A/N: Like promised, here's the end of the end. Because I'm not cruel enough.

Confused?

Just read. ;)

Epilogue

April held Tobias with an ease that balanced the infant on her hip while she poured a cup of coffee in her apartment kitchen. "Don't worry, Marina," she said. "I have things handled."

"You sure?" Marina asked. She didn't mean it as a sign of distrust; she was worried, which April could understand.

The redhead turned towards the Latina with a smile. "I won't let anything happen to him, Rina."

"Oh." Marina shook her head, loosening several dark curls from the messy bun she had pulled them back into. "I don't mean it like that, April. It's just...it's Friday night and you're the single one, not me. You should be out having fun."

"The party scene's overrated anyway."

"We feel like we're strong-holding you into this, though."

"No worries. You and Hugh deserve a date night. Besides, hasn't he been planning tonight ever since Christmas?"

Marina's painted lips drew upwards and her dark eyes sparkled with a light April missed seeing in the mirror. "Yeah. It may sound cruel, but…Hugh's arrest made him prioritize things. It's been nice, being his center again."

"Least some of us around here have that relief." April's words were bitter, despite an attempt to quell them. With a sigh, she resituated Tobias so he could rest his head on her shoulder since his neck was obviously growing tired.

"That's what I mean, right there," Marina said, heated. "You're turning twenty-eight this year?"

"Thirty."

"You have every right to want a stable family. It's what I wanted, and though life made me wait until I was forty-three, I love it."

"I don't know. Maybe I'll be one of those people who never have kids of their own. Nia and Raph got Selene and Nyx. You and Hugh have Toby here. Least I won't ever be short of a baby fix."

"That's not the point." Marina's dark gaze stiffened April's body. "You love these kids. I know you do. I do too. But…they're not yours."

No, they weren't. And try as she may to keep jealousy at bay, April succumbed to resentment sometimes. The couples around her had everything she wanted. Why was she left out?

"I think you should seriously consider dating a guy for longer than a month, April," added Marina, soft. "Waiting for Jones…"

The redhead hissed and brought her attention to Tobias. If it weren't for his adorable pouty lips and wonder-filled eyes, her rampage would start, and he didn't need to see that at such an influential stage. "Toby, you are all the man I need in my life right now. So tell Mommy not to worry."

"April—"

"I have a stock pile of baby things. Including diapers that are newborn and Toby's size. Jarred food. Formula. And, yes, it's for sensitive tummies. I have extra Gripe Water, too, just in case Toby's little body gets upset."

Sigh slow, gusto depleted, Marina nodded. "We'll be here around ten or eleven."

"Take as much time as you want. Toby and I may even go see the girls. What do you think of that, Little Man?"

Tobias flashed a toothless smile, gurgling.

"He's really taken a liking to them," said Marina with a laugh. She stepped forward to place a kiss on her son's afro then spared the redhead a thankful look. "Have fun."

"Always."

April watched Marina leave. The poor mother eyed her infant the entire time, until she ran into the entryway on route to the front door. Chuckling, she blew a kiss at Toby, and April waved his chubby arm as she shut the entrance.

"What do say, Tobias?" April asked the tanned boy. "Wanna go see your girlfriends?" Toby waved his arms as if he had no idea how to contain his excitement, making April laugh. "Alright. Let's get you ready then."

Switching Toby to her other hip, April grabbed her coffee mug to place it beside the fridge. She'd finish it before leaving, but first she needed to drop off Tobias at his activity gym. It awaited him in the living room, its bright colors and toys calling for the infant's notice. He gave the attention readily and began hitting the dangling owl toys before the redhead situated him on the padded mat.

"You behave," she told the squealing boy. "I have some things to pack then we can—"

Knock. Knock.

April twisted to the front door. Did Marina forget something? It seemed odd since the knocks were almost hesitant.

"Weird," she muttered.

After a quick glance at Toby, the redhead stood. She reached the door in seconds and wasted no time opening it. Why would she wait? What did she expect to find?

Certainly not who stood beyond it.

His tall body stole all oxygen from the room and his blue eyes stopped time. Striking, bright blue eyes; eyes that had haunted April's hopes and dreams for over a year. They were familiar yet at the same time…not. Something changed in them, a shift that left April reeling with confusion.

"Ca—Casey?" she whispered.

"Hi, Ape," Casey Jones replied.

His strong, hoarse voice caused his ex's fingers to grip the door handle tighter. Was this a dream? Could he be real? What was he holding?

April's misty vision fell to his barrel chest. Inside his giant trench coat, he shielded something small. It squirmed, groaned and sniffled, and without looking up, April brushed aside the unbuttoned coat. She found a pale child bundled in pink clothes. Her face rubbed into Casey, her blonde hair peeking out from below a knitted beanie, but she remained asleep.

"Wh—who is this?" April asked though labored breaths. "Where have you been? Why'd you never answer my texts? Just—what—what makes you think it's okay to come here? Like this? Seriously, Jones, what's wrong with you?"

Casey hushed her, unafraid of the redhead's growl. "I know I gotta a lot 'a 'plainin' ta do, Lucy, but I…I didn't know where else ta go."

April scoffed at the Sit Com reference. "How about out west? You seemed to like it there." The blue eyes darkened with pain as Casey's hand fell, but before she found out why, she had to know. "Who is she?"

"This?" Casey smiled at the blonde he held. "This is Shadow. She's…she's my daughter, Ape…"

A/N: Yeah, I went there. Told ya'll I had a plan for Casey. Now he's back. How changed is he? Will he and Ape be able to make amends? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, I want to give one final thanks to my readers and wonderful regulars. If it weren't for such love, I'd end up keeping my story to myself. LOL Love goes to...

D - for reading my romance series because she says it has great balance. :D

Zathura - for being so energetic! And gushing. Gotta love the gushing. ;)

Sciencegal - for being a sounding board and friend. :3

Feather - for being here from the start and continuously showing interest and support, to the point where she catches my small Easter Eggs. ;D I always look forward to your engaging guesses, gushing, and general reactions.

Thank you all for being such loyal fans. It means so much! *throws glitter and confetti*

Next up in series is "The Distance", although i'm sure you already know that. It'll follow Leo, roughly from a month into his trip to South America and onward. It's still a massive WIP, so I have no ballpark for its release. Hopes are it'll be done this year. I can't make any promises though. :)

Thanks again!