Disclaimer: See Chapter 34.

Note: Here is the anticipated epilogue. Be prepared! Thank you guys, for such a wonderful journey. Really, it has been my pleasure writing this for you. Thank you for everything. I'll be taking a bit of a break to recoop and hopefully come up with something else to entertain everyone with. Until next time! -JJ

Epilogue

Seth sighed, content as he sat back on his and Dean's couch, enjoying the blow of the air conditioner on him as he let his thoughts just wash over him. The last year had been crazy, both in good ways and bad. He hummed as he closed his eyes, knowing that him and Dean had to get ready for the BBQ over at Roman's parents house that day. In a way he really just wanted to stay home, enjoy the fourth of July alone with Dean and their two cats, watch the fireworks from the backyard, but at the same time, it was going to be the first time that everyone was together since New Years. He smirked, wondering if it was going to be as interesting. Hopefully this time he didn't see a naked ass that didn't belong to Dean.

Dean walked into the living room, smiling as he looked at his lover. Things for them had been perfect after the first month or so living together. It had just taken him and Seth both a little time to get used to seeing the other so often, in every kind of emotion. He was happy though, beyond happy that him and Seth had taken that step and every night he had that beautiful man in his bed, and every morning he work up to the crazy, wild bed head he loved so much.

He moved from his spot, sitting down next to Seth, leaning back and wrapping his arm around Seth's shoulders. He smiled a little wider when Seth's head instantly leaned into his shoulder. He could smell Seth's shampoo as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. "You ready for the party tonight?" he asked, his hand moving to run through the dark locks. He really enjoyed how silky it was now that Seth had stopped dying a third of it blond and let it grown back out in its natural dark brown.

"Yeah, I am," Seth answered softly, eyes opening just in time to see a small, but fully grown, black cat with one white paw walk in front of him. He patted his thigh, the cat jumping up into his lap. "I still can't believe you let me keep him."

Dean just looked at the cat, his smile starting to fade. "Not like I could throw the little fucker out. Moxley loves him too," he groaned, smirking when he saw his own long haired white cat saunter her way into the living room. It wasn't that he disliked the new cat, it was more of the fact that the little guy just wasn't too interested in Dean. He was used to quite a bit of affection from Moxley and ever since they'd brought him home, Moxley had instantly taken to him. He watched as Moxley passed them and jumped up into the vacant recliner, curling up and laying down, the end of her tail flicking side to side. "Why you gotta be like that Mox? You know Callihan will share with you."

Seth smiled at the name, finding it almost funny that even though Dean wasn't so fond of the black cat, he'd insisted on being the one to name him. He looked down at the content short hair in his lap, brushing his fingers through the silky fur. He hoped to pull a little courage from Callihan to bring up the one conversation he wanted to have with Dean. "So I've been thinking," he started, his hand stilling on Callihan's back. "That maybe, it would be nice to start a family." He carefully looked up at Dean, his heart pounding as he searched the other man's skeptical face. "Ya know, take that next step in life." He offered a soft smile.

"We've been over this Seth, I'm not ready for kids," Dean murmured, looking away from the deep dark pools. He hated telling Seth no, but this was one subject he wasn't ready to budge on. Not yet. "I can't even get Jey to stop crying and he'll be two here soon." He curled his arm around Seth, pulling him closer to him. His voice dropped into a small whisper. "I want to give you everything in the world, but kids are something that I can't do, at least not right now babe. I'm sorry."

Seth smiled, feeling the soft lips against his cheek. His fingers eased out of Callihan's fur just for them to pick at each other. "Well, ya see, you're gonna have to man up real quick then babe," he explained slowly, his voice trembling. "Because we're gonna be Daddies." He pulled away from Dean, standing up in front of him, hands crossing across his chest. "Just found out yesterday."

Dean sat there a little dumb founded and very confused. "Seth, what the hell are you talking about?" he asked, Callihan suddenly jumping down from his lap and scurrying over to Moxley, jumping up next to her and bumping their heads together lovingly. The sudden realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "No! Your fucking cat did NOT knock Moxley up," he shouted, jumping up from his spot, watching as Callihan jumped up from his spot next to Moxley and started running towards the bedroom. "You're fucking dead Callihan!"

Seth chuckled, moving over to run a hand over Moxley's head, scratching her chin lightly. "Well, I didn't expect anything else from you father," he teased, squatting down to look into her green eye. "Don't worry, he'll calm down after the shock subsides." He smiled, Moxley leaning into his hand, purring at him. "Yeah, you're gonna be a fantastic mama Mox."

