SEVERAL YEARS LATER
Peace. Something that everyone found in their own time. Some it was the night they arrived in the Safe Haven. Others it took years to find.
It wasn't easy. Some days were harder than others. In the start, everyone kept busy. The Safe Haven needed to be built, and that's what they did. They built and expanded and turned their home into something bigger.
Soon, the beach had different structures scattered around. Homes started on the forest's edge—some down paths between the trees.
Rather quickly, Gally proved himself to be one of the most accomplished builders. He wasn't only strong but wise. Able to create blueprints and design structures that nobody had even thought of. Vince appointed him head builder within the first few months. Gally wore the title like a badge of honor.
Frypan was the lead cook, taking younger kids under his wing whenever he could. Aris trained alongside Harriet and several others to become doctors. Wanting to learn anything and everything in case it was ever needed. Vince helped them as best he could.
Jorge enjoyed restoration. Fixing things up, like old radios and electronics. He singlehandedly brought power to the Safe Haven.
Minho and Thomas worked with Gally building different structures. It was good work, but it wasn't enough. Something was missing that neither could place.
Emma joined Sonya and Brenda in the gardens. It was a good starting place for her. She still had a lot to work through, and it gave her something to focus on. However, like Thomas and Minho, it just wasn't enough. Something was missing.
After a year, Vince held a small meeting they all attended. With how things were going, he wanted to expand. He wanted to explore where they lived and places like it. Venture out beyond what they knew. With the radios Jorge had created, they could keep in contact. He appointed Thomas, Minho, and Emma in charge of the exploration team.
It was the work they had all longed for—a chance to do more—an opportunity for adventure.
Gally was uneasy about Emma leaving. He initially went against it, but it was ultimately her decision. And she went. She went out with a group of ten, Minho and Thomas included. Emma found it healing. It was freeing, being able to wander and explore. To see the world once again.
But she always came back home.
More time went by. More buildings were developed. New people were found and brought back. Although, that didn't happen often. Most of the places they explored hadn't hosted people in decades. Others held graveyards and cranks. They never went to the mainland.
Two years into their time in the Safe Haven, Emma returned with Minho and Thomas on the boat after a week of exploring a distant island. The group was greeted on the dock that had been built. Unloading their supplies, Emma found Gally waiting for her on the sand.
"I have something to show you," were the first words out of his mouth.
Emma was skeptical but agreed nonetheless. Gally covered her eyes, leading her down the coast. "Where are we going?"
"Just trust me."
She did. There was nobody she trusted more.
A few minutes later, he turned her body, and they walked up the beach. The sand soon turned to dirt. Sticks poked her bare feet, but she didn't mind. "Okay," Gally said, stopping her. "Look." He moved his hand. Emma blinked a few times, adjusting to the light.
Looking up, she couldn't help but gasp. "Gally." She placed a hand on her chest, taking a step closer. It was a tree hut. Three floors high, built around a sturdy tree. One that wouldn't fall any time soon. One that could outlast the strongest storms. It was just like the one in the Glade.
"Do you like it?" He asked nervously.
Emma spun around, a vibrant smile on her face. "I love it." She kissed him lovingly, as she always did. As she always would.
They spent a lot of time there. Talking in whispers, staring at the sky, at each other.
The tree hut was for everyone, but Gally had built it in her honor.
More time went by. Emma matured further, leading groups and helping out wherever needed. Relationships formed throughout the Safe Haven. For Aris and a girl named Amaris. Jorge started seeing a woman named Hannah. She was beautiful, with long grey hair and tan skin.
But most notable were Sonya and Frypan. It took them what felt like forever to finally get together. It was adorable but painful for everyone to watch. Eventually, Vince said something. After an awkward conversation about their feelings, Frypan and Sonya became something more than friends.
At the start of the third year, there was another change. It came from Thomas. He finally buried the past. Started following his heart, which led him straight to Brenda. It was beautiful to watch. Brenda was her best friend, and she had been in love with Thomas since the start. Watching them finally figure things out warmed her heart.
It made her think of Newt.
She thought of him often. Eventually, the sadness vanished, and she no longer cried when she thought about him. She could look back on their time together and smile. He would be happy for Thomas. For all of them. The rock would forever hold the names of the fallen and stand as a reminder of what they lost to gain freedom.
