â**Epilogue**â
3 Years Later
â¢Madison
I've been waiting for him for 2 hours now, he's late. For the first time, he's late.
I look at my watch and sigh when I see what time it is now, 9:14 PM.
I really want to go home now, I'm too exhausted from work. But I can't just leave here and take a cab, I would have done it if I could. He told me not to leave when he said that he'll pick me up. It started almost a year ago because of an accident. He told me he'll pick me up but I couldn't wait to tell him that I'm going to be an Aunt because Zane's fiance is pregnant, and on my way home, the driver of the cab did something he shouldn't do and we almost got in an accident.
That's why he never wanted me to take a cab anymore, but he's late.
After a few minutes, I am now the only one here at the lobby of the Art Gallery I'm working. I started my own Art Gallery. After coming here, I got myself busy with painting and for two years, I took lessons and managed to have my own art gallery with the help of my husband.
"Honey, Sorry I'm late." A voice was suddenly heard making me almost yelp. I'm spacing out so much that I didn't notice him arriving.
He walks to me and kisses my lips before taking my bag from my hands.
"Yeah, 2 hours late, Mister." I walked in the car and got in while waiting for him. When he stepped in, he smiled apologetically and kissed my lips again.
"There's a sudden meeting with Mr Russo, and my phone suddenly drops dead. I'm sorry." He started the car and drove out of the parking lot.
"I'm mad at you, but I'm too tired to argue." I roll my eyes at him and look out the window.
"I'm really sorry, It won't happen again." He said as his free hand went to hold mine, making me look at him.
"Whatever, So, When is your project going to finish?" I'm tired but I can still listen to him. His voice is so sweet that I can fall asleep by listening to it.
"Next month, 1st Friday just like what Mr Gunhilld said."
"Oh, We only have a month left?"
He took a glance at me and nodded. That's sad but part of me also wants to go back to New York. After this project, He asked me if we could go back to New York for work. And of course I agreed, but on his second try to convince me.
I'll really miss Switzerland and everything here. Even so, I miss my brothers more, and Hazel, Jenny and Kit too.
So maybe that 'someday' finally came when I can say that I'm healed because of him. Though it took me a year to accept what happened to Ezekiel, I never really thought it would hurt that much but it did, because I really thought I'll finally have a son and a family. It gives me trauma, then the time comes when I tell Ace that I don't think I can be a mother again.
He seemed disappointed at first but just like what I know he'll do, he comforted me and told me that he's not going to force me if I'm not ready, it only means he's willing to wait for me.
But that's not the point, the point is I think I'm ready now, after all his sacrifice for me. His time, his work back in New York, and everything else.
And everything else means Victoria is one of them, she's still in prison. And about Dada, I withdrew the charges after a year of him being held in jail, and sadly, he passed away just a year after getting out.
"Hey, you're thinking deeply again, what is it? Maybe I can help?" He caressed my hand bringing me back to earth.
"Oh, no, I'm just tired, don't worry."
"Is that so? Then take a nap, I'll just carry you when we get there."
"You really got that obsession with carrying me, Don't you?"
He smiled at me sweetly and shook his head, "Just take a nap, It's already late too."
"Yeah sure, We'll have an argument tomorrow when I go to sleep." I said teasingly as I closed my eyes.
"Okay, I'll wait for it."
****
After a Month
"Ahhhhhh Fuck Face." Zane shouted as they walked in our apartment. But Isabel-his wife- smacked his head making me laugh.
"Lower your voice, Milly just fell asleep."
He didn't even listen to her as he ran to me and grabbed me in his embrace making me yelp. Fuck.
"I miss you so much, Sissy." He whispered, making me cringe.
"Stop, You already have a daughter but you act so childish."
"Why? Is it childish to miss my sister?" He pulled away and looked at Ace behind me.
"No, just annoying."
"You never change, still grumpy? Ace must have a million miles of patience to deal with you, am I right Ace?"
I looked at Ace and gave him a death glare, he cleared his throat and just smiled at him when his hand went to the small of my back.
"Why don't you guys take a seat first? Liam and Kit are in the backyard grilling some barbeque." Ace offered which they gladly accepted.
"Guys, It's time for dinner, everybody in the Patio." Jenny shouted just as we sat down, Isabel let out a chuckle and look at Milly who wakes up
"Oh no." Zane said immediately, taking her in his embrace as he let Isabel go out first. "Let's go now."
****
"Three years feels like just yesterday, And now, you guys are back." Jenny said while hugging my side.
"Yeah it indeed flies so fast. But it's so much fun through the years." Zane agreed.
"Sure you had fun." I teased as I looked at Milly, who's sleeping peacefully in my arms. He knows what I'm saying. Actually, I'm kinda mad at him, because he hid his relationship with Isabel for 3 years and just came back and said they'll get married.
"Now I know what Madison will look like if she has a child." Hazel said, making me look at Ace who's smiling at me sweetly, while Milly is gripping his pinky finger in her sleep.
"You look beautiful." He mouthed.
"This dinner is getting boring you old people, let's play some games?"
"A kid's game? Sorry but I just disinfected Milly's rattle." Zane jokes while taking Milly from me.
"Heyy, I'm not a kid anymore Zane." Jenny argued, making us chuckle.
"Then let's play 2 truths and a lie,and we'll have to guess what the lie is. If we can't guess it, then we'll have to drink a shot." Liam challenges while putting the beer in the middle.