Dean stood there, huffing, looking from the hallway back to Mox and Seth. "Fucking cat. I knew we should've just took him to the pound," he muttered, shaking his head as he looked back at Moxley. "Why would you do that? With that little asshole. You know he hates me."

Seth only snickered. He knew Dean was no where near ready for children of their own, but maybe, just maybe having kittens would help the process and ease Dean into the father role he knew he would be wonderful at. "Don't yell babe," he said, walking over to Dean and wrapping his arms around his neck, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "You'll be a great father Dean. I know it."

Dean didn't look so sure, his arms wrapping around Seth's waist, pulling them in close. "I don't know, I never had one in my life. What if—"

Seth cut Dean off with another kiss. "You'll be perfect. Or we can leave the parenting to Callihan," he suggested, smiling at Dean's narrowed glare. "See, you're already making progress."

Brad pushed the cart down the isle, looking over the different styles and variations of breads. He was really just looking for hot dog and hamburger buns for the cook out that him and Wade were supposed to be going to that afternoon. Truth be told, he was pretending to look at the breads, enjoying the way Wade stood close behind him, not enough to touch, but enough to feel his presence. He smiled, looking back up into the dark blue eyes, feeling his heart still beat a little faster at the smile on the other man's lips. He looked away, grabbing about ten or so packages and setting them in the cart.

Him and Wade had been together for about a year and a half, and he was happy, happier than he'd ever been. This was the longest, and probably the best relationship he'd ever been in.

"What're you thinking about so intently?" Wade asked, easing in behind Brad, resting a hand on his hip as he leaned down to whisper in his ear. He pressed a soft kiss to Brad's neck, earning a hiss of pleasure before he pulled back. "We have to finish this shopping trip up, maybe we'll get in a quick few minutes to ourselves before we head over."

Brad nodded, looking up and grabbing a few more buns and grabbing the cart and heading around the isles for other things he'd promised to pick up, as quickly as he could.

He was standing in the check out line when he felt Wade's hand slip into his, lacing their fingers. He gave a squeeze to Wade's hand, smiling up into the blue eyes. It was there, the same soft look he was giving and he knew that this with Wade wasn't going to just go away. This was something long term, maybe even permanent.

His attention returned to the line, moving just a step or two closer. His mind was focused on him and Wade, how they were. When they were at the university they were completely professional, no touching, no inappropriate talking, nothing that could ever lead to the higher ups forcing one of them to change offices.

Outside of work, they were just like this, open, affectionate. It really was like he'd found that person he could easily spend the rest of his life with. He let out a silent, inward chuckle. He wasn't trying to look that far into the future. He still had to introduce Wade to his parents, get them off his back finally. He knew it would only confuse and quite possibly upset them that he was with another man. There probably wouldn't be grandchildren and a wedding any time soon, if ever. He sighed softly, Wade's hand tightening around his.

"You okay love?" Wade asked softly, leaning down to meet Brad's eyes. "You suddenly look a little upset." He was worried for his boyfriend. Brad had been a lot quieter lately, something that was a rare occurrence.

Brad nodded, stepping close enough to grab a divider and set it on the conveyer belt. "Yeah, I'm fine," he answered, breaking his and Wade's hand so he could load up the belt. Once they'd paid for the groceries and had the packed in the back of Wade's car did Brad really find solace. His eyes were looking out the window, his hand once again in Wade's as they drove down the high traffic road.

He was thinking about how him and Wade had been together for over a year but never had they ever said those three little words to each other. He didn't know why Wade hadn't said it even though he showed it in everything he did with Brad. He looked over to the blue eyes, thinking that while he hadn't said it, out of fear or something else, he really did have those deep kind of feelings for Wade.

"Yes, Ron! I will be up later this month, I swear," Roman said, holding his phone between his head and shoulder. He laughed, hearing John and Melina in the background along with two barking dogs. "Tell them I said hey, and tell Vladimir that I'll bring back that book he sent me." He felt a hand on his shoulder and he smiled, quickly saying his goodbyes before hanging up. "Just my friends back in Iowa."

The other bronze face just smiled, shaking his head. "So, you like being home?" Jon asked, playfully smacking the back of Roman's shoulder as he poured them a couple glasses of punch. "I'm sure Aunt Paula is happy to have your ass out of the house again. You're 30 man, that's kinda weird to be back living with your Ma." He snickered at Roman's less than enthused look. "I'm just playing."

