Epilogue

A YEAR LATER...

Amid the trails of hedgerows and green wards of reedy grasses, David walked over the wet scant soil, carrying along with him, his little boy who was relatively uncomfortable as it was his first time visiting a graveyard and as they continued to walk through the Rocky Lane, David couldn't help but notice his uneasiness.

He stopped and turned to him.

"Hey, kiddo. It's only gonna take a short while okay? We're just gonna pay our respects to mummy and then head back home" He assured with a smile.

Alex nodded slowly, urging him to proceed and they walked hand in hand until they made a stop in front of a bright bronze-colored tombstone.

David's eyes scrolled forward and rested on her name with a sudden narrow sigh escaping his lips as he slowly got down on his knees, urging Alex to do the same.

For a brief moment, they both stood there in silence, listening to the surreal echoes of the passing wind that whistled through the autumn trees.

"I—" David paused and took in a huge whiff of air before pulling out the bouquet of creamy pink magnolia flowers he had saved for today. "You always loved it when I got you Magnolia. I couldn't get the purple ones but this should match perfectly" he laid them gently by the clean paths of her stone and blew off the dry leaves.

"You must hate me right now... I kind of deserve it too. It's been a year and I still couldn't muster the courage to see you. I guess I just didn't want to believe you were gone and it was my fault"

He picked up a lighter.

"I was always used to running away from my problems. When your Dad is filthy rich, it's pretty easy to pick up new plane tickets and disappear but when your far too deep into the game you realize that there are limits to how far one can run and at some point, we all have to face our demons... so here's me facing mine"

He lit the other end of the red ancestral candles and said a minute's worth of prayer before kneeling back up and staring at the red burning flames.

"There are a lot of things I'd like to say to you but you never really liked it when I talked too much so I'll start by saying It hurts me every time I think about what we could've been. If I could turn back the clock to that very moment, I'd make things happen a lot more different from how it did"

He turned to his Alex and smiled.

"But when you think about it, that one little mistake led to something beautiful. Because of you, I was able to achieve the dream of being a father. You gave me a son, a beautiful charming prince. Because of you, I felt love, I have love — I have a family, a wonderful wife, two lovely kids, I have a home"

He smiled.

"The little time I spent with you was one of the best I'll ever experience in my life and I may no longer see you or touch you but I feel you in my heart... I love you Stacey Albucho. Porsiempre y parasiempre thank you for always cleaning up after my mess. You are loved and certainly missed"

For a brief moment, he just knelt there, staring at her photo as if he was looking right at her. He had almost forgotten how beautiful she looked, especially when she smiled at his goofiness.

Alex suddenly crept closer to her stone and caressed her dust-covered image.

"I have a new home now mum" he started, turning to look at David who only but smiled. "I have a dad, a sister, and a new mother who loves me with all her heart. She treats me so nicely, coils my hair, and buys me lots of cool stuff. I'm finally happy, mum. You don't have to worry about me anymore because I'm safe"

He paused.

"Uncle Tanner told me that women get jealous when you don't show them enough attention so Just because you're gone doesn't mean I will forget you. I will always love you mum" he turned to David "I love both of you"

"And we love you too Alex, more than the universe itself. " he pulled him into a hug. "You've grown so well, I'm proud"

***

AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVED HOME, Alex ran out of the car and raced into the house, leaving David to carry the groceries.

"Be careful Alex!" He yelled behind and on getting to the front door, he was welcomed with Amelia's dramatic outburst which he should've gotten familiar with by now but it was so damn hard.

He closed the door behind him and watched as Dawn paced in the middle of the room, bouncing up and down in an attempt to soothe Amelia but her cries only intensified.

"Can you just stop already" she begged and yelled at the same time, trying very hard to keep her water-soaked towel from falling off her chest as it was the only thin bridge between her and her nakedness.

"Dawn?" David called over Amelia's screams and she turned around with a weary smile on her face.

"I didn't hear you come in" she breathed, rocking back and forth "How was the visit?"

"It was fine," he said slowly, eyes gesturing down to her towel and when Dawn noticed, she sighed.

"This little drama queen just wouldn't take a bath or eat. It's almost past her bedtime and I'm tired" she sobbed, rocking Amelia to stillness.

"That's because" David grabbed her out of Dawn's arms. "She misses daddy and wants his attention, Isn't it my little daylight mist?" He cooed, rocking her slowly, and somehow, her intense outbursts dwindled into tiny whimpers.

"Daddy's girl" Dawn scoffed and knotted her towel to the side.

"I am indisputably irresistible after all" he winked and she rolled her eyes.

