Epilogue

3 Months Later...

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear E.J. Happy birthday to you," we sing as Annie walks out onto the old patio with a small birthday cake, candles ablaze on top of it.

"It's time to make a wish dear," Annie says, placing the cake down in front of him.

It's weird how little E.J. liked Annie when we met her and rented a room from her a few months back. And now, here we are, the two of them thicker than thieves.

I watch as E.J. closes his eyes tightly, makes his wish, and then opens his eyes to blow out the candles. We give three cheers while Annie runs back inside, having forgotten a knife to cut the cake with.

"It's a pity Will couldn't be here," Chris mentions from the other side of the table.

"Yeah, but I get it," I answer. "It's gonna take some time before he's okay again. He did send that package over there."

I point to the end of the table where a stack of birthday presents are standing.

"I see Grace also sent something," Chris answers. "Wonder why she couldn't come."

"Oh, she phoned me earlier to say happy birthday. Apparently there's a little bit of drama at home. Jessica-Lynne is officially pregnant with twins. Looks like Stuart might never get rid of that bitch now," E.J. pipes up. He is smiling from ear to ear.

Over the last few months we have been coming up to Connecticut every other weekend, and we have even talked about me moving here. Annie has even offered E.J. a job, coming to help her out with the guesthouse.

Annie returns with the knife.

"Let's cut this thing," Annie says. "I'll go back on my diet on Monday, but tonight we celebrate."

"I didn't see too many people booking in," I mention to Annie. "Is it always this quiet this time of year?"

"Oh gosh yes my dear. You know how it can be out of season. But I spoke to Cherryl today as well, the business in the restaurant is dreadful. Luckily the locals still come and support her. But it's all right I told her. Just you wait. Holiday season is right around the corner and then we will be running around like crazy," Annie answers as she slices pieces of cake which are way to big, and hands them to each of us in turn. "Rather tell me, how far are you from finishing the renovations on your grandmothers old house? I can only imagine the things you needed to trow out. She really was a dreadful woman. Everyone around here said so."

"Actually she had pretty good taste," I laugh. "But I had to get rid of the wallpaper. Found some mould underneath that needed to be treated. We are putting on the last layers of paint tomorrow. And then I just need to decide what to do with all the taxidermied animals she had around the house. I kinda feel bad just throwing them away, but they are way to creepy to stay," I answer with a laugh. "Maybe I could bring them here and you can place them in the rooms? Might be reason for some more paranormal activity hunters to come and visit the guesthouse."

"Oh goodness no dear," she answers laughing. "Can you imagine me trying to keep the dust off the coats of dead animals? I have more than enough to do already."

The sun sets completely as we laugh, eating cake and drinking sparkling grape juice, a fire crackling in the background, promising the idea of roasted marshmallows and smores a bit later.

When Chris finally retires to his room, and Albert has vacuumed up all available cake crumbs that fell to the floor, and Annie had gone to tend to a resident who needed fresh towels, I take E.J. by the hand and go and sit next to the fire.

"I'm thinking of not selling my grandmothers house," I tell him, looking at him closely to see his reaction. "I was actually thinking of coming up and living in it permanently."

"You mean... Up and leave?" E.J. asks, his face looking shocked as he pulls his hand from mine. "That means we are hardly gonna see each other. And you'll be all alone."

"Annie is here. And Albert is quite a nice cuddle buddy," I joke. "But seriously E.J. I'm really thinking about it. I was thinking I could maybe learn how to be a carpenter or something. I really enjoyed helping Old Man Joe making the new banisters for the staircase. I'm sure he might want an intern. I was thinking I could learn to do wood carving. And the yard around the house is big enough. I might be able to turn it into a coffee shop, and I could use the garage and turn it into like a furniture shop for the things I make. I think I am done with road trips for the moment."

"I think that sounds like an idea. It's just gonna be weird not having you around the corner," E.J. answers. "I don't really know a lot of long distance relationships that's really worked out."

"Maybe it doesn't have to be long distance," I answer. "You see, I've been thinking... Maybe you could move here with me? You could run the coffee shop or something? Or you could help Annie, since she's already asked you twice."

