Runaway

Epilogue (Part 1)

Author's note:

My dear friends, this is it. For the one last time, because of the length, I've had to split an epilogue into two chapters. Part two is coming today too.

Warning: a light sexual content.

I sincerely hope you're going to enjoy it.

-

Naples, Florida, February, nine years later

Daniel Linares unlocked his house door, entering tiredly. There was a complete silence all over the place, causing some kind of uneasiness in him. He leaned his head against the door, squeezing his eyes shut and sighing. The project which his team was currently working on has deprived him of almost all of his spare time. All Daniel wanted was a little rest.

He opened his eyes again, looking around. The opened concept of the house gave him a perfectly clear view of almost all first floor rooms. The gloom and silence began to echo all over the room and he could no longer bear them.

„Sofia! Christian!", he yelled.

There was silence for a few more moments but then he heard a loud banging with the door and the bustling steps. It didn't take long to see a two well-known dark-haired heads approaching him fast.

„Daddy!", the children's screams filled the place.

Daniel crouched down, smiling broadly. His six and four years old ran to him, hugging him firmly around the neck and smiling back. His day immediately became better and brighter.

„Hey...I've missed you, guys!", he said. „How was school? And kindergarten?"

The girl, Sofia just shrugged.

„Iria took my cookie and milk.", she replied, narrowing her eyes. Daniel smiled again. Sofia was irresistible.

„Have you told the teacher?"

The dark-haired girl shook her head, suddenly becoming embarrassed. Daniel immediately knew what that meant.

„We talked about this already, didn't we? Pushing your friends is a bad thing.", he said, trying to stay serious and strict bus it was hard when his little girl was looking at him like that. Ever since they were babies, his kids were raised so they know to stand up for themselves when someone is trying to harm them in any way but Sofia's emphasized temper was slowly becoming a problem. His daughter reminded him of him as a child. Daniel wasn't much different.

„We'll have to talk about it, Sofie.", he said and then faced Christian, his four years old son. „And you? How was your day?"

Instead of answering verbally, the boy just smiled, putting his finger in his mouth. Daniel tickled his belly, causing him to wiggle, laughing loudly. Once again, he pulled both of them in his embrace, giving him a kiss on the cheeks.

„I love you both.", he stated.

His children returned the affection. They were happy because daddy was finally at home.

At this point, more steps were heard and Daniel raised his eyes up until he caught Elisa, a young girl who was Sofia and Christian's nanny, came over. She seemed to have sighed in relief.

„I should've known it was you. I started to panic when they ran away like that."

Elisa was of great help and Daniel was immensely grateful to her for everything she did for his family.

„Thanks for coming.", he said sincerely, smiling softly. „C'mon...I'll pay you and you're free for today."

Elisa picked up her belongings and Daniel gave her a few bills, which represented her today's salary and then she started to leave but, at the last moment, she changed her mind, facing him again.