Page 77 of It's Only Ever Been You

“Ethan,” Emma says softly, her voice steady despite the shimmer of emotion in her eyes. “From the moment you stood up for me on that playground when we were kids, you became my safe place, my protector, and my best friend. Through every twist and turn, every heartbreak and triumph, you’ve been my constant. I didn’t believe in fate before you, but now I can’t imagine my life without it, because fate brought me to you. You’re not just the love of my life—you’re my home, my beginning, and my forever. I promise to choose you, every day, in every way, for the rest of my life.”

The Minister turns to me with a gentle smile. “Ethan, your vows?” he prompts, his voice breaking through the emotional haze. I nod, taking a steadying breath as I meet Emma’s gaze, the weight of the moment settling over me.

My throat tightens, and it takes me a moment to find my voice as I look into her eyes. “Emma,” I begin, my voice rough but full of conviction. “You’ve always been the strongest person I know, and you’ve taught me what it means to love without fear, without hesitation. You saw me—the real me—before I even knew who I was. You’ve been my anchor when I was lost, my light when things were dark. I promise to stand beside you, to fight for you, to laugh with you, and to never stop holding your hand through all of life’s ups and downs.You’re my everything, and I’ll spend the rest of my days proving just how lucky I am to be yours.”

The Minister’s voice brings us back to the moment, guiding us to exchange rings. As I slide the band onto Emma’s finger, my hands are steady, my heart full. And when she places my ring on my finger, her hands trembling slightly, I know this moment will be etched in my memory forever.

“You may now kiss your bride,” the officiant announces, and I don’t hesitate. I pull Emma close, our lips meeting in a kiss that feels like a promise and a beginning all at once. The cheers of our friends and family fade into the background as I hold her, knowing we’ve just stepped into forever—together.

Another Year Later

Life with Emma is a series of moments that feel like tiny miracles—her laugh echoing through the house, the way she leans into me as we cook dinner, her head on my shoulder during lazy evenings on the couch. It’s the simple things that ground me, that make everything else fade into the background. Tonight feels no different, the hum of the TV filling the quiet as we sit together. But when I glance at her and notice the nervous energy in her movements, I realize this moment is about to change everything.

Emma shifts slightly, her legs draped over mine as we sit on the couch, the quiet hum of the TV fillingthe space between us. She’s holding something in her hands, her fingers fidgeting nervously. I glance down, noticing the faint tremble in her grip.

“Ethan,” she says softly, her voice unsteady but filled with something I can’t quite place. “I need to tell you something.”

I straighten, my heart skipping a beat at the seriousness in her tone. “What is it?” I ask, my eyes searching hers.

She takes a deep breath, then holds out the small white stick in her hand. For a moment, my brain struggles to catch up, but then the realization hits me like a freight train. “Wait… are you—?”

Her eyes brim with tears as she nods, her lips curving into a shaky smile. “I’m pregnant.”

The world seems to tilt for a second before righting itself, and suddenly, everything feels brighter, sharper. “You’re… we’re…” I can’t seem to find the words, so I do the only thing that makes sense—I pull her into my arms, holding her tightly as my chest fills with something too big to contain.

“We’re having a baby,” I whisper, the words feeling surreal and grounding all at once. “Em, we’re going to be parents.”

She laughs through her tears, burying her face against my neck. “I’m terrified,” she admits, her voice muffled.

“Me too,” I confess, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. “But we’ll figure it out. Together.”

Her hand rests on her stomach, and I place mine over hers, the weight of this moment settling over us. It’s not just the two of us anymore—it’s the three of us. And for the first time in my life, the future feels more exciting than anything I could have imagined.

Epilogue Two

Life is Perfect

Emma

6 Years Later

The smell of pancakes drifts through the house, rich and warm, mingling with the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Sunlight streams through the kitchen windows, dappling the countertops and casting a soft golden glow over the scene. Ethan stands at the stove, his hair slightly tousled, wearing a pair of grey sweats, thank god those were created, and a soft T-shirt that clings to his broad shoulders.

“Daddy, more chocolate chips!” a small voice demands, her tone laced with the same kind of stubbornness I see in Ethan when he’s set on something.

Our three-year-old daughter, Ava, is perched on the counter beside him, wielding a wooden spoon like a sword. She has flour smudged on her cheek, her curls are a wild halo around her face, and she looks so much like Ethan it’s almost ridiculous.

Ethan chuckles, shaking his head. “More chocolate chips, huh? You sure? I think we’ve already used enough to make a bakery jealous.”

“More!” Ava insists, clapping her hands together and causing a small puff of flour to rise like smoke.

“Alright, alright,” he concedes, grabbing the bag and sprinkling in an exaggerated handful. “But if Mommy gets mad, I’m blaming you.”

I lean against the doorway, a steaming mug of coffee in my hands, watching the scene unfold. “You’re blaming a three-year-old? Really? That’s low, even for you.”

Ethan glances back at me, his grin wide and unrepentant. “It’s called teamwork.”

“Uh-huh,” I reply, stepping into the kitchen and setting my mug on the counter. “Where’s Max?”

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