Degory's POV:

My foot stepped onto Ru'an's land as a free man. My sister was by my side. With Britain being defeated, we return home with the Divine and we couldn't be more happy.

"Do you like it," asked Gabriella, coming off the boat.

"We love it...," I say, mystified.

"I'm glad you do," Garroth says, coming over as well.

"Hey, I'm glad you all are enjoying yourselves but, if you have all forgotten, which is perfectly fine," Dylan says, a hand on his hip. "We have a almost a year worth of luggage!"

"Oh, right, sorry Dylan," Garroth says, nervously smiling.

I watched as the two blondes rushed back to help the crazy, yet caring brunette with the luggage.

"I can't imagine being gone for long from a place like this! It's so amazing," Tia exclaimed.

"I know. I can believe that mostly magicks users live here. It's breathtaking," I say, taking her hand.

"Hey! That means you two too!"

We laughed as we went back up to help.

***

Aphmau's POV:

I smiled as I watched my husband and daughter return home with another family member. I'm just glad that they could rest finally after so many years. I was happy that it was quiet for once in this room. Everyone decided to take a break. I found my break just watching them.

"Irene."

I sighed, turning around to see the man who I despise. Esmund.

"I told you. It's Aphmau," I told him.

"Sorry, just...Anyways, are you alright," He asked.

I turned around back at the looking glass with complete frustration at this man. I still couldn't believe he was related to someone I loved so much.

"I would be amazing if my husband and daughter, along with their friends, wouldn't go through horrific trauma that you put them through each and every day," I say, not in the mood to speak to him. "By the way, I love how you just sent them into war where my daughter, who doesn't even look like an adult yet, almost died. Oh how much I adore it! On top of that, Garroth and Zane haven't been able to sleep peacefully in months because, of stupid gunshots. If you think that this is the perfect life for them then, I'm sorry to say but, you're horribly wrong!"

"I never said their life was perfect. I never said that I wished for them to go through this. I'm only doing this because I know this is right," He told me, coming next to me. "Besides, he's fine-"

"No! No, he's not! They're not! Degory is being pulled into this too!"

He took a step back, afraid of my next move.

"You want to know how many times I wanted to go and kiss my daughter goodnight? You want to know how much I wanted to be there for my husband? You want to know how many dances, birthdays, holidays, and special moments I missed with all of them? Well, I couldn't tell you because, I lost count!"

I just ended the conversation there. He sighed and left, knowing that nothing was going to change this.

"You would die for the ones you care about...you would go to the ends of the earth even. Yet...no one would for you..."

I just watched and sobbed. I sobbed as I watched my husband put Gabriella to bed and kissed her goodnight. I sobbed as I watched her smile and she fell asleep. I sobbed as I watched Garroth say goodnight to the others and go to his room. I sobbed as I watched him go to bed alone. Starring at the ceiling, making him look like he was starring right at me.

Don't leave m-me...

I watched him just lay there. Waiting for sleep to over take him. I watched as he finally turned over to look out the window instead. I noticed how he still slept on his side of the bed. Like always. He extended his arm and pulled open one of his nightstand's drawers. I almost collapsed as he pulled out his wedding ring.

I will love you...for eternity...

"Aphmau?"

I turned and saw Katelyn. She had also tears staining her cheeks.

"I'm f-fine. I promise."

She came over and hugged me from behind.

"It's not bad to cry," She told me.

She looked at Garroth as well, who was now drifting asleep, ring in his hand.

"Was it today," She asked.

I nodded. Ironic that it was the day when he came home.

"October thirteenth...Aph, you know, you don't have to keep strong. Even on your wedding anniversary. Garroth would want you to talk about it."

"I know but, not to be rude but, he was the only one who listened."

She nodded and continued to try and comfort me. I closed my eyes and imagined that day.

Flashback

"Garroth, you know I love you right." I asked, holding his hand.

"Of course. You do know I feel the same," He says, a smile on his face.

"Yes but," I say with a smirk. "I love you more!"

"Can't happen. Sorry. I love you most," He says, caressing my cheek.

"Nope. I love you to the moon and back."

"I love you till the end of time and back."

"Why you-"

"Hey! Are you two love birds going to dance at your freaking wedding or not," Yelled Logan, the others laughing.

