мacĸenzιe zιeglerѕ 'ғυcĸ ιт' lιѕт

epilogue

the cool california air fills johnny's car as he drives down the freeway. he hasn't been home since last christmas break and he's excited to see everyone again. college is fun and he's made some great friends but he'd always jump at the chance to go home again.

turning into the all too familiar street, johnny parks in the driveway that hasn't changed since last time he was here.

keeping in touch with the zieglers after mackenzie's passing was the only way the boy was able to stay even a little bit sane. it was tough, really tough but he managed and now, 4 years later he's doing better, he's finally accepted that she's gone.

johnny takes his right hand and knocks on the door, rocking back and forth as he awaits for someone to answer.

"johnny! you're home!" maddie yells happily, throwing her arms around the tall boy. he smiles, hugging her back. she hasn't changed a bit.

"nice to see you again mads" he smiles, pulling away from the shorter blonde girl. she backs up in the door way, gesturing for him to come in.

johnny takes no time and stepping over the threshold and being engulfed by the houses scent. it smells like how she smelt. like fresh lavender bed sheets with little hits of cinnamon. not usually a combination you'd think was nice but boy did he love how it smelt on her.

his eyes wonder off around the hallway, he notices that they still have her photos hanging on the walls and a few of her things such as shoes at the bottom on the staircase and a scarf she wore once are also still here.

"moms out in the backyard, kenzies bench arrived yesterday and she hasn't been away from it since" maddie explains to him as they walk through the all too familiar house.

"bench?" johnny questions, eyebrows creased.

"well yeah, greg ordered my mom a bench in kenzies memory for her anniversary " she elaborates.

johnny nods his head in understanding. he never knew you could get benches for that sort of stuff. eveydays a school day however.

johnny follows maddie out into the backyard and like expected there melissa sits on a beautiful white marble bench. she has a glass of lemonade in one hand and is holding a book in her other.

"mom, we have a visitor" maddie calls out as the two step onto the grass. melissa glances up from her book for just a split second and has to do a double take.

when her eyes meet johnny's, a smile so large appears on her face. the book gets put down and she drinks the last of her lemonade before jumping up and walking over to him quickly, her arms ready to wrap around him. johnny embraces the woman who has been like his rock for the past 4 years tightly.

    "oh john i did miss you" melissa sighs.

   "i missed you too melissa" he says, pulling away slowly.

    "are you here for long?" she questions, guiding him over to the bench. johnny thinks for a moment. he could stay for the whole two weeks but it's just a matter of can he.

   of course he's been back home before and he loves coming back. it's just. he's never been back longer than a week and he doesn't know if he's ready to stay longer knowing that she isn't here with him.

     "i'm unsure of what my pans are yet but i will get back to you on that" he tells her, his eyes studying the bench.

    johnny notices a small plaque that sits in the centre of the bench. he reads it closely and smiles a little when it reads.