It wasn't easy to get to that point. There were many nights that Emma struggled. Luckily, she had Gally. He would hold her tight, whispering comforting words in her ear. Without him, Emma wouldn't have made it.
Year four came around rather quickly. Emma was constantly busy. Life in the Safe Haven expanded rapidly. People had families. Babies were born. Aris and Harriet were great doctors, helping people in every way possible.
Emma was still exploring, but not nearly as much. She was needed more at camp, and that was fine with her. Gally was the most appreciative of that change. It was lonely without her. He liked having her home with him.
Home.
A small house on the edge of the forest, hidden by a few trees. That was their home. Theirs. Just the two of them. Gally had built it alone because, of course, he had to. He showed it to Emma with an awkward smile and a "ta-da." She giggled, shaking her head, but was beyond happy.
She was so damn lucky.
That's where they lived. Small but cozy. She wouldn't change a thing.
It took a while for both of them to bury the past. Gally no longer walked around like an outsider looking in. The weight of Chuck's death didn't hang over his head like a personal thunderstorm. Emma was able to grieve Newt and Teresa. She no longer thought about the what-ifs or what-could-have-beens.
Another two years went by. They got older. Still young but not reckless teenagers anymore. What happened started to feel like a distant memory. Emma started to forget what gunfire sounded like. How it felt to be stuck in a war zone. To be on the run. What it was like to feel afraid, unsure if she'd make it to the next day.
Life contained to expand in the Safe Haven, and that applied to their group. First it was, to no surprise, Sonya and Frypan. Emma wasn't shocked by the news. Nobody was, other than Frypan, apparently. Who choked on his water as if he didn't already know.
Emma was thrilled for them. The two were undeniably a perfect couple. They were excited about taking the next steps into their future.
Emma didn't miss the glance that Gally cast her way. She opted to ignore it, for now.
Having kids had never been in the cards for Emma. She never imagined a future with them. It was never in the plan. The world was hard enough back then. Why make someone else suffer? But they were free now. There was no more danger. Still, Emma wasn't sure. It was never something she put a lot of thought into. She was happy enough as is. Why mess that up?
Plus, Emma still struggled to take care of herself sometimes. She would make a terrible mother.
Sonya had a baby girl. They named her Talia. Harriet cried for three days because of it.
Brenda and Thomas were next three months later. It was unexpected and slightly surprising. Brenda went to Harriet, believing she was sick. She was not. Emma learned next with Sonya. They eased her worries, promising her that everything would be fine. When Brenda finally told Thomas, he fainted. Dropped on the ground, fully unconscious. Minho laughed so hard he cried.
When he woke up, he was terrified. The sort of terrified that worried Emma, but Brenda wasn't concerned. Not even a little bit. She knew things would be just fine. Thomas wasn't afraid because they were having a kid. He was scared of messing things up. That's why Brenda wasn't worried. She knew Thomas was going to do just fine.
The others were thrilled about the next addition. Cheering loudly, slapping Thomas on the shoulder, and congratulating them. Once again, Emma felt Gally's eyes on her. Only this time, she turned to face him. "Not happening," she said, almost defensively. She knew what he was thinking. What he had been thinking for a year now. "No."
"Okay," Gally responded.
"I'd be a terrible mother," Emma kept going. "I can't take care of myself half the time. You bring me lunch 'cause I'll forget to eat." She constantly lost her shoes and forgot simple things. Gally was always picking up after her, taking care of her.
"Okay," he said again.
"And-"
"Emma," Gally laughed, grabbing her hands. "Stop." Emma shut her mouth, staring up at him. She couldn't help but feel guilty. "I want whatever you want, okay? Always." He placed a hand on her cheeks and kissed her reassuringly. It was a long kiss that Emma found herself sinking into.
"Really?"
"I promise." She knew he was telling the truth. Gally kissed her forehead before focusing on the conversation. Emma held his hand tightly, an uneasy feeling remaining in her gut.
Brenda had her baby. A boy. They hadn't picked a name, wanting to see what felt right. When the time came, they thought carefully. Minho had somehow found a book of baby names on one of their expeditions. Harriet tried to throw it away but failed. He wasn't letting go of it without a fight.
