Page 16

ONE YEAR LATER

Elle

The sun streams through the bedroom window, casting a warm glow across the room. I stir slowly, blinking away the remnants of sleep as I become aware of the tiny body snuggled against my side. Miracle, now a year old, is curled up next to me, her dark curls splayed across the pillow.

I smile, watching her peaceful slumber for a moment before carefully extracting myself from the bed. As I pad quietly to the bathroom, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror. My hand drifts to the slight swell of my stomach, a thrill of excitement running through me at the thought of the new life growing within.

After showering and dressing, I make my way downstairs, the aroma of fresh coffee guiding me to the kitchen. Christopher stands at the counter, his back to me as he pours a cup. I wrap my arms around him from behind, pressing a kiss between his shoulder blades.

"Good morning, handsome," I murmur against his skin.

He turns in my embrace, a soft smile playing on his lips as he leans down to kiss me properly. "Morning, beautiful," he says, his voice still rough with sleep. "How are my girls doing today?"

I grin, taking the offered cup of decaf coffee. "We're good. Your son, on the other hand, seems determined to use my bladder as a punching bag."

Christopher's hand comes to rest on my belly, his eyes shining with pride and love. "That's my boy," he chuckles, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

The sound of little feet pattering down the hallway interrupts our moment. Miracle toddles into the kitchen, her face lighting up when she sees us. "Mama! Dada!" she exclaims, arms outstretched.

Christopher scoops her up, peppering her chubby cheeks with kisses as she giggles. "There's my little princess," he coos, settling her on his hip.

As I watch them together, my heart swells with love and gratitude. The past year hasn't been easy, there were still nightmares, still moments of fear and doubt. But we faced them together, our love growing stronger with each challenge we overcame.

The club has been our rock through it all. They've become more than just Christopher's brothers, they're our family, our support system. Miracle has a small army of doting uncles wrapped around her little finger, each one fiercely protective of their youngest members.

We're interrupted by a knock at the door. Christopher hands Miracle to me, pressing a quick kiss to both our cheeks before going to answer it. Moments later, he returns with my dad in tow.

"There're my girls," Dad says warmly, embracing me carefully before taking Miracle from my arms. She squeals in delight, always happy to see her grandpa.

We sit down for breakfast, the conversation flowing easily between all of us.

Christopher catches my eye across the table, reaching out and taking my hand in his, his thumb brushing over my wedding ring. The simple gold band is a constant reminder of the vows we made six months ago, surrounded by our family and friends.

I’m taken back to our wedding day.I can't help but smile at the memory. The rustic lodge that was transformed into a fairytale setting, with twinkling lights and wildflowers adorning every surface.

My dad was wearing a tux like the rest of the guys; it took some convincing, but I wanted this wedding to be what I dreamed of.

I will never forget when my dad saw me for the first time in my dress.

I had chosen a classic, elegant gown: long, lace sleeves, and a sweetheart neckline that made me feel like a princess.

I walked down the aisle on my father's arm, my heart pounding with excitement and love as I caught sight of Christopher waiting for me at the altar.

He looked so handsome in his tailored suit, his eyes shining with emotion as he watched me approach. When I reached him, he took my hands in his, squeezing them gently as if to reassure himself that this was real, that we had made it to this moment despite everything we'd been through.

The preacher asked who was giving me away, and my dad reluctantly murmured, “If I have to.” Everyone laughed at him, including me and Christopher.

The reception was a blur of dancing, laughter, and love. We were surrounded by our closest friends and family, all there to celebrate our new beginning as husband and wife. I couldn't stop smiling, my heart full of overwhelming happiness.

As the night went on, I found myself stealing moments with Christopher whenever we could. We snuck away from the party, sneaking kisses.

Our daughter Miracle was the cutest little flower girl with Ronny and Olivia’s daughter Madeline who’s a couple of months younger than Miracle.

At one point, we found ourselves alone on a balcony overlooking the mountains. The cool night air wrapped around us as we leaned against the railing, Christopher's arms around me.

"I love you," he whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my skin.

"I love you too," I replied, turning to face him and wrapping my arms around his neck.

We’re going off on a cruise for our honeymoon, and this is the first time we’re leaving our baby girl who’s only a year old.

Now, sitting here with my family—my husband, our daughter, our unborn son, and my father—I'm overwhelmed by how far we've come. The fear and pain that once shadowed my days have faded, replaced by a deep sense of peace and pure happiness.

Christopher kisses the back of my hand, right above my ring. In that simple gesture, I feel all the love and support that has carried us through the darkest of times.

"I love you," I mouth silently to him, my heart swelling with emotion.

"I love you too," he mouths back.

