EPILOGUE
Cecília
FIVE YEARS LATER
I haven't been here for many years. Since I finished college and went to Brazil with Thomas, I haven't been back to New York. And it's been that long since I've seen Kelly, even though we talk almost every day, so I don't even try to hold back the tears when she hugs me.
Time passed for her too. Kelly is now a newlywed woman and the belly is huge with the pregnancy already hitting six months. Thomas and her husband disappeared as soon as we got to their house and I bet they're discussing business. In the end, Kelly ended up marrying her college sweetheart after fighting with her father about not having an arranged marriage.
"I can't believe you're having a baby!" - I say and stroke her big belly. My friend gives me a huge, goofy smile.
— I'm so happy, Cecilia — she says and rubs her belly too. - It's your fault.
- My? I ask with raised eyebrows. She nods.
— You kept honking that prince charming thing in my ear, and you married a man who treats you like a princess, and has a beautiful family...
She looks out across the huge backyard and I do the same. I smile at my two children running across the lawn.
Arthur has just turned four and is practically dragging his sister to play with him. Our little princess arrived two years ago and runs around awkwardly with her big brother, screaming and rolling around as if the garden were an amusement park.
— I wanted that for myself too, my friend. You made me believe in love.
I smile and hug her, because I don't even recognize the scatterbrained girl she used to be. But I don't even recognize myself either. All these years at Thomas's side have turned me into a strong and passionate woman. Even though it's very different from what I imagined, I'm living my fairy tale.
I talk to Kelly for a few more hours until the sun starts to set and we go inside for dinner. I take Jasmine in my arms and take Arthur by the hand to take them both for a bath before eating, and it turns into a water party like it always is with these two little fish.
— Go get daddy, my love — I ask Arthur after he's already dressed while I'm finishing getting my girl ready.
- Daddy! She starts screaming and running around the house.
I laugh and finish putting the little dress on her, who grabs my hand as we start walking through the house. I hear Arthur laughing with his father in the kitchen and I go there.
Kelly's husband smiles at me and kisses me on the cheek.
— I'm going to find my wife — he says and leaves the kitchen, leaving my husband and me with the children there.
Thomas is with Arthur on the tail, looking better than ever. He no
looks like it has aged a bit. The most beautiful blue eyes in the world look at me with so much love that they melt me. He's in the same suit as always, his muscles all ripped under his clothes, and it takes my breath away like it did the first time I saw him.
"Isn't Mom the most beautiful woman you've ever seen?" he asks Arthur and runs a hand through the red hair he pulled from me. Jasmine got her father's blue eyes and dark hair. My son nods and starts thrashing around in Thomas's lap until he lands on the floor.
Thomas puts him down and he comes running to me.
— Mom, can I take Jasmine to play with Aunt Kelly's puppy?
— Of course you can, my love — I say and let him hold his sister's little hand, who lets out an excited squeal and goes with him.
When the two are gone from the kitchen, I look at Thomas, who is staring at me with the same fire in his eyes.
“Come here, crystal,” he commands in that authoritative tone I love.
— You don't order me — I challenge only because I know he even pretends he doesn't, but he likes it.
Thomas takes a few long strides before he catches up with me and pulls me hard around the waist to pin me against his body.
— You make me want to shut that little mouth of yours all the time — he speaks into my mouth and kisses me. I moan and he squeezes me tighter. When he releases me, he caresses my face. “I was wondering… what do you think about us staying here for a while?
"Here in New York?" I ask and he nods.
“You used to love the city. I have some business to take care of here, maybe open some more hotels. I can use my vice president's help,” he says and squeezes my ass. I laugh into her mouth and wrap it around her neck.
I throw my head back and he kisses my neck.
"I think it's a great idea, but you're going to need to find someone else."
to help you in a few months.
- Why? he asks and sucks on my skin.
“Your vice president will need to go on maternity leave…
Thomas freezes in place and pulls his face away to gape at me. He places his hand on my stomach and his pretty eyes get teary.
“Are you… pregnant again?”
I bite my lip and nod my head.
"Are we going to have another baby?" he asks, I nod again. "Damn it, Cecilia...
He kisses me again with all the love he's shown me over the years.
“You make me the happiest man in the world every day, Cristal,” he says with a huge smile on his face. - I love you. Come here and let me love you right - talk and pull me in for another kiss.
I laugh and say into your mouth:
“And I love you so much more, my bossy CEO.