Epilogue

"There is no real ending. It's just the place where you stop the story."

- Frank Herbert

Eight years later

"Everly! Jackson! Come inside!" I watch my two four-year-old children run up to the porch. Everly tosses her long dark hair out of her face. Jackson jumps up to the last step and pushes past me. Everly waits for me to step aside.

The twins seat themselves at the table. I start to set out the food: A family recipe mac and cheese made by my grandmother.

I watch Cameron come downstairs with small baby Tessa in his arms. He sets her in her high chair and sits down next to me.

"Alright," I say, getting the spoon from the mac and cheese. "Let me dish you up, Everly. Cameron, will you do Jackson? I can get Tessa after her."

Cameron nods and gets another spoon for the mac and cheese. I drop some onto Everly's plate. I get the spoon from the small container of peas and pour her some.

After Everly is properly dished up, I get a small bowl from the kitchen and pour some mashed potatoes into it leftover from last night. I pour some gravy on it and put it on her high chair platform. I give her a small spoon and sit down next to her. I scoop myself some mac and cheese and peas. I pour myself a glass of water and put a couple ice cubes in it.

After dinner, I clean up and go out to the living room. "Alright, you two," I say, getting the twins' attention. "Time for bed."

Everly gets up obediently while I pick Jackson up and carry him to his room. Everly is putting on her pajamas. She rushes out of the room to brush her teeth. "Change and brush, please," I tell Jackson, and walk out of the room.

I go downstairs to get Tessa and get her ready, but she's gone. I breathe deeply. "Tessa?" I say softly. It's getting harder for me to breathe. I hear Cameron walking down the stairs. I run to him. "Tessa's gone!" I can barely muster those words. Cameron takes my shoulders like he always does. "I just put her to bed," he says, pulling me into his chest. "And don't worry, her windows are locked, the doors are locked, and the garage is locked. I've got it all covered. We're safe."

I am still getting panic attacks, but once Cameron comes to me and calms me down, everything slows down, and I can breathe again. I hug him and kiss him on the cheek. Then I head upstairs to check on the twins.

Everly is getting in bed on the bottom bunk, and I don't see Jackson. Before I freak out, I ask Everly. "Where's Jackson, sweetheart?"

Just then, I feel him brush past my legs and he climbs up the ladder into the top bunk. I breathe a sigh of relief and walk over to Everly. I pull her blankets up and kiss her forehead. "Goodnight, Everly."

I stand up straighter and get on my tip-toes. Jackson leans over so I can reach him. I kiss his forehead. "Goodnight, Jackson."

I walk over to the door and turn off the light. I close the door almost all the way and walk back downstairs. I sit on the couch next to Cameron. I curl up on his chest and close my eyes.

End of book one