Epilogue: 6 years later-2

"New York needs biologists too." He joked. I was still staring at him but when he shook Markus's hand, I was brought out of my trance. "And who is this little guy?" Hunter crouched down to greet Jacob. "That's Jacob." I smiled at the sight of Hunter and Jacob. He had always been good with children. Which then lead to the thought of having children with Hunter and then to the thought of how children are made and mine and Hunter's last night together. It was a miracle that people weren't using my bright red face as a stop sign. "Sweetheart?" My heart leapt at the nickname instead of sinking like it used to after the situation with Jaimie. I took that as a sign that I had healed. "Sorry." I mumbled and looked down. When Markus nudged me, my head snapped up. "You want to tell the poor guy or must I?" Markus nodded towards Hunter and he was standing straight, but his smile was forced. "Tell you what?" I asked Hunter. "Don't make me repeat myself please, sweetheart." Hunter rubbed his face with both hands. It was difficult to concentrate because my heart was already going racing and my thoughts were all over the place. "I really don't know what you're - " "Oh for fuck's sake." Markus groaned and I looked at him in surprise. He never swore but I knew he wasn't angry because he was smiling, "I'm Emilia's boss and Jacob is my son and my son only." He addressed Hunter who looked very pleased and then turned to me, "Emilia, please take the day off and celebrate because we both know you'll take the job and also try to clear your head for tomorrow. It's going to be a busy day and I don't need you gaping like a fish every five minutes." I was stunned into a longer silence at what Markus had said but his last few words had made me mumble a thanks before he turned around and I was left alone with Hunter. "You're looking great." I eventually managed to make eye contact with Hunter. "And you look better than great." He smiled at me and I felt that same feeling in my gut every time I thought about Hunter. A feeling of excitement, passion and security. A feeling of love. I would have thought that over the years that my feelings would have diminished, but they only intensified. Each date I had gone on in the last years were spent wondering what fun date idea Hunter might have had instead of the usual dinner or movies. "You want to come over to mine. I can make some lunch for us? My cooking's improved over the years without my personal chef." I teased Hunter. "Yeah. My portions were crazy after you left. I kept making double the amount of food that I needed." Hunter was joking but I could hear the sadness in his voice. "I'm sorry, Hunt." I whispered, watching his expression through my eyelashes. "Skylar explained everything to me a few months after you left. I understand so you don't need to apologize for anything." His hand reached for mine and I held his fingers between mine. When they were together, Hunter squeezed my hand and that small gesture spoke when words could not. "So Skylar and Paul, huh?" Hunter asked after a few minutes of walking in silence. "I know!" I beamed at the idea of the couple, "She called me before she went out with him. She thought it might be weird since he was my sister's ex but I told her not to stress. Apparently they were really there for each other then." "Yeah. You should have seen how they grew closer. It was actually quite amazing to watch. The age gap doesn't bug her?" Hunter looked down at me when he asked the question. I shrugged, "I think it did a bit at first but she quickly got over it. It's only seven years and that's definitely not the worst." We walked in silence again with our hands swinging between our bodies, "I think he's good for her and she's good for him. An unlikely couple but when they visited for the first time I could tell they worked together." "I don't know if you know but I guess I should tell you. When you left and then when Paul and Skylar started dating, him and I got to know each other better." "And your point is...?" I raised and eyebrow and smirked. "He's going to propose to her." "Oh my gosh! Are you serious!? This must be the best news I've heard in forever!" I was smiling from ear to ear. "Are you forgetting that I told you I'm moving here just a few moments ago?" Hunter smiled sheepishly. "That's good news too." I smiled at him and stopped in front of my apartment building. "Just don't tell Skylar please!" Hunter quickly rushed. "Never! After 4 years, it's about time so I'm not going to risk spoiling that. I'm excited to hear it from her though. Maybe they can fly here after." Hunter nodded. It was the last we spoke until we entered my apartment. I sighed when I saw how untidy it was and then I realized why. All of Hunter's letters were on my table. I rushed to clear it before he could see but he was right behind me. When he picked one up and read over it quickly his eyes flickered to the table and then to mine, shining with amusement. My instant reaction was to blush. Again. "You kept all of them?" I saw Hunter's eyes were shining and that's when I realized he had tears in his eyes. "I could never throw them out, Hunt." My hands rested on his cheeks and wiped away one stray tear. It was strange seeing him cry but it reminded me that he was just as vulnerable as I remembered. His hands went to his pockets where he took out his wallet. "Professor Jones gave it to me after you left." I looked down at my six word story and then back up at Hunter, "You never said you loved me back at the airport but as soon as I read this you didn't need to because I knew you did. I think I was just too quick to walk away." "I whispered it back after you wouldn't turn around." I finally admitted. We were staring at each other. With my hands on Hunter's cheeks and his on my hips. "I love you, Hunter." "I love you too, sweetheart." He kissed me with so much feeling and emotion that the last six years were forgotten and all we were focused on was now.