*I posted Ch. 17 earlier, so be sure to read that before you read this :)
Epilogue
Kate put the pen down, her hand cramping badly after writing everything. She shook it and winced, wondering how Tavs did it all those times. She regretted not typing it out, but Tavs always said handwriting was more personal. Looking down at it, Kate could believe that.
She sighed and pushed her chair back, standing up and stretching. Her eyes caught the photograph of her, Tavs, and Jensen on the desk, and her heart panged again from the loss. She looked out the window to get her mind off things and was suddenly feeling parched, so she went to the kitchen to get some water. She finished a moment later, setting the glass on the counter afterwards. She looked out at the water again, wondering if she could squeeze in a surf today before the sun went down.
She thought about everything, and her heart both hurt and felt warm at the same time. She went to bring in the clothes from the line, staying focused on the task as best as she could. After ten minutes, she heard a sound behind her, and a pair of arms encircled her from behind while fingers moved her hair and lips pressed into her neck.
"Hey," he said against her face under her ear. Kate smiled and rested her hands on his arms, turning her head to try and see him.
"Hey yourself," she said back, moving to face him and put her arms over his shoulders. She closed her eyes as he kissed her softly, his hands holding her face and the back of her head now.
"I missed you," he informed her.
"I missed you too," she replied. "Is your buddy ol' pal okay?"
"He's fine. All settled in."
"Good. That was a long three days," Kate added.
"It felt like a lifetime," he agreed, picking her up in his arms and walking her inside.
"I'm not done," she started, twisting to point at the clothes still hanging there.
"They'll still be there in ten minutes," he insisted. She turned back, tightening her grip with her legs around his waist and folding her fingers together to hook behind his neck.
"Oh really?" she said, giving him a look. "Only ten minutes?"
"Mm, you're right," he replied, hoisting her up an inch higher and making her giggle as he walked into their bedroom. "For you, I can do fifteen."
"Jensen!"
He fell down onto the bed backwards, bringing her down with him. They were a pile of arms and legs, laughing and joking until she kissed him, and everything else just disappeared.
"I love you so much," he said into her skin.
"Not more than I love you," she corrected as his lips ran down her neck to her shoulder. She felt his wedding ring dig into her skin as he gripped her waist.
"We alone?" he asked, pausing.
"Yes," Kate answered. Satisfied, he kept going. Kate closed her eyes and let him take her away from reality for a while. There were days where she couldn't stop thinking about how she'd almost lost him eight years ago, how they'd lost Tavs. Other times, she thought about what happened after and how it got her here to this point in time.
While very bittersweet, it had been the best thing to ever happen to her.
2018
Kate sat with her head in her hands, the tears coming hard and fast still. Reggie was sitting next to her, desolate and heartbroken. They both were. Tavs had died on scene, and Kate would never forget the sight of Reggie and then Alejandro administering CPR and shouting at her to stay. She couldn't believe her friend was gone, that Evan had taken her away like that. It was cruel and unfair, and she wished she could bring him back to life to kill him all over again.
Alejandro was long gone by this point, which wasn't surprising. She'd seen how upset he'd been, though, taking out his anger on a vending machine with a vengeance. He hadn't said anything to her, and she wondered how much Tavs had meant to him but didn't ask. He'd disappeared not long after, and she doubted she would ever see him again.
It had been a while sitting in this hospital, and in that time, more of her memories were back. She knew she was missing lots of pieces still, but the important ones were there: The main one being that she loved Jensen. She hated Evan all over again for drugging her and tricking her, but she realized she had been recalling bits and pieces on her own despite being drugged, which proved she eventually would have figured it out. She just wished she had figured it out sooner; maybe it wouldn't have ended like this.
Kate thought about Piper. How was she going to survive without her father? First her mother was taken away, then possibly her father? That just seemed so unfair. She felt so bad for bringing this horrific moment to her life, to Jensen's life.
Jensen.
Oh, God. If she lost him, she'd die. She loved him so much, and she knew she couldn't live without him. She couldn't stop seeing him suffering on the floor underneath her. She looked at her feet, still thinking about his last words to her.
