Page 146 of Bones

“I can’t be dead. I just restocked on gummy bears.”

Everyone spoke at once, talking over each other, but Michael’s booming voice carried over all of them. “No one is dead. When you were created, we had no idea the way that humanity would develop. Or that you would face such a lengthy curse. You’ve more than upheld your end of the celestial bargain. You defeated Absolve. You took down those two fallen baccarats…” His lips curved into a frown. “It’s not as much fun now that I know how it feels to swear on Earth. Anyway, you took them down, which has restored order to the ranks.”

“The demons were reminded who the biggest, baddest force around is,” Levi put in as he ripped a torn page into smaller bits.

“And you were willing to lay down your lives yesterday to shield the humans. You have sacrificed enough.”

“But what about the next evil that tries to harness dark magicks?” Lennon asked. “Who will protect humankind?”

“Another round of The Four. With modifications from what we’ve learned.” Nate opened his mouth, but Michael lifted a finger. “Including not making them wait so long for their mates.” He got a smug look. “Even if the powers-that-be were correct on the timing and what kind of partner you would need.”

“He has a point,” Deke whispered to me.

“What would happen to us?” Juno asked. “Would we get sick? Die? What about our powers? How would this even work?”

“Your powers are yours, always. You just wouldn’t have to use them for defending the world because you’ve already done that. You wouldn’t get sick. You would die of old agewithyour mate.”

“And then that’s it? No forever together?” Nate sat forward like he was going to storm out. “Food no.”

“You would go to your perfect afterlife,” Michael said. “Together. Always.”

Nate sat back again.

“You would also be able to start a family,” Gabriel said.

“That explains why the archangel of fertility is here,” Juno muttered.

“There is no rush. Think it over and send word when you decide.” Michael gave a flourish, and Levi was gone. The couples were returned to Earth.

Everyone but Deke and me.

I looked at him.

I’d been ecstatic when I thought we’d be fighting new and different evils for all time. It wasn’t the traditional happy ending, but it was still one.

But a chance for a real life together? Neither of us had ever had that. Not that I remembered, at least.

I didn’t have to ask Deke’s thoughts. I could feel them. His desire. His happiness. I knew what he wanted.

And apparently so did the angels because we were still there.

Gabriel smiled. “When you’re ready, come stand over here.”

Deke pulled me into a quick kiss—his mouth curved into a smile the whole time—before I went to stand in front of Gabriel. As he waved a hand over my stomach, I glanced down at the garbage Levi had left behind. In ripped letters resembling something from a serial killer, there was a message.

Name him after me, fake daughter.

Deke

FIVE YEARS LATER

“No runningaround Uncle Deke’s cabin.”

“They’re fine,” I tried to say, but Lennon’s glare cut to me.

“We might be impervious to death, but kids are very muchnotinjury proof. Broken bones. Stitches. Concussions. Brain bleeds. CTE.”

“Lucy is two.” Lilith wrapped her arm around my brother. “She has at least a few seasons of football before we have to worry about CTE.”

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