Disclaimers: I own nothing or anyone associated or affiliated with TNA. I own only the original characters. This is just a fictional story that came from my imagination.
Chapter Content & Trigger Warnings: None this chapter
Epilogue
Three Months Later...
"Oh, we're going to miss you so much!"
Jolene Bryan pulled Ella into a hug, as Rick handed hers and Joe's newborn baby boy—Nathan Joel Jeffrey Seanoa—back to Joe.
The small family was about to leave their temporary home in Seattle, and move to Orlando so Joe could return to work. They'd first wanted to let Ella have time to have the baby, and allow Miracle to finish out the school year with her friends before making such a drastic move.
"We'll miss you too," Ella said softly, fighting off tears. "I don't know what I would've done without you two."
"You'd have made it," Rick told her with a smile. "You're a survivor."
Jolene reached out for baby Nathan and held him close when Joe passed him to her. "Oh my goodness! He's so precious," she exclaimed, running her hand over his downy black hair. The baby cooed softly, as she ran her finger lightly along the bridge of his little nose.
"Thank you," Ella smiled, taking his tiny hand and kissing it. "We decided to name him after the three most important men in my life. My father, my husband, and my uncle."
"He's beautiful," Jolene smiled, handing him over to Ella. "He'll be a heart-breaker when he gets older."
"Yes, just like his father," Ella teased, grinning over at Joe.
Joe laughed and kissed Ella on the mouth. "God, I hope not," he joked.
The Samoan looked the happiest and most light-hearted he'd looked in many years. His eyes were kinder, and he smiled more than ever.
At that moment, a car's engine shut off in their driveway. Miracle looked up from the porch swing she sat on to see Finn getting out of his patrol car.
"Mama, Daddy! Look! Finn's here," she cried, scrambling to her feet.
"Be careful, baby. Don't get over-excited," Ella cautioned, worry in her eyes. Her daughter seemed to be fine so far, but it still alarmed Ella when Miracle would have a sudden burst of excitement or energy.
Miracle was already hurrying toward Finn and barely heard her mother.
"Finn," she cried, smiling and wrapping her arms around his waist. "I was hoping you'd stop by so we could say goodbye to you." She looked up into his blue eyes, a touch of sadness on her face. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too, lass," he said softly, reaching down and tucking a lock of black hair behind her ear. "You and your parents have become very good friends 'o mine. I hope we'll all get to see each other again."
Miracle nodded, swallowing past the large lump in her throat. "Me too."
"I can't stay but a minute," Finn told her. "My shift starts in about ten minutes. How about we go up to the porch so I can say goodbye to your parents?"
Wordlessly, the two headed to the porch, and Finn proceeded to shake Joe's hand and gave him a bro hug. Then he turned his attention to Ella and the baby.
"He's a wee lad, isn't he," Finn chuckled, taking one of Nathan's flailing little fists in his hand. Immediately, the infant latched onto Finn's finger and held on for dear life. "But what a grip he has," he added, finally freeing his finger. "He'll be a strong young man one day."
Ella nodded her agreement, "I don't doubt it."
"Well, I should be going," Finn said abruptly. He swallowed hard as he looked at the family. "It's been a pleasure knowing you all," he said softly. "Take care 'o yourselves." He leaned down and kissed Miracle lightly on the forehead, and handed her a slip of paper. "This is my cell number. If you ever need to talk, little lass, feel free to give me a call."
With that, he turned and walked to his car. Within moments, he'd pulled out of the driveway and drove away. Breaking Miracle's heart in several pieces.
"You okay, honey," Joe asked, noticing the sadness on her face.
She nodded, "Y-yeah. Just gonna miss him."
He hugged her close, "It'll be okay, baby."
She nodded again and then changed the subject. "Do we have everything? Are there any other boxes to load?"
"Nope, that's it," Joe answered, mercifully going along with her subject change.
"Well, we'll get back to our house and let you all get to your new home. Keep in touch, Ella, okay?"
Ella nodded, "I will. Thank you again. For everything."
The older couple smiled and went to their car, driving down the street seconds later.
"Well, we should probably get going," Joe said. "Don't yall think?"
Ella and Miracle nodded as they locked the house up and walked down the porch steps for the final time.
"I'll miss this house," Miracle said wistfully. "But I am pretty excited to see Florida."
"You'll love it," Joe smiled, getting behind the wheel as Ella belted the baby into his carrier next to Miracle in the backseat of the Chevy Tahoe. Once she was belted into the passenger seat, Joe pulled out of the drive and began the long drive toward their new life.
THE END
