The Opposite of Love

Epilogue

"So that's how it happened," I said. "That is how your aunt Laura brought down three murderers."

"And she brought you and Dad together, right?" Caitlyn said eagerly.

"Yes, that, too," I said with a laugh. "Sorry, I can't believe I forgot that part."

"And then you said yes and had Caitlyn and Caleb and me and then we all lived happily ever after, right?" Cara asked.

"No, Cara," Caleb said. "Mom said no right away, remember?"

"Can we hear the rest of the story, until you say yes?" Cara begged.

"I'm afraid it's too long, Cara. There was a whole other case we'd have to get through, and it's already..." I looked at my watch. "Woah. It's almost nine thirty. Way past your bedtime. And Dad should be home any minute."

"Dad has been home for twenty minutes," a deep voice from across the room said. I spun around and saw Charlie leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed and a grin on his face. "You're losing your skills," he teased.

"Daddy!" Cara yelled, running towards him and wrapping his khaki-covered leg in a hug. Her blanket dragged behind her. I was really going to have to remember to wash that sometime soon.

"Come on, Cara," Caleb said, rolling his eyes. "Be a little more mature."

"Hey," I said. "Weren't you just doing exactly that up until about a month ago?" He blushed, and I considered that good enough parenting for the moment.

I stood up and gave Charlie a quick kiss, and Caitlyn said, "Eew," like she always did. Charlie and I laughed, like we always did.

"Why didn't you say hi when you came in?" I asked Charlie.

"And interrupt the story? Never."

"It's past Cara's bedtime," Caitlyn said, still sitting on the couch, "But I still have a half an hour. Can I hear the rest of the story? How you guys closed your next case and ended the feud?"

"You've heard it a million times," I said.

"And it never gets old," she replied. With considerable effort, Boots jumped up and sat on her lap, and she began petting her. I could hear Boots purring from across the room. She may be getting old, but she was still just as adorable as she had been as a kitten.

"I agree," Caleb said. "Especially the part when Dad becomes sheriff."

"I agree, too," Cara chimed in, still wrapped around Charlie's leg. I laughed and picked her up. The other two had gotten too big for me to carry years ago, but Cara was only five. I was really going to miss this when she grew out of it, but for now, I was savoring every moment.

"Like I said, it's a long story. We don't have time tonight. Maybe tomorrow."

"But Grandpa's coming over tomorrow," Caitlyn said. "We won't have time then, either."

"Grandpa won't be here for long," I said. "He's just helping us with a case."

"Can't you guys do that on Monday?" Caleb whined. "It's the weekend."

"We have a bad guy to catch," Charlie said. "Bad guys don't take the weekend off. Now, it's your bedtime, too. Go get ready."

"No," Caleb said, looking at his Spiderman watch. "I still have three minutes and forty-six seconds."

"Okay, fine," Charlie said. "You can use your three minutes and forty-six seconds to finish the dishes. I know for a fact that they didn't get washed."