"If I push you any higher, you'll fall out, sweetie," Dawn called to her daughter as Summer went up into the air again.
"No I won't!" Summer insisted, though she still laughed as the swing brought her back into the air.
Around them, Dawn's son—Summer's twin—A.J., ran in circles, doing what Dawn hoped was something that would wear him out by the time they got home. Being the mother of overactive, super-powered twins had proved itself to be something other than an easy task.
Not that she would trade them for all the peace and quiet in the world, no matter how tempting it was some days.
Summer's yell of "Daddy!" brought Dawn's head around as she turned and saw her husband approaching. Summer jumped from the swing and ran to him, A.J. not far behind.
"You're off early today," Dawn said as she walked over to where Andrew had knelt down, a child hanging off either side of him.
He looked up at Dawn, a smile on his face. "Well, these two are only turning six once. No point in missing that for work." Andrew stood, letting go of the twins so he could give Dawn a kiss.
"Ew!" A.J. yelled. "Now you've got girl cooties, Daddy!"
"Nu-uh!" Summer replied. "They're kissing 'cause they're in love! Just like Han Solo and Princess Leia!"
Dawn pulled back from her husband, her eyebrow arched. "Have you been showing the kids Star Wars again?"
Andrew shrugged. "They asked to watch it."
"I still say kissing's gross," A.J. muttered, his arms crossed over his chest.
Andrew ruffled his son's dark brown curls. "That's because you're six." From beside him, Andrew felt Summer tug on the leg of his trousers, and he looked down at her. "What is it, sweetheart?"
"Will you push me on the swings? Mommy doesn't go high enough."
"Sure thing, princess," Andrew said, lifting Summer up and putting her on his shoulders. "Let's go."
Dawn watched as Andrew carried Summer off, A.J. following close behind again, and remembered ten years before, when she'd dreamt of this. She could still remember the dream when she'd first seen Summer, and knew without a doubt that this is what the little girl had shown her.
This is what she'd had to fight for, and she had. A decade ago Dawn had fought to bring Andrew back into her life—to bring him home—and she couldn't say for a moment that she regretted it. Their relationship had had its ups and downs, but it had turned out to be truly something worth fighting for.
"Mommy! Look at me! I'm not falling!" Summer called out as her father pushed her into the air.
"I see that!" Dawn called back, a smile on her lips as she went over to join her family.
*** *** ***
Yes, that is the end. I'm sad to see this fic over, but seeing as I started it in October 2004, I feel a sense of accomplishment in finally getting to the end, too!
I want to give a really big thanks to those of you who stuck with me and emailed me every chapter (or as close to it as you could manage). Your kind words and encouragements meant more to me than I can say, and I want you to know that you're what kept this fic going. Even with just a few of you, you were all so enthusiastic about the story that I wanted to keep writing it for you. I found myself wondering what you'd all have to say about the chapters as I was writing them, and I was always happy to see what you thought. So thank you, so much, for your kindness and support.
Feedback: addie_logan@yahoo.com