Epilogue (Vic's POV)

A lot can happen in five years.

It all started with my nephew, Blake. He decided to break free of his solitude in order to pursue this boy who was about two years younger. A boy named Danny Carter. He was fiesty, I'll admit, but there was a cute charm to him that I liked. Unfortunately, Danny didn't know he liked Blake the same way Blake liked him and when he did find this out, Danny's father wasn't the happiest man on the planet.

Ace Carter didn't approve of Danny being gay. After all, he'd been raised up by a bitter woman who taught him nothing, but hate for those who liked the same sex. Danny was kicked out of his home and I couldn't bear the thought of seeing him broke and alone, especially after what his own classmates had done to him.

So, Danny came to live with Blake and I, as well as Blake's older brother, Rick. He was the black sheep of, well, not specifically our family, but pretty much the whole town. Like Blake, Rick had a pretty tough life up until I adopted him and his brother. For Blake, it got better. For Rick, it got worse.

Rick was innocent- hard to believe, isn't it? He didn't know people could be cruel, so admitting to his best friend, Alexander Tate, that he loved him was no big deal. Until his so-called best friend spread the rumor like wild fire and again, society proved to be pretty cold hearted and hardened him into a hot-headed, tempermental man with a drinking and smoking problem.

But it all ended when Rick met Devin Carter, Danny's twin. At first, I was uneasy about this match, after all, what would Danny think? What about Blake? But after ending up in the hospital almost three times, Rick and Devin molded into what had to be the perfect relationship.

No surprise that Ace threw a fit about it. And the worst part of it was that I had trouble arguing back with him because by this time, I knew for a fact that I had fallen in love with Ace Carter. The bigmouthed bigot office worker was the only man I could think about, and I had always assumed he hated me.

And he thought so too.

So imagine my shock when he kissed me and told me he wanted to live with me for the rest of his life. Part of me was ecstatic. After all these years of having hopeless thoughts of romantics, and I finally had the man of my dreams returning my feelings. Another part of me felt awful for tearing him away from his beloved wife, Cherri; the bubbly and lively woman he'd shared his entire life with.

But Cherri didn't hate me. She didn't hate Ace, or anyone. She took her divorce as a chance to go back to college and get a part-time job. She had her best friend, Carmen, move in and she also talked about adopting a child, seeing as, well... Her sons obviously had the same thoughts in their head.

"Vic, you're burning the rice." Ace's voice struck a cord in my mind and I snapped out of my day dream to stare at the steaming pot of rice, gasping in shock.

"Jesus!" I shut the stove off, jerking the pot off the stove and rushing to the sink to spray it with cold water.

"That's the first time I've seen you burn anything." Ace stated from behind me. I shut the water off, placing the pot in the sink to cool. I turned around, sighing and cocking a brow at him. Of course, I couldn't get mad at him, especially not today.

Ace still looked as wonderful as the day I met him.

At six foot two with dark brown hair that could easily be mistaken as black contrasting with his icy blue eyes, Ace Carter was as masculine as you could get. Even his voice was a deep, quivering baritone that sent goose bumps flying over my skin. It didn't help that he was wearing his best black V-neck long sleeved shirt with matching jeans that fit him snugly.

He was dressed perfectly for a family reunion, unlike me.

Vic Patterson, dressed in his pajamas that consisted of a Woodstock t-shirt and torn pajama pants. Mind you, they weren't torn a week ago. I just learned the hard way why Ace never does laundry and why he never will.

"Don't tell me you're nervous." Ace said, coming around the island table and reaching up to smooth my hair back. I sighed, mostly at how warm and comforting his touch was. I brushed my fingertips over his skin, then smiled up at him.

"Just a little." I admitted. Ace smiled.

"It'll be fine. Rick said the kids are well behaved, so if you're worried about the furniture..."

"I'm not worried about a couple of toddlers."

"I promise Danny won't eat like a pig either."

"Ace."

"You're worried about Cherri?"

"Sort of." I confessed. Ace sighed, taking my face in his hands and kissing me on the forehead, then the nose, then gently on my lips and smiling comfortingly.

"She's fine. We just saw her not more than a month ago. She'll be happy to see everyone again, especially the boys. Holidays just aren't enough for her to see everyone again."

"I still feel like I did something wrong..."

