Epilogue
He moved on.
Or at least he tried to.
In fifteen years, he had a daughter he tried to find new love but she was always there, in the corners of his mind. Another blonde, another psychology graduate.
He would be a fool not to notice the similarities, even as they unfolded. Once again, she died for him. In his arms, assuring him it would all be okay. He knew it would never be. He was always left alone and it was his name that signed their death warrant.
He showed her art to the world, hanging it all over New Orleans, from the bars to the clubs to his own gallery eventually. Sneaking it into the Louvre and The Hermitage. He left her legacy, all over the world, for everyone to see.
She held a place in his heart, that no one else could ever have.
No matter how many times he tried to open it up to new people.
So when the white oak pierced his heart, as it did hers, a decade and a half earlier, he prayed he would see her, again.
That in some strange eclipse of fate he would break the rules of time and be reunited with her. After all, they had been taken by the same deadly stake, that haunted him every day after her death.
He always believed, his peace would be hers. He never thought it would come true.
The Chicago bar was eerily quiet when he stepped inside. A slow song played in the background, he recognised it from the 90s, it was a love ballad he had once adored. Only the bar and stage lights were on, filling the room with a soft orange glow. He noticed a half-filled glass. A glass of sex on the beach.
The song suddenly changed, to a 20s Jazz song.
His heart skipped a beat, as the words "Sex on the beach?" rang through the bar. He knew that voice.
"Esme" he whispered. Blood was pounding in his ears and his eyesight blured with tears. He was weakened and it warned his heart, in a way he had not felt for years and years.
He turned to see her leaning over the bar, beaming at him. "We have a lot, to catch up on," she said, pouring him a glass of bourbon. "That will be a hundred dollars" she teased.
He chuckled, walking over to the bar. "You remembered" he whispered. She looked identical to that day ... the day they met in The Grill. She wasn't wearing her apron but the dress was identical, he would have recognised it anywhere. It was lying in his room in New Orleans.
She poured herself a glass of bourbon. "I remembered everything," she remarked, coming to sit next to him. They were so close, she was within his reach and he let himself reach for something.
"I've missed you so much" he confessed, letting his fingers tangle in between hers.
She let her head, fall onto his shoulder. "I loved you" she whispered. Something so simple and tender was enough to reduce him to tears. "I always did. I didn't get the chance to tell you."
"I knew" he promised. He tucked a strand, of hair behind her ear his eyes lingered on her lips for a moment. There was an undeniable longing in his heart to tell her everything. Every bad and abominable decision he had made because he knew she would forgive, him maybe even find it humorous. The gifts he was given, his daughter, and another sister, knowing she would be crying with him. He had so much to say. "I have, so much to tell you" he whispered.
She laughed, her eyes scrunching up with joy. "You can tell me later" she replied, pulling him in for a kiss. And they danced to their rhythm. Their feelings came back in minutes and feelings that had never left.
He was her home, and she was his.
And they had each other always and forever.
Author's Note
I set a goal or precedent for myself when I started writing this book, I wanted it to be short and consistent and have a clear ending. This is that clear ending. It might be disappointing to hear but I have no spin-offs or sequels coming. I've always found that sometimes when fanfics are over fifty chapters long it can be overwhelming which is something I wanted to avoid.
The story of Esme and Klaus is a tragedy but also a beautiful tale of devotion. There are so many things I love about We Weren't Perfect, from the title to the characters to the story of Esme and Klaus' romance. I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for everyone who has read, voted and commented on nearly every chapter. I'm so happy you enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.
As far as endings go, I think this one was perfectly bittersweet.
Thank you, with love, Shalisca.