Epilogue pt. 2: Ecstasy

O L I V I A

I got discharged from the hospital two days after I gave birth. I was still getting over the fact that I had a kid in my arms and not just in my belly. Labor was a bitch, but it was worth it in the end. I got lucky that my delivery was smooth. I didn't get any tears and the epidural worked like a charm.

We named her Crystal. She was the most adorable baby in the whole universe. To me, she looked like Kai, except for my lips. Those were unmistakable. Mom - both of our mothers, actually - thought that she looked like me. I didn't argue with the passionate grandmothers.

Kai had adapted to fatherhood faster than a bird would learn to fly. It was like he had been doing it forever. I didn't know how, but I was not complaining. He was a huge help and his support and love got me through most of it.

I could never fit my love for him into words, but our daughter seemed like a good start.

A loud crying noise filled the room and the man beside me jumped awake. His hair fell onto his face as he groaned softly.

"Shh, I'll take it," I whispered, pushing his hair back affectionately. He looked cute.

"No, you rest. I've got it." He sat up immediately, kissing my hand before standing up.

"I wasn't even asleep, Kai," I told him, watching him walk to her crib.

Although we had built her a nursery, we could never really leave her there for long periods of time, especially at night. We wanted to keep her close, at least in the beginning, to make sure that she was never unintentionally neglected. Yeah, we could use baby monitors, but we didn't really trust them much when it came to Crys. We were both paranoid that way.

"It's okay," he said, gently picking a thrashing Crystal up. She didn't stop, but that didn't seem to bother Kai. He just gazed down at her with heart eyes. He rocked her in his arms, swaying on his feet in an attempt to calm her down.

"All good?" I asked, laying on my side with my hands under my head as I watched the duo. I briefly glanced at the wall clock. It was half-past midnight.

"Will be," he replied. "Try to sleep, mon amour. You've had a rough week. I'll take Crys down to the nursery."

"No need." I stifled a yawn. I sat up with some effort. I was still a little sore. "Bring her here." I opened my arms. He gave me a reproachful look which I returned with an assuring one. He sighed in defeat, walking over and carefully handing her to me. He watched keenly as I inspected her. "She needs a change of diaper." I laughed.

"Again?" He asked in bewilderment, already bringing her changing kit to me. "We did that just a few hours ago."

"Yes, again," I said, amused. "Can you please get the lights, babe?"

"Of course," he answered. He switched on the soft ones, mindful of Crystal's recent sleepy state. "Do you need help with her?"

"Nope." I worked quickly, already adept at the job. You would be surprised by the number of diaper changes a newborn requires.

Kai was quick to take the dirty diaper and dispose it off while I cleaned Crystal up, powdered her, put her into a fresh diaper, and dressed her again. She calmed down considerably after that. Kai sat down in front of me as I rocked a drowsy Crys in my arms.

"Aren't you tired?" He asked me.

"I am," I smiled, "But it's funny how I'm not sleepy at all. And when I have her in my arms like this, I don't want to sleep. I feel like this is all a dream and that I might wake up and then this will all be gone."

"I know how you feel." He tenderly pushed a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. "But it's not a dream. And you need to sleep. You have dark circles under your eyes."

"Are you saying I look ugly?" I jested, resting my arms.

He put his hands on my knee caps. "You could wear a fucking trash bag and you'd still not be able to accomplish that."

I chuckled, blushing. "Flirt," I said accusingly.

"How do you think we got here, Livvy?" He smirked proudly.

"Smug bastard." I laughed, a little too loud.

"Shhh," he shushed me as Crystal stirred. I tensed.

She threw her hands out, her legs kicking against her swaddle, her lips puckering up and her eyebrows scrunching together. I was afraid that she would wake up again, so I rocked her again. Thankfully her expression slowly smoothened out and her limbs retracted back. Her tongue darted out once before her mouth opened and closed again.

"That was close," I mumbled, my humor put on pause.

"Too close," Kai muttered in agreement. "Let me put her back in her crib."

"I'm not sure she's quite asleep yet," I whispered, looking down at her. "Give me five more minutes."

"What?" I asked, still in that soft tone, looking up when I didn't get a reply.

He leaned in to kiss me. "I love you."

"I love you, too." I quickly kissed him back.

"I want to cuddle you." He sighed when he pulled back. "I miss it."

"Why miss it when I'm right here?" I asked him quietly.

"Because your pregnant self would kick me off every time I tried. It's been months, Livvy," he whined lowly.

It was so hard not to laugh. A grown-up man complaining he didn't get enough cuddles. Ah, I knew I chose the right one.

"What? That's not true!" I protested, careful of the volume I was projecting.

"Yes," he grumbled under his breath. "Yes, it is."

I chuckled. "Kaison!"

"You know what?" He began. "I think she's asleep. I'll take her to the crib."

"She might not-"

"I'll take my chances just this once," he cut me off. "I want to freaking cuddle my wife to sleep."

