The epilogue is posted! Like all fairy tales, this one has come to an end. It's been a journey I never thought I could finish. To take a well established fairy tale that people love and adore, and try to twist it to fit characters it was never intended for was quite a feat. I will admit that many times I wondered what in the world I got myself into. But if I made at least one person happy with this story, then it was definitely worth it.

A special heartfelt thanks to all of you who have read, reviewed, and/or favorited this story. It means more than you'll ever know.

Beauty and The Beast

Dave pulled the truck into the dirt drive way and threw the gears in park before turning off the engine. Reaching for his briefcase and the brown cardboard box on the passenger seat, he opened the door and stepped out.

Using his hip, he closed the lightweight door and looked around the familiar surroundings that had been his home for so long. Ten years without sun and rain had taught him to appreciate every day as though it could be the last. And considering how close he had come to losing everything important in his life, he didn't need to be reminded that life was precious.

Never again would he take for granted a sunrise or a flower. Even the birds' singing at five a.m. was more beautiful than the grandest opera. And the hottest day on record was paradise as far as he was concerned. He loved it all.

Laughter filtered out from inside the cabin and weaved around him. Possibly more than nature, Dave had found something more precious and beautiful than anything in the forest: A family.

"Daddy!" a little girl cried out and threw open the screen door to run outside and leap into his arms. Frantically she kissed his face and hugged him tight. "I missed you."

"Claire, I was only gone two days," he replied and ran his hands over her long black curls. At five years old, Claire Marie Elizabeth Rossi was the apple of Dave's eye. And she knew it.

"That was too long Daddy. Please don't go away ever again." She pulled back to look at him with big hazel brown eyes just like her mother's. His Emily. His princess.

"I will try mi piccola."

"Daddy, how come you call Mommy 'Princess', but you call me that?" Claire asked in a serious tone.

"Because Mommy was born in a castle so technically she is a princess. You are my sweetheart." He kissed her cheek for emphasis before setting her down.

Her eyes widened. "Oh."

"Speaking of your mommy, where is she?"

"In the kitchen. She got a call from Aunt Jenny about work. Then Grandma called. Something about coming out for Christmas."

"Were you eavesdropping again?" Dave teased.

Claire crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't eavesdrop Daddy; I'm too old for that. That's what Tony does. But he's only three, so he doesn't know any better."

As if he had heard his name mentioned, a little boy ran out of the house and jumped off the top step into Dave's arms. Fully prepared for the launch, Dave easily caught him.

"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy," chanted the little boy in sing song. At three, Perry Anthony Rossi was the spit and image of his father down to the raised eyebrow and crooked grin.

"Hello Tony," Dave greeted. "Were you good today?"

"Yes." He hugged his father as tight as his little arms could.

"Are you saying that because I might have a present for you?"

"Yes," the boy nodded.

"At least you're honest." Reaching into his coat pocket, Dave pulled out a brightly wrapped box. "Here you go." Setting the child down, he handed the gift over.

"I was good too. Where's mine?" Claire asked, jumping up and down.

"Right here." He gave her a brightly wrapped box. "Go inside and try not to make a mess," he ordered. Eagerly the two kids ran inside while calling for their mother. A moment later, Emily appeared in the doorway.

"Hi stranger," she greeted huskily and opened the screen to step outside. Walking down the steps, she went into his arms and kissed him deeply.

Seven years together and Dave could not get enough of her kisses, her touches, her love. Every day he woke up beside her was a blessing he still gave a prayer of thanks for. Every night was spent worshipping her for being in his life and loving him.

"How was your trip?" she asked as she basked in the security of his arms.

"Uneventful. I got a call from my editor that my books are selling- very well, I may add- and the last one has been requested for purchase by Hollywood to turn into a movie."

"Really? And you said it wasn't one of your best," she teased.

"I was wrong." He sighed and nuzzled her neck. "Aaron Hotchner from the FBI called me and wants to know if I would be interested in teaching an interrogation class at the Hoover Academy."

"I remember Aaron. What did you say?"

"That I would think about it."

"We wouldn't have to move because Dale City isn't that far from Quantico," she observed and arched into his touch. "And we can still come out here for weekends and holidays."

"True. I heard you got a call today from Jen and your mother."

"I see Claire got to you first."

"So what did they have to say?" He nibbled on her ear lobe.

"Mother wants to come out for Christmas. Seems she feels the need to spoil her grandchildren rotten."

"That's what grandmothers do best," Dave chided.

"I'll remind you of that when they are coming off their sugar and red food dye high."

"What's happening with Jennifer?" He changed the subject.

"She wanted to give me an update on the two cases from last week. Both turned out successfully."

"See? And you thought being gone for a week was going to sink the business."

"Well, I still think making Jen a full partner was one the best things I ever did."

"Hiring Derek and Spencer didn't hurt either," Dave pointed out matter of fact. "Aren't you glad you listened to me?"

"Yes." She kissed him softly. "So what are your plans for us?"

"My cousin Penelope is in town this weekend and said she would be more than happy to watch the kids so we can celebrate our anniversary."

"Does she know what she's getting into? You may have to give her hazardous duty pay after we rescue her from Claire and Tony."

"Oh trust me; Pen can take care of herself. She lived off the grid for a few years; if she can handle that, our angels shouldn't be a problem."

Em chuckled. "You really do have faith in our off-spring."

"Why wouldn't I? They are after all a chip off the old block."

"My point exactly. But I'm not about to pass up being able to spend an uninterrupted weekend with my Prince Charming."

"Oh," Dave whispered against her skin, "I'm going to pay her triple just for that fact alone."

Her body slowly started to come alive under his touch. "So what is in the box?"

"An early Christmas present." He pulled back and handed it to her.

Em took the box and opened it slowly. Pulling out the book, she looked at it. "Beauty and The Beast by David Rossi?"

"It's my take on how we met…with a twist." His eyes danced with mischief.

"I can only imagine. So, did you write the kids in?" Em asked as she scanned the dust jacket.

He gave her a bewildered look. "Of course."

Em looked up at him. A soft smile curved her mouth. "All of them?" Dave looked at her in surprise. She nodded.

Picking her up in his arms, he spun her around before kissing her deeply. Tears of happiness ran down his cheeks. "I guess I'm going to have to write an epilogue."

"Or two." She winked at him.

Holding her tight, Dave tried to gather his thoughts. If anyone had told him that he would someday be the happiest man on earth reaping more blessings than he ever thought possible, he would have ordered them to get lost.

But here he stood in the driveway of his beloved cabin in the woods, with the woman of his dreams in his arms while his daughter and son played inside. And asleep on a cushion on the floor in the kitchen, lay Mudgie, his best friend.

"Em, I don't think I ever thanked you for giving me the one thing I never thought I deserved," Dave commented hoarsely.

"What is that?"

"A happily ever after."

The End.