Thank you so much for 700K reads, nearly 1k followers, and for having me rank in teen fiction! I'll be back with Luke and Maggie soon. 💕 Enjoy!🤍

"Till my last day, I'll be loving you." —Unknown

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Epilogue
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|Three Years Later|

"Come in," I called out at the knock, staring back at myself in the mirror.

My eyes fell to the door as I heard it click open. A smile plastered on my lips since I expected it to be Teresa or Susie. But, it wasn't.

My lovers' lips tipped into a smile, his eyes fanning over me. I think I saw the moment he lost his breathing as he stepped closer, expression full of so much admiration, passion, love and everything in between.

He was just as handsome in his tuxedo. I didn't even want to think about the price of my dress and his tuxedo, but either way, they were amazing. Somehow, we both managed to match the others' admiration. "Shit," fell from him in a whisper. "You have me wrapped around your pinky already, but right now...I think I'll faint seeing your beautiful ass at the alter, sweetheart."

Immediately, I went to cover up. "Kade," I groaned, narrowing my eyes at him. "It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."

His smile only grew, and I turned to fight my own. Instead, I observed over myself again. The makeup was spotless, and the dress was chosen perfectly. Now that I was in it, everything was becoming more real.

I ran a hand over my stomach before I caught myself. Turning, I chuckled as Kade leaned down to catch my lips.

"To hell with the rules," he murmured against the corner of my lip, peppering the smallest of kisses there. "I couldn't stop myself." His fingers were light and delicate against my skin before I moved away.

I glanced back at him through the mirror. "Did you enjoy your party?" His hands went to my shoulders, slightly squeezing. From his reflection, the desire danced across his figure but I wasn't giving in minutes before our wedding.

His lips curled into a scowl. "Fuck no," he responded, bending to eye level. Laughter fell from me as he wrapped his hands around me, tugging me closer. "I was miserable without you, sweetheart. Miserable."

He didn't even want a bachelor party;I had to force him to leave with Luke and Levi. They all just drunk and reminisced with their other friends.

It was funny to think of it now, but it was even funnier in the moment when Luke sent me the pictures of Kade in pure hell as he waited to go home. From one of the pictures, I saw Kade admiring a picture of me in his phone and in the others', my contact was on the screen, just waiting to be pushed. I planned to tease him about it as much as possible, but in truth, I was just as miserable.

"A bachelor party is signifying that I'm sad about it, that I'm sad about marrying you," he had said the night before I forced him to leave with Luke and Levi. "When that's far from the truth. I'm beginning a life with my world; there's absolutely nothing to be sad about."

I hummed against his fingers as he stroked my thighs, his eyes falling. "I have a confession."

I paused, tilting my head. "Tell me."

"I left," he said in one breath. "And, I mean absolutely gone. I booked it right out of the exit when they weren't looking."

I stared back at him before the laughter became too hard to conceal. He beamed as I laughed. "That's why you got home so early?"

At my bachelorette party, I ended up leaving early too. I missed my fiancé, but it wasn't because of that. I ended up getting sick, and Raven and Maggie took me home. I figured they knew why, but either way, it was embarrassing.

Kade had gotten home way before I expected him to. Even though we weren't supposed to see each other the night before the wedding, he had stumbled into the bedroom and had me in his arms in a matter of seconds.

He nodded, focusing a crooked smile up at me. "I couldn't help myself, baby. I missed you." He raised himself, pulling me up. Immediately, he tugged me into his arms.

My makeup was probably smudged, but my body fell right into him. I chuckled into his chest. "Well, you're stuck with me for the rest of your life now."

His arms tightened around me, his figure relaxing. "More like graced." His words were meant just for me, whispered and silky right into my ear. "My beautiful, beautiful girl."

I shut my eyes, hearing his heartbeat or mine or ours. I wasn't sure, it didn't even matter. I wanted to stay here forever, to hear him on repeat. It was all so comforting and warm, but we could resume right after.