"Oops, I'm out, I can't drink." Isabel immediately said as she took Milly from Zane so he could play.
"I'm in." Zane and Jenny said, followed by "Me too." of Kit and "Us too." By me while holding Ace's hands up.
"Okay, let me grab this empty bottle then we'll spin it." He grabs his already finished beer and spins it, which landed on Jenny.
"Okay here I goâ¦Â I failed Literature, I have a boyfriend, and I have a friend named Lily."
"That was hard." I groaned and looked at Ace who's glaring at him, I looked back at her only to see a playful smirk.
"You don'tâ¦" Ace warned but she just smiled.
"Answer?" She teased.
"You failed Literature?" Zane asked, making her laugh. "What?"
"Nothing, go drink now."
"I know, you have a boyfriend." I said, which made her smile widely. "Oh no, Does your brother know?" I asked nervously for her and we all looked at Ace.
"Then I guess I don't have to give you allowance anymore?" Ace smirked, making her smile drop.
"You know what, Let's talk about it tomorrow, I'll spin this now." She spun the bottle and it landed on Ace. "Your turn."
He was silent for a moment before deciding to answer, "I haven't been to Barcelona, I hate shower sex, and I have a Project with Mr. Russo."
A laugh left my mouth as I hit his arms. Oh gosh, he doesn't need to say that.
"I think Madison is the only one who can answer that." Liam raised his glass waiting for me to answer or drink.
"Go drink your beers now." I took my glass and chugged down my beer. "You should choose a little easier."
"It's easy though, you literally know that answer." He smirked at me.
"Stop, Spin it."
He chuckled at me before spinning it. And it landed on me. "Okay I'll take it from hereâ¦" I think for a moment then, I bet this will end the game, "I'll make it easy. I have hazel eyes, my most hated actor is Andrew Garfield and I'm with a child."
They all went silent as they looked at Ace who just dropped his fork.
"What the hell is going on?" Liam said with his jaw drop. If there's anyone who knows me better, it would be Liam.
"Y-you're with a c-child? You're p-pregant?" Ace looked at me with wide eyes, making me laugh. "Are you serious right now?"
"You said two truths and a lie."
He just let out a laugh and put his face in his hands trying to hide his huge smile.
"Uh-oh, looks like someone not able to hide their excitement." Zane teased, I looked at them and their smiles were the one I immediately saw.
I stood from my seat and walked behind Ace to back hug him⦠"Heyy, you okay?" I asked while chuckling as I held his wrist to remove his hands from his face. He didn't even stop me as he immediately got up to hold me in his embrace
"You're pregnant?" He again whispered, just trying to make it sure. He buried his face on my while his hands were wrapped on my waist.
"Wow, that's something we should celebrate, I guess." Zane suggested.
Ace backed away still holding my waist, he looked straight to my eyes and smiled. "When did you find out?"
"Uhhh- when you made me wait for 2 hours, I just went back from the hospital 5 minutes before my closing."
"You mean you had symptoms? And you didn't tell me?" The smile immediately turned to a worried look.
"Because I thought maybe I could surprise you guys, and it worked, Tada."
"This is⦠Thank you." He smiled sweetly and pecked my lips. With his arms gently hugging my back, I chuckled at him. "You don't know how happy I am right now." He whispered.
"Stop being a lovey dovey, finish your meals or go back to your room and continue your moment." We all look at Hazel as she rolls her eyes playfully.
"Okay, we'll go now." Ace suddenly lifted me up to his arms, making me gasp. "Let's go." He didn't let me answer as he started walking to our room.
Kicking the door behind, he walks to our bed and gently puts me down.
"What are we going to do here? It's still early?" I was really confused.
"First, help me calm my shit down." He lay beside me and lay his head on my chest while hugging me.
"You good?"
"Good? I feel like I just won a lottery, Hon. This is too much for a surprise. I can't even hide my smile, I'm smiling like an idiot." He looked up to me and kissed my chin.
"Is that why you brought me here?"
"No." He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He became quiet for a moment so I brought my hands to his hair and caressed it.
Thinking that he might just want to sleep, I continue to caress his hair and close my eyes. It's so quiet, I can even hear his heartbeat. And his sobsâ wait? Sobs?
Immediately holding his head to make him look at me, I look into his eyes to notice the tears.
"Why are you crying?"
"I don't know⦠I feel overwhelmed that you exist in my life." He just lay his head on my chest and took a deep breath. "It just makes me think, what if that day, when we got engaged, didn't happen?"
"Is that what you're really thinking right now?"
"Yeah, I don't want something bad to happen to you and our child again. I want this so badly."
"You're cute."
"Honey, I'm serious. If you need something, if you want something, just tell me okay?"
"What is this cute behavior Mr Ashford?"
"Madiâ Ugh I love you." He sounded pissed by my teasing.
"I love you too, I'm thankful for everything you've done for me, especially this one" I said while putting his hands on my tummy, "The baby is 9 weeks btw, how come you didn't notice?"
"How will I? You've been wearing either a dress, an oversized shirt, my shirt and a hoodie? When we're going to sleep, You're always putting on the comforter."
"Are you mad?" I asked.
"Noâ It's just, hayst, doesn't matter." He hugged my waist and kissed my tummy.
Just like him, I feel overwhelmed that he exists. It's like we're not played by destiny, we are our destiny.
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Thank you so much for supporting my first book. I appreciate it so much, My lovely Chimmies who's been supporting me from very start, from my fanfictions to my own book story. Thank you so much.