Dark Christmas: Epilogue II

December, two years later…

It’s a quiet, rainy morning in San Francisco, the kind where the world feels like it’s taking a little longer to wake up. I open my eyes and glance over at Amelia, still sound asleep beside me. Every morning with her feels like a gift I don’t deserve, wrapped up in the peaceful rise and fall of her chest. I lie there for a while, taking her in—her soft breathing, the way her hair falls across her pillow.

I still can’t believe she’s mine.

After a few minutes she stirs, blinking her eyes open and turning to me with a sleepy smile.

‘Morning,’ she murmurs, her voice hushed and intimate, like we’re the only two people in the world.

‘Morning.”

She pauses, tilting her head slightly, listening. I raise an eyebrow. ‘What is it?’

“You hear that?” she asks.

I frown, straining my ears. “Hear what?”

A sly smile spreads across her lips. “Nothing. Silence. Sasha’s still sleeping.”

I chuckle, realizing where this is going. ‘So… you thinking what I’m thinking?’

She grins wider. “Hell, yes.”

I close the distance between us, pulling her into a slow, deep kiss. There’s nothing better than this—her naked warmth against me, the rain tapping against the window, the quiet of the morning stretching out before us. For once, no interruptions, just us.

I kiss her slowly at first, savoring the taste of her lips, the warmth of her body pressed against mine. Every inch of her is perfection, and I can’t help but move my hands over her curves, pulling her closer, feeling the softness of her skin. She’s wearing nothing more than a thin camisole and thong, and I waste no time slipping my hand under the hem of her top, gliding up her stomach until I’m cupping her breast.

She lets out a soft sigh into my mouth as I tug the fabric of her cami up and over her head, tossing it aside without a second thought. My other hand moves lower, tugging her thong down her legs. She’s already soaked, and I groan, feeling her slick heat as my fingers dip between her thighs, teasing her, rubbing her just the way she likes.

“God, you’re so perfect,” I whisper against her lips.

She grins against my mouth, biting my lower lip as her hand slides down into my pajama pants, wrapping around my length. “I could say the same thing about you,” she teases, her voice hushed and breathy.

Her touch is enough to drive me mad, stroking me as our bodies press together, my fingers moving in rhythm with her hand. I can tell she’s getting close, her breath quickening, her hips rocking into my hand.

“Come for me,” I whisper, my lips brushing her ear. “I want to feel you lose it.” Her moan says everything.

I pull the covers down, just enough to take in the sight of her. She’s always been beautiful, but now, after everything we’ve been through, after becoming a mother, she’s somehow even more breathtaking. Her curves, her skin, the way her body responds to my touch—it’s all perfect. I’m the luckiest man alive, and I know it.

I keep my fingers between her thighs, rubbing her just the way I know she needs. Her hips buck, her breath coming faster, until finally, she falls apart for me. She comes hard, her body trembling against mine, moaning my name like it’s the only thing she can say. God, I love hearing her like that.

Before she can catch her breath, I pull her into me, spooning her. I’m rock hard and ready, slipping inside her with one smooth thrust, feeling her tight and warm around me. I groan, kissing her neck, her shoulder, every part of her I can reach.

She looks so incredibly sexy with her hair tousled, lips parted, and skin flushed. “You feel too good,” I whisper against her ear, thrusting deeper. “How am I supposed to keep my hands off you?”

“Who said you had to?”

I kiss her again, gripping her hips as I move in and out, savoring every bit of her. I thrust in and out hard, watching as our bodies collide. The sight of her perfect ass against me, the way she reaches back and grips me tight, is enough to drive me crazy. Her moans fill the room, and I love the way she sounds—how she can’t hold back, how she gives herself to me completely.

Her body tenses, her back arches, and I feel her pulse around me as she comes, gasping my name. I’m right there with her, on the edge, nearly ready to finish, but I’m not done with her yet.

As her orgasm fades, I pull out just long enough to move her onto her back. I climb over her, and the sight of her beneath me nearly takes my breath away. She’s stunning—her chest rising and falling, her cheeks flushed with heat, her lips parted in that way that drives me wild. I’ll never get tired of seeing her like this.

‘I love you.’

‘I love you, too,’ she replies, her eyes locked on mine.

I slip back inside her, deep and slow, feeling her warmth wrap around me. We kiss, soft and sweet at first, then deeper, more intense, as I start to thrust again. Her legs wrap around me, pulling me closer, and we move together, perfectly in sync. We’ve become one, lost in each other, in the heat of our love.

I’ve got her right on the edge, her breath catching in her throat. She grips my shoulders, pulling me closer, and I can feel her need, her urgency.

“Come with me,” she whispers, her eyes locking onto mine.

“You’re a bossy one, aren’t you?”

“You love it,” she fires back, flashing me that playful grin that drives me insane.

“Damn right I do.” I growl, thrusting harder, deeper, feeling her tighten around me.

A few more powerful thrusts, and I’ve got her right there, teetering on the brink. I watch as her body tenses, as she falls over the edge, her back arching, her moans filling the room. I follow, my body giving in and letting go as I come hard, filling her completely. The intensity hits me like a tidal wave, overwhelming, unstoppable.

We lay there in the afterglow catching our breath, and I pull her close, kissing her gently, taking in the moment. Her body against mine, the peace of the morning wrapping around us like a cocoon.

That is, until the peace is shattered. Sasha’s voice crackles through the baby monitor.

“Mama! Dada!”

Amelia laughs softly, shaking her head. “So much for our quiet morning.”

