Epilogue

·:|:·

Two children run through the garden, small hands trailing over the tips of long grass. Their feet dance lightly over the path as they laugh their way to the beach, stones digging into their souls but paying no attention.

She runs after them, shouting their names to get them to slow down, and a laugh bubbles over her when she feels the cool sand beneath her toes.

He sidles up to her, slipping his hand in hers, and they run after their offspring like children themselves, the wind rushing past them.

She tackles her daughter, and he floors their son, all of them crashing to the grained floor with a chaotic splash as the water erupts beneath them.

They giggle when she tickles them, rolling in the inch of water and attempting to escape her grasp. She allows them no such reprieve and attacks them with her fingers until all her energy runs dry.

Their eyes catch above their children's heads, and the understanding expression clears something inside her.

Later, they lie on beach towels, the familiar sensation of the sun swamping them. Their children are snoozing, blissfully unaware of another life; a different world where the sand is gunfire and the sea is man.

But she knows of such a world, and has no desire to visit it again.

All that matters is now- her family, her friends, her life. And that's good enough for her.

And I'm done! Wow, I'm a little emotional. :')
Thank you to everyone who's reviewed this, including regulars and occasional reviewers, and my anonymous, silent alerters, because your muted support is very much welcomed.

Reviews would (still) be lovely.