26 Epilogue

August 19th, 20xx

It was my 17th birthday, both Pattie's family and my own were holding a combined birthday party for me. Our father's cooked the meal together as both of them really enjoyed making food for people. Two men from different cultures with different taste buds. Ethan Clarence and my father, Jamie Jensen were learning new things from each other. 

Our mothers were getting along quite nicely too.  My mom and Lorna Clarence were in charge of the decorations and setting the party up. The two balanced out each other nicely. Through Pattie's mom, my mother became more laid back and loosened up more. On the other hand, through my mom, Pattie's mom became more organized and a bit more serious. 

Pattie's brothers, Angelo and George were in charge of the snacks and games. Anything fun related. They definitely brought that to the table. Angelo made it really clear for his parents not to buy any ranch dressing, in case Kevin got any ideas with it. George also warned everyone to keep an eye on the other condiments. The warning was too late as Kevin got inspired again and decided to test out some mustard in front of everyone. Now I understood why everyone was disturbed by the ranch dressing story. It was still amusing to say at least, just really disgusting.

Ashley was bonding with Fredonia. Fred was incredibly talented with makeup and a conversation sparked between the two of them. Ashley was planning on asking our mother if she could dye her hair purple. Fredonia was inspiring to her. It was good to see my sister looking up to an older female figure.

Of course, this party wouldn't have been complete without my best friends, and my beautiful girlfriend. Apparently, Aiden had begun crushing on Lani and became brave enough to tell her. Lani was opened to the idea of dating Aiden and now they've been together for three months. Currently, Lani was sitting happily beside Aiden, wrapped in his arms. The two of them were extremely happy together. Lani could care less about whether Aiden was a trans male or not. 

Pattie was wearing the same green dress she had worn to homecoming. It was a perfect colour for her tanned skin. She had returned from inside her house. Bringing out two cold cans of pop. The party was held at Pattie's house, as they had more space. The beautiful girl in the green dress sat directly on my lap, handing me the can of Ginger Ale. As a result of that, I pecked her on the cheek.

"Thank you. You're definitely the best present here. Looking so beautiful and all." I say, being sappy. My compliments still had the same effect on Pattie. Resulting in her tanned cheeks turning red.

"Oh hush you! You're the one who needs to be complimented. As it's your birthday! Just shut up you flirty manchild!." Pattie replied, partially flustered.

I gave her a smirk. "You know exactly how to shut me up. It's quite effective too."

"I swear to God Jensen, I'll grab a huge handful of that birthday cake and shove it in your face if you don't stop." Pattie jokingly threatened.

"I mean, I don't exactly want to be hand fed cake that way. It would guarantee I would taste better though." My comment just earned me a cold can of pop on my neck. Causing me to squirm and jump from the tempature.

"You get him Pats!" Gelo yelled to his little sister. Laughing at the childishness going on between his sister and her boyfriend.

Pattie turned her attention back to me, With a smirk of her own. "Want to try me again? You'll get a cold can of pop to the back next." 

I raised my hands up in surrender. "Sorry! I can't help, but want to compliment my girl. I'd take a cold can to the nips if it meant reminding you how wonderful you are."

Pattie rolled her brown eyes. She gave in and kissed me on the lips. I could feel a smile grown on her lips as she pulled away. Pattie had an effect on me like no other person had. Except Rocky Allan, but that was in the past. I was focused on the now.

The sound of a phone ringing went off. It belonged to Pattie as she stretched her hand out on the table to grab the phone. Whoever was calling her made her sit right up, getting off my lap immediately. She sounded excited about whoever she was speaking too. My curiosity grew stronger. Luckily, Pattie was about to shed some light for me too.

"Good news Zeke, your last present is here. I need you to come with me." Pattie said eagerly. 

"Why?" Was all I could reply with. Pattie grabbed my hand, pulling me off my chair. Dragging me behind her, Even Lani and Aiden looked confused. The two of them didn't know what Pattie had planned. So, they couldn't help me even if I asked.

"Don't question me Zeke, you'll need this. We'll be right back guys." Pattie announced. We walked away from the crowd, heading closer to the front of the house.

Pattie kept me in mind eating silence. I was excited and also nervous about what Pattie planned.  To keep it even from Lani means it must be big. At the front of the house, Pattie continued to lead me towards the driveway and garage door.  Pattie used her hands to guide my face to look at something in particular. Or should I say someone. At the foot of the driveway, there was a man dressed in a light blue t-shirt. Paired with short denim capris.

"Please don't get mad at me?" Pattie asked as I stared at her in confusion.

"You got the right house! Come on up!" Pattie yelled to the male at the end of the driveway.