"You didn't do anything wrong. Besides, we're both happier now. Cherri has Carmen taking care of her, and I have you." He leaned in and kissed me again. This time, it made all my negative thoughts flutter away like paper in the wind. I let go of the counter, reaching up to fold my hands at the back of his neck, moaning as he deepened his kiss hungrily, his hands clasping at the small of my back.

He pulled away only for a moment as we both panted for air.

And it didn't shock me one bit when he grabbed me and lifted me up onto the counter, pulling my legs on either side of him, his hands grabbing at my backside and making me gasp against his lips.

"Not in the kitchen!" I managed as he kissed down my neck, pulling my shirt off my shoulders so he could kiss me there. He just chuckled softly and I could feel it vibrating his chest as his teeth nipped my skin.

"I know. I'm debating whether to face your wrath or take you upstairs."

"Ace-"

"No more talking. I'm hungry for something else." He smirked at me and I felt my face heat, but I wasn't embarrassed anymore. I was feeling hot and there was this aching between my legs that could only be satisfied by the man in front of me.

Ace went to pull my shirt off when the doorbell rang and I gasped, shoving him back. He winced when his back hit the countertop and I grimaced, hopping off.

"I'm sorry! See this is why I don't wanna do this in the kitchen." I muttered, reaching around to rub at his back. Ace had always had a bad back because of his office work and I felt awful because my memory was just terrible nowadays and I always ended up doing something that probably hurt him, but he was smiling at me, stroking my hair.

"I"m fine. I'll set the table, go answer the door. Judging by the screaming, it's Rick and Devin." He said. I smiled back, then threw the apron off over the countertop, hurrying down the hallway and taking a deep breath before I opened the door.

Almost immediately, a bleach blonde boy of about four-years-old ran in laughing and grabbing my pantleg. I smiled, reaching down and lifting him up into my arms.

"Hi, Oliver. Where're your parents, hm? What about your sisters?" I asked him. Oliver just grinned and hugged me around the neck. I looked up to see Devin panting at the top of the steps, his caramel hair windswept and his blue eyes glowing before he stood up straight, laughing awkwardly.

"Sorry about that, Vic. Jesus, that kid has more energy than a Mexican jumping bean!" He exclaimed as Oliver giggled. I smiled.

"No problem. What about Rick and the girls?" I asked, glancing out toward the very attractive looking Porsche that sat in the driveway behind Ace's Raptor and my Mercedes Benz. Devin waved his hand, walking over to me and taking Oliver. I couldn't help, but smile seeing Devin hold his son.

Oh, I didn't mention anything about that, did I?

When Devin had started college, he moved in with Rick in a cute little apartment closer to town and by the time Devin had graduated, he and Rick had talked about adopting a kid. Of course, one kid turned into two, which turned into three. Personally, I thought they were too young to be fussing with kids now, but somehow, those two managed three kids and their very active love life.

Even so, I was proud of them both. After the third adoption, Rick and Devin had moved to the next town over and bought a house big enough to hold their wild children. Rick had started his own autobody shop in town and Devin worked parttime at a daycare center.

It was amazing to think that once upon a time, Devin had been just a teenager and Rick, well, I don't think he ever officially grew up and there were enough reasons for that that no one really bothered to correct him.

"Rick's in the car. Molly got sick on the way here. I should've bought her something, but we were in a hurry. You got anything for her nausea?"

"Sure thing. Medicine cabinet is still full."

"Is my dad here?"

"Always. Ace! Quit being shy and get in the foyer! Your kids are here!" I called over my shoulder, then smiled at Devin as he returned the smile gratefully before setting Oliver down, shooing him inside before stepping in himself.

Ace walked into the foyer, smiling at the sight of Devin before he gave him a big bear of a hug that almost lifted Devin off his feet. Despite having grown a couple more inches in the last five years, Devin was still a midget compared to Ace. Then again, who wasn't?

Except Rick. Rick came about as close as anyone and I was pretty sure he was still growing as I saw him coming up the drive at last, carrying a little three-year-old in his arms and walking a four-year-old in his other hand.

If you had told me five years ago that Rick would be a father, I'd probably laugh.

Now, I couldn't see it any other way.

I remembered Devin confessing his worries about wanting to adopt kids. After all, Rick always had issues with his anger and even today he kept in contact with his therapist whenever he felt like he was gonna explode, although, I'm pretty sure he kept himself more contained now that he had three children on his hands.

