38. Chapter Thirty-Eight Epilogue

Candy

Although I considered it, I'm glad I ultimately decided not to rent an office near the Zone. I lean back in my chair in the small second bedroom of our apartment, happy to be right here in the middle of the action. Shuffling through papers strewn with lyrics and musical notes, I sigh contentedly as I survey the fruits of my labor.

It's been six months since I moved to the Integration Zone, six months of love and laughter, of healing and growth. And in that time, my music has undergone a transformation, a blossoming of the heart and soul.

Gone are the songs of pain and struggle, of fighting tooth and nail for every scrap of peace and self-worth. In their place, a new theme has taken root, one of love and joy, of the unshakable strength that comes from knowing you are cherished, accepted—that you are home.

I run my fingers over the title scrawled atop the first page: "Courageous Heart." It's more than just an album name; it's a testament to the journey I've been on, to the love that has guided me every step of the way.

A love that happens to walk through the door at the perfect moment, his blue eyes sparkling and his tail wagging with barely contained excitement.

"There's my muse," I tease, pushing back from the desk and opening my arms in invitation. "What's got you so worked up, handsome?"

Courage sweeps me into his embrace, peppering my face with kisses that leave me giggling and breathless. "Just excited for today's scavenger hunt," he says, his grin brighter than the midday sun. "The kids are going to lose their minds when they see what I have planned."

I lean into him, my heart swelling with pride and adoration. In the months since we've settled into our new life, Courage has embraced his artistic side with a fervor that takes my breath away. Must have been the trip to Randyland and Barney Smith's Toilet Seat Art Museum, and Dr. Evermor's Sculpture Park we saw when we toured Wisconsin.

When he's not out patrolling with the Warriors or making me feel like the most cherished female in the world, he's in his makeshift studio in the lot out back, welding and sculpting and bringing new life to the scraps and cast-offs of the Zone.

"Mmm, and what exactly do you have planned, my love?" I ask, tracing the stubbled line of his jaw with a playful finger.

He holds up a huge jar filled with silver dollars. "I'm going to have every kid in the Zone scouring abandoned yards and lots. For every piece of scrap metal they bring me, they get a dollar."

"It's a good thing Maury paid you well to babysit me. There's a lot of junk lying around the Zone. Let's see… at a dollar a piece…" I toss my head side to side as though I'm deep in mathematical calculations. Then I shrug. "Sounds expensive."

He chuffs. "But it's going to be so fun."

"What are you planning?"

His grin turns mischievous, his eyes dancing with secret delight. "I've got to see what they bring me, but I'm going to make something big. A sculpture to go right in the middle of the park. I don't know what it will be, but trust me, it's going to be epic ."

With a final kiss and a wink, he bounds out the door, his enthusiasm infectious and irresistible.

I watch him go, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. And as I turn back to my music, to the love songs pouring from my pen, I'm filled with a sense of gratitude, of sheer, unmitigated joy.

This is my life, my love, my happily ever after. And I wouldn't trade a single moment of it for all the spotlights and star power in the world.

Courage

Three Months Later…

The sun shines bright and warm as I stand in the center of the Integration Zone park, my heart pounding with excitement. Around me, a colorful sea of faces—wolven, naga, minotaur, orc, and human alike—all gathered to witness the unveiling of my latest creation.

Candy stands by my side, pretty in a sundress the color of spring roses, her smile brighter than all the stars in the sky. Her hand rests in mine, a perfect fit, an anchor and a promise.

The Wolven Warriors flank us, their tails wagging, their eyes shining with pride and affection. That they're all wearing pink polos the color of Candy's dress could only be Jasmine's doing. That woman could coax a bird out of the sky—which might be easier than convincing a Wolven Warrior to wear pink.

Fury catches my gaze, giving me a gruff nod of approval that warms me to my core.

Front and center in the crowd is Maury, his weathered face wearing a grin so wide I fear it might crack. He's been my biggest cheerleader, next to Candy, encouraging me to embrace this newfound passion, to let my creativity soar. His grumpy demeanor is a thing of the past, possibly because we hear he's got a secret sweetheart we haven't met yet. Their relationship must be good because he's been acting like a giddy teen.

"Thank you all for coming." My voice rings out strong and clear. "This sculpture is more than just a bunch of scrap metal welded together. It's a symbol, a testament to the journey we've all been on."

With a flourish, I tug the tarp away, revealing the towering steampunk masterpiece beneath. A collective gasp ripples through the crowd, followed by a swell of awed murmurs.

It's a wolven warrior, fierce and proud, clad in a patchwork armor of gears, springs, and rusted cogs. At its heart, visible through a crack in the metal plating, is a planet, An'Wa, with a miniature minotaur, orc, naga, and others roaming the hills and valleys.

"This represents us," I continue, my throat tight with emotion. "The Integration Zone, the Others, the survivors, and the dreamers. We're all a little broken, a little rough around the edges. Perhaps a little rusty…" I wink at Maury. "But at our core, we have something beautiful, something worth fighting for."

I turn to Candy, my love, my everything. "And that's what you've taught me, A'Donna. That there's beauty in the broken pieces, strength in the scars. That love can heal even the deepest wounds."

Tears shimmer in her eyes as she reaches up to cup my face, her touch a testament of her love. "I didn't teach you anything, my love. You've always had that beauty, that strength, inside you. I just helped you see it."

The crowd erupts in cheers and applause, raucous sounds of joy and celebration. I'm engulfed in hugs and backslaps, in wagging tails and toothy, tusky, fang-filled grins.

And through it all, Candy remains by my side, her hand in mine.

This is what happiness feels like. This warmth, this sense of belonging, of being exactly where and who I'm meant to be.

An artist, a warrior, a friend, and a lover. A wolven with a purpose and a pack and a female who sees me, all of me, and loves me just the same.

As the festivities continue around us, as laughter and chatter fill the air, I pull Candy closer, brushing a kiss to her temple.

"Thank you," I murmur, my voice rough with emotion. "For believing in me, for loving me, for giving me the courage to be myself."

She smiles up at me, her eyes shining with a love so vast, so pure, it takes my breath away. "Always, my heart. Forever and always."

And I know, with a bone-deep certainty, that this is just the beginning. A love story for the ages, a tale of two souls who found each other against all odds.

Our happily ever after.