Epilogue

                                    

                                          


I try to catch my breath as I lay my head on Theo's rising chest as he tries to control his breathing as well. He starts tickling me with kisses going up my neck and finally landing on my lips. I lace my hands through his damp hair giving him one good kiss before pulling back and admiring him. I'll never get tired of this sight. 
                          
I get off his lap but before I can he grips my hips and pulls my back down. Theo then crashes his lips onto mine holding me still so I can't refuse. I feel him smile into the kiss making me want to stay in this car with him for the rest of the night. I playfully slap his chest and he pulls away. I get back to my seat and put my dress back on while Theo puts on his shirt and pulls his pants up his legs. 
                          
I look in the review mirror fixing my hair and makeup real quick so it doesn't look like we did it in his car even though we just did. Theo helps me zip up my dress and I fix his ruffled hair so that it doesn't give us away but that doesn't help because we were already late. We walk hand in hand down the street. 
                          
We get inside Ben's house. His house was huge and nice. There was a bunch of people at the graduation after-party. 
                          
These past few months flew by fast. Earlier today I watched Theo walk across the stage receiving his diploma. I was so proud of him. The night before I stayed up all night with Theo and talk about our future together. I was worried because Theo and I are a year apart. He would be off to college and I would start my senior year. Theo eventually calmed me down and told me there nothing to worry about and nothing would happen to us. That's all I needed to hear to calm me down. The rest of the night we talked about random stuff like how many kids we want, what their names would be, and it got to the point where we talked about our conspiracy theories. I don't know what my future holds but I know I want Theo to be in it.
                          
Theo and I get greeted by some of his friends. I spot Lauren and Cole talking. At first, I didn't believe that they were actually together but they actually make a great couple. They're complete opposites and I mean complete opposites but they balance out each other. A few months ago Lauren came up to me and apologized for everything. I thought she was going to start something but I was shocked by the words that were coming out of her mouth. We aren't friends but at least we were on good terms. 
                          
Cameron is doing great. Theo still doesn't like me hanging around him but that doesn't mean I can't be friends with him. After all, I did use him. We catch up every once in a while. One time I invited him to my house just to have a friends game night and Theo was basically glued to my side watching Cameron's every move. It was quite amusing to see him act like that but he should know by now I love him and only him. Cameron is currently focusing on his future, himself, and some college stuff. 
                          
Don't even get me started on Lucas. I haven't seen that guy in like forever just like me and Theo, he has been in a lovey-dovey relationship himself. Of course, we still catch up and have sleepovers at my place. I'm glad even though we both have something going on in our lives we still make time to talk and see each other. 
                          
After some time, a toast was made for the graduated class. We all cheers to the lovely and funny toast and drink. We party and dance for a bit. Suddenly Theo stops dancing and drags me outside to the big and beautiful backyard. My eyes then land on the cute setup. There was a picnic blanket laid out with some rose petals around it. 
                          
"I had Ben set it up." Theo cockily smiles. I roll my eyes and walk over to peck him on the cheek. 
                          
"Thank you but this night isn't about me it's about you." I start to feel bad but Theo wraps his arms around my waist. 
                          
"This night wouldn't mean anything without you here with me." He shyly smiles looking down at me. I just smile ignoring the heat rising to my cheeks. 
                          
Theo unwraps his arms around me and steps back. He extends one hand out and the other behind his back. He bows down like how a prince would. 
                          
"Would you give me the honors and dance with me?" He says in a really bad British accent. I wouldn't believe you if you told me Theo Gray would talk in a British accent and ask me to dance with me a few months ago but here we are now. 
                          
"You may." Theo immediately closes the space between us placing his hands on my waist and I wrap mine around his neck. 
                          
"Fuck Davis look at what you're doing to me. You got me doing stupid accents." Theo tries to hide his smile. I giggle and give him a quick kiss on the lips. 
                          
We dance to the night breeze and the faint sound of the music playing from inside of the house. Theo twirls me around making me laugh as he dips me. He kisses me on the forehead and leads me to the picnic blanket. 
                          
We both lay down on our back staring straight up at the sky. We lay there in silence enjoying each other's presence. I start to think about how a tutoring gig got me to where and who I'm with today. Everything that we did and went through brought us here today and I wouldn't change a thing. Fate works in crazy ways. 
                          
The stars looked so bright and beautiful. All the noise was blocked out and the start silently danced. I felt myself smiling and closed my eyes and made a wish. For a split second, everything felt perfect. These are the moments I'll never forget.
______________________________
                          
Theo's pov: 
                          
The stars looked so beautiful tonight but not as beautiful as the girl that is laying next to me. I look to my right and see Athena with her eyes closed. She looked so peaceful. My eyes were getting pretty tired so I closed my eye too. 
                          
I did it. I graduated and I did it without any help. All these years I thought I needed his help but look at what I accomplished without him. I graduated, I kept my family safe, and I have the most beautiful girl by my side through it all. 
                          
But that's not all. I learned to shave. I learned how to drive. I learned how to cook. But most of all I learned how to take care of a woman and not give up on her. So you know what, fuck you dad. I hope you're happy because I know I am. And soon I'm not going to need you by my side on my wedding day. And some years after that my kids won't need you. I'm going to tell them that I'll always be there for them. I promise that. Some people can't keep their promises. I just hope you know that "your boy" is doing great without you. 
                          
I'm not going to waste any more of my time thinking of him. Like Athena said this is my night. It's the night to enjoy and prepare before the future comes. But my future is right next to me. I open my eyes and stare back at the stars. All the stress and anxiety washed away. For a split second, everything felt perfect. 
                          
After a couple more minutes of comfortable silence, I feel Athena's hand search around for my hand. I quickly grab her hand and interlock it with mine. 
                          
"I'm here." I say leading the back of her hand to my lips planting a kiss. 
                          
"I thought you left." She whispers turning her head towards my direction. Her eyes were so beautiful. 
                          
"I'll never leave you." I tuck some hair strands that have fallen on her face and tuck them behind her ears with my free hand. I rest my hand on her cheek stroking her cheek with the pad of my thumb. 
                          
She closes her eyes and smiles. 
                          
"I love you." I whisper thinking she has fallen asleep. I close my eyes and relax. 
                          
"I love you too. Always." I hear her whisper back. 
                          
This is all I wanted. 


                          
♥️