The Wall Between Us

Chapter 22: End

"What are ya thinkin' about?" Wayne says breaking her out of a daze. "You've just been starin' at me for a while now."

Scarlett looks away bashfully. "I can't help it." Sometimes she wonders how he ever became hers.

"You can't help it? I see. Not that I mind, but it might cause a problem if you keep staring so intensely like that." He chuckles looking into her eyes.

A red blush appears on his cheeks and he adds. "I might just forget we're in the middle of eatin' and have to come over and kiss you..."

What?!! She flushed. How could he be so blunt? Despite her embrassment at his words part of her wanted him to kiss her.

To her surprise he stands up from the table. He takes off his hat, and comes over to her side of the table.

"Can I...kiss you?" He asked, as I leaned down, his face close to hers.

"No, I mean yes!" Scarlett said quickly.

He laughs, lifting her chin to look at him fully. She closed her eyes anticipating the kiss, heart pounding in her chest.

His lips were soft and warm against hers. "I love you." He whispers softly.

She kissed him back, melting against him as he held her close.

"Ava's here too!" A cheery voice shouted.

Wayne leaned down and picked up his daughter in his arms. He kissed her forehead.

"Ava, I haven't forgotten about you, princess." He smiled.

"I'm the prettiest princess in the world! Aren't I Daddy?" Ava shouted with glee.

"Of course you are and you always will be."

"What about me, darling?" Scarlett asked cupping her face in her hands.

Ava smiled from ear to ear, giggling. "Mommy is a princess too!"

Scarlett held in her laugh as Wayne ran his hand down his face, glancing at Scarlett then their daughter.

"That was our little secret, princess." He murmured, but she heard he clearly.

"How sweet," Scarlett walked over and wrapped her arm around his shoulders. "And he's my prince charming."

She kissed him on the cheek, before doing the same to her daughter.

Setting another plate of bacon and eggs on the table for Ava, she poured her a cup of orange juice.

"Eat your breakfast, Ava. So we can go let the farm animals out."

"Okay, mama." She smiled.

Once they were all dressed Scarlett kissed her husband goodbye as he left for work. With her daughter's help she let the cows and sheep out to graze, then they watered and fertilized the crops.

"You've done well for yourself, I couldn't be more proud."

Scarlett spun around and gasped in surprise as she spotted her family.

"Dad!" She practically threw herself into his arms. "I missed you guys."

He chuckled as he returned the hug. "We were going to come in the fall, but your mother pestered me to come visit."

She smiled and pulled back as she picked up her daughter to let him hold her. Her father's eyes soften as he held his granddaughter.

"You guys just missed, Wayne. He won't be back until late."

I prepared sandwiches for a snack and joined my father on the farm as we walked around the plot.

"It's been a while, huh? Your 28 now, you two have done a great job raising Ava. She's the spitting image of her mother." He laughed as he gazed beyond the farm.

She fixed her straw hat on her head as it slipped to the side. "Thanks, Dad. We're trying our best."

"I know you are, Kiddo." He patted one of the cows as they walked by the barn.

He was slient for a long while before he spoke again. "I'm glad you found your purpose. I must admit, when you said you wanted to become a farmer all those years ago I was..."

"Afraid..." She answered for him.

"Yes," He frowned. "I wasn't ready to let you go, but you've shown me your determination over the years."

"Yes, especially at the festivals." She teased with a grin. "I knew it was you the whole time in that getup."

He sighed. "You're still holding that against me?"

"Of course, I'll never understand how you managed to breath under all that armor?"

Her father shuttered, a look of embarrassment flashing across his face. She never brought the idea that he was a rival, she figured it out pretty quickly who he was under the mask.

"I think he was quite dashing!" Her mother cut in as she came over and kissed her husband's cheek.

"Darling!" Her father grumbled, wrapping his arm around her waist. His face was as red as a tomato.

"Ewww!" Lynn shouted covering her eyes.

Her little sister was a little taller since the last time she saw her.

"Lynn, your almost as tall as me." Scarlett joked, ruffling her sister's hair.

"Scarlett!" Lynn pouted as she smoothed out her hair. "You can't tease me anymore."

"You'll always be my little sister no matter how old you get."

Lynn hugged her waist. "I know."

Ava grabbed Lynn's hand and pulled her towards the dog, giggling all the way.

She returned her attention to her parents. "You'll have your hands full, if she's anything like me."

Her father cleared his throat. "You are her biggest role model. We'll be sure to support whatever she decides to become in the future."