Saving Grace #Wattys2016

Epilogue

Eighteen Years From Present Time

  "Oh, that's the most beautiful way to meet someone." Laine looked up with dreams in her eyes. "I only wish to compete with that."

"Yeah, if I don't kick this guy's ass first." William lashed, back with a challenge in his eyes. We were sitting in the den which I nicknamed the "Bay Room" due to the amazing view of the city and outgoing ocean ahead. Both were doing the last of their senior year homework when Laine asked how me and her father meet. William rolled his and went back to his paper but was soon drawn away as the story progressed. Laine answered back with a un-lady like smack in the back of the head when Hardy strolled in. Even though the years started to show with a few wrinkles and a sprinkle of grey to his blonde hair, he still looked like same man I fell in love with nearly two decades ago.

  "Looks like you found I stowaway." I kissed my husband's lips and though the disgust of the kids, tasted the passion that laid behind it.

  "I don't know 'bout this one, he keeps following me." He smiled down at the rascal holding on to his leg for dear life.

  "Daddy, I'm not a stowaway, I'm your boy." Andrew yelled back as his father swung him up in the air, going to run William's head and kissing Laine's.

  "Eh, maybe I'll keep you. Maybe I'll keep all of you if you get the table set up for dinner. First one done gets twenty bucks. All three of them needed it; Will for gas, Laine for books and Drew would consider himself rich with that amount of money. As three bodies rushed to make chaos in the kitchen, Hardy held out his hand to help me up and playfully pushed me against the wall for a better kiss. His arms wrapped around me and mine went through his hair, my leg slowly creeping up his.

  "You know, I don't like the idea of you teasing my kids." I started nibbling his ear. "Maybe I should teach you a lesson."

  "Hmm, darlin', you're gonna get it real good tonight." I heard in my ear that heart-dropping drawl. It was amazing that at the age we were that he could still make me feel like a livewire. "I was thinking." His kisses trailed my neck.

  "Hmm."

  "Maybe we should get away. Just us two and leave the kids with my folks."

  "Ok. Where to?"

  "Oh London, Paris, Rome, Dublin. Just to name a few." I was getting it. Finally after all these years, I was getting that honeymoon that I dreamed of. After everything with Hayden and his family, we decided to stay home and close to our families. I let it slip once that I wanted to travel Europe but never paid it any mind after the kids were born. "I have a month of vacation coming up and I want to spend every week somewhere new with you. Will you come with me?"

  "Yes!" I squealed and jumped back into his arms, kissing alot more like teenagers than parents. The only reason we stopped for was the sound of metal dropping against the kitchen floor.

  "Not me." All three said at the same time. I rolled my eyes as Hardy shook his head, both of us smiling.

  "Let's go before they tear down the place." Hardy went first while I hung back to see what became my world. How perfect my family is, I thought when I realized some it was moments like this that made certain things in life worth fighting for and saving.