HAPPY EVER AFTER.

“Jackie, Lizzie, stop running like that… you could get hurt!” I shout, putting my hands on my waist. They are laughing, hiding their smiles behind their little hands. But despite this, they go running back down the sandy beach, making my heart rise to my throat.
They grow up so fast! Two years and seven months ago, they were so small in my arms, and now they’re running around our house in Nassau, their blond hair ruffling in the pleasant wind.
Just as we promised, we created a little tradition in our family; every year, during our wedding anniversary, we bring the children with us. It’s the second time they’ve been here, and this time, we’ve decided to invite the people closest to us to enjoy this paradise.
“This place is really wonderful!” Cathy says behind me, stroking her big belly. I look over my glasses and quickly take them off. “Seriously, I really appreciate you inviting me... I’d really go mad if I stayed a bit longer in that cold place!”
Cathy sits down in one of the chairs, sighing as she stretches out her legs. “Argh, my feet are so swollen... Why does Tyler have to leave when I need him?”
“Where are they?” I ask, looking around for just a second as I can’t help but keep an eye on my children. “If you go anywhere near the water, playtime will be over, girls!”
My daughters obey, sitting down on the ground next to my seat and going back to building little and messy castles in the sand.
“They’ve gone to pick up Mike and Amelie at the airport. They’re probably on their way back,” she grumbles, stretching. “Oh yes, there’s nothing like the weather in the Bahamas!”
I stroke Cathy’s belly and feel my chest warm with deep happiness.
“Look at them...” She says, looking at the twins and touching Jackie’s hair. “They’re growing up so fast... How can the time pass so quickly?”
“I was thinking exactly the same thing.” I smile, looking at the twins affectionately. “A few years ago, I was crying in the bathroom of a kinky club because of Julian Adams, and you consoled me. Now, look at us both… we’re mothers.” I giggle, and she nods, feeling nostalgic.
Cathy shares an understanding look.
“Your belly will soon start to show. Have you told Julian yet?”
Cathy is the only person I’ve told that I’m pregnant since I’m waiting for the best moment to surprise my husband.
“Not yet... I plan to tell him tomorrow.” I say, looking at my daughters playing.
Honestly, I’m so happy that our children will grow up together. I know that, no matter what happens in the future, they will always have each other.
“I can’t wait for Milan to be in my arms.” She confesses, stroking her belly. “I want to hold him soon.”
I know the feeling... there’s nothing better in the world than holding your child.
“You’re thirty-seven weeks pregnant now, aren’t you?”
“Oh, yes, he could be born at any moment.”
*“Daddy!”* The twins say at the same time, and I look back. Julian is approaching, wearing a beach-print shirt that really gives him a youthful look. It’s amazing how the years go by, and he’s still extremely hot.
I stand up, watching the small group of guests approaching with genuine smiles.
My daughters get up in a hurry and run towards their father, and Julian bends down on one knee, opening his arms as the twins throw themselves into his embrace. He lifts them both easily, each sitting on one strong arm, as he has done since they were born.
Tyler follows soon after, carrying a glass of juice. He gives me a subtle smile as he sits on the edge of Cathy’s seat, handing her the drink. She leans over and puts a quick kiss on his lips, thanking him for bringing her favorite.
Honestly, it’s really cute to see them together. I knew they got closer when the girls were born, but I never imagined their future would be like this. Still, it’s a beautiful future. Cathy and Tyler deserve to be happy, and seeing the sparkle in their eyes when they look at each other brings me great joy.
*“Grandpa!” “Grandpa’s here!”* The twins say, with beaming smiles.
My father approaches, smiling at the girls, taking one of them into his arms. He’s accompanied by Amelie, who gives us a warm smile like the sun itself, and a shy little girl holding Amelie’s hand.
I remember the first time I saw her, how she hid behind her mother’s legs. Months passed, and she’s still so small… she doesn’t even look six years old.
“Hi, Cassie.” I lower myself to her height, hugging my knees. “Thanks for coming with your Mommy! Do you like the beach?”
Cassie’s big brown eyes sparkle from looking around, and she nods intensely, barely able to contain her excitement. She’s so young and so well-behaved.
