Learning to Love | ✓

Epilogue

EXTERNAL POV

"Get back here!" Tamara screamed accompanied by the squeal of a toddler running away from her. The toddler was continually giggling, climbing over Lambert's and then Louis' feet before crawling under the center table.

"I just want to change her diaper!" Tamara groaned, stamping on the floor like an offended child.

The evening was at its early hours and everyone had just settled down for a calm evening indulging stories and wine; Lambert, Diablo, Louis, Leonardo, Kelly, and Tamara were all guests at Zeus and Julian's summer home. It'd been approximately five months since the pair had gotten married. Clover had started walking and had found it her sole purpose to outrun everybody she could fool into a chase, not that they were chasing her really; just going along with her little-minded plan by jogging slowly behind her as Tamara had done.

"Calm down now, she's the one going to get nappy rash not you," Kelly said, giving her wife a sympathetic pat that sent the occupants of the room into a fit of laughter.

The atmosphere of the room was almost surreal, dimly illuminated by the high above chandelier. Julian grazed the coarse grey carpet with his bare feet as he snuggled into Zeus on the love seat. Louis and Leonardo were seated not far away, sharing secret kisses and nuzzles.

The baby squealed under the center table again, adjusting slightly to make way for her little friend that felt accustomed to join her. Tamara's son waddled into position, giving Clover a four teeth grin.

"Stop!" Diablo muttered blushing, turning away from Lambert's teasing stare. Lambert laughed running his hand down Diablo's shoulder. He was willing to wait, Diablo would come around sooner or later, or he was just playing hard to get. Whatever the situation Lambert was willing to wait.

Kelly was dragging Tamara away from the room, continually insisting she hadn't tried to make a joke about the situation. Tamara just pouted, quietly asking for a kiss.

Everything is perfect. Zeus thought, looking down at Julian who had his head on his shoulder. He smiled, running his hand through the overgrown blond locks. Julian gave a satisfied sigh, snuggling even closer. The on TV buzzed silently in the background. The hiding babies soon crawled out, struggling to get up before running away to their next destination.

"What do we have here now?" Louis asked, picking up Jamie who had been busy fumbling with his shoelaces. The toddler squealed, covering his face with his chubby hands. Louis laughed, placing the boy on his lap. He had always wanted a baby, and he had tried to discuss the possibility with Leonardo, but he would just blush and mumble something about not being good with kids.

Louis watched Zeus and Julian from the corner of his eyes. They looked contented, happy. He wanted to corner Leonardo into a marriage like situation sooner or later, but for now, the man was just proving difficult. There was no rush, his dreams of a family and husband could be fulfilled later. Right now he was pre-occupied with the idea the man even wanted him.

Spots walked from the corner of the room, getting up. It seemed Clover had been preoccupied with pulling his tail.

"Julie!" She laughed walking to her father. Julian sighed before carrying her and placing her on his lap. He'd given up on making her refrain from calling him that and just blamed the whole problem on Zeus. If he hadn't been calling him Jules up and down the place she never would have picked it up. He wasn't that mad really. Zeus didn't have an easy either since she referred to him as Zu.

He'd recently gotten a text from his ex-wife saying she was doing fine and moving on. He'd recently accepted Kevin's request to move in with him. He was happy for her and glad he wasn't being held responsible for leaving her.

"What is it?" Julian asked as Zeus smiled at his phone.

"Nothing important, I have to check something," Zeus said, getting up before leaving the parlor. He walked up to him and Juliana's bedroom. He sat down on the plush sheets rereading the email.

AgustusFlier7 [at] gmail.com 3:20 P.M.

Athens,

Greece.

6th of June 2015.

Dear Zeus,

I'm sorry I stopped writing. I guess I didn't know what to say anymore. I hope you're doing fine, saw you on the news at a new library opening, and couldn't miss the handsome man carrying a kid at your side. Seems you've moved on, I'm happy for you.

Remember when I said you'll find someone that'll love you ten times more than I ever did? Guess you found the one. I just wanted you to know that I never meant to hurt you, or intentionally did when I cut all our contact. I didn't cut it really; it sort of faded slowly into the background.

I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise of loving you. As much as I wanted to keep that promise, I found myself slowing falling for the girl my mom had introduced me to. I remember I was angry at first, writing to you about how ugly and annoying she was. But after a while... I don't know. Love took its toll, and I'm sure you know how exactly that feels.

I'm married to her after so many years. We have two kids, one just about the right age to play about with your baby. Am I proposing a friendship? Just maybe, I'd personally like to know the man that took your heart.

Remember Kattalis? You never stopped talking none stop about him, even though he'd bluntly told you to back off months before. I admit it made me mad and a bit jealous at the time. I had the pleasure of meeting with him when I was doing a quick check on one of my company's branches. You were right his eyes do shine bluer than anything. I didn't tell him who I was, just disguised the fact I recognized the name on his name tag. I just wanted to tell you he seemed happy that's all.

I hope you consider my plea for friendship.

As teasing as ever,

Augustus.

Zeus closed his eyes rereading the email in his head. Everything was now in check; his whole life had now fit into place.

Finally. He thought, closing his eyes. He could now let go of the past, embrace the future.

"Zeus, are you okay?" he heard Julian ask from behind to door. God he loved Julian. There were too many things he loved about him that he couldn't put into words, and even if he tried he'd never stating all of them.

"Nothing. I'll be down in a minute," Zeus said, closing the message. There seemed to be a little hesitance on Julian's side before he muttered a small okay and left.

Zeus's eyes moved to the closets. He stood up walking to them and throwing them open.

The box. He thought, rambling through the large bag on the closet floor. He found it bringing it out. The box filled with all of Augustus' letter. He didn't need them anymore, he thought. He'd moved on.

He opened the door a little exposing a small creak for him to look through. The box was held tightly with his other hand. Not seeing anybody, he made a beeline for the Study. Walking in he noticed the fire was already burning as if calling to him. He walked over to the fireplace, dropping to his knees with the carton box. He opened it and periodically started feeding the fire with Augustus' letters. Throwing in the box when its contents were empty, Zeus sat crossed legged and watched the fire blaze.

This was it, the wait on his heart was lifted. He closed his eyes savoring the light filling the lifted heaviness left behind, the feeling almost painfully delicious. So this was how it felt to get your heart lifted, free from the heaviness of doubts and problems?

Zeus smiled because he was finally free. He had a loving husband, a beautiful kid, and a functioning nuclear and extended family. He couldn't believe one man had walked into his life with all this tagging behind him. Julian had freed him, coated the wounds with his love. And that email had broken the final barrier.

He was no longer a victim of the weight of his heart, he was whole, and he was free.