The Burden of Love: Epilogue

by tarskeewee08

One year later

"John…" she said walking into their home reading the mail. He hadn't gotten it from the mailbox as usual. Shaking off the snow that still clung to her she worked her coat off her shoulders.

John came out of the back dragging their luggage "I thought you said you'd be here an hour ago!" he said dropping the bags then turning to go and retrieve the others.

Evangeline looked at his backside as he walked away and smiled "Our plane doesn't leave for another three hours, would you calm down?"

John peaked around the corner at her amused "It took me a year to get to this day, I won't let anything stop us now!" he said disappearing to get the rest of their things.

Evangeline shook her head smiling placing the mail on the table near the door and walking over to her bags. He'd packed her clothes and everything. She walked around them going to their bedroom. The house they now owned was large enough for the both of them, but definitely small for the family they were about to start. She found out two weeks ago she was pregnant and that was it. He put his foot down and demanded they elope immediately. She gave him no further resistance and he was so confused by her compliance he had to ask her twice if she was sure.

Agreeing that they'd go to Atlantic City to do it with his mom present made his day. She called her mom and uncle clay to invite them and they both swore to try to make it but Van wasn't holding her breath for it.

Layla agreed to drive down with Mike and Marcie and that was more than enough. She wanted her man happy and the more she saw the constant grin on his face since she told him of his pending fatherhood, the more she knew marrying him was the right thing to do.

Now it was time to go and you would think he was the bride by the way he behaved. She watched him run from the closet to the bed with clothes shaking her head.

Raising her hand to her face she smiled as the princess cut solitaire diamond caught the light. She had to admit it was one of the perks she loved about marrying the man of her dreams.

"Cletus called to wish us luck" he said trying to force the suitcase closed
"Cletus? You told him?" she asked shocked
John looked up at her "Of course I told him, I wanted him to come but that program you got him in for his GED won't allow him to get out of class."

Evangeline smiled walking over to the bed "This isn't an elopement John, it's a full blown wedding sweetie" she said pushing him away from the suitcase bulging with clothes. "Why are you packing everything you have for a weeks visit." She asked pulling out the unnecessary shirts and pants.

John watched her exasperated. "I asked you to pack it all and you didn't" he said going to get his bag with his toiletries.

"You have a point..." she mumbled
"I called a cab and it should be here soon" he said passing her the small bag to add to the suitcase.

"That's fine" she said fixing everything neatly and zipping the suitcase. Turning to look at him she saw he was flushed and sweating. Moving his hair from his face she kissed his lips. "You've been a nervous wreck since I told you I was pregnant. I need you to relax John."

"I know baby…I want too…but I just don't want anything to go wrong"
"Nothing will go wrong…we have each other remember! This is just a formality"
He nodded then placed his hand on her stomach "I'm talking about the baby, I couldn't handle it if something happened to you or him."

"Him?"
John grinned "It's a boy….I'm sure of it"
"We'll see!" she said chuckling. "Now let's go get married before I flip out and change my mind"

He popped her on the butt lightly as she walked away "Don't you dare."
Evangeline laughed leaving the room. It was time to start another chapter in their love story and this one was new territory to them both. Neither of them had been parents before and marriage was un-chartered territory for them both.

After Barnaby was brought to trial and convicted, his dad's involvement was exposed and the AC police department went under heavy investigation by the FBI, reopening a lot of cold case files. John took it all in stride but Evangeline saw his pain over the constant barrage of media attention. They found their way through it.

Evangeline was able to open up a nonprofit agency for survivors of violent crimes. She dedicated it to Charlotte's memory offering legal advice to those unable to fend for themselves. They pretty much lived off of John's earnings and some of the money from the grants she had to for the agency. She found a peace in helping others and he encouraged that.

Cletus grandmother died shortly after he was released from the hospital. Marble's heart just couldn't withstand the constant strain placed upon it. Cletus became their primary concern and they both invested much time in helping him find his way. He moved in with them for a while until Evangeline found him a job within her agency and got him into a GED program. He was finding his way and it was an inspirational thing to watch.

"He's here!" John screamed from the other room about the taxi and she laughed at the squeal of his voice. He was definitely acting like a little kid. "Okay baby!" she yelled back out to him. Going to the mirror she checked herself one last time. She didn't look different but she felt different. She felt whole again.

"Van let's go!" he screamed again from the doorway.
Turning off the light to their room she walked out to follow him outside. "Today definitely was a new chapter in their love story and she was just as excited to see where it all led too. "Coming!" she called after him walking out.