Five years had passed since that tough moment with Gabby's mom. Life had been nothing short of a rollercoaster, but Gabby and Zay were stronger than ever. Their businesses were booming, their candle shop was more than just a hustle now—it was a brand. And Zay's sneaker store was a household name in the city. But the thing they cared most about? Each other.
They didn't have to worry about the small stuff anymore. They had a team running their businesses for them—people they trusted, people who had been with them through it all. All they had to do was make sure everybody was getting paid, and that their vision stayed intact. It was a good life.
Gabby had been thinking a lot lately. She and Zay had talked about having a baby, maybe growing their little family. But for now, they were content. They'd been spending a lot more time together, just enjoying each other's company. There were still late-night talks, cooking together in the kitchen, and getting lost in each other's arms on the couch. No matter what happened, they always made time for one another.
She woke up one morning, Zay still lying next to her. The sunlight streamed through the window, and she couldn't help but smile. It had been five years since everything started changing for her—five years since she'd walked into that hotel and met Zay. Five years since her world had been turned upside down and remade into something beautiful.
Gabby looked over at Zay, his peaceful face still half-asleep, and thought about how blessed she was. She used to wake up wondering how she'd make it through the day, but now, she woke up next to the love of her life. Zay was her partner, her rock, the one person who had never given up on her, even when she didn't think she could keep going.
She thanked God every day for bringing Zay into her life, for showing her that she didn't have to carry all the weight alone. She had someone who saw her, really saw her—the broken parts, the tough exterior, the girl who didn't believe in love. But Zay saw it all, and he loved her anyway.
She leaned over and kissed his forehead, careful not to wake him, and whispered, "I love you."
Zay stirred just a little, smiling in his sleep. "Love you too, baby."
It was moments like this that made Gabby realize how far she'd come. She wasn't that scared little girl anymore. She was a woman who had worked hard to get where she was. She had love. She had family. And most of all, she had Zay.
They didn't need anything else.
As they lay there, she knew one thing for sure: the future was bright, and no matter what came their way, they would face it together. Whether they decided to start a family or keep living in the moment, Gabby was grateful. Her life was full now—full of love, happiness, and peace.
And she wouldn't trade it for anything.
The End
