The first snow lies heavy on the clean ground. I look out across the trees, down their white-capped green, and catch Juneau spreading out along the bay.

I’ve looked out over this view maybe a few thousand times in the last two years. Sometimes it’s been a good view, and sometimes it hasn’t. But I always come back to it, no matter what.

The glass was repaired, but I swear I can still see the cracks where the bullets tore it apart. Two months ago, Carson actually did find an old bullet lodged into the back of one of the cabinets. He got a far-off look on his face, and then we laugh about it.

“What are you doing over there?”

I look up and catch Carson leaning against the bannister, looking down at me. I smile up at him and feel my chest heave, my stomach do flips. I can’t believe I still feel like this after all this time, but I can’t help it.

“I’m just thinking,” I say.

“What about?”

“You. And me.”

“Sounds scary.” He gives me a big smile.

“It’s not, not at all. I just... need to tell you something.”

He cocks his head at me then comes down the steps. He was upstairs doing some work while I was in the bathroom, taking the test. I didn’t want to tell him about it, not yet at least, not until I was sure.

I’m sure now. I’m scared, but not too scared. I know Carson will take care of me no matter what.

“Come here,” I say to him. He walks across the living room and joins me over by the window. I take his hand in mine and look up at his handsome face.

So much has happened in these last two years. His father died about three weeks after Elliot’s attack, and Carson took over the CEO position. We also inherited most of his father’s money and his estate, which Carson sold off. He says he prefers his house, which makes me happy, because I feel like this place is home. Carson used the money from the sale of his father’s home to help pay for Nick’s men’s injuries, and to give some money to the families of the men that died that day. He says he knows that can’t bring them back, but maybe it can help ease their loss, at least a little bit.

Elliot is in jail. The trial went on much longer than we anticipated, but as of one week ago, Elliot is officially spending the rest of his life in a prison cell. The relief is intense and palpable, and I’ve already seen a change in Carson since the verdict was handed down.

We’re going to take care of Elliot’s family. Or at least Carson will. Elliot’s wife and children were innocent and remain innocent. They’ll have their own problems as they grow up, and Carson wants to make sure that they have the best care possible.

He also set up a new network of homeless shelters all across the city in my honor. I help to run them, which has been one of the greatest things of my life. Carson’s philanthropy is incredible, and it’s part of what I love about him.

“What did you want to tell me?” he asks.

“Well... I don’t know how to say it.”

He frowns. “You’re worrying me. What’s wrong?”

“I’m pregnant,” I say.

For a second, I’m afraid. But then he throws his arms around me and pulls me against him, hugging me tight and close. “That’s amazing!” he says. “Kylie! We’re going to have a kid.” He laughs and hugs me, lifting me off my feet.

I kiss him when he puts me back down. “Now you’ll really be a daddy.”

He grins. “Don’t be weird.”

I laugh and kiss him again. “Are you happy?”

“Very happy.”

“Good. I was worried.”

“Why would you worry?”

I shrug. “I don’t know.”

“Listen to me, Kylie. I’m in this with you,” he says. “I love you. I want a family with you.”

I nod, biting back tears. He kisses me, deep and slow, and I know this is right.

We fought a lot to get here. There were hard times, especially in the days right after Carson’s father died. Carson’s mother still doesn’t approve of me, but she doesn’t come to Juneau much anymore. Last I heard, she had a new boyfriend out in Florida.

But here we are. I’m pregnant and we’re together. I don’t care that he’s so much older than I am. I’m in this for a long run, and I know he is too. I want a family and he’s giving that to me.

I couldn’t have asked for more. I’m safe and he takes care of me, gives me everything I need. His job is demanding but he never lets it gets in the way of us.

It brings me joy every single day. It makes me feel better than I could ever have imagined. He’s incredible.

We kiss in front of the glass wall looking out over our property, out over the city we help run, and I know this is the life I never imagined but can’t live without. This is what I needed.

A good man to take care of me and a family. From here, there’s nothing else better.