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    Nephylim
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Death is Not an Option - 27. Epilogue

I have sat here for the best part of two days. To be exact it has been 49 hours, 36 minutes and 10 seconds since Connor was shot – well thereabouts, I didn’t look at the clock at the time, but decided on a time after the event. And it has been 45 hours, 10 minutes and 15 seconds precisely that I have been sitting here, by his bed, watching him sleep. Well, no... if I am being that precise... for exactly 7 hours 4 minutes and 3 seconds of that I was sitting watching an empty bed, when they took him away to fix his shoulder... but apart from that it’s been...

“Penny for dem.”

“What?!!!”

He’s awake. His blue eyes are shaded with pain but they are dancing. How could I have missed that? How could I have been so lost in thought... so bloody lost in calculating minutes and seconds that I actually missed the one moment I have been waiting for, praying for in all this long time?

“Your thoughts. You were far away.”

“No... no I wasn’t. I was right here. I’ve been right here for the whole time.”

“Whole time? How long have I bin here? Sure and while I’m at it... a quick run down on where exactly ‘here’ is would be much appreciated.”

“Two days... more or less.”

“Fuck. Feels like five minutes.” He shifts and winces, biting his lip. “Did a good job on me didn’t they?”

“You’re going to be alright.”

“Sure an’ didn’t I tell you de same? Don’t ye ever listen ter me?”

He is grinning and I know the same big stupid grin is spread all over my face. Then I take a deep breath and the smile fades. I have to tell him now or...

“Connor... there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Ah shite. This doesn’t sound so good.”

“No. It’s not good, not good at. It’s... more. I thought once, I had lost everything... my family, my home, myself. Being here... with Jon and Sean, I started to think I could get it all back and more. I started to feel that what I had before was nothing in comparison and eventually I could have what I have never had... somewhere I belonged... a real home.”

“Ah well now... you see... I’ve bin thinkin’ too...”

“Wait. Please. Just let me finish. I really need to say this. When you asked me to leave with you I panicked completely. I couldn’t even consider the thought of losing it all again, but...” I have to pause and breathe because even now, even with him awake and looking at me with all that life in his eyes... it’s still hard to remember. “When I saw you fall and then when... when I was holding you and I thought... when you said that you knew they were after me and didn’t say anything because they would have known... I realised something. If I’m honest with myself I had realised it before... just not...huh... realised it.

“Home is not a house. It’s not a place to live but something you can’t live without. Home is not a place, not really. It’s somewhere that your heart belongs... and my heart belongs here.” I laid my hand on his chest, just over his heart which beat strongly beneath by fingers. “And it always has... and it always will.”

For a moment Connor just stares at me and for the first time I see tears run from the corners of his eyes.

“Sure and isn’t it a strange thing... see I’ve bin doin’ some realisin’ of me own. When I realised I was prepared to die fer ye I realised what a first class eedjit I’ve bin. I know what ye’ve bin through. I know how hard ye’ve searched for... how much ye’ve bin wantin’ a home and even wid me being a traveller fer all them years I never realised what you just said until right then... when you said it.

“A piece of me will always live in Ireland... and one day I will take you there so ye can fall in love wid her but... until then...” He blinks away the tears and smiles at me and it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. “You’re me rose Isaac, me beautiful English rose and it would tear the heart out o’me to watch yer wilt and die because I tried to pull up ye’r roots. Me heart is yours and always will be. I figured it was time for dis traveller to put down roots o’me own... wherever you want them to be.”

“You’ll stay? You’re going to stay here... with me?”

“Sure and haven’t I said that to yer... twoice now? I told yer that last night... or whenever it was.”

“You did... but I thought...”

“Well you’re really goin’ ter have to learn to listen to me Isaac.”

“I do. I will.” I feel stunned, shocked to the core. I never thought, never believed that I could ever be so happy.

“Good. Now can yer please get me a drink? I suppose whisky is out of the question but anything will do... I’ve got a right mouth on me.”

The cage around my heart flips open and I soar. At last I am complete. At last I am whole. At last I am free.

Copyright © 2010 Nephylim; All Rights Reserved.
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

Ok, another story that I just wanted to go chapter to chapter and not stop. Awesome story. I'm really enjoying your wirting style although you do have some wicked and nasty twists and turns woven into the very fabric of each of your stories, lol. I suppose that is what keeps the reader interested and wanting to read more. Now its on to the next story!

