Epilogue

4-4-16

{Epilogue}

"Levy, are you home?" I hear Ian call out and grin. I put my book down and take the stairs two at a time towards the front door.

"Babe," I coo, capturing Ian in a tight hug followed by numerous kisses placed all over his face, neck and arms. He laughs and pushes me off playfully but leans in to kiss me chastely.

"Where is Jer?" he asks, looking around the hall.

"He's still at work, he'll be back in about an hour. But how was it? Are you tired? Did they treat you well? Did you have fun?" I ask, taking one of his hands in mine while I use the other to grab his bag before leading him upstairs.

"It was great, I'm exhausted. They treated me very well, and I had a lot of fun." He replies with a laugh followed by a tired yawn. I don't blame him, he just got back from a two week book tour and signing for his recently published book.

I remember a no more than three years ago when he was writing up the first draft, he would have weird bursts of energy followed by times when he didn't want to do anything but focus on school. Then if he didn't get inspiration through the moments when he didn't want to get out of bed, he had mini fits of rage that I had no idea what to do with the first time it happened.

I remember there was one time he got so fed up with the lack of inspiration that he lit his recent chapter on fire, burning it in our bathroom. When I asked him why he would do that, and if he had it backed up, he told me he did not have it backed up and he didn't know why he was even bothering writing something that no one will ever read. Although I didn't--and still don't--fully understand what he's talking about, about making a difference, I get what he means. He wants to leave something behind that people will remember.

Of course in those times I couldn't do much but offer him a change of scenery and comfort him. Jer helped a bit more, taking him to places I would never set foot in--such as this old abandoned mental hospital a few towns away. But then he finished the first draft, and the second, and third until he sent a polished manuscript to a publisher. He was ecstatic that his book was published, it was nice to see him less emotional and more to himself.

Then he went on the tour and of course neither Jer nor I could go because we both have work. I missed him so much, and I know Jer will be happy to see Ian a day earlier than expected.

"Come on, lie down and take a nap. We can all talk about it later. If you want anything tell me," I add, leading Ian to the bed where he lies down. He clutches Jer's pillow to his chest and sighs, his eyes falling shut.

"Thanks, boo." He replies and I smile, leaning down to kiss him on the forehead.

"No problem, babe. Now get some sleep." I mumble, leaving the room after I turn out the light. I go into the kitchen and begin making dinner, knowing Jer will be back soon.

Halfway through making some mashed potatoes to go with our Tri-Tip, my phone rings. I wipe my hands on my black jeans before I take my phone from my back pocket. I glance at the caller ID real quick and a grin spreads on my face.

"Hey, Dad." I greet, jumping up to sit on the white marble of our bar.

"Hey, kiddo. How have you been doing?" he asks curiously and I shrug, keeping an eye on the boiling green beans to make sure they don't overcook.

"I'm great, Ian just got home." I add with a goofy smile, watching the water in the black pot bubble slowly.

"Oh, he got home early? That's great. Do you and Jer have anything special planned for him?" I shake my head.

We actually were planning to invite everyone over for dinner when Ian got back, but everyone would be busy and I knew Ian would be too tired. So we decided to just make a nice dinner and bring out an expensive wine Victoria gave us one of the time she was over a few months ago with Lydia, her new wife.

"Nah, we decided to have a small dinner. We're going to open the Bordeaux Victoria gave us a few months ago." I explain, hopping down from the bar to stir the greens.

"Make sure to let it breathe. Did you catch the game?" I smile as I stir the green beans.

"Yes, oh my God, I can't believe we almost lost. Thank God for that save, am I right?" I add, shaking my head.

"Definitely. Oh I got Ian something for his birthday, I know it's a bit late but I'll drop it off tomorrow." He adds. I laugh a bit, realizing that he's a bit more than late with Ian's gift as his birthday was a bit more than a month ago, but I doubt Ian will care, we all know my dad has a bad memory when it comes to dates.

"That's great, I should be here, if not Ian will be for sure." I clear my throat and bite my lip. "How is Mom?"

There's a pregnant pause, allowing me to hear the distant sound of the newscaster on the TV Dad must have playing. Then finally I hear him clear his own throat and I can imagine him shifting uncomfortably as he does anytime I ask him about Mom.

"She's good, kiddo. She's been babysitting a lot for the neighbors, you remember them, right? The Petersons? Well, they recently adopted a new daughter and your mother has been over there almost every day for weeks to babysit." He explains with a laugh but we both know he's not exactly amused. We both know how sad he is that my mother refuses to talk to me, to even acknowledge my existence other than to remind me how disappointed she is in me for choosing this.

"That's great, I hope that kid turns out better than I did in her eyes." I mutter bitterly but immediately regret it.

"Levy," Dad starts and I sigh, dropping the spoon to the counter with a clank.

"I know, I know. She doesn't mean it, she'll come around, she loves me. It's been fifteen years, Dad, I don't think she's going to come around." I snap with another sigh, opening my mouth to continue about how my mother obviously does not give a damn about me if she doesn't even want to acknowledge my existence. But then I feel a pair of strong arms around my waist and I lean into them, relaxing slightly as Ian's smooth scent fills my nose.

"I'm sorry, I know you don't want to hear that." I say.

"No, it's not your fault, kiddo. But she does love you, you know." He replies.

"I know, of course she does." I assure, even if I don't believe it. I want my dad to be happy, I don't want him to be upset because of my mother. "Hey, Dad, I have to go actually. I have to finish dinner and Ian just woke up, Jer will be home in a few. I'll talk to you later though, I love you."

"I love you too, kiddo. I'll talk to you later. And I'll talk to your mom too." He adds. I smile wanly at that but nod.

