15 Years Later...

"Come in." answered a voice behind the door.

I opened the door and saw my husband, Mayor of LA, hard at work.

"Daddy!" cried three kids.

"Hey kids!" he said happily as he hugged them.

15 years have passed, and Lance and I already built a beautiful family together. My three beautiful children resembled Lance and I so much. My two sons William, 12, and Shane, 10, along with my daughter Vanessa, 6, who was named after her grandmother.

When Lance saw me, he walked up to me and placed a kiss on my lips.

"I didn't know it was Bring Your Kid to Work Day today," he said.

"Even when you're hard at work, you always have time for us, Dad." William said.

"He's not wrong, dear." I said.

"Guess you're right."

"Mommy's always right, Daddy!" Vanessa said.

Lance and I laughed at Vanessa's remark. Then, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in." Lance said.

Then, a friendly and familiar face entered the room.

"Hi!" Arlo said with a cheerful voice.

"Uncle Arlo!" my kids cried, running up to him.

I smiled and hugged Arlo as he walked over.

"It's been a while, Arlo. How've you been, you know, being the chief of police and all?" I asked.

"Great. Lots of work, but it's worth it." Arlo said.

"Glad to hear it." Lance said.

"Dad, where's Uncle Gareth?" Shane asked.

"Someone call my name?" asked a friendly voice.

Assistant Mayor Gareth soon poked his head in the room.

"Uncle Gareth!" my kids cried, hugging Gareth.

"Hey you guys. You've gotten bigger the last time I saw you three." Gareth said.

Gareth walked in the room and hugged us.

"Are you just about done with work, honey?" I asked.

"I am." Lance said.

"Yay! Now we can go to the beach!" Vanessa said happily.

Lance, Gareth, Arlo, and I walked out of the office, following the three, energetic kids.

"Mollie and the others said they'll meet us at the beach." Arlo said.

"Wonderful. It's been far too long since I last saw my 8 other cousins." I commented.

When we were outside, Hans's grandson, Albert, was waiting for us by the limo. Climbing into the limo, Albert closed the door and soon sat behind the wheel.

"Zuma Beach, Albert." I said.

"Yes, Ms. Sharena." he said.

After starting the engine, the limo soon started pulling away from Town Hall.

The ride to Zuma Beach was lengthy, but this family didn't mind at all. Lengthy journeys like this always seem to bring us closer together.

"So, how's your father doing, Lance?" Arlo suddenly asked.

"Great, actually. Said that he's taking it easy with his soon-to-be wife," Lance said.

"He got engaged? That's wonderful!" I said.

"Her name's Ulyssa, and she's a really sweet lady."

"Glad to hear he's doing good." Gareth said.

The rest of us nodded in agreement. I soon turned to my kids and saw them napping. Vanessa in between her two older brothers; William and Shane holding her close. The scene brought a smile to my face.

"So, how's California's famous guitarist doing?" Gareth asked.

"I'm good. A lot of performances in the last two months, but it's worth it to see my fans enjoy my singing and playing." I said.

"Who would've thought that a simple guitarist who started playing in parks, would turn out to be a big hit?" Arlo said.

I shrugged with a smile.

"William, Shane, and Vanessa love bragging to their friends how their father is the mayor and their mother is California's famous guitarist." I said.

"Well, your gift is truly admirable, Rena." Lance said, pulling me next to him.

A smile spread across my face as I leaned into his embrace.

"We'll be arriving shortly, everyone." Albert announced.

Hearing this, I went over to my kids and shook them awake.

"Wake up, guys. We're almost there." I said softly.

Their brown eyes slowly opened, and they smiled when they saw my face.

"Are we going to see Aunt Mollie and Uncle Crow?" William asked.

"And Uncle Skye, Uncle Clay, and Aunt Cassie?" Shane asked.

"What about Aunt Mina, and Uncle Arvis? And Aunt Lisa and Aunt Valerie?" Vanessa asked.

"Everyone, including Onyx." I said.

Their little smiles only grew. I sat back down and leaned my head on Lance's shoulder.

"We're here, everyone." Albert said.

Looking out the window, we saw the beautiful Zuma Beach. When Albert parked the limo, we got out and started gathering our belongings.

"You are welcome to join us, Albert. You're part of this family as well." I said, walking ahead.

Albert smiled sweetly and began walking along with us. When we reached the entrance, Aunt Mollie and the others waved us over from the sand. Walking over to them, everyone hugged each other.

"It's so good to see y'all again." Mollie said.

"Same." I said.

My kids ran up to their uncles and aunts and embraced them.

"How are you, Arlo?" Mollie asked.

"I'm good, Ma," Arlo replied.

"Bein' the chief of police treatin' you well?"

"Sure is."

I looked out at the beautiful Pacific Ocean and breathed in the salty air.

"Now that we're all here, let's have some fun!" Mina cried happily.

Onyx howled, as if he were agreeing with Mina. After setting up the chairs and umbrellas, the boys went surfing, the kids played in the sand, and the girls tanned and chatted. When I was catching the sun's rays, a dark shadow cloaked over me. When I opened my eyes, I saw Lance hanging over me.

"Sometimes, I can never find peace when I'm with you," I said.

"Oh, would you prefer it if I wasn't here?" Lance said, turning around.

"No!"

Lance turned back around with a cocky grin. Bringing my knees to my chest, Lance sat down on my lawn chair.

"I hate you..." I muttered.

"You know you love me..." Lance said.

"Do I know that? Yes, yes I do."

Lance leaned over and placed a kiss on my lips.

"Now, repeat what you said before." Lance said with a cocky grin.

I rolled my eyes and sighed heavily.

"I love you, Lance Auburne." I said.

"That's what I thought."

He then placed another kiss on my lips.

"I love you too, Sharena Beyevell-Auburne." Lance said.

Every time Lance says that, I couldn't be more loved. God gave me a such wonderful man to love and cherish, and I'm forever grateful. As the years go by, I will pass on everything my parents taught me to my children, and they will pass on what I taught them to their children. (Proverbs 6:20-22) God put Lance and I together for a reason (Mark 10:9); to pass on what our parents taught us to our children. I know in my heart God will always be by my side, through thick and thin, for better or worse, because with God at my side, there's nothing I cannot face... (Proverbs 3:26)