He quickly turned around, exposing his front side. His brown, chocolate hair with caramel highlights swirled to the front of his face. With a slight quiff, to add a slight texture to his hair. The man was wearing sunglasses, which hid his eyes. He had tanned skin and plump, pink lips.

Once he was in close distance, he greeted Pattie with a handsome smile. A really beautiful smile for a guy. My mouth went dry. It went even drier once the guy in front of me removed his sunglasses. Exposing a beautiful pair of blue eyes. Ones that I once knew long ago and never imagined to see again. Standing in front of me was the one I let down. The one who first stole my heart.  Also the one who's heart I broke. It was none other than Rocky Allan. He had grown taller, his body filled out more from staying in shape. Rocky was even more handsome and beautiful. I couldn't meet Rocky in the eyes. Not yet at least. Shame and guilt washed over me. 

"I know what you're thinking Zeke. I reached out to him on my own accords. Yes, I did explain some things to Rocky without your permission, but not everything. Plus, your book is published so I had a bit of freeway with that. I'm sorry I went around without you knowing, but I wasn't wrong. When I said you need people in your life. Those that mean the most to you and want to be there. We did promise that you would address this at some point. Today is perfect because you are mature and healed enough. I think both of you would be a lot happier if you two talked. Clear the air and let go. I'm going to step away so you two can talk alright. Both of you boys can do it." Pattie explained and quickly walked away. 

I'd never be mad at Pattie for doing this. She did all the hassle for me by reaching out to Rocky. I didn't know how she did it, but she managed. I have no clue what I'd do without her.

Rocky was the first to break the silence. "Don't be angry with her. I know this is sudden, Pattie did reach out to me. Almost immediately after the day you told her everything. We've been in touch for a while, kind of like pen pals. I moved to a different town, and I tried hard to make it hard for people to find me. Pattie did one hell of a job, managing to get a hold of me." 

Rocky cleared his throat. "I ignored her, blowing her off, all that stuff. I mean, this random chick came out of the blue, but there was a determination about her that just wouldn't break. It got to the point where she did get me to crack. Pattie has a way with people and her stubbornness." Rocky chuckled to himself. Of course, I chuckled to myself too. When Pattie had focused intentions, she wasn't going to stop.

"Pattie sent me news articles at first. Letting the public do its job of informing me what was going on instead of a random girl. Who appeared out of nowhere. Obviously seeing new articles about my ex best friend being charged with battery got my attention. Then she sent me a Youtube video of news anchors covering it. She sent multiple to make sure I didn't think she was fibbing. Eventually she sent me an article where the victim was named. As well as telling me about the book you published. I've read it. Over and over."

I finally had the courage to meet Rocky's gaze. Sadness was expressed on his face. "You've got one hell of a friend and girlfriend. Pattie filled in some of my blank lines without overstepping. So you could muster up to doing it yourself. Pattie also helped me a lot too. I was struggling with some things myself and became a good pen pal over the web. When she asked me to be here today, I knew I had to be. After everything I read from your book was one reason. I wanted to hear it from you too. What happened? What are the details that I don't know and what led up to you writing that letter;" Rocky couldn't continue the rest of that sentence. It was painful for him.

It was my turn to speak now. "Basically, as we grew closer together, my best friend and I grew apart. Most of it was on his behalf, pushing me away due to his depression, He attempted suicide again, and Charlie informed me that it was successful. Showing I truly was gullible and naive. At that point I had lost so many people in my life I figured I'd let you down too. I pushed you away so I wouldn't drag you down. All I did was hurt you even worse. Leading for Charlie to become angry and defensive.  Even if the two of you weren't friends at this point. I hurt two of his people, and took revenge on me. Didn't know he knew about us and was hateful towards you. It would've been out of jealousy. " 

    Rocky wiped his face, with a heavy sigh. "I'm a fucking idiot. You're a fucking idiot. Charlie is a piece of shit. I keep asking myself, why? Why I never pieced it together. Or why didn't you come to me? Then remember you were afraid and left alone. Those words you spoke to me on the first night we met, I shouldn't have believed the words in the letter. Words that weren't from the same people. You didn't have a cruel bone in your body yet I believed it so easily. It was the act of a terrified kid protecting others from himself. I should know better than anyone. I did begin questioning it. Hence why it didn't take long for Pattie to crack me open."

    I was staring at Rocky through my blurry vision. My voice was dry and coarse. "I'm so sorry for hurting you Rocky. For everything and pushing you away. All of it because if I hadn't given up on myself, I wouldn't have let you down." 

