Epilogue

Six months later…

One psychopomp bookstore owner; a silver-haired fox of an elf/ghost hunter; a zombie who was in absolute heaven, now that he'd been offered a part-time position working for his favorite psychopomp; a beautiful vampire who volunteered to read to the children at story time, dressed as a fairy princess; a werewolf who played the part of her handmaid; a half-werewolf, half-vampire who loved alphabetizing and organization; a teddy bear of a demon who made the handsomest Prince Charming ever; a cute blue troll who didn't have to dress up at all, but made the most scrumptious cookies ever; two guardian angels who'd offered to pet-sit a three-legged dog named Gloria, a blind beagle and a cat; and a completely unaware best friend, all gathered together on a warm summer day to celebrate the opening of Once Upon a Time Bookstore…

Ralph's eyes went wide when she saw Nina in her royal-blue ball gown, her glorious black hair pulled up on the sides, with curls spilling down her back to her waist.

She gave her favorite vampire a huge hug and cooed, "You look beautiful! Man, you hit the gene pool lottery. I can't thank you enough for doing this, Nina."

Nina leaned into her, her eyes narrowed as her curls fell in her face. "Only for you, Glow Stick. This shit's about as uncomfortable as an itchy butthole."

Ralph clasped her hands together at her chest, admiring her friend's gorgeousness. "But the children are going to love you! You look stunning. You know, I played a Disney princess at a theme park one summer in college. It was fun."

She raised an eyebrow. "Why the fuck doesn't that surprise me?"

Marty knocked her friend's shoulder. "Stop complaining. Still can't believe you didn't ask me to be the princess. I'm the obvious choice," Marty groused, but her smile was wide.

"Oh, c'mon," Ralph teased, giving Marty a hug. "You have to admit, it's much more fun to see Nina in this dress than it would have been if you'd worn it."

Marty pulled at the strings of her deep sapphire-blue bodice and adjusted her pointy hat, a hennin, fluffing the tulle at the tip. "You're right, seeing her stomp around like a wrestler in a dress is the very definition of fun."

"Shut the fuck up, Ass-Sniffer. Now gimme another hug, Glow Stick," she demanded, pulling Ralph into a warm embrace. "I gotta go sit on my throne." Then she tipped her head back and laughed at her own joke as she made her way to the throne Shamus had built for the shop.

Wanda laughed, giving Ralph a squeeze. "Are you ready to open the doors yet?"

"I think so, and I can't thank you guys enough for all the help. You're the absolute best."

Ralph looked around at all they'd accomplished in six months. Her store was perfect, wonderful, and it left her heart as full as the people who'd helped her put it all together.

Titus had called in a huge favor on her behalf. Not only with Michael, but her life. Because she wasn't supposed to have been a ghost in the first place, he did something he called a mass memory wipe.

It was as though her murder had never happened. No news reports, no files at the police station, no midnight vigil, no murder…nothing.

When she'd next seen Hazel, after the fight that night in the light, it was as if they'd never parted. Hazel remained blissfully unaware, and for now, Ralph wanted to keep it that way. Her plate was full, and Titus insisted she never had to tell Hazel if she didn't want to, but somehow, she thought eternal life might be a dead giveaway.

And she'd be eternally grateful to Titus for restoring that life.

Maybe someday she'd reveal all. For now, she was simply happy to see her friend, have lunch, chat on Zoom.

Michael was in a recovery program upstairs and doing well, and while he'd never spend a moment free, or get wings, he looked healthier, he was productive, and he seemed at peace, and that was the best she could ask.

Shamus snuck up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Are you ready for your grand opening, fair maiden Raphaela?"

She snuggled into his broad chest. He'd asked if she was ready six months ago, as she'd taken his hand when they'd left the light, and she'd been sure then.

But today, now, after these last six months, she was surer about him than she'd ever been before.

They'd spent those months learning all sorts of things about one another. Between his ghost chasing and her crossings, their lives were busy. Yet, they'd found time to cultivate their relationship, grow it, nurture it until every day they spent together felt like an opportunity to discover something new about each other.

Because she didn't need to sleep (boy, was that ever a cool psychopomp perk), she always had plenty of time for late-night chats while he hunted ghosts.

They laughed, they shared bottles of wine, they joined the OOPS gang for family dinners, they played Scrabble, she read to him, he read to her.

She'd begun to try new things with him, like skiing, and he'd taken her roller-skating to make up for all the times she hadn't been allowed to go.

And he'd tried mustard on his burger, which he discovered he actually liked.

In the process, they fell deeply in love, and moved into a brownstone together with Gloria, Dale, and Blanche Devereaux.

And she was happy. Blissfully so.

Her life had changed in more ways than one with her new duties, but it had become richer and so much fuller since she'd met her new friends and Shamus.

There were sad moments, too, when she had to cross someone young, but she felt blessed to have been chosen to perform the task, and Shamus was always there to hold her in his arms and let her cry if she needed it.

Pressing his lips to her ear, he whispered again, "I said, are you ready?"

With a nod, she turned in his arms and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Always."

He gave a nod to Darnell, who opened the doors of the bookstore and gallantly ushered the children inside with a wave of his arm. "Welcome, ye lads and lassies!" he greeted, his cheerful voice booming around the bookstore. "Enter the land of make believe, where princesses live and wishes come true!"

Hand in hand, they went out to the main floor of the store, where they'd spent the last two days turning it into an enchanting medieval village.

Nina sat on her throne as all the girls—and some boys, too—dressed up in their best princess costumes, ooed and ahhed at how beautiful she was. There were also tiny knights in shining armor, court jesters, and even a dragon.

Nina opened the book they'd chosen. Clearing her throat, she waved to all the children and began, "Once Upon a Time…"

Tears filled Ralph's eyes as she let her head rest on Shamus's shoulder.

Once upon a time, a former first-grade teacher and a ghost hunter with pointy ears met and fell in love.

And they lived happily ever after.

For eternity.

The End

Thank you for joining me on the latest Accidental adventure! Until we meet again, enjoy your summer, read good books, barbecue, then meet me back here for The Accidental Witch in the fall and a whole new series featuring the Accidental ladies called TheAccidental Detectives!