Extended Epilogue

Five Years Later

Isigh happily and rest my back against Jared's chest, the warmth of our skin nearly as hot as the sun shining down on us. There's sand between my toes and all over my skin, no doubt in my hair too, but I've never been happier about the inconvenience. My husband's arms are wrapped around me where we lounge under the beach umbrella, a large towel underneath us that's equally as covered in sand as we are thanks to the kids.

Grinning broadly, I watch our four-year-old show her little brother how to fill up a bucket of water for their sandcastle creation. Unlike his sister, Luke is still clumsy at only two, and he spills more water than he manages to collect. Harriet cheers him on anyway—the best big sister he could ever ask for.

Well, aside from my best friend. Laura was just as excited as we were when we had kids because, in her words, she got to experience all the cuteness of them without having to have them herself. Harriet and Luke look up to her so much, and it makes me even more insanely grateful to my friend for sticking with us no matter what.

"This bikini is torture, you know that, little fairy?" Jared murmurs in my ear, making me laugh, tipping my head back to look up at him.

"It's just a swimsuit," I argue, teasing him. The pink bikini is perfectly acceptable for the beach, but I love how much Jared loves my body.

"You would make a fucking bin bag look like it belongs on a fashion week runway," Jared continues, stroking his hand over my exposed stomach.

My body has changed a lot from when we first met, two kids will do that to a girl, but whenever I have a second of doubt about myself, Jared squashes it with his compliments and adoration.

I snort at his ridiculous statement, but I secretly love it.

"You're fucking incredible." He pulls me closer. "The most beautiful dancer I've ever seen, the most amazing wife, the best mother ever. There's not a single thing about you, little fairy, that isn't absolutely perfect."

I melt, turning my head to kiss his chest, not minding a bit when a few grains of sand stick to my lips, transferred from his skin.

"As nice as that is to hear," I say, knowing I'm blushing, "I don't know if I'll be able to fit into my old dance stuff, thanks to our bundles of joy. And I have that job in two weeks."

Jared huffs. "If you don't, it doesn't matter."

I frown back at him. "Well, I can't dance naked."

His eyes darken. "Not for anyone but me," he growls, and I shiver despite the heat. He does love it when I perform just for him. "But that's not what I meant. If the old clothes don't fit, I'll just buy you a new wardrobe for dance shit."

I blink at him, chuckling in disbelief.

"Your body is fucking perfect. If the clothes don't fit, that's their failure, not yours," he insists, making my chest feel all warm and glowy with how much I love this man. "You were perfect before, you were perfect when you were growing our beautiful children, and you're perfect now. I'll fucking ruin anyone who thinks otherwise."

I love it when he gets all growly on me. I didn't think it was possible to love him more than I did on the day we got married, but somehow, my love grows for him every single day, especially since he became a dad. He spoils our kids as much as he spoils me, both with love and gifts.

"I love you, Jared."

"I love you more, little fairy."

I'm beyond lucky, and falling for my best friend's dad was the best thing I ever did.

The End.