Roman smirked after a moment, nodding. "Yeah, I'm happy to be home," he answered, taking a drink of the punch, looking over where Cody was holding Jey, his hand resting over Trinity's large baby bump. "I'm really happy to be home." His grey eyes lingered over Cody's smiling face, wondering if he'd ever grow tired of seeing him look so happy.

Jon smiled, following Roman's gaze to his wife and Cody. "Maybe someday you and him can have that too," he breathed, earning a sideways glance, Roman's grey eyes a little saddened. "He let you move back in, there's always hope."

Roman nodded gently, his lips curling upwards into a smile. "Yeah, maybe," he murmured, thinking that it might be too soon to think about those kinds of things. He'd only been home for six months, Cody allowing him to move back in around Christmas. They were taking things slow, enjoying each other and learning how to open up and talk to each other, both deciding to let the past stay in the past and move forward. "Just taking it slow is all."

Jon looked over the party with Roman, sighing in contentment as he walked over to Trinity and Cody, picking up his son and holding him high above his head, the sound of the little boy's laughter filling the music laden air.

"You're looking good."

Roman turned with a smile, knowing that teasing voice anywhere. "Yeah, not like you don't see me everyday," he returned, looking over to see Brad standing there with a fruit skewer. "It's too bad that I didn't get to move back into the office with you, but I'm sure you're enjoying Wade a bit more." He heard Brad choke on a chunk of pineapple. "I'll take that as a yes."

"Shut up Roman," Brad hissed, his cheeks darkening. He turned his head, refusing to look up at Roman. "It's not like anything happens while we're at work. How's things going over with Tatsu?" He thought of the unique little Japanese male. While he was new that fall semester Roman returned he seemed like a pretty likable fellow.

"Oh, he's nice," Roman said, chuckling. "When I can understand him. But nah, he's pretty cool. Nothing like you. I guess I'm going to have to give up all that Chinese food." He let out an exaggerated sigh, earning a chuckle from Brad. "So you and him, get a good one in before you came over?"

Brad nearly choked on the piece of kiwi fruit, spitting it out in his hand as he tried to catch his breath. "What?" he asked, eyes wide. "How did you—"

Roman smiled knowingly. "It's written all over your face. You had that fresh fucked look the moment you walked in," he teased, looking over to where Wade was standing with Cody, both of them enveloped in their own conversation. "Am I wrong?"

Brad shook his head, looking down at the ground. "I think he might be the one Roman," he started a moment later, smiling softly as his eyes landed on Wade. "Being with him is like magic, even after a year and a half."

Roman smiled, reaching up and ruffling Brad's wavy hair. "Well I'm happy for you. But I still don't think he likes me. He keeps looking at us with this dirty look. "

Brad chuckled at that. He knew Wade was still a little weary about him and Roman being around each other, although it wasn't anything overbearing, he still found it amusing as well as heartwarming. "Well if you didn't flirt every time we were together, he might not get so uptight, he returned, smiling.

Roman gave an innocent look. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Wade stood there with Cody their conversation light about the weather and how it was perfect day for the BBQ and fireworks.

"Don't worry, he's probably teasing Brad about you two having sex," Cody said after a moment of silence, surprised and almost shocked dark blue eyes on him. "Yeah, showing up late, a little red faced and really relaxed. You two are so transparent." He laughed, Wade seemingly starting to relax. It was funny how things turned out. Him and Wade had developed a pretty good friendship.

"Partyin' without me I see," Shea started, walking over and shaking hands with Wade. "Been a while mate. Good to see ye again."

"As to you," Wade returned, smiling as their hands parted. "Return for the girls?"

Shea smiled. "Ye got me. July, beaches, beautiful ladies. I'm here." He shared a chuckle with Cody and Wade before he paused, Bo starting his way up with Bayley and a beautiful blond trailing behind them. "Yer friend Cody."

Cody turned, opening his arms and pulling Bo in for a hug, doing the same to Bayley afterwards. "I didn't know if you two were going to make it!" he started, looking them over before seeing the almost shy blond behind Bayley. "Alexa, don't hide. You know you're welcome here."

The blond woman nodded smiling brightly. "There's just a lot of people, that's all," she started, her hands moving up to play with the blue that was dyed into the bottom half of her hair. "Bayley didn't warn me about that."

"Well let me introduce you to the ones you haven't met. You know Wade, this here is Shea, a friend of Roman's from Iowa. He's down visiting."