I pulled away first, but his fingers remained on my waist. "I'll see you at the alter." I hoped he couldn't read through me, as he had so many times. "With a surprise." I pecked his lips, and had to turn to avoid entirely crashing it.

His beautiful face called to me in the mirror. "A surprise?" I nodded, smoothing over my curls again. "I'll tell you right now if you tell me where we're going for our honeymoon."

His brows drew together as he focused his intense stare on me. Even though I could see him, I felt his warmth growing closer and closer. "Absolutely not, sweetheart. You'll know as soon as I smuggle you onto the plane."

I rolled my eyes, pinching at my cheek to conceal a smile. "You haven't told me this entire time." We'd been engaged for a year, even though it was torture to wait. We both wanted to get married as soon as possible, but after compromising, we agreed that we'd wait until after I finished college.

I stared down at the beautiful, thick diamond on my ring finger. I couldn't wait to accompany it with my wedding band.

For my birthday, Kade surprised me with tickets to Europe. As if that wasn't spectacular on its own, he waited until we were at one of the most beautiful spots. I was so entrapped in the beauty of it all, the beautiful strums of music, the rose petals, the delicious food...I hadn't even noticed until I saw the crowd that Kade was down on one knee right behind me. Fingers shaky, eyes lined with tears, and a beautiful ring in hand.

Instead of responding, Kade craned his neck to peck the corner of my lips. "I'll see you at the alter, beautiful girl." His hand lingered on my skin longer than I could have handled in any other circumstance. I heard the door click behind him as he left.

I shut my eyes as the love threatened to swallow me whole, it was all so perfectly woven.

My eyes snapped open at the commotion outside of my door. My stomach fell instantly at the thought, but my composure remained. It wasn't possible but the thought of my mother being here loomed right over me. I knew she was still alive, that she somehow beat death, but that was it. I didn't care to know much else.

Even though I tried not to venture too much into my past, I dug right into it last night. My diary was itching to be read, even after all these years of not being used. I read through the entire journal, even cried and laughed at some parts, but I didn't stop until the end. A part of me wanted to burn it, to rid myself of that girl, but I didn't. She was a part of me, and she was here. She made it. We made it.

My shoulders fell in relief at Ravens' voice. Moments later', the door swung right open and in came her, Susie, Teresa, and Maggie.

"What was he doing in here? Scratch that. What were the both of you doing in here?" Her eyes narrowed in on me. "I can't trust you two alone." I rolled my eyes, laughing as I stood.

Maggie nodded in agreement, chuckling. She flipped her thick, long hair over her shoulder, sending a knowing look at me. "It's just like Dubai all over again. You two ditched all of us and we caught you in—"

I shook my head at her, my cheeks reddening; Kade's mother was right here.

Raven got the hint quickly, shutting her eyes to breathe for a moment. Her hands ran right over her swollen belly; Raven was always overdramatic, but the pregnancy truly triggered her nerves.

Teresa stepped forward, beaming at me. "Are you ready?"

I gave an uneasy smile, nodding. I wasn't nervous about marrying the love of my life, but more of the walk down the isle. I figured it was because of my nerves, but Kade reassured me that if I fell on the way down, he'd do the same thing. It was a funny thought but definitely one I wanted to prevent.

"We better hurry before Scarlett loops Kade into holding her the entire time," Susie joked, chuckling. "I swear, she knows exactly who to go to."

I laughed. "She's really convincing, that's for sure." It was true. Scarlett had her older brother wrapped right around her finger.

Susie and Louis married two years ago, then the unexpected happened. Susie was pregnant with a baby girl, who was now about to be a year old. Kade and I were incredibly shocked at the news, and at first, Kade kept his distance. I figured he felt as if he were replacing his brother, but after we spoke about it, he began to slowly edge around his baby sister. Now, the two were inseparable. If we weren't home or traveling, we were at his mothers.'

Susie and Kade had gotten a lot better as well. We bounced between my family and his for holidays, but I tried to see his more. When we visited, Kade would usually just observe and respond. The first year was the hardest since the mother and son were practically strangers. After a while, the two began to bond over the simplest things but used that to lead to even more. Now, they were comfortable and respectable in one another's' spaces. It was all about time and communication.

