The Lost Princess

XLI

Ashlyn

4 Years Later

"Alexandwer! I gownna, get you!" Cecilia screams and runs towards Alexander. He screams and runs down the shoreline. His dirty blonde curls bouncing as he ran as fast as his chubby legs could take him. Cecilia's blonde hair flowed back in the wind and her high pitched screams rang through the air.

I turn to Peter and Aaron, who both reclined in their beach seats. Rose chuckles and taps Aaron's shoulder, "Boys, it's your turn to get them."

The men groan and stand up. They sprint towards the children. We watch as Aaron trips over a stick and tumbles in the stand. Rose and I burst out laughing. Cecilia turns around, "Daddy!" She runs to him. She tries to pull him off the ground while Alex sprints there to help.

"She's so nurturing already. She'll make an amazing queen," I smile.

Rose nods, "I know. She's so amazing. And Alex is going to be great, too." Anastasia giggles and throws sand at my feet. I smile and pick her up, placing her on my lap. Her beautiful green eyes scan my face and she laughs and touches my nose.

"Oh, and you are just the most adorable thing! Aren't you?" I say in my baby voice. She laughs and her brown hair bobs. When she laughs, her nose crinkles up similar to mine. Despite having my hair and his eyes; her face structure matches Mother and Peter's mother. She is a beautiful baby.

Rose chuckles, "Such a pretty baby you are, Ana. Come to Auntie!" Rose opens her arms and Anastasia nearly flies into her arms. Her relationship with Rose was adorable.

Alex runs back and crawls on my lap. His grayish blue eyes shine brightly, "Momma! I found a seashell!" He pulls out a pink and orange striped conch shell.

"That's amazing!" I say and take it in my arms, "You know, if you put it to your ears, you can hear the ocean." I place it to his ears. He looks confused for a second but his eyes go wide.

He shrieks, clutching the shell, "I hear the ocean! I'm gonna show Daddy!" He runs to Peter and shows the shell. I notice Aaron putting Cecilia on his back and wading in the water. Peter takes Alex by the armpits and walks him into the clear ocean. Peter turns to us and waves to join. Rose hands me Ana and walks to the water. She holds Cecilia's tiny hand and kisses Aaron on the cheek.

I place her on my hip and walk to the water. It gets to my knees and the cool ocean rushes on my legs. Ana giggles and reaches to her father. Peter and I quickly switch. I hold Alex on my hip and Peter dips Ana's legs in the ocean. My eyes expand to the horizon. Past the clear blue oceans and over the fluffy white clouds. The waves crash against my legs and Peter stands next to me, Ana on his hip. He wraps his free arm around my waist and kisses my forehead.

I stood, feeling the sand in between my toes and the sun on my face. I take a deep breath and the salty air fills my lungs. A couple a years ago, I felt like I would never see the sun again. I thought I would die in that old cabin. We're burning down the cabin and removing its location from all the maps in Amster. I wanted all those horrible memories to die with that cabin. My life is complete now. I have everything I've ever wanted.

An adorable son. An energetic daughter. A loving and handsome husband. Everything is going perfectly. The sun sets, the once bright blue sky turning dark. Ana starts to cry and Alex looks frightened, they're in that stage where they're afraid of the dark.

I turn and kiss his head, "It's okay. The sun will come up tomorrow." I smile and stare out at the horizon, squeezing Peter's hand.

"It always does."

THE END