Epilogue Jonas
ONE YEAR LATER
“Inever thought New Year’s Eve in San Francisco would feel warm.” Stella holds her arms out as we round the corner to Miles and Camila’s penthouse.
“When you spend two weeks in Switzerland, I’m sure anything feels warm.”
She stops just feet from the door, turns to face me, and presses her body against mine as she wraps her arms around me.
Dangerous move, considering when she came out of our bathroom in this backless black dress, I immediately hiked it halfway up her stomach, slid her matching black thong to the side, and buried myself to the hilt inside her.
“Have I told you how perfect that trip was?” she asks, brushing her lips against mine.
“Only every hour of the last two days we’ve been home.” I kiss her lips, and she lets out a soft chuckle when I slap her ass. “Now, let’s go, we’re going to be late.”
The elevator doors open, and to absolutely no one’s surprise, the Camerons’ penthouse is so impeccable that it would make Rockefeller Center look like a dump.
“Dia duit,” Taylor shouts while pulling me in for a hug.
“The fuck did you just call me?”
“It means hello, ya dingus.” She swats my shoulder before giving Stella a hug, linking their arms together, and dragging her over to the kitchen island.
Camila hands me a drink, and I give her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Mila, looking stunning as always.” She puts one hand on her lower back and the other on her growing stomach.
“Thank you, Jonas. I’m starting to believe the old wives’ tale that girls suck the beauty from you, because I’ve felt like a hag more days than not, lately.”
“Nonsense. Any names picked out yet?”
Camila opens her mouth, but it’s Taylor who pipes up, “Whisky and Risky.”
Camila turns around laughing at her friend, but I look her in the eyes. “You’re probably the only person who could get away with that if you wanted. It’s not like Miles could ever say no to you.”
“I think we’re leaning toward something a little more subtle,” she whispers, then turns to meet the girls waiting for her in the kitchen.
I make my way further into the living room, where Knox and Miles are having a drink. We shake hands and clap backs. “Nice spread,” I say to Miles. “What’s with the breakfast pastries?”
“They’re for Camila. Don’t touch them.”
I’m going to assume it’s a pregnancy craving thing, and I don’t question it.
“It’s a nice tree, mate,” Knox says, admiring the twelve-foot centerpiece.
“Thank you,” Miles replies. “And it’s bong water free.”
I choke on my beer, and Knox looks between the two of us with both hands up. “I don’t even want to know.” He takes a sip from his drink and then turns to me. “When did the happy couple get back?”
“Two days ago,” I answer.
“So, I guess there’s no more swimming in the Dominican Republic for Stella. She’ll sink to the bottom with the size of that rock on her finger.”
I look over at my fiancé, who’s laughing with the girls she’s become inseparable with.
Her smile is almost as big as last week when I gave her the Christmas of her dreams. It wasn’t artificial snow on an island but rather real snow at a chalet in Switzerland.
Every fireplace, table, and banister was adorned with garland and gold lights.
Christmas movies and music played twenty-four seven.
If there wasn’t something baking in the oven, it was because we were outside in the snow.
Multi-textured stockings hung with each family member’s name, hand-embroidered on them, and after a night celebrating just like our first Noche Buena, we woke up and exchanged gifts.
Hers came in the form of a gold 4 ctw toi et moi pear and emerald engagement ring.
“Alright, Wells is downstairs waiting,” Miles announces, sliding his phone in his pocket and heading to the kitchen. Knox follows him, and I’m about to, but I pause when I catch Stella stalking over toward me.
“Come on, Herbie,” Camila calls out from the elevator door, and Stella covers her smile with the back of her hand.
“You’re so bad.” Taylor drops her head back with a laugh, presses the button, and the door closes.
With Thing 1 and Thing 2 gone, I lean against the back of the couch, pulling the future Mrs. Jonas in between my legs.
“Penny for your thoughts, Stell?”
“No thoughts tonight.” Her raspy voice lights my soul on fire. “Just love.” Her lips hover over mine, and she whispers, “I love you, Jonas.”
I brush my nose over hers before claiming her mouth with mine, loving the way that she still smiles against my lips.
“I love you too, Stell. This year and every year after.”