Zephany laughed as Sophia teased Kendrick for his awkward proposal.

Cassius kept sneaking proud glances at his son, while Kendrick occasionally reached for Zephany’s hand under the table like he was constantly making sure she was truly there, truly safe.

The apartment echoed with soft chatter, clinking utensils, and gentle smiles.

When they were finally done eating, Cassius and Sophia decided it was time to leave.

"We should go," Sophia said softly, standing with the plates she helped gather.

Cassius nodded. "Yes. You two should rest. You have a long journey ahead and—"

"Dad."

Cassius paused.

Kendrick’s voice was clear, steady, and firm.

"Come with me tomorrow. I’ll be going home to tell Mom and Levy about my wedding."

For a moment, Cassius froze completely. His breath stopped halfway, eyes widening slightly as if the words did not register immediately.

"...What?" He blinked, stunned. "Did I hear you wrong?"

Kendrick faced him fully, gaze unwavering.

"Dad. Come home with me tomorrow. Meet Mom and Levy."

The room fell quiet.

Sophia turned her head slowly toward Cassius.

Zephany silently watched, understanding exactly what Kendrick was doing.

Cassius finally swallowed, worry flooding his expression.

"Kendrick... I... you know I am supposed to be dead. Officially."

"Yeah," Kendrick replied calmly. "Then just tell her you forgot and recently regained your memories. That is the truth anyway."

He took a step closer, his voice gentler but firm.

"I know Mom. She is strong... but she misses you so much. She still cries sometimes. She still waits even when she pretends she has moved on. Do you really want her to keep hoping alone?"

Cassius’ expression softened painfully.

His wife’s tears.

His daughter’s voice calling for him.

Years of pretending he no longer existed.

Years of suppressing the ache of wanting to go home.

Kendrick clenched his jaw, then spoke in a stubborn tone only a son could use.

"If you do not come tomorrow... you are no longer my dad."

The words stung, but not in anger.

They were the desperate push of a son who wanted his family whole again.

Sophia glanced at Cassius quietly.

Cassius lowered his eyes.

For a while, he did not say anything. His thoughts raced. Fear, guilt, longing, doubt. Everything tangled inside him.

Finally... he exhaled deeply.

"...Alright."

His voice trembled slightly.

"Alright. I will come."

Maybe it was finally time.

He could not run forever. He could not hide forever. And more than anything, he deeply missed his wife.

Kendrick nodded in satisfaction, a relieved smile forming on his lips. "Good."

They walked them to the door afterward, saying their goodbyes. Sophia smiled and hugged Zephany. Cassius placed a hand on Kendrick’s shoulder, eyes filled with quiet emotion before finally leaving.

The night ended peacefully.

The next morning, the Montclair house was bursting with life.

Christy, Levy, Zephany, Kendrick, and Reynold were all gathered together. Reynold decided to come along after hearing his sister would be having a real wedding and also because they would be visiting Kendrick’s mother. He wanted to meet Zephany’s in-laws properly.

Levy sat close to Zephany, her excitement overflowing.

"So he proposed while cooking? That is so cute!" Levy squealed.

Christy laughed happily. "I knew that boy would not disappoint me. He may be awkward, but he is sweet."

Zephany’s cheeks turned red. "Please stop teasing him."

Meanwhile Kendrick, who was basically the star of this conversation, stood at the side covering his face in embarrassment. Even Reynold, who usually acted cold, could not hide the small smile forming on his lips.

He watched everything quietly.

Zephany laughing.

Christy smiling warmly.

Levy being her bright, affectionate self.

Slowly... it dawned on him.

His sister was happy here.

Genuinely, deeply happy.

Even though he still had lingering worries about Kendrick and everything they had gone through, he could not deny what he was seeing now.

Zephany found another home.

A place she belonged.

He sighed softly, his expression softening.

He could accept that.

He would accept that.

Just then—

Ding Dong.

The doorbell echoed through the house.

Kendrick straightened immediately, his heart skipping.

"Mom, can you check who that is?" he asked a bit too quickly.

Christy stood up casually. "Alright."

She walked to the door, completely unaware.

She opened it.

And her world stopped.

Right in front of her stood the face she had longed to see for years.

A face she thought she would never see again.

Her breath hitched.

Her hands trembled.

"Patrick...?" her voice shook uncontrollably. "Hubby... is that you?"

Cassius stared at her quietly.

So many years. So much guilt. So much longing.

He finally smiled softly.

"Honey... I am back home."

Christy covered her mouth, tears instantly filling her eyes.

For years, everyone told her he was gone. Burned to ashes. No body left to recover. But she refused to fully believe it. She held onto hope stubbornly. As long as she never saw a body herself, she believed somewhere, somehow, he was still alive.

And she had been right.

He was really here.

Without hesitation, she ran forward and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly like she would never let him go again.

"I missed you so much!" she cried against his chest, her voice breaking completely.

Cassius’ arms wrapped around her immediately, holding her just as tightly. His voice trembled when he finally spoke.

"...I missed you too."

He gently explained the story Kendrick suggested. How he lost his memories. How everything only recently returned. Christy listened through tears, nodding and believing him completely. She did not care how complicated it was. She only cared that he was here.

Inside, Levy stood frozen.

Her jaw dropped.

Her professor.

Her strict, composed, mysterious professor...

Was her father.

"What... the... heck..." she whispered.

Kendrick quickly walked to the entrance and guided them in. Christy proudly introduced Patrick to everyone, while Kendrick, Zephany, and Reynold pretended to be shocked as well.

Soon, what started as disbelief turned into warmth.

The house filled again with laughter, tears, and reunion.

Christy would not let go of Cassius’ hand.

Levy kept staring at him like she was still processing reality. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Reynold quietly observed, nodding to himself, feeling relieved that his sister truly found a family surrounded by love.

It became a beautiful, lively family gathering.

A house once filled with longing...

Now overflowing with warmth again.