Epilogue

The ships drifted on the sparkling sea, spreading out from the crowded bay into the glittering water beyond. From the roof of her building, she could make them out, tiny white specks in the distance, heading for other shores, hauling goods and equipment and men. How she envied their freedom. A breeze blew around her and she blinked with watering eyes. The only time her eyes were moist was when she stood here and the crisp wind would rise from the sea and kiss her face. The sweetness and sharpness of it raising her tears. She heard the door creak as it opened. Sensed the tentative footsteps approach. She turned to the young man holding a stack of papers in his hands.

"Mistress, the new shipment from Singapore has arrived. They are awaiting your confirmation."

"I'll be right there."

He bowed stiffly and left swiftly. Rumors of her cruelty and capacity for carrying out her father's orders with cold commitment and lack of scruples traveled far and made the impact her father had planned. She was respected but more importantly, she was feared. She snorted lightly through her nose. If they only knew.

If they only knew her vivid dreams night after night were the same repeated visions of the man with smooth green skin and deep storm-blue eyes; who held her and made love to her most tenderly beneath a broken angel. The only one she'd ever loved, or would ever love. She wondered as a gull cried out above her, if his brother had delivered her message or not. She wondered often if her message on the angel was received and understood. She wondered…did he remember her? Think of her? Still love her?

The gull was joined by three more birds. Each soaring above her head, echoing each other's frantic and lonely calls. She watched them rise higher into the clouds. And wished with all her heart she could go with them. She would fly over the miles of land and across the vast oceans that parted them if only for a glimpse of him once more.

But heart's desires seldom came to be. Especially for those who were not quite part of the world that existed around them.

A/N: So this is the end of The Tender Trap. I hope you enjoyed my take on this romance. I am so very grateful for all the reviews. They kept me writing. I hope you have a chance to read and review my other stories, including The Long Way Home. It needs more of your lovely reviews! :D

Seeing that Michelangelo had such a small cameo in this story, I am planning a short story that will take place shortly after the events in this story that will feature him, UPDATED: The story is titled MIKEY'S GIRL. NOW UP! It's sort of a part 1 1/2 to this.

I am also considering a Part Two to The Tender Trap, set a few years later as well . . . anyone interested? Could I see a show of hands? LOL

One more thing; music brings me immense inspiration. If I could offer a soundtrack to this story, or rather, explain which songs I listened to and this story was inspired by, it would feature these songs:

Stubborn Love by The Lumineers

Please Don't Leave Me by Pink

White Blank Page by Mumford and Sons

Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones

So Cruel by U2

Once by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

UPDATED: Part 2 of the Tender Trap is NOW UP! Takes place after the events of Mikey's Girl