E.J. doesn't answer, but rather gazes into the flames of the fire, obviously deeply in thought.

"You don't want to live with your mother. You've been saying that since the day we met. And this would give you a chance to really have your own space," I continue. "I've really been thinking it through E.J. This could be a magical opportunity."

"What about Chris?" E.J. asks. "It feels kinda like I would just be leaving him on his own, and he really has nobody."

"He could come and visit on weekends, and when he's not working," I say. "You've seen how busy he has become. He's almost never home. He just said this morning he has over two million followers on Instagram now. The modeling is really kicking off. I'm sure he will soon be going on trips overseas, being away for months at a time."

"Yeah... He's really turning his life around," E.J. answers, still looking at the fire. "I'm glad for him. He deserves it."

I don't tell E.J. that I don't quite agree and that I still think Chris is an asshole. I am however pro anything that takes him away for as long as possible. I just really hope that he doesn't end up fucking it all up.

"I wrote this after I went to Will and Cameron's. When you didn't want to talk to me," I say as I take the handwritten list out of my pocket and hand it to E.J. "That's kinda my suicide list. But I don't need it anymore. I was thinking you could be with me when I burn it, and now seems as good a time as any."

"You're not depressed anymore?" E.J. asks, this time looking directly at me.

"I didn't say that. I still get my days. But I don't think I want to die anymore. And I am tired of hiding behind a mask," I answer.

"Then why are you still wearing it? Why did you put it on tonight?" E.J. asks, pointing at the mask on my face.

"Well... I had this idea that I could be the old Brody still tonight, and then I will transition into the new one. The one that doesn't need to hide behind the mask anymore," I answer as I take off the mask, holding it in my hands and looking at it, almost like I am waiting for it to answer me. "This thing gave me an excuse to try and not live life. But I think I'm done with it."

I watch the mask for another minute, and then unceremoniously I toss it into the fire. I still next to E.J. as I watch the flames melt, bubble, and curl the mask into oblivion, until only a dark wet patch remains on the piece of wood where it had landed.

"It almost feels like you should have made a speech," E.J. mutters, handing me back the list without reading it. "I don't want to know what you wrote. It's in the past."

I also don't open it before I feed the crumbled and folded piece of paper to the flames.

I know with the old Brody gone, this is now or never. The old Brody would never have had the guts or the self-confidence to do what I am wanting to do right now.

I get up and turn my back on the fire, blocking it from E.J's view before I lower myself onto one knee.

"What are you doing?" he asks. I can see the beginning of a smile on his face, but he is trying hard to fight it.

I take the little box out of my pocket and open it up to reveal the white gold band with the tiny sapphires that are set right around it.

"E.J... We have been through a lot together. We have been there for each other through the good and the bad. We have seen the beautiful and the ugly - side by side. I have seen you snotty and sick, and you have tended my fever. We have done the sick and in health, and even the richer and poorer. We have fought against lies, and accepted truths. We have won, and we have lost. Together we have dried each others tears and made each other laugh. And maybe some people would say that we are to young, and that we don't quite know what we are doing, but in everything in my life that has been wrong, you have always felt right."

I breathe in deeply, looking up at E.J. who is sitting with an enormous smile on his face even though his eyes seem wet with tears.

"So E.J., the one who always feels right. The person on this planet that I love and trust the most. Will you marry me?"

I see a movement in the corner of my eye, and when I look over E.J's shoulder I see Chris standing in the doorway, holding Albert in his arms, and looking me dead in the eye. I can feel an icy grip on my heart as he takes one step into the light so that I can see his face.

On his face is a smile. He gives a nod, smiles even bigger, and take a step back, disappearing together with Albert into the house.

I look back at E.J. catching his eyes and watching one tear finally escape, running down to the corner of his mouth to join his smile.

"Yes," E.J. mutters and the icy grip around my heart disappears, butterflies erupting in my stomach.

I take the ring and push it onto his finger before I get up and pull him up with me.

"Now let's put the past behind us and start our future," I whisper as I place my lips on his, finally feeling whole again.