    "Don't start that crap Zeke! You know that I forgive you, I wouldn't be here if I didn't. I wouldn't have shown up if I blamed you. It wasn't your fault. You endured so fucking much yet, I didn't realize what you truly ment by that letter. Until it was too late." Rocky's voice cracked.

"It was my fault for pushing you away. A part of me is always going to want you too." That was all I could say.

Rocky had his tears flow down. He rushed closer to me, grabbing my face between his hands. Placing those once familiar lips on mine It was a simple kiss that lingered on for a while. My heart and mind belonged to Pattie. We both knew this, but this kiss served as a goodbye kiss we never had as a couple. Or whatever we were.

The lingering kiss ended with Rocky pulling me into his chest. He was taller than me by a few inches. I had gotten so used to hugging people shorter than myself. A part of me was going to miss this. So was Rocky. What we were doing was a proper farewell to life together as a couple. We both needed to let go of it. I was in a relationship, my heart was taken. Rocky was going to find an amazing partner, man or woman, that'll never desert him.

Rocky and I were going to be mature enough to remain friends. Really close, good friends. We were both strong enough. I wouldn't lie and say that it didn't hurt having to say goodbye to my first love. Properly this time around. Pattie knew the both of us needed to let go, before I could ever freely heal.

We parted from each other. The goodbye was bittersweet. I was never going to lose the friendship I'd have with Rocky. I was grateful to Pattie doing her detective work. She united me with a cherished person in my life once again.

"We should stop crying. You're going to be my best bitch still. Plus, I don't want your girl to kill me for making her man cry." Rocky joked as he dried his face.

I chuckled as I wiped away my own tears. "Yeah, she does have a good hand when she wants to use it. The tales I'll tell you about the many times Pattie almost chopped my in half.  I'd accidentally startle her, each time resulting in her hitting me square in the stomach. Leaving bruises even, Pattie would probably crush me."

Rocky smiled warmly at that. "Then I plan on not messing with her then. I should probably return you to your party. Happy Birthday by the way Zeke."

"Thanks Rocky. By the way, you better not have shown up just to give a proper goodbye and closure to our romance. You better stick around." I added.

Rocky stopped dead in his tracks. Staring at me intensely. "Do you really think I'm that big of an idiot? Of course I'm sticking around. I gotta get me some of that cake. Plus, you won't be shrugging me off ever again. I'm a leech, you can't be freed of me." 

"Dear lord, you even used that same leech line as Pattie. You two are going to click well in person. Come on, many people have been dying to see who the famous Rocky Allan is." I grinned. Leading Rocky to the back of Pattie's house.

Everyone;s head turned towards us. I assumed Pattie's parents were aware of another guest arriving late. I quickly introduced Rocky to everyone. Everyone welcomed him with open arms. I looked at the scene, everyone together with big grins on their faces. Seeing Rocky there made things more complete. My family was whole again. Both blooded and chosen family.

I saw Pattie standing to the side, wary if I would be upset or not. I rushed up to her and picked her up. Spinning her around in a tight hug. She giggled as she knew by my actions, I wasn't upset. With her face now between my hands, I brought her face to mind. Kissing the girl who I was madly in love with. Letting her mind be reassured that I wasn't going anywhere. My heart, soul and mind belonged to her alone. I revealed to Pattie that I did share one kiss with Rocky. She expected it and wasn't bothered. As long as I knew that my lips belonged to her after that. 

"Don't you worry Pattie, I'll be giving you a lifetime supply of kisses and affection. You won't have to worry about any ex's or random one night stands with me. Never." I promised.

She smiled. "Good because those lips are mine. They compliment mine the best." Pattie flirted. Demonstrating her claim on me.

I grinned at her flirtiness. "You know what else looks better on you? This." Before Pattie could reply, I went to my chair and grabbed a box underneath it.

Pattie glared at me for giving her a gift on my own birthday, but didn't argue. She opened it to reveal my red hoodie. My girlfriend gave me a soft smile and slipped on my classic red hoodie. I was ready to give it up. Showing I was slowly letting go of my past.

"All women steal their boyfriend's hoodies. Instead of letting you steal mine, I thought I would beat you to the game, By just giving it to you," I state. Being cheeky and proud of it.

Pattie rolled her eyes at me as she took the hoodie out of the box. She quickly slipped it on, zipping it up. "You were right Zeke. I do look much better in this famous red hoodie." 

I grabbed her hand, holding it tight while looking her in the eyes. "The first time I slipped it around your shoulders at homecoming, I knew I found it's proper home. Kind of similar to how I found to live again. I found that in you. All because of you Pattie Clarence, I can finally learn to live."

"You've done the same for me Zeke Jensen. I wouldn't change a damn thing." Pattie reminded me. I nodded, knowing I wouldn't change a damn thing either.