Tracked

Epilogue

13 years later...

A shining sun, crystal blue skies and not a cloud in sight. What a perfect day to spend with my husband...in a cemetery. The grass around this particular tombstone is brown, shriveled and dead. I don't think anyone but my husband and I even visit-ever.
"You sure you're alright Bec?" Dan asks, his blue eyes darkening with concern. I nod while taking a slow deep breath. No matter how much time has past, this week of the year is always the hardest for me. September 23rd, the fifth day in my week of hell. This is the 13th anniversary of my rescue from the clutches of X-also known as James Sanders, Dan's uncle. Every year, on September 23rd, Dan and I come to visit his grave. My way of facing my demons and assuring myself that my family is safe. The tombstone is a plain gray piece of concrete. Inscribed on it is: James Sanders, 1975-2015. Nothing else because, after hearing what he did, his family disowned him and the Police no longer recognized him as a member of the force.
"What's going through that beautiful head of yours?" Dan asks, gently kissing the side of my head.
"Just thinking about how he managed to fool everyone. I mean, no one had any idea that he was the devil causing all that pain." I sigh, leaning my head against Dan's broad shoulder.
"I know. I kept beating myself up for not seeing it sooner. How much could we have changed if someone had noticed something?" He mumbles guiltily.
"It's better not to think about what could have happened. We can't change the past."
"No matter how much we wish we could." Dan sighs. Together, the two of us stand in silence, our mere presence acting as defiance to the villian buried 6 feet below us.
"Dan," I whisper, glancing up at him. He looks into my eyes, his blonde hair shimmering in the sun just like it always used to.
"Yes Becca?"
"You've always loved me and still do. True or false?" Even as the question is still leaving my lips, he smiles and kisses me sweetly while wrapping his arms around my waist. His short goatee tickles my skin causing me to smile as I lean into his chest, inhailing his comforting scent of cologne and oranges.
"True." Dan's husky voice whispers in my ear. I'm so grateful for this true or false game that I use with my friends and family. My phycologist recommended it to me after my 'experiences', it was to help me determine truths of my life compared to the lies X convinced me up. Kind of like Peeta from the Hunger Games series if you think about it.
"The one thing I still don't understand about the investigation is how X had all of the information from the search ONLY on his computer."
"We didn't explain that to you? I could've sworn-no wait, you fell asleep in the car while your dad was explaining it to Austin and I." At his comment, I quirk my eyebrow, glancing down at the tombstone at my feet waiting for Dan to continue explaining. "Apparently, after everyone left the office the first night of the search, my-X went around to every computer involved in decrypting information, downloaded it all into a USB and then destroyed it. Luckily though, the Captain was able to get enough data back to look up the license plate a second time, when 'you-know-who' wasn't there and they found everything.
"He certainly had it all planned, didn't he?" Dan holds me closer as my voice wavers.
"Yes he did, but we still beat him. X lost, your dad kept his promise to you and I never had to learn to live through life without you." A blush heats my cheeks and I stand up on my toes, planting a kiss on his chin. "Are we ever going to tell the kids what happened?" Dan asks, not for the first time. He asks me every year, just to ensure that my answer hasn't changed.
"Eventually," I reply slowly, "when they're old enough. We'll tell them as they grow up." Dan nods.
"As you wish. Now, let's go home. I'm sure the kids are exhausting poor grandpa and grandma Jones." I smile, picturing that scene in my head.

My father was so proud when he became a grandpa-as was my step-mother. Dad remarried a few years after I enrolled in university. She was smart, pretty, funny, and retired military pilot and she loves my dad. Her name is Annabelle, and looks so opposite to me it's amusing. She has blonde hair, piercing green eyes and a pale slender figure.
"Alright let's go Dan." I comply, following him back to our truck.

When we arrive home, cries of delight escape through the windows followed by squeals and giggles of small children. Dan and I glance at each other, smiling before opening the door.
"We're home kids." Dan calls before being attacked by four little beings.
"Daddy!" Walter runs to Dan, clutching to his leg tightly, giving him a wide toothy grin. Dan picks him up and fluffs his dirty blonde hair as I lift Brianna into my arms. My little girl in a crowd of boys. My two other sons run over, Jacob leading little Cal by the hand.
"Mommy, we made a fort with grandpa and grandma, come see." Jacob says, grabbing me by the hand and pulling me along.
"Alright rascal, we're coming." I reply, allowing my 7 year old to drag me to the living room while my two year old is in my arms and our five year old is in Dan's. Little Callum is three and he tags along behind all the legs heading towards the living room. A smile grows into my face within seconds as I examine the couch and blanket fort that takes up the space in my living room. Bri squirms to get out of my arms while Dan puts down Walter. As I get down on my knees to inspect the inside, I tune out what my kids are saying and just gaze at all of them. Jacob, my oldest, with hazel brown hair and green eyes. We named him that to honor Austin, by using the honorary uncle to our kids as we are aunt and uncle to his. Walter, with his tiny frame, sparkling blue eyes and dirty blonde hair. Then there's little Callum that follows his brother's everywhere, his curly bleach blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes, and his little bit of remaining baby fat. Finally, my baby girl Brianna with her wavy chocolate brown hair and shining blue eyes like her daddy's. As my kids finish giving me a tour of the fort, I get back to my feet and hug my dad and step-mom, standing with them and Dan while we watch the children play. My thoughts wander to how non of this would have happened if I had died 13 years ago. But I didn't because of the determination of my father and my friends. After all these years, now I am beginning to feel at peace and feel the fear of X losing it's hold on me. 'You wanted revenge on me and my family James. Guess what, you failed. I'm alive and happy, with children of my own. Checkmate, I won.'