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Epilogue

Sebastian

He opened the front door and smiled when he heard Ethan singing from the kitchen.

“Sebastian?”

“Yeah, baby.It’s me.”

Sebastian sat his briefcase next to the door.He had wanted to leave work early because they were celebrating their fifth anniversary, but his boss pulled him into a last-minute meeting, ruining his chance to sneak off.

Although they were both busy with their careers, he and Ethan made time for each other.They never worked late and made it a point to spend their free time together.

Sebastian still felt like a newlywed and thanked a higher power he kissed Ethan for the first time all those years ago.And once they married, something indefinable solidified their relationship, and they were more inseparable than ever.

They would have lunch together every day, taking turns going to each other’s offices before heading out to whatever restaurant they’d chosen.He'd meteveryone Ethan worked with and vice versa.

At night, they liked to cuddle on the couch and watch TV, most of the time talking through whatever they were watching, before heading to bed and making love for hours.

Sebastian loved his life with Ethan.

After their marriage had become news across campus, the rest of their junior and senior years had passed without incident.And throughout that time, their parents told themthe first year of marriage would be the toughest.But as they grew busier senior year, Ethan was his rock, and he was Ethan’s.They never fought and because of their strong friendship, they settled into marriage with ease.

Each day, Sebastian fell more in love with his husband.Ethan was Sebastian’s constant, the love of his life, and he tried to show Ethan every day how much he meant to him.And he never failed to tell him how much he loved him.

When he walked into their kitchen, Sebastian pulled Ethan into a kiss.Ethan’s arms wrapped around his shoulders as he kissed him back.The first kiss after a long day always centered Sebastian and everything else faded into the background.He lost himself in the sensations of his husband’s mouth and touch.Ethan deepened the kiss for several minutes before they pulled back to catch their breaths.

“How was your day?”

“Better now.”

Ethan smiled at him, the smile that never stopped making his heart beat hard in his chest.

“I’m glad to hear it because I have a surprise for you.”

Sebastian’s body flushed with need and he wriggled his eyebrows at Ethan.“You, naked, lying on the bed as I have my wicked way with you?”

Ethan laughed.“That’s after dinner, but first…”

Ethan pulled something from his pocket and placed it in Sebastian’s hand.His brow raised in question, but Ethan shook his head and nodded toward the envelope.He glanced down and blinked when he opened the flap noticed plane tickets and the itinerary with their destinations typed on the paper.

“We’re going on a European vacation?For a month?Tomorrow morning?”

Sebastian looked at Ethan, who shifted from one foot to the other, biting his lip and looking nervous.

“I’ve missed those days where it was just us.So when I got my last promotion, I planned a way where we could go somewhere without worrying about work or family.”

Sebastian remembered their celebration for Ethan’s promotion eight months previous and blinked again, stunned that he’d been planning this trip for that long.Ethan grew nervous as Sebastian remained stunned silent.

“Then I contacted your dad and explained my plan, and he gave you the time off.Happy Anniversary!”There was a long pause.“Please say something.”

Ethan sounded hurt by his silence and Sebastian snapped out of his astonished state.He backed his husband against the kitchen counter and cupped his face in his hands.Without hesitation, he devoured Ethan’s mouth and swallowed Ethan’s moans. His body reacted and loved it when Ethan clutched him closer.

Sebastian broke the kiss, he pressed his forehead against Ethan’s, holding him tight.“When was the last time I told you I loved you?”

“Two minutes before you stepped through the door when we were on the phone.”Ethan chuckled and pressed his lips to Sebastian’s.

“I don’t say it enough, but Ilove you, Ethan.I love you more than anything or anyone else in the entire world.And the best day of my life is every day we’re together.I’m looking forward to this trip and I won’t want to come back, but as long as I’m with you, I’ll go anywhere.Thank you, baby.”