I smile before kissing the handsome man back.
“Always, husband mine.”
And with that, the true fairy tale begins.
EPILOGUE
PETUNIA
“Wow,” Nico smiles as he looks around Andreas’s tiny trailer. “You grew up here? I mean, no offense,” he says, surveying the small quarters. “It’s just that you saw how Stavros and Penelope live, and how vast their home is.”
I giggle and nod my head. “No, it’s fine. I mean, a home isn’t really about a physical place. It’s about the people, and Andreas was a wonderful father,” I say. Then, I look around, taking in the dining table that flips down from the wall, as well as the janky cabinet that never stays shut. “But yeah, I guess all good things have to come to an end at some point because Andreas wants to move on to the next phase of his life.”
After all, my dad is finally returning to Greece permanently. He’s been gone from his homeland for more than twenty years now, and he’s dying to savor the beauty of his country once more. Nico and I are here to help him pack, and at that moment, Andreas comes in with a heavy chair in his brawny arms.
“Hey, you shouldn’t be lifting so much furniture by yourself!” I shake my head at him. “Leave it to the movers! You’re old, Dad!”
Andreas grins.
“I’m not that old,” he growls. “I’m only forty-five, so don’t get uppity with me, young lady. Besides, I’m finished anyways,” he says, putting the chair down. “I just had to glue the upholstery back on this thing, and then it’s going to Goodwill.”
“Oh okay,” I smile before giving my dad a big hug. “That’s really considerate of you.” But then I pull away. “I’m going to miss you, Dad. Do youhaveto go back to Greece?” I ask for the hundredth time.
Andreas grunts fondly.
“My work here is done,” he says, “and you know how much I’ve missed my home country. It’s time for me to return.”
I nod as tears prick my eyes.
“I know, and I’ll miss you,” I say quietly. “You’ll always be my dad, right?”
Andreas merely smiles before ruffling my hair.
“Of course, Petunia. I never thought a little girl could capture my heart over the years the way you did, but I’ve enjoyed watching you grow. You will always be my daughter, sweetheart.”
With that, we both smile with tears in our eyes when suddenly, a handsome older man raps on the door to the trailer before stepping in. He’s huge and gorgeous with broad shoulders, a muscular chest, and bright blue eyes.
“Andreas!” he greets in a baritone. “I heard you’re leaving.”
“Brent,” my dad greets, giving him a handshake. “It’s nice to see you. Yeah, I’m going back to the old country.”
The other man nods, his azure eyes glinting.
“Yeah, I heard, so I just came over to say my goodbyes,” he states. “I’ll miss your face around these parts, and our monthly poker nights won’t be the same without you.”
My dad chuckles then.
“Thanks, but I know you won’t miss getting your ass whupped. But seriously, my friend. I hope we meet again in the future,” Andreas states in a solemn tone.
Brent nods and salutes us all.
“We will, you can count on that, buddy. Bye folks.” Then, the other man turns and leaves the trailer, his huge form bounding away to another part of the park.
I squint at my dad.
“Have I met that man before?”
Andreas nods.