Epilogue, Esmeralda

**FOUR YEARS LATER.

I jerk when cries wake me up. It's the middle of the night.

I groan, then turn to face Milo, who's already awake, sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. I can only see his muscled body in the darkness, courtesy of the moonlight poking through the windows of our room. My fiancé looks at me, then kisses my forehead, before putting pants on.

"Go back to sleep, baby. I'll get her."

I settle back in the cushions of the comfortable bed, and only hear the rustling of his clothes before he wanders away from the room. I'm very grateful for how thoughtful he is with me, especially right now. It's my first period in almost a year, since the pregnancy and I stopped breastfeeding, and I really am going through it right now. I even went as far as vomiting my guts out every hour. Hopefully, after days of coddling from Milo, I am finally doing a bit better.

A few minutes later, I hear footsteps come closer, then the door cracks open.

The sweet voice of my daughter babbling incoherent words doesn't leave me room to think of sleep anymore. I just want to hold her in my arms.

"Shh, Shortcake. Don't wake up Mama." Milo soothes, and they both enter the room.

"Mama asleep ?" Kiara whispers to Milo when he puts her on the bed, and sits on the edge of it as well.

I sit up, a tired smile on my face, "I'm awake, baby." I tell her. Her brown curly haired head turns towards me, and her green eyes light up with joy, when she stares at me. The sight of her dashing smile melts my heart, and I open my arms for her.

"Mama !" She squeaks, throwing her ams around my neck. I hold her tightly, then throw a look at my soon-to-be husband who's wearing an easy smile as he watches us. I can feel that our daughter's tired, even if she's trying to look like the tough two year old she is. Kiara was an unexpected pregnancy, and even if we had her earlier than we planned to, at twenty-three years old, I wouldn't have it any other way. Milo proposed to me when I was barely showing, and it was one of the best days of my entire life. They both are the reasons I wake up every morning.

After I found out I was pregnant, I decided to put my modeling career on hold, and eventually got back again after I stopped breastfeeding. It's hard to manage working and taking care of Kiara, but I'm really grateful that Milo helps me every step of the way. He doesn't stare in as much movies as he used to, and instead manages the company with Ellis.

I put my arms around her chubby little waist, and pull her back to look at her, "Did you have bad dreams again, my love ?" I ask her gently.

She frowns a little bit, then turns to her Dad, "Daddy said he let me sleep with you. I scared of monsters." Aw, my heart hurts from my baby girl having nightmares.

I put on my best Mom face, and look at her eyes, a mirror of Milo's, "You're a big girl now, Kiara. You have to sleep in your own bed. Abby started sleeping in her own bed when she was younger than you."

"But Abby is four years ! I two, Mama !" She holds up her tiny little hands and shows me the numbers with her fingers. Milo scoots closer to us, laying on the bed next to us, then kisses Kiara's hands, that are still held up. I can't help but chuckle at the sight. Abby is already four years old, and she's already so intelligent for her age. She's my daughter's best-friend, and they practically spend everyday together. Hunter and Rita spoil Kiara as much as they spoil their own daughter, and even if I try to act like it annoys me, I honestly don't mind a bit. Abigail's like my own daughter as well.

"Your Mama's right, sweetie. But you can sleep with us tonight, if you promise to be brave tomorrow. And I will always be here to chase the monsters away, understood ?" Milo intervenes, his voice soft, as he gently puts his hand on our daughter's cheek, and she listens to him with her full attention.

It's insane how much love I hold for this wonderful man. He has been there for me since what seems like forever, and I am very grateful to have him to hold me when it starts getting too hard, or when I start to feel like relapsing. He's very patient with me, as he is now with our baby girl. Milo and I both came a long way, from where we were six years ago. I've healed, even if some scars still linger, but I've been more than good at keeping the bad thoughts at bay, especially when I'm surrounded by my family, and that I know that the monster's locked up. Milo managed to erase all of my bad experiences and carve his own mark on me, and hasn't left since. He's definitely the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I've never had any doubt about it.

"Okay Dada." She agrees, nodding vigorously, her locks moving along with the movement.

We both chuckle, and I kiss her forehead. She moves to settle between the two of us, and I lay back on my pillow, Milo moves to settle back against the sheets, and puts a hand around the two of us, locking his hand with my own.

After a few instants of silence, in which I try to find sleep, Kiara, who's obviously not anywhere near dozing off, says again, "Mama ?"

I hold back a groan. I just want to catch up on my missed hours of sleep due to me being sick for a whole week. Milo moves closer, and holds me more tightly, crushing our daughter against us.

"Yes, baby ?"

"Are auntie Cleo and uncle Ellis going to visit soon?"

I smile in the dark. It's so cute how fond of Ellis and Cleo she is. They obviously spoil her so much too, so I guess that makes her love them more.

"If they can get off work early then yes, they will."

She giggles excitedly, and my heart tightens with emotion until I feel like it might burst out of my chest.

"I'm so excited ! Uncle Ellis said he would bring me a unicorn plushie !"

Milo snorts, the smile barely concealed in his voice. "Alright, let your Mama sleep, honey. Her belly hurts and she needs rest."

I smile, and squeeze the love of my life's hand in mine.

"Does Mommy have a baby in her belly ?" She asks and I can't help but laugh at how ironic that is.

Milo chuckles, "No, honey. But don't worry, we'll make you a little sister or brother very soon."

My eyes widen in faked outrage. I would honestly love to have more children, but I'd rather wait more time, until Kiara grows up a bit more, and I'm mentally ready to carry another baby, because that's an exhausting thing to do.

"Okay. I'm sorry Mommy." Kiara sing-songs, before really closing her eyes. This kid sleeps way too quickly.

"Goodnight, Shortcake." Milo answers in the tone he only uses with her.

"Goodnight Dada." She answers with the sweet voice that makes me feel so full of love and pride. I cannot believe I pushed this gorgeous human being out of my body. "Goodnight Mama."

"I love you, sweetie." I answer.

Silence. And then...

"I was serious about baby number two, though."

"One day, I'll take Kiara with me and we'll run away from your idiocy."

"You know you won't." He breathes, his hand moving to my lower abdomen.

"And why is that, Mr. Chase ?" I taunt as his hand travels downward. I try not to sigh in satisfaction of having his hand on my body. His sole touch makes me feel so many things at the same time.

"Because I'll always find you."

"You're the worst." I answer trying to seem like my throat isn't tight and that my eyes don't sting from holding back tears of joy at his answer. Of course he'll always find me, I've never believed otherwise. I am so fucking lucky.

"That's what you get for making a deal with the devil, my love."

**THE END**