"Coming," I shouted. "This is over!"

"Heh, well, you won't win!"

"Try me!"

With that, we went to the dance floor and partied the night away. The stars lighting up the night along with the moon by their side.

Flashback over

"How am I going to find peace with this Katelyn?"

"That's up for you to decide."

She gave me one last hug before leaving me alone again. I looked down and saw his nightstand. On top was his diary, candle lamp, and a note from Gabriella.

Don't cry, some people really care about you!
~Gabriella

I smiled. As long as those two are happy, I'm happy. If they are at peace with my passing, then, I'll be at peace.

I love you, Garroth and Gabriella. To the stars, moon, universe, and back.

***

Zane's POV:

"Garroth," I say, waking him up.

"Hm," He says, rubbing his eyes.

"I brought you this," I say, handing him some tea.

"Heh, thanks," He says, sitting up. "How did you sleep?"

"Very nicely. You?"

"Eh."

"I see...," I sighed and looked at him directly in the eyes. "How did you feel yesterday?"

He just took a sip of the tea, trying to ignore that question.

"Garroth, don't ignore your problems. I was going to find out anyways."

"Again, eh."

"Eh?"

"Eh."

I rolled my eyes. This man had a wall. Luckily, being his brother, I knew how to knock it down.

"I noticed you're wearing your ring. You didn't take it to America."

"Didn't want to lose it."

"Was your wedding nice?"

"Magical."

"Where did you two live?"

"On the hill."

Chips.

"Did she make the first move?"

"Always."

Cracks.

"How many kids did you two want?"

"Three."

"Why didn't you have the other two?"

He broke. Tears were falling and sobs were becoming sharp. I hated that I had to do this to him but, you can't move on without a few tears. I hugged him, mentally apologizing.

"I don't understand, Zane," He says, crying. "Why could we be normal? Why do we all have to go through this pain?"

I just sat there, not knowing how to answer.

"All I wanted was...a life. Not some...eternal stress show!"

"Garroth don't you see? Without you, Ru'an wouldn't be the same. I wouldn't be here."

He looked down.

"I just...I just miss them so much..."

"I know..," I say, pulling him into a hug again. "I do too."

He sobbed a bit more. My shoulder feeling each tear drop. He pulled himself together eventually, wiping away the flood.

"Better," I asked.

"Much," He says, smiling again.

"Hey! Do I hear crying," Dylan says, popping in.

I chuckled as he walked over.

"Well, that only means one thing! Pancakes for breakfast this morning," He says, coming towards us. "I'll make them after, I give my brother a hug."

He hugged Garroth, Garroth doing the same.

"Don't even think about leaving bed!"

Garroth nodded. Dylan left.

"Love that man...," I say, leaning on my hand. "How does he stay so cheerful?"

"Only when he has to be. Have to already forgotten him at America," Garroth smirked, taking another sip of tea.

"Well, at home I mean."

"Oh my...Garroth! Are you alright," Degory exclaimed, seeing the commotion.

"Yeah. Just one of those days."

He came over and gave him a hug as well.

"You better listen to Dylan. You deserve a break."

"I've been hearing that my whole life..."

"Well, it's about time you listen!"

With that, he rushed to the kitchen. Garroth's room was so bright and calming. It's like it was made for him. His bed had blue silk blankets and the oak wood floors complimented it nicely. A big bookshelf and closet were against a wall along with a desk. The windows were the best to be honest.

"Thanks Zane."

"What for?"

"For making me open up."

"Why? I made you cry."

"It keeps me...at peace. You know?"

I smiled.

"Okay! I wake up last for once and somehow, I miss family time?"

Gabriella came in and hugged us both. Making me feel warm and welcomed inside. She sat in Garroth's lap and stayed. We talked like a normal family until breakfast came in. Degory and Dylan sat on the bed as well and served us pancakes. Garroth laughed of how much syrup Gabriella put on her's.

It was a perfect morning. A family I got to call my own was with me and I couldn't be more happier. I just hoped this happiness lasts for a while.

End of Era

Word Count
1668
So, yeah. Garroth and Aphmau wanted more kids but, yeah. Also, Tia lives with somebody else, if you all haven't guessed yet. Hope you liked the picture I drew up there.

Tell me how you all are liking the story! Please!