"Humor me"

He chuckled "Why don't you hit the showers, I got this" he assured with a small nod.

"Her milk is on the counter, please make sure she drinks it. Love you" She ran out of the living room and David smiled, slowly rocking his dawdling daughter in his arms.

Later that night, just after dinner and successfully tucking Alex to bed, Dawn sat on her contour table and breastfed Amelia. As she did, she could feel David's eyes boring into her, and it was making her increasingly uncomfortable.

She shifted nervously and slowly turned her head to look at him. He was lying on his side on their bed, watching her from across the room but his eyes weren't on hers, they were glued to something else and the thought of it made her cheeks red.

"Stop looking at me like that, David, you're making me irk up"

"It's weird," he said, eyeing her breast intently as Amelia continued to suckle on it.

Lucky kid.

Dawn sighed dramatically. "It's been nearly a year, David. I find it strange that you're still not used to it."

"Doesn't it hurt?"

"No" she rolled her eyes. "Breastfeeding is completely normal, stop making me feel weird for doing it"

"Sorry but" he chuckled softly. "She's fucking drinking milk out of your boobs."

"You know, I'm beginning to think you enjoy making fun of me," she said, pulling her shirt down as Amelia finished.

"Okay, one last question, and I'm done"

"Will it stop you if I say no?" She asked, standing up and walking toward her daughter's baby court which was in the next room intertwined with theirs.

"Probably not" David chuckled, his eyes on her backside as she walked into the room and stood by the mirror to tie her hair up.

"Does it taste good?" he asked and her face flushed to a gentle pink.

"I don't know, you pervert. I've never tasted my own milk before"

"You should try it" he teased as she walked towards the bed.

"Since you're so curious, you try it"

"I know this might sound weird, but I'd rather not drink from your boobs," he laughed and then added as she laid next to him. "It's a tempting offer though"

"Not in a million years goof" she snorted and he chuckled, brushing her hair gently.

"It must be stressful, taking care of the kids alone"

Dawn sighed into his chest. It had been a year but still, she hadn't gotten used to the pressure that came with motherhood. They said you don't remember the pain of giving birth. They lied. She remembered plenty. But they also said that it would all be worth it and they were right, on that count, at least. It was thrilling yes, but the constant worry and uneasiness drove her crazy.

"It's fine, I know how important work is plus I'll have to get used to it eventually," she said and for a moment, there was a pause, the only sound heard being both their steady exhales and the gentle breeze that slipped in through the open window.

"Do you...regret it?" David asked out of the blue and she looked up at him.

"Any of what?"

"This — The kids, our marriage— everything."

Dawn gazed intently at him, waiting to see if he was just trying to fool around but the longer she stared, the more she realized he was serious.

"What makes you think I regret it?"

"Well… I haven't been the best husband to you, I kept things from you, even had a son, and not to talk about the fact that you almost lost your life because of our child," he averted his eyes. "I know you wanted a simple life, different from the one you have now"

Dawn released a sigh and lifted herself into a sitting position. He did the same.

"David," she sighed. "You're right. I wanted a simple life. Meeting you, falling in love, getting married to a billionaire, none of it was a part of the plan. None of this was what I wanted"

She smiled and lifted her hands to touch his face. "But, it's so much better David. Out of all the ways I pictured my life turning out, I never imagined it being like this but now that it did, I wouldn't change it for anything"

She leaned forward and rested her head against his "I love you, David. I love the kids, I love our life and if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing."

"Dawn" the way he stared at her speechlessly made her laugh softly.

She looped one arm around the back of his neck and touched her other hand to my chest. "The answer to your question is no David. I don't regret any of it. I don't regret the day I said I do, I don't regret ever going on this journey with you" she brushed her lips on his and he closed his eyes, getting a kick out of the softness of her mouth.

"I love you, Dawn" he whispered. "You have no idea how much I want you right now"

Her lips curved into a smile. "I think I have some idea" Her hands found his hair and sank in, pulling his head down until his mouth was right at hers.

"I'm so fucking lucky" he moaned, kissing her more deeply and getting lost in her warmth.

A knock sounded on the door.

"Dad!" Alex suddenly yelled from outside and he pulled away immediately. "And it was just getting good"

Dawn chuckled. "Wait until we're having sex and the baby cries right before you—"

"Hell no," he said, slipping out of the bed. "We'll have to hire a nanny and fill bottles with your breast milk so she doesn't interrupt" he added, walking to the door.

Dawn laughed. "You're crazy, David!"  she yelled after him.

"Only for you, Dawn... Only for you"

THE END...