EPILOGUE
Anya
Two Years Later
The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows of our cozy Colorado home, casting a warm, golden light over the room. I sat on the couch, cradling my swollen belly, feeling the occasional kick of our little one growing inside me. Each flutter reminded me how much my life had changed, how Jacob and I had fought for the peace we now had. The quiet life in Colorado suited us. After everything we’d been through, we’d found our haven.
The front door creaked open, and before I could even look, I heard Lana’s familiar voice. “Anya!” she called out excitedly. Seconds later, she bounded into the living room with her signature energy and a huge grin plastered on her face.
“Hey, mama!” she teased, her eyes immediately falling to my belly.
“Oh my God! What are you doing here?” I exclaim, giving her a hug.
“I thought I’d surprise you” she answers. Then she sit beside me on the couch and places her hand on my stomach. “How’s my favorite little peanut doing today?”
I smiled, placing my hand over hers. “Active,” I laughed. “This one’s going to be a kicker; I just know it.”
Lana’s eyes lit up as she felt a little nudge beneath her palm. “I still can’t believe it,” she whispered, her voice soft and full of wonder. “You’re going to be a mom, Anya.”
“Neither can I,” I admitted, shaking my head slightly. “But here we are.”
She grinned, but I could see something deeper in her eyes, a hint of unease that hadn’t been there before. I knew Lana well enough to sense when something was on her mind. “Okay, spill it,” I said, turning to face her. “What’s going on?”
Lana hesitated for a moment, her fingers tracing gentle circles over my belly before she finally met my gaze. “I’ve made a decision,” she began, her voice a little shaky. “I’m moving to New York.”
I blinked in surprise. “New York?”
She nodded, her smile widening, but there was a bittersweet edge to it. “Yeah, I’m starting my own interior design company. The facility dad sent me to, helped me with getting a degree in it, and I need a fresh start.”
Her words hit me like a wave. On one hand, I was thrilled for her—Lana had always been so passionate about interior design, and New York was the perfect place to build her business. But on the other hand, the thought of her leaving and starting a new life all on her own worries me but I have to remember that she needs this.
So, I put on a brave face, “Lana, that’s incredible!” I said, reaching out to pull her into a hug. “I’m so proud of you! But New York?” I asked again, my voice softer this time.
“I know,” she whispered, her voice catching slightly. “But I can’t stay in New Jersey anymore. Everywhere I look, I see reminders of what we went through. It’s time for me to move on, to build something new for myself. And besides,” she added, forcing a smile, “it’s not like we won’t see each other. I’ll visit all the time, and you can come to New York. It’s not like I’m disappearing.”
I pulled back, blinking away the tears that threatened to fall. “I get it, Lana,” I said, squeezing her hand. “You deserve this, and you deserve to be happy.”
She nodded, her own eyes glistening. “You do too, Anya. We’ve been through hell but look at you. You’ve got a beautiful life now, and soon you’ll have a little one. You and Jacob are building something real, something good.”
“Thanks, Lana,” I whispered, my heart swelling with emotion. “But we’ll miss you. You’ve been my rock through everything.”
“You’ll always be my best friend,” she replied with a tearful smile. “Nothing will change that.”
Just then, the back door opened, and Jacob walked in, wiping his hands on a rag. He saw the two of us sitting together and smiled warmly. “What’s going on in here?” he asked, making his way over.
“Lana’s moving to New York,” I said, glancing at her with a smile.
Jacob’s eyebrows shot up. “New York, huh?”
Lana grinned. “Yeah. It’s time. I need to do my own thing, on my own terms.”
Jacob reached down and pulled her into a hug. “You’ll be amazing. Just promise you’ll come back and visit. Anya needs you” he pauses as I give him a look, “And I guess I like having you around too” he teases.
She playfully hits him, “Oh you love me!” she teases back,
“Ehhh, I don’t know, you’re okay I guess.”
“Jacob Sullivan!” I screech playfully.
“I’m just joking, you’re family Lana and we love having you around” Jacob says nudging Lana.
“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” She teases.
We sat there, the three of us, sharing the quiet comfort of knowing that even though life was pulling us in different directions, our bond was unbreakable.
Later, as I watched Lana drive away, a mix of pride and sadness washed over me. Jacob came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. “You okay?” he asked softly.
