Epilogue

EPILOGUE

MELODY

One Year Later

A s the soft, warm glow of the nursery's night light bathes the room, I cradle our precious five-month-old daughter in my arms. Her big, curious eyes lock onto mine, and a smile tugs at the corners of her tiny mouth.

She's an exquisite blend of Malcolm and me, with his strong features and my heart-shaped lips. I press a gentle kiss to her forehead, marveling at the wonder of this little life we've brought into the world.

Malcolm hovers nearby, his protective instincts in full force. He's been doting on her since the day she was born, never wanting to let her out of his sight for even a moment. It's endearing and sweet and so very him .

Ever since my pregnancy and after we got married, Malcolm has been decreasing the time he spends at the office. He's mostly at home with us, making sure we're cared for and protected.

When I was still in my second trimester, he wouldn't even let me walk the stairs anymore. He was always near me. I could whisper his name, and he'd be there in an instant.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" he murmurs.

I meet his gaze, sharing a knowing smile. "Absolutely. She's our little miracle."

He nods, his fingers gently brushing against her tiny hand. "I can't believe how lucky we are."

Our daughter's eyelids droop, and I carefully lower her into her crib, her soft breaths filling the room. We've been planning to have a quiet evening together, watching a movie like we used to before she arrived.

But as I stand here, watching Malcolm's face light up with adoration, I'm reminded of just how much our lives have changed in the past year.

Leaving the nursery, Malcolm's arm slips around my waist, drawing me close. He gazes at me with that smoldering look in his eyes—the same look that made my heart skip a beat the first time we met.

"What's on your mind, sweetheart?" he asks, his voice low and teasing.

I chuckle softly, knowing he can read me like a book. "Just thinking about how lucky we are. Our little girl, our life together—it's all so beautiful."

His lips press against my temple, and he exhales a contented sigh. "I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

We step out into the hallway, his fingers tracing circles on my lower back, his touch igniting a familiar spark. His mischievous grin tells me he's got something else on his mind, something decidedly less PG-rated than a movie.

"Maybe instead of the movie, we could head to our bedroom," he whispers, his tone dripping with suggestion.

I arch an eyebrow playfully, feigning innocence. "Oh really? And what would we do there?"

He leans in, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispers, "Just spend some quality time together, sweet Melody."

My cheeks flush, and I swat his arm lightly. "Malcolm Mayfield, you're insatiable."

He laughs, that deep rumbling sound I've come to adore. "Only when it comes to you."

I bite my lip, tempted by his proposition, but there's something I want to address first. "You know, we can't let our date nights slip away, even after becoming parents. It's important to keep nurturing our relationship."

He nods, his expression softening. "You're absolutely right. And we will."

I smile, feeling reassured by his words. He's always doing this—gives me whatever I want, sometimes, even before I ask.

And it makes me think back to our whirlwind romance, the intimate wedding in Hawaii, and the honeymoon that followed. There's no other way to describe it other than…perfect.

Malcolm's eyes meet mine, and the playful glint is back. "Ready for some alone time?"

I laugh, squeezing his hand. "Always."