AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Extended Epilogue
Frank
Ten years later
"Wave to mommy," I encourage Faith, your one-year-old who sits on my lap five or six feet away from the table where now world-famous author, Flor Friday, signs her books.
My name is in the byline too, but only as the researcher and guy who provides the technical knowledge based on my former profession. She's the engine that drives everything, and boy does it ever drive...as in the fifty states in one hundred and fifty days tour we're currently wrapping up. Tonight is our last state, Florida. We told ourselves we wouldn't drive home until we finished. We can wait to all sleep in our own beds again even though we've had one heck of a time on the road, and the kids have received an education they could never get from a textbook.
Finnegan, Felicity, and Felix stand next to the table, all dressed to the nines while their gorgeous mom signs her final book.
"That's it everyone," the book store coordinator says. "Thanks for coming out."
Everyone claps and I help put Faith's tiny little hands together in a clap too, and as soon as I do she takes over, clapping wildly and giggling, two of her favorite things so she definitely needs no encouragement to get going.
My wife gets up from the table and I quickly hand off Faith to our oldest, Felicity. That frees up my hands to catch my woman as she mock collapses into my hands.
"Ice cream kids?" she asks, and immediately receives a thunderous and positive response.
We get everyone packed in the Range Rover but then I remember I forgot an extra box of books inside.
"I'll get it," Flor says, jumping out and dashing inside the store.
"Felicity, you're in charge," I say, handing her the keys. "Lock up as soon as I leave and don't unlock the doors for anyone other than your mother and me."
"Yes, dad."
I mess up her hair with my palm and take off after my wife, hearing the car doors lock behind me just before music starts coming from inside our ride. Perfect...that will distract them just long enough.
Moving quickly I catch Flor in the back of the store picking up the carton just as the manager of the store goes to the front to close up, flipping off the lights.
"What are you doing back here?"
"It's our fiftieth state. We did it. Crossed them all off. How about we celebrate?" I nibble on her ear and slide up on her from behind.
"Aren't you tired?"
"You and this sexy as fuck body and mind of yours give me energy. You know that."
My hands slide up the front of her body, her nipples already peaking despite her initial words of reluctance.
"You still like this body even after five months of truck stop food and Dilly Bars?"
"You have no clue. Talk dirty to me, woman."
"Tastee-Freez. In-N-Out. Steak 'n Shake," she says, and I fight back a laugh. The girl is witty. That she's a good writer is no coincidence.
"You had my mouth watering the moment I knew you were back here in these stacks of books alone. I didn't need food to get my appetite up."
"You're crazy."
"For you. Damn straight. Now put your hands against those books and widen your stance."
"You'll knock the whole darn shelf over."
"That's the idea."
"Frank," she whispers, but a little too loudly.
