Epilogue

Four Years Later

Erica

It's Thanksgiving, and our new house is buzzing with warmth and the delicious scent of holiday cooking. Theo and I had just moved into this place earlier this year, trading in my parents' and my aunt's homes, as well as Theo's, for something bigger and better. The house is alive with memories already—our first home as a married couple with a baby on the way.

For years after we got together, we lived in Cherrywood Village, letting Joy finish up college. But once she graduated and moved out on her own, we started looking for a forever home. And we found this one. It has everything we need for our daughter, Teresa, our firstborn, who's napping soundly in her crib, and baby number two.

Roaming around the kitchen, I keep my hands busy with the holiday feast—turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, the works. I'm also keenly aware of the little one nestled inside me, adding its own rhythm to the holiday chaos. I hear the door open and Theo's footsteps as he comes in from the holiday grocery run I sent him on. He's got a few extra bags in his hands, and I can already smell the faint scent of snow on him.

"Hey, gorgeous," he says, setting the bags down and pulling me into a tight embrace. The warmth of his body against mine is comforting, and his kiss, deep and hungry, sends a shiver down my spine.

"Did you get everything?" I ask, my voice muffled against his shoulder. I pull back slightly to look up at him, seeing the spark of mischief in his eyes.

"Got everything on the list and then some." He grins, his thumb brushing a stray hair from my face. "But I've got an idea for how to spend the next hour before Joy and Steven arrive."

I feel my heart race at the look in his eyes. "Oh, really? And what might that be?"

A playful smirk tugs at his lips, and I can't help but blush. It's been a while since we had a moment to ourselves, and the promise in his gaze is irresistible. I nod, feeling a thrill of anticipation as he leads me gently towards the living room.

Theo guides me into the living room, his hand resting low on my back. The air between us feels thick with unspoken tension. Once we're there, he turns me to face him, his hands sliding down to my hips, pulling me closer until our bodies are pressed tightly together. I can feel the heat radiating off him, the intensity in his gaze making my pulse quicken.

"It's been too long since we've had some real time alone," Theo murmurs, his voice deep and rough with desire. His lips brush the shell of my ear and I repress a soft whimper.

I nod, my breath catching as his hands roam my body, teasing and exploring. He moves with the same confident, steady touch he's always had, knowing exactly how to set my skin on fire. He presses a kiss to my lips, slow and sensual, his tongue slipping between my lips, tasting me, making me ache for more. I moan softly into his mouth, my hands moving up to grip the front of his shirt.

Theo pulls back slightly, his forehead resting against mine, and I can feel the restraint in him, the way he's holding himself back even though we both know where this is going.

"You're so damn beautiful," he breathes, his hand cupping my face as his thumb traces my bottom lip. His eyes drift down to my growing belly, and there's a soft smile that tugs at the corners of his mouth. "Especially like this."

I smile up at him, my heart swelling with love, but the need coursing through me is stronger. My hands tug at the hem of his shirt, and he lets me pull it off over his head. His chest, strong and familiar, is warm under my touch, and I trace the hard lines of muscle, savoring the feel of him beneath my fingers.

His hands are back on me in an instant, and he's quick to lift my sweater over my head, his fingers deftly unclasping my bra. His hands roam over my breasts, kneading and caressing, and I gasp at the sensation, my body responding instantly to his touch. The fullness of my breasts, more sensitive with pregnancy, makes every stroke feel like a jolt of electricity. I arch into him, desperate for more.

"Theo," I breathe, my voice trembling with need.

He smirks, his hands sliding down to the waistband of my leggings. "Let's get these off," he says, his voice husky. He kneels in front of me, pulling them down slowly, his hands brushing over my thighs as he does. The sensation makes my knees weak, and I reach out to steady myself, gripping his broad shoulders as he helps me step out of them.

Once I'm completely bare before him, Theo takes a moment to just look at me, his gaze dark and full of hunger. His hands glide up my legs, his fingers trailing along the inside of my thighs, inching closer and closer to where I want him most.

"You've been driving me crazy all day," he murmurs, his voice rough as his fingers finally find my center. I gasp at the first touch, the slick heat between my legs betraying just how much I've been craving him. His fingers move with expert precision, stroking and teasing, building me up slowly.

I bite my lip, my head falling back as pleasure washes over me. My fingers tangle in his hair, tugging slightly as he continues to work me over with those skilled hands.

"You're so wet for me," he groans, his breath hot against my skin. "God, I love it when you're like this."

I can barely form words, the pleasure overwhelming me. Mumbling and panting, I get his name out over and over followed by pleas for more.

That's all it takes. In one swift motion, he stands, his hands on my hips as he lifts me effortlessly. I wrap my legs around his waist, clinging to him as he carries me over to the couch. He lays me down gently, positioning himself between my legs as he leans over me, his body pressing into mine.

I reach down between us, undoing the button of his jeans and pushing them down his hips. He helps, kicking them off along with his boxers until he's as bare as I am. The sight of him—strong, powerful, and so full of desire—makes my heart race with anticipation.

Theo doesn't waste any time. He positions himself at my entrance, teasing me with the tip of his length, and I moan, my hips lifting off the couch in desperation.

"I need you, Theo," I whisper, my voice trembling with want. "Please."

With a low groan, he pushes into me slowly, inch by inch, until he's buried to the hilt. The sensation of him filling me completely makes me whimper, my body arching up to meet his.

"Oh, God," I moan, my nails digging into his back as he starts to move, slow and deep at first, his hips rolling against mine in a rhythm that makes me see stars.

"You feel so good," he groans, his voice thick with pleasure as he picks up the pace, thrusting into me harder, deeper. His hands grip my hips, holding me in place as he drives into me, his body demanding everything I have to give.

I meet him with every thrust, our bodies moving together in perfect harmony. The tension builds between us, the pleasure intensifying with every movement, until I feel like I'm going to explode.

"Theo... I'm close..." I pant, my head falling back against the couch as the pressure builds to an unbearable peak.

"Give it to me, baby," he groans, his voice strained as he thrusts into me harder, his pace quickening. "I want all of you."

And then I'm falling, the orgasm crashing over me in waves of pure bliss. I cry out, my body trembling as the pleasure consumes me, and Theo follows me over the edge, his hips stuttering as he finds his own release, groaning my name as he spills inside me.

For a long moment, we stay like that, our bodies tangled together, our breaths coming in ragged gasps as we ride out the aftershocks of pleasure.

As I catch my breath, Theo climbs up beside me, his face flushed and eyes dark with desire. He pulls me into his arms, and we share a long, deep kiss. "You feel amazing," he murmurs against my lips.

"I've missed this," I admit, still catching my breath. "I didn't realize how much I needed you."

Theo's gaze softens, and he brushes a strand of hair from my face. "I needed this too."

Theo and I exchange glances, sharing a quiet moment of contentment. We've built a beautiful life together, and as I look around at our home, I know that we have so much to be grateful for.

~The End