“Me?” he whispered.
“Because She loves you like I love you.” I closed the distance between us as I reached up to touch his stubbled jaw, bringing his face down. “Because you’ve suffered enough and it’s time for you to be happy now.”
My lips captured his.
The kiss sparked between us like every one had since the first time I’d kissed him. A burst of wind shook the trees above, coating us in soft snowy diamonds and twirling around as they enclosed us in the magic of Earth’s blessing.
I thought about painting this scene and decided I should go for it. It was time to pick the brushes back up. Do things just for me again. Something told me I’d have a lot more time on myhands now that I knew for sure everything was going to be all right.
∞
Epilogue
Harper
Just For Funsies
Dear Diary,
The twins are pissing me off. I don’t care if we’ve known each other since elementary school, I’m sixteen now and not some little kid they can keep secrets from.
It all started during the first week of summer break when I met that cute vampire. I swear nothing happened. No offense to Mom and Dad, but the age gap is totally cringe. Still, he was hot for seventeen going on two-hundred.
Dakota and Kyle didn’t have to be jerks about it.
Now they’re hiding something from me and fighting all the time. Yesterday Dakota gave Kyle a black eye. When I asked why they just glared at me and said I wouldn’t understand.
Then Kyle wanted me to go get ice cream with him this afternoon, but Dakota wanted to go to the waterfall and now they’re fighting again.
I decided they can both be in time-out until they start acting like adults. Mom always says not to take their crap and Dad says I can break their crap (or he’ll do it for me) if they mess up.
But I don’t need any dragons to handle some goofy bears. Ugh. Boy drama. So annoying.
In other news, summer break is almost over which sucks because I won’t be able to watch baby Zoe during the week anymore. There goes my fun money. Not that I only babysit for the money. Uncle Lucan and Aunt Riley’s little girl is my favorite thing in the world.
She’s chubby and her cheeks are adorable and I love when she gets mad and breathes fire. People are freaking out thinking she may be the first female guardian in history, but she’s only six. Still a baby! And honestly, Mom isn’t giving up her job any time soon.
Mom, Aunt Riley, and Auntie Ember have a whole monthly ritual with cake and tea cups and dancing under the moon while they help Earth release. It’s actually kind of fun. I can’t wait for Zoe to get big enough to join—
Oh Goddess, I had to stop writing for a minute because Dakota was throwing rocks at my window. I’m seriously going to kick his butt.
I’ve got to go see what he wants.
But here’s my daily gratitude list because Dad says we always need to remember how good we have things. (Even if it’s super dramatic because all the grown-ups thought we were living through the apocalypse when it was just some bad weather and now, I’m supposed to be grateful for everything all the time and never forget their sacrifices.)
Anyway, here it goes:
I’m glad Auntie Em is finally taking me horseback riding.
I’m happy Mom and Dad still have that mushy, happily-ever-after love I want too someday.
And I’m grateful you took the time to read our story. Even if you’re totally not supposed to be reading my diary…
XOXOXO
-Harper