They bounced names around, trying to find one.
However, that wasn't needed.
It was Brenda who picked the name—the name of their baby boy. "Chuck," she had said with a faint smile.
Thomas looked up at her, eyes glossy. "Are-"
"I like Chuck." She was sure.
He smiled back, nodding his head. "Yeah, me too." They named him Chuck. It was fitting in a way that Emma had never imagined.
She leaned against the wall beside Minho, watching the others crowd around Brenda, Thomas, and the new baby. "You ever think about it? Having kids?" Minho was, all things considered, a child himself. At least on the inside. In the last seven years, he had at least three known girlfriends. Emma wouldn't be surprised to hear that there were more.
"Shuck yeah," he said with a smirk. "Have you seen me?" Minho gestured to himself. "I'm hot. It would be a waste of perfect genes not to have kids. The world needs more me's." Emma couldn't help but laugh. For some reason, she agreed.
As everyone fell into easy conversation, Emma realized that Gally had been oddly silent. He was standing off to the side. Arms crossed over his chest tightly. She knew nothing was wrong, but the mention of Chuck always brought back memories. Chuck had been gone for a long time, and Gally had made peace with what had happened. Still, he felt the old emotions return. It was understandable.
Emma moved across the room, coming up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist. Gally glanced at her, smiling faintly. He moved his arms, pulling her to his side.
"You okay?"
Gally leaned into her, taking a deep breath. "Yeah," he said. "I'm okay." He was okay.
They were all okay. They were more than okay.
Emma had started to forget the sound of Newt's laugh that same year. The memories of the Glade were foggy. She remembered some things, but not everything. The faces of friends were blurry or softened. Details became jumbled and vague. She tried to hold onto what remained, but even then, she knew it was only a matter of time before those memories faded too.
Emma stopped exploring shortly after the next year started, wanting to remain at the camp. There wasn't much left to map. Not without spending weeks away at a time. That didn't interest her, not anymore. Years ago, maybe, but Emma wanted to spend time with the person who mattered most.
That was Gally.
The Safe Haven was thriving. It had expanded far beyond anything Vince imagined. There was a perfect system. There was order and peace. People found a way to get along and keep it running.
Emma went back to gardening but often spent time with Brenda, helping out and keeping her company. Chuck was already proving to be a lot like Thomas. Meaning he was a lot to handle.
Sonya and Frypan welcomed their second kid at the end of the year. Another girl, they named her Faith.
"Maybe you guys should get a hobby," Minho supplied unhelpfully. A smirk plastered on his face. Emma was beginning to fear it was permanent. "You know, so-"
Harriet slapped a hand over his mouth. The sound echoed through the room. Emma winced, knowing it hurt. "Shut your mouth." He did, but the smirk remained.
Three new additions just in their group, but more throughout the Safe Haven. It was home, after all.
Harriet had yet to settle down and never explored any relationships. Emma wasn't sure she ever would. Nearly a decade had gone by, but Talia still had a hold on her heart. Nothing anyone said or did got her to move on. Harriet deserved to find love again. Emma wished she would.
Although, if roles were reversed, would she be able to move on? Glancing at Gally, Emma observed him as he wandered around their bedroom. She leaned against the doorframe, simply content to watch him. Watch as he stretched his arms above his head, pulling off his shirt and tossing it across the room messily—an annoying habit of his.
His hair was longer now and blonder due to the constant sun exposure. It was wavy, which surprised her. Before, it had never been long enough to have any pattern. Emma enjoyed combing her fingers through it as they lay in bed at night. In the morning, his hair would be messy. Strands going in every possible direction, some falling toward his eyes. Emma loved it.
The whole thing felt overly domestic, but it was precisely that. They had a home—a place in the world together.
Emma knew undoubtedly that if Gally had never returned, she would never have had this with someone else. He was her future. The only person she would ever love. Nobody else came close.
If Gally had really died, she would have been like Harriet. Destined to live without love. There was nobody else for her but Gally. Emma wouldn't want it any other way.
