EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE

It's been 5 years now...

I graduated 2 years ago and I'm currently working at my dad's company as an IT manager in New York City, yeah, I'm still in New York, just in a different city.

But right now I'm here in Rochester, visiting my former university and just reminiscing, I always come here whenever I have free time and I have a week off since it's almost New Year.

It's hard to forget this place since the most important events happened in this city and I met the woman I love in this city

After visiting the university, I decided to walk around and look at the place.

There are changes but some things still stays the same, My old apartment still looks the same, at least from the outside. I wonder if they change the color of the inside, I smiled as I remember the last time I painted that room

I passed by the old bookstore, the one Chris once owned, only it wasn't a bookstore anymore but a toy and novelty store. I decided to go inside and check it out

This place sure change a lot, they renovated the inside and changed the house's design. My eyes then wandered to the shelf where there are small action figures and key chains of known characters. I went there and saw a key chain of Eve from the movie "Wall-E"

I picked it up and looked at it

"I want to be like Eve, I want to meet someone that I'll love whole heartedly..."

I slightly smiled and ended up buying that key chain then I left

It's my last day here; I went to see my secret place which isn't a secret anymore

It was now a public park, the local government finally saw the hidden pathway there and since the place was beautiful, they decided to make it a park. They added a few tables and benches here and there, a bike pathway and cleared up the hidden pathway but other than that, the place is still as beautiful as I can remember. I saw the tree I used to sit under and saw a bench under it

That tree is such a perfect place to sit under that they decided to put a bench under it.

So I went there and sat then closed my eyes and memories came flooding back...

Don't get me wrong, we still had some communication after she left but then we both got busy and lost track with each other, 2 years have passed by since I last heard from her, I wonder how she is. Is she thinking of me right? Does she still love me the way I love her?

I opened my eyes and sighed before going back to my hotel room.

The next day, I woke up early and packed my things. After having breakfast, I checked out of the hotel and hopped into my car. It's a long drive back, better to leave early so I can arrive soon, and since it' s New Years eve tomorrow, I bet dad's already planning to have a party so they'll need me to help them get ready.

I started the engine and off I go back to New York City

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I arrived in NYC at around 1 pm, I stopped by my condominium unit and grabbed a few clothes before going to my parents house.

I arrived and my mom was the first one to greet me at the door, she instantly gave me a hug

"How was your trip?" she asked

"It was good mom" I said "where's dad?"

"At the kitchen, preparing for tomorrow's party, I swear that father of yours made partying a tradition on New Year"

I laughed as I put down my luggage

"Oh by the way, you have visitors"

As soon as my mom said that, out comes Jamie from the kitchen

When I saw her, I quickly punched her arm and gave her a hug

"You big dork, why didn't you tell me you were visiting?!" I asked surprised

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I tell now would it?" she grinned and hugged me again

It's been months since the last time I saw Jamie, Jamie works as Head of communications in a company in LA so both of us have been busy with work plus Jamie's also been busy with...

"Where's your fiancée?" I asked "she's the one I'm actually expecting to be here since she's actually a relative" I joked

"I'm right here! You doofus!"

Kelsey walked out from the kitchen and went towards us and gave Jamie a kiss

"Eww!" I teased which earned me a good slap on the arm by Kelsey while Jamie laughed

"I forgot, you're not on my side anymore" I said to Jamie with a grin

"I'm still on your side, just not always" Jamie grinned

Kelsey giggled then finally gave me a big hug "c'mon, Uncle Tony wants you to go grocery shopping with us"

And Kelsey pulled me to the door with Jamie following us and giggling.

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During dinner, all of us had some catching up to do, so there's a lot of talking going around

"By the way Nicky, how's Rochester?" Dad asked

"It was good Dad, there are changes but the essence of place is still there" I answered then turned to Jamie "and the old bookstore on the way to my old apartment is a novelty store now"

"Really?" Jamie reacted "maybe I should go back there too and have a look around" she then turned to Kelsey "Want to go with me?"

Kelsey smiled "Of course"

"By the way, how is Kevin and Ryan" my mom asked "You should tell them to come tomorrow"

"They're doing great mom" I answered

"Ryan actually called me earlier Aunt Emma" Jamie interjected "He said that'll he come by tomorrow"

"What about Kevin?"

