1.16 Time Marches On

Three Years Later…

Life in the Sullivan-Castillo household had been seemingly normal for the first few years. But as time went on finding time to raise a family, work and have leisure time had taken its toll on both Amiee and Everett. Everett found himself at home less and less, the more demanding his work became. Living in the burbs had no longer seemed like the perfect lifestyle for him and his family.

Everett would have found it hard to believe he even had a family if it weren’t for seeing their faces the moment he woke up, but other than that he rarely saw them, with the long commute in and out of the city at peak traffic times he rarely got home in time to tuck the boys into bed. In fact he had normally come home to a dark and quiet house. Everyone was asleep; he would sneak into their rooms and leave a kiss on their cheeks, pulling the covers over them once again before kissing Amiee and slipping beneath the covers of his own blankets.

“It’s nice to finally have you home.” Amiee said as she snuggled closer to Everett. They sat on the sofa in a picture perfect family moment.

“I know you didn’t want to sell the home and move back into the city Amiee…” Everett began to say when she interjected.

“It was a small sacrifice to be able to have you home more Everett, it was worth it.” She said flashing him a smile.

 Amiee and Everett tucked the twins into bed –together, for the first night on a weekday in three years. Life suddenly no longer had that emptiness for Amiee every night when she tucked them in herself, and slipped under her own covers alone.

“I love you Amiee, and I am so sorry that I haven’t been here for you as much as you have needed me, but I promise you that you will never have to go to bed alone…again.” Everett said as he scooped Amiee into his arms and kissed her softly.

“I love you too Everett.” She whispered softly back.

They walked into Nathan’s room.

“Is all your homework done young man?” Everett asked.

“Yes it is dad.” Nathan replied with a smile.

“Well then it is lights out.” Amiee added.

“Goodnight, dad, goodnight mom.” Nathan said as Amiee and Everett tucked him in. Even at nearly seven years old, Nathan didn’t mind being tucked in at night. Amiee heart always melted when Nathan called her mom, the fact that his own mother hadn’t spoken to him or seen him since just before the twins were born had made it easy for him to call Amiee mom. After all she was the only solid mother figure in his life since then.

Once the kids were tucked in and finally asleep Amiee, just as she had every night cleaned up after the twins.  After that she would take some time to paint before drawing a bath and retiring to bed.

Everett strolled into the living room, taking the toy out of Amiee’s and set it on the floor.

“You do so much around here that I think you should have some time out, to relax and enjoy life again.” Everett said as he pulled her into his arms.

“What do you mean? I enjoy life just fine.” Amiee replied.

“I mean a night out just the two of us, I called Shelby and she is coming over to watch the children so we could have a night out.” He said with a smile.

“Oh Everett…I am so exhausted…” She began to say when he put his finger over her lips and made a shushing noise.

“I won’t take no for an answer, now go change.” He said sending her off.

After Amiee readied herself she met Shelby at the door before going back to join Everett in the living room.

“Hey Shelbs.” He said waving to her, yet not making eye contact. His eyes were fixated on Amiee who had looked just as stunning the day he had met her.

“Okay Shelby, the number where you can contact us is in the drawer near the fridge, along with doctors numbers and anything else you might need.” Amiee said to Shelby.

“Relax Amiee, I can handle it, it’s not like you’re going on vacation, just a night out. I am sure everything will be just fine.” Shelby assured her.

“Now go out and have fun, quit being such a worry wart!” Shelby said as she threw her arms around and hugged Amiee.

“Okay, but if you need anything, or if something happens do not hesitate to call…” Amiee reiterated.

“Relax Amiee, now you two have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do…” Shelby said with a laugh.

“We will be back in a few hours.” Amiee and Everett said in unison.

“To the most beautiful woman I have ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on.” Everett said as he clanked his glass with Amiee’s.

“To the most wonderful and handsome man that has ever laid eyes on me.” Amiee replied with a giggle.

Amiee and Everett spent the next few hours catching up on life and reminiscing about their relationship before the twins had come. They enjoyed their selves so much that they had decided to make it a tradition to go out every Friday evening for drinks.

And they never missed one of those dates in over fourteen years.

“You are still the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on Amiee…even after all these years.” Everett said to her.

“And you my love are still the most wonderful and handsome man that has ever laid eyes on me.” She replied giggling once again.

Time had begun to takes its toll on both Amiee and Everett, who were now both, adorned with gray hair and wrinkles, yet they had lived a wonderful and full life together. Nathan was now in college, and the twins were getting ready to graduate from a prestigious private school. Yes, time and life had been good for all of them.

“Dinner is almost ready boys…” Amiee called as the twins had arrived home from school.

“Smells wonderful mother.” Matthew said smiling. And although Amiee couldn’t see his smile, she could feel it.

“Nathan will be coming home from college tomorrow so I am trying out something new and you get to be the first to taste it before he does.” Amiee smiled as she piled the food onto the plate. Just another normal Friday afternoon in the Sullivan-Castillo household.

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I did a lot of skipping in this chapter because I really didn't have a choice, time was passing quickly and it was nearly time for Amiee and Everett to age up again. I am going to be doing a short chapter with an update for Nathan and Mason and Matthew so that you can get to know them a little better as well as a poll coming for who you would like to see continue on Amiee's Legacy.

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