicked out by the brides. We've all been in that dog house over the last three hundred and sixty-five days. Worth it though. Totally worth it.

Leaving the only home I've ever known for the US was the best decision I have ever made. Did I get heartbroken? Yeah, but it was already halfway crushed before the move. Did I regret it for a bit? Who wouldn't? Moving across the ocean with the girl you love so she can be with her child's father - getting to watch them blend into the happy family. Yeah. I think anyone who does that will have momentary regrets. But those moments - heartache - and depression were necessary. I created such a huge hole in my life ten years ago. I didn't even realize how far down it was until we got here. Until I saw Dimitri pulling himself out of his. That's when I knew. I needed a fucking rope. I had to search for help. Rose was already dealing with so much, I couldn't burden her more. She'd say it's not a burden, but I know it is. That's why I left. I ran like a little bitch, but a determined one.

Once I found Syd, talked to her, and flew another three hours west, I found my rope. And I clung to it as my life depended on it. Because it fucking did. If I didn't find my way out I was as good as dead. If everyone around me was happy and moving on - while I remained stuck. I would have died. No doubt. I'd have taken that task into my own hands and left it all behind. The thoughts plagued my mind back then. Long before the move. I don't remember when they started, but I can tell you exactly when they ended.

The day Sydney agreed to marry me.

She gave me a reason to keep fighting. To keep going. I may have pulled myself up and fought my demons, but her faith in me is the only reason why.

She's my reason. My forever.

Rose

"Are you finally going to admit I was right," Baba smiles down at me.

We're spinning in circles on the dance floor, Daddy's little girl playing through the speakers around us. "Right about what?"

He pushes me out, spinning me under his arm, and pulls me back in. "You and him."

I roll my eyes, "Yes, Baba, you were right."

"From the start," he adds.

I'm not even mad about it. I was back then only because it was a dream I couldn't reach. No matter how desperately I wanted it. Dimitri and I were a fantasy that could only be seen when you closed your eyes. A light only bright enough for your dreams, not reality. Now, the reality is far greater than my dreams. I never want to go to sleep. I just married the man who has owned my world for seventeen years, I have my babies - my family, what more could I dream for. What more could I ask for? Nothing.

And if I could go back in time and change it - I wouldn't do a damn thing different. Our struggles made us who we are. Our choices made this life what it is. If we had stayed together, raising Xander together in Baia, we'd be divorced by now. Co-parenting, if that, and hating our lives. I have no doubt that even though it hurt like hell to go through the shit we did, it was well worth the pain. I'd do it all over again given the chance. Because I know, it was all for the best. This is the life we were all meant to live. We just couldn't see the big picture all those years ago. We only looked at the current situation and drove ourselves mad.

What do you expect though, we were kids. Too young to understand that the world isn't always beautiful - but rather an ugly, messy, crazy place that we had to navigate through to find the fields of green on the other side. Too young to realize that sometimes what we think we want or need is a drop in the bucket compared to what we are capable of achieving given the time and chance.

We're not those kids anymore though. We've watered out grass, fought through every storm, and built a new life from the bricks that were thrown at us along the way. We grew up. Grew wiser. Grew stronger. Happier.

We never stopped swinging. We fought like hell with the odds stacked against us, the bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, two outs, down by three, with a full count. Every curve, every pitch the world threw out, we swung and connected. We may have fouled a lot before getting here, but it only took one. One solid hit to send it over the fence. Win the game. And round the bases for home.

Our home. Our family. Our life together.

Forever.

Dear Readers,

I know this took WAY too long. All I can say is I am sorry.

I have had a hell of the last few years. Between work, home, and everyday life - this all got away from me. I hate that it took me so long, but it's done now.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Those who reached out, commented, and kept waiting patiently, I thank you.

I am probably done writing FF. I know that will make some people happy, others sad, but it's just not what I need to focus on. My personal works need my attention. There are some cranky characters who need their stories told.

Again, I thank you all for all of the support you've given me over the years. Who knows, maybe I will come back someday. But for now, this is goodbye.

All my love,

Dream