Epilogue


Freedom, Oregon
June 25th, 1919

He stood at the church doors, the same ones he stood at almost twenty years ago. His mind flew back to that day, so long ago, when the town welcomed them to the church, to their hearts. His eyes still stung a the memory, even after all this time, even after years of attending this church. Sunday services, weddings, funerals, baptisms. He felt he’d grown up here.

And so had she, he realized, turning toward the sound of an automobile approaching. He could see her seated inside, a beautiful woman dressed in white, her smile so wide, her face so happy that again, his eyes filled with tears. Tears of joy and tears of pain.

Because today, Lucy was leaving them. This time, for good.

The years since she’d come to live with JC and Justin had been filled with a happiness neither man expected. Lucy had become their light, their joy. They’d helped her with schoolwork and taught her how to swim. They’d nursed her though measles and her first broken heart. JC had shown her how to fish, and Justin had shown her how to cook. And if she ever felt slighted that she didn’t come from a “real” family, it never showed. She always said that Justin was the best mother she could have ever had.

And then there was JC. His love. His life. Justin watched with a critical eye as the older man exited the automobile and walked to Lucy’s door. He was still painfully thin and frightfully pale. Justin said a quick prayer of thanks that JC had survived his bout with the Spanish Influenza. It had been such a close call…but Justin had been stubborn. Selfish. Refusing to allow JC to die. Because without him, Justin himself would never be able to live. After all, Justin wasn’t alive before he’d met JC…how could he survive without him?

“Don’t look so sad, Uncle Justin,” Lucy scolded as she and JC climbed the church steps. “I’m only going as far as Seattle this time.”

Again, Justin said a silent prayer of thanks. “And no farther, young lady,” he teased, reaching up to adjust her veil. Lucy, being an unusual child of unusual circumstances, had decided to study veterinary medicine, and for the past three years had been studying in Scotland. It was there that she’d met Michael, her future husband. Luckily, Michael was happy to relocate to the American West.

“Stop fussing over the girl, Justin,” JC said, pulling the younger man’s hand away. “We’re almost rid of her…don’t jinx it now!”

Lucy stomped her foot in indignation. “How do you like that?" She crossed her arms and glared at the men”. “After all these years, the truth comes out!”

They both laughed at Lucy’s reaction before the girl turned serious. “I just wanted to tell you both how much I’ve loved being your daughter,” she told them. “No girl could have had better parents.”

JC and Justin exchanged a glance. “It was our pleasure, Lucy,” JC told her, grasping Justin’s hand. “You made our life complete.”

Lucy blinked. “Dammit! If you make my mascara run!”

Justin reached up and snagged a handkerchief from JC’s suit pocket. He dabbed the corner of Lucy’s eyes, so like JC’s it took Justin’s breath away. “We love you, Moppet.” He handed the handkerchief to Lucy and clasped JC’s hand again.

Lucy nodded. She moved to stand between the two men, prying their hands apart and slipping her own in theirs.

The organ sounded, the church doors opened, and the Chasez family walked inside.

The End



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