God of Strength (Light of Obsession #1)

Epilogue 1

Vaughn
1 Year Later

     It's strange how quickly a year can pass when you're living in a haze of happiness. I used to spend sleepless nights staring at the ceiling, the shadows of my past looming large, whispering promises of chaos. But now, those shadows have retreated, replaced by the warmth that radiates from My Alicia. She is the sun in my life, flooding every corner with light and hope.

     I sit in our cozy apartment, a sprawling two-bedroom on the top floor that offers a beautiful view of the city skyline. After graduating freshman year, we both moved in together. The soft hum of Alicia's laughter dances through the air, a sweet symphony that tugs at my heart. I can't help but smile as I hear her concocting one of her elaborate pasta dishes, a recipe she insists on perfecting.

     It's hard to believe that exactly twelve months ago, I was still trying to wrap my head around the idea of losing her, of experiencing that nightmarish reality when I almost lost everything that mattered to me. Now, here we are, living our dream—a dream that seemed so far-fetched back then.

     Standing up, I find myself wandering towards the kitchen, drawn to her magnetic energy. She's humming to herself, the sound filling the space with an intimate charm. I take a moment to watch her, the way her hair falls softly over her shoulders, how the apron ties around her waist, highlighting her gentle figure. I remember her voice cracking with vulnerability, the moments of fear and uncertainty we shared. But those days feel distant now—we've forged a bond that stands the test of everything life throws our way.

     "Hey, chef," I tease, stealing a quick taste of the tomato sauce from the spoon she's wielding like a magic wand.

      She spins around, a playful smile breaking across her face. "You better be careful, Vaughn. I might not share any of this with you!"

     "Wouldn't dream of it," I tease back, leaning against the counter, my gaze capturing every little detail about her—the way her eyes light up when she's excited, the little crinkle that appears in her nose when she's being playful.

     With a playful huff, she hands me a slice of garlic bread. "At least you can help me with the appetizers while I finish this," she says, a mock-seriousness alluding to her inner taskmaster. It's moments like these, mundane yet laced with love, that fill our life together with joy.

     As I bite into the bread, savoring the buttery flavors, I take a moment to reflect on the journey we've shared this past year. We've faced challenges—some that shook us to our core—but everything we tackled only served to enhance the depth of our connection. I promised to protect her, and in doing so, I've discovered a fierce side of myself, one that has kept her laughter alive and her heart safe.

     "Vaughn," she calls, pulling me from my thoughts. "Are you daydreaming again?"

    "Just admiring how amazing you are," I say, my voice low, letting the sincerity linger in the air.

     She blushes, glancing down at her hands, and it makes me want to wrap her up in my arms and shield her from all the darkness that once threatened us. But I don't need to protect her from that anymore; she's not just my sunshine; she's my warrior.

      "Do you remember that day," she asks quietly, leaning against the kitchen counter with a wistful look. "When I said I wanted to build a life with you?"

      "Of course." I chuckle softly, taking a step closer. "We made a pact that day, one where we'd carve out a life filled with adventures, didn't we?"

      Her eyes sparkle, reminiscent of the stars. "And we have. I mean, just look at us! No nightmares. Just... us. Together."

      "Together," I repeat, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her close as I press my forehead against hers. This moment is everything—a culmination of our love story that includes laughter, growth, and an unwavering bond.

      "I want to keep building," I whisper, the words spilling out filled with raw intention. "I want to keep exploring, loving, and giving everything we have to each other."

     Her eyes widen slightly, curiosity igniting within them. "You mean it?"

      I nod, my heart pounding with both excitement and determination. "Always. And although life may throw us challenges, I'll fight for you just like I did before. You deserve all the love in the world, Alicia, and I'm the one who gets to give it to you."

      Tears glisten at the corners of her eyes, and I know those are happy tears—ones that tell me how deeply intertwined our lives have become. She leans in, capturing my lips with hers, and the world around us fades away, leaving only the two of us cocooned in our moment.

     In this life we are building, our love lays the foundation, a promise of a brighter future together. I realize we don't need the shadows of our past anymore; we're carving out our own destiny, one sunrise at a time. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

        Hand in hand, we step into tomorrow, hearts alight with possibilities, ready to face it together—a beautiful journey waiting ahead.

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A/N:
The first epilogue is doneee, I love them sm <33
Thank you so much for the support!
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