In Bed with the Ice Queen (The Ice Queen #4)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

SLOANE 5 YEARS LATER

S loane lay in bed, the soft sheets tangled around her legs as she smiled down at her wife, Helena Wolfe-Callahan. Helena's warm hands gently explored her body, and Sloane felt the electric thrill of her touch. They had been together for years now, yet every moment still felt new.

“Helena,” Sloane breathed, her voice soft and excited. “That feels amazing.”

Helena looked up, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “I aim to please,” she said playfully, her tongue dancing teasingly. Just as Sloane felt herself rising to the edge of pleasure, a loud cry filled the room.

“Waaaah!”

Sloane and Helena both paused, laughter bubbling up between them.

“Looks like Maui needs us,” Helena said with a grin, sitting up and brushing her hair off her face.

Sloane chuckled and said, “I guess our moment is over.”

Helena leaned over to give her a quick kiss. “Don’t worry, we can continue this later.”

“Promise?” Sloane asked, a playful glint in her eyes.

“Promise,” Helena replied with a wink before hopping out of bed. Sloane watched as Helena rushed to the other room, her heart full of love and admiration.

While Helena attended to their toddler, Sloane quickly pulled on a comfortable t-shirt and shorts. She couldn’t wait to cuddle with Maui, their two--year-old son. He was the joy of their lives, a bundle of energy with big brown eyes and messy brown hair.

Helena returned carrying Maui, who had tears glistening in his eyes. “What happened, buddy?” Helena asked with a soothing voice.

Maui reached for Sloane, and she opened her arms wide. “Come here, sweetheart.”

As soon as Maui was in her embrace, she felt the familiar tightness in her heart. It was a mix of happiness and protectiveness. “What’s wrong, baby?” she asked gently.

Maui sniffled, burying his face in her neck. “I want mommies!” he cried, his voice muffled but clear.

“Oh, sweet boy, we’re right here,” Sloane said, hugging him tightly. “You don’t have to cry.”

Helena climbed back into bed beside them, wrapping her arms around both Sloane and Maui. “See? We’re all together now.”

“Bouncy, Mommy! Bouncy!” Maui squealed, his little feet hitting the mattress with soft thuds. Sloane couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm, even if it was past midnight.

“Maui, sweetheart, it’s time to sleep,” she said, trying to sound firm but unable to hide her amusement.

The toddler paused for a moment, considering her words. Then, with a loud laugh, he jumped higher, his chubby arms waving like he was flying. “Bouncy!”

Sloane chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re like a little kangaroo! We cannot bounce at this hour. The moon is sleeping too.”

“But, Mommy! No sleeping!” Maui protested dramatically, throwing himself onto the bed with an exaggerated sigh. His round cheeks were flushed with energy, and he giggled again, rolling onto his back. “More bouncy!”

Sloane propped herself up on one elbow, her golden hair falling messily around her face. “What if you bounce just a little bit longer? But then we have to snuggle, okay?”

“Snuggle! Yay!” Maui clapped his hands, his excitement bubbling over. He jumped once more, then plopped down beside her, curling up into a little ball. His warmth radiated against her side.

Sloane smiled at her son, feeling a wave of love wash over her. “Alright, little kangaroo. Just five more jumps.”

“Okay! One! Two!” Maui counted as he bounced again, each number punctuated with a gleeful shout. His laughter filled the room like music, and Sloane found herself swept away by the joy of the moment.

“Three! Four! Five!” He counted faster now, his feet moving as he bounced. “Six! Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten!”

“Okay, that’s ten. Let’s lay down now,” Sloane said, reaching over to scoop him up in her arms. She held him close, the warmth and softness of his small body bringing comfort to her.

“No sleep!” Maui protested, but the defiance was fading, and he yawned widely, his eyes fluttering.

Sloane brushed her fingers through his hair. “You need some sleep, buddy. You’re so bouncy because you’re tired. Remember how we read your favorite book about the sleepy bear? He always sleeps.”

Maui looked up at them, his big eyes filled with wonder. “Book!” he said, as if realizing they hadn’t read him a bedtime story yet.

“Yes, sweetheart,” Sloane replied, her heart swelling as she looked into his eyes. “We’re all cozy now.”

“Maui, do you want us to tell you a story?” Helena asked, nudging him playfully.

“Yeah!” Maui said excitedly. “Book!”

Maui’s eyes sparkled again with recognition. “Bear! Sleepy bear!” he echoed, snuggling deeper into her side.

“Yes, just like that. The sleepy bear,” she continued, her voice softening. “And what happens when he gets a good night’s sleep?”

“Wakes up!” he replied, his voice still a bit slurred from his fatigue.

“Exactly! He wakes up all ready for adventures,” Sloane said, leaning back against the mountain of pillows. “Like jumping on beds/”

Maui giggled, the corners of his mouth curling into a sleepy smile. “More jump ‘morrow?”

“More jumping tomorrow,” Sloane promised, having already made a mental note to allow her son a bit of extra playtime in the morning. Maui shifted in her arms and snuggled deeper against her, relaxing into her warmth.

As the little boy settled, his breathing slowed. The wild energy that had filled the room moments ago began to fade, replaced by the quiet rhythm of sleep. Sloane smiled, her heart full as she watched him drift off, his small face peaceful and content.

“Goodnight, my little kangaroo,” she whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. “Sweet dreams.”

His little face looked peaceful as he drifted off to sleep.

Sloane smiled at Helena. “He really loves jumping, doesn’t he?” she whispered. We’re going to need a trampoline in a few years, she thought.

