Epilogue
JULIAN
Five Years Later
The stars above my head shine bright, tiny diamonds stuck to the velvety sky, but they don’t hold a candle to the woman in front of me. Her beauty has improved with the past years, changed. She’s blossomed, matured, grown more confident in her own body.
And I am the man lucky enough to be by her side, watching it all.
Cat lowers her head, finding my gaze pinned on her. She smiles. “Found something interesting?”
“Very. Every day. And every night.”
“Such a poet of a man.”
“You made me one.”
She chuckles, scooting closer in the Jacuzzi.
I got it made right after we tied the knot.
It wasn’t a cheap endeavor to have it installed on the balcony, and the architects had to work double-time to maneuver their way around the limitations.
Everything for my lovely wife. Now, I get to watch her bathing on the balcony, with the confidence that no one will see her from below.
Mine to cherish. Mine to adore.
The hot water bubbles against my skin, and her small hand spreads on my chest. I cover it with mine, brushing her fingers with my own. We stay in loving silence for a moment.
“The stars are so pretty today,” she breathes out, making me shiver when her breath touches my wet skin.
“Not as pretty as you.” And I tilt her chin up to peck her plump lips. “You look dazzling today. Especially dazzling.”
It was just intended to be a compliment, but she pulls back, cheeks extra-flushed, and looks away. Did I say something I shouldn’t? God, the last thing I want in this world is to hurt her.
“Kitten,” I call out, stroking a thumb down her cheek. “Something wrong?”
“No,” she replies, too fast. “Nothing at all.” And she looks back up at the sky.
We’ve been through a lot together. I asked her to marry me right off the bat, but she preferred to wait some months so we could be sure.
The only thing that changed was that our love grew, so we tied the knot.
Then she was out of college and working, and we’ve been together long enough for me to know when something is off.
She has a secret. I hide nothing from her, and it hurts that she’s hiding something from me. Does she think I’ll react badly? Is she afraid of telling me something? The possibilities cross my mind at breakneck speed, none of them good.
But one thing I learned. Cat loves me, more than anything, and I should never press her or force her. That’s not how love goes.
Getting to my feet, I make my way out of the Jacuzzi.
“Where are you going?” she asks.
I grab the bottle of champagne from the inside of the room and bring it back. Two flutes and a bucket were already waiting. I sit back down in the Jacuzzi and pop the champagne open. Cat exclaims in surprise, then breaks into laughter as I pour her a glass.
“Here. We were celebrating. To the first anniversary of your vet clinic.”
She smiles but shakes her head. “I don’t want champagne today. But thank you, my love. I’m so happy we did it. Without your investment and support, I’d still be working at that awful place.”
“You deserved much better, and anyone could see it.” I put the flutes away, turning to face her.
“Tell me, kitten. Did I get the wrong brand?” And I can’t hide how worried I am now.
She used to love the champagne bubbling down her throat.
How it tickled her nose. She made the cutest faces when it happened.
Cat shakes her head. “No, love. That’s not it.”
“Then what is it?”
She smiles, taking my hand in hers. Cat presses my palm to her lower stomach. “I’m pregnant.”
And the word sinks into me like something holy, something wonderful. Although, yes, I want to fill this ranch with kids, see my wife pregnant and share my life with her, I wasn’t expecting that. We weren’t really trying.
“Kitten...”
“I knew you wanted a baby so much.” She presses herself closer. “So I took the IUD out. Now a baby is growing inside me. Your baby.”
My heart bursts with happiness. I cradle her closer, bringing her to my lap, and kiss her eyes, and her face, and her lips.
God, it makes so much sense now. How much she glows, how beautiful she is today.
I kiss her, and I thank her for the honor, and I hold her against my chest as we make plans for our little baby.
Life is perfect with her.
THE END OF BOOK 1