Miracle babbles happily in her high chair, smacking her hands onto the high chair table that has scrambled eggs on it and making them fly everywhere.

One piece flies off the table and into the air, sailing directly on top of my dad’s head.

I cover my mouth, trying not to laugh, but then Miracle shoots him a toothy grin like she did it on purpose.

We all burst out laughing. “Miss Girl, I think you’re going to be trouble.”

My dad takes off with Miracle to their house down the road. I’m lucky if she is with me during the day because everyone wants some Miracle snuggles.

I lean back in bed, groaning at the weight easing off my back. I’m around four months pregnant and so far it’s been smooth sailing.

Christopher is practically running up the stairs to get to me. Did I mention I’m buck-ass naked?

He stops dead in his tracks at the sight of me and lifts his fist to his mouth, biting down and groaning. “Fuck me.” His eyes darken and he reaches behind him. I hear the clicking of the lock.

Christopher's eyes darken with desire as he takes in my naked form sprawled across the bed. He stalks toward me with predatory grace, shedding his clothes as he approaches.

"You are so fucking beautiful," he growls, climbing onto the bed and hovering over me. His hand trails down my side, coming to rest on the curve of my belly. "Even more gorgeous carrying my son."

I shiver at his touch, heat pooling low in my abdomen. Pregnancy has made me hypersensitive, every brush of his fingers sending sparks of pleasure through my body.

"I need you," I breathe, pulling him down for a searing kiss.

Christopher responds with passion, his lips moving hungrily against mine as his hands roam my body.

He takes his time worshipping every inch of me with his mouth and hands, paying special attention to my swollen breasts and rounded belly. By the time he finally enters me, I'm a quivering mess of need.

Christopher's thrusts are deep and measured, hitting all the right spots to send waves of pleasure coursing through me.

"Chris… Christopher," I moan, my nails raking down his back as I climb higher toward my peak. "Oh God, don't stop…"

"Never," he grunts, his pace increasing. "Come for me, baby. Let me feel you."

With a cry of ecstasy, I shatter around him, my inner walls clenching as bliss washes over me. Christopher follows soon after, burying his face in my neck as he finds his own release.

We lay tangled together in the afterglow, our breathing slowly returning to normal. Christopher's hand rests protectively over my belly, a contented smile on his face.

"I love you," he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to my temple. "Both of you."

I snuggle closer, basking in his embrace. "We love you too."

After everything we've been through, we've found our happily ever after. And I wouldn't change a single moment of our journey for anything in the world.

A few years later

Elle

T he sound of laughter fills the backyard as I watch our children play. Miracle, now five years old, is chasing her little brother Jax around the swing set. At three years old, Jax's chubby legs can barely keep up with his big sister, but he giggles with delight as she pretends to be a monster running after him.

I rest my hand on my swollen belly, feeling the kicks of our third child—another little girl we plan to name Emma. Christopher comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder.

"How are my girls doing?" he asks, his voice warm with love.

"We're good," I reply, leaning back into his embrace. "Your daughter seems to be practicing her kickboxing moves today."

Christopher chuckles, his hand joining mine on my belly. "That's my girl. She'll be a little badass just like her mama."

I turn in his arms, meeting his gaze. The love I see there still takes my breath away, even after all these years. "I love you," I murmur, stretching up to press a soft kiss to his lips.

"I love you too," he replies, his forehead resting against mine. "More than anything in this world."

Our moment is interrupted by excited shrieks as Miracle and Jax spot their uncles arriving. The backyard is soon filled with the boisterous sounds of the club members and their families gathering for our weekly Sunday barbecue.

As I watch our extended family interact—my dad teaching Jax how to throw a football, Mason and Zach taking turns pushing Miracle on the swing, Meadow and Tiana comparing notes on their pregnancies—I'm overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude.

The path that led us here wasn't easy. There were moments of darkness, of fear and pain that I thought would break me. But we emerged stronger, our love deeper and more resilient than ever.

Christopher squeezes my hand, drawing my attention back to him. His eyes shine with understanding, as if he knows exactly what I'm thinking.

"We made it, Elle," he says softly. "Against all odds, we built this beautiful life together."

I nod, tears of joy pricking at my eyes. "We did. And I wouldn't change a single moment of our journey."

As the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over our gathered family, I know with absolute certainty that this is where I'm meant to be. Surrounded by love, laughter, and the unbreakable bonds of family—both blood and chosen.

This is our happily ever after, hard-earned and precious. And I'll cherish every moment of it for the rest of my days.

Christopher leaves my side to chase our children around the yard, pretending to be a monster as they squeal with delight. Miracle leads the charge, her dark curls bouncing as she runs. Close behind is our son,the spitting image of his father, giggling uncontrollably as Christopher scoops him up and spins him around.

