Epilogue: The Leaves of Dawn

Bolting up in bed, Astrid's eyes snapped open just before conscious thought came barreling back to her. Staying upright, Astrid took a second to gather herself before looking around. For once, Valencia was still asleep while she was awake... 

Brushing Valencia's hair back, Astrid leaned down and gave her a quick kiss before pushing herself back upright. Staring out the window as the dawn sunbeams began peeking their way over the horizon, she couldn't help but sigh. A handful months had passed since the whole cult, scorpion, confession ball of craziness had gone down and... today was her one year anniversary in Marcen's Cliffs. 

Wild. 

Her room looked different too. Back then, Astrid remembered her clothes, drawing supplies, and rest of her possessions had been jam-packed sacks sitting in the corner of the room. It had been so bland too. The walls had just been so plainly wooden, totally lacking any sort of decoration. 

And look at them now! 

Decorated with hanging lights and small photos of all her friends, Astrid couldn't help but smile as she reminisced on all those moments. 

Sylvia and Estelle were such a funny duo, especially now that they had truly gotten back together. Joanna and Solomon were a genial couple, and a stably comforting presence. Then came Rainier, the always formal, sleek looking man in a suit. Astrid still looked forward to meeting his boyfriend Clay one day... 

How could she then forget Adelyn, she and Elyse had become regulars and Adelyn had overcome her whole fear of her and Valencia!

As for Eugene, well, he was still single, and his photo only reinforced it. Having hosted a small party to cheer him up after a breakup, Astrid and the others had taken some comical photos of Eugene playing up his despair. 

With more than a dozen photos decorating the wall of her and Valencia's now-shared room though, Astrid decided to go back to her sunrise watching. 

It was... beautiful really. 

Cracking the window open, Astrid smiled as a faint, warm wind blew through her hair. There was the farmer's market, the art gallery, and the bookstore she and Valencia still wanted to visit... 

Maybe tomorrow would be the day they finally go! 

Laughing to herself, Astrid knew, it was definitely not going to be tomorrow. But they'd get to it in the future. They did, after all, have all the time in the world now didn't they?

Getting pulled backward, Astrid yelped before realizing her quiet movements had woken up Valencia. 

"Good morning, my love," Valencia murmured through sleepy yawns. "How are you?" 

"I'm doing well, good morning to you too, Cia," Astrid laughed while giving her a kiss. "Want to head down?" 

"What time is it?" Valencia asked while propping herself back up. "We're opening late today, right?" 

"I mean, we could, there's nothing stopping us," Astrid shrugged while checking the time. "Half an hour before our scheduled opening time though." 

"We should head down," Valencia hugged Astrid. "But it's so nice here..."

"It really is..." Astrid agreed while leaning against Valencia. 

Taking a few more moments for themselves, the two laid there as their quiet breaths filled the air. Before long though, their obligations called to them as they got out of bed, went through their morning routine, and headed downstairs. Putting on their aprons and flipping the signs, Astrid and Valencia greeted their early morning regulars while putting some pots of tea on the stove. 

The Leaves of Dawn cafe? Well, it was open for another day of business.