Epilogue
A little boy flew past on the bike without training wheels. "Mom, watch me!" Cal walked up the driveway, and then turned to see Gabriel go past the sidewalk.
"Gabriel, stay out of the street!" Cal sat down next to Gillian on the porch steps, and he kissed her tenderly. "He's happy to be rid of those training wheels, Gill." 20 year old Emily walked outside and asked Cal for the car keys. "Where are you going, Em?"
"Mall. I'll be back by eleven." Emily snatched the keys from his hand and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Bye dad, bye Gillian." Emily left and Cal shook his head.
"She needs her own car." Gabriel was now pedaling up the driveway. Gillian smirked and then turned to see Gabriel pedaling with all his might on the incline. He was five now, and growing more and more each day. Hopping off his bike, he ran over to Gillian and Cal.
"Did you see me, mom?" Gillian smiled.
"Yes, Gabriel. I'm so proud of you, riding your bike without training wheels." Gillian placed a kiss on the top of Gabriel's brown hair. "I believe you have someone to thank." Gabriel launched himself at Cal, who caught him, a smile gracing his features.
"Thanks for taking off the training wheels, dad." Gabriel raced up the stairs, and Cal retrieved the bike to put it in the shed. That night, as Gillian watched Gabriel sleep, Cal found her standing in the doorway.
"Come on, Gill. Let's go to bed." They slipped into bed, the sheets rustling underneath their bodies as sleep pulled on them. As Cal pulled Gillian closer to him, he wondered why he had been so deserving on her love. It had always been the stuff of those romance novels. Stupid romance novels. Shouldn't have read that one she gave me.
"Cal?"
"Hmm," he murmured in her ear, his warm breath tickling her. She turned to face him and crossed her arms over her chest. "Gillian..." He groaned when her warm body left his. Cal looked over at her and saw the look she gave him. "Stubbornness never got you anywhere, Gillian. It's not a pretty fit for you." He closed his eyes to go to sleep and felt her press her lips against his cheek.
"Goodnight, Cal. I love you."
"That's nice." A soft thump was heard followed by Cal's voice, "Ouch, that hurt!"
"You deserved it." A quiet thud was heard as Cal tossed the pillow back at Gillian. "Ass! You're gonna pay!" Emily walked into the house and up to her room when she heard her dad raise his voice two octaves to mimic Gillian. Gabriel was standing in his doorway, rubbing sleep from his eyes, obviously awake from the play-fighting that was occurring between her dad and Gillian. The mental picture that was summoned was not a pretty one, and she wished there was a way to rid her mind forever of it.
"Emmy? What's going on with mom and dad?" Emily looked from her little brother to her parent's room, and she took a deep breath only to yell,
"DAD! GILLIAN! I'M HOME!"
A/N: The last chapter is finally up! I love all of my reviewers...you've made me happy when my email inbox explodes. Many, many reviews are welcome. :D