"Okay, monsters," I call out, grabbing the tray of lemonade and snacks and setting it on the patio table. "Time for a snack break!"

The kids come running, faces flushed with exertion and joy. Christopher follows at a more sedate pace, Jax perched on his shoulders.

As we settle around the table, passing out cups of lemonade and cookies, I can't help but marvel at this life I have. The shadows of the past have faded, replaced by the warm glow of love and family.

Christopher catches my eye, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his and giving it a gentle squeeze. In that simple gesture, I feel all the love and support that has carried us through the darkest of times.

As the kids chatter excitedly about their day, I lean back in my chair, soaking in the moment. This is my happily ever after—not perfect, sometimes messy, but filled with more love and joy than I ever thought possible.

We've weathered storms and come out stronger. We've built a life together, brick by brick, filled with laughter, love, and the pitter-patter of little feet. And as I look around at my beautiful family, I know that every struggle, every tear, every moment of fear was worth it to get to this place.

This is our story—a tale of love conquering darkness, of hope blooming in the most unlikely places. And it's far from over. With Christopher by my side and our children surrounding us with love, I know the best chapters are yet to come.

Christopher

Twenty-Seven Years Old

I slump against the wall, my muscles screaming in protest as I try to catch my breath. The Navy SEAL training course was even more brutal than I imagined, pushing us to our absolute limits both physically and mentally. But we did it. We fucking did it.

I look around at my brothers, Mason, Reid, Ronny, Zach, Carter, Harlan, and Cole. We're all in various states of exhaustion, covered in mud, sweat, and God knows what else. But there's a fierce pride shining in each of their eyes, a sense of accomplishment that can't be denied.

"Holy shit," Mason wheezes, shaking his head in disbelief. "I can't believe we actually made it through that hell."

Reid chuckles, wincing as he stretches out his aching muscles. "Remind me again why we thought this was a good idea?"

"Because we're stubborn bastards who like to prove a point," I reply with a grin. "And now we know we can handle anything that comes our way."

The others nod in agreement, we might not be officially in the military, but we wanted to be as prepared and disciplined as any SEAL team. And after what we just went through, I'd say we're pretty damn close.

As we start to gather our gear, my thoughts drift to Elle and our kids waiting for me at home. The image of their smiling faces was what kept me going through the toughest moments of training. I can't wait to hold them in my arms again, to see the pride in Elle's eyes when I tell her we made it.

"All right, boys," I call out, pushing myself to my feet with a groan. "Let's head home. I don't know about you, but I've got a beautiful wife and some excited kids waiting for me."

The others cheer in agreement, the thought of returning to our families giving us a much-needed boost. As we make our way off the training grounds, I feel a sense of accomplishment and readiness settle over me. Whatever challenges life throws our way, I know we'll be ready to face them head-on.

With one last look at the grueling course behind us, I smile to myself. We came, we saw, we conquered. And now it's time to go home to the ones we love.

Years Later

Elle

R aising our kids has been the biggest blessing in my life, but it never prepares you for when they grow up.

The anxiety I felt when Miracle reached teenager status was intense. Every time she left the house, I was terrified.

But here she is, graduating high school, and she’s going off to college with Madeline and staying in the dorms on campus.

As I watch Miracle walk across the stage to receive her high school diploma, my heart swells with a mixture of pride and bittersweet emotion. My baby girl, all grown up and ready to take on the world.

Christopher squeezes my hand, his eyes shining with unshed tears as he watches our daughter. Beside us, Jax and Emma cheer loudly for their big sister, waving handmade signs.

After the ceremony, we find Miracle in the crowd of excited graduates. She runs to us, her face beaming with joy as she throws her arms around Christopher and me.

"I did it!" she exclaims, her voice muffled against Christopher's chest.

"We're so proud of you, baby girl," Christopher says, his voice thick with emotion as he presses a kiss to the top of her head.

I cup her face in my hands, marveling at the beautiful young woman she's become. "You're going to do amazing things, Miracle. We love you so much."

Later that evening, as we celebrate with a backyard barbecue surrounded by family and friends, I find myself watching Miracle from across the yard. She's laughing with her cousins and friends, her eyes sparkling with excitement for the future.

Christopher comes up beside me, wrapping an arm around my waist. "You okay?" he asks softly.

I nod, leaning into his embrace. "Just can't believe our baby is all grown up and heading off to college. Where did the time go?"

He chuckles, pressing a kiss to my temple. "I know. Seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital."

As the party winds down and our guests start to leave, Miracle approaches us, a slightly nervous look on her face.