I met my own eyes in the mirror. A couple of minutes, and I would be in the arms of my soulmate. I couldn't wait. "Let's go."

My dad was waiting for me, worriedly glancing back and forth between the time and the groom. I smiled at his jittery back, though he shouldn't be so antsy. He was the reason I was even here right now.

He caught me in the corner of his eye. I let the ends of my dress fall as I approached him.

His eyes ran over me, then they met mine, glistening with tears. The pride in his eyes brought my own.

"You look beautiful, honey," he said, his voice cracking. "I'm so incredibly proud of you." I heard the strums of the violin beginning, but I paid them no mind.

I turned toward my father. "Thank you, dad." He nodded, before pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. "I'm so grateful to call you my daughter, Kimberly." I embraced him without a second thought.

When we pulled back, he released a heavy sigh before nodding ahead. "Are you ready, honey?"

I moved my gaze to the doors, my heart fluttering. Just outside of it, my sweet boy waited. And our future.

"Don't let me trip," I mumbled, earning a chuckle from my father as we linked arms. "If you do, I'll catch you." I believed him, he always had.

Then, time swept from right under me as we started out. I let the strums of the music, and the sight of my waiting fiancé soothe me down the isle. I could hear the murmurs of our friends and family, some admiring me and some admiring the details of the wedding. I took more pride in the decorations.

Kade and I decided on an outdoors wedding. Trees woven with lights and the most beautiful flowers carefully placed. I had told Kade that a recording was fine, but now that I was here, I knew he had hired live musicians to play my favorite song while I walked down the isle. It was all so beautiful and overwhelming, I felt myself clench my dad's arm tighter.

I caught sight of everyone: Shay, Celeste, Annabeth, Griff and Uncle Dylan. Maggie and Jax. Luke and Levi. Ryland and Teresa. Susie, Louise, and Scarlett. They were all beaming, or crying, or both, but they were here, nonetheless. I couldn't imagine if they weren't.

Then, I saw him.

I thought my knees would give out. My eyes trained on him, even past the soft murmurs of our company, even past the cello, past everything. Him.

His eyes were already trained on me, but when I smiled, he blinked as if he had been in a trance. My lips lifted on their own before he mouthed, just you and me. We were close enough so that I caught it, but even if I hadn't, I would have known.

I felt a small tug on my dress but not enough to hold me back. Giggling, I looked past my shoulder to see Scarlett, who was beaming right back at me, her arms up. I'd have to play with her afterwards for carrying on.

Then, I was there. Right in front of my future.

"I told you you wouldn't fall on my watch," my dad whispered in my ear before releasing me. I smiled after him before I caught the eyes of my fiancé.

His own were full of so much love, so much of so much that I couldn't have looked away even if I wanted to. "I think I swooned seeing you come down that isle, sweetheart. Swooned." I giggled, our hands tangling right together.

I could feel the several pairs of eyes weighing right on us. "My hands are sweaty," I murmured, chuckling. Kade tipped my chin to face him, his finger lingering there. "Don't be nervous, sweetheart. It's me and you. Just me and you." I nodded carefully, then the officiant began.

I couldn't focus too well, I only mimicked Kade. I would have teased him for the lovesick expression he was sporting, but I was sure I wasn't doing any better. But I didn't care. In the arms of my lover, nothing could spoil this day, this moment.

I didn't expect that we'd announce vows, but once the officiant paused and continued to remain that way, I glanced between him and Kade.

His fingers danced across the faded scars on the inside of my wrist. "Kimberly," he said, squeezing my hands. Even after so many years, it made my skin tingle. "I know that I say it so much, you probably roll your eyes at me now, but..." his breath came in shaky. "Announcing it aloud, letting you know, showing and proving it to you, I will never get tired of it. Never.