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On 08/29/2012 01:13 PM, CW Prince said:
Ok, another story that I just wanted to go chapter to chapter and not stop. Awesome story. I'm really enjoying your wirting style although you do have some wicked and nasty twists and turns woven into the very fabric of each of your stories, lol. I suppose that is what keeps the reader interested and wanting to read more. Now its on to the next story!
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoy my style which is not really something I could do anything about even if I wanted to change it :) I'm really glad you liked this one because I'm so fond of Isaac. He's had a shit life so far but I know for sure that Connor will change that... if he stays out of trouble long enough.
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This has been a different story and I really enjoyed it. I like the final definition of 'home' it is so true. I started reading by fluke and by the second chapter I was well and truly caught. Then when you brought Ireland into it I couldn't put it down until I was done, that made a really good story truly awesome (bit biased being of irish decent lol). Ty for an awesome read keep up the excellent work

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On 03/11/2013 07:01 AM, Daithi said:
This has been a different story and I really enjoyed it. I like the final definition of 'home' it is so true. I started reading by fluke and by the second chapter I was well and truly caught. Then when you brought Ireland into it I couldn't put it down until I was done, that made a really good story truly awesome (bit biased being of irish decent lol). Ty for an awesome read keep up the excellent work
I'm really glad you found and enjoyed the story. it's always an enormous pleasure to me to have someone take time to write a review. i'm very fond of this story and i had to think long and hard whether i wanted to submit it for publication, but I felt it belongs here.
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Finished and satisfied. Deeply! No disappointments! You took it to a great end! Well done! I really loved it all the way. Absolutely made my day today! And thanks for the response to the reviews and even adding little personal snips in. I felt I got to know you a bit thru this as well as knowing Isaac and Connor. Thank you so much! :hug:

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On 09/09/2013 05:55 AM, Jaro_423 said:
Finished and satisfied. Deeply! No disappointments! You took it to a great end! Well done! I really loved it all the way. Absolutely made my day today! And thanks for the response to the reviews and even adding little personal snips in. I felt I got to know you a bit thru this as well as knowing Isaac and Connor. Thank you so much! :hug:
Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it all the way to the end. I think our boys are going to be okay now :) Thank you so much for all your comments. It's been an absolute delight reading and responding. :)
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What a lovely story, full of depth and with sadness and joy.

I do have to be honest for some reason I thought it was set in the USA, with the community etc it was not until Isaac found his family that I realised it was in England.

Well written and a very enjoyable read.

Thank you.

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On 12/19/2013 06:59 AM, Jeff1 said:
What a lovely story, full of depth and with sadness and joy.

I do have to be honest for some reason I thought it was set in the USA, with the community etc it was not until Isaac found his family that I realised it was in England.

Well written and a very enjoyable read.

Thank you.

You're welcome. All my stories are set in the UK because that's where I live and that's what I know :) I'm glad you liked the story. Isaac is one of my favourite characters. I love writing characters who are damaged, and who have a total innocence about the world
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Such a wonderful story! I enjoyed every chapter even thou I was in tears while reading most of them. Once again you had created brilliant characters and the story was great. Loved the ending. :worship:

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On 02/06/2014 05:09 AM, Suvitar said:
Such a wonderful story! I enjoyed every chapter even thou I was in tears while reading most of them. Once again you had created brilliant characters and the story was great. Loved the ending. :worship:
Thank you. I'm so sorry you got soggy :) but I'm very glad you enjoyed the story and my lovely boys.
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14 hours ago, MX380MAGNUM said:
  • I LOVED this story plain and simple 

Thank you. I'm very glad about that. I'm grateful for you taking time to tell me :D

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Once again, it's worth the ride, well worth it.  Thank you for your hard work and dedication is sharing Isaac and Connor with us.  :thankyou:  ~Ms. V

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1 minute ago, Y0rite said:

Once again, it's worth the ride, well worth it.  Thank you for your hard work and dedication is sharing Isaac and Connor with us.  :thankyou:  ~Ms. V

It was my pleasure! Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. It always makes me smile. I truly appreciate it

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On 6/10/2019 at 7:41 AM, MariaNk said:

can I just say.....this story is everything!

Aw, thank you. It's probably one of the most complex stories I've written so far, and some of my favourite characters.

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Great story really it just needs a better Epilogue. Did they stay, did they live in the community, what happened with the community situation? Did they 3 guys turn on Caleb. So many unanswered questions.

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