Gally turned toward her, slightly surprised to see her standing there. "Hey," he smiled, not sure what she was doing. Her expression was soft, eyes locked on him. "What are you doing?"
Emma pushed off the doorway, approaching him. Reaching out, she grabbed his arms and moved him backward. Gally moved back until his legs hit the edge of the bed, causing him to sit. Emma nudged his legs apart, standing between them. The confused furrow in his brow only added to the adorable, confused expression on his face. Emma was so in love with him she ached. Before he could even blink, she placed her hands on his cheeks and kissed him.
Immediately, he kissed back, wrapping his arms around her waist and tugging her closer. She parted her lips before letting her teeth graze over his bottom lip. Something she knew he loved. "Emma," he breathed, tilting his head back to look up at her.
She smiled, moving her thumb to glide over his bottom lip. "I love you," she whispered. A nervousness growing inside of her that she hadn't felt in years. "I'm really glad that I found you again."
He raised an eyebrow, not understanding what brought on her words. "Where is this coming from?"
She shrugged, not entirely sure herself. "I just wanted you to know."
"I know." Gally kissed her again. Slowly, he turned his body, keeping his arms wrapped around her. Emma laughed against his lips as she was flipped onto her back. "I love you, too."
New memories were created. The past became foggier, but that didn't bother her so much anymore. She still held onto the parts of the past that mattered the most.
When the next year started not too long later, everything in Emma's life changed once again. In an unexpected, but shouldn't be, sort of way. With the addition of one, and it wasn't because of Sonya and Frypan.
This time, it was Emma.
"How are you doing?" Harriet kept a hand on her shoulder, rubbing her back as Emma sat with her head in her hands. It had been dead silent in the room for twenty minutes. "You okay?" Brenda and Thomas were across from her, sharing nervous glances with each other. They weren't exactly sure how to proceed. Emma had always been adamant about not having kids. She was happy with how things were. None were sure what to do or say.
"I'm fine," she responded, head spinning. Everything in her life had changed with one simple sentence. She wasn't sure what to think or how to feel.
"I thought you guys weren't going to have kids?" Thomas couldn't help but ask. Brenda slapped his shoulder. He rolled his eyes, ignoring her. He wanted to know.
Emma looked up, cheeks flushed. "Wasn't planning on it." It wasn't in the plan. It wasn't a part of Emma's imagined future, but she wasn't all that surprised by the news. They weren't trying to have kids, but Emma had to admit she wasn't doing much to avoid it. "I mean, I'm not surprised. Have you seen Gally?" She loved the man. She loved everything about him. "He's hot. I mean, how can I-"
"Stop. Stop." Thoams waved his hands frantically as Harriet laughed loudly. "I'm gonna throw up now. Thanks for that visual." Thomas has a sarcastic smile on his face. Emma laughed at his reaction. It made her feel better about the entire situation.
She told Gally that night, not wanting to keep anything from him. He needed to know sooner rather than later.
When she told him, he just stared at her, face unmoving. For a moment, Emma feared he might faint like Thomas had. However, that was not the case. "Are," his voice faltered in a way Emma hadn't heard in years. "Are you mad at me?"
Out of all the things Emma imagined he would say, that was not one of them. It stunned her. "What? Why would I be mad at you?"
"Because," he gestured with his hands as if that would help. Gally's face was flushed. "It's sort of my fault."
"I mean, I was kind of there too."
He rolled his eyes, shoulders dropping. "You know what I mean."
Emma smiled faintly. Slowly, she approached him. Gally appeared momentarily worried but relaxed when she lazily draped her arms over his shoulders. "I'm not mad at you, Gally. I could never be mad at you."
He hesitantly placed his hands on her waist. "You said you didn't-"
"I know," she cut him off. "I know." Emma hadn't wanted kids before, but now it didn't scare her so much. She knew Gally would be there every step of the way. He would always be there. "I mean, I'm still terrified, but you're responsible. So, you'll just have to take care of both of us." Gally dipped his head down to kiss her forehead. "What do you say," Emma moved her head closer, lips ghosting his. "Captain Gally?"
He groaned softly. "Shuck, Em." A smile materialized on his face. "Yeah." That was a job he'd happily do forever. "Yeah, yeah. I love you. Yeah."
