EPILOGUE
ENRICO FERRARA
TWO YEARS LATER
Very few things in life could compare to that perfect moment.
The sun warmed my skin as I walked back across the sand with two small bottles of ice-cold water in my hands. Ahead of me, the ocean shimmered in a calm, deep blue, gentle waves kissing the white shore.
Under the umbrella’s shade, Valentina sat on a bright towel, her hair lifting in the breeze, her sweet smile lighting up my entire world. One hand rested delicately over her already rounded belly—Sarah, our third baby girl, who would arrive soon to complete our happiness even more.
A few feet away, Clara—seven years old as of last week—was fully committed to the serious business of building an elaborate sandcastle.
Her focused expression said everything about how deeply she took the task as she directed Mariah, our youngest, only two.
Little Mariah happily swung her colorful bucket, giggling while Toby, our tireless French bulldog, ran and bounced around the girls.
I smiled to myself as I approached, pausing for a few seconds to take it all in—memorizing the scene carefully, storing it away like something sacred. After everything we’d been through, moments like that were treasure.
When Valentina noticed me, she lifted her gaze and smiled in the way that still made my heart pick up speed. I sat down beside her and wrapped an arm gently around her waist.
“Looks like they’re going to need help with Toby,” I murmured, watching the clumsy dog try to “help” build the castle.
Valentina laughed, resting her head on my shoulder with a satisfied sigh.
“I think you’re right. Toby is especially excited today.”
I laughed with her, sliding my hand over her belly, feeling the warmth of her skin and imagining our little Sarah growing there—loved before she had even taken her first breath.
“He must be training already. Sarah’s going to need a lot of energy to keep up with those two and Toby.”
Valentina’s smile widened, her eyes shining with emotion.
“I can’t wait.”
I kissed her temple softly, inhaling as that peace spread through every part of me.
“You know there’s nothing in the world I love more than this, right?” I said quietly. “You. Our girls. Toby. This life we have together. Nothing matters more.”
“I know, Enrico,” Valentina replied, caressing my face with absolute tenderness. “I feel the same way. Completely happy.”
I leaned in to kiss her—slow and soft—full of the certainty that we finally had everything that truly mattered.
“Daddy, Mommy, come here!” Clara’s excited voice rang out, calling our attention as she waved urgently.
Mariah immediately copied her big sister, bouncing and clapping, delighted with her own happiness.
“Looks like we’re needed,” I teased, helping Valentina stand carefully, always attentive to her movements.
We walked over to our daughters and sat down in the sand with them, helping place shells and colorful stones around the castle. Toby curled up beside us, finally tired from running, and let out a deep sigh—completely satisfied to be part of the moment.
Valentina laughed softly at the girls’ adorable mess, and the certainty that there was nowhere in the world I’d rather be pulsed strong inside my chest.
Life—finally—was exactly as I had always wanted it.
My family together. Happy. Surrounded by love and the certainty that from that moment on, every day would be a new page in our story.
A story meant to last forever.