Author's Note: This is it, guys. I hope you've enjoyed and don't hate me too much for what I've done. Thanks for sticking with me and I hope to have more to share in the future.

Epilogue – Angel Boy

I've felt the hand of the Devil, felt his breath on my skin
Dip me into the water, wash me again
Can I still be forgiven for all of these things
Or have I gone too far now
Have I lost my wings

Travis watched Wes take the stage, white cap and gown shining under the overhead lights, red valedictorian sash standing out like a beacon. He never could fathom how Wes managed to maintain such an epic GPA, considering what he had been dealing with, but his grades never faltered no matter how bad things got at home. Which is why he was standing on that stage currently, giving the commencement address for his class' graduation ceremony.

He'd graduated the year prior, but he hadn't been anywhere near the top of his class. Making it was the only thing he'd focused on. Wes had changed his outlook on school, however, and he did worlds better than he had the previous years. Even so, he wasn't any match for Mr. SmartyPant's 4.6 GPA.

Travis couldn't have been more proud of Wes than he was right then.

Wes' speech was eloquent, direct, and meaningful. He spoke with his hands, emphasizing the important parts, hoping that others saw them that way as well. Near the end, he looked out into the audience and caught Travis' gaze. A smile ghosted across his lips, before he sobered up and continued.

He stood before the principal, shaking hands and accepting his diploma. Wes had changed so much since that first day two and a half years ago. Somewhere along the line, that quiet, reserved little boy had grown into a confident, articulate young man. The kind of man you want to be friends with, or just the kind of man you want to be. Travis was lucky enough to not just be his friend, but more.

Diploma in hand, Wes made his way to the edge of the stage and stood by his seat, watching as the rest of the class filed by, accepting congratulations and walking away as graduates. But Wes was the first to get his, the first in his class, the first Travis had known to break free of such a debilitating past.

Over the next few weeks, they were tasked with the duty of packing Wes' life up – again – and moving him in with Travis, up north in Stanford, where he'd been accepted to study law. His Wes was going to be a lawyer someday. The thought gave Travis chills – both the good kind and the bad kind, considering the kind of kid he'd been at his worst.

The principal was speaking now, closing the ceremony, readying to release the graduates into the world. Wes glowed with happiness, his pride in himself evident on his face. Travis was sure his reflected the same emotions. He gave his boy a subtle two thumbs up and was amused when Wes returned the gesture. Not so very long ago, he wouldn't have dared.

Wes had confessed that he was scared – this was starting over and new beginnings were hard. Travis disagreed. This wasn't a new beginning, but the continuing of an established life. The sequel to the movie, the next book in the series. This part was going to be easy because Wes had already made it through the hard part. After what he'd survived? The rest was cake.

All he needed was a little icing… and someone to share it with.