Alexa looked up at the ginger, smiling shyly. "Nice to meet you," she said softly, easing her hand out to shake Shea's. She smiled, her blue eyes flickering down to the ground before meeting his sparkling green ones.

Shea held his own hand out, swallowing hard as he looked the beautiful woman over. "Well, it's me pleasure," he insisted, feeling a bolt of lightening shoot up his arm. He couldn't deny that she was pretty, but he'd never felt such a spark just by shaking hands. "Ye from around here?"

Everyone at the party was having fun, eating drinking, enjoying each other's company for Independence Day. Dean was the one to pull Roman away from the group around sundown, taking him inside and handing him a small bag. "I hope you appreciate this, because Titus was about to kill my ass for skipping out that day of work. And Paige wasn't too happy either," he hissed, keeping his voice down just incase someone came walking past.

"I do, thanks Dean," Roman answered, pushing the bag into his hip pocket, pulling his shirt over it to cover the lump it made. "You guys ready to get some seats for the show?"

With that Dean nodded, smiling. "Yeah, see ya tonight."

The fairground was packed with people from all over Pensacola to see the firework display. Kids were running around with light up toys, blankets spread out all over for couples young and old to sit.

Dean was holding Seth's hand as they walked through the crowd, looking for their own little spot to sit. That was until he heard his name. He looked up, clutching his own little blanket a little tighter under his arm once his eyes landed on Phil and Angie.

Angelina was the one that had called out to him, running up and wrapping her arms around Seth's neck, hugging him tightly. "Seth! I haven't seen you in ages," she started, pulling back and looking into his brown eyes. "Madison loves that little owl you got her for her birthday. I can't get it away from her."

Seth smiled, nodding as he looked over at Phil, the man holding the year and a half little girl to his side, a purple and orange stuffed owl stuck to her chest. He smiled, nodding to Phil. They still spoke on occasion, after everything had happened. "I told you, you'd be fine."

"Yeah, well I'm not great at it," Phil returned, shuffling the little girl to his other arm to extend his hand to Dean. "Ambrose, good to see you." He was stiff, him and Dean shaking hands firmly.

Dean had to admit that Punk looked different, happier, healthier with Angelina and the little girl. He took Seth's hand back in his, the small talk closing as him and Seth went on their way to find a place to sit.

Once they found a nice spot, Dean spread the blanket out for them, sitting there with his arm wrapped around Seth's shoulder, ready for the show to start. Seeing Phil hadn't been something he'd wanted, but in a way he was glad that the other man had gotten better, a happier life, even if he still hated his guts and wanted to rip his larynx out.

Wade had his arm around Brad as the first firework went off, holding him a little tighter. After a few beautiful bursts of light, he leaned over, his lips barely brushing against the folds of Brad's ear. "At least the colonies can do something right," he commented with a chuckle, earning a slightly darkened look from his boyfriend.

Brad rested his hand over his heart, feigning hurt. "I'm sure we can do a lot of things better than you snotty Brits," he retorted, smirking at the playful look. He leaned back into Wade, the fireworks distracting him for a few more moments. His mind was still working over his own internal struggle. He was happy, so happy and what he wanted to say could possibly end all that. "You know, I've never been so happy in my life."

Hummed a response, holding Brad a little closer to him. "I hope that's got at least something to do with me," he breathed, pressing a kiss to Brad's temple.

"Yeah," Brad went on, his heart pounding as his hands began to shake. It was the perfect set up, beautiful fireworks, them so close. "I love you."

Wade was silent for a moment, letting the shock of how those words affected him wash over him. "I love you too," he answered quickly, earning a slightly confused look. "I have for a while."

Brad's brow's furrowed in confusion. "Then why didn't you say something?" he asked, pulling back. "I was so fucking nervous!"

Wade chuckled, moving to press his and Brad's foreheads together, his hand coming back to rest against the back of Brad's neck, refusing to let him pull away. "Because I didn't want to scare you off, and I wanted to hear you say it first," he explained, pulling Brad in for a chaste kiss on the lips. He felt warmth all throughout him, one that wasn't from the sweltering temperature of Pensacola's summer. He had exactly what he wanted right there, him and Brad, and their relationship although slow, progressing into something permanent.

Roman smiled as he wrapped a blindfold around Cody's head, tying it tight enough that he knew the other man couldn't peek. "You trust me?" he asked as he led Cody blindly to the car. "Really trust me?"

