Second Epilogue

Holt–two years later

As I step through the door of our cabin, the first thing I notice is the warmth—both the physical warmth from the fire flickering in the stone hearth and the comforting warmth that comes from knowing that I've built a life here, with her. The rich scent of garlic and simmering tomato sauce fills the air, making my stomach growl. I've spent the whole day on the mountain, teaching a group of teenagers to free-climb, and my muscles ache in that satisfying way that reminds me I've earned the rest.

But what really grabs my attention is Lila. She's standing by the stove, stirring a pot with one hand, and when she hears the door close behind me, she glances over her shoulder. There's something about the way her eyes catch mine—a flicker of mischief, a sparkle that lights up the whole damn room. She's glowing. Literally glowing. The amber light of the fire plays across her skin, casting soft shadows, and her cheeks are flushed, probably from the heat of the kitchen. But it's more than that. It's the way her lips curve into a slow smile, like she knows something I don't.

"You're home," she teases, wiping her hands on a towel as she turns to face me.

I toss my gear bag on the floor, the ache in my body fading under the heat of her gaze.

"Hell of a day," I mutter, but I'm not thinking about the climb anymore. I'm thinking about her, standing there, looking like she's got a secret she's dying to share. There's something different tonight, something electric humming in the air, and I can feel it in the way my heart pounds a little harder.

I stride toward her, crossing the kitchen in a few easy steps, and without saying a word, I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her against me. Her body fits perfectly against mine, and I breathe her in—the scent of her shampoo mixed with the rich aroma of the sauce. My lips find hers in a slow, deep kiss that says everything I don't have the words for. I taste the salt of her lips, the warmth of her skin, and I feel her melt into me, her fingers sliding up the back of my neck and tangling in my hair.

When I pull back, I press my forehead against hers, my breath coming out in a rough exhale. "You look like you've got a secret, baby," I murmur, my voice thick with affection but laced with curiosity. There's something buzzing under her skin, something she's barely holding back, and it makes my gut twist in anticipation.

Lila's eyes shimmer, tears welling up even as she tries to blink them away. Her lips part, and she lets out a soft laugh, shaky but filled with joy. "I was going to wait until dessert," she whispers, her fingers clutching at my shirt. "I made tiramisu for you. Your favorite." She laughs again, breathless, her voice breaking as the emotion overflows. "But I can't wait."

I stiffen, my heart slamming against my chest as I cup her face in my hands, brushing away a tear that slips down her cheek.

"Lila," I whisper, my voice suddenly hoarse, "what is it?"

She takes a deep breath, her hands gripping my shirt tighter as if she's holding onto something precious. Then the words spill out, soft but filled with the kind of power that knocks the wind right out of me.

"We're having a baby, Holt." Her voice breaks, and the tears stream down her face now, but she's smiling, beaming up at me with a joy that makes my heart feel too big for my chest. "After everything... after all the waiting and hoping... we're going to have a baby."

For a moment, I can't breathe. Time stops. Everything stops. All I can do is stare at her, my mind trying to wrap itself around the words that are echoing in my head. A baby. We're having a baby.

Then it hits me, like a wave crashing over me, knocking me off my feet. We're having a baby. My arms tighten around her, pulling her as close as I can, and I let out a shaky breath, my voice rough and unsteady. "A baby? We're...we're going to be parents?" I bring my hand up, trembling, and rest it on her stomach, the reality of it crashing over me like an avalanche. Tears burn in my eyes, and I don't even try to fight them. "You're going to be a mom, Lila. You're going to be the best damn mom."

Lila laughs, her tears mixing with her laughter as she leans into my touch. "And you're going to be the best daddy." She pulls back just enough to reach behind her, grabbing something from the counter. When she holds it up between us, I feel my breath catch in my throat. It's a tiny onesie, white with simple lettering across the front: Daddy's Biggest Adventure.

I stare at it, my heart swelling so big I feel like it might burst. "My biggest adventure," I whisper, my voice breaking as I look back at her, my eyes brimming with love and awe. "I never thought... I never let myself hope."

"We did it, Holt," she says softly, her hand covering mine where it rests on her stomach. "We're going to raise a family here. Right here, on this mountain, just like we always dreamed."

I can't speak. All I can do is pull her into my arms, holding her tight, burying my face in the crook of her neck as the tears fall freely, soaking into her skin. I've never felt so full, so complete, and all I can do is hold on to her—my wife, my love, my everything.

After what feels like forever, I pull back just enough to meet her gaze, my thumb brushing tenderly across her cheek. "I love you, Lila," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "You've given me everything. I swear, I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure you and our baby know how much you mean to me."

Her eyes shimmer, her smile soft and full of love. "I already know, Holt. We both do."

We stand there, wrapped in each other's arms, the fire crackling softly in the background, the room bathed in the warm glow of the flames. Then, without a word, I sweep her into my arms, carrying her toward the fireplace. I lay her down gently on the plush rug in front of the hearth, the warmth of the fire dancing across our skin.

Our movements are slow, deliberate, filled with reverence. I undress her carefully, my fingers trembling as they trace the curves of her body, the new life we've created together already growing inside her. I kiss her gently, reverently, trying to imprint this moment into my soul. I want to remember every second of it, every breath, every heartbeat.

"I'm going to love you forever," I whisper against her lips, my voice rough with emotion. "You and our baby. Always."

I dip my finger inside her, feeling the warmth and wetness of her arousal, and I'm immediately hit with a wave of lust so intense, it almost makes me dizzy. I bring my finger to my mouth, tasting her essence, savoring the sweetness that's uniquely hers. Satisfaction, raw and primal, courses through me. She's mine.

