deranged [sequel to unlovable]

part 40 - epilogue

vanessa & damien were happily married and lived together with aiden.
after the adoption papers went through & using the magic of their job.. they were able to adopt him.
aiden has been driving now because he's of legal age. vanessa is happy but she still blames herself for the death of her beloved caleb.
she wonders what he would be doing with his life if he was still alive.
damien has done his best to comfort her in her time of need & be there as a support system.
vanessa's parents were always accepting and went to many dinners with the two of them.
damien adopted a dog for the family on vanessa's birthday.
soon enough, an entire year had passed since the wedding.
vanessa visited caleb's grave as much as she could, which usually was a couple times a week.
damien began to grow less jealous because he saw her reasoning. this was someone she was very close with and the connection between vanessa & caleb was always noticeable and intense.
"are we almost there?" aiden called out, impatient.
vanessa rolled her eyes from the passenger seat.
"yes, we're almost there. you don't have to come, you know.. both of you. i'm more than capable of doing this myself." she says, looking down at the flowers in her lap.
damien placed a hand on hers, "hey. we come to pay our respects & be there for you. it's no trouble."
vanessa takes a deep breathe & remembers everything she has to be thankful for.
as they pull into the cemetery, vanessa stares at the flowers that begin to bloom.
they stop next to the row where caleb rests and get out of the car together.
vanessa walks slowly to the stone that she can recognize from afar.. piled high with flowers & letters.
she places another bundle of flowers & another letter attached to this one.
she says a few words under her breathe and places her hand on the headstone.
"you will never be forgotten, you are so loved.. i'm forever sorry for what happened. i'll see you soon." she mumbles.
damien rubs her back as she stands up. aiden looks at damien and they nod at each other before walking with vanessa back to the escalade.

they weren't aware of the other black escalade parked in the back of the cemetery.. or the dirty-blonde man that was leaned up against it.
he lowered his binoculars as they drove away before walking towards the headstone.
he bends down, reading the new letter that she had left today.
he shook his head, still in shock and in disbelief to the fact that he actually pulled it off.
he actually pulled off faking his own death.. and it was so difficult.
emotionally & physically, he had no idea what he was going to do with his life now.
he only knew that vanessa would be happier and better without him in the end.. and he was right.
he had plans, eventually.. but for now.. he would walk back to his car with a small smile on his face.

life went on with everyone believing caleb was no longer living... and that's exactly what he intended.