Cody nodded, heart pounding. Never in their entire relationship had Roman done something like this. "I'm a little nervous though," he admitted, grabbing the sides of the SUV before he slid up into the passenger seat. "Where are you taking me Ro?"

"To see the fireworks," Roman answered simply, getting Cody's seatbelt fastened and shutting the door. He hurried over to his own door, getting in and buckling up before he started the vehicle up and started down the driveway. He followed the roads quietly, his hand tightly clasped around Cody's. He saw the sky growing darker and darker with each passing second and he hoped he made it in time.

Cody just waited, listening to every noise he could. Once he realized that they weren't at the fairgrounds he grew curious. "Where are we Ro?" he asked as Roman stopped and got out. He was helped from the car and only walked a few feet before Roman stopped him.

Roman untied the blindfold, smiling at the way Cody's eyes looked over everything. They were at their spot, a place they hadn't been together at in over six months. This was the place that Cody had told him he could move back in at, but they hadn't been able to make it back out recently. He'd already had a blanket set up for them, glow sticks all around the edges. "I wanted to see the show together, just us and here's a great spot."

Cody chuckled, shaking his head, leave it to Roman to try and be romantic like this. "I like it," he murmured, taking Roman's hand and leading him to sit on the blanket with him, enjoying the view over the trees.

Roman sat behind Cody with him between his legs, his chest flush with Cody's back, his face tucked into Cody's neck. "I love you," he murmured, wrapping his arms around Cody's torso and hugging him tightly. And I'm glad you let me come home. So fucking glad."

Cody nodded, turning to press a kiss to Roman's cheek. "I'm glad too," he returned, sighing in contentment. He really was happy that Roman was home, that they were back on track. He was happy, content even with how things were, their relationship just about as wonderful as it had been before the entire ordeal with the accident.

"I love you Cody," Roman murmured, smiling as he adjusted himself on the blanket so he could reach towards his pocket. "I owe you a vacation. Since we never went on ours," he started, dropping the bag right next to him, his other hand sliding into Cody's, lacing their fingers. "I owe you so much more than that. I love you. I love you so much and I can't see my life without you. I don't want to." He reached down and shuffled noiselessly through the bag for the little box, holding it up just as the first firework went off, a the noise slightly muffled by the space between them but still loud enough and bright enough to steal Cody's attention for a moment.

Roman smiled, watching the beautiful colors explode in the sky for a moment before he fiddled the box open and held it in front of Cody, those blue eyes focused on the sky. "I'm sorry for everything I've done to you, to us. I almost lost the most important thing in my life. I never want to be in that position again. So I want to be yours forever."

Cody stiffened, turning so his eyes met Roman's. His heart was pounding, his mind racing as he saw the fear in Roman's eyes. "Ro," he whimpered, his eyes catching the glimmer of his ring in the box from another firework explosion. He touched his neck, remembering that his ring had gone missing a few days prior and there it was, perfectly polished and brand new looking in the velvet box.

"I want to be with you forever Cody, even though we can't get married legally, I want the world to know that I'm committed to you and only you," Roman went on, his hand starting to shake at Cody's silence. He swallowed hard. "If you'll have me."

Cody was silent, tears in his eyes as he looked down at the ring and then back at Roman. He smiled, pushing his face into Roman's neck, unable to stop smiling, the happy tears stuck in his throat, keeping him from speaking.

Roman's heart began to beat a little faster, unsure if that was Cody's way of turning him down. "Is it too fast? Because you don't have to say yes. If it's too much, that's okay. I'm always going to be here Cody."

"Shut up Roman," Cody chuckled, pulling back, looking into the grey eyes, his own sparkling with tears. This right here was everything he'd always wanted, him and Roman, happy and together. He leaned in and kissed Roman slowly, sweetly but still filled with passion as their tongues met and slid together in his mouth. He groaned as he pulled back, his eyes meeting Roman's, their foreheads pressed together, sharing a soft loving gaze as the finale started in front of them. "Yes."

(A/N): Well that's the end guys! Thank you for such a wonderful ride. You really have no idea how much I enjoyed this and all your reviews. Thank you for all the favorites, the reviews, the follows. Just thank you guys! With that said, I'm going to take a little break. I'm feeling a bit burnt out, and need a rest before I start working on something long again. So keep a look out for me! I'll be back soon! And if you can't stay away, I'll be on tumblr, probably working on little prompts or fun things, ramblings and what nots. Onwards and upwards until next time! –JJ

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