Please...Piper...she needs you.
Kate had meant what she said. She'd take Piper in and raise her if she had to. She just didn't want it to be like this. She wanted Jensen to come out of this alive.
"Ms. Macer?"
Kate jumped to her feet, seeing the doctor standing there.
"Yes," she said. "That's me. Do you...do you have news?"
"Yes," he replied. "Mr. Ames is gonna be just fine. You can go see him now."
The relief that hit her was immense. She almost fell to her knees on the floor. She could have kissed this doctor.
"Thank you," she said, almost gasping. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Kate barely heard what room he said Jensen was in. She looked at Reggie, wishing Tavs could be here.
"Go," he said hoarsely. "I'll be alright."
She squeezed his hand hard, tears in her eyes, and a few slipped down his cheeks and he nodded and closed his eyes. He knew what she was saying, that she'd be there for him no matter what.
She reached Jensen's room a moment later and went inside. His eyes were closed. She cringed at the bruises on his face and saw that his lower chest was bandaged, the covers hiding the rest. She went over and rested her fingers on his bare shoulder, trying to think of what to even say. His eyes opened and found hers, and they just studied each other for a moment.
"I'm so sorry," she blurted. "This was all my fault. I brought this all into your life..."
"I love you," he cut in, stopping her in her tracks. She opened and closed her mouth, feeling a lot of different emotions.
"J..."
"Nothing is your fault, and regardless, I wouldn't trade anything if it meant never meeting you."
She felt a lump in her throat, feeling truly touched that he would say that considering the hell he'd just gone through.
"I'm yours," he said next. "Forever." Kate couldn't even begin to describe the warmth that went through her at this. Warmth then sadness that Tavs would never hear about this.
"I've always been yours," she replied. "I just had to find you." He smiled, and she squeezed his hand tightly in hers.
"How's Piper?" he asked, smoothing his thumb over her knuckles lightly.
"She's fine. We didn't tell her anything yet," Kate answered, and he looked a bit relieved. Piper had cried upon hearing her voice and told her how much she loved her. Kate couldn't wait to get back and hold her tight and never let go. Like with Jensen, she had a deep connection and love for that little girl that no memory altering drugs could destroy altogether.
"She's gonna be afraid to let us out of her sight after this," he advised, and Kate nodded in agreement. They'd have to manage that later. She looked at the floor, trying to figure out how to tell him about Tavs.
"Kate?"
She looked up at him. His eyes held the question, and she answered by shaking her head slowly, pressing her lips together tightly.
Jensen swore softly, closing his eyes for a moment. Kate watched a tear leak out and run down his cheek as he opened them again, his jaw working hard to keep the emotion in.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice a whisper.
"She opened the door, and he opened fire," Jensen replied. "It was calculated and quick; she had no time to react."
"Oh my God." She pressed a hand to her mouth, crying again.
"I'm so sorry," he said next. She shook her head again, gripping his hand tightly.
"Not your fault. We should have figured out that he wouldn't go after me directly, that he'd get revenge on me first by hurting you both."
"You came back," Jensen said, frowning slightly as he realized.
"I just didn't feel right," Kate advised. "I wish I had just never left."
Jensen had no response, and they stayed in silence for a moment. Kate couldn't believe she was never going to hear Tavs's laugh again or spend time with her talking about men and her shop and the kids on the baseball team.
"We'll get through," Jensen said now, making her look at him again. "Together." She nodded.
Then she moved to curl against him and sobbed.
Six Months Later
Jensen dodged Piper as she bolted around him with the two dogs on her heels. Reggie was cooking on the barbecue and calling to Kate about grabbing him a beer. Night was coming in, and a slight breeze was picking up.
The only thing missing was Tavs.
The funeral had been quite sad. Piper had been devastated and clung to him or Kate the entire time. A lot of folks had known Tavs over her time there, and many conversations and memories were shared, which Jensen had been grateful for. He'd learned a lot about her from Reggie, who shared about her childhood and time in the war. He'd always known she'd suffered in silence from trauma a lot, but she'd also worked hard to move forward from it.