Helena smiled back, brushing her fingers through Maui’s curls. “He does.”

They shared a soft laugh, the kind that resonated with years of shared dreams and challenges. Sloane’s heart swelled with happiness. Just five years ago, their lives had looked so different.

Gently, Sloane slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Maui. She tiptoed over to the door, carrying her son to bed. He seemed so small in the big room filled with bright colors and toys. She paused for a moment to admire his room, filled with dinosaurs and space rockets. Posters of superheroes hung on the walls, and his bookshelf was stacked high with all kinds of stories.

As Sloane quietly left the room, she felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. Every bit of this is ours, she thought. It was her family, her life, and it was everything she had ever wanted.

She padded down the hallway to where the baby monitor sat. Sloane turned it so it faced Maui’s bed. “Just in case,” she whispered under her breath. She knew that sometimes he woke up in the middle of the night. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel scared or alone.

“Everything is perfect,” she said to Helena when she returned to their room. Helena was perched on the edge of the bed, looking at her with a knowing expression, as if she could read Sloane’s mind.

“Thinking about the past again?” Helena asked, her voice soft and warm.

Sloane sat down beside her. “Yeah. It’s wild to think about how far we’ve come.”

“Remember when we first met?” Helena chuckled, shaking her head. “I know I was a bit— What did you call it? Bitter?”

“You were definitely a bit standoffish,” Sloane agreed, laughing. “I thought you were just some gorgeous, entitled person who had everything handed to her.”

Helena raised an eyebrow playfully. “And now?”

“And now you’re my wife, and we have Maui,” Sloane said, her heart full of love for Helena. “You’re not at all what I thought back then. You’re so supportive. You’ve worked so hard, and we’ve built a life together.”

Helena nodded, “What did I tell you back then? I just needed time to show you who I really was.”

Sloane reached for Helena's hand, squeezing it gently. “I’m happy I learned to see beyond first impressions. I love you, and I love our life together.”

“We make a good team,” Helena said, smiling brightly. “And I think Maui is our best collaboration yet.”

Sloane agreed, feeling a rush of happiness. “I never thought I would be a mom at thirty-eight, but look at us now.”

They both glanced at the baby monitor, which had a small light blinking. It made Sloane feel reassured to see Maui’s sleeping figure on the screen.

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” Helena whispered. “We’ve grown together, and I think we’re stronger because of everything we’ve been through.”

“Absolutely,” Sloane replied. “We’re a family, and I feel energized being this close.”

The two women shared a quiet moment, just enjoying the peace of their home and the love they had created. Outside, the moon shone brightly, and inside, their hearts were even brighter.

“Maui’s going to wake up, isn’t he?” Helena said, stifling a yawn.

“Probably,” Sloane said, smiling. “But that’s okay. I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything.”

Sloane sighed, thinking back to how their life together had begun. It had only been a few years ago, but it felt like a lifetime. They had gotten engaged so fast, almost like a whirlwind. Sloane remembered the night when Helena had proposed to her. "Sloane," Helena had said nervously, her voice shaking a little. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Sloane’s heart had raced as she watched Helena pull out the ring. It sparkled in the candlelight of their favorite restaurant, and all Sloane could do was nod and say, “Yes! Yes, a million times, yes!” They had both laughed and cried, the excitement overwhelming.

Their wedding had been beautiful. They hired wedding planners to help them with everything. Sloane could picture it now—the flowers, the music, the laughter of their families. "Can you believe we did it?" Sloane remembered shouting joyfully as they walked down the aisle. Helena had smiled back at her, eyes glistening with happiness.

But after the wedding, Sloane had opened up about something that worried her. Laying in bed that night, she could see it clearly in her mind. “Helena,” Sloane had said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “I really want to be a mom, but what if my time is running out?”

Helena had taken her hand and squeezed it gently. “We’ll figure it out together,” she said with confidence. “We have time, and we’ll do whatever it takes.”

It was that support that pushed Sloane forward. Together, they attended all the IVF meetings. Sloane remembered sitting in those sterile rooms, feeling anxious but hopeful. Helena was always by her side, holding her hand tightly. “You’re doing amazing, Sloane,” she would whisper. “We are going to have a baby. Just keep believing.”

Finally, after what felt like a long journey, Sloane had become pregnant with their son, Maui. The moment she found out was one she would never forget. “I can’t believe it, Helena! We’re going to be parents!” Sloane had shouted through joyful tears. Helena had hugged her tightly, swaying them both side to side. “I knew it. I just knew it!”

Helena had been such a loving partner while Sloane was pregnant. She doted on her every need, cooking healthy meals and rubbing Sloane’s feet after long days. “You deserve to be pampered,” she would say with a smile.

Now, two and a half years later, their little boy, Maui, was sleeping soundly in his room down the hall. Sloane chuckled softly, remembering how he had learned to call for them. “Mommy! Mama!” he would shout with his little voice, running to them with open arms. It filled Sloane’s heart with joy.

“Life is different now,” she whispered to herself, glancing at Helena’s peaceful face. They had two thriving businesses, balancing work and home life together. It was a lot, but they managed.

“I couldn't have done it without you,” Sloane remembered telling Helena one night after a long day at work. Helena had just smiled and replied, “We’re a team, Sloane. We always will be.”

Sloane felt content just lying there, the memories wrapping around her like a warm blanket. She thought about the challenges they had faced and how they had come out stronger together. She leaned closer to Helena, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Thank you for being my everything,” Sloane murmured softly. As she closed her eyes, she was grateful for the life they had built. She felt hopeful for the future, and she knew that no matter what came next, they would face it hand in hand.