Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
EPILOGUE
STEPHEN
Five years have passed since Samantha did me the honor of becoming my wife. Tonight, as she sits in her rocking chair nursing our son, Shawn, with the moonlight dancing across her face, I look at her and smile because she hasn’t changed one bit. Three kids later, she’s still the sexiest and most beautiful girl in the world.
She puts the baby in his crib, and we slip out of the nursery. The manor is silent, but the echoes of the kids’ laughter still charge the air with positive energy. Everything about this place feels different now.
We sneak down the stairs and out to the veranda for our nightly dip in the pool. Samantha strips down and stands naked under the stars. I wrap my arms around her, and she unbuttons my shirt.
“Remember the first time you invited me out here to swim?”
“Yes, it was the first time you were ever in a heated pool,” I say, winking at her.
“It was my first time doing a lot of things, Daddy.” She smiles.
Samantha helps me out of my clothes, and I lead her into the water. I secure my arms beneath hers and float across the surface with her on top of me.
“It’s beautiful tonight.”
“Was it a long day for you, baby girl?”
“It was but not because of the kids. They were perfect angels today. I was busy working on something for you.”
“For me? What did you work on for me?”
“It’s a surprise. It’s your birthday tomorrow, remember?”
“I thought we were going to skip that this year?”
“You say that every year.”
“Yes, and you disobey me every year. You’re such a bad girl,” I jest and splash her lovely tits.
“Your eldest son is very excited about tomorrow. Stephen Jr. would be devastated if he couldn’t help his father blow out the candles.”
“And Sara? Is she excited too?”
“She’s three, Daddy. She’ll be excited about the cake.”
Until now, we’ve celebrated birthdays and holidays alone as a family. Tomorrow marks the first time we’ll be opening up our home to the outside world. Samantha oversaw a complete remodel of the ballroom, and it was completed just in time for my birthday. It’ll be a small gathering compared to the parties that my family held here, but she’s excited to begin entertaining.
“Really, tell me. What have you been working on for me?”
I know her well enough to know that she won’t bring it up if she’s not dying to show me.
“Well, okay but you have to act surprised tomorrow. We can’t disappoint little Stephen.”
“I promise to act surprised.”
We spend a few more minutes enjoying the warm water then towel off and return to the house.
“Sit down and I’ll bring it to you,” she tells me.
I move Sara’s doll aside so I can take a seat on the sofa. Several minutes pass and Samantha returns, dragging a framed canvas across the floor.
“It was much lighter without the frame.”
I get up to assist her. “Okay, what is this? You bought me a painting?”
“No. I bought you a frame. The painting I did myself.”
“You started painting again?”
“The weather is nice so I’ve been bringing the kids out to the pasture to play while I paint.”
“Let me see it. I can’t wait to see what you painted for me.”
“First, you have to remember that I never made it to the visual arts school so my technique might not be the best.”
“I think you’re selling yourself short. I’ve seen your portfolio, and you’re very talented.”
“Thank you.”
“Alright, come on now, little girl. Turn that canvas around so I can see it.”
“I really hope you like it.” She turns the painting.
I stand up and step closer. It’s so realistic I almost don’t believe my eyes. “It’s like I’m looking out a window. You did this? Baby girl, this is incredible.”
“I’m so glad you like it.”
“Like it? I love it. It’s getting mounted in the foyer so it’s the first thing I see when I come home at night.”
Samantha has painted the pasture and stable down to the tiniest detail. Our three children are depicted all dressed in white, sitting on a blanket in the lush green grass while the horses graze in the background.
“This could be hanging in a gallery. Screw that, it should be in a museum.”
“Come on. It’s not that good.”
“Baby girl, it’s perfect just like you. Thank you. This means the world to me.”
I look up at my beautiful wife and see that she’s crying. I set the painting to the side and take her in my arms. “Why are you crying, sweetheart?”
“I think I cried every time my brush touched the canvas.” She smiles.
“Why? I don’t understand.”
“Because I’m overwhelmed with the amazing life you’ve given me. I looked at the kids and the horses on this gorgeous piece of land and thought, ‘How did I get this lucky?’”
“I’m the lucky one. The day you showed up on my doorstep was the best day of my life. Then, the first time I touched you was even better. When you married me, it was like a dream come true. Now, you carried my children and gave me a family. You’re the love of my life, baby girl. Of course, the fact that my dick gets hard just thinking about you is an added bonus.”