EPILOGUE Chad

One Year Later

"I'm a little suspicious," I said, leaning into Cole as we discussed Clint. Clint sat toward the opposite end of the long table, with Marla on one side of him and Alan on the other.

"Suspicious about which one, though?" Cole questioned. "This morning Clint was tucked in a corner with Marla as they engaged in an intimate discussion. Marla's hands traveling as usual, if you know what I mean."

"I saw that," I answered. "And last night, he and Alan were up until the wee hours drinking wine. I've never known Clint to drink anything but beer."

Cole and I held hands under the table as we surveyed the guests at our second annual Christmas dinner. Last year's had started unusually but turned out to be a massive success by day three. Reluctantly, Cole had faced his demons. Those demons being his painful past and having to face the source of it, who had shown up unannounced two days before Christmas.

With brave, open minds, Alan and Cole were able to offer and accept each other's apologies. The heart that it had taken for Cole to find a space for Alan in his life again was incredible, in my opinion. I couldn't have been prouder. There'd been love there before and I think that over the past year, they rediscovered they had a lot in common beyond just having been in a relationship that ended poorly. I, for one, loved Alan's lively and enthusiastic personality, and I felt Cole was finding new qualities about him worth having him be a part of our lives.

Marla, as it turned out, was also a bit of a clairvoyant. She'd told me privately at last year's Christmas weekend that she had indeed encouraged Alan to face Cole and to ask for forgiveness. She denied suggesting he ask Cole to take him back, but she knew the best thing for the both of them was an attempt at a reunion. And who better, in her opinion, to facilitate one, than me. She figured that with me by Cole's side supporting and encouraging him, he'd find the peace he so deserved where Alan was concerned.

Both Alan and Marla were good friends of ours now. Having Cole back in both of their lives made their own reunion as friends possible. She encouraged Alan to study harder, which helped him to pass his bar exam. Alan pushed her into being more open to the idea of true love and constantly tried setting her up with eligible men.

"They both want him," I whispered, kissing his cheek after.

Cole studied them. "Interestingly enough, I think they both have an equal shot," Cole stated, laughing, and reaching for his wineglass.

Mom and Dad sat across from Cole's parents and were discussing their sons. Cole's father was a bit out of his element being surrounded by such diversity, but his mother was having a wonderful time. Getting Cole to agree to an invitation for his parents to stay with us had taken quite an effort. I pushed, and he eventually gave in, agreeing that perhaps he could benefit from a better relationship with them. After he left for college, he never returned. Unfortunately, he hadn't seen the absence as a problem back then. I knew the advantages of having a strong family and wanted Cole to benefit.

Cole was raised in a small town in Nebraska, where his father was mayor. His father and he had never seen eye to eye concerning Cole's lifestyle, but I had high hopes that I could rectify what I saw as a minor speed bump on the way to a stronger familial love. Cole's mom and I had the same fascination with otherworldly pursuits, and she was a solid vote of yes on my plan after a few of my phone calls. I'd started with her and worked diligently to get them both here.

Lucas and Perry sat across from Clint and his admiration club, no doubt suspecting the same thing that Cole and I were. Lucas raised his eyebrows toward me and grinned, bouncing his eyes toward the trio. Even though there was quite a distance between our homes, Lucas and I remained close friends. Alan admired our relationship considering the possibilities early on for there to be jealousy between us. I'd reminded him that I was simply following Jack's direction.

Lucas had expanded and purchased the only other gas station in Beaufort. And, of course, Perry was proud and bragging about his little business mogul. Their beach house was only a half mile from Clint's and now that Clint was nearing his architecture degree, he was shopping for office space. He planned to not only design buildings and homes, but to offer the contracting services to complete them as well.

"God, just look at them!" Cole exclaimed, moving his eyes toward the flirting trio. "Which one do you think could live in Beaufort, South Carolina, with Clint?" he asked.

I laughed out loud, catching all three of their attention. "Marla would be the easier one, I guess, being that she's a woman. But Alan would be the fun choice," I wisecracked.

"What are you two yakkin' ‘bout?" Clint growled good-naturedly, catching us talking about him and narrowing his eyes. "Don't make me come down there, boys," he said, flexing his biceps in both of his arms so his fan club could drool.

Marla leaned closer and kissed the huge muscle. Alan, never one to be outdone and unafraid of a little competition, quickly kissed the other.

"That is going to be an interesting evolution," I casually said to Cole, keeping my gaze and a grin on those three.

"Speaking of evolution," Cole interjected, smoothly segueing to another topic. "Your dad and I received your lease offer back."

Cole and my father were negotiating a space for the brick-and-mortar Italian restaurant I planned on opening. Bodie and Rat would be running the food truck as part owners once I opened the new restaurant the following spring.

"Are the terms fair?" I asked. "I mean, can I afford the lease as well as the necessary improvements?"

"Very fair. Besides, your dad and I have your back financially," Cole said.

"As much as I appreciate that, Mr. Hicks. I have my own money. Thank you very much."

Despite knowing how I felt about great wealth accumulated by so few, Cole always offered to back me. Of course, so did Dad. Secretly, I knew they liked my independent streak.

