EPILOGUE: Isabelle

Life was hectic. There was no denying that, but I loved helping out at school as much as I could. I also took work very seriously and looked forward to learning more and advancing. I also loved working with Mason but aware of the fact that we might not always work so closely.

We cherished our time at home. The new house was beautiful, and I was glad that I let him take me into it. Kendra spent a lot of time in the spacious backyard and we could work while we watched her, assuming one of us wasn’t down there with her. She had friends over as she got older and I enjoyed seeing her growing close to other girls.

I loved when the house was quiet, and I joined Mason in bed. Despite the time that we’d been together and our busy lives, there was still just as much heat between us as there was the first time. I’d kept my promise and gotten on some birth control but a part of me wanted to drop it and get pregnant. Mason was amazing with Kendra and talked about adopting her. Jackson was never on the birth certificate and nothing was stopping it. That was great, but I wanted more and I wondered if he wanted to marry me. I knew that I wanted it with him but we had time. We did have this house and a great life together that included family and friends and everything else would come in time.

Our third Christmas approached, and it was cold outside. Everyone was coming here to celebrate, and the moms were going to help in the kitchen. With the big house, it just made sense. We had the two weeks of Kendra’s break off from going in but we’d work from home when we could. Ken supported his staff taking time with their families on the holiday, especially since we had Kendra. I was excited to host a holiday and never thought I’d be here this soon, but I knew it was because of Mason.

We picked her up from school the day before her holiday vacation and took her to dinner at her favorite pizza place. We’d just had a quiet Thanksgiving with his family and chosen to make Christmas the big holiday. We took her home and settled in to watch a movie, complete with popcorn and candy. It was just us for a few days until family started to arrive and we were going to relax. I changed into leggings and a sweatshirt for the occasion and snuggled against Mason with Kendra to my side, fixated on the latest Disney film.

Kendra fell asleep on the couch and Mason carried her to bed upstairs. We had our bedrooms on the same floor and the two guest rooms on the first floor and he tucked her in before leading me down the hallway to our room. We’d locked up for the night and Mason closed our door before I stretched and walked to the bed. I was looking forward to sleeping in a little tomorrow and just hanging around the house. We still had some decoration to do before everyone arrived and Kendra was looking forward to it. I looked out of the window to the full moon and smiled as I lifted my shirt over my head. Mason walked up behind me wrapped his arms around me as I grinned.

“I am so happy with you.” I practically whispered the words, but he heard me and pulled me against him.

“I have never been happier. We have a beautiful daughter and everything is falling into place just the way that I want.” I frowned before turning to look at him.

“Falling into place?” I queried as he smiled and leaned down to kiss me.

“Yep.” Mason led me to bed, and I slipped out of my leggings as he watched in the light cast from outside. He pulled me close to kiss me and pressed me down to the mattress as he held his body above mine.

“You have too many clothes on,” I told him before I pulled him down for another kiss. I tugged at his sweatshirt and Mason laughed against my lips. He tormented me for a bit longer before standing to undress as I watched hungrily. I loved his body and the work that he put into it. I appreciated the fact that he got me to exercise more in our basement home gym because I’d never felt better. I pulled off my underwear and dropped back on the bed as he crawled up between my legs and spread them wide. I moaned as he pressed his mouth between my legs and started tracing my folds with his tongue. Mason knew just what to do and drew me closer to a release before he sucked my clit into his mouth and sent me over the edge. “God,” I moaned as he wrapped his arms around my thighs and held me still. I trembled as he pulled away and looked up at me with mischievous eyes.

“No, just Mason.” I laughed as he moved to his knees. “I want you bent over for me.” I widened my eyes and hurried to get there for him, raising my ass into the air. “I hope she’s sleeping hard tonight.” Mason moved closer and held me as he pressed inside of me. I moaned, feeling him deep inside as he filled me. I rocked back against him and he gripped my hips as he kept thrusting into me. We both came together, and I dropped to my stomach as he fell over me.

“Oh, God,” I moaned as my body tingled everywhere. Mason rolled onto his back beside me and took a few deep breaths. “How does that get better?”

“We’re good together. That will always get better.” Mason assured me as I smiled at him. “I am glad that we get some time at home this week.”

“Me, too. I think there needs to be a lot of that in the next two weeks. We can stay up all night.” I giggled, and he grinned wickedly.