I can’t help but laugh, too. I press a kiss to her forehead, reluctant to move but knowing we have to. “Guess that’s our cue.”

We untangle ourselves and get out of bed. Even with the interruptions, the noise, the chaos… I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.

“Take your time getting ready,” I tell her. “I’ll get Sasha started with breakfast.”

She rewards me with a soft kiss on the lips. “You’d better still have some gas in the tank later after he’s down for the night,” she says with a grin.

I smirk. “Always.” She disappears into the bathroom, and I throw on some jeans and a T-shirt before heading to Sasha’s room.

The little man’s standing at the side of his crib, wailing his head off. “Alright, alright,” I murmur, scooping him up. I can’t help but smile. He’s getting so big; it’s hard to believe how fast time has flown.

He’s perfect. Chubby cheeks, big green eyes like his mother’s, and a mop of dark hair like mine. He’s got that toddler stubbornness—already independent, wanting to take on the world. And every time I say his name, I’m reminded of the friend who gave his life for us. It’s a bittersweet thought, but one that makes me proud.

He wriggles in my arms. “Yeah, I know. You’ve got things to do,” I mutter with a smirk, hoisting him higher onto my hip.

We head downstairs, Sasha still babbling away. “Snack! ‘Nana!”

“Coming right up, little man,” I say as I place him in his highchair, pulling out his breakfast as he keeps up his toddler chatter.

I cut up a banana and add it to a small bowl of oatmeal, which I set in front of him. He digs in happily, babbling between bites.

“Glad you approve, little man,” I say, moving over to the stove to prepare breakfast for Amelia and me.

A few minutes later, she comes down the stairs, looking as amazing as ever in a simple pair of jeans and a T-shirt. How does she manage to make everything look good? She glances around, like she’s searching for something.

“What’s up?” I ask, catching her eye.

She grins, her eyes lighting up. “We’re already into December, and we still haven’t put up the Christmas decorations.”

I nod. “Say no more. We’ll go tree shopping this weekend. Get this place looking festive in no time.”

She seems pleased with that, walking over and kissing me on the cheek. “Good answer.”

As we sit down for breakfast, she starts talking about work, specifically, the new bakery location she and Claire are planning to open across town. “It’s a lot, but I’m excited. This could really take us to the next level.”

I smile, proud of her. “You’ll crush it. No doubt.”

“And what about you?” she asks, raising an eyebrow. “How’s work going?”

“Good. I just locked in a few high-paying cybersecurity contracts. They’ll keep me busy but still give me plenty of time for you and Sasha. That’s my top priority.”

Her smile tells me I made the right call.

As we finish breakfast, Amelia gets a text from Claire. She checks it, then glances up at me with a smile. ‘Claire’s asking if we want to do a playdate at Dolores Park in an hour or so.’

I’m always down for Sasha and William to hang out. The two of them are becoming fast friends. “Sounds good to me,” I say, scooping Sasha out of his highchair. “He could use some outdoor time.”

We clean up the kitchen and head out, Sasha bouncing in my arms as we make our way to the car. As we walk, I glance at Amelia. “How’s the next book coming along?”

She grins, that familiar spark in her eyes. “It’s still in the idea phase. Honestly, I’m still basking in the success of The Duke’s Secret Heir—it blew up beyond what I expected.”

“That’s because it’s good,” I remind her. “But don’t let it go to your head,” I add with a playful wink.

She laughs, nudging me with her elbow. “Don’t worry, I won’t. I’m simply happy to let the muse visit whenever she’s ready.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Like Jack Kerouac said, ‘Sometimes you have to chase the muse down.’”

“Chase her down, huh?” she teases, glancing over at me. “Guess I better start running then.”

As we make our way to Dolores Park, the clouds start to part, letting some sunshine break through. We round a corner, and suddenly the city stretches out before us, a perfect view of the bay, the skyline, and the people coming and going, living their lives. I pause for a second, taking it all in.

Amelia glances up at me, curiosity filling her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I tell her. “In fact, everything is exactly right.”

She tilts her head, still looking confused. “What do you mean?”

I take a deep breath, realizing this is it, the moment I’ve been waiting for. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you. But there’s never been the right time. Until now.”

Confusion shadows her face, but I see a flicker of realization starting to form as I reach into my coat pocket. I pull out the small box I’ve been carrying with me for weeks, and her eyes go wide as she stares at it.

This is it. The life I never thought I could have, right in front of me.

I take a deep breath, locking eyes with her, feeling the weight of the moment settling in. “You came into my life when I least expected it. I wasn’t looking for anyone and yet, there you were. You’ve made me realize that I don’t want to live without you. I can’t. Not now, not ever.”

Her eyes glisten as I continue. “I want to start this next chapter with you and Sasha together, as a family. I can’t imagine my life any other way.”

I open the box, revealing the ring inside. Her hands fly to her mouth, and I drop to one knee, the words coming easily. “Amelia, will you marry me?”

She gasps, and then the tears spill over. “Yes!” she exclaims. “Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!”

I slip the ring onto her finger, my heart filled with more joy than I’ve ever known. I stand back up as she wipes her eyes, grinning at me, her smile radiant. But then she takes my hand, placing it on her belly. I feel the warmth of her skin, and suddenly, it clicks.

I blink, processing what she’s trying to say. “You mean—”

She nods, her smile growing even wider. “We’re having another baby.”

I fist pump the air, excitement rushing through me. Sasha, watching us from his stroller, giggles, sensing the good vibes. I pull her close, our lips meeting in a tender kiss, as we whisper our I love you’s.

And just like that, happily ever after begins—again.

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