The Finish Line

During the Christmas season, Cecelia and Tobias visit Eddie’s rebuilt bar. Jeremy and Russell arrive, greeting Cecelia warmly. The group drinks and plays pool as Cecelia observes their camaraderie, shadowed by the absence of deceased Ravens like Dominic. Later, Cecelia and Tobias watch a Christmas parade from lawn chairs. Tobias is visibly tense, admitting it will take him a very long time to adjust to life without constant threats.

Tobias says he wants to marry Cecelia but must confess something first. He shares his deepest fear: developing schizophrenia like his father, who was diagnosed at 28. To manage his anxiety, he has been speaking with Sonia, his father’s former psychotherapist. Tobias explains that he has already passed the age at which his father was diagnosed but believes he has seven years until he can consider himself largely out of danger. This fear was a major reason he pushed Cecelia away. Cecelia vows never to leave his side, regardless of illness. Tobias tells her that for now, she controls the board and will decide when—or if—they return to their work.

On Christmas, Tobias returns to their hotel suite and finds a gift from Cecelia: a perfectly tailored Armani suit accompanied by a note that reads, “tailored for a king” (486). He also discovers custom raven cufflinks with outstretched wings. Reflecting on how completely Cecelia knows and accepts him, he feels liberated by her love. Cecelia returns, having tracked his movements to time her arrival, and finds him on the balcony impeccably dressed. Desire and certainty settle between them as he confirms this is truly what she wants. They share an intimate reunion, and Cecelia signals she is ready to resume their work.

Tobias and Cecelia visit the suburban Atlanta home of Cecelia’s best friend, Christy—a condition of their reconciliation requiring Tobias to explain his behavior to those who matter most to Cecelia. Christy has sent her husband and children away and is openly hostile. She accuses Tobias of torturing Cecelia for years as punishment for her affair with Dominic. Tobias admits he is the bad guy and treated Cecelia horribly. As Christy continues her tirade while cleaning up toys, Tobias quietly helps her, trying to level with her.

When Christy’s anger does not subside, Cecelia intervenes and reveals the truth: Dominic did not die in a car wreck but from gunshot wounds during a gunfight at her father’s mansion while saving them both. Christy is stunned into silence. Tobias lightens the tension with a sardonic joke, and the confrontation begins to thaw.

The two couples and Christy’s children have a backyard barbecue; Tobias chases the toddler while Josh mans the grill. Christy is still processing the truth but tells Cecelia she believes her. She mentions seeing Cecelia’s ex-boyfriend, Collin, at a restaurant with someone new, looking happy. Cecelia and Christy reaffirm their friendship, promising no more lies or distance. Cecelia outlines their plan: They will work with the government, protected by the Secret Service, to systematically take down their enemies, aiming to act while President Monroe remains in office.

As they prepare to leave, Cecelia tearfully hands her dog, Beau, to Christy for safekeeping, explaining that he needs a stable home while they figure out their future. A blacked-out SUV arrives. As the vehicle pulls away, Tobias abruptly orders the driver to stop. Cecelia grabs her gun, scanning for threats, until Tobias returns carrying Beau. He jokes that he can teach the dog to shoot. When Cecelia calls him soft, he says he does not care. They lace their fingers together and drive toward their unknown future with Beau across their laps.

Seven years after reuniting, Tobias waits at his beach mansion in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France—their finish line. Cecelia arrives, and they embrace on the balcony after Tobias returns from a dangerous, multi-day mission. He had been out of communication, causing her agonizing worry. He explains that their seven-year war against corrupt corporations, deep-state-controlled media conglomerates, and terrorists is finally over. Sean, though injured, will fully recover.

Tobias tells Cecelia he is done with plotting and fighting. He produces a sand dollar from a childhood memory with his father and instructs her to break it. Inside are five small doves carved from bone, representing himself, Sean, Tyler, Dom, and Cecelia. He explains that the doves symbolize both sacrifice and peace.

Overcome with emotion, Tobias kneels and proposes with a diamond ring he had worn on his pinky. He asks her to make him king, and she accepts.

One month after a small, private wedding, Cecelia unpacks boxes in their French home. She reflects on the peace Tobias has found and recalls their morning conversation, when Tobias asked for a baby and she agreed to stop taking birth control.

While unpacking boxes from the house of Tobias’s late mother, Delphine, Cecelia discovers photos and a shoebox belonging to Dominic. Inside is a matchbox car and a drawing six-year-old Dominic made titled “My Family.” The drawing depicts a giant Tobias holding hands with a small Dominic, illustrating their profound bond. Cecelia realizes her love story is just one part of a much larger story of brotherhood.

She watches Tobias walk on the beach, understanding that he has finally allowed himself to be vulnerable with her and acknowledging he will never be alone again.

On the beach, Tobias reflects on a childhood memory: five-year-old Dominic insisting they could make their own rules so the bad guys would not win. This conversation sparked Tobias’s entire life’s work.

For the first time since his death, Tobias speaks to Dominic, confessing that he would trade all their accomplishments to have him back. He imagines Dominic’s whispered affirmation of their brotherhood. Tobias asks him to save a place in the passenger seat and leaves one of the sand dollar doves on the sea wall, asking Dom to help watch over them. As he walks back to the house, he tells his brother they did it.

Two years after the wedding, Sean is at home with his wife, Tessa, and their three children. Tobias repeatedly calls, but Sean silences his phone. As he prepares to leave for work with a loaded Glock, his 14-year-old son, Dominic, confronts him, saying he knows his father is not just a mechanic and expressing fear about his secret life.

After receiving a text from Tobias reading “Family first,” Sean decides to take his son with him. He receives a nod of permission from Tessa. Sean drives for miles before pulling over and telling his son he was the same age when it started. He asks if his son can keep a secret.

A year after their wedding, Tobias and Cecelia struggle to conceive, causing unspoken tension. After swimming for hours, Tobias confronts Cecelia about their mutual restlessness. He admits he desperately wants to be a father. Cecelia reveals that she is six weeks pregnant. Overjoyed, Tobias carries her to bed and makes love to her.

Later, during Cecelia’s labor, Tobias is torn between supporting her and watching the birth. When Cecelia tells him to greet their baby, their daughter is delivered into his arms.

While napping with baby Celine on her chest, Cecelia dreams of Dominic. She finally sees him clearly, looking exactly as he was but completely at peace. She wakes to find Sean visiting, holding Celine while Tobias plays in the pool with Sean’s youngest son, Trace. Cecelia joins Tobias in the pool and tells him she is pregnant again.

Years later, three-year-old Celine wakes from a nightmare. Tobias comforts her, and she complains about her crying baby brother, Jean Guillaume. Tobias advises her that she can dream a thousand dreams, and together, they will make a thousand things happen. After Celine falls asleep, Cecelia checks on Jean, marveling at him. Tobias joins her, and they share a romantic moment before he sweeps her off to bed.