"Mom, Dad… can I talk to you for a minute?" she asks.

We nod, following her to a quiet corner of the yard. She takes a deep breath, twisting her hands together—a nervous habit she inherited from me.

"I know we talked about me living in the dorms," she starts, "but Madeline and I were thinking… what if we rented a small house near campus instead? It would give us more privacy and space to study."

I exchange a glance with Christopher, seeing my own mix of emotions reflected in his eyes. Part of me wants to keep her close, protected under our roof for as long as possible. But I know we have to let her spread her wings.

Christopher speaks first, his voice gentle but firm. "You know we trust you, Miracle. But living off-campus comes with a lot of responsibility."

Miracle nods eagerly. "I know, Dad. We've done our research. We found a place that's actually in a gated community with security.”

I take a deep breath, pushing down my instinctive worry and relieved at the same time knowing she’s thought about her safety.

Christopher sighs. “That’s fine, but we’re installing the best of the best security system.”

She nods eagerly. “That’s totally fine.”

A s I watch Miracle and Madeline unpack boxes in their new little house, a mix of emotions swirls through me. Pride at the independent young women they've become, excitement for this new chapter in their lives, and yes, a touch of anxiety at the thought of my baby girl being out on her own.

Christopher wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close. "They'll be okay," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "We raised her right."

I nod, leaning into his solid body. "I know. It's just hard to let go."

Ronny and Olivia are just as emotional as us. Our girls grew up together and are best friends on top of that which has made us closer over the years. They’re in the same boat as us, letting their girl go on her own for the first time.

Miracle looks up from the box she's unpacking, her face lighting up as she spots us. "Mom, Dad! Come see my room!"

We follow her down the hall, where she proudly shows off her newly decorated space. Photos of our family and her friends adorn the walls, alongside posters of her favorite bands and movies. It's the perfect blend of the little girl she was and the young woman she's becoming.

"It's beautiful, sweetheart," I say, pulling her into a hug. "You've made it so cozy."

Christopher clears his throat, his expression turning serious. "Now, you girls remember all the safety protocols we went over, right? Keep doors and windows locked, don't let strangers in, always be aware of your surroundings…"

"Yes, Dad," Miracle says with an affectionate eye roll. "We know. And we've got that top-of-the-line security system you insisted on installing."

"Good." Christopher nods, satisfied. "And you know you can call us anytime, day or night, if you need anything."

As we prepare to leave, I feel tears welling up in my eyes. Miracle notices, pulling me into a tight hug.

"I love you, Mom," she whispers. "Thank you for everything."

I hold her close, savoring the moment. "I love you too, baby girl. So much."

Christopher hugs her next, his large frame dwarfing her. "Be safe, have fun, and kick ass in your classes," he says gruffly, emotion thick in his voice.

As we drive away, leaving our firstborn to start this new chapter of her life, I reach for Christopher's hand. He brings it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles.

"She'll be okay," he says again, as much to reassure himself as me.

I nod, a small smile tugging on my lips. "I know. We did good, didn't we?"

Christopher grins, that boyish smile that still makes my heart skip a beat after all these years. "We did great, babe. Now, let's go home and spoil Jax and Emma while we've still got them under our roof."

As we drive home, I feel a sense of peace settle over me. Our little girl is growing up, spreading her wings. And while it's bittersweet, I’m filled with pride and excitement for the amazing woman she's growing into.

When we arrive home, Jax and Emma are waiting eagerly at the door, bombarding us with questions about their big sister's new place. "I think I should graduate early and move in with them, so no one fucks with them,” Jax says in a tone that sounds so much like Christopher that I crack up.

Later that night, as Christopher and I lay in bed, I snuggle close to him, drawing comfort from his solid presence.

"You know," I murmur, tracing patterns on his chest, "watching Miracle today, seeing the strong, independent young woman she's become… it made me think about how far we've come. How we've built this beautiful life together, despite everything we went through."

Christopher pulls me closer, kissing the top of my head. "We've come a long way, baby. And I wouldn't change a single moment of our journey."

I lift my head, meeting his gaze in the dim light of our bedroom. The love I see shining in his eyes takes my breath away.

"I love you, Christopher," I whisper, leaning in to kiss his lips. "Thank you for giving me this life, this family. For being my rock through it all."

He cups my face in his hands, his thumb gently stroking my cheek. "I love you too, Elle. More than anything in this world. You and our kids… you're everything to me."

As we drift off to sleep in each other's arms, I'm filled with a deep sense of gratitude. For the love we share, for the family we've built, for the strength we've found in each other.

Our story isn't perfect. It's messy and complicated and sometimes painful. But it's ours. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

This isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning.