Three Years Later:

"You're being so extra, darling."

A short laugh escapes my lips when I see Owen arranging the trophies and medals on a wide cabinet shelf.

"These are your hard-earned wins. So of course we have to show them to the world. Let everyone who walks in see how amazing the boss is, to see that their choice in picking your centre is the right one."

I roll my eyes with a gentle smile. "Our centre."

The cabinet is behind the registration counter in our martial arts centre, which provides Taekwondo, Karate, Muay thai and Jiu-jitsu classes.

Over these three years, we've gained quite many students, children and adults alike, not just from Marysville but from other nearby towns and the city too.

"How did you even know where they were kept?"

I don't even remember where I stashed them after my painful incident.

"I talked to your parents and they told me. I think they're starting to like me."

"Darling, they only like your money."

He's still the largest shareholder at Zanders, and our diner has been doing well too. Add in our martial arts centre, we're definitely not lacking money.

"Our money, fireheart. We're married now. What's mine is yours and yours mine."

"Okay, okay. Now that's enough! They look fine already so stop being an OCD!" I laugh and pull him away to stop him from adjusting them at perfect angles to each other.

I finally got my instructor's license last year and decided to start teaching too instead of only hiring other instructors.

But alas, an unforeseen circumstance got in the way.

Not that any of us are complaining.

Now I only help him out at the diner, even through his fervid protests.

His uncle is CEO at Zanders now but Duncan is being groomed to be the next one. Owen decided to give him a chance when he showed signs of turning over a new leaf and not let his unfortunate condition affect his life negatively anymore.

And life is all about second chances.

I'm living proof.

"Daddy! Mommy!" Noah comes running out from one of the matted areas along with children of varying ages, having just finished his Taekwondo class.

"Oh my little beanie!"

He's grown so much within these three years. I only need to bend a little to wrap my arms around him now.

I give him a kiss on the cheek with an exaggerated smacking sound.

I can't believe he'll be starting school next year. Our little boy.

"How was your class, sweetie?"

"It was okay. I would still prefer mommy to teach me though."

Owen flicks his son's fringe fondly. "Well you know mommy can't now."

Noah crosses his arm in petulance. "I'm going to get so much less attention at home in two more months! I want mommy all to myself!"

Owen sucks in a breath through his teeth and chides our six-year-old son while I laugh and touch my protruding belly.

I'm seven months in and going steady. 

We never expected that my uterus could withstand another baby after the damage. 

But miracles do happen.

The doctors said once I passed six months of pregnancy, my chances of a safe delivery would be 99%.

And we've been very careful, especially both boys, even if Noah seems indifferent and unwilling, I know he's excited for his little sister's arrival.

We already gave her a name: Mira.

Short for miracle.

"Little beanie, I'll still love you both the same mmkay?" I boop his nose and he gives me a toothy grin with those cute dimples, then hugs my waist gently.

"Mama's boy." Owen gives Noah a sidelong glance but a smile plays on his lips.

He shoos Noah away after a moment and lowers to my tummy level to press a soft kiss there, then he speaks inaudibly to our daughter.

Warmth spreads through me when I feel a kick inside.

"I already know she's going to be a daddy's girl. I hope she gets your eyes."

He straightens and loosely holds my waist, looking down at me with shimmering emerald green orbs and a loving smile.

"I hope she gets your hair."

"I'm just so grateful she chose me as her mother." My throat closes up with emotion.

"You're amazing, fireheart. You know that right?"

"That's random but yes, I do know that. Putting up with the two of you little rascals can only be done by someone amazing." A giggle tumbles out of me but then, Noah asks a question out of the blue.

"Mommy, do you think grandpa and grandma are looking down at us?"

I direct my gaze to Owen's, but when his smile doesn't waver, I turn back to Noah. "Yes, little beanie. I'm sure they are an-"

"What about my great-grandmas?"

Peering down at him with slightly glazed eyes, I offer him a wobbly smile containing a mixture of happiness and sadness.

"I'm sure your grandparents and both your great-grandmas are looking down at us from above with big smiles on their faces."

"Why are they smiling, mommy?"

"Because... They love us. Just like how daddy and mommy love you, little beanie."

I've come to realize many things since I met them. 

Love is not rare, in fact, it's everywhere.

We only need to open our eyes and look harder to find it.

Then open our hearts and work harder to keep it.

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

A/N:
My first book is done!!!

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Thank you for reading until the end and lub you guys!!!

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