FUCKED.

Epilogue

That up there is little Cameron...

. FIVE YEARS LATER...

"Do you remember when Cameron would cry all day if he didn't touch Tneeya?" Sapph's comment set off a round of laughter among us.

"Oh, and when Theodore barfed on Hunter—it was like payback for Cameron!" Sapph squealed, making everyone chuckle.

"Mommy, Mommy, Theodore can't take care of Leandrah and Alondrah," Sammy came running with his baby sister to Sapph, who looked at him with a warm smile. Sapph, having given birth to Sammy two years after Cameron and married Hunter, now had twins, Leandrah and Alondrah, with another baby on the way. I had Mason two years after the twins and was now expecting my third child. Although the twins hoped for a football team, I wasn't inclined to be a baby-making machine. Travis and Hunter's car company had proven to be a significant success, benefiting all of us. Sapph was no longer working, as our husbands' wealth could sustain us comfortably for centuries, according to a documentary we'd seen, but I didn't fully subscribe to that notion.

"Shhhh, baby... Mummy is here, don't cry," Sapph murmured, soothing her baby.

"Mommy, Cameron kissed me," Tneeya said, hiding her face. I exchanged a glance with Sapph, who promised to address the issue with her son.

"You know, Iris will be released from the psychiatric hospital soon because he's now back to normal," Sapph informed me. I touched my growing bump, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

"Don't worry, Chloe. I visited him last week with Hunter and Travis," Sapph assured me. "He's changed. He's extremely friendly now, and he even apologized, crying for his behavior. He knelt down asking for forgiveness. He's not the same person he was before."

I wiped my tears, touched by Sapph's words. "I was planning to introduce the twins to their father after his release, so thank you for your support."

Sapph hugged me, and we both ended up in tears. Tneeya, noticing our distress, took a tissue and wiped our tears silently.

"Why are you crying, Tneeya?" she hiccupped, sitting on my lap.

"I love you, Momma, and Aunty Sapph," she cried, resting her head on my shoulder until she fell asleep.

"She's really adorable, Chloe. I can only imagine how many suitors Travis and Cameron will have to fend off," Sapph commented, making me laugh.

"What's so funny, Mummy?" Sammy, the ever-curious eavesdropper, asked as he appeared, looking at a sleepy Tneeya.

"Nothing, honey. Go call Cameron. We're heading home now," I instructed. Sammy nodded and went off.

"Hello, we're here to see Iris Kassif," we were greeted by a maid who showed us in.

"Travis, I'm so scared. Hold Theodore," I said, handing him our sleeping baby. My anxiety was palpable.

"Mummy, I want that," Tneeya pointed to a picture frame of Iris.

"It's not mine, sweetie, but I'll get you another one," Sapph said, her eyes welling up.

"Baby, listen up—" I started, but then Iris appeared.

There he was, looking at me with eyes full of innocence and a lingering aura of his former self. He approached me quickly, but I screamed and took a step back. Iris froze, apologizing, but I continued to panic.

"It's okay, Iris. It's me, not you," I said, trying to calm him down. He took a step back, and I approached him with more confidence, looking into his eyes. Iris began apologizing profusely, kneeling down and grasping my legs, begging for forgiveness. I was so stunned that I didn't notice Tneeya crying too. Travis was holding an awake Theodore, who was oblivious to the emotional scene unfolding.

"Please forgive me, Chloe. You're the only one who can stop my nightmares. They're about you, and they're terrifying. Please, take me away from this darkness," Iris pleaded.

I held him close, embracing him while tears streamed down my face. He clung to me, his tears mingling with mine.

"I forgive you, Iris. I don't know what you've been through, but I hope my children can bring you the happiness they've brought me," I said. Travis brought Theodore and a tearful Tneeya to Iris. Iris's reaction was one of utter amazement, unable to find words as he looked at them.

"You—you were pregnant?" he stammered, eyeing Theodore closely. I nodded.

"And you didn't ab—"

"That's a story for another time, Iris. All thanks to Travis, who was my rock and source of motivation," I explained.

Iris approached Travis and thanked him in the traditional Islamic manner. He hugged Travis, who responded with a sincere bro hug. Seeing Iris's transformation made me smile.

"Tneeya and Theodore, meet Iris Kassif, your daddy," I introduced them. Tneeya eagerly went to hug Iris, who kissed her hair affectionately.

"You're my second daddy," Tneeya said, and Iris nodded with a smile. Theodore moved toward Iris and hugged him as well.

"I'm so grateful for everything you've done, Chloe. I wish I could give you all my riches, but it wouldn't be enough because of these two. I no longer feel empty. At least now, I know I'm valued in their lives," Iris said, lifting both children in his arms and kissing them on the cheek.

I went back to Travis, who wrapped his arms around my baby bump from behind. We watched as Tneeya affectionately called Iris "Daddy 2" and Theodore laughed at their interaction. Despite the challenges, I was thankful for the journey that led us to this point.

"Daddy 2, Cameron kissed me again in my room. He says it's to show how much he loves me," Tneeya said.

"WHAT?" both fathers exclaimed in unison, their expressions a mix of shock and concern. I laughed at their reaction, enjoying the spectacle of their bewilderment.

"Next time Cameron kisses you, just tell him to stop," Travis said, though I intervened.

"Boys can be troublesome, Tneeya. Don't let them give you cooties, okay?" I advised gently. She nodded, wiping her tears and hugging me tightly.

"Next time he does that, just let him know you're not ready until you're older, okay? He'll understand," I said. She hugged me again, her tears drying up.

"I love you, Momma, and Daddy 1 and Daddy 2," she said, and we all embraced in a group hug.

The End.

My next book is Unseen Journey.