"I don't care where I am or what goes on...I love you, so incredibly much. Even from the moment I first saw you in that park, I thought you were the most beautiful girl in the world. So incredibly strong, and resilient. Now that I have you, now that you have me...I want you to know that I'll never take that for granted. You. Us. You're my life, sweetheart. The reason I breathe. Nothing could change that. You're the very person I walk this earth for, sweetheart. My heart," he paused to grip my hand, fully placing it along the drum of his chest. "It doesn't belong to me, and I don't want it back, baby. It's yours and only yours. Tell me anything, or tell me everything at once, and it will always remain that way. I'll remain this way...so incredibly. Utterly. And, unconditionally, in love with you."

"Kade." My eyes were swimming with tears the longer he went on. His words went right down like water, like honey, so sweet and pleasing, I would have been more than happy to grab our rings and run off with him right now.

The man cleared his throat to say, "Kade, do you take Kimberly to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you honor and cherish her; love, trust, and commit to her, through joy and pain, sickness and health, and whatever life may throw at you both, until death do you part?"

"Fuck yeah," he responded with a snort. Laughter spilled from my lips before he caught himself. "I do."

Then, the officiant turned the same notion to me. Without a second thought, I responded, "I do." I did, I always would.

Kades' eyes remained on mine as he tapped at his watch. My brows scrunched together before his lips tipped up. Then, I got it. He stopped the watch at the time that I said I do.

My makeup was surely ruined by now, but I didn't care. I heard the man say something else, but it was too late.

Kade was already prepared for me. Our lips were swift, so accompanied yet so yearning every time. His hand danced around my skin, holding me flush against his body. Right where I belonged.

The music, the cheers of our family and friends, it was all so beautiful, so close. But, I remained in this man, our tears mixing in with one another's.

"Kade," I whispered in his ear, my fingers trailing right through his curls. "Do you remember our bet? Because I have to tell you something that is terrifying the hell out of me right now."

Past the cheers, I was afraid he wouldn't hear me. I felt him nod against me though so I carried on.

His arm gentled around my waist. "Does this have something to do with your surprise?"

I felt my head nod on its own. Before we fully detached, I placed his heavy hand on my stomach. Slowly, I met his eyes, which were bouncing between me and my stomach.

Then it hit.

"You're..." his eyes widened, the realization setting right in. My skin flushed red with nervousness, but it all washed away at his expression. So bright, so happy. "Shit...are you—" he paused, his Adam's apple bobbing. "You're pregnant, sweetheart? You're having our baby?" I nodded slowly, but before I could open my mouth, Kade was on the move. He swept me right off my feet, literally.

No one else knew yet. I hadn't even known until a month ago. If it weren't for the nausea, I wouldn't have caught on so soon. I thought Kade and I were being safe, but apparently not. I knew there were times where we were too lost in one another and may have slipped up, but I never could have guessed this would come so soon. As hard as it was to keep the secret, it gave me enough time to process the thought of being a mother. Of having our baby.

His grin was so incredibly beautiful. Laughter skipped right out of me as Kade hauled me up against his body. He had done it several times before, but this time, he was wary of my stomach. I wasn't even showing yet, so I could only imagine his protectiveness as time went on.

We were supposed to stay for the food and the activities set up for everyone, but Kade was on a mission. His legs never once stopped as he hauled us past the guests.

"Wait," I called out past my laughter. With a scowl, he paused. "Are you going to tell me where we're going now?"

His expression softened so lightly as he cradled me close. "Any damn where," he responded. "If I don't get you out of that dress soon, I'm going to lose my shit." The strain in his voice only added to my humor.

The thought did sound pleasing. "Let's get out of here, then."

He was careful with every single movement, even putting me in the car. His hand lingered right on my stomach before he snatched a deep, sensual kiss from me.

Through my window, I saw our friends and family surrounding the car in cheers. I let down the window just enough to send us off. Just as our driver began to take off, I threw my bouquet to the waiting crowd. They all squeezed against one another to catch it, but I beamed once I saw who did. Maggie, who was only a bystander in the group of women, caught it right in her hands.

***

"Kimberly!"

Past the water, I could hear Kade's yell. My shoulders fell in relief at it. He had gone into town to bring me food when my water broke.