Rick looked almost comical with two little girls. He was still tall, dark, and handsome with an aura of sensual mystery and threatening around him. At least, that's what normally people thought when he wasn't with his daughters. His blue eyes weren't cold anymore and seemed brighter as he laughed at something Molly was whispering in his ear.

"Rick, glad you could make it." I greeted with a smile. Rick flashed me a cocky smirk.

"No way am I gonna miss a family reunion. Not after last year. I take it you didn't buy any vodka this year?"

"That was an accident and you know it. Save the trash talk for when the kids aren't around. And how are my lovely ladies doing today?" I grinned as Molly giggled, reaching out from Rick's arms. She clambered into my arms, her corn blonde hair pulled into a short braid over her shoulder, her leafy green eyes watching me with excitement as she hugged me.

"I take it she's feeling better?" I asked. Rick nodded as he lifted his other daughter, Anya, into his arms. Unlike her siblings, Anya was far more withdrawn and shy. Enough so that she buried her face in the crook of Rick's neck, clinging to his jacket as she sucked her thumb.

Of course, I didn't expect anything less. She reminded me of Blake when I had first taken him in. She was weary of everyone and still not used to us, after all, she was the newest member to our family. According to Rick, when they'd adopted her, she wouldn't sleep in her room and slept at the foot of their door for almost two weeks before they let her sleep in their bed. She still couldn't sleep alone and shared a room with Molly.

Anya's mother had died during childbirth in Russia and there was no immediate family to take her, so she was sent to America to one of the adoption agencies and unfortunately, her first foster family wasn't exactly the most caring in the world. They'd locked her in a closet for weeks on end and hardly fed her or let her out. When they did, it was usually to take their anger out on her. Social services had finally come to take Anya away.

"Couldn't keep my eyes off her the moment we walked into that place," Rick had told me over the phone after the first week of the adoption, "She reminded me of Blake, only she doesn't cry. The cops said she wasn't crying the day they saved her either. She's one tough girl. Damn well better, cuz there's no way in Hell I'm lettin' her date until she's like, sixty-five."

I could remember laughing when I told Ace this. The idea of Rick being protective was surprising.

"She's still a little queasy, but she'll be fine after she plays around for a while," Rick told me as he stroked Anya's chocolate brown hair, "So, are Blake and Danny here yet or are they takin' their sweet time?"

"They live in the next state over, Rick, cut 'em some slack. Come on into the kitchen and let the kids play. I got some toys out for them in the living room to play with and left the cartoons on for them." I said, setting Molly down. She was on her feet instantly and wobbling into the living room after Oliver, who was already jumping up and down on the sofa with a stuffed teddy bear.

"You're spoiling them," Rick snorted as he set Anya down, but she clung to his pantleg with her thumb still in her mouth and he just smiled down at her before looking back up at me, "You better not have left that weird Nickelodeon channel on. If there's one thing I don't want my kids watching, its iCarly or Fanboy and Chum Chum. I swore they had better shows on that channel when I was a kid."

"You really know how to make me sound old. When I was a kid." I huffed, closing the door behind him and leading him into the kitchen where Ace was pouring Devin a glass of apple cider. Devin looked up and gave Rick a beaming smile that pretty much said everything about their relationship.

Rick smiled right back and I knew he wanted to just scoop him up and carry him off, but with his daughter clinging and Ace hovering, it was a danger zone to do something like that. Instead, he pecked Devin on the cheek and stole a drink from his cider, earning him an eyeroll.

"So, have you talked to either Danny or Blake before coming?" I asked. Devin shook his head as he leaned on the counter, taking a sip of his cider.

"Couldn't get a hold of Blake. I think his cell phone might be turned off for some reason. And Danny's voicemail caught me, again." He snorted in irritation. We all groaned in unison.

Right. Danny's voicemail. It was one of those irritating "Hello? Hello? Ha! Gotchya! Not really here, leave a message, loser." He could be a hundred and still be immature, but I'm pretty sure it was his naive innocence that had attracted Blake in the first place.

"I told him to change that." Ace muttered as he gulped his cider, smiling at Anya, who blushed and reached her hands out hesitantly. Ace bent down and scooped her up, earning a soft giggle from her before he held her to his chest, resting on his arm. She was teeny tiny compared to him and it made me smile to see him happy with a child.

