“Thank you, Eli,” I answer quietly. “Thank you for seeing me even when I couldn’t.”
45 Santiago
When I walk into the nursery, I'm surprised to find Ivy there, rocking a sleeping Elena in her arms. She looks exhausted, and I regret not being here to help her with the feedings tonight.
"What are you still doing up?" I whisper.
She glances up at me, eyes soft and calm. It brings me a relief I didn't know I needed until now. I was not quite certain how she would react when I saw her again. Knowing that I was there to witness her brother's death and that, on some level, it satisfied me beyond measure and gave me the closure I needed. I also hope she understands I know how difficult this is for her, regardless of all he has done.
Our love is a love unlike any other to bear the trials we have. It is the only explanation for what we have overcome.
"I couldn't go to sleep without you." She shifts Elena in her arms, rising to her feet. "Not tonight."
I step closer, my fingers brushing over her cheek. "Thank you."
She watches me as I lean down to kiss Elena's forehead, and then she settles her into her crib. For a moment, we stand there together, both of us watching our sleeping daughter in awe. Our fingers tangle together, and when Ivy looks up at me again, she has tears in her eyes.
"She's the most beautiful baby in the world."
"I know." I grin. "We made her."
My hand comes around her waist, and I lead her from the nursery back to our room. Ivy shuts the door behind us softly, glancing at the monitor, and then brings her palms to my chest. She starts to unbutton my shirt with a gentleness only she could possess.
When her hands slide over my skin, pulling the fabric away from my body, I close my eyes, reveling in this feeling.
"Ivy," I choke out.
"I know," she whispers.
Her hands move to my trousers, unzipping the fly as she backs me into the chair in the corner. She guides me down into it and climbs onto my lap, lifting the hem of her nightgown as she does. When the silky fabric settles around her waist, she slips her hands into my briefs, pulling my hardening cock free.
I paw at her breasts through the silk and lace, and she arches into my touch, sliding against my cock. Teasing me as my lips find her nipple, shoving the straps of her nightgown down, trapping her arms at her sides.
She struggles against it in frustration until, inevitably, I drag the entire gown up over her head and toss it aside, leaving her naked in my lap.
"I'm still soft," she murmurs, her hand gliding over her belly nervously.
"I like you soft." I kiss her throat, pulling her closer, my cock trapped between us, anxious to plunge deep into her warmth. "I like you any way I can get you."
"It's been so long." She cups the back of my head, moaning as I dip lower to lick her nipples. "Please, Santi. Now. I need you now."
Reaching between us, I fumble around for my cock, teasing the head against her entrance, still trying to be gentle. Ivy takes over, grabbing my shaft and tilting her hips as she sinks down over me with an agonized sigh.
"Does it hurt?" I ask.
"No." She falls against me, her fingers digging into my shoulders. "It feels like exactly what I need. What we both need."
She rocks against me, and I tangle her hair in my fist, dragging her face down to mine while my other palm settles against her hip. She rolls her body against me, swallowing my groans as we fall back into our natural rhythm. We kiss until we can't breathe, hands groping everywhere we can reach. Teeth clashing and tongues dancing.
I suck her throat and worship every inch of her skin I can taste, and she cradles my head in her palms, whispering the only words that will ever matter.
"I love you, Santiago. I love you so much."
"I love you too," I confess, agony making my throat hoarse. "Fuck, Ivy—"
She smiles down at me as my grip on her tightens, fingers contracting around her as my orgasm steals any rational thought. My cock spasms and empties inside her, and she keeps going, using those last few moments to steal her own pleasure, wringing it from her body with a cry before she falls against my chest.
My arms come around her, and our skin sticks together, and there in the dim light, we catch our breaths and stroke each other and forget about everything else. The darkness of the day is gone, and I know it is not unintentional.
She knew I needed this, just as I know she does. I had wondered if we might talk about it. I had dreaded that she might ask for details, but I can see now she doesn't want them. And I could not be more grateful for her allowing me this. We each have our own endings with Abel, and now, we start again. A new chapter, just as I told him.
Ivy climbs off me slowly and kneels on the floor, removing my shoes, and pulling the unzipped trousers free. I arch an eyebrow at her as she takes my hand, pulling me up from the chair.
"Come on," she whispers. "Let's go wash this day off us."
I reach down, stroking her face and lifting her into my arms, wrapping her legs around my waist. "As you wish, Mrs. De La Rosa."
Epilogue Ivy
3 Months Later
It is a bright winter day. I button Elena’s jacket and lift her out of the car. Santiago mutters a curse behind me, and I turn to find him fumbling with the stroller as he unfolds it.
“These things. I don’t understand why we need all the gadgets. I
