Forde put his sketch pad down to soak in the moment. The sketch was almost finished but the day was slipping away and he had more important things to do. At the horizon the sunset was reflecting across the ocean. The salty air and sound of the waves hitting the shore calmed Forde and gave him peace.
The laughter of his daughter and Vanessa brought a smile to his face and he ran to embrace them. Vanessa laughed as Forde swung little Marie around. Marie cackled with joy as they spun. It was moments like this that gave Forde's life meaning.
Before marrying Vanessa the smile on his face was often a farce; a mask he wore so that Franz would be happy. Vanessa and Marie changed that and now the smile was real. His relationship with Franz had also improved. He could be honest with him now about who he truly wanted to be. Kyle was understanding of his love of art and respected his resignation as a knight. Their love was all he needed and he felt no guilt.
All of that was in the past and now he could look forward to a bright future raising a family and doing what he loved.
They stopped spinning and Forde pulled Vanessa in for a kiss. Things couldn't be better. Forde gave jealous Marie a peck on the cheek and they made their way to the house.
"Honey, could you get my sketch pad? I left it over there." Forde pointed to the place he was sitting.
Vanessa grabbed it and took a look before she handed it to him.
"It's beautiful. Marie, look at what daddy drew."
Marie looked at the picture of her and Vanessa playing on the beach with the sunset and the ocean behind them.
"Can you put this up in my room, daddy?"
Forde kissed the back of her head. "Yes sweetie. I'll put it up tonight."
Vanessa put Marie to sleep while Forde hung the drawing. After she drifted they stood in the doorway and watched her.
"Best thing we ever did." Forde said quietly.
Vanessa hugged him and kissed his neck. "We could have another." She squeezed his butt and playfully tiptoed away to their room.
Forde's grin was huge. "Woman, don't tease me like that."
Her head popped back around the corner. "Who says I'm teasing?"
Before Forde blew out all the candles in the house he admired the painting that started it all. That first portrait of his mother hung in their dining room.
"Thank you."