Epilogue
Eight years later…
"You two watching that movie again?"
"Well, what's wrong with it?", he countered easily. "It's the best love story I've seen in years. She's a tough girl by the way – and carries a gun. Just like you, you know."
"Yeah. And that old-fashioned scrap actually resembles you."
He pouted slightly. "That's not fair, Teresa."
The little girl sitting in his lap laughed merrily at this. "I love Wall-E, dad! He's my favorite character."
"Really? I guess I could settle for being him then."
Teresa shook her head and sat down next to him. She actually didn't mind watching the movie with her family as a matter of fact.
An affectionate smile touched her lips when Jane threaded his fingers through hers. Apparently Wall-E wasn't the only one who had a thing for holding hands.
"Mommy?"
"Yeah, honey?"
"The first time daddy said he was in love with you… how was it?"
A flash of panic crossed her face. No way she was going to tell her daughter about that.
He had followed her into her office and had hugged her tightly – much to her surprise.
Then, as he had wielded his gun, those words had unexpectedly slipped out.
"Good luck, Teresa. Love you."
She felt relieved when Jane squeezed her hand in a reassuring way. He would come up with something, she was sure of that.
"I can actually show you. What do you say about that?"
Ashley clapped her hands and suddenly forgot about her favorite movie. Jane momentarily disappeared out of the door, only to come back a few minutes later – his right hand hiding behind his back.
Teresa frowned uncomprehending as he placed something beside her on the sofa.
When the origami frog popped up she wasn't sure whether to burst out laughing or crying.
She had a feeling that Jane wasn't just making up a story to their daughter's benefit. Her mind went back to the first frog he had given her as an apology, and she found herself considering the fact that maybe he had told the simple truth this time.