Even after all this time, I still felt ashamed that I couldn't provide him with the same things Cherri could, but Ace always reminded me that it didn't bother him and he did say he didn't mind the idea of adoption, but I wasn't so sure if I could take on anymore kids. Sure, I adored them with all my heart, but I'm not entirely positive we were stable for that yet.

"When's Cherri stopping by? She is coming right?" Rick asked casually, taking Devin's drink and gulping it down. Devin scowled at him and elbowed his ribs, making him smirk wickedly. Ace cleared his throat, making Rick sigh and slump against the counter. Ace sent Anya down on the floor, kissing the top of her head and whispering something in her ear that made her grin and run off to the living room with her brother and sister.

"She and Carmen are stopping by in an hour or so. I think they're bringing Tristian too." He answered, making my eyebrows shoot up.

"I didn't know Tristian was coming." I stated. Devin and Rick looked at Ace, who held his hands up in surrender.

"Don't look at me. Cherri invited him, but I think it's a good thing. Tristian's sort of lonely out in the farmhouse all by himself. Doesn't help that Anthony's been harrassing him lately." He added flatly with obvious annoyance.

No one said anything, because we were pretty much thinking the same thing.

After Anthony had realized that Ace and I were permanent, he went crawling back to Tristian, but Tristian was a no bullshit kinda guy apparently and told the guy off. Unfortunately, Anthony was sort of like a tick. Smack him, burn him, yell at him, shriek at him and he'd still cling to you. I only saw him every so often and whenever we did see each other, I saw the guilt on his face of what happened, or what almost happened, years ago.

To this day, I couldn't believe I had told him I forgave him. Although, I think both of us knew I was just saying that to make peace. It was far too hard to forget something like that.

"He's not bringing that prick, is he?" Rick asked.

"Shut up, the kids can hear you." Devin commanded. Rick snorted and Devin reached up, covering his mouth.

"No way. Tristian likes him about as much as we do." Ace replied, cocking a brow as Rick licked Devin's fingers. Devin made an expression of disgust and wiped his hand on Rick's shirt just as the doorbell rang. Like an eager puppy, Devin perked up and bolted down the hallway ahead of us, opening the door to the foyer.

Judging by the almost shouted greetings, I guessed it was Danny and Blake.

Making our way into the foyer, my suspicions were confirmed as Danny and Devin were locked in one of those deep, brotherly embraces. Danny had grown almost as tall as Devin and his hair was still slightly longer and lighter because of the California sun. His blue eyes were bright, matching the button up shirt he wore and his blue jeans.

Blake came in behind them, closing the door and smirking at the reaction.

He was almost as tall as Rick now, dressed in a black business suit with the tie undone and hanging loosely. Like Danny, his dark hair seemed to lightened from the sun and his greenish-blue eyes locked on Rick and I now as he relaxed.

"Hey, glad we're not late or anything." He said, walking over to give me a hug. I smiled, hugging him back tightly. I could remember when he was just a little guy, reaching up for a hug and feeling so small, like he was gonna slip from my arms. Now, I swore he was trying to break my back.

"Hey, jerkface." Rick greeted with a smirk. Blake rolled his eyes.

"Nice seeing you too, prick."

"Look at you. All business suit and shiny shoes. I thought you hated assholes like that." Rick drawled, scanning Blake up and down. Blake cocked a brow.

"Seeing as it's the only job I can get without a college degree, it's peachy keen. And I thought having kids would make you less of an asshole. I was wrong."

"I can feel the brotherly love. Just, beaming off you two in rays." I said sarcastically. They both flashed me smiles and I relaxed, smiling back. Despite everything that had happened, Rick and Blake had become so much closer after seeing their parents again, back five years ago.

My smiled faded as I watched everyone converse about what had been going on.

That brought me to my next revelation.

Mr. and Mrs. Patterson. The cruel, inhumane couple that had once been the guardians to Rick and Blake.

I had gotten the letter in the mail last year, but I didn't know how to react. It was from Mariah, stating that Stanton had died of a drug overdose. Part of me was relieved. Stanton was always bitter and resentful, confused and hurting about something he never spoke about. He was cruel towards others, including his own children. Enough so that even now, according to Danny, Blake still had the occasional nightmare. However, a more human side of me was heartbroken, because no matter how much I tried to make excuses, Stanton was my brother.

