Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Epilogue - Real Love




“Come on, Addy. Keep up with Daddy.” A chubby toddler with gleaming titian curls trekked across the verdant lawn, her steps unsure and her hand placed in her father’s. 

“Addison, look at Mommy. She’s got your juice. We could use a drink, right?” 

She gurgled happily as she halted, extending her fleshy arms upward. Jon was lost to the look in sparkling eyes similar to his own. He swooped her up with a click of his teeth, fixing her frilly, daffodil-yellow sundress as he continued to walk towards his target, a red headed woman in white. 

Giselle crossed her legs, the skirt of her snow white maxi dress falling to adapt to her new position. She adjusted the wide brim of her large sunhat, a soft smile crinkling her face as she waited for her family to join her. Giselle took a leisurely sip of cold lemonade while she drank in her husband from behind her wayfarers. 

His bare feet peeked from the hem of jeans slung low on his hips and his short sleeved guayabera was open wide. She stared unabashedly at his toned torso and tantalizing ‘V’, feeling herself flush with the thoughts the sight of him evoked. 

Giselle blinked, and he was in front of her with their gorgeous one year old in tow. She turned away to pour him a glass, and when she turned, Jon bent to kiss her lips, pulling her hat off then replacing it. 

Addison reached for her mother the moment she realized she had her cup. He sank into the lounge chair beside them, reaching for his glass. With a silent nod of thanks, he took a grateful gulp. Giselle struggled to take her eyes off of his working Adam’s apple, but she did so with a mundane question.

“When is everyone coming?”

“In about an hour. I figured you’d need time to breathe,” he said, looking directly at her. 

“You were right. Is everything ready to get thrown onto the grill?”

“Sel, I don’t throw. Grilling is an art.” 

“Yes, dear. What did you do to my baby? She’s wholly too quiet.”

“Addy’s fine! Don’t worry about it.” 

She lifted a well shaped eyebrow at him, choosing to not ask anything more. 

“Is Steph coming down?” she asked. 

“When she’s done with the boyfriend of the moment’s family, yeah.”

“The moment? It’s been two years. I think they’ve got at least three more in them.” 

He muttered under his breath, taking Addison from her mother’s lap. “You’re still Daddy’s little girl. You won’t break my heart too, will you?”

“You’ll be a very old man by then,” Giselle teased.

“More reason why she shouldn’t hurt me. I might not survive it!” Addison smiled obliviously and grabbed his nose. He wiggled his nose and held her tiny wrist. 

“Addison, did you take my nose?” 

“No!” She shook her headful of curls as she claimed innocence with one of the mainstays of her vocabulary.

“Where’d it go then?” She widened her eyes, looking around in response to his teasing tone. 

“Well, I guess Mommy will have to go look for it,” he said with an exaggerated sigh. 

“Nope. This is my day off. Find your own nose, buster.” She took an exaggerated swallow of her lemonade.

“Buster? You tell me I’m getting old...”  

“Hush.”

"God, it's fu-," he paused at her look, "darned hot out here."

"Or you wanted to show off your abs." 

"Oh, you noticed?" Jon asked, his eyebrows winging up. Giselle rolled her eyes.

“Mom!” It echoed as three boys came into view, running to greet Giselle. The eldest slowed, trying to appear unaffected. He gave up the act when she stood with a radiant smile, resplendent in white topped with turquoise accessories. Long, milky arms opened in invitation and she was rewarded by being surrounded by her three stepsons. 

"You look beautiful," Jesse remarked as he kissed her cheek.

"And you get more handsome every time I see you. California air's good." 

Jake was at the age where talking to adults was uncool, but he always made an exception for his stepmother, telling her about school in the brief moment he had her for. Romeo flew past like a hurricane after a quick hug, but she knew he'd be by her side later once Addy was exhausted. 

They moved on to hug Jon and pay their respects to their personal princess, Addison. Romeo was particularly enamored with his baby sister, immediately stealing her away. Her heart surged with adoration as she met her husband’s eyes, both warmed by the scene. She was where she belonged and surrounded by family. She had the man she loved completely. She was finally home. 
__________________________________________

Our love has stood the many tests of time in our lives

There's a whirlwind of changes this life may bring

But the real thing just holds on, come what may

                                                                       Fin



10 comments:

  1. Aww that was sweet. I could picture the entire scene in my head. Addison sounds like a beautiful little girl who has completely stolen her daddy's heart. I have tears in my eyes now that I realize this is the end. Or is it? Great job Summer! I am going to miss Jon and Giselle. Thank you for the happy ever after.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the kind words. I really try to paint a picture. Addy is gorgeous and has him wrapped around her finger. Don't cry! They live happily ever after!

      Delete
  2. Awwww, love a man who'll let a little girl wrap him around her little finger...what a good daddy. Sounds like the perfect family day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yay, so happy to see that you gave us an extra little bit! SO very cute too, thanks. This is definitely my favourite story of yours so far, it was really beautifully written :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, you're welcome. Glad you liked it. That's a big compliment, thank you.

      Delete
  4. Awwww!
    You painted a beautiful picture!
    Too bad this story is over! It was different.
    Loved it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it, and I'm sure there will be others! :)

      Delete
  5. Loved this story sorry to see it come to an end, it was perfect. Looking forward to reading more from you very soon.

    ReplyDelete

Love to hear your feedback: If there's something I can do better, I wanna know. If it's just to say thanks for writing...well, I like that too.