Author's Notes:
Hello readers. This book is reaching its end. And I couldn't be more than happy to finish this book for this has been a story that I created out of love. Granted, I've been through several writer's block but after a year, here we are at last. It's been a hell of a ride writing this book and I appreciate the people who have been reading this. For that, I am thankful.
Enjoy.
Ps. Forgive me if this chapter is short :"") And yes, I'm unaware that I am releasing this final chapter on the day of Tom Hardy's birthday hehehe. Happy Birthday, Tom Hardy.
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4 and a half years later...
Mr. and Mrs. Keegan have settled in Upstate New York.
Eddie became a successful famous writer, writing fiction books. The story series he created, "Phantom Wings", have become a successful franchise, having his first book being adapted into a live-action movie.
Sophia retired from her job and became a housewife, focusing on being a mother. They have been blessed with twins, Tommy and Ava, one boy and one girl. Although Eddie still felt a little doubt whether Sophia was sure about her decision, she was able to convince him through her actions. They became a happy family, with Eddie feeling happy with the life he has now with his wife and children.
Eddie was sitting in the dining room with his laptop in front of him, writing a draft of his new story. Tommy was sitting next to him, playing with LEGOs. Sipping his mug of coffee, he was interrupted by his daughter who was tugging on the hem of his T-shirt.
Distracted, he put the mug down on the table and diverted his attention to his little daughter.
"Yes... Ava?" Eddie leaned down to his daughter.
"Hungy..." Was all little Ava said to his daddy.
Chuckling at his daughter's cute attitude, he took off his glasses, tucking them on his T-shirt as he grabbed Ava and brought her to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Sophia kept a handful of mason jars filled with different types of cookies, made by Anne. Aside from teaching, Anne has a side business she ran with her boyfriend's sister, which did pretty well.
Taking one jar, he put them on the kitchen table, while putting Ava on the table. He opened the jar, taking one outside, putting the jar back to its place.
"I'll give you one but don't tell your mom, okay?"
He raised up his pinky finger in front of Ava, who intertwined it while giggling. He smiled as he let his daughter have one bite. The happiness of Ava after being treated to a cookie caused a genuine smile on his face. But before he was able to let her have a second bite...
"I thought I told you no cookies before lunch or dinner."
In unison, both their heads turn to the beautiful woman who was crossing her arms and raising her eyebrow.
His eyebrow was also raised, as she saw her wearing an oversize t-shirt and a dark brown leather shearling jacket which belonged to him.
"Just one more bite, love. I promised," Eddie smiled somehow sheepishly, before slowly moving the cookie towards their daughter's mouth.
"I can see your hand, Eddie," her voice somehow became stern, causing him to stop his hand. He then whispered in Ava's ear, "Another time, sweetheart."
He kissed her cheek before standing up and walking to his wife who was still keeping up her stern look, as he handed over the bitten cookie and walked back to the table, but not before slapping her butt.
Sophia sighed as she approached Ava and knelt before her. Ava was still a little kid so she could only smile and giggle.
"Ava, darling," Sophia smiled back at her cute daughter, "are you hungry?"
Ava nodded, her hand reaching for the cookie but to no avail. Caressing her daughter's hair, Sophia then stroked her cheek, "I'll give you this cookie but promise me that you'll eat your lunch first, okay?"
"Pwomise, mama?"
She couldn't help but to chuckle a bit at her daughter's lovely and cute attitude. She proceeded to do the same as what Eddie does before, raising her pinky finger to her.
"I promise, darling."
After intertwining their pinky fingers, Sophia put Ava in her highchair as she began to cook lunch for the family. While the mother cooked food for the family with her daughter watching, the father spent his time with the son, playing with him.
Soon as Sophia finished cooking lunch, she called out to both Eddie and Tommy as she carried Ava to the dining table.
"Lunch time, everyone," she put Ava on the chair, proceeding to take the food, putting them on the table. Soon as the food was served, she sat down with Ava by her left side. Eddie sat at the head of the table with Tommy by his right side.
Both kids were able to eat by themselves thanks to their mother who trained them, but Ava always wanted to be spoiled by getting fed. Eddie honestly would feed her in a heartbeat but one simple glare from Sophia stopped him from doing so. She wanted Ava to not always want to be spoiled, that's why she fed her for one bite, and then the rest she wanted Ava to do it herself.
Post-lunch, Tommy and Ava watched TV together sitting on the couch. Of course, holding the end of her deal, Sophia gave one cookie to Ava, not forgetting Tommy too. She then proceeded to wash the dishes. Sneaking behind her, Eddie wrapped his arms around her waist while laying his chin on her shoulder. As always, Sophia would relish the feeling of having her husband hugging her from behind.
His eyes looked at their son who were watching the TV attentively, with Ava scooting closer to Tommy.
"Look at them," Eddie said, his eyes looking at them with love, "the fruit of our love."
Sophia chuckled a little at his cheesy remark but nodded her head, "Indeed."
Silence occurred for a moment before Sophia continued.
"Eddie... You know I have told you that giving her cookies before mealtime is going to ruin her appetite."
"I know, love," he nodded, "but I-I cannot resist that cute attitude of hers. You know it's my weak spot."
That was true. There were... dozens of times where he would give in to her daughter's soft puppy eyes.
Stopping the faucet, she turned around in his hold and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I know you love her, Eddie. Trust me, I do too. She is our beautiful daughter that I'll always love, but please know that I also want her one day to be an independent daughter. And I want to teach her the best that I can. I hope you can do that too. Okay?"
Agreeing with his wife who is smiling at him, he nodded, "I'll do my best, love."
Their forehead pressing, their lips sealed in a kiss, closing the space between them. They would never get tired of being able to kiss each other.
Come night. The kids were all asleep. Sophia was already back in the bedroom, reading a book on the bed, while Eddie was about to finish his work. Soon as he closed the laptop, he walked to their bedroom but not before passing the large frame of their family photo. The photo was taken about a week ago. Sophia sat on a single chair with the twins sitting by her lap and Eddie stood behind the chair.
Looking at the photo made Eddie could not help it but to release a tear of happiness. A lot of things happened to the man who was broken and lonely. But after the fateful meeting with the woman who happened to be the love of his life, the man was now a happy husband with a beautiful wife and father of two gorgeous looking twins. One thing was absolutely certain: his life, once broken, now mended with love.
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Broken
RomanceA former soldier returning home only to find struggles in adjusting to civilian life and dealing with the post-trauma. He meets a beautiful teacher with whom he falls in love. While building a relationship with her, he discovers that he doesn't need...