"I sent him a message and he said that he wasn't sure if he'll be able to but he'll try"

"Good then, it's been a while since I've seen those boys" mom said "and I hope Kevin manages to get engage, he's not getting any younger!"

We all laughed at mom's statement, one heck of a dinner this was!

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New Year's Eve

Mom's and Kelsey are busy preparing the food for the party

Dad's a well-liked around the neighborhood and every year, Dad has a New Year's Eve party, where the neighbors, friends, relatives and co-workers are invited. He likes to have a lot of people around during countdown since it's more exciting plus a lot of spectators for the fireworks display

Dad, Jamie and I are in the backyard getting the tables, chairs and barbecue ready since guests are going to arrive in a few hours

The door bell then rings, so I quickly went to the door

As soon as I opened the door, little Tracy instantly hugged me. I picked her up and gave her big hug

"She really likes you" Ryan smiled

"That's because I'm awesome" I said

Ryan and Cindy laughed

Then Cindy embraced me "How are you Nicky?"

"I've been great" I said "C'mon in"

And we entered, with Tracy still in my arms

Ryan and Cindy first went to the kitchen and greeted mom and Kelsey. I gently put down the year and a half old Tracy and told her to go greet my mom and "Auntie Kels", the girl nodded with a smile and rushed into the kitchen

I giggled and went back to the backyard

"Ryan and Cindy are here?" Jamie asked

I nodded "with little Tracy"

Jamie smiled "wait a sec, I have to see that little cutie" then she went inside

"Me too" Dad said and followed her

While I stood there and laughed

Ryan and Kevin is really close to my family, they're like the brothers I never had, so when Ryan and Cindy got married, my family was, of course, invited and when Tracy was baptized, the gang was present and ready to be Godparents and my parents became close with Tracy as well, especially my dad.

Ryan then went to the backyard

"They're still busy playing with her?" I asked

"Yeah" he answered "and she's definitely enjoying all the attention"

"Loves attention huh? Got that from her dad?"

"Probably"

I laughed

After a few minutes, Dad and Jamie came back

"I applaud your and Cindy's genes 'cause that little girl of yours is just plain adorable" Jamie said

While we just laughed, Jamie has always love kids.

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It's past 9 pm and the house was now filled with guests, music is playing and the karaoke machine is never vacant. The kids are running around the yard playing, the old folks are busy talking and laughing and then there's us, huddled at one table and also having a chat and laughs of our own

"I didn't know you're also writing romance novels, Cindy" Jamie said "I thought your more on the supernatural side"

"I still am" Cindy answered "I just mixed in some romance, actually I just released a book 2 months ago and it's quickly climbing the best seller's list"

"Awesome" I grinned "and how 'bout you Ryan, how's the hospital?"

"It's doing great. There's been some problems but that's quickly been taken care of" Ryan answered

It's great to see that all of us became successful in our chosen careers, Ryan's head of pediatrics in one of the hospitals his family owns and Cindy's now a successful author and she had released two books. one of which is already on the best seller's list. Kevin's not doing badly either, he's now one of the most in-demand photographers in the country and speaking of Kevin...

"Hey you guys!" he entered the yard with his long-time girlfriend Haley, Haley then waved at us

Then they quickly approached us and gave each one of us a hug

"Glad you guys could make it!" I said

"Are you kidding?! I only get to see guys once in awhile so I sure hell won't miss a gathering!" he grinned "I even brought my camera!"

Kevin and Haley have been together for almost 3 years and still going strong. We're actually just waiting for Kevin to propose to Haley but it seems that the two of them are still enjoying just being boyfriend and girlfriend.

Kelsey joined us a little later and the laughter continued along with some picture taking

Where are you now Arden? I wish you're her with us, here with me.

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"Seriously though, why don't you get a girlfriend?" Kevin asked then drank his soda

"Yeah Nicky, It's about time you get some new romance in your life" Ryan added

"I know and I have tried dating but it felt so wrong so I stopped" I said

"You still love her huh?" Jamie asked

I nodded "always have"

"Why don't try going to Korea and find her" Cindy added

"I've been thinking about doing that but I can't just leave the company especially since Dad is counting on me" I sighed "It's been years now and I'm still waiting, I don't even know what I'm waiting for anymore"

Kelsey placed her hand on my shoulder "you know, I'm actually amazed that you're still so much in love with Arden even after all these years and I do believe you two are meant to be" she said "It's just a matter of time before you two are re-united again"

I smiled "thanks Kelsey" then I squeezed her hand "can we stop the sappy stories now? it's new year and I really don't want to cry so..."

