Epilogue
LORENZO
W ater splashes around me, a few droplets spraying across my feet. My son emerges from the swimming pool with a big grin on his face, clearly proud of the trick he just did.
“Dad! Did you see my jump? I think the splash was like fifty feet high!” Bently exclaims as he wades over to the side of the pool where I’m sitting.
“I did,” I tell him with a smile. “I was worried you created a tidal wave with that splash.”
My son laughs and then joins his friends on the other side of the pool. It’s his birthday today, and we’re celebrating with his favorite activity - swimming. At eight years old, Bently is full of endless energy. He has my dark hair and brown eyes, which Florence loves.
Our daughter, on the other hand, takes after her mother. I smile as I look down at my baby girl, fast asleep in my arms. At just two years old, Jade already has the feisty personality of her mother, as well as her curly red locks. It’s amazing that she can sleep through her older brother’s pool party. Then again, I’m happy that my little girl feels safe enough to fall asleep anywhere as long as I’m around.
“Need me to take her?” my wife asks from behind me. I look up as she walks around to the side of the bench I’m sitting on.
I don’t know how, but she’s even more breath-taking than the first time I saw her through my binoculars on that fateful stakeout. Her fiery red hair is pulled up into a ponytail with a few strands framing her beautiful face.
“She’s asleep for now,” I tell her. “But I’m always happy to see my gorgeous wife.”
Florence smiles, her green eyes sparkling with so much love and joy. I still can’t believe this strong, smart-as-hell, sassy woman chose me. She trusted me all those years ago, and I’m a truly blessed man that she’s stayed with me and gave me the honor of being her husband.
“Feeling sentimental today?” my wife asks, settling down next to me.
“I guess birthdays do that to people sometimes. Or maybe I’m losing my edge the older I get,” I tease.
Florence rests her head on my shoulder and I adjust our position so I’m still cradling Jade in one arm while wrapping the other around my wife. She presses the sweetest kiss to my cheek, then sighs contentedly before curling up against me.
“You were always softer around me.”
“I was, and still am, madly in love with you. I couldn’t risk scaring you off,” I murmur.
“But stalking me was acceptable?” she teases.
“I protect what’s mine,” I answer simply.
“You certainly do. Thank you for loving me and our children so well. I can’t imagine life without you.”
“Now who’s getting sentimental?” I joke, nudging her slightly.
Florence laughs, filling my heart with joy. We sit together, soaking up all the love and light we’ve shared and created over the years. Bently spins around in the pool and splashes everyone, which is apparently his only goal in life. Jade stirs slightly, but keeps right on snoozing as if nothing could ever hurt her. As long as I’m around, nothing will.
I’m more determined than ever to keep my family safe. It’s been a wild ten years with my wife and now two children, and I know our story is still being written. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
THE END