Epilogue—Alessandra

I waved goodbye to Mom and Danny, who she held in her arms, as I left the house. Joshua waited beside his car, and as he saw me approach, opened the door for me to go in, before getting inside as well.

We were silent as Joshua drove. I was happily waiting for tonight’s surprise. I had no idea where we’d be going, though since Joshua asked me to dress fancy, and even had the outfit for tonight delivered to my doorstep, I knew it had to be something big.

The car stopped, and he turned to me. “Are you ready?”

I nodded quickly. “I’ve been waiting for this for hours,” I admitted.

He hopped out, and I waited for him to come around and open the door for me. He held his hand out for me, and I took it. Once I was out of the car, he locked it with the key fob, then wrapped my hand around his elbow and led me inside the building.

It was a restaurant I’d never been to before. Joshua talked to the host about his reservation. I was surprised, and yet not, when we ended up in a large room with one table in the middle set for two. There were string lights hung on the walls around the room, and there were lit candles on the table.

“Wow,” I murmured.

“I’m glad you like it.”

We sat down. Food had already been brought to the table. The man that led us to the room uncovered the plates, then opened the wine and poured it for us, before leaving.

“Why don’t we have a toast?” Joshua said.

He picked up his glass, and while I was confused, I picked mine as well and held it out.

“Toast to what?” I asked.

“To…another good year?” he offered, then chuckled. I was sure it was just my imagination that it sounded a little nervous. “To our, and our baby’s, future.”

We clinked glasses and sipped the wine. I licked my lips, the sweet taste clinging to my tongue.

“You should go ahead and eat. This is only part one of the surprises, after all.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Is that so?”

He smiled but didn’t answer.

I had no trouble digging into the food. It was served all pretty like, the way you’d expect at an expensive, five-star restaurant. The food not only looked good, but it also tasted divine and was perfectly paired with the wine. We talked little during the meal, not because I didn’t want to or I was too preoccupied, but Joshua didn’t seem much as if he wanted to talk.

Almost like they’d timed it, just when we’d finished our dinner, the door to the private room opened, and a waiter walked inside, pushing a tray, different from the man that had shown us the place. He carried another covered dish, and I wondered what else he could add. If it was more food, I didn’t think I could manage taking more.

He replaced our used dishes with the covered tray but didn’t uncover it as he walked back out.

“What’s under there?” I asked, curious.

Joshua arched an eyebrow. Then, he reached to pick up the lid, and underneath were flowers.

I was surprised for a moment, but then I laughed.

“Is this a second dessert?” I asked, teasing. “Are these edible flowers?”

Joshua snorted a laugh, then shook his head.

“Uh, no. That’s not what this is. It’s something else entirely.”

He stood up, and I watched as he picked up the flowers. Then, he rounded the table to come to my side. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but then he went down on one knee, presenting me with the flowers, and I gasped.

“Joshua,” I whispered, gently taking the flowers.

He smiled. “I did tell you the only surprise waiting for us was when,” he said gently, reaching inside his jacket pocket. “I was nervous when I planned this whole thing, so I wanted you to be surprised.

I pressed a hand to my mouth as I felt my eyes sting. I stayed silent, waiting. Out of his pocket, he pulled a small black box that he opened and held out to me.

“Alessandra,” he started, his voice clear. “I love you, and our son, more than anything else in this world. Would you do me the honor of marrying me?”

I didn’t even have to stop to think. I nodded quickly, and it took a few seconds before I could find my voice to give a verbal reply.

“Yes. Yes, Joshua, a thousand times, yes!”

We reached for each other at the same time, meeting in the middle in a wet, ferocious kiss that left us breathless in seconds. Then Joshua rose and tugged me up with him.

“Come home with me, Alessandra,” he whispered.

I let out a happy laugh. “How many times do you want to hear me say yes tonight?”

He grinned. “As many times as possible!”

We rushed out of the restaurant. I hadn't seen him pay, but I didn’t doubt he’d thought ahead. It was only a fleeting thought that disappeared the moment we were out of the building. Joshua had parked the car close, and we practically jumped inside, then he drove us back to his apartment building. The whole time, I had to keep my hands clasped in my lap so I wouldn’t try to reach for him.

I have no idea how we both managed it, but somehow we did. When we stopped at his building, we hurried inside, then to the elevator. We stayed apart, up until we made it to the penthouse, and he unlocked the door.

Then, we practically attacked each other.

Hands met bodies and lips crashed together in a rough kiss. Joshua kicked the door closed then backed me into it, his hands tight on my waist. He rocked his hips against me, and I could feel his erection pressing against me.

“Somebody’s eager,” I said, breathless when we broke off the kiss.

“I’ve wanted to rip that dress off you since I saw you walk out of your house in it,” was his reply.

We went to each other’s clothes. I shoved his coat off his shoulders, then undid his tie and shirt buttons to feel his chest, before finally undoing his belt and fly. He had it way more comfortable. All he had to do was destroy the zip in the back and tug it low enough to free my breasts, then raise the bottom of my skirt and spread my legs apart with his knee. One of his hands fondled my breasts, while the other teased at my sex between my thighs. Our mouths touched, then parted, then touched without too long breaks in between.

Then, Joshua wrapped a hand around one of my thighs and lifted my leg around his hip. I was leaning entirely against the door, with his body pressing against me helping to keep me up. I felt the blunt head of his cock tease at my sex, pressing against my clit, before lowering to tease at my entrance.

“In me,” I demanded, digging my nails into his shoulder.

He did as I wanted. I let out a sigh, stilling momentarily as I felt him slide inside me.

“Joshua,” I gasped. “Yes!”

He growled in his throat, and he moved.

I let out a sharp cry when, with a thrust of his hips, his cock slid in and out of me, causing fantastic friction that made my toes curl. I wrapped my arms around him, holding on tightly as he fucked me against the door, moans, and cries spilling out of me as I tried to move in time with his movements. I could feel the pleasure build and build, and just when I thought I would shake apart, I came, with Joshua right behind me.

We clung to each other, bodies rocking slowly through our orgasms, until we went still, with the both of us slumped against the door.

Then, Joshua pecked a kiss on my forehead and pulled away. My legs trembled so hard I wondered if I could stay on my feet, his hold on my waist keeping me on my feet.

“Do you want to continue this in the bedroom?” he asked.

I smiled. “Do you have to ask? Yes.”

Joshua grinned, then ducked down and picked me up in a princess carry. I let out a yep, then a laugh, as he carried me as fast as possible up the steps and to his bedroom.

The End,