ABBY

God. She released a small exhale of relief and gratitude. She was finally - finally - moving home.

More than a year ago now, she’d made the biggest mistake of her life. Even at the time, she could hardly recognize the person who allowed for such a terrible, hurtful thing to occur. That person seemed an even more distant and foreign version of herself now.

She’d fought tooth and nail, cried what felt like endlessly, stripped herself down, was brutally honest in her self-reflection, and rebuilt not only herself, but her relationship with you.

She knew how close she’d been to never getting that chance.

It'd been a tightrope walk, but one she was willing and eager to do. If she’d made a few different choices, mistepped, along this rugged, tumultuous path, this house she was currently in would very much be permanent.

Instead, she’d spent the last few weeks selling off furniture, packing belongings, and shortly her friends - and you - would arrive and you’d move what remained of her things back home. Back home to you and the kids.

She teared up at this long sought-after reality.

There was still more work to do, there may always be, but the worst was behind and she'd be forever grateful.

Jessie and her friends began to ferry boxes into the small cube van and her phone buzzed in her back pocket. She arranged a couple of boxes in the van before checking.

"Hi. Sorry. I'm running behind schedule. Even got the girls off to school late. I'll be over in 15-20."

She smiled regardless.

"No worries at all! Take your time. I'll see you when you get here."

Sure enough, you showed up a short while later with a couple of trays of coffees and a box of breakfast pastries.

The team clamoured around you, hugging you and thanking you and Jessie beamed at the sight.

Everything was nearly right with the world again.

"No wonder you're the favourite," Jessie teased as she came up to you once the others went their own way. "Hi, baby," she greeted, voice soft as she leaned in and gave you a kiss.

"Hi," you greeted before pulling back and handed her her coffee and held out the box of treats.

"Thanks," she said with a sweet smile. She gestured to the box. "Which one do you want? And no drink for you?"

You released an exasperated breath and shook your head making a slight face.

"No. Still not feeling great," you said. "And even the smell of coffee in the car was going to make me gag."

"Oh," Jessie said, straightening. "I'm sorry, babe. You should've said something. You don't have to help with all of this - you can rest up," she told you.

You sighed tiredly and pushed the box into her hands. "Don't worry. It's all good," you said in a way that piqued Jessie's concern. She frowned at you.

"Babe, seriously. You can go home. Or," she chuckled, "I still have the bed - you can try to lay down or something. You look tired."

"Thanks," you said flatly with a dull glare.

"No - I mean," she stammered and took a breath. "You look beautiful. You seem tired."

You rolled your eyes mildly. "Nice save," you offered in that flat tone again and looked past her. "So what can I help with?"

She hesitated for a second, wanting to insist on your resting, but realized that just following what you requested was the path of least resistance.

All in all, it didn't actually take that long to get everything packed up. Giving the place a deep clean was probably going to take longer.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay behind and help?" Jessie asked you. "I can also come later tonight or tomorrow and do it all instead."

You shot her another look and Jessie's stomach fell.

You'd been borderline irritated with her all day and she wasn't sure why. She had to keep reminding herself that you said you weren't feeling well.

She tried to not read into it or get upset, but she'd been so excited about today, and she thought you were too, but now it certainly didn't seem that way.

It hurt her feelings even though she did her best to weather it.

"And what - have your friends move everything in and unpack without either of us? That doesn't make sense," you said with a perplexed frown.

"I-" She started with an exasperated breath, but forced herself to calm. "I know," she said gently. "You said you weren't feeling well. And I can tell you aren't. So I'm just trying to be considerate of that."

Your steady frown wavered and eventually softened.

"I know," you relented softly, regrettably even. "I'm sorry - I'm, I'm just not feeling like myself today," you said in a hushed voice with a gaze over her shoulder to make sure the others weren't overhearing.

The pit in her stomach grew.

"Is there anything I can do?" She asked, trying not to feel discouraged and hoping to be helpful.

