It snaps me out of my stupor, forcing me to react. My forehead lowers to hers. “Yeah, Elle,” I finally manage, “I’m happy. Really happy.”

Another sob escapes her, this one pure and unfiltered, cutting through every layer of my being.

I cover her trembling lips with mine, inhaling every broken breath and claiming them as my own.

The taste of her explodes through me like dynamite, consuming everything in its path.

It’s everything I’ve longed for, everything I feared losing, and now, it’s everything I seize, refusing to ever let it go.

“I missed you so much,” she cries, those words breathing life back into my dead heart.

“Me too, baby,” I groan, my voice raw with the remembered pain of that night. “Don’t ever fucking leave me like that again.”

“Never,” she promises.

Driven by an unstoppable force, I lift her off her feet. Her legs wrap around my waist, her body clinging to mine as I carry her up to my apartment.

We stumble into the bedroom, shedding our clothes in a rush of urgency, both of us desperate to bridge the gap that kept us apart the last few days.

Once I have her stripped bare, I gently lower her onto the bed, pressing a kiss to the flat surface of her stomach, taking a moment to cherish the baby growing inside her—a life we created together. One that bound us in the way we were always meant to be.

Her fingers thread through my hair, breath echoing mine as she shares in the moment with me.

Then, without wasting another second, I enter her in one powerful thrust, shifting the entire fucking world on its axis.

A sharp breath parts her lips, her body arching beneath mine, pulling me in deeper.

“My Ellie,” I groan, her name nothing but a harsh rasp. “My always and forever.”

Her arms hug me closer. “I love you so much.”

The words are more than just a soft brush against my skin; they’re a powerful force, resonating with every thrust and breath she allows me to take.

I absorb each one, letting them fill the void that was left in her absence. It builds our rhythm, driving us in a race toward the inevitable.

My jaw tightens as I struggle to hold back. “You with me?”

Her eyes flash the answer before she speaks, her hand moving to my face. “I’m with you. Always.”

It’s the tipping point that pushes me over the edge.

A guttural groan shreds my throat, merging with her cry of pleasure.

I bury my face in the soft curve of her neck, surrendering to the connection that’s been there from the moment we met, even when I was too young to understand it.

Afterward, I draw her into me, her back flush against my chest, our fingers instinctively intertwining over her soft stomach. Bear eventually saunters in, hopping up onto the bed and curling up by Elle’s feet, taking what has become his usual spot.

A deep sense of peace washes over me, my entire world finally clicking into place, knowing we’re together again, just as it should be.

“I have a theory,” she begins quietly, breaking the silence minutes later. “About our kiss at Heart Mountain and why you felt differently that night and I didn’t.”

“Oh yeah?” I murmur, my voice a blend of curiosity and contentment. “And what theory is that?”

She turns in my arms to face me, her smile illuminating the darkness of my room. “I didn’t feel any differently that night because I was already in love with you.”

That response has a slow grin spreading across my face. “That’s a great fucking theory, baby.”

A sweet giggle escapes her before it transforms into a proud smile. “Thank you. I thought so too.” Her eyes hold mine, amusement fading as she moves her hand to my jaw. “I’m sorry I left you that night,” she whispers. “I wasn’t thinking. I thought you knew I’d come back.”

Acid burns my throat at the reminder, but I swallow it back. “I can take a lot of shit, Elle. You can rage at me, scream at me, but don’t ever walk out on me,” I tell her, giving my only stipulation. “You want space? I’ll give it to you. I will leave, but not you. Never you. Okay?”

She nods, her expression soft and sincere. “I promise.”

Content with that, I grab her hand off the side of my face and press a kiss to her palm.

Another smile claims her lips, this one mischievous as she lifts her pinky. “Best friends forever?”

Smirking, I lock my finger with hers. “Forever and always.”

We seal that pact with a kiss, one that radiates the unbreakable bond between us. Afterward, I pull her in close, reveling in the warmth of her body against mine.

“We’re going to be the best parents, Gunnar,” she whispers, her breath skimming my chest.

“Yeah. We are.”

There’s no fear in my statement, only the undeniable truth. Elle and I have always faced this world head-on, weathering every storm together. Yet, as I hold her in my arms, I have no doubt that this moment is truly just the start of our forever.

Ellie

Thirteen Years Later

The afternoon sun peeks through the clouds, warming my skin as I step out of the flower shop, locking the door behind me. The lingering fragrance of fresh blooms mingles with the earthy scent left behind by the brief sun shower we had earlier.

“Ready?” I ask, glancing down at the little girl beside me.

Her gapped-tooth grin lights up her face as she cradles the fresh arrangement in her arms, a gift for her dad.

“Ready,” she chirps, her excitement palpable.

Taking her small hand in mine, we set off down Main Street, our steps in sync with the heartbeat of our quaint town.

We wave to Mr. Buford as we pass by his candy store, his warm smile and gentle greeting a comforting routine. Further down, we spot Hollis through the open door of the Christmas store and wave to her as well.

“Look, Mommy, a rainbow!” Millie points at the faint stream of colors arching over Passion Falls’ most beautiful landmark. “Heart Mountain looks even more magical,” she whispers, a note of wistfulness in her voice.

“It sure does,” I agree, feeling a familiar tug at my heart.