Where… am I…?

Edward could hear the sound of birds chirping, leaves in trees shifting from a breeze that was blowing through the air. Sounds he hadn't heard in years. These weren't sounds in the asylum. No rats… no dripping water… no screams… That couldn't be right.

His eyes slowly opened, finding himself in a small bedroom. It was ornately decorated and well lit by the window beside his bed. This was definitely not the asylum.

He sat up slowly, feeling sore and froze for a moment as he took note he was in a proper set of night wear instead of his asylum attire. He looked around till he spotted a mirror in the room, seeing his reflection staring back at him. His hair wasn't long and matted anymore and was instead back to a proper trimmed length and brushed. His beard was gone too, having been properly trimmed into a goatee.

Am… I dreaming…? This… This can't be real.

Another thought crossed his mind.

Or… am I dead and this is how you wake up in heaven?

He didn't have another moment to think as the door to the room opened, an elderly woman in a black dress that had raven feathers sewn into it entering. Edward's eyes widened at the sight of her. She may have looked a bit younger and a little different now but he knew her face anywhere. A face he thought he'd never see again.

"... M… Mother?" He said.

Wickerbottom smiled, making her way over to him.

"I thought I heard noise. So good to see you awake."

Edward's eyes still had a look of shock in them as he looked her over.

"G-Good to see you too. It's been so long… I thought… I…"

Wickerbottom sat on the edge of his bed, taking his hands into hers.

"It's okay, Edward. Everything is okay."

Edward's eyes got misty.

"But… how… I… I thought… Cato… He…"

"He's gone now." Wickerbottom squeezed his hands. "Gone for good and you're now free and can live your life again."

Edward lowered his head.

"To a point… I can't pick up where I left off. Cecelia… Wilson… They're…"

Wickerbottom tilted his chin up.

"Edward, what did that snake feed you?"

"Mother… My wife is missing… My child is dead. What is the point…?"

"That's not true, Edward." Wickerbottom stroked his cheek with her thumb. "Far from it."

Another person entered the room, a man with dark black hair in a purple vest.

"Your Highness, the prince is here along with his mother."

Edward's eyes were wide as he recognized the man.

"S… Sebastian?"

Sebastian grinned.

"The one and only. Shall I get our guests?"

"Yes, please." Wickerbottom said.

Sebastian hurried off.

"Your Highness…?" Edward looked to his mother confused. "I'm confused."

"There's a lot to get you caught up on but first, you have two people you need to see."

Sebastian soon returned, a young man with wild hair dressed in red vest right behind him along with a woman with long dark hair in purple sweater vest.

Edward's eyes widened as he recognized them.

"Oh my stars…" He whispered. "W-Wilson… Cecelia..?"

Cecelia had tears in her eyes, nodding as she made her way to him.

"It's us. We're okay. Oh, Ed… I never thought I would see you again."

"Me either… Cece…"

"Ed… Oh, my dear Edward!" Cecelia threw her arms around him, sobbing. "You're okay. You're…" She buried her face in his chest. "Edward…"

Edward buried part of his face in her hair, holding her close.

"My dear Cecelia." He kissed her forehead. "My one and only love."

Cecelia sniffled, cuddling close to him.

"My dearest… My husband."

"Shh.. I'm here now. It's okay, Cecelia."

Edward ran a hand through her hair. He couldn't remember the last time he was able to hold her like this without having to worry about Cato whispering in his ear. But now… it was all clear in his head. No one to manipulate him. No one to possess him. Just him.

Edward nuzzled her gently before looking to Wilson, the young man keeping quiet and watching the two. Cecelia pulled back a little, looking to their son, Edward following her gaze.

"Wilson…" Edward started. "I… goodness… Look at you. You've gotten so big."

"He's not a little poofer anymore."

Wilson groaned, putting his face in his hands.

"Mooother!"

"Eheh? Sorry."

Wilson shook his head before looking to Edward, a bit of a nervous look in his eyes. He still wasn't sure what Edward thought of him.

He just hoped it was a good impression.

"H-Hello. It really has been a while, hasn't it?"

"It has… and… I'm sorry I couldn't be there." Edward lowered his head. "That I couldn't be there for you. To see you grow up into the man I knew you could be. I am so… so sorry."

Wilson had tears come to his eyes. He honestly hadn't been sure of what to expect… This wasn't what he expected.

Wilson made his way over, sitting on a chair beside the bed.

"I forgive you."

Edward's head snapped up stunned.

"Huh?"

"I forgive you…. There was a lot going on… You were possessed, you… you weren't the one yelling or being cruel back then.."

I guess trying to give some last good memories didn't work like I hoped.

"And I wish I could've been able to stop him from saying those things… Wilson, you are everything to me. I did everything I could so I wouldn't hurt you… but I still did. And for that, I am so, so sorry."

"Father…"

Edward extended an arm to him.

"Wilson…"

Wilson brought his arms around him, sniffling a little. He couldn't believe it still. But there he was. With his family, right here beside him.

Edward held him close, resting his head against his.

"I love you so much, Little Will."

"I love you too."

Edward smiled, keeping close, looking over to his wife, holding his other arm out to her.

"I know you want in too."

Cecelia smiled, bringing her arms around them both, kissing her son's head.

"It's all okay now."

Wilson nodded sighing happily.

It really is.

Wickerbottom kept off to the side smiling at the sight.

Things will never always be perfect… but at least when storms pass there are those quiet moments that let us know that peace can still be found.