Reggie had come to stay and pack up her place, but he'd ended up staying and living there instead. Case had hung around as well, seemingly enjoying Reggie's company. Jensen wasn't sure if anything would come out of it, but he hoped so for Reggie's sake. The guy needed something good in his life right about now.
"You heard from Joe?" Case asked now, leaning past him to snag a piece of cheese from the tray.
"Nah. You?"
"Yea. He's in Australia for a bit."
"Think he'll ever settle down?"
"Who knows," Case said with a laugh, carrying on her way to join Piper in a game of fetch with the dogs. Jensen watched until Kate joined him, leaning into him for a sideways hug.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey."
"It feels empty without her."
"I know."
Kate sighed and pushed a hand through her hair. "Guess we have to carry on, as much as it hurts."
"She lives on through us," Jensen assured her. "I have faith we'll see her again, don't you?"
"I'd like that." Kate smiled a little, and he kissed the side of her head lightly.
"Come on," he said, tugging her by the hand after him. He led them down the steps and off to the side of the house.
"What're you doing?" she asked.
It was time. He had wanted to do it right away, but he knew everyone needed time to grieve. He could practically hear Tavs scolding him for taking so long, so he wanted to honor her by doing it now.
"You know that you completely changed every plan I had for my life when you stumbled into it, right?" he said, and she tilted her head at him.
"In a good way I hope," she replied.
"Very good way," he confirmed. He dug into his pocket and pulled out the ring, sinking to one knee and taking her hand in his other one. "Kate Macer, will you spend forever with me and be in our family?"
Kate started to cry a little, unable to help herself. She nodded vigorously.
"Yes," she replied, trying to control her emotions. "Yes."
He slid the ring on, feeling a thousand different things inside, and she pulled him to his feet and kissed him hard. He returned it with his whole body, never wanting to let her go.
"She said yes! I'm gonna have a Mummy again!" Piper hollered, and Kate and Jensen broke apart and started laughing once they realized the little girl had spied on them.
"WOOO!" Reggie yelled back.
"About freaking time, J!" Case shouted. Reggie began to do a dance now, clapping his hands and making faces.
"You realize he's part of the package," Kate said to Jensen, who laughed again.
"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way."
She kissed him again, firmly and soundly, before pulling back and resting her face against his, her fingers trailing against his neck. "I love you."
"I love you more."
"Not possible." She gave him a look, and he smiled. Then Piper was leaping onto them both, so excited she could barely keep it together, and both Kate and Jensen had to catch her before she fell. Kate felt so happy she could burst, and judging from Jensen's very wide grin, she knew he felt the exact same way.
2026
"Ah, the gang's all here," Reggie commented as Kate and Jensen joined him on the beach, hand in hand. He was sitting in his fold out chair, bare feet digging into the sand. Case was sitting to his left, smiling. "Just missing the little ones."
"They're coming," Kate replied. She sat in the chair to his right with Jensen on her right. She played with his fingers in her hand, feeling a bit sad.
"Good trip?" Reggie asked Jensen, who nodded.
"Yea. Got Joe all settled."
"That's good."
"I doubt he'll stay settled for long," Case stated. "Always on the move, that one."
"We'll see," Jensen said. "Maybe we've rubbed off on him finally."
"Ha, sure," Case snorted. "He's not the domestic type. Unlike you two. You still act like you're on your damn honeymoon." She gave them a look. Kate felt Jensen squeeze her hand, and she knew he was thinking about earlier, which made her cheeks go hot despite her sadness.
"Sorry!" Piper called, rushing towards them. At 14, she was growing more beautiful by the day, and Jensen was spending more time beating off the boys, much to his chagrin. "He took too long to get ready when I picked him up."
"I did not!" the seven year old boy called, running behind her. "I was ready!"
"Mrs. Garcia had to go get you," Piper insisted. Kate was familiar with this. He had too much fun with his friend and hated to leave, so he dragged his feet.
