Epilogue
Yuki
Ten years later…
Sitting in my rocking chair, I stare down at our beautiful newborn boy.
Before I gave birth, Augusto said I could choose his name, and after looking through endless lists of baby names, both Sicilian and Japanese, I decided on Kai to honor my heritage.
My toes gently push against the floor as I rock the chair, and when Kai frees my nipple and yawns, my heart melts even more.
I cover myself up before I carefully lay him against my shoulder, and rubbing his back, I wait for him to burp.
I press my face into his tiny body and take a deep breath of his addictive scent, then let out a sigh.
“Mommy could eat you up,” I murmur, and when he finally burps, I praise him, “Such a good boy.”
I cradle him in my arms again, and for the hundredth time since I gave birth, I marvel at the little bundle of joy Augusto and I created out of our love.
Suddenly, Augusto says, “I could watch the two of you for hours.”
My eyes lift to where he’s standing in the doorway of the nursery, pride and affection shining in his eyes.
“Let me take him.” As I hand Kai to his daddy, Augusto gives the water on the table a pointed look. “Drink all of it. I don’t want you dehydrating.”
“Yes, my controlling and overprotective husband,” I tease him before I pick up the glass.
“You bet your sweet ass.” He looks down at our son, his features softening, then back to me. “I came to get you. There’s someone here to see you.”
“Me? Who?” I climb to my feet and make sure I look decent as I walk to the door. “Mom?”
“Stop asking questions and go.”
I shoot him a scowl, but curious to see who the visitor is, I hurry down the stairs. When I reach the foyer, a shriek bursts from me, and I run to Ryo.
“Oh my God!” I throw myself into my brother’s arms.
I haven’t seen him since Augusto took me on a trip to Tokyo two years ago.
Ryo lets out a chuckle as he hugs the crap out of me, then he pushes me back and looks me up and down. “You look good, Yuki.”
“Don’t lie. I’m a mess. Sleepless nights don’t look good on anyone.”
His eyes lock with mine. “Take the compliment.”
“Fine.” I stand back and give him a once-over, noticing how much he’s changed. There’s a new scar on the side of his neck, and the lines on his face seem more brutal than when I last saw him.
“How have you been?” I ask.
“Busy as always, but I had to make time to come meet my nephew and congratulate you. I can only stay a week.”
“I’ll take it.” Grabbing hold of his arm, I drag him toward the stairs, but as Augusto comes down, I stop.
I watch my husband hand our son to Ryo, and as my brother’s lips part and a look of wonder settles on his face, I begin to feel emotional.
With my hormones still settling after being pregnant, the tears come fast, and there’s no stopping them.
“Fuck, Yuki.” Ryo looks at me, pride tightening his features. “You’re a mother.”
I let out a sob and wipe my tears away with my fingers. “I am.”
Augusto rubs his hand up and down my back and says, “Let’s move to the living room so we can sit.”
Just as we turn around, Mom comes in from the direction of the sliding doors. “Ryo! What a pleasant surprise.” She hurries closer and presses a kiss to his cheek, then shoots us a glare. “No one told me you were coming to visit.”
I don’t hesitate to point a finger at Augusto. “I’m innocent. I was also kept in the dark.”
“So much for through thick and thin,” he mutters, his tone carrying no bite. “I wanted to surprise Yuki.”
“I can keep a secret,” Mom says while she adjusts Kai’s blanket.
“No, you can’t. You and Yuki are thick as thieves.”
Letting out a burst of laughter, I shrug. “He’s right. You would’ve told me.”
Over the past decade, Mom has become my best friend. The only thing I don’t share with her is details about my sex life.”
“Where do you want the bags?” I hear Dad ask, and glancing over my shoulder, I see him come in with more baby stuff.
“We’re running out of space to put it all,” Augusto complains.
“It’s for our grandchild,” Mom chastises him. “I’ll make space.”
We finally move to the living room, and once we’re all seated, Ryo presses a kiss to Kai’s forehead.
