Epilogue

Nine years later

Simone watched as her daughter released the dagger and it embedded in the center of the target, just a short distance away.

Caroline smiled broadly. "I did it!" she said, jumping up and down in enthusiasm.

"That you did," Simone acknowledged. "You are better than I was at your age, but you still have to practice. Then you must practice some more."

"When do you think I can throw a dagger as far as you?" Caroline asked.

Simone pretended to mull it over. "How old are you now?"

Caroline stood up straight and held up eight fingers. "I am eight years and three months."

"That is right," Simone said with a smile. "I think you should be able to handle the farther distance when you are nine."

As Caroline skipped to the target to retrieve her dagger, Simone felt such gratitude for what she had in her life. She had everything that she could ever want. A loving husband, three beautiful children, and she still was able to work as a spy.

She never thought she could be this happy. Quite frankly, she never thought she deserved to be this happy. But Caleb had convinced her otherwise. With him by her side, she felt seen and heard and loved.

"Mother, watch me!" Caroline exclaimed before she brought the dagger up.

"Remember your footing," Simone advised.

Caroline adjusted her feet, making them shoulder-width apart. "Is that better?"

"It is," Simone replied.

In a smooth motion, Caroline reared her hand back and released the dagger. Only this time, it sailed past the target, missing it entirely.

A pout came to Caroline's face. "That was an awful throw."

"It is all right," Simone encouraged. "We learn from the failed attempts just as much as we learn from the good ones."

Simone's mother's voice came from behind them. "Now where have I heard that before?" she asked lightly.

Simone turned to face her mother. "Someone very wise told me that," she said.

"Yes, but if I recall correctly, you didn't believe me when you were younger," her mother responded. "You were disappointed every time you didn't hit the center."

Caroline spoke up. "Did you come to watch me, Grandmother?"

"I did," Simone's mother replied. "But I find that I need a hug before your next throw."

Simone watched as Caroline ran past her and into her mother's open arms, causing her to smile at the tender scene. Her mother was a doting grandmother, just as she thought she would be. There was so much love in their home and Simone would have it no other way.

Simone's mother released Caroline and said, "Go collect your dagger and show me what you learned."

Caroline bobbed her head before she ran to collect her dagger.

"Caroline reminds me so much of you at this age," her mother remarked, her eyes remaining fixed on her granddaughter.

"She is rather opinionated and stubborn," Simone remarked.

"As were you," her mother said. "Would you have it any other way?"

Simone shook her head. "No, she is perfect."

She had just uttered her words when she saw Caleb approaching and she felt the familiar thudding of her heart. She wondered when she would stop having such a reaction to seeing her husband. But with every moment she spent with him, she loved him more.

As Caleb drew near, he kissed her on the cheek and whispered next to her ear, "Kendrick needs to see us."

"Very well." Simone turned towards her mother. "We have an errand that we need to see to. Will you ensure the children are tended to?"

Her mother tipped her head. "Go. We will be just fine until you get back."

"You are leaving?" Caroline asked, looking up at Caleb.

Caleb crouched down in front of his daughter. "We have to go, but we will be back before supper. I promise."

Caroline pressed her lips together. "Will you bring me back some dry sweetmeat?"

"Deal," Caleb replied.

She wrapped her arms around her father's neck. "I love you, Father."

Caleb returned her embrace and said, "I love you, too, little one."

After a long moment, Caroline dropped her arms and took a step back. "You and Mother can go now. Grandmother is going to watch me throw the dagger."

Simone slipped her hand into the crook of Caleb's arm. "We will be back shortly," she promised before Caleb started to lead her down the path.

"Do you need to change before we depart for headquarters?" Caleb asked.

She glanced down at her jonquil gown. "It depends," she replied. "Do you know what the assignment is?"

Caleb shrugged. "I don't, but it could be anything."

"I will take my chances."

It was only a few moments before they stepped into the waiting coach, and it merged into traffic. Caleb reached for her hand and said, "You are looking especially lovely today."

"Flattery?" Simone teased. "It is much too early for that."

He leaned closer to her. "You do realize that we are alone right now, which hardly happens now that we have three children."

"That was just as much your fault as my own," Simone joked.

Caleb chuckled. "It is, and I have no complaints." He brought her hand up to his lips. "Whether I am awake or asleep, I dream of you all the same."

Simone nudged her shoulder against his. "What do you want?" she asked. "You are being far too complimentary."

Caleb smiled. "Can I not just compliment my wife without being accused of an ulterior motive?"

"Now I know you are keeping something from me."

His smile grew. "You are far too suspicious, Wife," he said.

"It is the nature of the job."

Leaning closer, Caleb brought their faces just inches apart, his warm breath on her lips. "You are right. I do want something."

"I knew it."

His eyes darted towards her lips. "I want a kiss."

"You don't need to ask," Simone said. "That is the advantage of being married. We can kiss each other any time we want."

Caleb pressed his lips against hers and Simone relaxed into his arms. This was her life. Not the life she had once envisioned, but one that had been built with care and attention. And it was far better than she could have ever imagined.

The End