"Can I at least design the software for you?" he asked.

"Only if I can work off the costs in trade," I teased, squeezing his leg.

Dad stood and raised his glass. "Can I have all of your attention?"

The room quieted down and my mother looked toward me, smiling before quickly looking away. I knew that warning sign well. She either knew what Dad was going to say, or she had a secret, which Dad may also be revealing. I watched her closely to see if she gave any hints away.

I leaned into Cole, cupping a hand and whispering. "What is he up to?"

Cole acted surprised and shook his head. "Let's hear him out," he simply said.

"Thank you all for being here at Cole and Chad's again for Christmas. Maggie and I are pleased that we've managed to fold ourselves into such a wonderful group of friends," he began. "As the parents of Chad, we've come to depend on him to broaden our horizons and keep life interesting," he said, looking from person to person. "And this group of people is certainly interesting."

Everyone laughed at his attempt at humor. "Alright, Dad," I fussed. "Wrap it up."

"We are very proud of those two," he said, gesturing his glass toward Cole and me. He looked toward Clint. "And we care for all of you that have impacted our son's life. He's a better man because of it, and we are better parents because of it."

"Aww," the group reacted simultaneously.

Dad began to tear up. "I'm supposed to hand this toast off to Cole, but I want to tell my son how proud of him I am. I'm proud of the family you have created with everyone gathered here today. And most of all, how much his mother and I look upon our son today as an amazing representation of all our goals and wishes for him."

"I love you, Dad," I mouthed, too emotional to speak.

"Okay," Dad said. "That's all from me."

Cole stood and faced our friends and family. "Please stay standing, Alex," he began, motioning to Dad. The group of friends released an excitable murmur at Cole's request, giggling and looking at one another.

"I just wanted to thank Maggie and Alex for the love they have shown me this past year and a half. Also, to my own parents, thank you for being here. I hope this is the beginning of more time together for us as well."

Cole paused and seemed to be gathering his thoughts or his nerve, maybe both. Perhaps he was overwhelmed to be surrounded by the group we'd managed to assemble. Many of them were a part of his past, many a part of mine, and somehow, they all were part of the tapestry of friendship and love that bound us all together.

"As I look around this room, I am reminded of the importance of friendship and family. I believe I have plenty of both with those of you here today," he began. "With that said, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the person who is not physically with us today, but is with us in spirit. As you all know, Jack was my best friend."

He motioned towards Perry. "More importantly, he was Perry's husband, and many of you knew him personally as well." Cole turned to me. "One of you in particular, my partner, Chad, seems to have a special connection with my bestie. At first, I was wary of such things, but have learned, like I suspect many of you have, that Chad is an unusually connected human being."

Cole took the time to take in the assembled group before continuing, swiping at his eyes beforehand. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think my friend Jack is still looking out for me today. Of course, he always said he would, and here I am with a second chance at love. I know Jack is here right now and I'm happy for him to witness what I want to do now."

Cole reached for my hand before turning to my father. "Maggie, Alex. I love your son with all of my heart and I will spend my lifetime protecting his pure heart and loving him unconditionally if you will give your blessing for me to ask Chad to marry me."

Mom and Marla instantly burst into tears as Alan touched his face gently to prevent his own tears. One by one, the people at the table turned their eyes expectantly to my father and then to me. Mom, of course, couldn't speak, and Dad was practically bursting with emotions at the question.

"Maggie?" Dad asked, turning to Mom. Mom nodded her head enthusiastically. "I guess that's a yes, Cole," Dad said.

Cole dropped to one knee, pulling a small box from his dinner jacket. "Will you do this journey with me, my love? Will you marry me?"

I couldn't actually speak due to my heart overflowing with love, so I just nodded in the affirmative.

The room burst into applause as Cole put a simple gold band on my finger and then embraced me. Our friends and family stood and hugged one another, heading toward Cole and me to congratulate the newly engaged couple.

Two of the first to arrive at our sides were Clint and Alan. You'd think the four of us would be awkward, but that wasn't how things were progressing for us.

"I am so damn proud of you two," Clint said, pulling us into his arms, nearly smothering us in his love. "I am also thankful to have you as my friends." He pulled back. "I mean that."

Alan and Cole faced one another. I think neither knew what to do. Alan, unsure if Cole was ready for hugs, and Cole, unsure they'd had enough distance to be celebrating such a thing as a marriage proposal to someone else.

"I'm happy for you, Cole," Alan said, speaking first. "Chad is a wonderful person that an equally wonderful person deserves." He turned to me. "This man will love you forever, Chad. Please take good care of his heart, because I sure didn't."

"Actually, I think you did, Alan," Cole spoke up. "Otherwise, losing you wouldn't have hurt so bad. And I cannot express how happy I am that we will get the chance to be better people for one another. I appreciate you, Alan. I truly do."

The two of them embraced as my heart swelled with wonder over what I was witnessing. The four of us, Clint, Alan, Cole, and myself, each looked from one to the other, realizing that love takes many shapes. Our destinies can vary and with that, our love changes.

And with forgiveness, love is powerful and reigns supreme. Earthly love, as well as love from beyond. Wherever that may be.

THE END