One year had passed since Jake and I got back together. In the beginning, we faced a lot of troubles and hassles while trying to adapt to everything that happened, and not so many people were ecstatic about our relationship. Our families were an example. But eventually, they all realized that we were meant to be together, and they supported our decision.

We moved together after a short time and we were happy; happier than we would have ever been. Life has been very generous to us by giving us a second chance, and we weren't planning to waste it.

Eric and Alice got married a short time ago, and being Alice's maid of honor made me help her with everything related to the wedding. I was really happy for both of them, but also, that made me wonder when Jake and I would decide to take the next step in our relationship.

I continued to work at the museum and I got used to giving free art lessons to children whenever I had the chance. Jake was also busy most of the time, but whenever we were together, we made every second count.

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I was giving an art lesson to a group of children while Jake was at work.

"Art is not what you see but what you make others see," I said. "Can anybody tell me whose words am I quoting?"

A little girl raised her hands slowly, "Um... Edgar Degas?" she replied, sounding a little doubtful.

"Correct," I smiled. "Art is one of the most essentials in this world. It's one of the things that make this world more beautiful. Make us feel alive."

They all smiled, looking at the colors, and the sketchbooks in their hands. I gave them another warm smile. "There's an artist inside each and every one of you. You just have to give your imagination a chance. And someday, I'm sure you all will be creating masterpieces."

They all smiled confidently, and I was about to say something else when I noticed someone leaning on the door of the class with a smile on his face.

I smiled before I turned back to the children. "Okay, kids. Our lesson for today is over. I want you to let your imagination shine and draw the first thing that pops into your head, then show it to me the next time we meet."

They all smiled happily and thanked me before they hurried outside of the class.

"So, you finished work early today?" I spoke up once all of the kids were out of the class.

"Yeah, and I thought we could spend the rest of the day together," he replied.

"Great. We can go home, order some pizza, and watch a movie while cuddling," I suggested.

"Actually, I was having something else in my mind," Jake told me. "How about going to the Empire State Building?"

"The Empire State? Now?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Yeah, don't you miss the view?" he asked. "It's almost dusk, we can enjoy the view of sunset there." He was now giving me his puppy eyes; a technique that never failed in persuading me.

"Fine." I sighed, rolling my eyes. "I don't think it's a bad idea." I shrugged.

"Trust me, it's not." He gave me a wide grin, I chuckled at his enthusiasm, then we left together to the Empire State Building.

We arrived at the Empire State Building after a short time of driving and made our way to the last floor. The place was a witness to a beautiful memory that both of us could never forget; our first kiss.

I watched in awe as the sky started to turn into a mixture of red, blue, yellow, and orange, then the sun started to fade slowly behind New York's skyscrapers.

"This is so beautiful," I said, not being able to take my eyes off the breathtaking view.

"I know," Jake said, not looking at the sun but looking at me with so much intensity. "But actually, the view is not why I brought you here."

I looked at him, confusedly. He smiled before he continued. "This place witnessed one of our best memories, and I figured out that it would be the perfect place to do this."

"Do what?" I asked him with a raised eyebrow.

He smiled before he took a small velvet box out of his pocket, then he got down on one knee. He opened the box which had an elegant diamond ring inside of it.

I gasped and clasped a hand over my mouth, not believing what was happening.

"I love you, Emma Lawrence, and I will be the happiest man on earth if you agreed to spend the rest of your life with me," Jake said, looking up at me. "Emma, will you marry me?"

My eyes were full of tears, and I was still in shock, but I looked him in the eye and gave him the most genuine smile. "Yes! Yes, of course, I will marry you."

His smile grew as he placed the ring on my ring finger, then he got back on his feet, giving me the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. Then he crashed his lips on mine as the darkness started to invade every little corner of the sky; making the moon and the stars shine alongside all of the city's lights that made New York the magnificent city it was.

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"Okay, this's the last thing," Alice said as she helped me with the veil. "You couldn't look more beautiful."

"Thanks, Al." I smiled at her before I looked at my mother who was having a hard time pushing away the tears that were filling her eyes.

I smiled and walked toward her. I pulled her into a tight hug. She hugged me back before she whispered into my ear. "You look so beautiful, my dear. Congratulations, Em."

"Thanks, Mom." I smiled.

Eric opened the door and walked in. "Hey guys, it's time," he said, and his eyes widened when he noticed me in my white dress. "Whoah, you look gorgeous, Sis."

I hugged him. "Thanks, Eric."

"Dad is waiting outside," he said. "Are you ready?"

"I guess." I shrugged, nervously before I walked outside of the door. I found my father waiting for me.

He gasped when he saw me and smiled. "Oh God, you look beautiful, Love." He placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Thank you, Dad." I smiled at him, then he took my hand, and we started walking arm in arm.

Every eye turned to be on me as I started walking with my father down the aisle. I was thankful that he was by my side because without him, I thought I would have fainted. The guests smiled at me as I continued to walk, then I saw him up ahead, the love of my life, and my soon-to-be husband. He was standing next to the minister with his eyes on me and I thought they were filled with tears. At the end of the aisle, my father hugged me before he presented me to my groom. After that, Jake and I stood in front of the minister.

"Dearly beloved," the minister began. "We are gathered here this evening to witness this man and woman as they join together in holy matrimony."

Then, he said his speech, and we said our vows. After that, he smiled before the minister said. "Do you promise to love, comfort, and honor each other for the rest of your lives?"

"I do," we both said in unison with a smile.

The minister said. "Then, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Jake smiled before he leaned in, kissing me as he has never done it before. Everyone cheered for us; however, I barely noticed because my full attention rested on my husband.

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Five years later:

I was sleeping next to Jake when I heard a soft knock on the door. I rose from the bed and walked to open the door. I found my four years old daughter, Hope, standing outside of the room; holding her teddy bear with eyes full of tears.

"What's wrong, baby?" I asked as I kneeled down on the floor and hugged her.

"I had a bad dream," she sobbed. "Mommy, can you please come with me to my room, and help me get back to sleep."

"Yes, of course, sweety." I smiled at her. I walked with her to her room and helped her to bed by suiting her under the covers, then I joined her in bed, and kissed her forehead. She adorably smiled at me and hugged her teddy bear more tightly.

I remembered the day she was born, and the first time I held her in my arms, that was the most precious moment in my entire life. Jake and I chose the name Hope because having hope was the only thing that helped us find our way back to each other and what made us never give up on our love.

"Mommy?" she muttered. "Can you tell me a story, please?"

I chuckled. "Okay, what do you want to hear?"

"I want to hear something that you haven't told me before," she replied, getting excited.

I paused for a little bit, then I smiled at her. "Fine, I'm going to tell you a new story."

"Really?" she asked as her eyes lit up.

"Yeah," I answered with a smile. "I'm going to tell you a story that started with a heist."

She listened to every part of the story with excitement until her little eyes became heavy, and she fell asleep. Someday, I would have to tell her everything that Jake and I went through, and that every part of that story was real.

I placed a kiss on her forehead before I left the room and headed toward the master bedroom. I found Jake sleeping deeply, his chest rising with every steady breath. I smiled and crawled next to him in bed.

We went through a lot together, but our love was stronger than everything, and the bond that was between us couldn't be broken by all the obstacles we had to face.

I smiled as I remembered the first time I met Jake on top of the Metropolitan Museum after that heist. I have regretted doing a lot of things in my life, but I couldn't really regret pulling off that particular heist. Because if he hadn't found me on the roof that day, I wouldn't have been living this perfect life now; the life and journey that I shared with my better half.

After all, everything started with a heist.