Slowly, I tried to move past my swollen belly. He came sliding right into the room. I was straining to wash my back as his widened eyes fell on me.

"Fuck, sweetheart, are you okay—" he paused to examine me over, his mouth falling in shock. "Are you taking a shower? What the—" he paused to pinch the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. "You're about to give birth, Kimberly." He grabbed a towel, then approached me. I took his hand, slowly stepping out.

Even though pregnancy was beautiful, needing your husband to do things like help you shave, cook, clean, and just everything that you usually did alone, was not. I grumbled as Kade dried me with the towel.

"I can't believe your water just broke and you got in the shower," Kade hissed while he packed my things. "A damn shower, woman. You amaze me every single day." With a shake of his head, he nibbled on the inside of his cheek to stop from smiling.

Even though the ache was beginning to swallow me whole, I managed a smile. "I felt gross, so I—"

Just as I slid my shirt on, my body trembled and locked at the contraction. Kade rushed over, one arm around our bag, and the other around me.

"Shit," he hissed, gently gathering me. "Come on baby, I got you." Somehow, he managed to carry all of our things while supporting me.

I felt Wybie's fur run along my ankles as we walked; I wished I could take him with me. "We'll be back with your brother later, Wybie, okay?"

Kade cursed the cat as he latched onto his ankle, whipping his glare to him. "Motherfucker."

The two had some mutual rivalry. Whenever Kade would talk to my belly, or rub it, Wybie would call it off immediately and claim my stomach for himself. When I wasn't around though, I'd caught the two resting together on multiple occasions. They seemed like enemies, but they were actually the perfect match.

"I hate these fucking stairs," I huffed as he led me down. "Why are there so many?" As much as I loved our home, the three stories felt like hell right now.

We had our home built a year ago. It was far too big for the two of us, three stories, a large, spacious backyard with a in ground pool, and too many rooms to count, but it was beautiful. Kade had a library built in one of the rooms to my liking, and my own personal room to center me when my anxiety became too much. It wasn't just a house to me, it was home, and all so heavenly.

Kade's expression was tight with concentration, with worry. "I know, sweetheart. Just a few more."

Once we made it downstairs, a burst of pain grasped at every inch of my body. "Fuck." I doubled over, squeezing my eyes shut at it, but Kade's hand rubbing at my back helped give me the strength to keep going. 

Kade already had the car to the front of our house. He moved with such quickness, I wondered if it even happened. Finally, we were both in the car and on our way.

My nails dug into the material as I rearranged myself to try and get comfortable. It didn't work.

"I texted Luke and Levi. They're all on their way to the hospital now," Kade murmured, already reading my mind as he squeezed my hand, placing his phone down with the other. "Your dad and my mom are, too."

"Thank you," I hissed through the pain, trying to breathe through it. "Remember though, if it's a boy, you owe me, Luke, and Levi twenty bucks a piece." All of us made bets on the gender, and Luke, Levi, and I were the only ones who believed it to be a boy.

Kade nodded along, his eyes squinted at the road. His hand was already around mine, but he let it fall to my stomach. "It's a girl," he said, his thumb stroking my belly. "I was right with Scarlett and Kacen, and I'm right with our baby girl, too." I rolled my eyes, even though it was true.

Just as I went to offer a remark, another contraction hit. I shut my eyes as the pain tore right through my body, my head against the headrest. I could feel Kade's eyes on me, his voice so gentle and concerned, but we knew we had to carry on to the hospital.

It all happened so quick, I wouldn't ever be able to fully grasp it.

We were at the hospital, the doctors were rushing me in, I was dilated to a nine, Kade was right by me, continuously encouraging me on, honoring me and my strength as I delivered our child. All I could give were my screams in return as I delivered our angel into the world.

There was so much pain, so much pressure and anxiety. So many voices and pushes, so many blurred lines and cries and just as I felt like I was going to rip in half if this continued...

It all went quiet.

Then, it tore through the air. A cry so thundering, a screech so loud that it might hurt the others.' But to me, that was my heart screaming along with him or her. The most beautiful sound I'd ever heard. My baby.

