Chapter 23: Wasn't Alone
Epilogue
I bet you all weren't expecting this, but its NO specific POV this time…hehe thought I'd switch it up for the last chappie, that's so sad to write. Ah well so it begins, here it is:
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(6 months later)
Mark looked down carefully at the two ribbons in front of him, a delicate thin red ribbon and a thicker baby blue ribbon. Evie smiled up at him, her cherubic cheeks turning slightly pink as she giggled. Thinking it matched best with her outfit, he tied the red ribbon around her head, finishing with a little bow that Rachael had taught him to make. Rachael's mother had sent this little English jumper and pants that had a mixture of red, blue and white in it. Evie cooed and lifted her arms up. Mark picked her up, letting her rest on his hip. Luckily, today his little cutie was in a good mood; on other days, she sometimes screamed and fussed if it was the wrong ribbon. Today she lay against him chest perfectly pleased at the choice.
Rachael poked her head in the door, "Darling, Maureen and Joanne arrived." Her green eyes brightened when she saw Evelyn. "Ohh, well don't you just look so adorable?" She said, her voice lowering into her motherly 'baby-talk' voice. Evie stuffed her fingers in her mouth and sniggled. Mark walked towards his wife and kissed her forehead. Stuck between them, Evie switched places and snuggled onto Rachael.
Ryan ran to them, his eyes wide in child-like wonder as he gazed upon the infant. "Can I hold her?"
"Sure little mister, just sit down on the couch…" Rachael went with the excited young boy.
Joanne gave Mark a hug, "It's good to see you, how have you two been holding up?"
"Good, there have been a couple nights here and there where she keeps us up all night. But for the most part she's a little angel." Mark said, pulling his camera out from his bag that Rachael had bought him last Christmas. He turned it on and panned to Maureen who was coming towards the lens, walking with a strange limp and goofy face – just being her overly dramatic self as usual. Mark couldn't help but laugh and gave her a hug.
"Good to see you Marky." She said in her perky voice. She looked around, her hair swishing and hitting him in the face, "Where's Roger?"
"He went out a while ago, he said he'd be back in time though. So he should be back soon." Mark said, now turning the camera onto Collins who was carrying some drinks.
Ella reached up for one, but Collins laughed heartily, "Not for you my dear." He handed the Stoli out to the adults, bringing the kids the newly purchased juice boxes. With income from Mark's job at the Martin Agency, Collin's teaching gigs, and Roger's newest band, things were a little better off, allowing them to buy things like juice and actual food. They still had the usual Capn Crunch sitting in the back of the cupboard though.
The door opened and Mark panned to it. Roger stood there in his usual leather jacket, black shirt, and jeans. But, he wasn't alone.
"Umm, you guys? I want you to meet Stella….she's my girlfriend…." He finished hesitantly.
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I know you all hate cliff hangers, and especially at the end of a story, but I couldn't hesitate! It was instrumental in providing good suspense for the sequel, which is currently untitled, but it is all focused on Roger.
I wasn't planning to release this chapter yet, but my fingers kept itching for the keyboard. So the first chapter of the sequel should be up as soon as possible after my finals.
Thanks to all the faithful readers and to the reviewers, it means a lot!!
3 Nina