Epilogue Lana

EPILOGUE: LANA

I sit in the passenger seat, my hand intertwined with Henry's as he drives Lazaro's prized Aston Martin. The steady hum of the engine and the blur of scenery passing by do nothing to calm the excitement bubbling inside me. I feel like a little girl again, vibrating with impatience, unable to contain my energy.

"How much longer?" I ask, glancing at Henry.

He chuckles, squeezing my hand. "We've still got a ways to go, Lana. Try to relax."

But relaxing is impossible. After years of searching, of hoping against hope, we might finally be on the verge of finding Lazaro. My twin, my other half, the person I've been missing for so long. I hope he'll be happy I came in his car.

I fidget in my seat, adjusting my position for what feels like the hundredth time. "I can't believe we're actually doing this."

Henry glances at me, his eyes soft. "We're going to find him, Lana. I promise. If not this time?—"

"This is it. I can feel it." I lean over and kiss his cheek, overwhelmed with gratitude for this man who's risked everything to help me.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Whatever happens, I know I'm not alone anymore. With Henry by my side, I feel like I can face anything.

As we continue our journey, Henry shares more details he's uncovered about Lazaro.

"The man in question goes by the name Danny Paine. He works as a mechanic."

I smile. "Of course he does. He was always a natural with cars. He loved being in the garage. No matter how crazy things got, he always found peace there."

I close my eyes, picturing Lazaro bent over the engine of one of our father's prized cars, his hands covered in grease, a look of intense concentration on his face. "I remember this one time, for my sixteenth birthday, he surprised me with this gorgeous cherry red Mustang. He'd been working on it in secret for months, pouring his heart and soul into every detail. When he unveiled it, I swear I've never seen him look so proud."

"Wait, you have a cherry red Mustang?" Henry looks at me in shock, like I've been holding out on him.

"It's in the garage. Why?"

Henry laughs. "I think Lazaro and I will get along well."

I smirk. "Better than you and Elio?"

He shudders. I think he still worries that one day, Elio is going to shoot him in the head. "Let's just say, I like cars too. I can't fix them up, but I can drive them."

I turn to Henry, my heart swelling. "I can't believe we might actually see Lazaro today. After all this time…"

Henry's eyes flick to me briefly before returning to the road. "Lana, I know you're excited, and you have every right to be. But we need to be prepared for any outcome. There's still a chance this might not be Lazaro, or if it is, he might not remember who he is."

I nod, understanding his caution. "I know. I'm trying to keep that in mind." But it's hard. How could Lazaro not know me? Even without his memory, we have a bond. A twin bond.

"I just don't want you to get your hopes too high," he continues, his voice gentle. "If this doesn't turn out the way we hope, I don't want you to be disappointed."

His worry for me is touching, and I feel a rush of affection for him. I reach out and squeeze his hand. "I appreciate your concern, Henry. Really, I do. But I have to believe this is it. I've always known Lazaro was out there somewhere. I could feel it."

Henry glances at me, a small smile on his lips. "I know. Your faith in him has been unwavering. It's one of the things I admire most about you."

"Thank you for believing in me, even when everyone else thought I was crazy."

As we pull up outside the auto shop, my heart starts racing. This is it. The moment I've been waiting for, dreaming of, for years. I stare at the faded sign that reads Cliff's Auto Repair , my breath catching in my throat.

Lazaro could be just behind those doors.

I reach for the door handle, but Henry's hand on my arm stops me. He turns off the engine and faces me, his eyes filled with understanding and concern.

"Before we go in there, I want you to know something." Before I can respond, Henry pulls me into his arms, his lips meeting mine in a passionate kiss. I melt into him, drawing strength from his embrace.

When we finally part, he rests his forehead against mine. "I want you to know that no matter what happens in there, I'm by your side. Whether this is Lazaro or not, whether he remembers you or not, I'm here for you. We're in this together."

I blink back tears, cupping Henry's face in my hands. "Thank you. You've given me hope when everyone else told me to give up. You believed in me, in Lazaro, when no one else would. I… I love you."

Henry's eyes soften, and he brushes a strand of hair from my face. "I love you too. More than I ever thought possible. Now, are you ready to go find your brother?"

I nod, squeezing his hand. "I'm ready. Let's go."

Henry and I step into the auto shop, our hands clasped tightly together. The familiar scents of oil and grease hit me, bringing back a flood of memories. My eyes dart around the dimly lit space, scanning past tool chests and half-dismantled engines.

And then I see him.

My heart stops.

Lazaro.

He's bent over the open hood of a car, his back to us. But I'd know that silhouette anywhere.

As if in a trance, I take a step forward. Henry squeezes my hand, grounding me.

Lazaro straightens up, wiping his hands on a rag. He turns, and for the first time in years, I see my brother's face.

There's a jagged scar running from his left temple down to his jaw, evidence of whatever violence befell him. But beneath that mark, it's still Lazaro. Those same hazel eyes, the strong jawline.

I'm overwhelmed with emotion, my heart pounding in my chest. Without thinking, I drop Henry's hand and rush toward Lazaro, my voice cracking as I call out his name.

"Lazaro! Lazaro!"

He watches me, confusion etched across his face. As I get closer, he still appears baffled, and yet he opens his arms. I don't slow down as I reach him. I throw myself into his arms, and to my relief, he catches me, his strong arms wrapping around me instinctively.

I bury my face in his chest, breathing in his scent. Motor oil, sweat, and something uniquely Lazaro. Sobs rack my body as I cling to him, years of pent-up emotion pouring out of me.

"I've found you," I choke out between sobs.

He doesn't speak, but he doesn't push me away, either. I can sense his confusion, his struggle to understand what's happening. But beneath that, there's a familiarity in the way he holds me, as if his body remembers even if his mind doesn't.

I pull back slightly, looking up into his face through my tears. He looks at me in confusion and something else. Recognition? Hope? I'm not sure, but I cling to it desperately.

"It's okay if you don't remember. I'm here now. I never stopped looking for you."

Lazaro's voice, hoarse and uncertain, breaks the silence. "Lana?"

My heart explodes with joy. He remembers me. After all this time, after everything he's been through, some part of him still knows who I am. Tears stream down my face as I nod frantically, unable to form words.

I hold my brother, feeling whole for the first time in years. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. My gaze drifts to Henry, standing a few feet away, watching us with a soft smile. He did this. He believed in me and in Lazaro. And he's now brought us together again.

Our eyes meet, and in that moment, I feel a surge of love so powerful it takes my breath away.

I love you , I mouth to him, wanting him to know how much this moment means to me and that I know he made it happen.

He mouths that he loves me too.

My world is right. Whole. Complete. And it's all because of Henry's love.