He wasn't always a bitter bastard, it just suddenly happened when he reached high school. He was a grinning child, but it was like people say. It just sort of happened and no one, but Stanton knew why and he carried that secret with him to the grave.

Mariah was now in rehabilitation for her addiction and she had confessed to her crimes, so she was receiving her proper punishment. And I know for a fact she did that to see her sons again, but from what I've heard, Rick had completely disowned her and Blake just didn't want to talk about it.

And no one wanted to pressure them, so the topic was a taboo.

"Jeez, I'm so jealous," Danny was saying when I zoned back in to see him watching the kids play in the next room, "They're so freakin' small and cute!"

"You can have kids when you stop being one yourself." Blake said, ruffling his hair and making him scowl.

"Tell that to Rick. He still falls asleep watching cartoons with them." Devin drawled, giving Rick a playful smirk. Rick grinned back and didn't bother keeping it PG, wrapping his arm around Devin's waist and giving him a passionate kiss on the lips.

"Vic." Ace looked at me in distress.

"We'll be right back. Gotta check on the chicken." I said, linking my arm with Ace's and leading him into the kitchen as the boys nodded and went back to swapping stories. I cocked a brow at Ace as he leaned against the counter, rubbing his temples.

"Ace, Devin's twenty-five and if they hadn't made gay marriage illegal, I know for a fact they'd be married right now." I scolded. Ace sighed.

"I know that! It's just... In front of the kids?"

"Excuses."

"Vic."

"Ace."

"Are you mocking me?"

"Possibly. Depends, does it make you mad?"

"Mad enough to take you right here in the kitchen."

"What did I say about the kitchen?"

"Off limits. But just once? Besides, I didn't buy that apron just to keep the food from getting on you." Ace added suggestively, looking away innocently. I felt my face catch fire as I whipped the oven mit at him, making him laugh and toss it aside before he swept across the kitchen, catching me around the waist and kissing me gently on the lips.

"They're growing up so fast." Ace said after a while as we peered down the hallway. I followed his eyes with a smile as Rick and Danny argued over something that I honestly didn't want to know about, judging by Blake's eye rolls and Devin's blushing.

"And I thought I felt old before." I muttered dryly, lifting an eyebrow at the thought. Ace hugged me from behind, nuzzling my neck and kissing my ear, making me melt in his arms.

"I know just the remedy for that kind of feeling."

"Later."

"Your disinterest is turning me off."

"Good, wait until after the reunion."

"Victor Patterson, is that a promise?"

"If you behave, yes."

"... Sounds good. I'll make sure you uphold that promise." Ace smirked and let go of me. I sighed with relief, trying to brush the feeling of his kisses off my ear, but it was almost impossible. They were too hard to forget, and yet, I hadn't had enough of them.

"Ma's here! And she brought her freakish girlfriend and Tristian!" Danny's voice carried into the kitchen as the front door opened.

"She's not my girlfriend!" Cherri's voice argued.

"Crush my hopes, why don't ya?" Carmen's voice snorted as we made our way down the hallway and into the foyer, which was now crowded almost entirely with people. Although, it helped when Danny and Devin went into the living room to play with the kids and Blake and Rick went to join them. Cherri threw her arms around my neck, kissing me on each cheek.

"Gosh! We still live in the same town and I don't see enough of you! How mean, Vic! We gotta schedule a date sometime." She grinned. I smiled back at her and it was so hard to believe Ace left her for me.

Cherri was gorgeous and adorable all rolled into one. Her caramel hair had brought almost to her waist and she now strung it back in a long ponytail, her sea blue eyes wide and glittering with delight. She wore a lavender and pale blue sweater with faded blue jeans that went with the jacket Carmen wore over a red turtleneck and a black velvet skirt that hung just above her knees to go with her tall boots.

Tristian looked awkward, he always had, but he did seem a bit more at home with us and I was glad. Ace had told me that Tristian was pretty much a loner after his parents died several years ago in a house fire and he was an only child, not to mention, the rest of his immediate family had also passed away.

So we happily welcomed him to our family and he seemed to enjoy it.

