5 YEARS LATER

NEW YORK

Emily's PoV:

"Nicky, wake up. I'm leaving for work." I whispered into his ears, leaving a cup of coffee at the nightstand. Opening the curtains to the balcony window, I let the warm golden sunlight to illuminate the room.

"What?" Nick complained in a somnolent moan, squinting his eyes at the light. "You went for work yesterday too!"

I guffawed at his childish tantrums, "Sorry to disappoint you champ, but it's the universal law for entrepreneurs like your wife. We've gotta work round the clock unlike my husband who gets a month holiday from work!"

In the past five years, Nick and I had been wearing our hearts on our sleeves. I became the owner of a start up company for home decorations as I fantasized. Those cute little cactus plants fulfilled the purpose of their existence.

It may sound odd, but I'm so proud to let everyone know that my husband Nick plays for the Knicks. He played the nationals in 2019 but couldn't be on the Olympic team as he dreamt because millions of people around the globe died due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the Olympics was cancelled. The lesson taught to me five years back by the nightmare, was taught to the entire world by the pandemic.

Not much of a surprise but I too am a COVID-19 survivor. I was under life support for weeks and that was when I realized death may come for anyone at anytime and all that we could do is make the most out of today and have no regrets about yesterday. Nick was so distraught on staying away from me that he proposed to marry him the day I was discharged from the hospital. And you know what?

I said yes!

We were married on a fine spring dawn at the coast of San Diego. Thanks to my talented husband, we got to own a comfy tenth floor apartment in Manhattan.

Wearing a navy blue jacket over black jeans and white blouse, I tied my hair into a hight pony tail, getting ready to leave for work. Nick, all of a sudden, tugged my wrist and made me stumble over the bed. He wrapped his arms around my body and locked me within, "I won't let you go. Spend time with me today."

"Aww... Baby how can I leave if you keep holding me this way? Today I need to file the accounts and pay salary to my employees. We can hangout tomorrow, can't we?" I slipped away from his hold because he felt so warm and cozy that I would be convinced in a minute to stay home.

"I will miss you so much." Nick pouted his lips like a sad little puppy. Suddenly his face brightened, "Or let's do something. We'll go to the office together. I will help you with the accounts and we can head out soon, shall we?"

I've been asking this question to myself for five years, "How come you are so smart honey?" I linked my hand with his, "Come on, let's go."

"Er...wait a minute, I'll catch up with you after doing some important work like brushing my teeth." Nick got down the bed unsteadily and almost sprawled into the restroom.

I waited by the balcony, sipping on my cup of coffee and leisurely enjoying the view of New York City. Nick got ready in his suit and brought breakfast to the balcony.

I scanned him from top to bottom, "Take it off" I beckoned at Nick's suit. He was looking steamingly hot in those ankle length formal pants and the blazer over his formal shirt that was tucked in. I didn't want any eyes on him other than mine.

Nick gave a mischievous grin, "Wow, dirty talk in the morning! Are we staying home today?"

"No. I meant change into something else. Or else I'm not taking you to my office." I ordered in a dominating stance.

"Getting a little jealous we are, aren't we?" Nick teased but anyways changed into jeans and a baggy sweatshirt. He wore a mask and baseball cap as we walked into the street so as not to be spotted by Knicks fans or Nick's fans.

"Hon, Harry called in the morning and asked if we could have a get together at San Diego this weekend. Chris will be there with Sel. Only us and Rich have to give our consent." I said.

Nick was baffled, "Em do you even have to ask? We are there already! I will talk to Rich. He too will come."

Both of us were so excited to meet everyone after months. Harry and Jasmine were married four years back and now they have a sweet little son, Jack. Chris and Selna who are happily dating for five years, started their own psychiatric hospital at Colorado Springs. Richard became the CEO of his father's company and hardly had any time for a relationship. Though we were in different corners of the country, we never failed to meet at least twice a year.

The office was at walkable distance and we reached in ten minutes. "Good morning Emily" greeted my assistant as I walked in.

"Good morning Maria." I wished back.

Her eyes moved covetously to Nick, "Good morning Mr Tyler. Nice sweats!" She flirted with Nick right before my eyes.

I couldn't stand it, "Um...Maria can you bring me a cup of iced latte?"

