24 Epilogue

¤ 10 years later ¤

-Kara-

It's been 10 years since Caden and I have been together. Today's our 5th anniversary. Yeah. You heard right. We didn't get married straight away after high school or college or anything. Caden knew that I hated anticipation and also that I wanted to finish my studies before getting hitched so we decided to get married at 25.

But of course, the fucking idiot knocked me up when we were 22. I'm still not sure if it was an accident or if he did it on purpose because every time the topic comes up, Caden looks kinda smug. Anyway, we got married two months after we found out and well everyone was pretty happy.

Now we're both 27 and parents to the most adorable and extra naughty bunch of 3 kids. The oldest is Conrad Jonah Pierce who is 5. He's named after Caden's dad and my pappoús, you know.. the real one. The other two are twin girls who are 3 years old. The older twin is Trysa Grace Pierce and the younger one is Taryn Mallory Pierce.

And what happened to the gang, you ask? Pappoús' gang was cleared of all the guys involved in the mafia business, who were in truth a lot in number. Then until Killian finished college they were handled by my Pappoús' original second in command, Gerome. Later, Killian moved to Greece as a professional photographer and took on the gang's responsibilities. Mine and Caden's gangs which were merged to the Blood Rose remained merged and we both lead it together now in between our jobs that is.

"Hey, baby! Happy anniversary!", Caden said as he entered the room and kissed me on the cheek.

"You too. "

Years had passed but our love and trust hasn't faded one bit. I could see it shining in Caden's eyes at this moment. His passion and overwhelming love for me never ceased to dazzle me.

"Where are the kids? ", I asked.

Caden chuckled.

"Way to reject me babe.", he said."They're playing in the kiddie pool with Emily watching over. "

"You better go down there. You know how Emily gets immersed in that phone of hers.", I told him. "I suspect that little 17-year-old brat has a boyfriend. "

"Okay. Let's go down together. "

"I'll come down after I finish folding these clothes and putting them inside the closet. ", I said and insured him out the door.

"And here I thought I could spend some alone time....", I heard Caden murmuring as he went down the stairs.

I smiled. It was surprising that in all these years he hadn't spared one glance at another woman. I mean seriously, the way the women ogled him when they knew he was married was astonishing.

I was putting Caden's T-shirts inside the closet when I saw a small necklace with a heart-shaped pendant lying on the carpet. I picked it up and instantly saw the pattern on it.

Oh my God! No way!

"Caden!", I shouted. "Could you come up here for a sec? "

"What is it? ", Caden asked as he entered the room.

"Where did this come from?", I asked, dangling the locked in from of him.

"Wait a second... That locket... I can't believe it's still here! ", he said surprised.

"I think it was from a one night stand when I was 16. I don't remember the girl, I was either too hammered or maybe someone had drugged me."

"Wait, did it happen during a party? ", I asked.

"Yeah, I think so.", he answered.

"Where? "

"I think it a guy named... What was he called? Mills..? But, why are you asking so many questions? "

"Mills...Mills? Wait...Miles? Was it Miles Keylan's party? "

"Oh yeah, your right. "

"Oh my God!", I said covering my mouth in utter disbelief.

"Kara babe. I'm still clueless here. Care to fill me in? ", he asked perplexed at my behavior.

"Hey sis? Whatcha doing up here? The kids are asking for you. ", Emily said as she came into the room without knocking, as usual.

"Emily! Give me your necklace. ", I said.

"Uh yeah. Here. ", she said giving me her locket.

"Go back to the kids, we'll be down in a few. "

"Yeah. Okay. "

"Kara, what's going on?", Caden asked me still completely confused.

"Caden, do you remember that Miles invited Wilson high's students to the party?"

"Yeah. But how... how do you... "

"Caden, we were fated to be together. ", I said.

"Huh?", he said cocking his head to one side.

I held up Emily's pendant which had a small key dangling from it.

"Caden, this is a custom-made key which fits the lock of only one pendant in the world which was given to us by our father. ", I told him.

"Why are you telling me this? ", he asked.

"Because Caden... ", I said as I inserted the key into the keyhole of the pendant. "We were meant to be."

I twisted the key and the pendant popped open. Inside were two pictures that confirmed what I already knew. I showed it to Caden.

His eyes showed surprise.

"Your mom and sister... ", he murmured. "That means... "

He looked at me.

"You're right.", I said with a smile which was wide enough to split my face, "I'm your one night stand."

Caden took me into his arms and spun me around laughing.

"I found you! I can't believe it! I didn't remember the girl's face but I knew I only felt a spark with her."

"Can I tell you a secret?", I asked him.

"You can tell me, anything babe."

I leaned down and whispered in his ear.

"You're my first and last. "

It was fate. Caden and I had met way before I attended Oakcrest high. Long before I moved to the house next to his. It was like my mother and sister couldn't see me grieve so recklessly after their deaths that they matched me with Caden.

It was their goodbye present. To make sure that in my world, there would be Guns, Gangs, and LOVE.

Φ The End Φ

(For Us)