"Man, this is a nice place, I'll never get over how many rooms are here." Tristian admitted, his shockingly bright green eyes scanning the foyer from top to bottom before they landed on Ace and I.

"Thanks, Tristian," Ace said with a smile, "Well, since everyone's here, should we get started and set the table?"

"We have one more guest comin' up the walk, Ace." Cherri said with a smile. Ace looked at her curiously, then at me. I just shrugged. I had no idea what she was talking about either.

The door opened and I almost choked on my breathing as did Ace, who gaped rather dumbly at the doorway as his mother walked through, smiling brightly. The years, and shock of what Ace had confessed to her years ago, had done a number, giving her some light wrinkles, but with the amount of make up she slapped on, you could hardly tell.

She wore a designer ruffled blue blouse with pinstripped flowing black pants. Her dark hair was curled and loose with blue-gray eyes happy to see all of us, even me.

"Mother?" Ace looked baffled.

"Don't just stand there and gape at me! You'll embarrass me! Come here and give me a hug, honey!" She threw her arms out and Ace stumbled into them before holding her close, looking relieved.

We all knew why. After hearing about Ace's decision to divorce Cherri and get with me, she'd been stunned and actually a little angry. I had this itching sensation she hated me.

Until she let go of Ace and walked over, hugging me. I was caught off guard and had no idea what to do at first before I hesitantly hugged her back.

"It's good to see you, Vic! My, my, that food smells delicious! What've you got for your mother-in-law? I hope you used natural ingredients. My body isn't as young as it used to be and red meats just kill me."

"Mary-Ann!" Cherri laughed, swatting playfully at Mary-Ann's arm. Mary-Ann flashed her a grin, then looked at me expectantly. I could barely believe it. Mary-Ann Carter didn't hate me, and she was asking me about my cooking. Were pigs flying yet?

I felt like I went on autopilot as I led her into the kitchen, showing her around. Carmen and Cherri scurried after me as Tristian and Ace stood in the foyer to catch up. I felt embarrassed by all the attention and praise as Mary-Ann commented on everything, even the types of knives I used down to my all-natural seasonings. I had also had the kitchen redone recently so it had a homey look to it now and that definitely impressed Ace's mother.

I felt a streak of joy go through me as the girls helped me set the table, getting the food out and placing it equally on everyone's plates before Mary-Ann called everyone to dinner.

We all sat around the table, adults and children, seeing as Devin didn't want to exclude them from our conversations, despite any adult content.

"I'm not censoring a non-censored world. Why sugarcoat things?" Devin asked as he placed Anya in a seat next to him, putting a plastic fork and spoon in her little hands.

"So you let them watch horror movies?" Cherri asked, cocking a brow. Devin blushed.

"It was an accident. Rick left the television on and Oliver just sort of got hooked." He confessed.

"How can you blame me for that? I thought you put them to bed already." Rick snorted, grabbing the back of Devin's shirt and jerking him into his seat. Devin scowled, but after a kiss on the cheek, he settled for peace.

"Vic, how about you say Grace this year?" Ace asked me and I felt everyone's eyes on me before I smiled, nodding and closing my eyes as I took Ace's hand in my hand, Rick's in the other.

"Lord, we hope that you bless this meal and our family. We thank you for five wondeful years and for giving us hope for more. We thank you for having a new member of our family, Anya. We thank you for our health. In Christ's name we pray, Amen."

"Amen." Everyone's voices echoed in the room before we began to eat.

It was a comfortable moment with different conversations, debatable topics and calm ones. Laughter and poking fun. It was nice to see Anya enjoying herself too. She even started talking a little more, even if it was baby talk. I knew she'd grow up to be a pretty young girl, just like her sister. And without a doubt, Oliver was showing habits he picked up from Devin, including poking Rick in the ribs every so often, making Rick laugh and pinch his cheeks.

It was amazing.

After so much turmoil, confusion, and drama, we could finally sit at a table again and just relax as one big family. Of course, it wasn't safe to say that all the drama was over. After all, we may have convinced Mary-Ann and others that we were normal, but there were other people out there who just didn't understand and maybe never would and all I could do was feel sorry for people like that. People who couldn't accept the way God made everyone, but that was fine by me, because I knew God loved me and my family.

By the time dinner was over, we had hung around in the living room for a while, watching the kids and stopping to watch a few movies. It was nearly midnight when people decided to turn in for the night.

