Epilogue

FILLIAN CLIMBED the stairs to Gregory’s apartment and strode inside to scoop the final box up off the living room floor. “Is that the last of it?” God, he hoped so. He had gone up and down those stairs at least a hundred times.

“Yeah. The place is empty, and I’ve swept everything out.” Gregory looked around the room before taking the dustpan, broom, and garbage bag. Fillian left the apartment with Gregory behind him, then locked up and placed the key in the mailbox the way the landlord had requested. Fillian set the box in the back of the truck, and Gregory added the trash and cleaning stuff. The wind picked up, blowing a few street tree leaves around his feet.

“Let’s get going. The weather said to expect snow, and we should get this unloaded before that happens.” Fillian got into the truck, and they headed for the house and unloaded the last of the stuff.

The kids had already been moved and each of their rooms set up. They seemed happy. Fillian’s mother opened the door as he began carrying in the last of the kitchen boxes. For now, these things had been earmarked for storage, so Fillian climbed the stairs to the third floor and placed them in organized areas. Up and down he went until he swore his legs weren’t going to take another step, passing Gregory as he made his own trips.

Finally it was over. All their things were in the house, and the furniture, an amalgamation of what both of them had, filled the rooms. Old things they didn’t need had been donated, and the house had a warmth it had never had before.

“I should get home,” Fillian’s mother said once they were done and able to put their feet up for five minutes. “The kids are playing outside.” She kissed each of them on the cheek and put her coat on before grabbing her purse. “I’ll see all of you for Sunday dinner.” She waved and was off. Verona had taken to having all of them over every Sunday for a family dinner.

“You know we have one more thing to do,” Gregory said.

Fillian sighed. “I know. Look. You take the truck and get what you need. I really want to finish getting the last things put away. That way we can all get settled without these boxes getting in the way.”

“If you’re sure,” Gregory said before getting up and going through to the back door. He called the kids, and they all trooped back through, faces red from the cold. Gregory shepherded them out the front and into the truck, the heavy front door closing behind them, leaving Fillian alone in the quiet house.

So much had changed, and most of it for the good. It had taken until the end of summer for him to convince Gregory to make the final decision to move in. By then, he had cleared out his office and made it ready for Weston. He’d also gotten the guest room cleared so it could be Marnie’s room. Mostly that consisted of going through things he’d carried with him for too long and finally making the decision to let them go. His shifts at work had also changed for a while, and he worked third shift for a month to cover someone who was out, but he was back on days and grateful for it. And their rugby team ended the fall season undefeated, which was a surprise to everyone.

The biggest change was in Gregory. He smiled more, and his heart seemed lighter. Prosecutors had worked out a deal to get his mother the help she needed, and if she complied with the orders, she’d stay out of jail.

Fillian wandered from room to room, emptying the last boxes and breaking them down. He unpacked the last of the kitchen things, then took the flattened boxes and the final items to be sold back to the garage, where an entire wall was lined with things to be unloaded in a huge spring garage sale.

Flakes of snow fell as he closed up the back and went through to the house to get out the things for hot chocolate and cookies for when the rest of them got home. His life was a lot noisier than when he was single, but it was filled with warmth and love.

“Papa Filly,” Weston called as soon as they were back. He ran through to where Fillian was putting milk in the microwave to heat. Where they had come up with that name, he had no idea, but it had stuck, and he was now Papa Filly to both kids. He really hoped that name changed. “Look what we got.”

A reddish brown and white dog raced up to him. “Well, look at you,” he said, kneeling down to scratch behind her ears. She was about twenty pounds, fluffy, and maybe a little pudgy. He continued petting her, looking up at Gregory. “What happened to Dixie?” They had looked online and had settled on the gray mutt with expressive eyes.

“He was adopted yesterday. But this girl here looked at us like she was family.”

“Yeah, Papa Filly,” Marnie said. “Her name is Lulu.”

She pressed right to Fillian, looking up at him with those huge eyes. He had to admit she was gorgeous. “And she’s going to have puppies.”

Marnie began to dance, and Fillian widened his eyes and looked at Gregory like he was crazy.

“She needed a home. Mitchell rescued her from a breeder outside Newville. When he got her, she was in bad shape. He didn’t know she was pregnant at the time. She needed a place where she could have her puppies in safety and where she wouldn’t be abused. Mitchell told me that she’s five years old and that he believes that this is her sixth litter of puppies. We’ll have her spayed once she’s given birth. She’s mostly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.” He knelt as well.

“I think she’s beautiful.” Fillian stood up while Lulu began to explore the kitchen. “I have the things for cocoa, so all of you hang up your coats.” The kids hurried out while Fillian got the bowls and mat they had already purchased in anticipation of getting the dog and placed them in the corner. Gregory put a little food in the bowl. Lulu ate, drank some water, and then continued her explorations.

“Can we watch a movie with Lulu?” Marnie asked, hurrying back into the room while Fillian finished making the cocoa.

“Sure. It’s your daddy’s turn to pick the movie.” He brought everything into the living room and set the mugs on the coffee table. Gregory chose Migration because none of them had seen it yet. He and Gregory sat together on the sofa with Marnie and Weston at the table with their drinks. Lulu hopped up between them and settled right down.

Gregory held his mug, smiling before leaning over. “Love you,” he whispered softly.

“Love you too,” Fillian said gently. They shared a kiss before he turned to look at the kids, at his family. Sometimes life’s road was curved, but somehow he’d still managed to get everything he wanted.