IMPORTANT: I posted Chapter 28 two days earlier than planned. If you missed it, please go back and read, as it is the last chapter of "Tales".

Epilogue

Twelve years later…

The early morning sun bathed the lovely, private garden in light. The property was surrounded by a stone wall, which was partially hidden by the mass of wildflowers that bloomed along its base. Birds chirped from their nests, set high in the huge shade trees and butterflies floated across the yard on the gentle breeze.

It should have been a peaceful place, but with three children in residence, lively was a better description for it.

Connor sat on a bench overlooking a terraced vegetable garden and observed the scene quietly.

Ten-year-old Alan Nicholas pointed at the open book in his hand while his twin sister, Jennifer Anne, shook her head in disagreement sending her dark brown hair flying around her face. Alan shoved a hand through his own dark hair in frustration. In unison, the twins turned to look at Connor. Alan's dark eyes locked with his father's in a silent plea for support. As the twins started to walk toward him, seven-year-old Sarah Elizabeth bolted across the yard, running straight at him. He stood up to catch her in his arms.

"Daddy, they're arguing again," she reported happily as Connor lifted her up. He smiled at his youngest child. She was a miniature copy of Abby. A fair skinned angel, with her mother's blue eyes and white-blonde hair.

"Oh really? What's the problem this time?" he asked as he switched his attention to the twins.

Jenny's chocolate brown eyes were unwavering as she said, "Alan thinks the parasaurolophus walked on two feet, but I'm sure it walked on four.

Alan jostled her aside. "She's got it wrong. Tell her, Dad."

Connor glanced at the book his son was holding. It was a dog-eared copy of the book he had written eight years ago. "Well actually, you're both right," he said mildly. "This creature could walk on two feet just as easily as on four."

"Oh!" they said at exactly the same time. Argument settled; they wandered across the yard to sit near Rex. The ancient lizard was sunning himself on a warm, flat rock.

Sarah squirmed in Connor's arms as his cell phone rang. Setting his daughter down, he answered the call, "Connor Temple."

Lester's voice was loud and clear, "Professor. I hope I'm not bothering you on your day off, but we've found something interesting that I want you to see. I need you here right now."

Connor frowned and replied, "Whatever it is, it can wait. I'm a consultant now, remember? I don't report to you."

Lester began to rant, "Oh, that's right the University pays for your services these days. It completely slipped my mind. I'll just wait here until you can be bothered to check in, do let me know when you can drop by…"

Connor cut him off good-naturedly, "I'll be at the ARC this afternoon, Lester." He disconnected the call and sat back down on the bench.

As he watched his children wrestle in the grass, he felt so grateful for them. But a familiar emptiness within him sent a wave of melancholy through his system as he thought of the past. He had survived so much sorrow and loss. With a sigh, he pulled his thoughts back to the present.

A shadow fell across his face as he felt a tea mug pressed into his hands. "Lost in thought?" Abby asked as she rested her hip on the arm of the bench and rubbed her hand across Connor's shoulder.

"Oh, just remembering Cutter, Stephen, Ryan and Sarah," he said pensively.

Abby nodded in understanding, "I miss them too." She squeezed his arm and then changed the subject; "I've got to go to the zoo early tomorrow. The department reports are due and I haven't finished approving them."

Connor looked up into her eyes calmly, "That's fine. I don't have a morning class. I can get the kids off to school." Shaking himself out of his mood, he set his tea aside and pulled Abby down into his lap for a long kiss. Passion, sharp and bright, flared between them.

Two melodramatic groans caused Connor and Abby to both smile and laugh into the kiss.

"Not again! You're always kissing," Alan accused in boyish disgust.

"Yeah, its embarrassing," Jenny chimed in.

"I think its nice," Sarah said from somewhere in the tree branches, as she peered down at them.

Helping Abby out of his lap, Connor stood up and smiled at their children. "All right, you lot. Who wants to go for a walk in the forest?"

A chorus of excited shouts answered, "I do! I do!"

Abby helped Sarah out of the tree so she could join Alan and Jenny.

Instantly, all three children ran for the gate and hurried along the path to the protected land beyond their yard, laughing and chasing each other.

Strolling along behind them, Connor pulled Abby closer to place a kiss on the side of her forehead. "You know… it's been a while since the two of us brought a blanket out here and put this forest to good use," he said with a wicked grin.

Abby's lips curved into a sexy smile, "If you play your cards right, we could do that this weekend," she said. "Your mom wants to take the kids."

"Bless her," he said as he slowly lowered his head for another kiss.

They both stopped short as a familiar beeping tone sounded from Connor's jacket. "Anomaly alert," he said tersely.

From deeper in the forest, they heard Alan's amazed voice, "Mom, Dad… come see this thing!"

Sarah called out, "It looks like diamonds in the air."

Close to panic, Connor bit out, "Stay away from it. We're coming."

Fear cut deep as they sprinted through the forest. Abby looked as wild and dangerous as Connor had ever seen her. She would protect their children no matter what.

They could see Alan, Jenny and Sarah staring into the brilliant light of the anomaly as they raced toward them.

"Something is coming through," yelled Alan.

With a burst of speed, Abby and Connor reached their children just as the first creature scrambled out of the light followed quickly by two more.

Jenny cried out in surprised happiness, "Three diictodons!"

The worried parents collapsed onto the ground in relief as the anomaly winked out of existence. Abby rolled to her knees and gathered all three kids into her arms to hug them tightly. The confused diictodons yipped in delight and tried to join the group hug.

When Connor could speak again, he glanced at Abby. It was time to teach and prepare their kids. He took a calming breath and gave all three children a serious look. "Your Mom and I have a story to tell you. It all started in the Forest of Dean…"

Seated together on the soft pine needles of the forest floor, Connor and Abby took turns telling the story of the anomalies; the story of how they met and fell in love.

xxxxxxx

An epilog was requested by duchessfaleen. This was the result.

I would appreciate comments from everyone who liked reading "Tales." I'm pretty content with it, but your reviews bring me joy.

Happy Upcoming Holidays, Everybody!