Epilogue
EPILOGUE
SEVERAL YEARS LATER
“D addy’s home,” Noah says in a light voice to his daughter Angelica. Her little face lights up with excitement as she runs to the door. She swings it open wide as Eli comes up the walk.
“Daddy!” She runs out to greet him, and he picks her up and swings her in a circle. Noah watches the little girl, her dark hair falling in perfect ringlets around her cherubic face. Eli is beautiful, and happier than ever. Noah can’t believe that their lives have come this far. Eli takes Angelica’s hand and walks through the door, planting a soft kiss on Noah’s lips. His pulse quickens with the gesture, even after almost ten years.
“How’d it go?” Noah asks as Eli takes off his jacket and hangs it in the closet. Their cabin has gone through a few transitions over the years. It’s much messier than those first few days, now filled with toddler toys and children’s artwork.
“Our hearing will be on Thursday at nine,” he says with a smile. “Then it will be official—Angelica will be adopted.” Noah smiles at the news. Their lawyer told them repeatedly that they had nothing to worry about with the adoption, but the fear of it falling through was still there. Noah crosses the room and pulls Eli into a deep hug, both of their faces alight with joy.
“Daddy! Daddy! Look! Look what I made!” Angelica latches onto Eli’s leg, dragging his attention away from Noah. Still, they keep their hands clasped as the little girl shows Eli her newest finger-painting.
“It’s beautiful, Angelica,” Eli says as he looks over her picture. “We can display it down at the children’s center when we go tomorrow.”
The girl starts jumping up and down, her face alight with joy. Eli created the children’s center with the help of the local Arts Council. It’s a place where kids from town can come in and create all kinds of different pieces. Several local artists come in regularly to give classes, and Eli has gotten to know many of the children in town through it. His job at the machine shop lasted long enough for them to get on their feet, but then he turned his attention to the arts, where he’s made quite a name for himself around town.
Noah still has his job at the college, giving students the opportunity to learn more about criminology and criminal justice. Eli and Noah have both managed to complete their college degrees within a few years of moving to the town, and are well-loved by the community. Their lives are simple, easy, and happy.
“Can we go to the beach?” Angelica asks before Eli can even get his shoes off. Noah looks at him expectantly.
“Of course, love,” Eli says to her. “Just let me get changed.”
After a few minutes, Eli and Noah are sitting on their beach chairs hand in hand and watching little Angelica as she plays in the sand and shows off every new and interesting shell she finds along the shore of the small bay. The tide is moving out, so with each wave something new and interesting is revealed to her wondering eyes.
“Look at us, Noah,” Eli says with a smile. Noah turns to face him, reveling in the glow of happiness on his face. “Did you ever think we’d be here?”
“Not in a thousand years,” Noah answers with a chuckle. “Never even knew I wanted to be.”
“It’s amazing,” Eli continues as he watches Angelica play.
“It’s perfect,” Noah agrees, and they settle into content silence again.
They watch the little girl happily play on the beach for a little while longer before heading home for dinner. It’s a simple meal, in a simple cabin, in a simple life; all full of happiness and contentment. They put Angelica to bed and stand at her doorway for a moment, watching her sleep peacefully.
“So we’re officially going to be parents,” Noah muses softly, and Eli turns to him.
“I know.” Eli’s eyes mist over. “It’s taken almost a year, but she’s really ours.” They softly close the door and head to their bedroom. They go through their usual nighttime routine, but there’s something more in the air tonight. Perhaps it’s the excitement of finally being able to adopt Angelica, or maybe it’s the weight of their past finally releasing from their shoulders. Noah and Eli used to be enemies, two pawns on opposite sides of a war they had no control over, and though it took years, they’re finally free. They no longer look over their shoulders or worry about someone coming after them in some half-cocked vendetta.
Noah is already in bed when Eli emerges from the bathroom wearing only his boxer shorts, and Noah’s eyes instantly darken. Eli catches Noah’s expression, and his lips curl into a smile as he flexes, showing off his muscular frame, and Noah bites his lip. Eli presses his lips against Noah’s, and they pull each other closer.
Eli leans back and traces his fingers over the lines on Noah’s face. They’re deeper now, more defined, but more beautiful than ever. Noah pulls him into another kiss, and his dick hardens. Eli is just as sexy now as he ever was, if not more. He’s happy, authentic, and carefree. Noah’s fingers trace over the planes of Eli’s chest and abs, trailing over his tented boxers. Noah’s lips curl into a grin as he slips his hand beneath Eli’s waistband and wraps his fingers around Eli’s hard cock.
Eli slips out of his boxers and rolls to face Noah, pressing his body against him. He runs his hands over Noah’s back, sliding down his hips and around his manhood. They slowly roll against each other, keeping their moans soft. They build each other closer to climax as everything crystalizes around them—their home, their lives, their family. Everything comes into focus as they climb higher and higher. Noah reaches climax first, spurting onto Eli’s hand and stomach, which sends him over the edge. They stay in their intimate position, their foreheads pressed together in perfect bliss.
“I love you, Eli,” Noah says softly.
“I love you, too, Noah,” Eli whispers.