"Yeah?" Emma repeated the only word Gally seemed to know.
He huffed a laugh. "Yeah." With that, he kissed her.
Whatever worries Emma had faded at that moment.
Luckily, the worries never returned.
Time kept going. Everyone kept moving.
The sun rose on the Safe Haven like it did every day for the past nine years. Like always, people woke up and got to work. People chatted casually, some eating under tents and others walking along the shore.
But today was the start of something new for Gally.
The sun cast golden rays through the window that danced across Emma's skin beautifully. Black hair framed her head like a halo. Gally smiled as he admired her sleeping figure. She needed the rest after the long night. A night full of both fear and happiness.
The door creaked open, and a figure slipped through. Gally turned away from her, eyes finding Thomas. It was slightly unexpected. The others weren't supposed to be joining them until dinner. That was Harriet's choice. She wanted Emma to rest.
"Hey," Thomas greeted. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself." He wanted to check on them. Make sure everything was all right. "Everything okay? How're they doing?"
"She's fine," Gally assured him. "Still sleeping. Baby's fine too. He's sleeping."
"He," Thomas whispered. That was something he didn't know. None of them did. "Is that him?" He moved closer but remained standing.
Gally couldn't help but smile at his friend. "Yeah. This is him." Wrapped in an orange blanket, snug in his arms, was a baby boy. A head full of black hair and rosy cheeks.
"Wow." Thomas rubbed his jaw. "A boy. That's amazing, Gally. Congrats, seriously." It was not at all surprising. Aris was adamant it was going to be a boy. Emma agreed, saying she had a feeling. "Did you stick with Newt?"
That was the name originally suggested. Brenda and Thomas had Chuck. A name that honored their fallen friend. Emma wanted to do the same.
"No," Gally said, shaking his head. Thomas's brows furrowed. "We couldn't." Emma couldn't.
The idea was nice until she held the baby. Then she became emotional about it and said it didn't feel right. It made her feel like she was replacing Newt, and she didn't want that.
So, they pulled out the old book Minho found of baby names and went through the entire thing. Still, they didn't find the right one.
"Oh," Thomas said understandingly.
"Yeah," Gally whispered. "His name is Finn." His suggestion from a book that Emma constantly read. It was her favorite. She read it all the time. There was a night years ago that she read it to him under the stars on the tree hut. A night Gally would never forget. The name was fitting, and she was quick to agree.
Thomas's eyes softened. "Finn," he repeated the name. "It's perfect. He's perfect."
"That's all her."
Thomas laughed, patting his shoulder. "You did good, Gally." Gally nodded, unable to say anything. Thomas left after that, leaving him to sit and think about his words.
After all of the bad, Gally had given up on a lot of things. He never imagined a future, not after losing everything in the Glade. But just as he began to close himself off, she emerged from the shadows. Emma stood in the crowd when he saw her for the first time in over six months. Reconnecting with her felt like a dream.
However, it wasn't a dream. She was real, and Gally was thankful for it. Things started shakily. Old feelings resurface during a complicated rescue mission. Minho was in trouble. Newt was infected. Teresa came back.
Things didn't end the way they expected. Newt and Teresa died. The city burned. WICKED crumbled.
But he still had her. Gally couldn't explain how grateful he was for that.
They figured things out. He pushed through all the pain and hurt he felt. Let go of the past in order to move forward. Not just for himself but for her.
Now, he was here.
So, when Gally stared down at the bundle in his arms, he couldn't help the tears that filled his eyes. He never imagined life turning out this way for him. He never imagined having everything, but he did.
Gally had everything.
Emma stirred in the bed, waking up gradually. Gally sat up straighter, moving closer. She blinked a few times, slowly becoming aware of her surroundings. He raised one hand, brushing the hair out of her face. The other held their baby. Their Finn.
The girl turned her head. "Hi," Emma said, smiling lazily up at him, expression fond and loving. The same way he was looking at her. There was a tiredness to her. One that was expected after everything. However, she still smiled. Somehow, Gally fell more in love with her.
"Hi," he responded with a smile of his own.
Things were perfect. Life was bright and full of promise.
His future was right here in front of him, and Gally couldn't wait to see it.