3 years later...

Jason

"Angel, what do you think you're doing?" I asked with concern as I watch her try to lift a box filled with goodies.

"Mommy," our two year old twins Jake, and Mia squealed.

Zarah settled the box back and walked over to us and kissed our twins on their chubby cheeks.

"Hi my babies," she said and Jake and Mia gave her toothy grins

"Angel, you shouldn't be lifting heavy things."

Zarah rolled her eyes. "It's not heavy!

"We have people for that. Let the staff do it. Better yet, let me do the lifting."

"You worry too much honey. It's not heavy and I'm fine," she insisted.

"You're so stubborn. You're pregnant. Your only task is to sit and look beautiful. Angel, that's why we hired a party planner, so you don't have to do too much."

"I know but..."

"No buts. No more lifting for you," I said authoritatively.

"I know what I can and can't carry honey."

I glared at her. "You. Are. Pregnant. No. Lifting."

"Down daddy pwease," Mia said. I kissed her and I bent down and settled her down.

"Fine. Can I at least hold my baby boy?" She reached up and gave me a kiss before plucking Jake from my arms. Jake went to her willingly.

"We're here!" I heard Ellie call out.

"Mommy, down pwease," Jake said so he can go and greet his 3 year old cousin Alejandro.

Jake grabbed his sister's hand and they both ran towards their cousin, and aunt.

"Hi guys!" Zarah and I greeted.

"We're early, Alex couldn't wait to spend time with his cousins. I texted Mass and told them we were coming early. They're on their way now too," Ellie said as she came over to hug us.

"Jakey! Mia bear! Happy Birthday," she said excitedly. "Give me a hug babies."

Jake and Mia nearly toppled her as they both have her a hug.

"Where's the little princess and Marco?" I asked.

Before Ellie could answer Marco came to view with one year old, Catalina.

"Happy Birthday Jake and Mia!"

"Unca Mawco," Jake and Mia squealed and went to hug him next.

"Hey man," I said and clapped Marco on the back.

"Hi Cat," I cooed and she gave me a big smile.

"Can uncle Jason have a kiss?"

She nodded and leaned towards me and planted a sloppy kiss on my cheek.

She then held out her arms to my angel, who gladly took her.

"Hi baby bear," Zarah cooed and Cat giggled.

Alejandro, Mia, and Jake then started running towards the back.

"Be careful!" I called out after them.

We followed the kids and walked out the back to where the party is.

"Wow, the place looks amazing!" Ellie gushed.

"I know. The party planner did a good job," Zarah said.

"Hi!" Jake yelled waving his arms wildly.

All of us looked behind to find Massimo and Ara walking towards us with seven year old Lia, the oldest of the cousins, their four year old twins, Damien and Isabella and their two year old Dylan.

"Hey guys!"

Jake, Mia, and Alejandro ran to meet their cousins, aunt and uncle.

"You look beautiful," Ara said to Zarah.

Zarah grinned. "Thanks. I can't wait to meet this little one," she said rubbing her belly I went over and wrapped my arms around her.

We took a seat and watched the kids run around and play.

"The place looks amazing," Ara said.

"Yeah, thanks for recommending the party planner," I said.

"No problem."

The girls proceeded to chat, as me and the guys walk towards the cooler to grab a beer.

"Look at us," I started to say. "Years ago, we used to make fun of all the men who were married with kids. We thought it was a death sentence. But here we are now, married with kids, and we're the happiest we've ever been. All it takes is to find the right woman."

"Couldn't agree with you more man," Marco said.

"I agree. I just can't believe that it was my sisters for you two morons!" Massimo said.

We all laughed.

"Ara wanted to wait, but I just can't wait any longer..."

"What?" I asked.

"She's pregnant again," Massimo grinned.

"Wow. Congratulations. We're happy for you man," Marco and I said.

"Well don't tell Ellie, but I think she's pregnant again too," Marco grinned like a moron.

"You don't know?"

"Oh I know. But she hasn't noticed it yet. She's gone back to her weird food combination eating habits she had when she was pregnant with Alex and Cat."

I snorted. "I still can't believe you guys eat fries with ketchup and a milkshake. That's just disgusting man."

"Hey. Don't hate until you try it," Marco protested.

I shook my head with a smirk.

I look over to where my angel was seating.

A smile graced my lips. It's been years, but she still manages to take my breath away...

I look back to Mass and Marco and find them also gazing at their wives.

I smiled.

The papers renamed us. The Golden Trio ceased to exist. They now call us The Golden Couples - which we all thought was lame. They just couldn't come up with a better tag name.

I chuckled.

I look back to the kids playing.

They are our greatest treasure.

I look back at two of my best friends. We all looked at each other and grinned like a moron in understanding. Then we walked back to where our wives were sitting.

"Hi angel," I said and kissed her on the top of her head.

"Hi," she smiled.

"You feeling okay?"

"Yup."

"I love you, my beautiful angel."

"I love you too."

"So fucking much?"

She giggled. "So fucking much."

I kissed her on the lips.

Thank you God for second chances...

***

Massimo

"Thank you cara," I said as I hug Arabella close to me.

"For what?" She asked.

"For loving me unconditionally. For giving me a second chance. For having faith in me. In us. And for giving me the greatest treasure a man could ever get," I said and pointed to our children running around.

She smiled at me tenderly. "No thanks needed EJ. I love you and our growing family with all of me."

I kissed her with all my love.

***

Marco

"Hey, princess," I said as I wrap my arms around Ellie.

"Hey you," she smiled back at me.

"Did I tell you how much I love you?"

She laughed lightly. "Not in the last half hour or so," she teased.

"Well, then. Let me just say... I love you." kiss. "I love you." Kiss. "I love you." Kiss...

"Well now you're just taking advantage," she teased.

I chuckled. "I could never do right in your eyes, woman!"

"I don't know about that..." She said and pointed to our kids.

I smiled. "That was all you babe. You carried our kids in your womb and gave them life. You never fail to amaze me, princess. You're my heart and soul."

Tears glittered in her eyes.

"I love you, so much Marco."

"I love you too, princess."

I kissed her with everything in me.

***

After kissing their wives, the Golden Couples looked back at each other with love and happiness shining in their eyes.

In that moment, they knew without a shadow of a doubt, that they have an all-encompassing kind of love. The kind of love filled with friendship, laughter, warmth, kindness, passion, and forgiveness. The kind of love that thrives and overcomes all obstacles. Lastly, they have the kind of love that transcends death...

The End

***

"Love is a gift. It should be treasured and respected. Love truthfully and honestly. Love with everything you are. Lastly, Love like it's your last..."