I hadn't even realized my eyes were squeezed shut until I pried them open at the pressure on my chest. The feeling came so quick, so raw and so incredibly there. Motherhood. Our sweet baby.

Tears spilled down my cheeks as it became unbearable. I couldn't understand how something, someone, so small could have me ready to drain the oceans, climb the highest of mountains, complete the longest journeys there were, just to have them in my arms once more.

I felt the nurses take the crying baby from my arms again, and just like that, my blood ran dry.

My heart seemed to break in an effort to do everything there was to stop my sweet love's cry, to comfort and coax it from them. My arms ached to have my creation in them, again.

Kade never once complained about his hand, even though I probably crushed a couple of bones. "You did so amazing, sweetheart," he whispered against my temple, lightly pressing a kiss there. "So amazing."

I think I might have felt his tears against my cheek. Slowly, I shifted my head to grasp him. His hand was gentle against my face as he kissed me, his salty tears mixing in with mine.

"Congratulations," the nurse smiled warmly at us, moving to place the baby back in my arms. "You did fantastic, Mrs. Ryder."

And there it was. That same love.

As I held my son for the first time, I knew that nothing, nothing could change that feeling. He was so utterly, unconditionally perfect. He was mine, ours, and...

"It's a boy," I whispered, slowly moving my eyes from the resting angel in my arms. I looked to Kade, but my tears seemed to only build at his reaction.

I knew he'd be emotional, but now that I was here, it nearly sent me into another round of tears. His eyes were red, mouth agape as he stared down at the baby. His chest was heaving so fast, I barely caught it. I saw him nearly stumble back for a moment before he ran a shaky hand through his hair. He wiped at his tears as he approached us so slow.

Another beauty that was found in the moment was one I hadn't expected. I'd seen the pictures of his baby brother from the moment he was a newborn. If I put the picture side by side to our son, they were more than identical. They looked just alike.

A couple years back he had gotten our dating anniversary anniversary tatted on his knuckles, and a week after I said I do, he had our wedding date tattooed added to it. Now, as I watched the inked fingers stroke the cheek of our sleeping boy, the pressure in my chest weighed so heavy, I could barely see past the tears. There was so much love in the room.

His fingers trailed through the babies head so incredibly softly. "He's so fucking beautiful, Kimberly," he rasped, his voice breaking as he leaned down to place a kiss on his head. "Our boy."

His red eyes met mine, then he pressed that burning kiss to my forehead. "Thank you for having that strength, sweetheart. My brave girl." He kissed the side of my head. "I'm so fucking proud of you, Kimberly."

My smile was shaky from crying as I pulled him to the bed with me. I couldn't move around too much, but the epidural had numbed a significant amount of me, so it didn't matter. Nothing did, except this moment with our family.

Kade made sure I was comfortable before sitting, his voice gentle as if he were scared he would wake the baby. "What do you want to name him, beautiful?"

I cast a glance to him only for a moment before falling back to our baby. My mind was as blank as a sheet of paper. "What were your ideas again?"

Kade kissed the side of my head, one hand stroking my back comfortably and the other grazing our sons head. "Fuck my ideas," he chuckled. "You just pushed our baby out of you, sweetheart. My ideas are void. Anything you say goes." I chuckled despite the pain, nodding.

Even though we decided to wait on the gender, we had gathered some ideas for names. We picked a few, but now that I was here, staring down at our baby boy, I knew.

I had imagined him every day, every night, but never had I thought of something so perfect. His head was full of black hair, just like his father. He had my nose, long lashes, and Kade's beautiful, beautiful eyes. I never wanted to let him go. I never would.

I hesitated for a minute, just watching over him. Kade reached out a finger for him, which his grip grew tight around immediately. It melted me from the inside out even further as Kade traced our boy's finger with the pad of his thumb, his expression softening.

As he yawned, my heart bursted with love, and so many things at once. Kade's did the same, his smile heavenly as he admired his son, our son. He leaned down to place another gentle kiss to his head, murmuring something along the lines of, "You're so perfect."

