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Epilogue:
One Year Later
Charlie
“So that’s how it happened,” I said quietly, staring at the empty rocking chair next to me. I could see her sitting there — her beautiful eyes, short, colorful hair. It was red today. She always loved red, even later in life. I preferred to picture her like that, wrinkled with the evidence of the life we’d lived together. “It wasn’t quite that s-simple, of course, but the best things never are.”
I held our picnic basket a little tighter and closed my eyes, imagining what my Ellie would have to say. “Was anything ever simple with that boy?”
“No,” I laughed. “No, I don’t suppose it was. But Zeppelin, she’s good for him. I knew from the moment I read her resume that she would be. She can handle him.”
“Sounds like it. You’ve done well, my love.”
My chest swelled with pride as I thought of the man Sterling was becoming. “It was m-mostly you. They’ve got your heart.”
“Oh, honey. Those boys have always had your heart, not mine.”
“Ours, then,” I amended. “Together.” I glanced at the clock and smiled, then carefully set our picnic basket down and stood to fix my bow-tie in the mirror. “I have to go now, Ellie. Sterling and Zeppelin are getting married today, and she’s asked me to walk her down the aisle. But I’ll be back soon and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“I can’t wait to hear. Give my boys my love ... my new daughter too.”
I blew her a kiss and wished with all my heart that it could be real, but having her here with me was enough. “I will.”
An aide came then to tell me my ride had arrived, so I flipped off the light and grabbed my cane, then turned once more back to Ellie’s chair. “Don’t worry, my sunflower. Ollie’s next.”