They all laughed and then Haley and Cindy pulled me up and we all started dancing

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It's 11:30 pm and everybody's just dancing and singing now. the energetic vibe is getting a bit overwhelming so I excused myself, grabbed a can of soda and decided to go to my car and hang out there just for a few minutes

I opened the car and sat at the driver's seat, I left the door open and started drinking the soda.

I attached the "Eve" keychain on my car keys so I'll always have it. I pulled my car keys out of my pocket and held the keychain, even a simple cartoon character reminds me of you, you surely left a permanent mark on my life Arden, so much that until now, I'm still so very much in love with you.

I finished my soda and decided to go back. I locked my car and walked towards the yard with car keys still in my hand.

I entered and saw that everyone is still pretty much enjoying themselves.

I was looking for Jamie and the others when I accidentally bumped into someone, dropping my keys in the process, the person I bumped into also dropped her keys

"I'm so sorry" I said as I crouched down to get our keys, she crouched down as well

I noticed that the other key had a "Wall-E" Keychain attached to it and it lay beside my "Eve" keychain

Both of us reached down at the same time and ended up with my hand on top of hers, she then turned her hand up and gently squeezed mine

I quickly recognized the touch of her hand. My heart beat fast as I looked up. I saw Arden smiling at me with teary eyes.

She was as beautiful as I remember, no, she's more beautiful now.

I smiled back as my eyes started tearing up. We both stood, still holding hands and still looking at each other

"Hey..." I spoke

Tears slid down her cheek as she spoke "hi..."

Arden then let go of my hand and embraced me tightly. Tears ran down my face as I hugged her and for the first time in years, I felt complete.

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"Long time, no see" she said, as we sat at the front porch

"Definitely" I said "and there isn't a time when I wished you were here with me"

Arden smiled "I'm sorry, I didn't contact you for years but you have to believe me when I say that you're always on my mind every second of the day, there are just some problems that I need to deal with alone"

"Problems? What kind?"

"After I graduated college, I told my mom I'm gay but she didn't accept it, so she got me engaged to the son of a co-worker" she said "and when I refused, she disowned me"

I looked at her and held her hand "I'm sorry"

"Don't be" she turned to me "you know the saying bitterness first before sweetness, well, that's what happened to me. I got a stable job and earned enough to provide for myself. After a year, my mom contacted me and asked me to come home"

"She welcomed me and later asked me to manage one of our businesses" Arden smiled "My mom finally accepted me"

"But I'm still not happy, because I'm still not with you" Arden continued "So I bought a house here in NYC"

I turned to her and saw her smile

"I wanna be with you so I'm staying" Arden said

I gave her a warm, knowing smile before embracing her "You have no idea how much I missed you" I whispered

We parted and both laughed a bit, I still held her in my arms

"A lot sure have changed" she said as she intertwined her hand with mine "I went to Rochester days ago and had a look around. I saw a novelty store and bought this" she then showed me the "Wall-E" keychain "I was looking for Eve but the owner said that someone had already bought it"

I pulled out the keys from my pocket and showed her the "Eve" keychain, "I did" I said "it reminded me of you so I bought it"

She giggled and looked at my keychain "coincidence?"

""Meant to be" is more like it"

The loud music suddenly stopped and we heard people counting

"10! 9! 8!"

"It's almost New Year" I said and saw Arden staring at me "What is it?"

"I love you Nicky" Arden said "more than anyone i've ever loved in this world"

I smiled "I love you too, with all my heart and soul"

The counting continued, "4! 3! 2!"

We looked at each other and simultaneously said "Happy New Year" before catching each other's lips in a passionate kiss as the fireworks lighted up the night sky.

We parted and embraced each other

After the fireworks, we went inside and got reunited with Jamie and the others. Hugs and laughs were all around and I finally introduced Arden to my parents as my girl and someday I'll introduce her as my wife.

A year has ended but a chapter of our life together is only beginning.

THE END