Just as he leant back up, his eyes as bright as ever, I caught them with my own, my expression breaking down as the tears built in my eyes again.

Kade's finger swept across my cheek to catch a tear. "Kacen," I replied, leaning down to kiss his warm cheek. "His name will be Kacen."

***

I always hated being woken up, but now, as I heard our newborns' cries, I never smiled so bright. I'd never heard anything so heartwarming.

It was hard to adjust to a baby at first, but we managed to get it down. Kade was always one step ahead, always supporting me on. When I was up, he was up. When I ate at midnight after staying up too late, so did he. When I would wake to feed Kacen, Kade would already be right there waiting with any of my requests. He did things without a complaint, and without a need to ask.

If anything, I think he enjoyed it even more than I did. Kacen and I were his heart, and I could see the excitement he had every single day waking up to us both. Especially our baby boy.

Often, I'd find him nodding and responding along to Kacen's gibberish, kissing and tickling at his little feet and hands, and smiling at the small things he did or didn't do. He'd always form a conversation out of Kacen's croons, as if he were talking to an adult, which was the funniest, most sincere sight there was. His smile only grew every single time Kace threw up or slobbered on him, as if it were the cutest sight he'd seen. He also loved to blow raspberries on Kacen's stomach, since he knew it'd send Kace into a laughing fit.

He was always trying to find outfits that would match the color of Kacen's clothes, and stroking his head or nose whenever he'd sleep. I was pretty sure feeding Kacen his bottle in the morning hours was one of his favorite times of the day, since he got to hold him closest. He made sure to hold him close and kiss his head every single night before bed, and even more before that. There wasn't a single hour of the day where he didn't whisper his I love you's into Kacen's ear, and Kacen, as new as he was to the world, always seemed to drift off into a peaceful nap every time he heard the words from his dad. He knew how true they were already, and would only continue to know.

There were so many more moments and actions that I loved to watch and see happen between them, but overall, Kade, as a father and husband was a magnificent, loving sight in itself. Those two were already becoming the closest partner in crime duo there was, and I knew I'd have my hands full with them both as time went on. I couldn't wait for it.

We'd both been so incredibly skeptical during the pregnancy, though. Neither of us had a good foundation when it came to parenting, obviously. But, we owed our child our absolute best and that was what we promised to give. We took so many parenting classes together, read so many books, studied so many articles, and taken into consideration so much research about children both mentally and physically.

I think Kade was the most skeptical. I'd found him one night, watching videos and reading books on dna and how his disorder could possibly affect our child. He was afraid our child would be a borderline, that he'd inherit both his and his fathers' disorder.

I reassured him, daily and I would only continue to do so. Some disorders do have strong genetic components, and though it could skip a generation, there was a possibility of it, of course. But it didn't dampen my feelings for either one of them. Our child would be fine, no matter the risk or the diagnosis.

I didn't care if Kacen was born with six fingers, or no toes. I didn't care if he grew older, and was diagnosed. As I swore, there wasn't a fault in any person in this world because of these things, and there wouldn't be in our child, either.

He'd remain perfect to me through any and everything. He'd be my sweet little love, unconditionally. He would have the things we didn't have, that his father didn't have for so long: love. We would support him, and help in any way we could, in any type of way he needed.

My love for both of my boys was unconditional, and it would never be disfigured. They were both perfect in my eyes, and not a day would ever go by where I doubted that.

Above it all though, we both promised a better life for our son. Despite everything we studied and learned, we both knew it ultimately took love, and we had lots to offer. We always would when it came to each other, and our son.

Slowly, a ghost of a smile crept upon my lips as I raised my body. "He's going to need a diaper change," I murmured to myself.

When I went to touch Kade, as I did every single time I woke up, there was nothing. I looked down at the empty spot. Maybe he was in the bathroom, or fixing a late night snack.

Susie and Teresa warned us of the adjustment, of the late night cries and screams and so much more. But when I got out of bed, I moved much quicker than needed. If anything, it filled me with excitement to see Kacen again. Every time I had a chance, I was hurrying to see his sweet face, again. I adored him, so incredibly so.