When he takes a breath, I say, “Careful, you’re going to get addicted to his scent.”
“Too late,” my brother murmurs, his eyes not leaving his nephew. “He’s perfect.”
Just like my life since I married Augusto.
Augusto
With my parents and Ryo visiting, I decided to fire up the grill, and as the steaks sizzle and the mouthwatering aroma fills the air, I listen to Dad and Ryo talking about work.
“How are things with the other group that’s trying to move into your territory?” Dad asks, his arms crossed over his chest and his expression serious.
“I have it under control,” Ryo replies before taking a sip of his drink.
Right after he took over the Yakuza, a few of the men formed their own organization and tried to oppose him.
As soon as Ryo dealt with them, another group popped up.
It’s become an endless cycle that I don’t think will ever end.
It’s just how things are in our world. There’s always a new enemy to deal with.
Ryo’s eyes meet mine. “I have new transport routes, so things are running smoothly on that front.”
“Good.”
“Enough talking about work,” Mom says as she places a potato salad on the table. “When are you getting married and settling down, Ryo?”
“I’d rather talk about work,” he replies.
“You’re already thirty-four,” Mom continues. “Your life can’t just revolve around making money. Everyone needs love.”
Ryo walks to Yuki and places his arm around her. “My family gives me all the love I need.”
“Hmpf.” Mom shoots him a scowl. “Yet we only see you every few years.”
His expression is apologetic as he says, “I’ll make an effort to visit more.”
“You better.”
Ryo gives me help-a-brother-out look.
“That’s enough, Mom.” To change the subject, I ask, “At whose place are we spending Christmas this year?”
“Ours,” Dad answers. “And brace yourself for a fuck-ton of gifts for Kai.”
“He’ll only be five months old,” I argue.
“I don’t care,” Mom jumps in. “It will be his first Christmas, and I’m going all out.”
Once the meat is ready, I load it into a serving dish and set it down on the table. “Food’s ready.”
For a few minutes, everyone is quiet as they load their plates. With Yuki holding Kai, I add extra food so she can share with me.
I cut the steak into strips so it’s easy for her, then grab two forks before I sit down beside my wife.
Waiting for Yuki to spear a piece of meat, I smile at my son. “How is it?” I ask after she’s swallowed the bite of food.
“Yummy. Exactly how I like it.”
As we eat, Dad gets a mischievous look and asks, “So when are you having another baby?”
I almost curse at Dad but swallow the words down while shaking my head. “Once Kai is fully trained to pee in a toilet.”
“Jesus, Augusto,” Mom gasps. “That’s give or take four years!”
“Exactly.” I pin Dad with a glare. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Just keeping things interesting, son.”
“No, but seriously, are you going to wait so many years?” Mom asks.
“We’ll have another child when we feel ready,” I say, considering the subject closed.
If it were up to Mom, my poor wife would pop out a baby every year. She lives for her grandchildren.
Kai begins to fuss, and before I can even think to set down my plate so I can take him, Mom darts to her feet. “Come to Grammy, my sweet little boy.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I say, and the instant Yuki’s arms are free, I pass her the plate. “Eat more, my love.”
“You too.” She takes a scoop of potato salad and moans while chewing. “You make the best salad, Mom.”
I shift in my chair, trying to adjust my cock that’s hardening because my wife will never learn not to moan while we’re surrounded by family.
Noticing, she whispers, “Sorry.”
“You’ll pay for it later.”
Leaning closer to my ear, she replies, “Don’t try to threaten me with a good time.”
“What are the two of you whispering about?” Dad asks.
“Nothing,” we answer at the same time, which has him chuckling.
Every passing year, Dad gets more mischievous and likes to stir up shit. Secretly, I love it, but I’ll never admit it to him.
My gaze moves to Mom, who’s rocking Kai and cooing to him.
I hope Yuki and I will be like my parents when we’re their age.
Wrapping my arm around my little shapeshifter's shoulders, I hold her close to me, thankful I get to grow old with her.
The End.