3 YEARS LATER.

ERICA'S POV.

"You look beautiful!" I twirled Elizabeth around, her long white wedding gown moving with her.

"Really?" She looked at me like a lost puppy, I could tell she was nervous. She bit her lower lip, turning towards the mirror again, "Of course you do! I bet Ron won't be able to take his eyes off you!" I smiled at her, she blushed profusely. I could hear wild shrieks of laughter from the kids as they ran up and down the hallway, clearly amused by their doings.

It has been three years since I've been married to Xavier and many things have changed around here. The business has finally stabilized and the Manhattan's are on the top again. Elizabeth is finally marrying Ron next month after dating him for two years. Mom's got a new boyfriend, his name is Philip and trust me, he is a gem! He's not my real father but he loves me like a real daughter and I love him too. Alisha is married now to Xavier's cousin Luke. He met her in a party which we hosted after our marriage for our close family. When I first thought of them dating I wasn't quite comfortable with the thought, but Xavier assured me that Luke is a really good guy and with the passage of time, I realized that too. Things are pretty much in line for me for each day my love for Xavier increases. We do fight, but it makes our love stronger, deeper.

"Eri, do you think Ron would like this dress? My makeup and everything?" Liz asked me, biting her lip. I hated this pet name, but after so many years, I choose to ignore it. "For the hundredth time Liz, yes! He would love you in this dress. Or even out of it," I winked at her and she slapped my arm. "Behave!"

"Ouch! That's the truth and you know it." She slapped my arm again and I glared at her, "Totally deserved it." She laughed. "Now when are Alisha and Olivia coming?"

"They should be here next week." Both of them are flying here, Olivia from New Jersey and Alisha from Singapore with Luke. I was about to hand Elizabeth her clothes when suddenly the door flung open, revealing a little angel dressed in a long light pink gown, running towards me. She had big brown eyes blessed with long eyelashes, her lips were a shade of dark pink, and her tiny nose suited her small face.

"Mommy!" My daughter, my little Sapphire hugged my legs. I bent down and scooped her into my arms lovingly.

"Hey princess, didn't I tell you not to run? You could fall and get hurt." I scolded her, but I knew it was not necessary. Sapphire, for her age, is way too mature. She can tell when something is good for her and when something is not. Her friends are numbered, thank God for that. She never throws tantrums, unlike her father, and is gorgeous for a 3-year-old child.

"Yes, mommy." She twirled her long brown hair around her tiny finger, ignoring any kind of eye contact with me.

"Why were you running bub?" I asked her softly removing the bangs of hair from her head. Before she could answer, the door flung open again, revealing a panting pair of two, big kids. Xavier and Conner.

"Dude, your kid is fast, real fast." Conner laughed as he entered the room and plopped down on the couch. Sapphire giggled.

"What is going on?" I asked both of them bewildered. "And you," I pointed my finger at Xavier, "You are not supposed to behave like this! What will Sapphire learn?" I scolded him, and he just chuckled.

"Oh come on love, Saph comes to daddy." He opened his arms and Sapphire happily jumped into them.

"Daddy jumping!" Sapphire giggled and closed her mouth with her tiny hands in an attempt to stop herself from giggling.

"Jumping?" Elizabeth asked him, her arms crossed over his chest, "What do you exactly mean by that bub?" She glared at Xavier and then at Conner.

"Hey, I'm not even involved." Conner held his arms up in surrender.

"Then explain the running," I raised my eyebrow at him, and he simply shrugged, "Ask your prince charming, it was his idea."

Before I could turn around, the door flew open for the third time revealing my brunette sister.

"Erica!" She lunged at me and hugged me tightly, "Hey, Soph!" I laughed and hugged her back. I saw Sapphire's shocked expression as she whispered something in Xavier's ear which made him laugh. "No bub, she won't crush your mommy." Xavier kissed her forehead and she nodded, clearly not believing her father.

"How are you? And look at you! You've lost weight! Again in that Victoria Secret figure Eri! How do you do that?" Sophia twirled me around.

"Nothing, just the proper diet," I told her while regaining my balance.

"Let me tell you that diet sucks. It's like third-degree torture." Said Xavier, "And I had to follow it as well!"

"No, it was not!" I looked at him with my mouth open, oats are tasty and healthy. But this big kid here clearly hates oats.

"It definitely is not something to eat." Conner who was sitting on the couch, said, "Who eats that shit anymore?"