"God, okay," I said. "Just be careful."

He was careful and quick. While he put away the changing kit, and switched off the lights, I washed my hands. Then together, we climbed into bed. I silently thanked God that Crystal was cooperating.

"C'mere." He pulled me close to him. I placed my head on his chest with a sigh. It made me understand what Kai had been meaning.

"It feels nice," I murmured.

He kissed the top of my head. "It's been so long."

I exhaled, making myself comfortable. "I remember now. We haven't done this since my sixth-month sonography."

"See? I told you," he complained.

"We're doing it now," I offered, smiling.

"We're doing it now," he repeated. "But we need to do this more often."

"With Crystal here now, I can't promise that, Kai," I sighed. "Newborns need extra care and attention. It's a miracle she's not crying right now."

"I know, but we can try."

"Yeah. Who knows, she might be one of those silent babies," I mused.

Kai chuckled. "Either way, I love you both."

I smiled against his skin. I secretly loved how he didn't wear a shirt to sleep. The warmth radiating from him made me feel all happy inside even after all these years. It usually would put me to sleep very quickly with all the comfort it bought me.

"As we love you," I answered softly.

"I understand that it's not just the two of us now," he said after a momentary silence. "I understand that we will be very busy. But I want you to know that we're in this together, okay? I love you. I'm here for you."

"I know." I kissed his bare shoulder. "Thank you."

"No, thank you. For Crystal. For everything."

I giggled. "Eh, it was a team effort."

"Was it, now?" His body rumbled with a suppressed laugh.

"Um-hmm," I hummed as my eyelids got heavier. I snuggled closer to him.

Works like a charm every time.

"Sweet dreams, mon amour." He tightened his grip, kissing my hair. I fell asleep peacefully for the first night in months, embraced by the arms of my beloved.

Broken sleeps and nights full of diaper-changing routines were much better than they sounded.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

five years later

My brain registered their whispers and footsteps even in sleep.

"Is she awake?" Crystal was asking. Her speech was clear and her lisp had gone. Even though it had been a long while since that development, I still missed how she would trip over words and her little eyebrows would crinkle as she would try to coherently get her point across.

"Nope," I heard Kaison reply. "But we can fix that."

Crys giggled and the corners of my mouth faintly tugged up. "Yes!" She agreed excitedly.

"Shall I, or do you want to?" He asked her.

I could almost picture the honey-eyed princess biting her lip in thought as she tried to make a firm decision. Something we had recently been working on to make sure she would grow up to be a confident and decisive young lady.

Plant the seed and watch it grow as you nurture it.

"I will," she said. It sounded uncertain.

"Crys." I knew Kai was giving her a reproachful, encouraging look and I knew with utmost certainty that after one look in her father's warm eyes Crystal had given her strength. Because, the next thing I knew:

"I will." Her words radiated confidence.

I heard a raspberry and a giggle. I was practically awake by then. That was it. I wanted to join in on the fun. I made a show of stretching a bit and the sound of merriment stopped. I almost regretted my decision.

"Mommy!" Crystal squealed. I relaxed as I let an easy grin wash over my face. I sat up, throwing my covers back. I opened my arms and she bounded into them zealously, prompting a laugh out of me.

I kissed her nose. "Hi, baby."

Kai joined us, sitting on the edge of the bed. "'Morning, mon amour."

His hair was tousled, his eyes were shining and he was sporting a sexy smirk. And he was shirtless. How was I supposed to make form a decent reply?

"Happy birthday!" Crystal pulled me out of my trance as she wrapped her arms around my neck. She crushed me to her and she buried her petite face in my neck. My heart melted. I hugged her back, squeezing her once.

"Thank you," I replied with a kiss on her shoulder.

She pulled back with a grin, making no effort to get off my lap. Kai chuckled.

"Happy birthday, Livvy." He smiled at me affectionately. "How would you fancy breakfast in bed?"

Was that even a question?

"Yes, please!" I exclaimed. "I would love it."

"Be right back," he said, getting up. He ruffled Crys' hair affectionately before he walked out.

"I helped him!" She declared.

Just the thought made me swoon. "Umhmm? Did you?"

"Yeah!" She nodded vehemently. "I decorated your pancakes, mommy. And I made you juice, too!"

I wanted to correct that she didn't 'make' the juice and that she had merely poured it out. But she looked so excited to have done it, I bit my tongue just that once. Parenting could wait for just a few more hours.

"I'm so proud of you!" I said instead, patting her back. She beamed.

"And you know, daddy has a present fo-"

The door to our room opened and she clammed up. She looked sheepish despite Kai's easy-going manner as he worked to set the tray right. I realized what was going on and laughed internally. Before Crys could move away from me to make room, I brought her close and whispered in her ear:

"It's okay, it's our secret."

Readily reassured, the residual doubt left her face as she settled beside me, cross-legged. Her grin was back and she was glowing again. As soon as Kai was done setting it up, Crys jumped up and down.

