Questions for Answers

Epilouge

Ten years later...

As I awakened from my sleep, I stretched out my arms and looked around my empty room. I wiped the crust from my eyes as my bedroom door slowly opened. In the next second, my dog, Koda, ran inside and jumped on my lap. I wrapped my arms around him, "At least I still have you." Immediately after, he began to bark loudly as he ran out of my room. I sighed, "Spoke too soon."

I was about to lay back down until I heard a loud noise, like the sound of glass breaking. I instantly became on high alert as I looked around my room in search of a weapon. As much as I didn't want to go check out the noise, I knew that I would eventually have to face reality. My guitar, which I hadn't played in years, sat by my door so I picked it up and slowly exited my room ready to defend myself.

As I crept through the hall, I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. The windows were still intact, but Koda was still barking so obviously something was up. Once I got closer to the front door, it flung open and there stood Tristen with our two kids, holding balloons and a cake.

I chuckled in disbelief, "What is all of this?"

"Happy birthday, mommy!" They said in unison as they ran to me and wrapped their arms around my legs.

"Birthday?" I mouthed to Tristen as he shut the door behind him and came in.

He chuckled and rolled his eyes, "I told them we were celebrating our anniversary, but all they heard was the word 'celebrate' and wouldn't stop bugging me until I bought some birthday balloons for you. And why are you holding your guitar like that, love?"

"Because I heard the sound of glass breaking and thought someone was trying to get into the house! What was that?" I asked.

He pointed to our son, T.J., "That would be him. He kind of got overly excited trying to surprise you and knocked down the vase outside. Don't worry, I'm already ordering us a new one."

Our daughter, Vivi, pointed at her brother, "Ooh, you're in trouble."

"Shut up!" He said as he stuck his tongue out at her.

"Hey, we don't talk like that to each other, do you hear me? Apologize to your sister—now", I said as I bent down to his level.

He crossed his arms, "Sorry."

"For what?" I asked.

"For yelling and telling you to shut up", he said.

I looked over at her, "Vivi, do you forgive your brother?"

She shrugged, "Yeah, I guess."

"Alright, now hug it out! The faster you guys make up, the faster we'll be able to celebrate and eat some cake!" I said.

As they hugged one another, I stood back up and caught Tristen staring at me, smiling. I smiled back, "What?"

He shook his head, "Nothing. I just knew you'd always be a great mother. I'm glad that this is our life now. I wouldn't want to spend it any other way. I love you, River."

I blushed at his words, "Aw, Tristen, I love you too. And you're a pretty amazing dad too."

He kissed me on the lips and then pulled back, "Happy anniversary, love."

~*~

A lot happened after that day with Eylias ten years ago. After he made it clear that I wouldn't be able to leave without giving him an answer right then and there, I made my decision. Obviously, I took the deal. He immediately untied me and took me to where Tristen was being held. He explained the situation and we were able to go back to America the next morning. He kept his word and wrote us a check for 700 million dollars.