Paris with the Billionaire

And now she’s proved it.

She decided to self-publish her first book and it became a bestseller, and now people travel from all over the East Coast to come and hear her read portions of her novel and to get sign copies for them.

Soon, people will travel from all over the world to see just how talented she is.

The curtains part and my woman steps forward, looking glorious and curvy and perfect in her jacket and suit pants.

She stands in the light for a moment, staring up at our balcony.

I blow her a kiss and a smile spreads brightly across her face.

Extended Epilogue

Ten Years Later

Fiona

I sit in the library with Ella on my knee, rocking her up and down as I look over her head at the best words a writer can ever see.

The End.

Those two words tell me that this latest project – the longest I’ve ever written – is finally done. And even if there will be edits and second drafts and corrections along the way, just like there are little corrections in life, the bulk of the work is done and now I’m free to spend the rest of the summer break with my family.

I lean back in my computer chair, closing my eyes and listening to the sound of Ella’s soft breathing.

Our house is large – six bedrooms on eighty acres – but I can hear Forrest and Kaleigh and Ryan and the little terror Max running around downstairs. If I listen very closely, I can even hear their voices.

“Daddy, look,” Max is yelling. “I’m a knight. Look at my shield. Look at my sword.”

“Yeah, but what’s your name?” Kaleigh says, always ready to indulge her little brother.

“I’m Knightie-Knight of Sir-Knightness.”

I giggle, keeping the sound quiet so I don’t disturb Ella. Of all my children, she’s been the loudest, most energetic baby. I just know she’s going to grow up to be the sort of woman who never takes any crap from anybody.

Kaleigh is more like me, more naturally shy, but I’d bet our house and all the royalties from all my bestsellers that Ella’s going to be the Kelly of our family.

“That’s a silly name,” Ryan giggles.

He’s only two years older than Max, but he sounds like a proper little gentleman, wiser than his years.

“Nah uh,” Max laughs. “It’s the best name in the world for a knight, isn’t it, Daddy?”

“It’s up there, little man,” Forrest says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.

I open my eyes and reach past Ella, turning off my computer screen. I know I’ll come up here later, once dinner is done and the children are all in bed, and read the final sentence just to convince myself it’s really over.

“Is Mommy coming down soon?” Ryan asks.

I smile as I move across my office, cradling Ella to my chest.

Hearing the word Mommy spoken in that brimming-with-love voice never gets old. I could hear it every day, all day, for the rest of my life and never get sick of it.

“Yeah, she’s just finishing up her latest bestseller,” Forrest says. “Then she’ll be down.”

“Mommy is so clever,” Max says. “Isn’t she, Daddy? Isn’t Mommy clever?”

“Your mother is a thousand things,” Forrest says. “She’s beautiful, kind, loyal, and honest. She’s forgiving, understanding, patient, empathic, and talented, so talented. And yes, little man, she’s as clever as it gets.”

I pause at the door, a starry smile on my face, as a tear of pure joy slides down my cheek and Ella makes a cooing sound that fills my heart with love.