"I made that, mommy!" She pointed at the pancakes. The top one had a smiley face made out of chocolate chips. More chocolate chips were present on the periphery. My heart swelled.

I gave her a big smile, pinching her cheeks before kissing them. She laughed. "I love it."

"And I made that," Kai said, pointing at the crepes. I inhaled deeply and the delicious aroma tangoed with my belly.

"I'm speechless," I said. "How long did this take?"

"Just a little over an hour," Kai replied. "Crystal woke up a few minutes ago and she wanted to help."

"Oh, Crys. And Kai, this smells out of this world!"

He smiled at me lovingly. "I'm glad. Now eat up before this gets cold."

With a kaleidoscope forming in my stomach, I picked up my knife and fork and cut out a small bite. I offered it to Crystal and she gobbled it up promptly. Kai and I chuckled at that. Kai picked up his utensils too.

We ate together, taking much longer than usual to finish the delicious meal as we talked and laughed. It was Sunday and none of us had work or school.

Eventually, the plates emptied out and we all got up. Kai stubbornly took away the dishes to clean them himself while I was shooed off to freshen up and dress for the day like a child. Rolling my eyes, I complied. Half an hour later I walked out into our room in a pair of sweats and damp hair.

I stopped when I saw my husband sitting on the bed.

"Hey," I resumed. "Where is Crystal?"

"She's selecting her dress for the day," he replied.

I sat down beside him. "Ah, that will take a while."

He hummed in agreement with a small smile. "I have something for you."

"Yeah?" I smiled.

He handed me a small paper bag in response. I opened it slowly, trying to guess what it was while I undid the ribbon on the long, slender box in it. With everything out of the way, I gently lifted the lid. I gasped lowly.

"It's beautiful," I murmured. I reverently traced the golden bracelet. The little stones in it shined. Simple, sweet, and elegant. "I fucking love it, Kai."

He laughed lowly, and I heard the relief in it. "Well, I know your taste."

I loved how he just tried to play it off. With a chuckle, I played along. I mean, he did just give me breakfast in bed.

"You sure do," I replied.

"May I?"

"Please."

He took the item off of its cushion. I put my left hand forward and he worked to clasp it around my wrist as I watched his face. It didn't take him long, but I loved watching his expressions and how his eyebrows furrowed up over a tiny clasp. Crystal was definitely more like him than me.

"Done," he breathed when he managed to get it right. I laughed softly as relief bloomed on his face. "Are you making fun of me?" He asked playfully when he registered that.

"Maybe," I sang.

He shook his head. "Just kiss me. I've wanted to do it all morning."

Me too.

I obliged with a giggle, pressing my lips to his. He deepened it slowly, pushing my wet hair out of the way. The droplets still falling from it collected on my sweatshirt but I ignored it. We only had a few moments before Cryst-

"Ewww!"

We jumped apart, eyes wide as if we were caught in the middle of some crime. In our room's doorway, Crystal was standing with her nose wrinkled adorably and her hands on her waist in a childish reprimand. Curbing a laugh at her never-changing reaction, Kai and I distanced ourselves again.

"Done?" I asked her as if she hadn't just walked into us making out. Even when we were careful, it happened often. And at one point you realize that ignoring it is the best option.

Her expression eased. "Yeah."

"Come on, then. Let's get you ready for the day."

She nodded.

"I'll join you in a minute," I told her when she didn't move.

"Okay," she dragged, evidently reluctant. I could sense her debating something in her mind. Apparently, the fact that her parents didn't get cooties didn't reassure her as much as I had thought. There goes an hour down the drain.

Her internal battle probably died down, because she chose not to say anything and wobbled away.

"I love her, but it would be nice to be able to kiss you whenever I feel like," Kai mumbled.

I chuckled. "It's a phase. It'll pass."

In a few years. Probably never.

"I know." He sighed.

I got up, giving him a small kiss. "Go have a shower. I'll get Crys."

"Okay," he said. Before I could go, he tugged me down for another kiss.

"Cooties!" Crystal yelled from our doorway again. We broke apart, me laughing and Kai groaning as we focused on her.

"Cooties," I agreed, enjoying the look of utter disbelief on Kaison's face.

"Cooties don't exist," he stated.

"But they do, daddy," Crystal said patiently.

Kai looked at me helplessly and I laughed again. I watched him attempt to do what I had already failed at before and realized I had never felt so full and content as I had been these few months. It always amazed me how our capacity to love only grew as we aged.

It was perfect. With these two with me, I knew I could do anything. Conquer any mountain and weather any stone. Their love picked me up when I would feel low and flew me to new highs. They kept me going when I chased my dreams. They were my strength.

It takes some time, but life does find a way of fulfilling itself.

- THE END -

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A/N: There you go! Finally, the end. I told you it would end well. One can never go wrong with a cliché, after all!

I so hope you guys liked it. I put my blood and sweat into this one istg.

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xoxo.