Epilogue
10 years into the future…
"To be honest," Fang whispered, "I think this house was made for us." We sat on a porch swing rocking back and forth. I had insisted we put it in the front to watch the road without standing so my feet didn't hurt. I was curled up into his arms. Fang was the one with his toes on the ground so he could swing us back and forth. I smiled and secretly agreed.
That's the way it had been for the past five years. Angel, when she was thirteen, was the only one who had been staying in the house until she got into a smarty pants boarding school. Leaving only Fang and I, seeing as how Iggy and Nudge got their own place as soon as Nudge was an adult. Gazzy went off to electronic school.
Remembering?
Always, I assure you.
In my mind, I pictured one of the most unexpected days I ever came across.
Ella was busy with my hair. I had to bite my lip from telling her to stop curling the strands or else I'll go bald but I had been warned several times by the group of girls. Fourteen year old Angel was busy with adjusting the bracelet that had been my mother's. "Stop fidgeting," Ella complained.
"Sorry, I've spent most of my life expecting everything to go wrong. Today, I can see a whole army of M-Geeks bursting through the forest," I complained. My wings twitched over the fabric. We were in Fang and I's room and there was a happy jitter in the air. I had been refrained from seeing myself in the mirror which was driving me crazy.
"Are we done yet?" I huffed, focusing on my hands gripping the white, silk fabric. I fiddle with the pockets (yes, I said that right, pockets). My mother was standing in front of me watching to make sure Ella didn't make any mistakes. Nudge was picking at the bouquet to make the perfect arrangement. I saw the glint of her own ring (well, of course, Nudge made it down the aisle before me, she was less stubborn). She smiled at me and rolled her eyes.
Minutes passed, I kept playing with my hands or my dress. Eventually, Ella got so fed up with my nervous twitching that she slapped my hands a few times. "Maximum Ride, I swear! If you don't cut it out, I will make you get married with your hands tied behind your back."
I smiled, "Ironically, that sounds exactly like something that would happen at my wedding." We laughed as another strand of my hair was practically yanked out. "I'd like to have some hair you know," I complained. It seemed like I was complaining a lot today.
"Don't worry, I think she's ready. Guys, what do you think?" I felt Ella adjusted the veil onto my head. I was met by several eyes staring right at me. Well, this is uncomfortable.
Are you ready yet?
Chill Fang, I honestly don't know.
I smiled just as it was determined I was ready by words such as "Perfect" and "Oh gosh Max, you're gorgeous." Then, I was turned to face the mirror. "Ready?" Ella asked. Then, she unveiled me.
My hair was mostly down, the long brown tendrils curling not too much just the way I liked it. Two braids where on either side of my head and met at the back to form a small pony tail. I had no make-up to my protest except a light pink gloss on my lips. The dress had no sleeves and followed every line of my curve. The back was low enough that I didn't have to cut slits in the dress for my wings. It puffed out slightly at the waist for a long skirt with two simple pockets that were mostly there for stylish. My heels were small enough that I didn't have to worry about tripping. I was still Max just a little girlified.
Then, I found myself standing at the end of a small aisle. You know those moments in movies where the bride and the groom watch each other. Well, Fang and I did just that. Only the flock, my mom, and Jeb were there. We did the holding each others hands, saying "I do" and rings thing. The normal, even if we didn't have wings, kind of thing.
You're beautiful Max.
You're quite handsome too.
I know.
Ego much?
Fang and I leaned in waiting for the kiss.
And to think you'll have to deal with it forever.
I knew that way before I said 'I do', Fang. Believe me.
Crying brought me back to reality. I sighed and went to stand up. Fang placed a hand on my arm delicately. "I'll go," I sighed and stared over my shoulder as Fang went to the front of the house. We had renovated a lot since it was confirmed we wouldn't be on the run anymore. Nudge and Iggy shared a room whenever they visited. Angel got her own room, she was only eighteen but currently living with her own boyfriend. Gazzy was busy rebuilding cars while his fiancée planned their wedding. Believe me, we're still the same old flock, we've just grown up. They had a room as well. There was one room left…if you haven't figured it out.
Just then a yellow bus pulled out in front and I smiled. I remained sitting on the swing set. A small figure jumped down each step, her blonde pony tail bouncing along with every step. Her dark eyes finally darted up when she hit the solid ground. "Mommy!" I heard her even over the sound of the bus driving away. Her wings opened up and she drifted a bit as she ran towards me. I was too tired as it was and my large stomach wasn't helping.
"Be careful," suddenly Fang was walking out holding a small boy all dark hair and wings, dark eyes, not a speck of me in him except his stubborn chin (well, Fang had one too but I liked to say he got it from me). "Mommy had a hard time today."
Bell smiled, "I know Daddy. At school today, we did jump rope at recess." Being four, our daughter often explained her preschool adventures. Fang sat next to me still holding Clark. "Did you come up with names yet?" Her small hand was now tracing circles on my stretched stomach.
I smiled. Suddenly, Clark, who was a silent one too, was whining and reaching out towards me. Fang appeared that he wanted to say something but I reached out too.
You shouldn't Max. You could hurt yourself.
I want to hold my son. He's only two, Fang, he wants his mother. Let him have some time with me.
Max-
Fang.
"Mommy," Clark whispered as I held him gently. He wrapped his finger around my hair which he had gotten into a habit of. There were days when he would fall asleep with my hair tangled in his grip. He cuddled his forehead against my neck being careful around my stomach. Bell climbed up into Fang's lap and he continued our swinging of back and forth.
"What are the names?" Bell asked impatiently.
"Well," I began running a hand over my stomach. "If it's a boy, we'll name him Ronald and if it's a girl, we'll name her Lucy." Bell nodded her head as she listened.
Look where we are now, it's quite nice.
Yeah.
Oh no, do not go back to one word answers.
Fang stared at me and I smiled. Bell was resting her head on Fang's shoulder staring at me and Clark. It wouldn't be long before she fell asleep and Clark as well. We were nice and comfortable. He leaned over and kissed me on the lips. "Mommy?" Bell lifted up her head with a mysterious look on her face. "Can we go out to dinner tonight?" Then she hit me with Bambi eyes (darn it to Nudge and Angel for teaching her that).
Max, don't be a sucker for it.
Can't resist-
"Sure honey, but let Clark finish his nap." Fang smirked at my response. Just couldn't resist, after all these years.
"No bed," Clark mumbled before yawning. I laughed and stood up to bring him to bed. Fang took Bell to go set up a movie for her to watch until we would go out for dinner. We met in our own room.
"So, still happy to chose this?" Fang asked. He wrapped his arms around my waist. I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, of course." He leaned in to kiss me. Little did he know that I had one saying that kept me going, it was the same one that I had said when Angel gave me my memory back. Any day of my life, from walking down the aisle to going to the hospital to have a child, I repeated this to myself. But then again, if Fang could read my mind, then he probably knew these words just as well as I did.
I can't say no. I can't be scared.
I must always be prepared.
This is what it means to be me-
Maximum Ride.
All right, that's the end my faithful readers. And Max really does say those last four lines when she gains her memory back.
As for the children's names, they are all people who can fly.
Bell=Tinker Bell
Clark = Clark Kent
Lucy= Beatles Song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"
Ronald= Ron Weasly who uses a broomstick in Quidditch to fly
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse of the future.
This is the end of the Ride...
Goodbye, I love you readers and reviewers, thank you to all (and to whoever nominated this story for the maximum ride fanfiction awards 2 THANK YOU!),
Flyerac1029