Epilogue

Three years later

Jake

"Okay,munchkin, time to dazzle Uncle Nate with that gummy smile," I say as I juggle our baby girl in one arm as Kaitlyn locks up the car. Her laughter is a melody that dances on the breeze, and for a moment, I"m floored by how much I love these two—my girls.

"Jake, you do realize she"s already got him wrapped around her tiny finger, right?" Kaitlyn teases, adjusting the diaper bag on her shoulder as we approach Nate"s front door.

"Of course, but practice makes perfect." I wink at her, my heart swelling in my chest. Our little lady has the best of us both—Kaitlyn"s sun-streaked locks and my stubborn chin.

Nate swings open the door before we even knock, his grin wide and welcoming. "There"s my favorite niece!" he booms, scooping her from my arms and into his. The sight of this big, burly pitcher turned gentle giant always cracks me up.

It didn't take long before Nate came around to the idea of Kaitlyn being with me. Of course, the media's approval didn't hurt anything. I think Nate was just worried about his sister and being a protective big brother.

Which I can't blame him.

"Hey, don"t get too comfortable there, champ. We"re coming back for her later," I remind him, playfully punching his shoulder.

"Wouldn"t dream of keeping her," Nate chuckles, but his eyes are already softening like he"s considering it. "You kids go have fun. Leave the parenting to the pro."

"Pro, huh?" Kaitlyn raises an eyebrow, the twinkle in her eye telling me she"s ready for our night out. It"s been ages since we"ve done this—just us, no diapers, no feedings, just her hand in mine and the promise of a few stolen hours.

"Yup! Now shoo. Lovebirds need their time," Nate says with a mock sternness that doesn"t quite reach his gaze. He"s turning toward the opulent living room, all high ceilings and laughter echoing off the walls, his protective presence a fortress against any possible harm.

"Be good, angel," I call out, and our daughter rewards me with a bubbly giggle that echoes after us as we walk away.

"Think she"ll be okay without us?" Kaitlyn asks, her voice threaded with the strain of every new parent.

"Baby, she"s with Nate. She"ll be ruling the mansion by the time we pick her up," I reassure her, my fingers lacing with hers as we head down the cobblestone path.

"True," she sighs, leaning into me. "So, Mr. Umpire, where are you taking me tonight? Somewhere I can let loose?"

"Thought we"d start with dinner at that new Italian place, then maybe hit the boardwalk. Win you a teddy bear or something cheesy like that," I say, my lips curving into a smirk.

"Ooh, Jake Reynolds, you do know the way to a girl"s heart," she laughs, her hazel eyes shining with mischief and something warmer, deeper—a flame that"s only grown over the years.

"Only yours, Kaitlyn," I whisper, my breath catching as she stands on tiptoe to press her lips to mine, soft and sweet and promising more.

"Let"s make it a night to remember, then," she murmurs against my mouth, and I"m struck by the fierce certainty that, with her, every moment is unforgettable.

"Count on it, babe," I reply.

Tonight, it"s just Kaitlyn and me—and nothing else matters.

The click of the front door shutting behind us echoes like a starter pistol. The night"s still young, but the real fun"s about to begin. Kaitlyn"s got that look in her eyes—the one that says she"s all mine and ready for anything I"ve got.

"Jake," she breathes out my name like it"s a fucking lifeline, her back pressed against the wall, her chest heaving.

"Shh," I hush her gently, my lips trailing down her neck, tasting the salt of her skin. "Tonight"s about you, babe."

I lift her in my arms as though she weighs nothing, carrying her up the stairs with less effort than it takes to call a strike. Our bedroom"s dark, but I know every inch of it. It"s our sanctuary, where we shed the roles of parents and professionals, where it"s just man and woman, raw and real.

"God, Jake," she whimpers as I lay her down on the bed, her body spread out before me like the finest feast. "Please."

"Patience, Kaitlyn," I chuckle lowly, my fingers unbuttoning her dress with practiced ease. Her breath catches. Anticipation ramps up another notch. Every piece of clothing that drops to the floor is a promise of what"s to come.

Naked now, she"s fucking magnificent. My gaze worships every curve, every scar, every inch of her that"s seen life and love and pain. But it"s between those thighs that I find my religion.

I take my time, kissing and licking my way slowly down her boy.

My wife.

"Jake, don"t tease," she pleads, her hips lifting off the mattress, seeking my touch.

"Never," I whisper against her thigh before my tongue finally gives her what we both want. I eat her out like it"s my last meal on earth, savoring the taste of her, the slick heat that coats my tongue. She grips the sheets, her moans filling the room, sweet music to my ears.

"Fuck, yes..." Her words dissolve into cries as I work her over, my mouth relentless, worshipful. I"m lost in her, drowning in the feel, the taste, the sound of her coming undone beneath me.

And she's still better that I ever imagined. Swear to god, it gets better every time I touch her.

"Jake... Jake, I"m—" Her thighs tremor around my head, her climax hitting her like a home run.

And right there, in the quiet aftermath, I know this—this passion, this love—is the fulfillment I"ve been searching for all my life.

I pull back to look at her. Kaitlyn"s flushed and disheveled—beautiful in her raw, undone state. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, and those hazel eyes of hers are clouded with lust and love. Love for me. It"s a look that punches straight through my chest every damn time.

I climb up her body slowly, savoring the feel of her skin against mine, the heat from her pouring into me, making me feel alive in ways that nothing else ever could. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me down for a fierce kiss that tastes like promise and wild things.

"More," she whispers against my lips, a playful yet demanding twinkle in her eyes. "I want more, Jake."

With a grin that feels like it"s splitting my face wide open, I align myself with her entrance, teasing just the tip inside. "You sure you can handle more?" I tease back, enjoying the slight frustration that flickers across her face before turning into outright need.

"Try me," she challenges, biting her lip in that way that drives me absolutely insane.

I push in then, slowly at first to enjoy the gasp that escapes her, then harder, deeper. She meets every one of my thrusts with one of her own, our rhythm as perfect as a well-played game. The sound of our bodies coming together mingles with our moans and breaths, creating a symphony of sounds that could only belong to us.

"God, Kaitlyn," I manage to get out between thrusts. "You feel so fucking incredible."

She responds by raking her nails down my back, sending shivers trailing down my spine. "Only for you," she says breathlessly. "Always for you."

The pace builds frantically from there as we chase our release together. I hook one of her legs over my arm to drive deeper and she screams out in pleasure. The room is thick with the scent of sex and sweat and love—a tangible reminder of what we create together whenever we come together like this.

As we reach the edge, I press my forehead to hers, looking into those mesmerizing eyes as we climax together. Her inner walls clench around me as she arches off the bed, our names mingling on our lips like a sacred vow.

We collapse together in a tangle of limbs on the soaked sheets, both panting hard but grinning like fools. I roll over, pulling her into my arms so she can lay her head on my chest. Her hand finds its usual spot over my heart—the place she claims reminds her just how alive this love makes us both feel.

"Love you," I murmur into her hair as I kiss the top of her head.

"Love you more," she mutters back sleepily.

And as we drift off to sleep wrapped up in each other"s arms in our little haven away from the world outside—it hits me hard all over again just how damn lucky I am to have this woman by my side.