Epilogue

3 Years Later

Evan

A soft giggle stopped me in my tracks. I smiled, but purposefully turned away from the sound.

"Oh, I wonder where Matthew can be," I said teasingly.

Another giggle sounded.

Our little boy really liked hiding in the closet. We found him there every time, but we chose to postpone the find so that we could have fun for longer. Or perhaps so that we could have a moment's peace. Our little rascal was full of energy and was already beginning to wield water at such a young age. Another reason elven young didn't go to human kindergartens. By the time they reached school age, they should already understand the importance of hiding their magic.

I checked my watch. Maverick would be home in less than twenty minutes and I still had to cook dinner.

I turned into our room and slowly creeped across the floor. "There you are!" I yelled as I threw open the closet door.

Matthew squealed as I threw him into the air. Soon, he'd be too big for this. While his independence was much needed, it was also bittersweet. My little boy was growing up right in front of my eyes.

"Again, again!"

I laughed. Where he got his energy from, I'd never know. Most of the time, I wished I could borrow just a fraction of it to get through the day.

"No luck, little man. We need to make dinner for your father." He appeared crestfallen and I could already see the tantrum coming. "Maybe you could get your colouring book and make him a pretty picture?"

I held my breath, hoping he'd accept it. He was just as headstrong as his Maverick. Once either of them made up their minds, it was near impossible to change it.

He seemed to consider it. Suddenly, he wiggled in my arms and I gently set him down.

I ambled to the kitchen, knowing that Matthew would soon either bring his things to sit with me, or get distracted in his room and disappear for half an hour. I would admit I loved that he could finally entertain himself for a little while without me. Even if I still enjoyed our hide and seek games.

I quickly started dinner and joined Matthew to sit at the table when he brought his drawing supplies into the kitchen.

He looked so much like Maverick in some ways. Same dark hair and blue eyes. His features, however, were all me. His face looked soft and gentle, his gaze always so full of love.

A pang went through my heart.

At Matthew's first pediatrician checkup, the doctor had informed us that he was a bearer. While my heart had sunk to my shoes in that moment, Maverick had simply smiled and thanked him. Since then, both of us had actively worked to better our world for bearers. While we couldn't do much, we assisted the council in everything they needed. Iridessa ran them with an iron fist and together with the local academies of every region, they brought the clans to heel. All clans now had to follow strict rules about bearers in their care and the council's doors were always open to make complaints. It was up to the community to keep everyone in line and report any lawbreakers.

The clans who refused were cast out. They were unable to attend academies and not allowed to ever apply for a job in the elven world. Very few of these clans remained, and those that did, had very few members as most people had left to join clans with more privileges and a better reputation.

Overall, our world was becoming a safer and more inclusive space for all elves.

A key truning in the lock caught my attention. I smoothed my hand down Matthew's hair and kissed his forehead. Leaving him at the table, I greeted my soulbound at the front door.

"Hey, beautiful," he greeted me with his usual line. I smiled as I looped my arms around his neck and kissed him soundly.

"Hey, yourself."

"What are you making? Smells delicious."

My smile grew. "Lasagna."

"My favourite."

"I know," I laughed.

His eyes followed me as I went to check on the food, a suspicious look about them.

"Father!"

"Hey, little man," Maverick stooped to raise Matthew into his arms and gave him a big hug. "Were you good for daddy?"

A warm feeling settled in my chest as I listened to Matthew regaling his father of all his wonderful adventures of the day. From exploring the forest to building sandcastles. How exciting. But Maverick listened with all the rapt attention of someone discovering the secrets to the universe.

When Matthew went back to his colouring, Maverick joined me at the counter. I motioned to him to pick up a knife and help me chop the salad. He obliged with an indulgent smile.

"I talked to Jackson today. He wanted to know if we were still on for tomorrow."

"I'll let Nathan know tonight that everything's still fine. I just need to pick up the cake tomorrow morning."

"I can't believe he's turning three. It feels like just yesterday that he was born."

A melancholy feeling hit me all at once. Matthew's day of birth was a dark blotch in our history. During the fighting, we lost thirty three of our people. Fourteen students, two academy staff and seventeen attackers. Even though they were there to kill others, their lost lives still haunted our people.

I took a deep breath. Happy thoughts. The council was working hard to never let that happen again. We were more united now than ever before.

"I know," I finally answered Maverick. "He's getting so big. Getting better at magic, too. I have to keep a constant eye on him at the supermarket."

"Jackson says Sandy is getting better too. Little guy apparently wants to challenge his father to a duel."

I winched. "Ouch. Hope he goes easy om the poor kid."

We both laughed, finally done with the salad.

"Daddy, look!"

Matthew seemed to have a new favourite colour this week. The whole page was covered in swirls of shades of blue. At least he was having fun.

"That's great, bud. Tou want to give it to your father to put on the fridge?"

As I dished the food, Maverick made excited sounds over Matthew's drawing. Sometimes, I still couldn't believe what a great parent he was. Nothing was too difficult and he was never too tired when it came to his boy.

Now I just had to hope it stayed that way. I'd already tried to bribe hik with lasagna.

After dinner, I bathed Matthew and Maverick read him to sleep. Finally alone in our room, I gratefully walked into my soulbound's arms.

"I missed you today."

He chuckled. "You say that every day. I'm beginning to think you're just humouring me."

"I miss you every day!"

Another vibration of laughter rumbled through his chest.

I took a deep breath. "You know how we were talking about our future and what that would look like?"

He nodded as he disentangled himself from me and sat on the bed to remove his shoes. I sat next to him.

"Well, I think it's happening a little sooner than we planned."

His blank look told me he had no idea what I was hinting at. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm pregnant, Mav."

A few seconds passed where he sat frozen in shock. Then, a grin split his face and he engulfed me in a hug.

"That's so amazing, love. We both know it doesn't matter when it happens, a baby will always be a blessing to us."

I breathed a sigh of relief. I hadn't really expected him to be upset, but one could never be too sure. I guessed remnants from my past life still gnawed at my mind.

In this life, however, I was a dad. I was a soulbound. I was a friend. I could and I was actually pretty decent at magic. I was so many things that I never thought would be possible.

My life had begun rough, but I wouldn't have had it any other way as it led me to this exact moment in time.

And this moment?

This moment was perfect.