"Sure Emily" She almost devoured my husband with her eyes as she walked out of the room.

Grinding my teeth, I turned on my computer and started with the accounts. I almost broke the keys while typing on the keyboard.

"Em, are you alright?" Nick asked as he skimmed through the books.

"I'll be, in a moment." My lips twitched to smirk as Maria walked into the office carrying a tray that had two iced latte and a brownie. By the corner of my eyes I could see her giving a latte and a brownie fondly to Nick.

Did he even ask? Even if he did, why don't I get a brownie?

She handed the tray out to me while her eyes were still transfixed at Nick. Pushed to the end of my tether, I shoved the latte from the tray. It spilled all over her dress and Maria was a tad unfortunate to be wearing a white blouse and a beige skirt particularly on the day she wished to hit on my husband.

"Maria be careful. Where were you looking?" I pretended as if it was her mistake and it somehow worked.

"Oh my God. I'm sorry Emily. I'll clean it up right away." Maria panicked.

"No worries Maria. How could you work with your dress all ruined? Take a day off. And never come back!" I subtly made her understand what was running in my mind. Flushed at the cheeks, Maria trotted out the office.

"That's the seventh assistant to get fired from this office." Nick stated with his eyes still on the book.

"Do you have any problem with it, Mr Nice-sweats-Tyler?"

"Nope. I imagined myself in your place and it turned out a lot nastier than this."

Nick had the ability to make me laugh even at greater depths of furiousness, "Wasting a latte on her makes me sad. Can I have a sip of yours?"

"All yours." Nick slid the latte to my side of the table. Taking a sip of the latte, I felt nauseous. My head spinned into a fit of vertigo and I couldn't hold it in any longer. Running into the restroom, I retched it out into the sink.

"Emily, what happened?" Nick followed me into the restroom and rubbed my back soothingly. Later he took me to the hospital. Giving a few tests, we waited for the doctor at the consultation room.

Dr Davis, our consultant walked into the room with his face looking aghast, "I'm really sorry to tell this Mrs Greene, but..." He dragged. Nick twined his fingers around mine in anticipation.

"I can't be your consultant anymore. Dr Grande from gynecology department will be seeing you in a few minutes." He immediately switched his reaction from being aghast to a ear to ear grin.

"Oh my God! What did you say?" Nick jumped out of his chair and I sat awestruck. The news took time to sink into both of us.

"You heard me right Mr Tyler. It's time to let a junior Tyler into the court." The doctor revealed the ecstatic news.

Nick kneeled before my chair and hugged my waist, "Em we are gonna have a baby together!!"

My eyes welled up with happy tears. None of you would believe, but the day I heard this news was...

January 27.

___________________

A/N: Hola dear readers! Can't believe this will be the last time I will be addressing you guys in this book. But don't worry guys, all endings lead to new beginnings and I'll meet you all sooner with a new work.

Hope you all liked reading Jan 27.

I would like to entertain my readers before winding up. Try answering my question.

Q: There is a line from a One direction song hidden in the epilogue. Can anyone spot the line?

First of all I would like to thank beyond_my_thoughts03 for helping me to come up with the plot of January 27. Thank you so much for holding my back throughout the entire process. Jan 27 wouldn't be possible if not for the inspiration I had from you ❤️❤️

paulinacollins, NyxEbony,mythiliums my lovely sisters who stood by my side no matter what. I thank you for everything.

Words wouldn't be sufficient to thank SelnaMGayath. After a long break of two years, I pulled myself to write just because you insisted. You have been my guardian angel Sel! I'm forever grateful to have you!

xxlakshcoolxx My best friend, advisor, motivator, well wisher and a lot more throughout the years. You've been supporting me since day one. I couldn't be more thankful darling!

I'm so grateful to TheMysticalCommunity for rating Jan 27 with 5.5 stars and giving it a new identity.

Thank you all who kept me on my feet through the process noidentity13 zraddha, Priya_dh_K, SrehaGK, Mathu282, MehSmd, anithaa26, Areadersup,Jayashri19 and to all my precious readers out there! You guys mean a lot to me!

Kindly forgive me if I've forgot to mention anyone. I would be eternally grateful to all.

See you soon guys.

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Thank you for reading ❤️

Happy reading :-)