“That sounds fantastic.” We pulled on some clothes and crawled under the covers together to get some sleep. I knew that Kendra would probably be waking up fairly early, so I wanted to be ready for her.

The week passed quickly as we decorated and cleaned up the house and soon Mason was sending the car to pick people up at the airport. Everyone declined the company jet but he wouldn’t budge on picking them up. I got Kendra some dinner as my parents landed and were headed to the house. She was excited about Grandma and Grandpa coming and talked about showing them the house as she ate. Mason finished talking to his own family that were leaving the following day to come to stay with us and walked into the kitchen to check on her. “Excited Ken?” He asked as she nodded. His phone rang, and he checked it, telling us the car was here. Kendra jumped up and ran to the front door as we laughed and followed her outside to meet them. Hugs were exchanged and Mason helped with their luggage as Mom let Kendra lead her into the house.

Mom and Dad looked around the large living room and told us how beautiful it was. She walked into the spacious chef’s kitchen to look around, gushing about the appliances and the large island as I followed. The men were discussing the huge mantel that was the focal point of the room as well as the giant TV on the other wall. Kendra followed us and asked if she could show Mom the room they would be using and then her room. Mom laughed and followed her as I reached for a glass to get some water.

“Did you two want to go out for a date night?” Dad asked as he walked into the kitchen. “We can take care of Kendra. We miss her and would love some time with her.” I heard voices going up the stairs and smiled as I considered the idea.

“Yeah, that might be fun. I hate to leave just as you walk through the door,” Mason told him as Dad clapped him on the back.

“We’re here for a week. You guys have busy lives and need some time alone. Go for it.”

Mason asked what I wanted to do, and I suggested dinner. I made something for Kendra but hadn’t eaten much myself today and he agreed. We walked up to our room to change into some better pants and warm sweaters and I slipped my feet into heeled boots for the night. We went to Kendra’s room where she and Mom were sitting on the bed talking. “I see Dad talked to you.” She smiled knowingly as I gazed back at her.

“You work hard. You deserve to go out and have some fun. We will have a lot of fun together.” I had purchased all the supplies for them to make cookies and I knew that Kendra was looking forward to that. Mason led me to the garage after we told everyone good night, opening the door to the SUV for me. We decided to go to the little Italian place that we loved and he headed towards the city as I gazed at him.

“I love you.” I smiled as he stopped at a light and looked over at me.

“I love you.” He replied as he reached for my hand. I held it as we kept driving and Mason parked in the small lot, finally letting go to lean across the car and kiss him. We made our way inside and greeted Gio with hugs as he asked where Kendra was. This was a popular place for us to come and we smiled as Mason pulled me close. “Date night.”

“In that case, let me show you our most romantic table.” Gio’s eyes twinkled as he grabbed two menus and led us to a round booth that faced away enough from everyone else that we would have privacy while still being helped. He lit a candle and told us that he was sending us a bottle of their house wine, waving his hand as I protested.

We enjoyed our meals and relaxed as we talked about the holidays and the surprises that we had in store for Kendra. I picked what we bought her carefully, selecting things that would be useful and help her learn but Mason urged me to just let her have some fun. It was a perfect balance when I looked closely at it and she was going to have a wonderful Christmas morning.

We finished dinner and went for dessert at our favorite ice cream shop before heading back. It was late enough that everyone might be asleep since we lingered much longer than we ever could with Kendra. The house was dark when we pulled into the garage and Mason turned off the engine. He grinned at me as we walked inside, finding everything dark as we looked around. “I’ll bet you anything that she’s sleeping in their room or Mom is with her,” I whispered as we headed upstairs. We went into our room and he pressed me against the door as he kissed me hard. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him down for a longer one as Mason slipped his hands down to grip my ass. He carried me to bed, and I slid down his body to my knees before lifting the sweater over my head. I’d had a few glasses of wine and was feeling aroused as I giggled and he shook his head at me.

“We’re not alone here. Remember that.” Mason whispered as he removed my bra and leaned down to suck a nipple into his mouth. I moaned and slipped my hands into his hair as I pulled him closer. Once he’d finished, I reached down to unbutton his pants and slide them down, moving to my knees as I took him into my mouth. Mason moaned and slid a hand into my hair as I bobbed forward, taking him deep into my throat. I kept it slow and teasing until he pushed me away and onto my back. Mason slipped his pants off before stripping mine from me and took me hard as I let out a breath, keeping quiet as the sensation flooded my body. I started to rock with him, wrapping my legs around his body as he thrust deeper. “Baby, you feel so good.”

