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Elijah twisted around to look at me over Jackson’s shoulder, his lower lip already trembling. “Is that true, Mummy?” he mumbled while Jackson snorted beside him.

I nodded with exaggerated seriousness. “Afraid so, honey. But what about Monsters, Inc.? You love that one too,” I suggested. Elijah pressed a finger to his chin, tapping thoughtfully as a soft little hum rumbled in his chest. Jackson shook his head, a dimple appearing in his cheek as he looked down at him.

“He gets that from you,” he murmured, his eyes warm with affection. And he was right. Elijah, at three, was my mirror image in every way, while Josie had inherited every ounce of Jackson’s stubbornness and charm.

“Okay,” Elijah said at last, though the pout still tugged at his lips as he looked up at his father.

“That’s my boy.” Jackson ruffled his hair gently. “Go wait for Daddy in the lounge, alright? I need to talk to Mummy first. Then we’ll make popcorn and watch the movie, okay?”

Elijah’s face brightened instantly. “Okay, Daddy,” he said and hurried down the hall, Ollie trotting faithfully after him. Jackson stayed in the doorway for a moment, smiling as he watched them disappear. But the second he shut the door and slid the lock into place, the warmth in the room shifted, and my heartbeat thudded against my ribs.

“Evie,” he said softly, his voice rough around the edges. The fading sunset spilled through the open curtains behind me, painting streaks of gold across his face.

“Jackson,” I whispered back, swallowing hard as he crossed the room toward me.

Even after all these years, he still unraveled me effortlessly. He could still make my pulse stutter with a single look. If anything, time had only deepened what existed between us. We had learned each other completely—how to be patient on the difficult days, how to carry the weight when the other couldn’t. I’d taken up writing to quiet my mind in the evenings, while Jackson had found solace in painting. Now pieces of him filled our home, sweeping landscapes, portraits, fragments of our life on the homestead captured in brushstrokes and colour. Little reminders of the life we’d built together.

“I missed you,” he murmured, and warmth bloomed low in my chest. No matter how many years passed, I never grew tired of hearing those words from him. I guess some part of me will always be that naïve teenager, crushing hard on her brother’s best friend. Jackson gently pulled me to my feet, his hands steady on my hips as he searched my face. The tips of his ears flushed pink, and I couldn’t help giggling at the sight.

“We had dinner together less than an hour ago.”

“You know I hate being away from you too long.”

His arms slipped around my waist while mine glided up his chest and looped around his neck. I sighed softly when he subtly lifted me against him, easing the ache in my lower back and taking the weight off my swollen stomach for a moment. “I missed you too,” I admitted quietly. “But I’m nearly finished with the third draft.”

“Yeah?” His mouth curved into a teasing grin. “My little writer,” he crooned, and heat crept into my cheeks at the nickname. “I’m proud of you, Evie,” he added softly, and before I could respond, he leaned closer, brushing his nose against mine. “Wait till the kids get settled tonight,” he murmured, his voice low enough to send a shiver through me. “I wanna take you somewhere.”

I blinked up at him. “Somewhere?”

He nodded, a boyish sort of excitement flickering across his face. “Peter said he’d stay here and watch the kids for a bit.”

My brows lifted in surprise. “Peter volunteered to babysit?”

Jackson huffed a laugh. “Wouldn’t go that far. He said, and I quote, ‘You two are painful to be around when you haven’t had alone time.’” I laughed and pressed closer to him.

“So?” Jackson asked softly, rubbing slow circles against my waist. “Come with me tonight?”

My heart fluttered helplessly. “Do you even have to ask?”

“Always,” he murmured before finally closing the distance between us, and I melted into the kiss instantly, knowing exactly how he felt. We could never get enough of each other. I wanted to be around him all the time. He was my best friend, an incredible father, and a loving husband. Just thinking about when we’re old and grey, and one of us eventually leaves this world…is a form of torture Wayne could only dream of. I have loved Jackson for twenty-eight years of my life and will continue to love him long after I'm gone. The stars were aligned when we kissed that first night, writing our future above us as the universe guided them. He was the other half of my heart, and I still couldn’t believe we got to spend the rest of our lives together.

Jackson

Evie walked beside me down the narrow sandy track that led to the private stretch of beach tucked behind our property. The moonlight silvered the shoreline ahead, waves rolling gently against the sand while the warm night breeze carried the scent of salt through the trees.

Her hand rested in mine and my thumb brushed back and forth over her wedding ring absentmindedly, tracing the familiar curve of the band while she leaned into my side as we walked. Every now and then, her dress fluttered around her ankles in the breeze, and I caught myself staring at her the same way I had when we were teenagers.

Completely gone for her.

She noticed my gaze and smiled sleepily up at me. “What?”

“Nothin’,” I murmured, squeezing her hand gently.

But it wasn’t nothing—I didn’t think it ever would be.

When we finally reached the shore, I unfolded the blanket I’d tucked beneath my arm and spread it carefully across the sand before turning back toward her. “C’mere,” I said softly, guiding her down. I kept one hand on her waist while she lowered herself slowly, protective without even thinking about it. She laughed quietly under her breath as I settled beside her, stretching my legs out while she curled instinctively against my side, resting her head on my shoulder.

Ten years ago, I nearly lost her forever.