Epilogue
Silas
“ T he mayor has arrived; we're all set,” Lauren says, brushing lint off my shoulders. She’s got that sharp eye for detail, and today, I need to be flawless.
I’m wearing a tailored suit just for this occasion, and I know the cameras will be all over me.
The Compass Project is finally here. There’s a big, bold red ribbon at the entrance, waiting for New York’s mayor to cut it. The media, celebrities, and my family are scattered around, mingling. It’s a good day—no, a great day.
My father’s walking around like a rooster in a henhouse, chest puffed out with pride. My brothers are out there schmoozing with investors, each holding a crystal glass of something fancy.
“Hold on,” I say to Lauren, taking a second to adjust her jacket. Her six-month baby bump is unmistakable, and I want people to see it, to see my wife standing tall by my side. “Now we’re ready.”
I take Bunny’s hand—yeah, I still call her that—and together, we head toward the stage. The crowd starts clapping, and as soon as I step up to the mic, the applause gets louder. The cameras flash, and I flash them right back, fingers laced with Lauren’s. She smiles and waves like a pro. We’d practiced for this— months of practice, just so she’d feel at ease under all the attention.
The Compass Project has been building momentum over the years, especially once people figured out what it was all about—community, practicality, and sustainability. And now, standing here, it’s finally come to life.
“When I started this project almost three years ago, I had ambition. I knew New York needed something more,” I say, pausing to glance down at Lauren. “But Lauren opened my eyes. She told me it was time to think about the planet. She stayed up late researching technologies, scouring the market for ideas. I’ve got to admit, there were times I was jealous.” I chuckle, and the audience joins in. “But she did everything she could to make Compass what it is today. Sustainable, recyclable materials, solar electricity.”
The applause is immediate, echoing through the space.
“But above all,” I continue once the crowd quiets down, “it’s about a sense of community—a place for those of us who want to leave a better world for our children. Somewhere to live in harmony. And we like the project so much … that we’re moving in ourselves.”
I wrap my arm around Lauren, pulling her close to my chest as the crowd claps again.
“We want to thank Mayor Harriman,” I say, pointing to the cookie cutter politician in the corner, “and everyone who worked tirelessly to bring Compass to life. Welcome, everyone.”
Lauren steps forward, handing the oversized ceremonial scissors to the mayor, who, with a grin, snips through the red ribbon. The crowd bursts into applause once more, and people begin to move inside to explore the place.
The apartments are all sold, of course, but the media still needs their shots—the mayor’s campaign needs a good push, and this is their chance to get it.
I don’t fully support using the project for political gain, but sometimes I have to play the game.
My brothers make their way over, and we all take turns carefully hugging Lauren. Her belly is so prominent now, everyone seems afraid to squeeze her too tightly. My parents join in, smiles all around, enveloping us in warmth and pride.
“I never thought you’d be a guy giving speeches,” Oliver says.
“I didn’t have a choice.” I grin, pointing at Lauren. “Or at least that’s what I was told.”
Lauren nudges me playfully, her eyes sparkling. “The city had to meet Silas,” Lauren says with a smile, and I can feel the warmth in her voice.
“True,” my father adds, stepping into the conversation. “I think the company needs to be more involved with the city. I’ve got some ideas I’d like to run by you, Lauren.”
“Whenever you like,” she replies, flashing that dazzling smile. Ever since we found out about the baby, she’s been practically glowing. Not that the pregnancy’s been easy—hell, we’ve spent more time in the bathroom the first three months than anywhere else.
“Be careful, brother,” Luca chimes in, his usual serious tone softened by a wink at Lauren. “When Thomas Walker gets something in his head, nothing can stop him.”
“Same with Lauren,” Killian says, joining in with a grin. “I still don’t know how she convinced me to buy an EV.”
“It wasn’t that hard,” Lauren shoots back, smirking as everyone bursts into laughter.
Amid the chuckles, Thomas gestures for me to walk with him. I glance at Lauren, and she gives me a quick nod, mouthing, Go, go with him!
I hesitate for just a second, then follow my father as he leads me away from the group, the buzz of conversation still lingering in the background.
My father, who stands eye-to-eye with me, places his heavy hand on my shoulder as we walk, both of us silently taking in the green space around the building. Not a single tree or shrub had to be sacrificed during construction.
“Son, I want you to know how proud I am of you,” he says.
My throat tightens, and for a moment, I can’t say a word. I just nod, probably looking like an idiot. I never thought I’d hear those words from him.
“I always knew you were a natural leader, but I really saw it when you married Lauren.”
