Epilogue Part 2

Blaze pulled up in front of their house. A soft glow radiated from inside. He walked in anticipation to the front door. He pulled out his key and pushed the door open. His eyes assaulted a wall of darkness.

“Juliette?” he called out in the darkness, his pupils adjusting to the change in light intensity.

“I am here!” She began descending the stairs. She stopped half way. “Well what are you waiting for? Come on.” She encouraged and Blaze made his way to her.

He stood on a level lower than her but yet he still towered over her, he leaned in and kissed her on her forehead.

Pulling away he raised his brows in question.

“The power cut. I think the main power source is being serviced. So I decided to light some candles.”

“I see.” He stared at her face, half in shadow. “You missed a few places.” He taunted and loved the look of feigned annoyance spreading across her features.

“I didn’t see the point in lighting them down here. Our dinner is on the balcony. So if you’ll follow me.” she urged and he followed, their hands entwining naturally.

They entered their bed room, and Blaze marvelled at the sight of the illuminated room, the way the flickering of light casted shadows on Juliette. Before she walked any further he grabbed hold of her hips and brought her flush against him. His lips finding the heated flesh of her neck, she twisted to give him passage.

“Blaze, can we at least eat first?” he voice breathless. She couldn’t afford any distractions right now. She had to tell him.

He chuckled against her skin. “Why? Do you need the extra energy?”

“I always do.” She smiled; he lifted his face to view her. “Fine. But be warned, I’ll be putting that energy to use.” His eyes gleamed mischievously and he slammed his lips against hers in a longing kiss.

He pulled his lips away, his forehead resting on hers. “How I have spent my life without you I have no idea.”

Juliette laughed. “Flattery shall get you nowhere my friend. Now come on.” Juliette pulled him to the small table on the balcony. They both sat and Blaze began pouring wine into two glasses.

“Oh, I can’t drink that!” She interrupted instantly, before he poured into the second glass. He stilled.

“Can’t?” his eyes flashing different shades of blue and Juliette knew he was wondering what she meant.

She swallowed, this was it. Unable to sit still, she rose from her chair and walked over to the banister and faced the blackness of the night. She allowed the cool fingers of the wind calm her heated flesh.

She turned back to face him, he’d gotten up from his seat, his gaze intent.

“Juliette?” he questioned.

She breathed slowly. “Since last year, I have been doing some treatments...” her words came out guarded and slow.

“Treatment? Juliette what’s going on?” The concern rang out from Blaze.

“It’s nothing...bad. I...” she paused and sighed.

“It’s a way of trying to counteract my...problem. And well I am...”

“You’re what?”

“Pregnant.”

Her word seemed to echo in a drowning silence. Blaze stilled his features unreadable.

Feeling anxiety creeping up on her due to his...non-reaction Juliette started to speak. “I have been pregnant for a month now. I didn’t expect the treatments to work but I had to try. I went to the hospital for a check-up and I was guaranteed that I will be able to carry our baby full term.”

Blaze began to stride towards her and her heart rate spiked. He stood inches away from her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I-I didn’t want to cause you any pain if it didn’t work I-“

“Then why did you hide the pregnancy?” he needed to understand.

“What if I had lost the baby again? I needed to be certain.” She clarified.

He shook his head. “Juliette, it’s my duty to protect you, to ensure you have all the happiness. You need to tell me these things. How else will I be there for you? Your worries will always be mine.”

“I know and I am sorry it’s just...”

He kissed her then his hands cupping her face. Pulling away he looked into her eyes. “We are going to have a baby?” his face lighting up.

Juliette nodded. Blaze’s hand travelled to her stomach, he smiled and Juliette felt the tears pricking her eyes. He rested his forehead against hers.

“You are so beautiful.” He whispered, his lips finding hers once again. He pulled her levelly against him, his hands tangling in her hair. The afterglow of the candle light cascading over them.

Danny stood in Juliette’s mother’s house. He was a regular visitor. He was just plagued with the news of Juliette’s successful pregnancy. She had a healthy baby girl. He was angered. He knew Juliette married that brute Blaze but he had thought that he would soon tire of her and then she would end up in his arms again.

But it didn’t happen that way. Juliette was a mother and from what he heard; a happy one. He had let her go and now his life was at a standstill. Diane cheated on him and was also a mother. All the sorrow he tried to cause to others was really sorrow for himself.

Blaze picked up his five month old daughter and looked into her clear blue eyes. It was the only part of him that she took. Her innocent laughter drawing him in and he placed a protective kiss on her head. His eyes searched for Juliette.

His gaze caught hers; she was sitting amongst his mother, sisters and her sister in law. She smiled at him and he marvelled at her.

“Can I please hold my granddaughter, Blaze?” His father touched him on his back and he turned around and gave little Jenna to him. She brought so much joy to their family. Blaze laughed as his father was reduced to a child. He began making faces at her and she laughed.

Juliette snuck up on him and touched him gently as he looked at the family surrounding Jenna and his father. Black turned at her touch. He snaked his arm around her and brought her close.

“Are you alright?” She asked following his gaze and smiling at the image. Everyone was so happy.

“Better that alright.” He convinced. How he was this lucky to find such happiness was beyond understanding. “What would I ever do without you?” he searched her eyes.

“I ask myself the same thing.” She joked and she leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips. Blaze smiled, his gaze intent on her lips, he bent his head and kissed her in a way that surpassed all their previous kisses. It told of continuity, love and family.