~Epilogue~1
The sun was still hidden by the horizon when Ava pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. Stone smiled at her, lending part of his blanket for her warmth, and sighed in absolute bliss as she snuggled closer to him as they sat on a large lawn chair in the middle of the garden. 2
This would be the first time in centuries that he had seen the sun rise from somewhere other than behind darkly tinted windows, and he was as excited as a kid at Christmas. Although he had been fully human for over a week, he always seemed to be occupied at sunrise; usually involving Ava and a bed. 3
To top it off, it was his birthday, and for once he didn’t dread the day. He was finally turning thirty-six, an age that took a long time to reach. He had teased Ava last night that he was actually younger than she was. 4
The sun peeked over the horizon, and his gaze went to it. He’d never seen anything more beautiful in his life, and he savored the feel of the heat hitting his cheek. He looked at the flowers, marveling in the simplistic beauty of morning dew. The pictures that Ava had taken for him held a special place in his heart, and although the real thing was wonderful, they paled to the images, and the woman who took them. 5
Stone wrapped his arms tighter around Ava, and slid off the chair. She laughed as he rolled with her to the right, bringing her to a stop with her back amidst thorn less roses. He nudged her legs apart with his knee and settled between her thighs as he kissed her deeply.6
Ava’s head swam at the feeling of his lips on hers, and his hardness moving in her below. What had started out as a one-night stand, a summer interlude, had ended up changing her life. 7
~~~~~~~~~
Six months later – 8
Ava’s son fidgeted with his tie as his younger sister ran her fingers through her hair again, making a mess of what was once perfectly coifed curls. Ava smiled at their reflection in the mirror, then turned as the door opened. 9
Her maids of honor, Kari and Michelle rushed in, babbling and hugging her, going on about the wealth of hot studs in the hall. Ava looked at her daughter, and the women hushed slightly. 10
At 8 pm exactly, her son offered her his arm, and Ava nervously took it. He led her out to the decorated hall, and stopped while waiting his cue. He took his duties very seriously, and nodded for his sister to go ahead. She walked up the aisle, throwing flowers on the floor, then Ava started when the music began. 11
Walking past rows of good-looking men, most current and former Dark-Hunters and their Squires, she had to admit the women had been right, they were hot. Her gaze locked with Stone, looking magnificent in his tux, and a dazzling smile on his face. Miguel stood bedside him as best man, looking dashing in his own tux, and smiling at a few women in the seats. Stone traded a glowing smile with her son, and then took her arm as they both faced the justice of the peace. 12
~~~~~~~13
“Who’s that?” Miguel asked, nodding towards a cute girl of about twenty who was wandering around the reception area.14
“Erika,” Stone said simply. 15
“That’s Erika? No way.” Miguel was starting to rethink his ‘avoid Erika at all cost’ strategy.16
Stone grabbed his arm as he started to head for her, and pointed at a rather large man who looked like he could kick the crap out of everyone there. “And that’s Ravyn.”17
“Oh.” Miguel stayed where he was.18
Stone tilted his head, then turned with a smile. “Ash.”19
Ash nodded, looking rather uncomfortable in his completely black suit. “Congratulations.”20
“Thanks.” Stone shook his hand. “For everything.” He stepped back with a smile as Ava appeared with her friend.21
Michelle took one look at Ash, and whistled. “Damn, you hot.” 22
Ash gave her an amused smile as Ava introduced them. He fidgeted with his cuffs for a moment, making polite small talk with Michelle, who was trying to get his number. 23
“I have to talk with you two,” he said after Michelle left. 24
They followed to one of the small rooms that held the wedding gifts, which was located in the side of the hall. “What’s going on?” Ava asked as the door shut behind him.25
“There’s not easy way to say this, so, I’m just going to say it.” He paused. “Your children are immortal.”26
“My who-de-what?” Ava asked. 27
“A while back, when I thought they were in danger, I mentioned something like ‘her kids are not going to die.” He gave her a brief apologetic smile. “And, well, guess it sounded like a promise, and with me, a promise made is a promise kept.”28
Stone was staring at him. “And?”29
“And what?”30
“And the rest of what you’re not telling us…”31
He had the nerve to look innocent, which Stone had previously thought was completely impossible. “Well…it didn’t seem right for them to live forever without their mother, so… I sort of made her immortal, too.”32
“And?”33
He looked at Stone. “Yes, there’s more.” He leaned against the door. “Didn’t seem right for her to be immortal, and have to live without you, since she saved your life and all. So, yeah… you’re immortal too.”34
“And?” 35