"Long drive," Blake sighed tiredly, rubbing at his eye, "I hate driving with all those lights in my eyes. It's like walking into the next episode of Dance with the Stars. Awful."

"Quit complaining." Danny drawled, but he was smiling anyway and I think he wanted to cuddle on Blake, but Danny was never a public person about his relationship and withheld himself.

"I told you it was no bother to stay the night." I offered again, but Blake shook his head and smiled.

"We'd love to, but unfortunately, I have work in the morning. Sucks, but we'll come again next weekend. Remember to call me." He added, giving me a powerful hug. Danny even hugged me quickly before Blake linked arms with him, bidding us all farewell before they left.

"We ought to leave too," Cherri yawned, smiling sleepily at us, "This was wonderful, Vic. Ace. I'm glad we could hang out again, we really do need to set up a date to do something. Go to a movie, pelt ducks in the park with bread, gawk at cars. Something we can do together."

"As if you speak car." Carmen snorted. Cherri rolled her eyes, waving a hand in her face idly before she beamed at me, giving me a hug and a kiss before she did the same to Ace, backing up and waving.

"It was great seeing you guys again," Tristian agreed, shrugging his coat on, seeing as Cherri was his ride here, "Cherri's right. It'd be neat if we could hang out again. Bring the rest of the family, it'd be fantastic."

"Without a doubt." Ace agreed with a grin.

"And you two behave," Mary-Ann added, pinching Ace's cheek and making him grunt, only to melt when his mother kissed him warmly on the cheek, smiling up at him, "You be a good boy, Ace. Vic works hard to keep this house lookin' good. If I find out you've been slacking off, I've given him permission to whip you one good."

"Jeez, mother."

"Don't you jeez me, Ace," She laughed, giving him a hug before she hugged me and gave me a kiss on the cheek, "And you take care of my boy, Vic. He can be a handful, but I promise you it's worth it."

"Agreed." I smiled at her as she waved and hobbled out the door with Cherri, Carmen, and Tristian, all piling into Cherri's Ford Focus. Ace closed the door behind them, yawning sleepily. I smiled at him, then looked up as Devin came into the foyer, carrying Anya in one arm and Molly in the other.

"You sure it's okay we stay the night? I don't wanna bother you or anything." Devin said quietly so he didn't wake up the kids. I nodded.

"No bother at all, Dev. I'd be happy to have you guys stay the night. I have the bedroom for the kids all set up with their beds... Where's Rick and Oliver?"

"They fell asleep on the sofa." Devin grinned and nudged his head for us to come look. We stepped into the living room to see Rick practically passed out on the sofa, sprawled out, saved for one arm that was curled around Oliver, holding him curled up to his chest.

"He's a great father." I heard myself say and I looked at Devin to see him smiling, resting his head on Anya's.

"He really is. God, now I know how you felt when you adopted Blake and Rick. It's the best feeling in the world and I was nervous at first, since mom told me I was too young to go for kids now, but I don't regret it. Hell, if money wasn't so tight right now, I'd go for a fourth." Devin grinned at me and I shook my head, laughing quietly.

"Before you know it, people will definitely recognize you as Catholics." Ace smirked. Devin blushed and elbowed his father before whispering a goodnight, heading upstairs to tuck the girls in. I shut the living room light off after placing a blanket over Rick and Oliver before Ace and I cleaned up.

We headed upstairs, passing the kid's bedroom and the guest room where no doubt Devin was fast asleep. We showered and got into bed. I pulled the covers up, ready to close my eyes to sleep when I felt Ace's arm go around me, rolling me to face him.

"What?" I asked, incredulously. He cocked a brow.

"Wow, your memory is awful. I'm pretty sure you promised me a good night."

"... Oh! Oh, I remembered. I just feel awkward saying 'Hey, Ace. Wanna screw?'"

"You're being modest." Ace smirked and pushed the covers back, easily hovering over top of me, leaning down and kissing me hotly on the lips.

"What about the kids?" I asked, glancing toward the door, but Ace smirked, blocking my view as he pulled my shirt off over my head.

"I locked the door."

"What next? Roses, candles, and Frank Sinatra?"

"Are you kidding me? I was thinking Guns and Roses."

"You're terrible."