"Everybody." Sophia snapped.

I saw her eyes go wide with realization and she quickly covered it up, "I mean everybody eats them, every figure conscious and health conscious person. I'm with you on this Erica, let them say otherwise." She tried to smile but I could tell she wasn't comfortable anymore. "Hey Xavier, could you take Sapphire to the kitchen? She hasn't eaten anything since morning, I'll be there in a few."

Xavier gave me a knowing look and walked out with Sapphire in her arms. Elizabeth nodded and gathered her clothes, "I'll just change in the other room." She muttered and walked out. I turned around to see Conner looking here and there nervously and Sophia doing the same thing.

"Guys, it's been more than four years, don't you think you should solve things between yourselves? I mean you cannot go ahead with your life by just ignoring each other for the rest of your life."

"There is nothing to talk about Erica." Sophia crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me.

"Actually, there is," Conner slowly got up from the couch and walked towards us, "I want to apologize to you, Sophia. I know I was a fuck up and I know I threatened you. I screwed up and I'm sorry. I was young and I thought every girl wanted my money, including you because it was the truth, I never found love like Xavier did, all I got were one night stands. That time was the start of my career and I didn't want to take any chances. I'm sorry for not taking care of you, I'm sorry for leaving you when you needed me. I'm sorry for so many things. I'm just sorry." Sophia didn't speak, tears were running down her face as she clutched onto her purse tightly. The door slowly opened, revealing a small and very beautiful girl, Serenity.

"Mommy, phone?" She asked Sophia for her phone. Sophia wiped away her tears and turned to face her, "Of course." She smiled and opened her purse.

"Is she...." Conner looked at me in shock and I knew what he was thinking. "Yes, this is my niece, Serenity," I smiled at Serenity who looked at me confused.

"Mommy?" Serenity held onto her mother's arm when she saw her cry and that's when I saw the resemblance between her and Conner. Both had piercing blue eyes, and high cheekbones. Serenity was so much like Conner and so little like Sophia.

"Oh don't worry! Just remembering good old days with aunt Erica." She smiled at her daughter who only nodded.

"Who is he mommy?" She pointed at Conner, "Another old friend?"

"Uh-yeah, old friend." Sophia lied.

"I'm Serenity." She held out her hand for Conner to shake. She smiled and showed her dimples, same as Conner. Conner looked shocked, hurt and confused at the same time.

"Hi," He whispered out, taking her little hand in his large one and lightly shaking it, "I'm Conner. Your mother's old friend." She gave him a goofy grin and in return Conner managed a smile. I wondered how hard it would be for him, to watch his own daughter introducing herself like someone would introduce themselves to a stranger. It would never be easy for a daughter to know, her father, whom she learned to love and adore, is not her real father. Serenity may be his real daughter, but I guess this secret is better if it's kept.

"Here's the phone bub." She smiled as she handed her phone to her daughter before she hopped out of the room.

"Wow," Conner breathed, "She looks like me."

"Yes, she does. A lot." Sophia nodded, looking nowhere in particular.

"I'm sorry Sophia, I truly am. I don't know how to apologize to you but, it's hard for me too because she's in front of me and I know she's my daughter, but I can't tell her because I'm not the one who she'll look up to anymore. I'm sorry."

Sophia sighed, "Its okay Conner."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Thanks, Sophia you don't know ho-"

"I said its okay, I know it's hard for you too, but just promise me you won't ever tell her the truth. I don't want her to know that you're her father, things will fall apart."

"I promise, I don't want your family to fall apart."

"Thanks." She smiled, automatically making me smile.

"So!" I clapped my hands together, "Finally with everything sorted out, let's get going. I'm starving!"

"I'm so excited Eri! I got my hair smoothed especially for this wedding! Oh, and I bought you guys gifts!" She giggled like a teenager. No matter how old she gets, she still has that teenage spark in her, and I envy her for that.

"Really? Like I'm here. I'm still here. Would you stop these girly conversations? They make me sick." Conner made a funny face making both of us laugh. We walked out of the room, towards the living area. Xavier was sitting on the couch, Sapphire was in his arms, now asleep. I smiled and made my way toward them.

"Hey, babe," Xavier smiled and wrapped an arm around me whilst keeping one around Sapphire.

"You look tired." I caressed his cheeks with my hand. His eyes were red and tired, matching his face.

