Epliogue 2
epliogue 2
LENA
The nursery is perfect. It’s exactly how I envisioned it—our own little dream space, ready for our baby, who is due any moment. My hand rests protectively on my swollen belly as I waddle into the room. I’m overdue, the anticipation thick in the air, and I can feel the tension of waiting settle in my bones. But even with the discomfort, there’s so much love in this room, in this home Cade and I have built together.
I smile at the sight of Cade standing on a small step stool, hanging the last piece of decor—a framed photo from our maternity shoot. The photo captures us in the same mountain clearing where we exchanged vows, surrounded by towering trees and wildflowers. My belly was already showing back then, and looking at it now, I’m filled with nostalgia. The wedding had been perfect, and our honeymoon—a quiet escape by the ocean—had been filled with warmth, intimacy, and endless dreams of the future.
The nursery itself is a cozy Pacific Northwest retreat, with soft hues of forest green, creamy whites, and touches of earthy browns. Illustrations of mountain peaks and woodland creatures dance across the walls, and the crib Cade built stands in the corner, sturdy and simple, made from reclaimed wood. The rocking chair near the window overlooks the misty forest beyond, a serene view we both love. We don’t know the baby’s gender, but somehow, the room feels right, like it’s meant to welcome our little one.
Cade steps down from the stool, admiring his work before glancing at me with a familiar, loving smile. “All done,” he says, a note of satisfaction in his voice.
I walk over to him, resting my hand on my belly as he pulls me into his arms, kissing the top of my head. “It reminds me of our wedding,” I say softly, gazing up at the photo.
“It was a perfect day,” Cade murmurs, his hand moving down to rub my back. “But this—” he gestures to my belly, “—this is just as perfect.”
I laugh, leaning into his warmth. The wedding had been everything I’d ever dreamed of: simple, intimate, and surrounded by nature. We’d said our vows beneath a sky full of clouds, the wind whispering through the trees, and the love I felt then pales in comparison to the depth of what I feel now.
Cade has been my rock through this entire pregnancy. From rubbing my back when the baby’s kicks became too aggressive to helping me with every little task, he’s been there without hesitation, full of patience and love. I never knew I could love someone as much as I love him.
“I couldn’t have done any of this without you,” I say, resting my head against his chest. “You’ve been amazing, Cade. The perfect husband… and soon, the perfect dad.”
His laugh is soft, but full of emotion. His hand moves down to rest on my belly. “It’s been the best adventure of my life, Lena,” he says, his voice thick with love. “And it’s only just beginning.”
I nod, feeling a rush of warmth as I look around the nursery—the room where we’ll soon start this new chapter of our lives as parents. The photo from our maternity shoot glows with the warmth of those memories, and I can’t help but feel that everything has come full circle. Our wedding, our honeymoon, and now the baby we’re about to welcome—it’s all connected, like it was meant to be.
Cade’s hand lingers on my belly, his eyes softening with that familiar look of concern. “How are you feeling?” he asks, his voice gentle.
“I’m fine,” I reply, a teasing smile tugging at my lips. “Just… ready.”
“Well, whenever this little one decides to show up, we’ll be ready,” he says, leaning in to kiss me softly.
I pull him closer, my body pressed against his. “There’s something else I heard helps speed things along…” I trail off, raising an eyebrow.
Cade’s grin turns playful, his hands moving down to my hips. “Oh, really?” he murmurs, his lips brushing my neck. “You’re overdue… we wouldn’t want to keep the baby waiting.”
His hands slide over my swollen belly, and my breath catches at the heat in his touch. We’ve been through so much together, and even now, the passion between us hasn’t faded—it’s only grown stronger, deeper.
“I think we should do something about that,” I whisper, my voice low, filled with need.
CADE
I can’t take my eyes off her. The way her body has changed over the past months, round and full with our baby, has only made me more in awe of her. She’s so beautiful—more than she knows. And even now, standing there with her hand resting on her swollen belly, she still looks at me with that same playful, teasing spark in her eyes.
When she mentions speeding things along, my heart skips a beat. There’s a hunger between us, always has been, and knowing how close we are to meeting our baby only heightens that connection. The thought of her needing me, wanting me, even now, sends a rush of heat through me.
I take her hand, leading her to the fire, where the warmth flickers across her skin, casting her in a soft glow. Slowly, I begin to undress her, my fingers carefully unbuttoning her shirt, peeling away the layers until she’s standing there, her body bare and radiant in the firelight.
I pause for a moment, just to take it all in—the swell of her breasts, full and tender, the curve of her belly, round and heavy with the life we’ve created together. She’s perfection. Every inch of her is a reminder of how much I love her, how much I want her, and how she’s about to give me the greatest gift of all—our child.
“You’re so beautiful,” I murmur, my hands sliding over her skin, my touch reverent. “Every part of you, Lena. You’re perfect.”
Her breath catches as I kiss her softly, my lips trailing down her neck, savoring the way she responds to me. Her body trembles slightly, a mix of anticipation and need, and I feel the familiar heat rising between us.
I guide her down onto the plush rug by the fire, the warmth from the flames wrapping around us, adding to the intensity of the moment. She lies back, her body laid bare before me, and I can’t help but take another moment to just look at her, to drink in the sight of the woman I love more than anything in the world.
My hands move slowly over her skin, tracing every curve, every line, committing it all to memory. The way her belly rises and falls with each breath, the softness of her breasts, the way her body has adapted to carry our child—it’s all so mesmerizing, and I’m overwhelmed with love and desire for her.
“You’re everything to me,” I whisper as I position myself behind her, my hands on her hips, guiding her gently.
I enter her slowly, my body pressing against hers, and the sensation is pure bliss. Every movement, every sound she makes sends a surge of pleasure through me. I’m careful, tender, but there’s an urgency between us that neither of us can deny.
She moans softly, her body arching as I move inside her, my hands gripping her hips with a possessive but loving touch. She’s everything I could ever want, and right now, she’s mine. Completely.
We move together, the heat between us building with every thrust, every kiss, until the pleasure becomes almost unbearable. When we finally come together, it’s with a shared, desperate release, our bodies trembling, our moans echoing through the room.
But just as the moment fades, Lena gasps, her eyes widening as she sits up quickly.
“Cade... my water just broke.”
I freeze for a moment, the reality of what’s happening hitting me like a bolt of lightning. Our baby is coming.