Her heart races—I can feel it even without touching her chest. I lean in, crashing my lips against hers, taking what I want. It's a kiss filled with hunger, deep and all-consuming, making her melt against me. When I pull back, she's gasping for air, her eyes wide and filled with need.

"Now get to work, woman," I order, giving her a playful smack on the ass. The sharp crack of my hand against her skin sends a thrill through me. Her body jolts, but it's the way she flushes with desire that gets to me.

"I like the idea of you barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen," I add, my voice low and rough. I grin as I watch her try to hold back a defiant smirk.

"Oh yeah?" She takes a cleaning rag from the counter, dropping to her knees in front of me, all without breaking eye contact. Fuck, she's perfect.

She looks up at me, a mix of challenge and submission in her eyes. "Well, it's a good thing I'm not afraid of hard work," she shoots back, her voice dripping with playful defiance.

"Mm, I like your fire, princess. It makes my dick so fucking hard."

She glances at the bulge in my pants, her eyes filled with a hunger that matches mine. I deliberately reach down, squeezing myself through the fabric, teasing her with a slow stroke. Her mouth parts slightly, and I know she's fighting the urge to lick her lips.

"Something distracting you?" I ask, my voice gravelly. I lean back in the chair, keeping my hand on my thick dick, deliberately slow and teasing.

She hesitates, her eyes darting to my hand, then back to my face. For a moment, I think she might resist. But then she bends over, arching her back, her ass lifting in the air as she starts wiping the floor. Fuck. I can barely keep it together. The sight of her naked, exposed like this, doing exactly as I told her—it's driving me crazy.

She knows I'm watching. I can tell by the way she wiggles her hips, giving me a little show. My cock twitches, already straining painfully against my pants.

"I can't take it anymore," I growl, my voice rough with lust. "You're so fucking sexy bent over like that, thighs soaked and your wet pussy begging for me." I stroke myself harder, my eyes locked on her ass as she glances back at me, a smirk playing on her lips.

She starts crawling toward me, and I swear my entire body tightens in anticipation. The teasing, the waiting—it's too much. I want her, need her, right now. She reaches my legs and wastes no time, her hands running up my thighs. Her touch is light, teasing, and it makes my dick even hungrier for her dripping wet cunt.

I grab her waist, pulling her up into my lap, positioning her right where I want her. I can feel the heat of her soaked core against my stomach, and it's driving me insane.

"Come sit on me," I purr, my voice low and thick with need.

There's no hesitation this time. She lowers herself onto me, gasping as I fill her completely. It's a tight, perfect fit. Fuck. I throw my head back, groaning as the heat of her envelops me. My hands grip her hips, guiding her as she starts to move, each thrust sending pleasure coursing through me.

Her lips trail kisses along my neck, her tongue tracing the line of my jaw. I thrust deeper, harder, feeling the tight pull of her pussy squeezing me with every movement.

"You're so beautiful," I murmur into her ear, my voice rough and raw. "I don't know what brought you to me, but I'm never letting you go."

Her breath hitches, and I can feel the tension building in her body. My thumb finds her clit, rubbing slow, deliberate circles. Her breath comes in ragged gasps, and I know she's close.

"Let it go, baby," I whisper against her skin, my fingers relentless on her clit. "Let it all go."

She does. With a cry, she falls apart in my arms, her body shaking as the orgasm tears through her. I hold her tight, thrusting faster as my own release builds, the pressure unbearable.

My body tenses beneath her, and I let out a guttural groan as I finally come, spilling deep inside her. The release is overwhelming, leaving me breathless and completely spent.

For a long moment, we don't move. Her head rests against my chest, her breathing slowly evening out as mine does the same. I run a hand through her hair, savoring the feeling of her warmth against me.

"You're so beautiful," she murmurs, her voice soft. Her fingers trace my cheekbones, a tender touch that makes my heart clench.

I chuckle, the sound deep and satisfied. "Hardly. Must be something wrong with your eyes."

She snuggles closer, her breath warm against my skin. "There isn't a thing wrong with my eyes," she insists. "Men just aren't used to getting compliments like that."

I smile, a rare softness in my voice as I reply, "That's probably true." I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer as the cool air seeps in. "But you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

I bury my face in her hair, inhaling deeply. The familiar scent of her sweet skin fills my senses, and I feel my softened cock twitch inside her, a faint echo of desire.

"Will I still turn you on when I'm fat and cranky and my feet are swollen and you have to tie my shoes?" she says, shifting slightly on my lap.

"You're even sexier with my baby growing inside of you," I admit, pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss. My lips claim hers, the intensity making it clear that I want her, need her, cherish her.

Every touch, every kiss, is a promise—slow, deliberate, filled with the weight of everything we've built and everything we're still building. She's mine, and I'm hers, in every possible way. And now, we've made a family.

I hold her close, my hand resting protectively over her stomach. We lie there, the fire crackling softly, our hearts beating in time.

"I can't believe it," I whisper after a long silence, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm going to be a dad."

She smiles, snuggling closer to me, her heart full. "You're going to be an amazing dad. Watching you be a father is going to be such a turn on–you already take care of me in every way, you have so much love to give."

I tighten my arms around her, pressing another kiss to her temple. "I can't wait. No matter what comes, we'll face it together. You, me, and our little adventure."

In that moment, wrapped in the warmth of the fire and the promise of our future, I know that no matter what challenges come our way, we'll be ready to face them. Together. As a family.