"Baby you need sleep," I whispered. He shook his head and kissed my forehead. "Not until I tuck you and Sapphire in."

It was like a tradition but more of a habit. He would not go to sleep until and unless he tucked both of us in our beds. I tried to talk him out of it because it became difficult to him most of the time. But he assured me that it was fine and that he loved doing it.

"I love you, Xavier," I looked into his brown eyes, as deep as the jungle.

"I love myself too Erica," He chuckled. I gasped and hit his chest making sure I didn't disturb Sapphire, "You're so mean!" I pouted showing him my annoyance. But seeing this as an invitation, Xavier leaned down and kissed my lips. The kiss was short and fast, leaving a lingering feeling. Sapphire stirred in her sleep and snuggled closer to Xavier. I looked at her in awe, her closed eyes made her eyelashes kiss her pink cheeks. "She's so beautiful," I whispered.

"I know, she inherited it from her mother," Xavier smiled at me, his eyes looked at me with so much love, it made my heartbeat quicken. A blush crept onto my cheeks. "Erica, I've decided what to do with the plot." I looked at him, waiting for him to continue, and so he did, "I've decided we'll leave it as it is. I'll take Sapphire there for a walk like your father did. It'll be our little family place. I hope it'll do justice with Mr. Charles."

I nodded, after Mr. Ricardo Charles passed away last month, we were shocked to learn he left the plot for us along with his will, requesting us to do what we felt was best. We knew he loved that beach house, where he spent his days with his love before she died. We thought a lot about what could be done with the plot, but could not come up with something good, until now.

"I think it's perfect." I leaned in and kept my head on his chest, moving closer to him, "Mr. Charles would love it." Xavier nodded.

Elizabeth entered the living room with a packet of chips in her hand, "Eri let's go. It's time." I sighed but nodded nevertheless. Xavier looked at me with a confused expression. I gave him a slight grin, "I might have forgotten to tell you we're having a girl's night since Sophia is here."

Xavier frowned, his expression sad, "You mean it is not important to tell your husband you made plans with your friends?" His eyes hardened, making me gulp.

"You're so irresponsible, you're going to leave me. Erica, how could you? Do you know what that means? Huh? Do you? It means I'm not getting any sex. Oh man, no sex tonight." It was until he smirked that I realized he was messing with me. I jumped up from the couch, "You jerk! You scared me! And here I was thinking you're upset." I whisper yelled, and Elizabeth snickered behind me.

"Oh come on Erica, he's not getting any sex tonight. Of course, he's upset." She laughed again and Xavier joined her. I shook my head, "You guys are impossible."

"Oh baby, you know I can never be upset, I love you too much." He smiled innocently at me.

"Okay you too, it's time to leave. We'll be back tomorrow morning." Elizabeth said with a mouthful of chips.

"Where are you girls going?" Xavier asked, making Elizabeth sigh. "The next to next room." She replied.

"What?" Snickered Xavier, "That's like 2 rooms away. Wow, why so far away huh?" He asked sarcastically.

"You see this wife of yours is no fun. She kept on nagging us with her 'what ifs'. What if Sapphire needed her at night, what if Xavier needed something, what if something happened, so we decided to stay close to you guys?" She turned around to leave, "Erica kiss him quick and come out and I'm waiting." With that, she left.

"You're too sweet Erica. You know you could've gone somewhere else, I could take care of Sapphire for one night." He smiled and looked at me. I shook my head, "No I couldn't let you guys go far away from me." I went near him and leaned in, our faces inches apart, "I love you both too much." And with that I captured his lips in mine, savouring his taste. His warm lips, against my cold ones, sent millions of sparks throughout my body. I smiled and broke the kiss, stepping backward.

"Time to go, hun," I snickered and turned around to leave. I was about to exit the door when I heard him call out. "Erica?" I turned around to face him, "Yeah?"

"I love you too" He smiled. I mirrored his expression and walked out of the door.

_____________________________________

Epilogue is here, what's next?

 NEXT IS THE
"QUESTION & ANSWER "   ROUND .  †

It'll be the round where the characters from the book will answer your questions!

You can ask any character any question, be it from Xavier, Erica, Allison, Sophia, Conner or any other character.

Ask your questions in the comment box.

I love you buttercups. I'm happy I've finished with the epilogue. 

I'll continue my other stories now! Check them out!
1. His Obsession.
2. Your My Mate.

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I love you buttercups! Bye for now.