Epilogue
Last chapter
Forever Starts Here
The house was quiet except for the soft hum of morning light streaming through the windows. A small pair of tiny feet padded across the wooden floor, followed by soft giggles.
Jay watched from the doorway, heart swelling, as little Harper toddled toward her with arms stretched wide. "Mama!" the child squealed, wrapping herself around Jay's legs.
"Hey, you," Jay smiled, bending down to scoop her daughter up. Harper's warm laughter filled the room - the kind of pure joy that makes every hard step worth it.
It had been years since those uncertain days back in university, back when love was tentative and fragile, full of questions and quiet promises. Now, here in their cozy home filled with memories, every chapter felt like a triumph.
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Telling the Parents (Flashback)
The memory of that day came rushing back vividly - the day Jay and Keifer finally told their parents they were together.
Jay's hands had trembled as she sat beside her mother in the living room, Keifer close by. Her parents were quiet at first, absorbing the news.
Her mother's eyes softened as she reached for Jay's hand. "We want you to be happy," she said simply, a hint of relief in her voice. "As long as he treats you right."
Keifer's parents were a bit more reserved but warm. His father's rare smile cracked through his stoic expression. "You've got our blessing, son," he said.
It was the first real moment they felt like a family - not just two kids caught between fear and hope, but a united front ready to face whatever came next.
The Wedding
Jay smiled as she adjusted the delicate pearl earrings in the mirror. The day had finally come. The sun poured through the chapel's stained glass, casting rainbow light over the faces of their closest friends and family.
Fatima was bawling quietly, Yuri trying and failing to hold back tears, while Angelo and Aries exchanged knowing looks from the front row.
Keifer looked nervous but happy, his eyes lighting up the moment she walked down the aisle.
"I choose you," he said softly during their vows. "Not because it's easy, but because you make me want to be better. Because every day with you feels like home."
Jay's voice trembled with emotion as she replied, "I choose you, even when we're not perfect. Even when we stumble. Because with you, I'm never alone."
Their kiss sealed a promise not just of love, but of partnership - a journey they would take together forever.
Building a Life
The years that followed were filled with the ordinary and extraordinary - late-night talks about dreams, quiet mornings sharing coffee, challenges faced hand-in-hand.
They moved into their first home, painted walls together, filled rooms with laughter and music. Jay pursued her writing career, Keifer built his own business, and through it all, they supported each other's growth.
The sleepless nights came when Harper was born, her tiny fingers clutching theirs as they whispered promises to keep her safe, to love her endlessly.
Jay often thought about how far they'd come - from secret glances in crowded halls to this beautiful, chaotic family life.
A Quiet Moment
One evening, after Harper had fallen asleep, Jay and Keifer sat on their porch swing, hands entwined.
"Do you remember that first rose you gave me?" Jay asked softly.
Keifer smiled, pulling her closer. "How could I forget?"
"That rose was the start of everything," she said, eyes shining. "All the mess, the laughter, the pain - it was worth it."
Keifer kissed her forehead. "Because it led me to you."
They sat in peaceful silence, the stars beginning to twinkle above - a reminder that some stories don't just end; they grow, blooming into forever.
Looking Forward
Harper's laughter echoed from inside, and Jay smiled as she stood.
"We've come so far," she whispered, "and there's still so much ahead."
With Keifer by her side and their little girl lighting the way, Jay knew one thing for sure: whatever the future held, their hearts would face it together.
Forever.
THE END
BOUNDED BY HEARTS