Love Within (Complete First Book)

Epilogue - Derek

12 years later….

“The hell no,” I yelled and fisted my hand.

“Derek,” Emma gave me her murdering stare.

“It’s just a movie, Dad and Jake is a great guy.” Anna said as calmly as she could. She was losing her patience I could tell that. She’s just like me but right now she was behaving like her mother.

“If you want to go to a movie then I will take you.” I ran my hand through my hair.

I'd never let her go alone with some guy that too for a movie. Hell no. I knew very well what would happen there.

The twins would be 16 this fall and it’s already hard for me to handle my little princess who had grown up to an annoying teenager. Why did she have to grow up so fast? She was already giving me a hard time, I didn’t know what would I do when she’d actually start dating. She would give me a heart attack at some point.

“If it makes you feel better then I'd go with her.” Asher spoke and I sighed. Yeah, that would be good.

“No,” Anna shouted, looking over her shoulder at her brother, “Daddy, please,” she had tears in her eyes. I hated to see her like that, it killed me and she knew that very well.

“If you want to go then your brother will accompany you. It’s that or don’t go at all.” I said firmly and crossed my hands over my chest which is beating way too fast. I just couldn’t say no to her and it’s killing me to do so.

“Derek, it’s just a movie, let her go. She would be home in 3 hours.” Emma defended her but that made me angry even more.

“Don’t, Emma. Not now,” I glared at her, she glared back and left. Great, now she’s angry too.

“Fine, but just so you know I hate you right now.” Anna stomped her foot and left to her room.

So much like her mother.

Asher gave me sympathetic look then followed Anna to her room.

I was leaning back on the couch with my eyes closed when I felt someone. I opened my eyes and saw Ellery, our 11 years old daughter sitting next to me, her small arms wrapped around me and she leaned into me.

“I know you are sad, Daddy,” She whispered and I kissed her head.

“I am sorry, baby. Did I disturb you?” I stroked her hair and she shook her head in no.

“I listened to you and Anna yelling so I came out to give you a hug. I know Mamma is mad too,” she looked at me and smiled, “It’s ok, Daddy. Mamma can’t be mad for so long and so can’t Anna, she will come here in about 5 minutes to apologize to you.” She stroked my face just like Emma did to me when I’d had a bad day.

“I love you, Daddy and I will never make you sad. I promise.” She put her hand on her heart showing me that she wasn’t lying.

She is younger in our house but she behaved more mature than us. She’s so calm and composed that sometimes I wonder if she's really 11. She was just like Emma in every way possible, with her sapphire blue eyes to her sweet smile and the way she behaved, everything is her mother. I couldn’t be more blessed than to have little Emma with me.

“I love you too, my baby girl,” I kissed her forehead when I saw Anna standing in front of me. Her eyes were red and puffy, it broke my heart to see her like that.

“I am sorry, Daddy,” she said softly then came to my other side and hugged me tight.

“I promise to never hurt you again,” she spoke in my arms then looked at me and said, “Please forgive me, Daddy,” her eyes looked so innocent that I would have forgiven any crime she committed at that moment.