The End.
“You did it,” I say happily, walking into the room.
“So you’re done sneaking around, huh?” she teases.
I chuckle as I pull her into a hug, careful not to squeeze too hard with Sebastian between us. Then I lean down, kissing my son softly on the top of the head.
“I guess you saw me, then?”
“It’s hard to be sneaky when you’re a giant.” She giggles.
“I’m so proud of you, Lori.” I gesture to the computer. “I know how tough this past year has been, to stay on track with your writing… we’ve had the wedding, this little guy, and college. But you’ve done it.”
Her cheeks glow as she smiles up at me. I could live for a million years and never get tired of looking at my woman when she’s so full of life, sparkling with her enthusiasm.
“The first draft is well and truly done,” she says. “I was going to come and tell you right away. But I got carried away talking to this little guy.”
I smile warmly, stroking my hand over our son’s head. “I can’t blame you for that. It’s easily done.”
“There’s a long road ahead,” she goes on. “Edits, submissions, but…”
“But for now,” I finish for her, “enjoy the moment. We should celebrate.”
“I don’t think I’m comfortable leaving him yet,” she says quietly.
I grin, my heart filling with even more love at her maternal and loving words. “Neither am I. I didn’t mean that. But we can order some food, hunker down with a movie. And later, once this little man is asleep…”
She tilts her head at me, and then her eyes glimmer when she realizes what I’m saying. “I guess stinky sweatpants really do it for you, huh?”
I lean in, tenderly kissing her on the cheek. It takes a lot of restraint not to consume her entirely, but of course, I can’t do that with Sebastian here.
“You could go a hundred days without showering and I’d still want you. Never think that being a mother would make me want you less, Lori. You’re beautiful and I love you. I’ll never stop being attracted to you.”
She stands on her tiptoes and finds my lips, kissing me briefly. I can feel how difficult it is for her to hold back too, the spark never fading.
“Thank you. And yeah, that sounds amazing. Let me save and back this up and then we can get our evening started.”
I take Sebastian from her arms, cradling him to my chest, feeling my heart melt just that little bit more when he blinks his eyes open and stares up at me.
Extended Epilogue
Three Years Later
Lorena
“Thanks so much, you two.”
I hold the phone in front of me in the back of the limo. In the little viewfinder on the bottom left, I can see me and Lukas. He sits next to me in a suit, upright, broad shoulders wide, and ready to take on the world. His hand is over my shoulder protectively, his touch always close. My skin has been so sensitive lately, ever since I found out.
I’m wearing the black dress he bought me a week ago.
“It’s for our anniversary. I want it to be special.”
He said it in that husky tone of voice, the stern one that gives me no other choice but to say yes. He’s like a beast in those moments. That’s never gone away, that animal part of him. But now he smiles with as much love as passion.
Mom and dad fill the screen, with little Sebastian sitting up between them. Our three year old has a big grin on his face, always keen to get involved. Chirpy sits cuddled close to Sebastian’s leg, the little dog never far away.
“It’s your third anniversary,” Dad says, with a big smile. It’s a smile that lights me up inside, that lets me know everything is going to be okay.
His hair has grown back, and he’s so much healthier. The doctors have told us his illness may return, but the chances are low. He’s even started working for Lukas, running The Bookshop Café.
It’s the most wonderful thing, what my husband did.
He bought the bookshop where I did my first signing and converted it into a hybrid café, employing my dad as the manager to help him get back into the workforce.
That was two years ago, and dad has flourished. He’s made it the most profitable café in the area. It’s so good to see him full of life and enthusiasm again.
“You’re allowed a break. Don’t worry.”
Once we’ve said goodbye to mom and dad – and made a huge fuss over our little Seb – I sink back into my husband’s embrace. The limo takes us through the city, gliding towards the restaurant. Lukas hasn’t told me where it is, but I know it’s going to be special.
I wonder if it will be more special than my news.