𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐓 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 | 𝟏𝟖+

Epilogue

MILA

***

Five years later

I hear the tiny footsteps of my eldest son run into the kitchen as I make lunch. "Mommy! Look what daddy and me got!" Santiago opens his hand and reveals a slimy, green frog.

Santi has been into frogs ever since Camille bought the boys to a frog exhibit about a year ago. He's always looking for something new to get into.

"Mijo, did you catch him?"

Santi nods his head, and Theo leans back onto the kitchen counter, his hands cross over his upper stomach. "It's green, mommy. See?" He extended his arms higher so I could get a better look.

"Yes, baby. You're gonna have to let him go. He can't breathe in your hands." I tell him, which earned me a frown in response. I'm still fairly new to the parenting scene, so there isn't much I know about how to get your five year old to let go of an animal they already love so much.

"Go show your brother, he's upstairs with Tío Matty playing the piano." I playfully pat his butt as he runs toward the stairs, leaving a small trail of tiny, wet footprints.

I look at Theo. "What are we gonna do with him?" I shook my head and smiled, walking toward him.

"I don't know, but there's another one of them on the way." He rubbed my sixth month old belly. "I can't wait to meet her. Our first daughter after two boys." He sighs.

"Hopefully the last. Santiago and Soren are a handful."

"I could never get tired of having babies with you." His hands move to my waist, and he brings my body closer to his, and kisses my rounded lips.

Our moment is quickly interrupted by Soren and Santiago running down the stairs, and Mateo following.

I break sway from the kiss and look beside Theo to find Soren with a sheet of music in his hands. He ran up to me with the biggest smile on his face. "I have a song for the baby."

"No way!" I gasp. "Will you let me hear it?"

"At bedtime so she can sleep when Santi and me sleep."

Soren is only three and has been singing to my belly ever since Theo and I announced that they have a sister on the way. I've had a feeling he'd be into music, mostly because during my pregnancy with him, I bought headphones for my stomach.

He's already formed this strong connection with her. He's just so excited to be a big brother. Just like Santiago was when I was pregnant with him.

"I can't wait for tonight." I bend down and kiss his curly head.

Santiago is outside letting the frog loose, but I'm pretty sure the poor thing already died of asphyxiation.

"Alright, sis. I have to get back to Los Angeles. Dad has a business proposition for me." He rubs his hands together. "Come here Sor."

Soren's little legs run to his uncle. "I'll see you very soon. Tío Matty loves you." He fist bumps him, then put him down to go find Santiago.

Soren disappeared into the living room where cartoons are playing.

"I have a conference call tonight at seven, so I'll miss dinner. I'm sorry, tesoro." Theo eventually says, and my once happy expression drops.

"It's alright, the boys will keep me company." I kiss his cheek, then go outside into the backyard to check on Santiago.

I see him bent down on the ground, entranced with something. "Santi, what are you doing down there?" I try not to bend down too close considering if I did, I'd probably fall over.

"He's not moving, mommy." He whimpers, his tiny fingers trying to revive the little frog.

I take a deep breath. "He's just sleeping, baby." I lie, hoping he'd let this go.

"No, I killed him." He begins to sob and hiccup in between words.

Dios mío, this kid is too smart for his own good.

"Aw, come here, Santi." I take him in my arms and hold him. "It'll be alright. He's in frog heaven now."

He sniffs, and wipes his eyes with the back of his hands. "Really?"

"Yes, baby. He's so happy up there. You don't have to be sad." I smile.

"Can I get another one?" He begs. "Please, mommy?"

"We'll get you a pet frog with a tank and food for it."

He holds out his tiny pinky up at me. "Pinky swear?"

"Pinky swear." We lock pinky's, then I kiss his forehead. "Go run in there and tell daddy we're getting you a frog." I tell him, and his little body runs inside.

He scurries off into the house, and I'm left thinking about the beautiful family I've created.

This unconditional love I have for my kids will only grow stronger.

I walk back inside with a smile on my face, and kiss Theo on his lips before finishing up lunch.

Hours have passed since the boys and I have had dinner and watched a Disney movie. The boys share a room, though this is a five bedroom house. Soren isn't a fan of sleeping alone, so we opted for bunk beds.

After reading them both a story, I tucked them both in and headed into my bedroom.

I feel the bed dip beside me, and an arm being placed across my belly.

"Are you awake, tesoro?" Theo asks, and I turn to face him. "I just kissed the boys, they're already asleep."

"They asked for you." I whisper.

The End

-

I am extremely shaken up about the ending, but I'm wrapping this book up with 10k reads which is insane! Only two months ago I began writing. Please read the next chapter for more info.

Xoxo, Lola. <3