Resist Me Not

EPILOGUE

FIVE YEARS LATER

There was a knock on my office door, which I had shut for most of the day so I could focus on finishing up my tasks without distraction. "I'm busy!"

The door opened anyway, and Ryan peered his head around the corner. "Even for me?"

I looked up from my computer and smiled at seeing him. "I always have time for you."

He grinned and walked in, carrying a vase filled with a bouquet of assorted flowers. "I just wanted to stop by and say happy anniversary to you in person."

I stood up and walked around my desk to take the vase from him. I smelled the beautiful fragrance of the flowers as I placed them down in the middle of my coffee table.

I turned back to Ryan, leaned into him, placing my hands on his chest. I could feel his muscles flexing underneath his shirt. "They're beautiful! Thank you!" I kissed him. "Happy anniversary. I have a present for you too, which I was going to give you when we got on the plane for our anniversary trip to Napa. But now that you're here, I don't think I can wait."

He chuckled at my eagerness and kissed me again before letting me go.

I went back to my desk and pulled open the top drawer. I lifted out a long rectangular leather box, walked back, and handed it to him. He looked at me quizzically then back at the box. Then gripping both ends, he snapped it open. I smiled as he stared at the contents and enjoyed seeing his expression shift instantly. His eyes darted back to mine. "Is this what I think it is?"

I nodded bashfully. "We're going to be parents."

He gripped the plastic pregnancy stick and brought it closer to get a better look at it. I had gotten the digital one, so there was no guessing what the symbols meant. It clearly stated "PREGNANT" on it.

"Are you going to say something?" I asked after he didn't respond immediately, and I couldn't read his facial expressions clearly.

He gave a half-laugh, half-sigh, as I saw his chest breathing in and out deeply. "We're going to be parents?"

"Yes."

He still looked slightly shocked and stared at the stick like it was a grenade that was about to go off.

I fidgeted with my fingers, worried that he wasn't as happy as I was. We weren't really trying to have children, but we weren't trying to prevent it either. I was almost shocked that it took five years before it finally happened, especially with the amount of sex we had on an almost daily basis.

Finally, he looked up at me and smiled. "We're going to be parents!"

He scooped me up into his loving arms and kissed me.

"So, you're happy about this, right?" I asked when our lips parted for a moment.

"I'm over the moon, baby." He kissed me again. "I was just surprised." He kissed me once more before letting me go. "Well, I guess this means it's time to look into a bigger place to live."

I pouted. "But I don't want to move from our apartment. Seeing the city view every morning is my happy place."

He chuckled. "I know. I just thought we'd move to a bigger apartment in the building. Maybe the penthouse?"

I beamed at hearing his suggestion and kissed him again.

******

Later that afternoon, while we were waiting for our plane to board at JFK airport, I went to the kiosk to buy a book to read during the flight.

I didn't realize it at first, and it took me a few glances, but standing next to me, looking at the magazines, was Eric. Of all the people in the world! And he looked exactly the same, except now he had a goatee, which suited him. Part of me considered looking away and running out of there as fast as possible. But he spotted me before I could even make a decision.

"Vicky?"

"Eric!" I grinned politely. "I thought that was you."

"What a small world. What are you doing here? Where's Ryan?" He scanned around the store.

I pointed with my thumb towards the entrance. "We're on our way to California. Ryan's at our gate. I just came here to grab something to read. What are you doing here?"

He returned the magazine back to the rack and turned to me. "I'm actually on my way upstate. I'm going to move there and work as my dad's campaign manager for his presidential run."

I chuckled lightly. "Ah, yes. I heard your dad was throwing his hat in the race. I wish him and you all the best."

"Thanks." He smiled.

I looked at my watch. "I better get back to my gate. It was great to see you!"

"You too." He leaned in to give me a light hug, which I allowed. "Say hi to Ryan for me."

"I will."

I grabbed any book that was in reach, went to the register, paid the cashier, and left, only barely glancing back to give Eric a final friendly wave.

As I approached our gate, Ryan was coming into view. Seeing him sitting and just looking out at the passengers walking this way and that, I knew then that no matter what life threw our way, we always knew how to just go with it. I really got lucky knowing I found my one-in-a-million, especially when I almost lost him. 

After all, he really was too good to resist.

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THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SUPPORTING AND READING MY STORY!

-LOVE

Carrie