Page 136 of Until the Day You're Mine

“I love you.” Rian whispers and kisses Ty’s temple.

“I love you, too. And just so you know, I've always been yours.” Ty looks up, from where he’s been comfortably snuggled in Rian’s arms, kissing his siren gently.

“I know.” Rian grins against his lips. Without breaking their kiss, he murmurs, “Happy Birthday, my beloved.”

EPILOGUE

Ty & Ri

FIVE YEARS LATER…

“Papa, are my Sebastian and my Cynthia in heaven?”

Bran’s been asking that a lot ever since Samuel Mori-Ikeda gifted them the gorgeous oil painting depicting Cynthia, Sebastian, his father Tom, and Bran. It is a lovely piece of art with the composition fitting as Sebastian, Cynthia and Sebastian’s father, Tom, are together, smiling at Bran, who is portrayed as a young child playing in the grass, looking up at them. Cyril is by his side watching over him, his arms like rays of light, caressing his curls. Bran is in the middle and to the left are Ty and Rian, waving, beckoning him to come for a hug.

Ty’s eyes linger on Sebastian’s face, then on Cyril’s. His heart painfully constricts, thinking of the love that never got to be. But he takes this regret and vows to never allow it to become his reality – he will love his siren always and forever. He will fight for the life they have built together.

Ty will never again hold back his affection and admiration, or his words of affirmation and love for Rian. Their life has been filled with unexpected twists and turns, and although they have found their happily ever after, he won’t let complacency taint the emotions between them.

“Yes, buddy, they are. Watching over you every day, together with Uncle Cyril.”

“Do you think they know I’m going to be a big brother soon?”

“Oh yes, I’m positive.” Ty bites his lip.

Fuck, this kid is going to make me cry.

Bran puts his storybook away and gives Ty such a serious look, it grips at his heart.

“Will they watch over my new baby sister, too?” He chews on his chubby cheeks while Ty tries not to cry his eyes out at how sweet his little boy is. “I will be a good big brother, I promise. But…I want them to love her too. Maybe…maybe we can ask Mr. Sammy to add her to the picture?”

And there they are, the freaking treacherous tears. Ty quickly wipes them with the back of his hand and gives his son a kiss on the forehead. “Of course, sweetheart. I’m sure he would be happy to.”

Sammy and his husband, Logan, have been instrumental in their journey through fostering and adoption. They’ve spent so many hours sharing their own experience with becoming legal guardians and then parents. It has been amazing to suddenly have this community of people who are there to support Rian and Ty every step of the way.

Ever since George and Danika encouraged them to get in touch with the couple from Saratoga Springs, they have become fast friends and their support has been nothing but overwhelming.

Sammy had somehow pulled off this fantastic surprise, of course with the help of Danika and Stephanie. During the unveiling, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Everyone was touched by how beautifully Sammy had captured the sentiment Ty and Rian have for their loved ones who are no longer with them.

Ty looks at the gorgeous painting once more and thinks to himself,it was all worth it.All that pain, all that loneliness, the bitter journey of his life bringing him to his knees time and time again, only to finally arrive right where he was supposed to be all along – in the loving arms of Rian.

He swallows the lump in his throat and wipes the last of his tears as he tugs Bran in for a hug. He flicks the light switch on the cute little bedside lamp in the shape of Superman taking off in flight and kisses his curls in the dark.

“Goodnight, my love.”

“Goodnight, Papa.”

Bran snuggles in closer, but in typical fashion doesn’t go down without a few more questions, desperately trying to fight sleep.

“Papa, what are boogers made of?” his little sleepy voice murmurs in the dark bedroom.

Ty chuckles. This little guy is trying to get him to laugh so they can break the routine and he can stay up a little bit longer. “Shhh, Bran, it’s sleepy time, okay, buddy? You need to give that big brain a break. We’ll figure it out tomorrow.”

But before Ty could finish his sentence, Brandon has already drifted into a deep sleep, snoring softly, still clutching at his fluffy sherpa blanket decorated with Superhero characters.

Ty wants to chuckle but holds it together. Their little man is so smart, and his growing brain is keeping him busy and restless all day. Try as he might, he can’t help but succumb to sleep after one too many adventures had worn him down.

He can’t resist and leans in to kiss his forehead one last time, cringing slightly when the bed creaks a tiny bit, and Bran shifts his body weight just a fraction, leaning into him. He counts to ten to make sure Bran won’t wake up again and then leaves the room quietly.

---