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EXTENDED EPILOGUE
CHRIS
Ten Years Later
Carmen, Connor, and Carly are dressed in their finest and loaded into the back of the SUV. I open Carrie’s door for her and take one last look at how the sunlight dances off of her blonde locks and silky skin. “You look amazing, baby,” I tell her. She’s wearing a tight, knee-length dress with spaghetti straps that hugs her curves and shows off her cleavage.
“Thank you, Daddy. You look amazing yourself,” she replies and straightens my tie before climbing onto her seat.
I get in and back down the long driveway. “It’s almost surreal. I can’t believe it’s over,” I tell her.
“You gave thirty years to the city and made it a safer place for all of us. You’ve done more than your part when it comes to protecting and serving, and now it’s time for us to have you all to ourselves,” she smiles.
“Aren’t you going to get tired of seeing my face all day every day?” I ask her.
“Do you remember when I moved back into the dorm? I was so upset. All I wanted to do was be with you all day every day. It killed me to close the door when you left, not knowing if I would see you the next day. Guess what? I still feel that way now. Every day when you leave for work, I start counting the hours until you’ll be back home with me. Now, I don’t have to do that anymore. I couldn’t be happier,” she squeezes my leg.
Carmen, now fourteen, asks, “Does it make you feel old? You know, retiring?”
“Do I look old?” I ask, making a face at her in the rearview mirror.
“You’re the best-looking dad around. All my friends say so. You definitely don’t look old enough to retire.”
“That’s the beauty of being a cop, sweetie. We can retire early,” I explain.
We arrive at the banquet hall, and I unload the younger kids while Carrie adjusts Carmen’s dress and fixes her hair. If you told a stranger that Carrie had a teenage daughter, they’d think you were insane. Even in her late thirties, she could pass for a twenty-something.
We walk into the hall and the band begins to play. The whole crowd turns and applauds as we walk by. Carmen is mortified and the younger kids don’t know what to do, but I smile and wave as the Chief ushers us to our table. Normally, a cop’s retirement isn’t this big of a deal, but I’ve been credited with solving the biggest case the city has ever seen, so I’ve been sort of a celebrity in the department since the co-ed murder trial.
“Congratulations, Chris. I still can’t believe that you’re retiring. With your reputation, I thought for sure you would stick around and set your sights on the big chairs. I figured you’d be my boss before my retirement,” the Chief tells me.
“Once upon a time, Chief. But now, I have new priorities,” I say, pointing to my beautiful family.
“Great-looking kids, Chris. And you and Carrie are the perfect couple. I wish nothing but the best for you,” he kisses Carrie on the cheek and takes his leave.
The force is like a family and it doesn’t take long for some other children to come over and whisk our kids away from the table, so I take Carrie by the hand and lead her to the dance floor. The band is playing a slow tune, and I take her in my arms and move her to the music.
“Just think, next week we’ll be sitting on a beach in Hawaii celebrating our anniversary,” Carrie says.
“Do you think the Coopers are really up to keeping our brood for a week?” I laugh.
“We have good kids. They’ll be fine,” she answers.
“Yeah, I’ll miss them but I’m really looking forward to stripping you naked on a deserted beach and having my way with you,” I whisper.
“Wow, five whole days alone with you in paradise. That’s a dream come true.”
“You’re a dream come true, baby girl,” I pull her against my chest.
I look around the room and see my children, all smiles as they play with their friends. Nothing in the world could compare to this feeling that comes over me. I don’t know what I did to deserve this kind of happiness, but none of it would have been possible without my beautiful wife.
As we dance, my mind drifts back to that day when I saw a scared little girl fighting for her life against her would-be attacker. That was the day my life changed forever. I was never the romantic type, and I didn’t believe in love at first sight until it happened. I promised to protect her and love her forever and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Forever.
The End.
