Epilogue - Sonya

Six Months Later

The lake sparkles under the warm afternoon sun, a perfect backdrop of serenity that contrasts sharply with the flutter of nerves in my chest. Jack’s hand is warm in mine, his grip firm and reassuring as we walk along the familiar path. He’s talking about something—something about work or Reiner’s latest mishap—but I’m only half-listening, lost in the rhythm of his voice and the steady beat of my heart.

It’s been six months since everything came crashing down and then slowly started to piece itself back together. Six months of laughter, of late nights with Fiona, of navigating this new life where every day feels like a fresh start.

Casey left after her final confrontation with Jack, proving once and for all that she wasn’t ready to be the mother Fiona needed. It still makes my blood boil to think about her walking out—again—this time with the faintest promise to try and get her act together, but Jack’s anger was different. It was quiet, simmering, but he didn’t let it eat him up. Instead, he turned to Fiona and me with that same steady love that’s held us together all this time.

And he’s never once made me feel like I’m second best.

“I think Reiner’s gonna lose his mind if Evan makes him redo that framework again,” Jack says, squeezing my hand and pulling me from my thoughts. His smile is easy, but there’s a glint in his eyes that makes me pause. “He’s about ready to throw Evan in the lake just to cool him off.”

I laugh, leaning into him as we walk. “Maybe we should get him one of those stress balls with the faces. You know, something he can squish instead of wanting to strangle everyone.”

Jack chuckles, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles. “I’ll let you handle that suggestion. Reiner might take it better coming from you.”

I raise an eyebrow, and a teasing smile tugs at my lips. “Oh, so now I’m the Reiner whisperer?”

He grins, his eyes crinkling at the corners in that way that always makes my heart flutter. “You’ve got a way with people. It’s one of the reasons I’m so damn crazy about you.”

I roll my eyes, but there’s no hiding the warmth that blooms in my chest. It’s been like this, easy and natural, ever since that day on the side of the road when Jack pulled me back from leaving. We’ve faced everything together—Casey’s departure, Fiona’s first steps, even the uncertainty of what it means to be a family. And through it all, Jack’s been my anchor, his quiet strength a constant reassurance that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

We reach the edge of the lake, and I breathe in the fresh scent of water and pine. The birds are chirping, punctuated by the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore. Jack stops, and his gaze drifts out over the lake as if he’s seeing something I can’t quite catch. There’s a stillness to him, a moment where it feels like the world has slowed just for us, and I feel a rush of gratitude for this man who’s become my everything.

“Come here,” he says softly, tugging me closer until I’m standing right in front of him. His expression is unreadable, and I tilt my head, studying him.

“What’s going on, Jack? You’ve got that look on your face.”

He chuckles, but there’s a hint of nervousness there that I’ve never seen before. “What look?”

“The one where you’re trying to hide something, but you’re terrible at it.” I grin, poking him lightly in the chest. “Spill it. What’s on your mind?”

Jack takes a deep breath, and he pulls me even closer. “Sonya, you know that day I ran after you? When I told you I couldn’t let you leave?”

I nod, and my heart speeds up as I recall the desperate look in his eyes, the way he’d spoken every word like it was a lifeline he couldn’t afford to lose. “Yeah, I remember.”

He swallows hard before saying, “I told you then that I didn’t care about the past, that I wanted you and Fiona to be my future. And every single day since then, you’ve proven to me that life brought you to us as a gift. A prize I never expected, but one I’m so damn grateful for.”

My breath catches, and I can feel my heart hammering in my chest as Jack reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. He opens it, revealing a delicate ring that sparkles like the lake behind us. My hand flies to my mouth, tears already blurring my vision.

“Sonya, I’ve spent my life searching for something real. Something that felt like home. And I found it with you. You’re everything I never knew I needed, and I can’t imagine spending a single day without you by my side. So, I’m asking you now, right here, where it all started for us, if you’ll marry me. Will you be my forever?”

The world seems to stand still, the sounds of the lake fading into the background as I stare at Jack, at the man who’s given me more love and stability than I ever thought possible. My throat tightens, and all the words I want to say seem to jumble together in a rush of emotion.

“Yes,” I whisper, my voice breaking as I nod fervently, tears spilling down my cheeks. “Yes, Jack. A thousand times, yes.”

Jack’s face breaks into the brightest smile I’ve ever seen, and he slides the ring onto my finger with a reverence that makes my heart swell. Before I can say anything else, he’s pulling me into his arms, capturing my lips in a kiss that’s soft and full of promise. It’s a kiss that says everything we’ve ever felt for each other, all the hopes and dreams and fears wrapped into one perfect moment.

I wrap my arms around his neck, holding him close, and his hands slide up my back, pressing me against him as the kiss deepens. Everything fades away except for the feeling of him, solid and sure and real, and I never want to let him go.

We break apart eventually, breathing hard as we rest our foreheads against each other. Jack laughs, and I can feel the happiness radiating off him, an echo of my own.