"I love you too, Vic Patterson." Ace murmured, leaning down to kiss me again, this time running his hands over my chest. I shivered at how cool his hands felt, his thumbs brushing over my nipples. I bit into my lips to stop any sounds from escaping, but with Ace, it was impossible.

His lips traveled along my jawline, nibbling and kissing softly as he made his way down my throat, pausing to suck gently. I moaned, my toes curling as he wedged his hand between my legs, cupping me and massaging me. His lips landed on my nipple, sucking gently and making me grip him to me tightly, my fingers threading through his dark, soft hair that was still slightly damp from his shower.

I felt him push the waistband of my pants down, his hand sinking low against my bare skin before he held me firmly in his hand. I gasped as his thumb toyed with the tip, his lips simultaneously working on my nipple and making me hard, everywhere.

"I love you, Ace." I breathed as his hand worked on me, fondling me and leaving me breathless now as I moaned, tossing my head back against the pillows. He leaned away from my chest to watch me with a hot gaze, his blue eyes hooded before he lunged down, capturing my lips. His tongue dancing with mine and his bare hand touching me, engulfing me in heat and speed, had me going over the edge in no time, so I was gasping and moaning his name before I slumped against the pillows.

"You seem really eager, Vic. Were you thinking about this all night?" He asked me teasingly, kissing my lips gently. I blushed hotly, putting my arms around his neck.

"Possibly." I answered softly and pulled him down to kiss him passionately. I was so hot with desire now that I felt suffocated.

I needed him. I needed him now.

"I need you, Ace." I moaned as he licked my cheek, his fingers pinching my nipples and making them hard and sore. I felt him nudging my legs apart as he ran his hands down my sides, taking my thighs in his hands. I could feel him position between my legs, his erection wet and hard against my thigh as he breathed against my lips.

"And I'll always need you." Ace whispered before kissing me, at the same time plunging himself inside me and making me gasp sharply. You'd think after all this time I'd be used to it, but for some reason, today felt special.

I moaned, feeling him fill me entirely up to the root, his fingers digging into my thighs as I dug my nails into his back. I knew how much he liked that by the way he moaned softly against my ear, kissing me there.

He thrust himself inside me, against me, to me. Everything felt so hot, so heavy, so wonderful. I saw stars dancing across my eyes, but most of all, I saw Ace's eyes watching me, his lips moving with sweet nothings that had me moaning for more.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I loved Ace Carter.

I loved him so much, with every fiber of my being and call me sappy, but Ace was my soulmate.

There was no one I could love more than Ace Carter.

I felt my body tense, my gasps filling the air with his moans. It was music to my ears as he whispered my name and I knew he was on the brink, so I just let myself sink into the esctasy of it all, tipping my head back and feeling his lips on my throat as I moaned. My whole body trembled as I hit sweet release. It was the greatest feeling in the world, to know that Ace was doing this and he would be the only one. To know that Ace loved me as much as I loved him.

This kind of connection- one that I had long assumed I'd never get- was finally hitting me and it was pure euphoria.

"I love you, Victor Patterson." Ace breathed hotly against my ear as I felt him grip me to him tightly as he found his release, his body smacking against mine. Words were lost and all there was, was moaning, gasping, and the sound of bare skin against bare skin.

I had no idea how many times we did it that night. I actually lost count, but it didn't matter.

Because when I woke up the next morning, I was waking up next to Ace Carter, his arm around me tightly, protectively. His sleeping face met my eyes when the sunlight tried to peek into our room and I smiled, snuggling down in the blankets against his chest, closing my eyes.

I was in no hurry to leave.

I had everything I could ever want. A wonderful, loving family and my soulmate. The one that I would spend the rest of my life with...

FIN

A/N: Ack! I can't believe it's finished. It's actually finished. I'm actually rather sad, but I suppose all stories must come to an end eventually, right? And what better way to end with a good ol' sex scene, eh, eh, eh ;D? I hope you all enjoyed the series and the epilogue! I got overexcited when I wrote about Rick and Devin and their kids... Rick's always come off as a daddy to me, somehow <3 Anyway! Thank you all so very much for reading! I read all your comments, every day, and I want to thank you for each and every one of them! I'm glad this series got popular and I hope to write another series that's just as awesome! Again, thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Edit: This is part three of a five part series! Reading list on my profile! Check it out!