Epilogue

                                    

                                          
AALIYAH
6 YEARS LATER...
The living room was filled with laughter and warmth. The smell of food came from the kitchen, and the string lights gave the room a cozy feel. It was a perfect family gathering, marking the start of something new for Lucas and me.
Cam and Sean were on the floor with their two kids—a lively boy and a curious girl. The kids laughed as Cam made funny faces and Sean told silly stories. Nearby, Des and Xavier were chatting and laughing, with Des making everyone smile.
Of course, Brooke and Caleb would be the ones to travel the world. Right now they're in Prague getting the most out of life. 
I stood with Lucas by the window, feeling my belly and watching Cam and Sean. "Look at them," I said softly, leaning against Lucas. "It's amazing how much has changed."
Lucas wrapped his arm around me. "Yeah, it is. They have their family, and now we're about to start ours."
I nodded, thinking about everything that had happened. "Graduated, having a baby... it still feels like a dream."
Lucas smiled at me. "I'm actually excited to take over the family business. It's a big step, but I want to do it for us."
I looked up at him. "You'll be great. We've been through so much together, and we'll handle this too."
He kissed the top of my head. "I couldn't do this without you. You've always been there for me."
We looked back at the room. Cam caught Lucas's eye and lifted his daughter, making her laugh. "You ready for this, man?" he asked with a grin.
Lucas laughed. "Not quite ready for all the mess, but I'm excited."
Sean, with his son on his back, added, "It's wild, but it's worth it."
I felt happy and content. Everything felt right. I looked around at everyone—Cam and Sean with their kids, Des and Xavier laughing—and felt grateful for how far we'd come.
"This is everything I wanted," I said, resting my head on Lucas's shoulder.
Lucas squeezed my hand. "And it's only going to get better. We have so much ahead—our baby, the business, and more memories with everyone."
I smiled, feeling full of love. "As long as we're together, everything will be fine."
As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the room, Lucas and I shared a quiet look. The future was uncertain, but it was full of hope and love—the things we'd always wanted and were ready to embrace.
•••
The apartment was quiet and dimly lit by the soft glow of a lamp in the corner. Lucas and I had just finished setting up the nursery, and the room was filled with the gentle hum of a baby mobile spinning slowly.
I sank into the couch, feeling the weight of the day lift as Lucas sat beside me. He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close. The warmth of his embrace was comforting, a perfect end to a busy day.
"Everything looks great," Lucas said, his voice soft as he glanced around the room. "I can't believe how close we are to meeting our little girl."
I smiled, resting my head on his shoulder. "I know. It feels like everything is falling into place."
We sat in comfortable silence, savoring the peacefulness of our home. The only sounds were the gentle rustle of the mobile and our steady breathing.
When Lucas leaned in and kissed me softly, I felt deeply content. The future was uncertain, but with him by my side, I knew we could face anything. Our love made everything feel just right.
He pulled away and looked at me, his eyes filled with warmth and affection. "I love you, Aaliyah."
I gazed back at him, my heart swelling with emotion. "I love you too, Lucas. And I always will because we have endless love."