“Miguel?” Ash shrugged. “I was on a roll.”36
Stone grimaced. “You’re going to have to break it to him, Ash, cause I’m not.”37
Ava finally caught up to what was going on. “Wait, wait, wait. How can you make anyone immortal?”38
“I just can.”39
“Well, that’s just a sweet lil’ answer, ain’t it.”40
“Don’t anger the immortal, hon,” Stone muttered.41
Ava looked at him. ”Why not? I’m immortal, and he angered me.”42
”She’s got a point,” Ash said. He turned to Ava. “Your kids will stop aging at around thirty.” He looked her in the eyes. “I’m sorry, but, at times I say things and they happen.”43
Ava sighed. “It’s okay. I think.” She gave him a hug, which startled him. Then she pulled back, walked to a table, and brought back a small package.44
Ava handed Ash a small flat box. He opened it, and looked at her. He took the picture frame out and held it up. 'Ash', from Army of Darkness, stood front and center in the movie still. “Your picture?”45
Ava shook her head. “Read the autograph.”46
Ash’s eyes went wide. “To one Ash from another Ash, Bruce Campbell.” He smiled slightly. Wow. All the riches in the world paled to the thought behind this. “Thank you.”47
Ava hugged him again. “No, thank you.”48
“Immortal again, huh…” Stone rubbed his hands over his face. “Any annoying little conditions to go along with it?”49
Ash put the picture carefully back into the box, already knowing where he would place it at his home in Katoteros, and shook his head. “Not really.”50
“Acheron," Stone laughed. "When you say ‘not really’, then I know that there’s something.” He blinked. “And stop it with the innocent look… it’s creeping me out.”51
Ash laughed. “The usual disclaimers; don’t get your head cut off, limbs don’t grow back…stuff like that.”52
“And I don’t have to kill anyone?”53
“Not unless you want to, but no, it’s not required.” Ash turned and opened the door. “Talk to Kyrian, Talon, or Valerius. They can help you get used to the idea.” He sighed. “And now to find young Miguel and let him know that he’ll have an eternity to piss you off.”54
Stone grimaced as the door closed on Ash’s evil chuckle. That man had a vicious sense of humor at times.55
“Forever…”56
He turned to find Ava watching him curiously. She took a step towards him, and the look in her eye made him take a step back. “Ava?” he asked in a low voice.57
“Forever…with you.” She stopped in front of him and look up. “What did I do to be so lucky?”58
Stone relaxed slightly, relieved that she wasn’t furious with him for the actions of his friends. Still, that odd gleam in her eye made him stiff, and not just in posture. He bent down and gave her a kiss, growing harder as she pushed herself against him. 59
“Not that I’m complaining,” he said in a choked voice, “but if you keep that up, there’s going to be a lot of wedding guests wondering where we’ve been for a couple hours.” He took a small step back, and held his hand out. “Ready, Mrs. Mikels?”60
“Mrs. Delen-Mikels,” she corrected with a pat on his backside, smiling as he jumped. “And with you, I’m always ready.”61
The End
Author notes
this has to be the quickest novel I've written... wow.
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Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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Awesome
So, I don't really know what it is, but I've never come across another guy that has read any of SK's books. I always thought the whole Immortal Demon Slayer image was really more of a guy thing. anyway, loved the story. started great and kept me drawn in, never really slowed down.beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 4, characters: 5.
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Ummm ...what should I say ... if I didn't know that you wrote it, I would swear it's another book in the series. Very Sherrilyn-esque (how do you write it?) The funny thing is, I'm not sure if this is good or bad. I read all the books and they all follow the same scheme so it is not really difficult to write another story. All in all, you did, and I read it in one breath and loved it :-) What I loved most was the "out-clause" idea you added.
Gotta love the hotImmortal Bad Boys ;-)
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Thank you.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I discovered the books not quite a year ago, and have read them all... even Devil May Cry (excellent book!)
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that is so freakin awesome! i love it all and the ending was so great!
oh and when they follow ash into the gift room it says 'the follow' not they. other than that it looked great.
time to rumage through the rest of your work now!
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I Don't want it to be finished I loveddddddddd this you should write like a series and this is book one...
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oddly enough, I happen to have another one that I thought up this afternoon It'll be a short story, though.
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