Epilogue 1

Epilogue 1
James’s P.O.V.

A Few Years Later

I open the door to our bedroom and step inside holding a bouquet of red roses. It’s Selena’s favourite. 

It’s been years since she became my world, and I’ve kept the promise I made to myself the day she told me she’d never been on a vacation. Since then, I’ve made sure to take her out every weekend, and once every few months, we explore a new city together. No matter how busy life gets, she comes first. Always.

A grin spreads across my face the second I see the sight before me.

Jason, our eldest child, is sitting on the carpet, carefully placing building blocks around his little sister, Jana, like he’s protecting her with a fortress. He’s only six, but he’s already so much like me—grey eyes, protective, observant, always looking out for the women in his life. He’s my mini version.

And Jana… God, she’s perfect. Seven months old and already has me wrapped around her tiny finger. She’s a complete mini version of Selena—blue eyes and a beautiful smile. 

Right now, she is sitting in a little pink dress, her tiny fingers grasping at plush toys, and babbling to herself. There’s a nanny beside them, but it’s Jason who’s really keeping watch, like he’s her little bodyguard.

Jason notices me first. His eyes light up and he opens his mouth to call out, but I lift a finger to my lips, signalling him to keep quiet.

If Jana sees me, she’ll squeal and try to crawl over immediately. As much as I love that—right now, I need to see someone else first.

My wife. Selena. 

I mouth silently to Jason, “Where’s Mommy?”

He grins and points toward the dressing room without a word.

I lean down, press a quick kiss to his forehead, and whisper, “You’re the best big brother ever, champ. I’ll be right back.”

Clutching the bouquet tighter, I head toward the dressing room. I can’t wait to see my little miss after a long day at work.

It doesn’t matter how many years pass. The effect she has on me never dulls.

And then I see her.

Selena.

She’s standing in front of the mirror, adjusting her earrings, looking like an absolute goddess in that silver dress with a high slit that hugs every perfect curve. Her hair’s curled loosely over her shoulders. 

My God! Her glossed lips. They’re kissable. Mine. I can never get enough of kissing them. 

I'm just drinking her in for a few seconds. She hasn’t seen me yet, and I’m in no rush. Watching her like this… it reminds me why I fell in love in the first place. Why I still fall every damn day.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.” I finally enter the room.

“James…” She turns around, her eyes lighting up as I approach her, my eyes fixed on her. 

I hand her the bouquet with a grin. “Roses for my queen. Even though no flower could ever match you.”

She laughs, taking them, burying her face in the petals. “You still make me blush.”

I peck her on the red cheeks. “I’ll always make you blush. That’s a promise.”

Stepping behind her, I wrap my arms around her waist and press a kiss to the exposed skin of her shoulder. “God, I missed you today.”

“We were just apart for a few hours, James.”

“Too long,” I whisper against her neck. “I still can’t believe you’re the mother of my children. That you’re mine. That we’ve built a family together. It feels like a dream.”

She leans into me with a contented smile. “It’s our dream, James. And it’s real now. Every damn second of it.”

I spin her around and pull her close, resting my forehead against hers. “Christmas party can wait, love. Right now, I just want to hold you.”

She smiles up at me. “Then hold me.”

I pull her into a tight embrace, inhaling the familiar scent of her hair.

God! I’ve been addicted to it since day one. 



Later, we’re sitting around the dining table with Stella and Alex.

Across the room, their twin daughters, Ella and Lexi, are decorating the Christmas tree with Jason. The girls are two now, full of energy. Jason is standing tall between them, giving detailed instructions like a little commander.

“No, not that one yet,” he says in a serious tone, pointing to a glittery star. “That comes last.”

Ella obediently places her ornament lower on the tree, and Lexi claps proudly, even though hers is upside down. Jason sighs, fixes it, and gives her a thumbs-up. The twins giggle and continue following his lead like he's the boss of Christmas.

At the table, little Jana is seated in her high chair beside Selena, blabbering and smacking her tray with joy every time someone laughs. She seems to be having her own conversation with her spoon.

I glance at Stella and Alex, who are watching the kids with smiles on their faces. I’ve grown close to Selena’s friends over the years. They’re more than just friends now—they’re family. At least two or three times a year, we all go on vacation together. It’s become tradition.

“I must say,” Stella says, looking at us. “You two have raised Jason so well.” She continues, glancing at the kids, “Look at him. He’s handling our girls like a pro.”

Selena and I share a proud glance. “He takes after his dad,” she answers, looking at me with admiration, and I smile at her, caressing her bare thighs exposed through the slit of her dress.

“I’m just waiting to see what happens when Zoe and Sky’s son arrives,” Alex chuckles. “He’s definitely not going to let Jason decorate the tree properly.”

“True,” Stella laughs. “Hats off to Zoe and Sky for managing that little tornado.”

“But seriously, where are they?” I ask Selena, looking toward the door. “They should be here by now.”

“I’ve been wondering the same,” she replies, frowning slightly. “Zoe texted me over an hour ago. They were just about to leave.”

“I’m pretty sure.” Stella sips her wine. “Either Zoe or her son got into trouble, and Sky is busy dragging them out of it.”

We all burst into laughter, and even little Jana joins in, clapping her chubby hands, her face lighting up with delight.

Selena leans over to kiss her. “So cute.”

I just watch them—my daughter laughing and my wife glowing with happiness. 

This is everything.

This is home.