After Ever After

I like to believe that fairytales still happen but did you ever notice that the line "and they lived happily ever after" is usually put in the middle of the story and not at the end? I mean, come on!Are we to assume that nothing of great significance happens after they say it? Or that all intrgue and interest that has held your attention from the begining of the story until that line has stopped? I just don't think that I could ever be satisfied with an ending like that. Sure the idealist in me is in it's greatest raptures because YAY happiness, but the other side of me(whose head is not in the clouds) just can't accept that sort of an ending. I realize that a book must at some point come to an end, otherwise it would never be published, and I, for one, do not have the time to read a never ending story. That being said, pehaps my request is unreasonable and "happily ever after" is the best way to end a happy tale.....but this still does not stop my brain from wondering what does happen after ever after anyway? Does anyone else find it unusual that just when everything is right and good and all the dilemas that plagued the hero or heroine of the tale have been vanquished, is when the story comes to a close. Just when Prince Charming rides off into the sunset with his prized princess they draw the curtian. My head just wants to explode with questions! Such as: do the Royal in-laws get along in the planning of the marriage ball or does the conflict over the center pieces spark a medieval war? How are their nation ruling skills as a couple? What about kids? See what I mean? So many things left yet unanswered and they leave us to settle with a measley little "happily ever after". Not that I have a problem with that line, as I am a firm believer that any self respecting fairy tale MUST be ended with it,.....I just think that they end it too soon. Can anyone say sequal?