Epilogue

---England, Sussex, two years later---

I stood at the large, picture window in my bedroom and gazed out at the lush countryside spread out like an emerald carpet. The sun was setting over the lake behind the house, turning the water to a pool of orange and pink flames. As I watched it slip over the horizon, I recalled with a smile how—on our first night in the house—Robbie and I had spread a blanket on the grass and made love beneath the stars. After our marriage nearly two years ago, we'd attempted to settle in London, but when I could no longer step out the door without being photographed, and Robbie had several times been forced to sneak in and out of our flat through the fire escape, we sought refuge in the countryside. For the most part, we'd succeeded in hiding from the prying eyes and powerful lenses of the paparazzi, though our occasional trips to London were still national media events. Despite the fact that Robbie's work frequently took him away—often out of the country—we'd gradually fallen into a pattern of living that could be considered routine.

My gaze wandered to the wedding photo on our bedside table. The picture had been taken on the steps in front of the church, just after the ceremony. We stood facing one another, hands linked, lips just touching in a chaste kiss. I reached out to brush my fingers across Robbie's cheek and imagined the warmth of his skin beneath my fingers instead of the cool glass of the frame. Robbie had been away for the last month, on a brief promotional tour in an attempt to launch his latest album in Latin America. I'd sometimes accompanied him when he'd traveled; this time, however, I'd elected to remain at home, and I'd ticked off each day of his absence like a child counting down to Christmas. Finally, he would be expected home the following day. I glanced at my watch for what felt like the thousandth time and wondered where he was at that very moment.

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Robbie dropped his bags in the foyer and leaned his back against the front door, pausing for a moment to catch his breath. HE inhaled the fragrance of summer flowers mingled with a citrus furniture polish. A blue china vase filled with white roses sat on the freshly scrubbed table in the center of the spacious parlor. Robbie smiled as he often did when he entered any room of the house; Lanie's touch was everywhere. Had she been any other woman, Robbie was certain she'd have insisted hiring a professional decorator; they could certainly afford it in any case. However, after living in a rundown home and dingy apartments for most of her life, Lanie had leapt at the chance to create "a real home with real things". Over the past several months, she'd set to work transforming their rambling country house into a home, combining grace and style with a touch of warmth that exuded hominess. The cream-colored sofas were as comfortable to sink into as they were pleasing to look at; the ornate hanging lamps gave off a soft, golden glow; and the fragrance of fresh flowers permeated every room. After taking one last look around the room, Robbie decided to go off in search of his wife. He considered calling out to let her know he was there, but as she wasn't expecting him until tomorrow, he decided to surprise her. Quietly he mounted the stairs, his heartbeat quickening with each step. As he stood framed in the doorway to their bedroom, he let his eyes rove over Lanie's body. She was dressed in faded jeans and a light blue tank top that flaunted her slim shoulders; her feet were bear, and her long hair was anchored with a clip at the back of her neck. He took a step into the room, making just enough noise to draw her attention.

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As I continued gazing through the window at the setting sun, I thought I heard a creek in the floorboards. It had to have been my imagination. Nevertheless, I slowly turned toward the sound. Robbie had materialized in the entrance to the bedroom, casually leaning against the doorframe.

"Is this a bad time?" he asked, the corners of his mouth twitching. I stood rooted to the spot for a moment; then leapt into his arms, laughing as he spun me around.

"I wasn't expecting—" Robbie swallowed my words with an ardent kiss.

"There," he said as he drew back. "You were saying?" I wrapped my arms around his back.

"I thought you weren't coming home till tomorrow." Robbie grinned down at me.

"Surprise, darling." We kissed again, savoring the taste we'd craved like two addicts in withdrawal.

"You look exhausted," I observed, pulling back to examine his face.

"And you look like a woman who's been sleeping alone for too long," answered Robbie. I laughed.

"Is the strain really beginning to show?"

"No, you look beautiful." A small noise staid his hand as he reached out to caress my cheek, and he smiled as he turned to leave the bedroom. I followed him into the adjoining room and found him leaning over the crib where our infant daughter was stirring. Emily had been born just weeks before he'd left for Latin America. By some miracle of genetics, she had inherited the best features of each of her parents with my light brown hair and the same piercing emerald eyes as her father. Tenderly Robbie lifted the child and cuddled her against his chest. She tucked her head beneath his chin as he paced the room, rubbing her back until her whimpering subsided.

"Daddy's home, Love," he murmured into her hair. Emily responded by reaching out to brush her dimpled fingers across his cheek. I watched with a smile tugging at my heart as Robbie caught her hand and traced his lips along her palm before lowering her back into the crib.

"All right, little one," he whispered, kissing her cheek. "Go to sleep now."

"Come on. I've got plans for you," I said, taking Robbie's hand and pulling him toward the stairs.

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Robbie yawned and stretched as the credits rolled over a frozen image of Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle kissing.

"I come back after four weeks on another continent, and my wife wants to spend the evening with Mr. Darcy."

"It wasn't so bad," I protested. "Besides, I thought you liked 'Pride and Prejudice'." Robbie rolled his eyes.

"OF course, my love. It makes whatever time I have to spend with you seem so much longer." He reached for the remote as the news began and switched off the television. "There's only one corner of the world I'm concerned with at the moment," he said.

"And where might that be?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Come. I'll show it to you."

Upstairs, Robbie motioned for me to sit beside him as he lowered himself onto our bed. Neither of us spoke as we began to undress each other. As clothes were teased away, silver strands of moonlight wound themselves around our bodies. Robbie leaned back on the bed and pulled me to his chest. I slid my hands down his back, feeling the tension in his muscles soften beneath my touch.

"I'm so glad you're back," I whispered, snuggling against him like a well-fed kitten. Robbie wound a hand through my hair and tilted my head back for a kiss.

"It's so good to be home."

THE END