Epilogue
For the next six months, Dani's world returned to normal. She took Lily to school each day and started back as head of the daycare. It was nice to see her rather pleasant life from before the mummy incident come back together. But there was always that missing piece of her that woke her up at night after creeping into her dreams. It was Vince. His face haunted her dreams and she shed more than one tear as she considered what her life would be if she hadn't told him to leave. In the end though, seeing Lily come home safe each day was enough to get her through the next. And after a few months, Vince's face brought her comfort and a promise for a better future.
It was just that face in her mind as she worked on dinner while Lily played on that sunny Friday afternoon. The little girl was busily setting up a race track for her toy cars when the doorbell rang out shattering Dani's brief foray into happiness if only in her mind.
"Just keep playing honey, mommy's got this." She called out to Lily, who was probably not going to get up anyways as she made her way to the door. Dani took a quick look through the window next to her door and her heart stopped. Was this some mirage that her brain was conjuring? And what did it mean? Before her brain could spin out of control, Dani turned the lock and whisked the door open.
"Vince?" Dani opened the door and stood just staring at him. She had no idea what to do. It was definitely Vince and he was standing there looking perfect as ever.
"Dani. I..."
"I asked you not to come back." She had anger on her face even with the hope that was in her heart.
"I know, but calling seemed silly considering how close I was."
"What do you mean?" She dropped her crossed arms and looked at him.
"I told you I would call the day I decided to give it all up. But, when I left Oz's place, well it took me hours to know what to say to you and then I was practically here."
"What?" Dani just stared at him, not sure what to say to the man that stood so close to her now, the one who had haunted her dreams for so long. Everything they had been through had all come to this moment and there were just know words in her mind.
"You know I went back to work, but my head's not in it. And, after a few months I realized why. It's because of this." He gestured around them. "I want this. I didn't know I wanted it until I met you, but since that first night in the bar it's all I've wanted."
"But Vince, you....I mean you're a great Agent...and..."
"I hope that 'and' isn't another guy....or gal....sleeping on my side of the bed." He grinned at her.
"Are you already claiming a part of the bed? I never said you could stay here."
"The couch will work, but after while Lily will probably accidentally see her Daddy in his boxers."
"Vince...you really left the Agency?" A tear rolled down her cheek as she spoke.
"Yes. Dani, I had a whole speech for this, but really it just comes down to you. I'm in love with you, and I have been forever and I always will be. So, without you there's no point. That means there's no reason for me to be anywhere but here with you and Lily. And if I have to leave the Agency to make that happen, so be it."
