Epilogue
Caleb
The sun is just beginning to rise over the Manhattan skyline, casting a warm, golden light through the large windows of our new apartment. It’s not the penthouse—no, we sold that place months ago. We did discover who was the culprit behind the flooding. It was some of the kids in the building. The construction crew left access to the penthouse unlocked.
Right after the sale of the place, Duncan retired. Em bought him a house in New Mexico and he’s the one who ended up with Bentley. The cat has a weird attachment to Duncan. Em and I agreed it was best if the two of them lived in sunny New Mexico.
Now, our home is a cozy loft in SoHo, filled with the kind of warmth that only comes from truly living in a space. There are photos of us scattered on the walls, and the scent of lavender and vanilla fills the air.
I watch Emmersyn as she moves around the kitchen, her hair in a messy bun, humming softly to herself. She’s happy, I can tell. It’s been six months since our worlds collided again, and I still can’t believe how lucky I am to have her back in my life. We’ve spent our time between New York and San Diego, never letting more than a few days pass without being together. It’s a promise we made, and one we’ve kept.
“Are you ready to go?” I ask, leaning against the doorway, a smile tugging at my lips as I watch her.
She turns to me, holding up a spatula like a weapon, icing smeared on her cheek as she concentrates on decorating the cake in front of her. “Ready? You mean for the big Cunningham family gathering in North Carolina? I’m bracing myself,” she teases, though the sparkle in her eyes betrays her excitement. “Your dad’s birthday is a big deal.”
“It is,” I agree, stepping closer and wrapping my arms around her waist, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. “And he adores you. They all do. I’m just glad they finally got to see the real you, the one I fell in love with.”
She looks up at me, her smile radiant and filled with a happiness that makes my heart race. “They’re amazing. I’m so lucky to have them as my family, too.”
I lean down, brushing a kiss on her forehead, unable to resist the way she lights up my world.
We stand there for a moment, just holding each other, and I can’t help but feel a sense of peace settle over me. This is what I fought for—what we fought for. And it was worth every moment.
“Speaking of family,” she says, pulling back slightly to look at me, “I’m still nervous about meeting your entire extended clan.”
I chuckle, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “They’re going to love you, just like my parents do. Besides, you’ve got me by your side.”
“Thank you, Cal. For everything. For choosing us, for fighting for us.”
I kiss her softly, letting the moment linger. “Always, Em. You’re my home, no matter where we are.”
She smiles against my lips, a soft, contented sigh escaping her as she turns back to the cake. I watch as she carefully finishes decorating it, her fingers moving with practiced precision. There’s something so comforting about watching her in these quiet moments, the way she puts her heart into everything she does.
Once the cake is perfectly finished, she carefully packs it up, securing it for the journey ahead. I help with the final touches, and together we finish packing up, ready to head out and catch our flight. There’s a sense of peace between us now, a quiet understanding that no matter where life takes us, we’ll face it together. There might be missions where I’ll have to go away, but I’ll always do my best to come back to her as soon as I can. This is our life now, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
As we step out into the bustling streets of New York, I take her hand, feeling the warmth of her fingers intertwined with mine. The city hums with life around us, but all I can focus on is the woman beside me, the one who’s become my everything.
Waiting by the curb is Logan, his tall frame leaning casually against the sleek black car. As we approach, he straightens up, opening the door with a nod. “Hey, Logan,” Em greets him warmly. I nod back and greet him too.
“Good to see you both,” Logan responds. He looks at me and adds, “The jet is ready, and everything is set.”
“Thanks, Logan,” I say, giving him a quick pat on the shoulder as we slide into the car.
As the door closes behind us and the engine hums to life, I glance over at Em, her face serene as she gazes out the window. We’re not just surviving anymore—we’re thriving. And that, more than anything, is the greatest gift we could have given each other.
“Ready?” I ask, squeezing her hand gently, feeling that familiar rush of warmth and certainty that only she brings.
“Ready,” she replies with a smile.
Despite having traveled to many distant places, it’s not until Emmersyn returned to my life that I realized that she’s the light that was missing in my world. In that moment, I’m reminded once again how much I love her—how she’s not just a part of my life but the very heart of it, the one who makes everything else make sense. She’s my entire world, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.