“Mason… I love you so much.” I murmured as I edged closer to an explosive release. It hit me as I gripped him tightly, feeling him jerk and come inside of me as he moaned my name. We slowed and Mason kissed me softly as I felt myself falling even harder for him. We fell asleep locked in each other’s arms, exhausted from the strenuous lovemaking. I knew that Kendra would get up with my parents and they’d likely cook breakfast for us. Mom loved to spoil me whenever she had the chance.

His parents came in the following night and I loved watching our families get along so well. His siblings were coming on Christmas Eve. It was going to be exciting, and I was eager to host a fun Christmas with the help of everyone there. We cooked dinner when everyone was there and just talked and laughed through it, sipping wine as Kendra listened to us cuddled in his sister’s arms. I heard the doorbell halfway through the meal and glanced around, not expecting anyone. “I’ll get it!” Kendra said as she jumped down and ran towards the door, followed by Mason.

There were a flurry of voices and Hannah walked in with them, smiling at something that Mason said. “Hello there. I’m so sorry that I’m late.” She came over and hugged me, laughing at the confusion on my face. “Mason invited me and with all the excitement, it looks like he forgot to tell you.”

“Yes, he did. I’m still excited to see you.” I hugged her back and Mom ushered her into a seat and insisted on filling her plate. Hannah settled in and we kept talking as she ate with Kendra sitting in her lap now. They loved each other as expected.

We made our way to the tree where we were opening family gifts for the night. There was a mountain of brightly wrapped gifts under the branches and Kendra handed them out as we gathered on couches and the floor. She opened the ten presents in front of herself first as we watched. There were toys, clothes, books and even a small jewelry box that she opened last. Her eyes widened, and she looked at Mason as he smiled at her. “Take care of that, Kendra. I think you deserve such a pretty necklace but you have to be careful with it.”

He helped her put it on and I moved over to look at the shimmering moon around her neck. “That’s gorgeous, Mason.”

He was quiet, and I turned around to see him kneeling before me on one knee. I looked around the room and everyone was smiling at us as I turned my gaze back to him. “You deserve something pretty, too.” He held a box in his hand as he wet his lips. “You have changed my life, Isabelle. I knew the moment that I saw you that you were special and fate intervened by having you waiting for me at work. I love you more than anything and I would love for you to spend the rest of your life with me.” I slid down to the floor with him and felt wetness on my cheeks. “Will you marry me, Isabelle?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” I murmured, leaning in to kiss him without abandon. I felt little arms around me and pulled away to hear Kendra crying along with us. “Oh, sweetie.”

“You’re a part of this, sweetheart. Will you join us as a family?” Mason asked her as I started to cry harder. By the time Kendra said yes, everyone was crying. Hannah came over and hugged us first, telling us how happy she was. My parents were next and his family followed, hugging the three of us tightly.

It felt like hours later that we were alone in bed with everyone sleeping in other parts of the house. I stared at my ring in the light of the moon for what felt like the millionth time, marveling at the princess cut diamond surrounded by smaller gems down the band. It was gorgeous. In the excitement of it all, we forgot about that part for a few minutes but Mason made a big display of slipping it on my finger. It only caused chaos all over again, but I loved every moment of it. He touched my face gently and turned it to face him, asking if he could make love to his fiancee. I smiled and leaned in for a hungry kiss, one that I’d wanted since the moment that he asked me to marry him.

The kiss heated up and soon I was crawling over him, desperate to have him inside of me. I sank down as he filled me, breathing out to stay quiet. I wanted him alone right now so much and murmured that we needed a hotel room. “The house will be empty soon and I think there will be some time when they take Ken out. We’ll get our time and make full use of it.”

“I hope so,” I whispered as I started to ride him harder. He gripped my body and began to rock with me, finding our perfect rhyme. We moved without moans and cried, but whispered ‘I love you’s as we came together. I pressed against him when we were done, smiling to myself. “Mason?” I asked as he stroked the damp skin of my back gently.

“Yes, baby?”

“I want to try for a baby,” I whispered as he stilled. “I think we should start trying in the new year.” He moved to kiss me hard, and I felt his hands in my hair, gripping me.

“That is one of the best presents that I could ask for.” He kissed me again and slowly rolled me over, still inside of me. “Let’s practice.” I laughed and pulled him closer to deepen the kiss, feeling him harden inside of me.