Chapter 24- Epilogue

One Year Later

Lila placed Justin on the ground in front of her, holding him until he steadied himself and pulled away from her hands. "Follow me, Justin.," She said reaching for his hand.

His small hand reached into hers and grasped her larger one tightly as he walked, stumbled, up the hill with her.

Kevin smiled as he watched the two come up the hill to meet him. Justin looked up and met Kevin's eyes. He grinned and happily pointed at Kevin, "Keb-in!"

Lila laughed, "Yes..that is Kevin.."

Kevin knelt down as they finally reached the top. Justin stepped into his arms and Kevin stood up with him in his arms, "Think he'll ever call me 'dad'?"

She nodded, "Yes...he's just known you as 'Keb-in' for like ever now."

Kevin turned, taking in a deep breath, "Think Scotty knows?"

She put her arm around Kevin's waist and leaned her head on his shoulder, "I think he's always known."

Kevin turned and gently kissed her temple, "Think he'd be mad if me and you had a baby together?"

"No..I don't think so...do you?"

"I...I don't know.."

She smiled softly, "I think he's okay with me and you getting married and I think he's okay if we ever decide to have a baby of our own.."

"But, I do have one..kinda."

"Justin knows only you, Kev."

"Love you."

She smiled, "Love you too....mind if I have a minute alone?"

Kevin shook his head, "No..I'll take Justin back down to the car."

"Ok...thanks Kev....I'll be down in a minute.."

He nodded, "Take your time, Lila."

She waited till Kevin's head disappeared over the hill before she turned back to Scott's grave. Grass was beginning to grow around close to the headstone, nearly covering the inscription at the very bottom. She knelt, pulling the grass away from it. She very gently kissed her fingertips and placed them right over his name, "I love you Scotty...but I also love Kevin...and I think I know that you're okay with this...Justin has yet to call Kevin 'daddy' but I think he will someday...just so you know. But I'm also going to make sure he knows who his biological dad is..I won't let him forget..and when he's old enough, I'll bring him back here to kinda meet you...I hope you're okay wherever you are Scotty..I still miss you and I still love you..."

She stood, surprised to find Kevin's warm body behind her. "Where's Justin?"

"Right there.," He motioned behind them.

She looked over his shoulder, "Oh...you heard everything?"

He shrugged, "Just about."

He wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled back into them, "Think it'll ever stop hurting?"

"No...I don't think it'll ever just stop...but I think it'll lessen as days go on.."

She nodded, "Okay....come on, let's go home."

He nodded, "Ok...you alright?"

"Yea..I'm ok."

"Glad to get it out?"

"Yea...actually I feel alot better."

He swung Justin up onto his shoulders before taking Lila's hand. Justin happily babbled all the way down the hill. The clouds that had dimmed the afternoon parted just a bit and a slice of sunshine filtered down, lighting the spring-time air. Lila smiled as Kevin put Justin into the car. Yes, he was happy for them. Kevin stood up straighter, closing the back door.

Lila suddenly leaned up and kissed him, "I love you..you know that..."

"I love you too...you okay?"

She nodded, with a smile, "Yea...I'm ok."

He opened her door for her, "Come on..let's get home."

She nodded and got in, buckling her seat belt, "Ok..let's go home."

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