Epilogue
KAYLA
Six years later...
“Goodnight,” I call to the night matron as I scan my card that releases the doors to the ward.
It’s been another exhausting shift. Working in accident and emergency always is. But I saved a life today and helped many others to repair and heal. I’m exhausted but satisfied.
Sweeping my hair out of my eyes, I give a small smile to the camera in the hospital reception as I walk past.
Fluorescent lights flicker in the parking lot as I head to the staff parking area. My car’s in the far corner directly under the CCTV, where Seth likes me to park.
I take my time getting in, letting my uniform ride up my thigh. My finger traces the edge of my skirt, making heat pool in my core.
The thought of Seth watching at home makes me tingle with desire despite the weariness of a long shift.
Ten minutes later, I pull up in our driveway. Seth opens the front door before I reach it, which means he’s been tracking my journey home.
That makes me feel safe, knowing he’s watching, making sure I get home safe.
It’s been six years since we met, and his obsession for me is just as strong.
I don’t ask him to hide it. Once I got over the initial shock of how he’d watched me, I found the idea exciting.
I like knowing that Seth’s keeping an eye on me. It makes me feel both safe and desired.
Seth presses his warm lips to mine as he slides an arm around my waist. There’s a hunger to the kiss, which lets me know he was watching my little show in the parking lot.
My stomach rumbles, and Seth breaks away.
“You need something to eat.”
He always puts my needs before his, my husband. Even though I can feel his hardness through his sweatpants, he knows it’s been a long time since my last break, and I must be hungry. I’m thankful for his thoughtfulness every single day.
As we head to the kitchen, Felix winds himself around my legs, giving me a friendly greeting. I rub the old cat behind the ears and he purrs happily.
Seth puts my plate of dinner in the microwave to reheat as we chat about our day.
“Did they go down all right?”
When I’m on night shift, Seth does bedtime for our four and two-year-old. Not always an easy task, but he’s a patient and gentle father.
“I had to read The Gruffalo five times, but other than that, they were fine.”
My heart warms thinking about him reading to our children, passing on his thoughtfulness and quiet ways to them.
As we eat dinner, we catch up on the day, but Seth is distracted and can’t keep his hands off me. I know he’s been patient, letting me refuel before he takes what he needs from me.
His consideration makes me want him even more. I leave the pasta half eaten and give in to his touch.
“I missed you today,” he whispers into my hair, pulling me toward him.
“Show me how much?”
As he leads me up to the bedroom, I almost trip on a toy rabbit, which lets out a wheezy squeak when I step on it.
The sound makes me giggle.
“Shh, you’ll wake the kids.”
We tiptoe upstairs like burglars in our own home.
I’m weary. It’s been a long day. But I feel satisfied. I’m doing work that matters, that changes lives. I’ve got a loving husband to come home to and two amazing kids.
It’s not the life my father might have wanted for me, but it’s my life and I love it.