I nodded, leaning into him. “Yeah. It’s just… everything’s changing so fast.”
He kissed my temple gently, his breath warm against my skin. “Change is good, babe. And no matter what, we’ve got each other. You, me, and our little peanut.”
I smiled, resting my hands over his. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Now onto more important things” he says turning me around to face him. I giggle as he tightens his grip around my waist, careful not to squeeze the baby bump.
"Oh, Jacob..." I say as I felt his warm breath on my skin. His strong hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer, and the scent of his cologne mingled with the lingering scent of our homey Colorado life. "You make me so hot." I moaned, arching my back to press my swollen belly against his growing erection.
As he kissed down my neck, his rough stubble scratching against my sensitive skin. His tongue traced the outline of my collarbone, sending shivers down my spine, and his fingers teased their way between my legs. His touch was gentle yet firm, toying with my swollen folds as if he were conducting an intimate orchestra.
"You taste so good," he murmured against my skin, his voice rough with desire. His fingers plunged deep inside me, filling me up, and I bit my lip to stifle a gasp. The tightness around him was almost painful, but in the best possible way. It felt as though he was claiming me, marking his territory inside my body.
Heat spread through my core, and my hips bucked against him. "Fuck, I love how wet you get for me." He groaned into my ear, his words sending a shiver down my spine. His other hand trailed up my pregnant belly, teasing the stretch marks and soft skin, before grasping my breast roughly. I cried out, my nipple hardening against his rough palm.
The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the room as our bodies moved together in rhythm. My fingers dug into his shoulders, leaving small indentations in his flesh, while his lips trailed kisses along my jawline, tasting the salt of my skin. The room was filled with the sound of our passionate moans and the creaking of the old wooden floor beneath us.
As the intensity built, Jacob's grip tightened, his breath coming faster as he thrust into me, our bodies becoming one. The air around us crackled with the energy of our merging souls, and I felt the tug of the stars above, guiding our union.
Finally, with a loud cry, Jacob collapsed against me, his heart pounding in sync with my own. We lay there, our bodies entwined, our breaths slowing as we basked in the afterglow of our lovemaking.
"I love you," Jacob whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.
"I love you too," I replied, stroking his sweat-dampened hair.
The next morning, Jacob left to spend the next three days training out in the field. As I stand on the porch a cup of coffee in hand, my gaze drifts toward the majestic Rocky Mountains bathed in the golden light of the rising sun. The peaks, towering and steadfast, remind me of the journey I’ve undertaken—both toward love and healing. A gentle breeze stirs the air, carrying the scent of pine and fresh earth, and I close my eyes, allowing the moment to envelop me.
With each passing day, I’ve learned to embrace the love Jacob has given me, a love that has anchored me through the storms. I place a hand on my rounded belly, feeling the soft kicks of the little one inside me. The anticipation of becoming a mother fills my heart with warmth, intertwining with the bittersweet memories of loss and pain.
I think of my friends—Lana, who’s bravely charting her own path in New York, and Jacob, who will soon return, ready to embark on this new chapter with me. Each of them has played a vital role in my healing, teaching me that vulnerability is not a weakness but a strength.
And I cannot forget Nana and Jacob's mom, whose wisdom and guidance have been the bedrock of my journey. Though they are no longer physically with us, their spirits linger in the lessons they've imparted. Nana’s unwavering belief in resilience and Jacob's mom’s nurturing encouragement have shaped my path in ways I will forever cherish. Their words echo in my mind, reminding me to embrace love, to find joy in the little moments, and to be brave in the face of challenges.
The mountains, timeless and resilient, echo the strength I’ve discovered within myself. I’ve faced darkness and emerged into the light, stronger than I ever believed I could be. As I breathe in the crisp mountain air, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the love surrounding me and the life growing inside me.
“Everything is falling into place,” I whisper, a smile breaking across my face. I can almost hear Jacob’s laughter in the distance, feel his presence beside me as we prepare to welcome our child into this world—a world filled with promise, hope, and boundless love.
With one last glance at the mountains, I turn to head inside, my heart lighter and filled with a sense of peace. The journey hasn’t been easy, but every step has brought me here, to a life I never knew I could have. And as I take each step forward, I know I am ready to embrace whatever comes next, carrying the love and lessons of those who have shaped my journey in my heart forever.
THE END