"Mum, I was ready! I swear!" the boy exclaimed, crashing into Kate now. She caught him, almost keeling over backwards until Jensen caught the chair to stop her.
"Jake!" she cried, steadying herself. "Slow down, buddy!"
"Sorry, Mum," he replied, burrowing into her further. She looked at Jensen, who was biting down a laugh. Their son was a ball of energy most of the time; it definitely kept them on their toes.
"He fell off the handlebars," Piper added, sitting on Jensen's right with a heavy sigh. "It was a whole thing. That's also why we're late."
"She knocked me off," Jake replied, muffled against Kate.
"I was too busy pedaling to knock you off," Piper argued. "You were rocking back and forth!"
"I wasn't," Jake insisted.
"How about we stop bickering and start what we're supposed to be doing here right now?" Jensen suggested.
"Sorry, Dad," both Piper and Jake said. Kate grunted as Jake pushed himself up and pulled her arms around him, swinging his legs.
"Take it away, Reg," Kate said to her friend, and he nodded, standing up. Then he cleared his throat.
"Today we honor our friend, Tavs, on her birthday. She hated celebrating them, but she loved sunsets on the beach, just like Piper, so: Here's to Tavs and all that she brought to our lives. May she be up there laughing and living her best afterlife. Cheers, cuz."
"Cheers," Jensen repeated with Case, Kate, and Piper following.
"Cheers!" Jake shouted louder, making Reggie laugh. He reached to ruffle the boy's hair.
"Thanks, kiddo. And now, a moment of silence—to reflect." Reggie sat back down, and Kate kissed the back of Jake's head while Jensen put his arm around her. She looked at him, seeing in his eyes that he felt the same way...that they had a beautiful life and family and how lucky they were to have it. Their son had been planned and named after her father and Tavs: Jake Tavi Ames.
"Okay," Reggie said after a moment. "Now, tell me the silliest thing you heard today." He looked at the kids specifically. It was their thing they did together, including asking about what they learned or what made them angry or what was puzzling to them. Kate loved that her friend connected with her children so well. He'd taken over the ball team for Tavs, too, connecting with the orphans there and offering them a space to stay from time to time. Case had moved in a couple years ago, and the two of them seemed to be in it for the long haul. Kate was happy for them both.
"Oh, oh, oh!" Jake called, bouncing off Kate's knees now and hopping around in front of Reggie. "I got one!"
"Do tell."
"Buddy farting!"
Kate and Jensen groaned while Piper laughed and Reggie snickered. Case was just shaking her head, smiling. Then Piper was battling for attention on her silly thing she'd heard. Jensen tugged on Kate's hand, and she let him pull her up and walked with him away from the group slightly. She missed Daisy, the old girl having lived a full life with them all and dying peacefully in her sleep a couple years ago, but Buddy was a very strong reminder of her in many ways.
"No regrets?" Jensen asked her, her hand still in his, as they walked along the water's edge. The sun was just about down now, casting warm rays and rich colors.
"No. You?"
"None."
They stopped and turned to look back at their family, the one they'd created together. Kate leaned against his chest as he put his arms around her.
"I'm a very lucky, happy man, Kate," Jensen said against her ear. "You're the best third chance a guy could ask for."
"Ditto," she replied. "Although, I'm only on my second chance, so..." She laughed when he pinched her sides playfully. She wrapped her arms around his that were still snug around her from behind. He kissed her cheek, and she turned her head to kiss his lips softly. He rested his forehead against hers after, smiling. It was one of her favorite moments, and she was glad that she'd ended up here and found him.
She finally had her family, and she was never going to let go.
The End
Thank you, emillu, for leaving your thoughts along the way. I'm glad someone enjoyed this story and let me know :) I never know if what I'm writing is enjoyable unless someone tells me; you've no idea how many times a day I check for reviews lol.
That being said, I'm probably not posting any new stories for a while. I might again someday. Time will tell :) Meanwhile, you can catch my updates for Safer on the Edge if that series interests you.
Cheers, everyone :)