Epilogue

8 years into the future…

"Mommy!" I turned on my heels only to be caught by surprise by a small figure flying through the air crashing into me. I fell backwards into the warm, soft sand of the beach to our safe house. I began giggling in with the high pitched laugh of my daughter as I felt another figure land on me too- my son's giggles were silent and filled my head.

"Hello," I replied with a smile as I easily wrapped my arms around their thin, bird-kid bodies. "Can we let Mommy up now?" I asked, my head resting in the sand and having the glare of the sun right in my eyes.

"I don't think so," a shadow rested over my head. Then, strong, large arms wrapped around me and the kids. Fang's dark eyes were glinting with humor as he lay on top of us. Mela and A.J. began screeching with excitement and playfulness.

When they finally calmed, both of them resting their heads on my shoulders and Fang watching me from above, I managed to ask, "How was preschool for my nestlings?" Fang had decided to let the kids try normal life and let them meet people. I wanted my kids to have an education and all. They both understood to hide their wings and so far, no problems from the teachers except to ask why Mela was only in preschool for being so smart a young girl and if we knew that A.J. was always so silent.

"Mommy, I beat a girl in jump rope," Mela explained. I noticed she was different than the Mela I had met as a teen. Instead, she still called me "Mommy" instead of "Mom" which was nice. I liked her still acting like a child.

"I hope you made friends though," I warned. Mela sighed and rolled her eyes. I could tell what she was thinking. "Honey, just because you've got your family and your aunts and uncles doesn't mean you can't have friends," I said with a smile. "And what about you, Ari Jeb?"

Hearing his full name, A.J. knew he should speak. "Jessica helped me color in a picture of a doggy. I made it look like Total." I smiled faintly, Total having passed just last year. I watched as A.J. pulled out a paper from his pocket and unfolded it. He showed me the already drawn dog that had been obviously colored black by a young child. Some might consider the two large spots on the back as a result of the child missing the lines but I knew they were Total's wings.

"A.J. why don't you go put it on the fridge for everyone to see when they come to visit?" Both my kids went to stand. I felt a warm embrace around my waist that was strong enough to pull me to my feet. I watched them, wings opened lightly to catch the wind as they raced up towards the stairs that led to the back porch of the house.

"The teachers told me we have very exceptional children," he whispered into my ear. "And who is coming over? Nudge and Iggy had just stopped by a few days ago and Nudge's morning sickness made it impossible to be alone because she kept waking up the kids- they're such light sleepers like their mother."

"Since when did you become such a talker?" I muttered, reaching for his hand to unwrap his hold on me. We held on tightly at the hands. "Ella wanted to stop by in a few days. For now, it's just us. Now, answer my question." Fang laughed.

"Since I had nothing to worry about saying. We've been safe- it's been eight years." We walked slowly up to the house knowing Mela and A.J. were fine without us. Iggy and Nudge had found their own house not too far away after they were married (another part of a new future). Gazzy was off finishing technical school after taking a year off with his fiancé to travel Europe. Angel was also almost done with college- managing to skip a few grades with her vast knowledge. Now, the safe house was just Fang and I's.

"I love this, being safe," I yawned, exhausted from the late night I had from Fang. I felt him squeeze my hand and chuckle lightly. I sent him a look that said drop it because our son was nearby and could easily read our minds if he wanted to. I went and kissed him quickly.

In the end, it's strange to not be fighting for my life but if I looked at it, I still was but in a very different way. I fought to make breakfast in the morning and to accept the fact that my flock was no longer under my watchful eyes.

When we looked in through the glass door, I saw Mela helping A.J. pour a glass of orange juice. To their dismay, Mela missed the entire cup and the juice spilled all over the counter. "Mela!" I heard A.J. complain as the liquid fell on him and his sister.

"Help me clean this up before Mommy and Daddy see," Mela whispered as she grabbed the towel hanging on the oven and placed it on the mess on the counter while A.J. sat and watched. "Come on A.J." I heard him giggle.

I turned my attention to Fang who had wrapped his arm around me to pull me in and watch the scene play out before us. "Should we go in?" I asked as Fang stared forward with a smile spread across his face.

"No, they're fine," he whispered. He laughed in my ear as I turned in his grip. I placed my arms around my neck and allowed him to kiss me on the lips. I heard the kids laughing inside still picking up the mess they made. I was sure in a few seconds they would both give up and I'd probably have to clean it up in the end.

"I like this future," I mumbled, resting my head on his shoulder, the warm fabric of the shirt present on my cheek. His lips grazed the top of my head and I felt tingles travel through me. I've known him my entire life and still, it makes my heart speed up every time I see him. "I love you," I mentioned.

Here it is, the end to the stories of Maximum Ride- savior of the world/bird-teen. Now, I'm just Maximum Ride- wife/mother/bird-adult. Life is normal, sweet, and beautiful. No more running, fighting M-Geeks, or punching Brigid in the face.

Nothing's done- nothing's over. We've still got a lot of life to live. Fang's voice replied in my head.

I smiled into his neck, I know.

So, just in case you're wondering.

I'm living on an island with my husband and kids.

That's all you need to know.

Goodbye forever.

-Maximum Ride