A Dance with Danger

Epilogue

Tiberius POV

“Daddy, daddy, look!” Camryn shouted, his small hands pointing at the floaty in the pool, his little face lit up with excitement. His voice was still so soft, a remnant of his youth, but filled with that uncontainable joy only a child could exude.

I looked over, following his finger toward the bright yellow floaty bobbing in the water. He had it all planned out—his tiny legs splashing in the pool, his giggles ringing through the air as he clutched onto the edges of the float. My heart swelled as I watched him, so full of life, so full of energy. The sight of him running around the pool, calling for me, was a reminder of how far we had come, of the family we had built together.

Camryn, at just three years old, had already started to show signs of his father’s stubbornness—he was determined to figure out how everything worked and wasn’t satisfied with anything less than perfection. He was quick, sharp, and far more independent than I had expected. But he also had the gentleness and warmth of Estelle—his mother’s heart, a heart that could love without limits, a heart that never hesitated to give. He had her forest green eyes, those same captivating eyes that made me lose myself every time I looked into them, and her skin tone, a perfect blend of our heritages.

And as I looked at him, running around, shouting out in pure joy, I couldn’t help but marvel at how much he resembled me. His hair was dark, just like mine, and his features were all ours. But he had Estelle’s elegance in the way he moved, the way he smiled that sweet, innocent smile that reminded me of everything I’d promised her.

I reached the edge of the pool, crouching down to be eye-level with him. "You ready to go again?" I asked, my voice soft, even though I could see the excitement in his little face.

He nodded enthusiastically, eyes sparkling. “Again, daddy!”

I couldn’t help but smile as I reached out and grabbed his tiny hands, lifting him onto the floaty. The moment he was safely settled, I gave him a gentle push, sending him floating across the pool. Camryn’s giggles filled the air, so pure, so innocent, and my heart soared at the sound.

From where I stood, I could see Estelle lounging by the poolside, watching us with a relaxed smile on her face. She had just fed Santiago, our second son, who was only a month old, and now he was peacefully dozing in her arms, content with the warmth of his mother. Santiago looked so much like his older brother in some ways—dark hair, the same skin tone—but there was something so uniquely his. His little fingers curled around the fabric of Estelle’s dress, his small body pressed against her chest as he napped peacefully, the occasional sigh escaping him as he dreamt his baby dreams.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the scene. Estelle, so beautiful, her hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders, her serene expression reflecting the joy and peace she had found in our little family. And in her arms, our second miracle, a reminder of how much love we had to give and how much more we could build together.

I joined her by the poolside, my eyes still fixed on Camryn as he floated around the pool, calling out for me to come closer, to keep pushing him farther. He was relentless, just like me, but I couldn’t bring myself to mind. As he laughed and splashed around, Estelle looked up at me, her eyes soft but intense.

“He’s growing so fast, isn’t he?” she murmured, her voice low and tender as she adjusted the fabric of her sundress.

I nodded, taking in the sight of our son. “Yeah. It feels like just yesterday he was born.”

Estelle smiled at that, her gaze drifting to the baby in her arms. Santiago stirred slightly, his little face scrunching up in a slight frown before he settled again, nuzzling closer to his mother. “And now we have him,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Our sweet Santiago.”

I reached over, brushing a few stray locks of hair from Estelle’s face, and bent down to kiss her forehead gently. The soft scent of sunscreen and summer air wrapped around me as I did so, and for a brief moment, it felt like time had stopped, like the world was just us—our little family, growing and thriving in this little pocket of happiness we had carved out for ourselves.

“We’re lucky,” I whispered to her, feeling the weight of those words settle deep in my chest. “So damn lucky.”

Estelle’s eyes shone as she gazed up at me, her hand resting on Santiago’s back as she continued to cradle him with all the love only a mother could give. “I’m the lucky one,” she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “I’m so thankful for you.”

I smiled, my heart swelling. “No, Estelle,” I replied softly. “You’re the one who’s made me a better man. You and these two little ones.”

Camryn’s laughter rang out again, his little voice calling for me to push him once more, and I turned to look at him, my chest tightening with affection.

But before I could move, Estelle’s voice stopped me. Her eyes were still on me, but now there was a knowing glint in them. “Tiberius, there’s something I need to tell you.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What is it?”

She hesitated for a moment, glancing at the baby in her arms before meeting my gaze again. “I’m pregnant,” she said, her voice filled with warmth, but also with that same overwhelming sense of love and certainty.

I froze, not quite sure if I’d heard her correctly. “What?”

Estelle chuckled softly at my expression, her eyes dancing with a mixture of mischief and joy. “I’m pregnant, Tiberius. We’re going to have another one.”

I blinked, taking in the words. At first, I didn’t know what to say. But then, a wide smile stretched across my face. My heart began to race as I realized the magnitude of what she was saying. Another child. Another little life to share our love with. Another little soul to hold in our arms and care for.

I was overjoyed.

I couldn’t help but let out a laugh, my eyes shining with the depth of my emotions. “You’re really sure?”

Estelle raised an eyebrow at me, her expression a playful challenge. “Are you sure you can handle it?” she teased.

I leaned in closer, brushing my lips against hers. “I can handle anything if it’s with you,” I whispered against her mouth, my voice filled with love and certainty.

And in that moment, with our children nearby and the woman I loved in my arms, I knew that we were exactly where we were meant to be. Together. Forever.

The world outside might have been chaotic, but here, in this moment, it was just us—a family, growing stronger with every passing day.