When I found out that Amelie had been left by her ex-husband when she just had a baby, I felt furious and sad. I know what it’s like to grow up without a father, believing that I was abandoned, imagining what it would be like if he were by my side. Maybe that’s why, when I saw Cassie, I also saw *myself.*
Dad always knew that Amelie already had a daughter, and like me, he felt sympathy for the story that resembles ours. Since they decided to get together a year ago, my father has been trying to be a good stepfather and raise her as his own.
I’m sure that, in the end, that will heal little Amelie’s wounds — and, in the process, heal his own.
“Thank you for inviting us, Angel,” Amelie says, and I stand up, stroking the little girl’s hair. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“Of course not.” I smile, giving her a welcoming hug full of affection. “It’s good to get our family together.”
My father comes over and hugs me, with Jackie in his arms. He kisses me on the forehead and smiles when my daughter stretches out her arms, asking for my hug.
“Mommy...” Jackie whimpers, and I hold her affectionately, stroking her little face as she lies in the crook of my neck.
“Yes, cutie pie?” I soothe her in my arms with gentle movements, feeling her little hand grip my cleavage.
“I’m sleepy...” She mumbles, snuggling even closer against my neck.
I exchange a look full of understanding with Julian, who is also lulling an equally sleepy Lizzie. She’s clutching Daddy’s neck as if it were a teddy.
“Looks like nap time.” Julian smiles and looks at our guests. “You can make yourselves at home. My house is your house.”
My father pats Julian twice on the shoulder and smiles. He slips his hand around Amelie’s shoulders and guides her to the umbrellas with Cathy and Tyler.
Julian and I walk in silence along the stone path back to the mansion. He holds my shoulder, keeping me close to his body while cradling the sleeping baby in one arm.
I had hoped to reveal the surprise later, but it seems that my plans will have to change.
In their room, which is still exactly as the first time Julian showed it to me, I gently put Jackie in her crib, taking care not to wake her, and cover her little body with a blanket.
I brush the blonde strands away from her forehead, admiring her long eyelashes and chubby cheeks, and her nose, which is so similar to mine.
They’re so adorable I could melt.
I place a kiss on her forehead and stroke her cheek before approaching the other crib. I look at Lizzie snuggled up in her favorite teddy, sound asleep. How cute… she has always hugged it… ever since she was a newborn.
I also move Lizzie’s blonde hair away from her forehead, giving her a long kiss on it. I set the blanket and teddy bear before moving away.
Julian wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into a hug full of feelings. He burrows his head into my neck, hugging me tightly, inhaling my scent deeply.
I hug him back, running my hands along his broad back. I also inhale the scent of his cologne, the smell of home.
“Should we have a nap time, too?” His words make me laugh because I know exactly what he’s proposing, and it’s certainly not sleeping.
“I’m happy,” I say, closing my eyes. “I’m really happy right now.”
“Me too.”
“When you brought me here for the first time, I imagined what it would be like to see the girls in the room that you had so carefully prepared. And they’re here again.”
I pull away gently, still within reach of his hands, and look directly into his green eyes. I place my hands on his chest, feeling the rhythmic beating of his calm heart.
“But now, I’m just wondering if you’ll do another one for the next few years as well.”
Julian’s heart speeds up under my touch. His eyes widen as he understands the meaning of my words.
“You...” He swallows the lump in his throat, but his eyes light up with tears. “Do you mean it?”
I nod softly, my own eyes stinging and blurring with tears.
“Yes.” I smile, my heart beating as fast as his. “Twelve weeks... a boy.”
“A boy?” His smile widens. “Are you serious?”
I laugh at his excited reaction, and he wraps both hands around my face, pulling me into a kiss that’s quick but affectionate enough to spread warmly across my chest.
“You’ll wake the girls!” I pat his chest, and he takes my hand, intertwining our fingers and guiding them to my belly where, once again, there’s a new little heart beating.
His eyes, full of emotion, look straight into mine.
“I love you,” he says, sliding his thumb across my belly. “I will always love you.”
“I love you, Julian,” I say, letting the tears roll down my face... after all, they only mean happiness. “Thank you for giving me a home.”