Epilogue

"Was she a good mom?" A blonde-haired girl tugged her father's coat. She was pointing at a gravesite.

The father answered, "Yes, she was a great mom." He smiled. It had been many years since she had passed away, but he remembered all the things she had done for him. "She protected me when I needed help. She took care of me when I was sick." The father was tall, wore glasses, and had black hair. "Promise me you'll be a good mom too!" He smiled brightly at her.

The girl smiled back with a big toothy grin. "Okay, Dad!"

Someone grabbed the father's arm. "Steven, are you ready?" Steven was older now. He had married his high school sweetheart, and he had a little daughter now.

"Yeah, come on, Lara! We're going home now!"

She held up her hands. "Wait! I have to say goodbye to my friend!" She wandered over to another couple and their son. "Bye, Oscar!" she shouted loudly, just like her mom used to.

The red-haired boy named Oscar waved back with a shy smile as he hid behind his mom's long black cloak.

"We'll see you guys on Saturday! I'm cooking steak!" Leo declared. He was much more mature now—muscular and handsome. He kissed his wife's hand, a beautiful red-haired lady. "I'll wait in the car, m'lady." He still had some old habits.

Rebecca blushed; she couldn't help it. "Thanks," she said as she kissed him.

Rebecca wandered forward to her father's grave and knelt down. She talked about what had been going on all these years. She spoke softly so Steven and Fran couldn't hear her. Then she got up shortly after and walked over to Steven.

"May I?" She gestured towards Steven's mother's grave.

Steven nodded with a smile. Rebecca waved her hand, and flowers bloomed in the cemetery. The flowers surrounded the stone, creating a beautiful image.

"I still can't believe she let us all spend the night at your house." They chuckled, remembering how excited Mrs. Mallard got and how quickly she accepted Fran and Rebecca inside.

"Some memories fade over the years, and sometimes it seems like they were never here at all..." Fran said, still smiling but with a hint of sadness behind her words.

Steven knew what she meant. Living their lives every day, it seemed like life had always been this way.

"But then you remember their laugh, their smile, their jokes, and it's like they were never gone." It was like a slideshow—each image or moment flashing in Steven's mind.

They smiled together. Then Fran wrapped her arms around both of their shoulders. "Man, we should've hung out more at your house, Steven."

We all laughed.

************

*cough*

An old man was lying in a hospital bed. Pictures of his grandkids were on the window. He stared at them lovingly. "I'll come home soon, Fran," he whispered and touched an old photo of himself and Fran holding each other tightly in their older years.

Then a young red-haired woman knocked on the door.

knock knock

"Can I come in?"

Rebecca walked in slowly. She hadn't aged a day since her 30s.

"How are you doing, old man?" she joked.

Steven laughed. "I'm still young enough to..."

Steven stopped. He didn't know what he was young enough to do anymore. He chuckled to himself. "Ah... I guess I can't do much now." He turned to look at the window again.

"Are you happy that you've kept your powers, Rebecca?" Steven seemed to be lost in thought, staring out the window.

Rebecca sighed. "It doesn't matter. I guess my desire to stay young and beautiful was just too strong." She closed her eyes with a joking smile.

Steven closed his eyes with a big smile and laid back in bed. "No, I clearly remember why you decided to stay."

She sat down next to him, and he kept speaking. "So you could save more people. Plus, you and I both know this isn't permanent. The moment you want to go, you will."

It was true. Rebecca was a superhero known across the world for her heroic feats. Her powers were fueled by desire.

"You always say the weirdest things, Steven..." She nudged him.

Steven whispered, "I'll tell Fran you said hi, alright?" His breathing became shallow, and soon it stopped.

"Yeah, I think she'll like that." Tears fell from Rebecca's eyes.

"Tell them all that I say hello."