“I love you,” he says, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I’ll never get tired of saying that.”

I grin, pressing another kiss to his lips. “And I’ll never get tired of hearing it. I love you, Jack.”

The words settle into my heart, filling the empty places I never even knew were there. And when he slips his hand under the hem of my dress, sliding up my thigh and teasing the edge of my panties, I melt into him, letting the last of the walls come crashing down.

Because with Jack, I know I can let go.

Because with him, I know I’m safe.

“I want you, Jack,” I whisper, and his eyes darken, his hand pausing for a moment before slipping inside my panties. His fingers brush against my clit, and the contact sends a shudder through me as my legs part instinctively to give him more access.

He kisses me again, his tongue delving into my mouth as he starts stroking me. The friction sends sparks through my body. It’s slow and intimate and everything I’ve come to love about him. His fingers slide between my folds, and he teases the edge of my entrance before sliding a finger inside.

A low moan escapes me, and he swallows the sound, his tongue swirling against mine as he works me open. My hips buck against his hand, and I can feel myself getting wetter with every stroke. He adds a second finger, curling them just right, and I gasp as his thumb circles my clit.

“You’re so fucking sexy,” he growls, nipping at my earlobe.

I whimper, grinding against his hand, and he presses a kiss to my jaw, trailing down my neck as he works his fingers inside me.

“That’s it,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble. “Take what you need, Sonya.”

His words send a rush of heat through me, and I arch against him, my hips rolling in time with his thrusts. He keeps going, his pace steady and sure, and I can feel the pressure building inside me, the tension coiling tighter with every passing second.

I cry out as he hits just the right spot, sending me spiraling over the edge, and he holds me close, murmuring words of praise and encouragement as he works me through it. I come down slowly, my body shaking with the force of my release, and Jack kisses me again, his hands stroking my skin like he can’t get enough.

“Jack,” I breathe, looking up at him with hazy eyes. “I want you. All of you.”

His eyes darken, and he works to pull my dress off, exposing my skin to the afternoon sun. He peels his own shirt off, and I take a moment to admire the sculpted muscles of his chest and abs, the dusting of dark hair that leads a tantalizing trail below his waistband.

I reach out, tracing a path across his skin, and he sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes blazing with need. “Fuck, Sonya,” he groans, pulling me against him. “You have no idea how bad I want you.”

“Show me,” I challenge, and he captures my lips in a searing kiss, his hands roaming across my body.

It’s not long before we’re both naked, and he’s pushing me back onto the blanket, hovering above me. I can feel the length of him pressing against my thigh, hot and hard, and the knowledge that he’s as turned on as I am only makes me more eager.

He trails a line of kisses down my neck, his stubble scraping against my sensitive skin, and my nails dig into his shoulders, urging him on. His mouth finds my breast, and he swirls his tongue around my nipple, teasing me before sucking it into his mouth as he eases himself into me.

I arch against him, moaning as he pushes deeper. Our bodies move together, each thrust sending a wave of pleasure through me. He’s thick and heavy inside me, filling me in a way that makes me ache for more.

He groans, his fingers digging into my hips as he rocks into me. I can feel myself getting close, the pressure building with every stroke, and I press my head back against the blanket, losing myself in the sensation.

“Jack,” I gasp, clinging to him as my body trembles. “I’m going to come.”

“Do it,” he growls, thrusting harder, and the raw edge of his voice pushes me over the edge.

I cry out, my back bowing as I fall apart beneath him, and he follows me, his body tensing as he finds his release.

We ride out the waves of pleasure together, panting and gasping, and when it’s over, he collapses next to me, pulling me into his arms.

“Wow,” I whisper, laughing softly as I curl against him. “Just… wow.”

“I’m taking that as a compliment,” he says, grinning as he presses a kiss to my temple.

“Definitely,” I murmur, snuggling closer.

We lie there for a while, the sun warming our bare skin, and I sigh contentedly, basking in the afterglow.

“Thank you,” Jack whispers, trailing his fingers down my spine. “For coming here, for trusting me, for sticking around. For being a mom to Fiona.”

My heart squeezes, and I shift so I can look up at him. “You don’t have to thank me, Jack. You gave me a place to stay, a chance at a fresh start. And a family.”

He smiles, kissing me gently. “Yeah, well, we’re not so good at the whole traditional thing. But we’re a hell of a lot better with you around.”

I laugh, reaching up to trace the lines of his face. “We’re a family. That’s what matters.”

He nods, and his expression grows serious. “I’m not great with words, Sonya, but you make me want to try. And I’m going to try every day to be the man you deserve.” His voice is low and raw, and there’s a vulnerability in his eyes that steals the breath from my lungs.

I reach up, cupping his cheek and pulling him closer. “You are the man I deserve, Jack. Don’t ever doubt that.”

I press a soft kiss to his lips, trying to convey everything I feel in that moment. And when he responds, his hands tangling in my hair as he deepens the kiss, I know that he understands.

We’re a family, the three of us, and I couldn’t be happier.

*****

THE END