"Alright, talk to you later, bye." I reply, hanging up and sniffing as I lean into Ian.

"Don't think about it," Ian whispers, brushing his slightly chapped lips over the sensitive skin of my neck. I hum with a small smile, reaching behind me to rest my hands on his hips.

"I miss her." I state.

"I know," he mumbles against my neck. He pulls away and turns me to face him, his lips turned in a smile. "What are you making?"

"Tri-Tip, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Oh, and we're opening the wine Victoria gave us a few months ago." I add, leaning in to kiss him as I push thoughts of my mother away.

"That sounds great, hon." He replies when I pull back to turn off the stove and pull the pot of green beans off the burner.

"The potatoes are a bit runny, but the meat is already great. Jer let it marinate over night and we used that one beer you like in the marinade." I explain, opening the oven to make sure the meat is cooling but not completely cooled.

"Yum, that sounds great. I can't wait to try it. I've been living off fast food." He adds with a shudder and I chuckle.

"Well, I can guarantee it will be way better than any fast food." I assure as the front door closes. I exchange a glance with Ian who grins. I laugh when he darts out of the kitchen to greet Jer and cease my stirring to listen.

All I hear is a loud 'ooph!' followed by a thud and laughter before Jer speaks.

"Babe, I didn't know you would be back today. God, I missed you." I hear footsteps move through the house into the kitchen and I turn to see Ian clamped around Jer's arm. I smile, putting my fork down and wiping my hands on my jeans. I walk across the kitchen to where Jer is still standing with his arm around Ian's waist and I smile, kissing Jer in greeting before hugging the two.

"Hey," I greet as he lifts my hand up to kiss the top.

"Hey, love. Is dinner almost ready? I'm starving, I had to skip lunch for a meeting." Jer adds, dropping my hand so I can go stir the potatoes a bit more.

"Dinner is ready, could you set the table?" I ask, not really aiming the question at either of them, just whoever wants to. They both do it together though, taking the plates and silverware before disappearing to the dinning room. I pour the green beans into a bowl, draining the water and putting the bowl next to the bowl of steaming mashed potatoes. I pull the Tri-Tip from the oven and move it to a clean tray, putting a knife on the tray.

I take the tray and move to the dinning room, placing it in the middle of the table where Jer and Ian are already sitting. I go back to the kitchen to grab the potatoes and green beans, placing them on the table also before I go back for the wine.

I take a seat at the dark red wood table and we begin loading our plates. For a couple minutes we're silent, the clinks of silverware on the black plates as we load the food on the plates. Though Ian pauses after he fills his plate and bows his head to pray but Jer and I start eating right away. Ian starts eating after he's done praying and we start talking about Ian's book tour, Jer's recent deal with a large high end clothing store, and a few of the recent cases I've had at the law-firm.

It's casual and nice as we pour the wine after it breathes. After dinner Jer helps me with the dishes while Ian migrates to the living room, turning on the TV to play some soft music while he reads. I wipe my hands off when I place the last plate in the dish drainer. I follow Jer into the living room where Ian is lounging on the couch with a book in hand. I move to take a seat but Jer's fingers lock with mine, pulling me into his body.

I arc a brow up at him in question and he smiles. He slips his other hand around my waist, moving down to grip my ass.

"Dance with me," he commands and I chuckle, dropping my head as I shake my head.

"Why?"

"This is nice music." Jer replies, swinging us around in a circle. I laugh and move my hand around his neck and he grins.

"Okay," I reply with another round of laughter as he spins us again. He moves me away, pulling me back into his chest in a cheesy slow dance type move. By now Ian has perched on the couch, his book forgotten, to watch us in amusement.

After a few more spins, a girly twirl, and a run in with the wall, Jer finally stops in the middle of the room. I assume he's content with the stopping, until he dips me and I yelp in surprise, barely able to hold my footing as Jer looks down at me. He pulls me back up and plants his lips on mine lovingly, his arms dropping to my waist as he kisses me with so much love, so much passion.

And I smile, distantly remembering myself wishing I had exactly this fifteen years ago. I wanted to just dance with my partner, have fun. I have that now, with Ian and Jer, I have exactly what I wanted fifteen years ago and I can't begin to thank God enough, because everything worked out.

I know we'll always have problems, people will still look at us in disgust when we walk through town. But as long as I have them, I don't care about anyone else; everyone in the world can hate me, my mother can hate me, as long as I have Ian and Jer I can handle anything. We can handle anything.

{The End}

~~So guys, this is the end *starts singing The End until I realize no one knows what song that is* *cough cough* anywhooo, yeah it's over. I cant believe how hard it was to drop this last chapter, I went through it a good four times, trying to prolonge it. But I did say I would update today so kinda had to.

I have to admit, I feel completely lost not writing about Levy, Ian, and Jer. Who knows, maybe one day I can write a sequel. If not, you guys can always, request I do a one shot of a scene involving these characters. It can literally be anything you could possibly think of, and I promise I will attempt to write it.

Anywho, I am extremely curious so if you could drop a comment answering any of the questions below I would be elated. And don't forget to tell me what you think, even if you don't answer the question(s).

1) Did you expect the book to turn out like this?

2) Do you like the ending?

3) Do you believe Levy's mom had the right to do what she has done? And do you think she will forgive him in time?

And last,

4) Are you upset that this turned out to be a polyamorous book?

And now, I just want to thank each and every one of you who has made it this far; each of you who has read this to the end, voted, commented and helped it reach the top ten in General Fiction at one point. I love seeing all your guys' thoughts, they make me laugh and make days brighter. Anyway, enough of that I'm getting sappy. I hope you enjoyed this because I know I enjoyed this a lot. Thank you all so, so much. ♥

Beautiful fan art by Levi_Ackerman101