From Mountains to Lone Stars

FOUR YEARS LATER

"Well, Avenged finally took off. After we graduated, it just blew up. Our Waking the Fallen shit just blew up. Who would have thought we would be one of the biggest names in metal now?" Matt chuckled. "It's crazy. It's just freaking insane."

He looked over at the blue bonnets. "You would love it, you really would. The fans fucking... they're amazing. Every time we play 'Dear God,' they go bat shit. I don't even have words for how amazing they are. Shit, they even tattoo our logo on themselves. It's insanity. It really is."

Matt picked some grass and twirled the lades between his fingers. "They created a writing program in your name, your parents. Your books are being devoured. Who would have thought you would be a bestseller? Well, you. You had no doubt in your mind." He wiped away a tear.

"I got to tell you, Maverick, it still hurts. You said it would be easier, that I would find someone else, but... I can't let you go." His head fell back against the headstone. Maverick hadn't wanted a grave, but her parents insisted on a headstone at the very least. They had scattered her ashes over her beloved Sierra Nevada Mountains.

"I miss you every day, Mav. It still hurts. Your parents and your sister and your friends somehow managed to move on, to remember you in a different way. All I can think about is the way you felt in my arms. Can you just give me a sign?" Matt's hazel eyes looked toward the sky. "Give me a sign to move on, and I will. I promise, Maverick."

He closed his eyes as a soft breeze blew through the cemetery. He let it play with his hair, not quite ready to leave her behind. To be fair, he was never ready to leave her behind. That woman had become his world in a few short months. Matt had no idea how.

"Excuse me," a gentle voice said, "I was wondering if you happened to know where the exit was?"

Matt's eyes popped open and nearly bugged out of his head. He could have sworn that he was looking at Maverick if she had green eyes instead of blue and blonde hair instead of purple. He took a second to shake himself back into reality and then looked at the sky. Shaking his head, he fought back a grin because Maverick had somehow fucking answered his request.

"Yeah, I was actually about to head out." Matt stood up and sent a soft smile to the woman, not quite flashing his dimples.

"Oh! Thank you so much." She tugged at her sleeves, trying to cover her numerous tattoos. She didn't really like for strangers to see them. Though given this man's appearance, he had a few too. He was incredibly attractive especially with those deep hazel eyes.

"Not a problem. If you don't mind me asking, who were you visiting?" Matt started to walk out of the cemetery, making sure she was following next to him.

She sighed. "My father. He went about three years ago, cancer. And you?" Her bright green eyes searched the large man.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I was visiting my girlfriend. Cancer got her too." He stopped and looked at the young woman. "This is gonna sound weird, but you look just a little bit like her. I think that's Maverick telling me to move the fuck on already. It's been four years. Shit, sorry I'm rambling."

The woman let out a soft laugh. "It's okay. I'm sorry to hear about this Maverick. She must have been wonderful. WAIT!" The woman grabbed Matt's arm. "You're not talking about Maverick Stewart, are you? Her book saved me after my dad died."

A real smile popped onto Matt's face, dimples flashing. "The very same. She would have loved to hear how her books helped you. I'll have to tell her the next time I see her. I'm Matt."

The woman flashed her own smile, one dimple flashing in her right cheek. "Nice to meet you. I'm Cameron, but my friends call me Karma."

Notes

I know it's not the ending we all wanted, but there you have it. The end to From Mountains to Lone Stars. I hope you all enjoyed the journey!

Now, if you are still engaged in my reading, be sure to check out Coming Home and Know Me By Name and the fic I'm co-writing with Ghost-On-A-Sea-Of-Wine Reckless Abandon!

Much love,
Heretic