On the late nights he woke though, Kade and I would sit together and feed him. Kade would fix me some food or pillows so that I would be comfortable, then we would sit and just relish in the beautiful life we created from the tragedy we thought we'd never make it out of as children.

I advanced toward the nursery, which was on our floor, but paused at the noise coming from the room I just passed. There was a small space in the door, right where I could glance through.

I leaned forward, but my heart stopped at the sight.

Kade was standing in front of the crib, holding a bottle to Kacen's mouth, rocking him softly in his big arms. Despite the muscles and the hardness in them, Kacen looked as if he didn't wanna be anywhere else, but in his father's arms.

Even though Kade didn't care for classical music, it was softly humming in the background, since we'd learned that it lured Kace into sleep more easily. His eyes were trained on our son, one tatted finger, lined with Kacen's birth date, was lightly trailing along his head.

He hadn't noticed me yet, and I wasn't sure why I hadn't announced it. "You're alright, sweet boy," he whispered with a small smile. "Daddy's got you."

My heart clenched so tightly, I rubbed at my chest for relief. I'd seen him with Kacen a million times over, but this was different. It was more intimate than the others.

"And...you're going to be okay," his voice cracked as Kacen snuggled right into his hold. "You're going to be okay, baby, I promise." His smile grew so soft as our boys' eyes fluttered close.

Kade's chest shook as he rocked him. "I promise you I will never let anything or anyone, hurt you. You're going to be full of so much love and care. You already are. You came from me and your mother, and we won't ever let you down. You have no idea how much daddy loves you."

Kacens' eyes were shut now, lips parted as he slowly started to fall asleep, lured in by his fathers voice. It didn't take much to realize how much of a side kick he'd be to Kade in the future, and I couldn't wait to see it.

"I always will," Kade whispered, flowering a kiss to his head. "Your mother and I...we're going to make sure you're okay. We won't be perfect, but we'll try to be, for you. Everything will be for you. Everything that we didn't have, I swear that you will. I promise you. Love, care, hugs, movie nights, cookies, baking, painting, everything...you and your mother will have everything and so much more. Maybe even a baby sister, mhm?" he chuckled, kissing our resting boy, again. "How does that sound, sweet boy?"

I didn't realize I was crying until I wiped at my cheeks. Over my pregnancy, I had imagined Kade with his child a million times, but I knew now that I would never take the sight for granted. It was so beautiful.

Kade placed Kacen back down, but leaned down to kiss his forehead. "You're so perfect, bud," he whispered, voice so full and heavy of admiration. "My little angel." I watched him place the blanket his mother made, over Kacen carefully, his expression softened down in a way that only Kacen and I had ownership to.

"Daddy loves you, alright?" His lips lifted as he stroked his thumb over Kacen's cheek, earning Kace's lip twitch that Kade and I were in love with. "Forever."

I didn't bother moving when he turned around to walk toward the door. His body went rigid as he shut it behind him. I gripped him before he could go anywhere.

His eyes were glazed over from the confession, and it made me smile. I knew with every ounce of me, that he would hold to his word. After everything we'd been through, together and apart, we ended up here. We were all a family now, and nothing would or could break that.

"You know..." I gripped his hands, tilting my head at him. "You promised to bake and paint and a little sister."

His eyes fluttered over me before he leaned in. "I did," he chuckled. I shut my eyes as his skin went flush against mine. "And I meant it. I meant everything. Everything, Kimberly."

My smile grew. "I know." I nodded, my fingers tightening around the back of his neck. He leaned right into my touch with a hum. "I love you, Kade. I always will."

"I love you. I'll never stop." Without a second thought, he pulled me flush against him. His hands gripped my cheeks, and I automatically went in. "Forever. You two are all that matter." Just as his lips hovered above mine, he paused, eyes jumping between me and the nursery. Slowly, he turned his peaceful expression into a grin. "We made it, sweetheart. We made it."