Epilogue

Indya

Three months later

"I just have to get a few more things from our bedrooms and that should be it," I tell Amara and Atlas, standing in the middle of our apartment living room. The place looks bigger now that two out of the three people no longer have belongings here.

"I am gonna take the boxes that are ready down to the truck, then I can come help if you'd like. I can also take Haven to the condo so she can start setting up her room the way she wants. Up to you, I am down with anything that gets you under my roof," Atlas teases, I just roll my eyes and tell him to go ahead and take Haven, that way she gets out from under my feet.

Once the I love you's and kisses are completed, Atlas and Haven head out, now it is just me and Amara.

"You sure you are okay with this, Amara? You moved here because of us, I don't want you to think I am abandoning you," I tell her trying to keep the emotion from my tone.

"Girl, you know if I had a problem with anything with anyone, I would speak up, no matter who was butthurt over it. I have told you, time and time again, you deserve this, Indya. It is about damn time something great is beginning to happen for you. I am excited for you and Haven; I can't wait to see what the future holds for you two. You are my best friend, and I am yours. I love you and only want you to be happy. Does Atlas make you happy?" Amara tilts her head, like that is an answer she needs me to be certain of.

"Of fucking course, he does, Amara, why would you even ask such an absurd question? Now, come help me finish packing up Haven's room before Zander gets here to grab a load."

Amara stiffens at the mention of Zander's name. I want to question it, but I know she will dodge the question. She does it every time I put hers and Zander's name in the same sentence. It's weird. They barely speak to each other, other than general courtesy's, they make googly eyes at each other when they think no one is watching, I just don't understand.

We get my room and Haven's room all packed up and the boxes in the living room, right before Zander shows up. He gives a brief hello, asks if the boxes that say Haven and Indya written in black permanent marker, taking up most of the boxes, are the ones he needs to grab. I just laugh and agree with him, then turn, doing one more walk through of the bedroom, bathroom, and living room.

We are leaving all the kitchen stuff and all the furniture; we only took our personal items. I figured Amara could rent out the other rooms to her friends or something if she wanted.

I told her I would continue to pay my half of the rent until she decided if she wanted to move or get new roommates, but she blew up that idea. Then proceeded to lecture me about I have a five-year-old daughter about to start Kindergarten, and she is going to need things.

When I tried to explain I am making really good money now with my interpreter business, she rolled her eyes and told me not to be posh. I had no clue what she was talking about.

My business is really going great, though. Thanks to Samantha, of all people, she introduced me to some people she knew who could use my services and then the word spread like wildfire. I have one client who is a dance instructor for children, who lost her hearing when she was younger from an illness she had. She doesn't like to speak because she can't hear if she is saying the words correctly. So, while she is teaching toddlers up to teens different styles of dancing, I am her mouth and ears.

When I walk back into the living room to see if Zander needs me to help load some boxes, the floor is clear. Amara and Zander are standing on opposite sides of the room, Zander smirking, and Amara looks like she is about to chew him up and spit him out.

"Everything okay in here, guys?" I ask carefully. There is no way I am getting in the middle of this war that is about to go down.

"Just peachy," Amara snaps, which tells me those peaches are overripe or rotten.

"Everything's great as usual, just waitin to see if ya needed a ride, since your car is already at the condo," Zander says casually, Amara snorting from behind me, mumbling something about a kiss-ass.

Ohhkaay, this is not awkward at all. "That would be great, Zander, thank you. I will call you tomorrow, Amara. I love you." I give her a tight hug. It is a lot harder to tell her goodbye now that I won't be coming back home. We have been together for so long, since Haven was one or so. She is like a sister to me.

"You deserve this, Indya. I will be fine. I promise." Amara squeezes a little tighter. When she releases me, I grab my purse and head to Zander's truck.

"You want to tell me what that was all about back there, Zander?"

"I have no clue what you are talkin about, Indya," he says with a straight face, looking slightly confused at the question, then puts his truck in drive and takes me home to my fiancé and our daughter.

That evening, when Haven is all tucked in and sleeping like the angel she is, Atlas and I are getting ready for bed in our room. I just finished showering, and apparently, he was in the kitchen getting treats for us.

"What's all this?" I point to the bowl of ripe red strawberries and the bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket of ice, two glasses sitting on the nightstand.

"We are celebrating. You finally moved all the way in, no more time apart. We are a real family now, Indy, I could not be happier than I am now, here, with you and Haven."

I swear this man knows just what to say to make my heart pound and knees weak. I walk over to where he stands and kiss him gently on the cheek.

"We are happy here with you, Atlas."

As Atlas's arms wrap around me tightly, holding me so close, my back to his front. I think about my parents. What would they think of Atlas? How would they react about the choices I have made since becoming an adult? Would they love being grandparents? I wish I could have just a few moments with them, just to ask what I have always wanted to know, are they proud of the woman I've become? My eyes grow heavy, and the darkness takes me over.

My sweet girl, you have so many questions you want answered. I am so sorry daddy, and I can't be on this journey through life with you. But just know we are always with you. We watch over you and Haven.

The man you chose, Atlas, oh, sweet girl, he is one of the good ones, no doubt. I would have loved meeting him. And handsome, lordy he is handsome. He falls into your life seamlessly, I think you have done amazing things so far in life, even if it was a little rocky there for a moment. If you didn't make the choices you had in the past, you would not be here in the present.

Haven is a wonderful gift, cherish her always. We love being grandparents, even if we are not there with you. We have watched her grow, since she was in your belly, and we will continue to do so.

One more thing before you wake, we have never been prouder to be your parents. You have grown into the most generous, beautiful, intelligent woman, we could not be prouder.

We love you, sweet girl.

A peaceful feeling washes over me as a smile graces my face, my eyes flutter open and I whisper into the darkness of the room, "I love you, mama and daddy."