“Really? Why?” I ask, genuinely puzzled.
“Because a leader must have empathy for others who put their family first. You’ve shown me that over these past few years. The company’s never been better, and yeah, we have offices all over—thanks to your brothers, we’re doing great everywhere. But yours, Silas it’s the one my mother started, the one closest to my heart.” He lets out a soft laugh, almost like he’s sharing a secret no one else could understand. “Today, you’re a married man, and you know what it means to dedicate yourself to the people you love. And soon, you’ll be a father. That changes everything.”
“That’s what I’ve heard,” I reply thoughtfully, my eyes tracing the thick green grass of the park.
“Your life shifts when you hold your child in your arms,” he says, his voice filled with something deeper than pride. “Suddenly, that small, helpless being takes precedence over everything else.”
I nod, understanding the weight of his words. “I can’t wait to meet him,” I murmur, letting the words come straight from my heart.
“I know,” he says with a broad, genuine smile, giving me a firm pat on the back. “And I can’t wait to meet my grandchild.”
Before I even realize it, we’re making our way back to the family. Lauren is mid-conversation with a journalist, answering his questions with that vibrant energy that’s become her signature. Ever since she joined Property Group NYC, she’s blossomed into this powerhouse—responsible, competent, and commanding respect in every room she steps into.
“I think it’s time to take my wife home,” I say, sliding my hand onto her waist with a mischievous grin.
The journalist, clearly sensing it’s his cue to wrap up, nods enthusiastically. “Oh, yes, of course. It was a pleasure meeting you both.”
After a quick handshake, he disappears into the crowd. I lean down, planting a soft kiss on Lauren’s blonde hair, pulling her closer into my arms. “All the furniture arrived today,” I murmur into her ear.
“I know,” she replies with a small smile, waving to someone in the distance. “I made sure of it.”
“Well, then, I think we should test the bed—see how comfortable it is,” I say, my voice dropping just enough for her to catch my intent.
Lauren glances up at me, confused for a second, but then a knowing look crosses her face. “Silas, everyone is here. This is the inauguration of the most important project of your life.”
I shrug nonchalantly. “Bunny, the most important project of my life is you and the baby you’re carrying,” I say, gently stroking her belly. “I don’t care about all this right now. You’ve been working non-stop for the past three nights. It’s time for us to take a break and enjoy this.”
Slowly, I guide her toward the elevators, and she doesn’t resist. Throughout the ride, I stand behind her, my hands resting on her belly, feeling that tiny life growing inside her. I can’t stop touching it—it’s like my new obsession.
Our apartment is on the top floor, the sixtieth—the penthouse. It’s not quite like my place in Manhattan, but when Lauren said she wanted to raise our son, Julian, here, I didn’t hesitate. I’ll do whatever makes her happy.
The elevator doors slide open, revealing our new apartment, still a work in progress. Scattered furniture, some unassembled, lay across the space. But I made sure everything essential was ready, especially the bed. Without hesitation, I take Lauren’s hand and guide her straight there. As I kiss her body, I worship her round belly, letting my hands and lips explore every inch of her. My mouth finds her soft, beautiful core, and I lick her with devotion while my hands knead her perfect ass. “I love you, wife,” I groan just before the waves of pleasure take me over.
Lauren’s body trembles beneath me, gripping every last bit of me. Her eyes squeeze shut as she climaxes, but when they open again, they soften with that look that undoes me every time. “I love you too, husband,” she whispers, breathless .
Still wrapped up in each other, our bodies trembling, we lay side by side, staring at the ceiling of our new bedroom.
“You make me so happy, Silas,” she says, her voice full of warmth. “You’ve taught me to embrace imperfection, or what people call ‘imperfect’. You’ve taught me to see beauty in the cracks, the flaws. You’ve shown me how happiness can be found where no one thinks to look, where others are too busy chasing after perfection.”
I reach out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “And in those imperfections lies the truest beauty,” I reply. “You make me happy too, Bunny. I can’t wait for us to become a family of three.”
My hand rests on her belly again, feeling the life we created, our future.
Lauren Walker—my wife, my friend, my lover, my partner—gives me that smile that says it all. Every time she looks at me like this, I’m reminded of the reckless teenage version of myself, the one who almost ruined everything. But the present Silas knows better. I’ll never take for granted what it means to have a woman like Lauren give me a second chance. The only woman who ever set my soul on fire, who drove me mad with longing until I confused that desire with hate. How wrong I was. She was always mine, and I was always hers.
We’ve always been us.
The end.