Meet Cute 》Natasha Trace

Epilogue

5 Years Later
Emmett was making the most of his final season competing on American Ninja Warrior.

It wasn't a decision he had taken lightly, but he was pushing 40. Natasha had recently retired from the Navy, and he wanted to spend more time at home with her and their kids.

Yes, you read that right. Kids.

Emmett and Natasha had a 3 year old daughter, waiting on the sidelines with her older sister Genevieve, who was now 11. Not to mention Natasha, who was now 5 months pregnant.

So, funny story. Their daughter had been a total surprise, as they had only just gotten engaged a few months prior to finding out. Gena was ecstatic, happy to finally be a big sister, and even happier finding out the baby was a girl. (She had been in the middle of a 'boys are disgusting' phase that Emmett wished she never grew out of.)

But his family was standing on the sidelines, along with his fellow Ninjas and brother.

It was a shock that Liam even had the time to be there, what with having competed as a surfer for the USA in the last Olympics. (He came home with a silver but was gunning for the gold next games.)

They were all cheering him on, as he made the most of this final season. He had made it all the way through Stage 2, something he had only ever one once before.

It was finally time for Stage 3, and he was shaking out his nerves. There was no time limit for Stage 3, so he just needed to stay focused.

He heard the cheering from the crowd and looked over to see the old Dagger Squad watching from North Island.

Even after Natasha had been discharged, they all remained close and updated on each other's lives. Hell, they were all in attendance to Emmett and Natasha's wedding, and a few of them had even made time to see Liam's Olympic Trials.

Penny had closed the Hard Deck for a private event, which was really just the team getting together to support him.

He turned back to the course, taking a deep breath and letting it out. And then, the buzzer sounded.

Stage 3 was all about strategy. Yes, you wanted to get it done as quickly as possible, but you had to go carefully. He had made it through the first two obstacles fairly quickly and easily, not using up too much energy.

His family was moving along the sidelines with him, Natasha lifting their daughter as she clapped for him. Gena was giving his a thumbs up, and Liam was shaking her shoulders.

The next obstacles took him some time, but he got through it. It was the fourth one that gave him trouble.

All upper body, after the last three, was taking its tole. By some miracle, he made it through, only having two left to conquer.

But his body couldn't take it. About halfway through the fifth obstacle, Emmett's arms finally gave out, and he went straight into the water.

The groan from the crowd was heard all around, Emmett coming back to the surface utterly exhausted. While he was disappointed he couldn't make it through, this was the furthered he had ever gotten, and it was a hell of a run to go out on.

The second he was out of the water, Genevieve was running to hug him as Natasha came over with their youngest. No one cared that he was dripping wet, giving hugs all around.

Talking with Zuri Hall, the sideline reporter, Emmett could help but get emotional. "This has been one hell of a journey. And while I didn't get to Stage 4, I am immensely proud of what I was able to accomplish this season. I wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you all for having me."

The cheers from all around him were deafening. Moving back to the group, he got hugs all around from his fellow Ninjas, wrapped up in a towel to cheer on the other two competitors that had made it to Stage 3.

But as the world would have it, neither made it as far as Emmett.

So, on Emmett's final season of American Ninja Warrior, he became the Last Ninja Standing. The perfect way to end a storied run.

And the perfect start to a new beginning.

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Word count: 734

Omg you guys!! This is it!!! MEET CUTE IS DONE!!

Thank you all for joining me on this ride! I promise, some bonus content is coming soon, for a look into our favorite couples future and the family.

See you guys for some more future fun. Bye!!!