Epilogue: A Love That Lasts

A year later…

Laughter filled the backyard as sunlight spilled over the neatly trimmed grass, casting a golden glow on the scene. Camille stood at the edge of the patio, watching as Dominic and Liam played together, their joyous voices blending with the ocean breeze.

"Dad! You're too slow!" Liam teased, dodging away as Dominic chased him around the yard.

Dominic, healthier than he had been in years, grinned as he lunged forward, scooping Liam up and tossing him over his shoulder. "Too slow? I'll show you too slow!"

Liam shrieked with laughter, kicking his legs. "Mom! Help!"

Camille folded her arms, pretending to consider. "Hmm… I don't know. Maybe he deserves it for all those times he ignored bedtime."

Liam gasped. "You're betraying me!"

Dominic chuckled, setting him down before ruffling his hair. "You're stuck with us, kid. No escape."

As Liam ran off to join Isabel, who was setting up a small picnic, Dominic walked toward Camille, slipping his arms around her waist.

"You're staring," he murmured against her temple.

She smiled, leaning into him. "I'm just making sure this is real."

"It is," he promised. "And it's only going to get better."

Camille turned to face him, brushing her fingers against his jawline. The lines of worry that had once been there had softened, replaced with peace.

"I never thought we'd end up here," she admitted.

"Neither did I." He kissed her forehead. "But I think we were always meant to."

She glanced over at Liam, who was happily munching on a sandwich and chatting animatedly with Isabel. "He's happy."

Dominic nodded. "We both are."

A comfortable silence settled between them before Dominic took her hand, his thumb brushing over the silver band on her ring finger.

"I meant it when I said forever, Camille," he whispered.

She smiled, intertwining their fingers. "And I meant it when I said yes."

As the sun dipped lower, casting the sky in hues of pink and orange, they stood together—a family, stronger than ever, built on love, forgiveness, and second chances.

The End… for real this time.