Epilogue Maddox

His Ellie

Ten Years Later

M addox sat on the porch of their new home, his Ellie sprawled across his lap. In the background, he heard the playful screams of children.

“Be careful with your cousin!” Ellie shouted, but there wasn’t a need.

Oliver was on child duty.

It was funny watching Oliver attempt to corral a herd of children, his hair a mess from the humidity and running around. At least he had help, and Maddox witnessed as Kazi ran across the yard grabbing hold of one of the kiddos.

Maddox squeezed Ellie tighter to him. They had gone through a lot over the years. Highs and lows. Deaths and births. Murder and mayhem. But through it all, Ellie had never lost her spirit, her charm, her soul .

“I think this new house is perfect, and now Yara is even closer,” Ellie yawned out. The sun splashed across her face, catching in her eyes. She readjusted, moving further into Maddox’s embrace.

He welcomed it, he never got tired of her.

“Dad! You have to come play with me!” their oldest, Henry, ran up to them yelling. His caramel eyes left no mistake as to whose DNA he had, but it didn’t matter .

He had three fathers. Just like their other three did.

Their youngest, a three-year-old girl, was the only one none of them could agree on. She was the spitting image of Ellie.

“Sure buddy, I’ll be right there.” Maddox offered an adoring smile before pressing his lips to Ellie’s. “You heard him. I’ll be back.”

Maddox cut his attention to Emilio who was stepping outside. Maddox was grateful when Emilio took his place without a word.

They had fallen into a very amicable friendship. Maddox, Oliver, and Emilio were family at this point. Oliver and Emilio still squabbled occasionally like brothers, but it was never mean-spirited as it had been in the past.

Maddox strode out into the yard, finding Henry at the very far back gate.

He walked briskly to him, wondering what had drawn him out there.

“Who’s that, son?”

Henry stepped aside.

Simon York and Logan Castillo.

Maddox didn’t balk. Perhaps a decade ago he would have, but times had changed. As did the families.

But that was another story, for another day.

“Are the others in the car?” Maddox grinned, opening the gate for them.

Simon held a baby carrier while the other carried the presents.

“Yeah, she’s still a bit skittish in crowds, but I think she’s going to be okay.” Logan cast a worried look back towards the street.

“Here, I’ll take the presents, go check on her.” Maddox ruffled Henry’s hair with his free hand. “Lead the way and then we’ll play?”

Henry bobbed his head excitedly, running towards the overflowing presents table.

“I’ll wait for them,” Simon advised.

Maddox shrugged before turning back to the house. “Suit yourself. ”

Maddox took in the huge yard as he walked.

Yara was sitting at the bench now with Ellie as they laughed. Emilio acting as Ellie’s pillow as she leaned against him.

Oliver played with their remaining three children off to the side with Kazi, Mateo, and…

James. He was holding his youngest.

Maddox was happier than he thought he ever could be.

They had all found unconventional love and maybe it didn’t work for everyone.

But it worked for them.

The End…