“You!” we say simultaneously.
I see someone take our picture and Diana’s phone chirps, letting us know we’ve just been tagged on Instagram.
I’m not worried. It’s just a profile shot anyway, and we’re safe here, together. Nobody is looking for Daniel and Diana Dixon, let alone Mr. and Mrs. Desilva.
There are no deadbolts on our doors, no wires hanging out where electrical sockets should be, and nobody and nothing in the way of what’s most important…us, together, side-by-side. Forever.
“I love you my Little Pastel de nata.”
“I love you my Papai.”
We kiss and it sure feels like home, because that’s exactly what home is. It’s not a place on a map, it’s wherever she is, and that’s where you’ll find me. Forever.
Extended Epilogue
Diana
Ten years later
“Let me fasten ya up, buddy.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
I turn and give Daniel a knowing look at the words our nine-year-old son, Declan, just uttered. We both smile, but keep our cool.
I fasten our five-year-old Delilah’s life jacket and then do the same with David, our seven-year-old.
After a few years abroad in Portugal we decided it was time to come back. We chose the Carolinas and haven’t regretted our decision yet. The people are wonderful, the boating scene is spectacular, and the weather is really nice. Southern hospitality and charm really go a long way, especially in the world we live in today.
Daniel fires up the boat and we’re off!
After a solid five or six hours of swimming, fishing, and lunch, the kids are caput, in the sleeping cabin catching some well deserved zzz’s.
“So, Daddy,” I play, pulling Daniel’s rock hard body closer to mine. “The kids are asleep and all this Vitamin D I absorbed has made me think it might be time for the two of us to enjoy a little catch and release if you know what I mean.”
“Oh, I know what you mean, Little Coconut Cake,” he jokes, seemingly always naming me after a dessert I get addicted to depending on where we’re located.
He turns in my arms and eyes me up and down the same way I eye a piece of dessert up and down after finishing off a meal.
“You don’t think I’ve…gained too much weight over the last decade?”
One of his eyebrows shoots skyward. “Little girl, you watch your mouth or you’re going to get punished. You know one of our rules is no self-deprecation.”
“Yes, Daddy,” I say, rolling my bottom lip out.
“But I will answer your question with a question. How would Daddy be able to let loose on you like he’s been able to these last few years without some extra padding. Girl, I’d break you if you weighed what you did when we first met.”
“I was just a girl back then.”
“Back then? You’ll always be my little girl.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
He scoops me up in his arms and carries me to the back of the boat, underneath the tarp we have to block the sun.
I grab a hold of a pole as he spins me around, taking a firm grip of my hips with his hands as he yanks my swimsuit outta the way.
“I didn’t eat all my lunch, Daddy. I dragged sand into the boat, Daddy. I forgot to wear my life jacket in deep water, Daddy.”