"Nope," you said simply, giving her little to work with. A small silence formed between you and you eventually softened once more. "Go with everyone and get everything sorted at the house. I'll clean up here." You forced a faint smirk. "You've kept the place clean, so I really don't have that much to do." You exhaled subtly again. "If I get too tired, I promise I'll just come home and we - or you - can finish up later."

She gave a nod of approval, a vague sense of relief going through her, though that small pull of discomfort hung on.

She retreated to the van to find Janine closing it up.

"I thought it was generally accepted that we transitioned to hiring professional movers around the 30-year mark," she remarked with a sly, soon questioning look. “Explain why 30 has come and gone and I’m breaking a sweat hauling your furniture and boxes in and out of a truck?”

Jessie scoffed. "You know I like to do things my way," she teased. She then gave her a pointed stare and gestured to the van. "There's hardly anything. Seemed a waste to book movers."

"Yeah, yeah," Janine complained as she brushed her hands together in finality. "Well, that's the end of bachelorhood. Round two," she joked.

"Final round," Jessie retorted emphatically.

Another hour or so passed as she and her friends dutifully moved her belongings into her old home and unpacked. She wore a half-smile nearly the entire time as she finally moved back in after being in exile for such a long time.

She was jogging up the stairs when she heard the front door open. She smiled automatically and turned, seeing you enter. Despite the dynamic this morning, just the sight of you put her at ease. She readily jogged back down the steps and greeted you.

"Hi," she said with an eager smile.

"Hey," you returned with a close-lipped smile and a fleeting glance as you took off your shoes.

Jessie's anxiety started to flare again, but she persevered.

"So? How did it go?"

You shrugged listlessly, brushing past her and heading to the kitchen without so much as a look. A crestfallen expression crossed her face as she followed you wordlessly. She rid herself of it when you turned around, facing the sink as you refilled your water bottle.

"Things are mostly done," you said, eyes trained on the water rising in the bottle. "I have to go back and wash the floors, but I'll just go back tomorrow. I'm beat."

"I can do it," she told you resolutely.

You looked ready to argue with her, but instead you just released a weary breath. "Sure. Whatever you want," you said as you took a loud swig of your water.

She watched you quietly, uneasy and uncertain about what was going on. Her chest felt tight. She swallowed and dug her toe into the floor as she fidgeted.

“What.” You asked somewhat tersely as you held her gaze.

She stammered, looking around briefly, confirming her friends weren’t within earshot. Her brow furrowed slightly.

“I, um, I don’t know.” She rubbed behind her ear as her gaze fell blankly to the kitchen counter while she contemplated her words. “I, um, can’t really help but wonder if maybe you’re having…second thoughts?”

She frowned in apprehension and nearly had to hold back the start of tears at just the prospect of such a thing.

“You don’t seem,” she racked her brain, but her shoulders fell as she relayed the only word she could only conjure up, “happy.”

She tried to suppress her trepidation as she forced herself to not look away from you as you stared at her unflinching.

A couple of moments passed and you replied firmly.

“I told you, I’m not feeling well.” A second passed and you frowned deeper at her. “I haven’t been feeling well the past couple of days, really. And you know that.”

“Okay, I-” she began to defend until you cut her off.

“In fact,” you said further, your voice dropping into a curt whisper as you leaned partially over the counter towards her, eyes still locked on hers. You threw a hand up haphazardly. “I think I might be fucking pregnant.”

It took Jessie a moment to even begin to process your statement. She just stared dumbly at you while you returned a challenging stare.

“Wait,” she managed to eventually say and you nearly scowled at her and rolled your eyes as you stormed off.

“Wait!” She whispered urgently as she rushed after you and grasped your arm, pulling you around.

“Hey, where do you guys want these extra books? They don’t fit on the shelf!”

You looked over your shoulder with an even stare at Sam’s voice coming down the hall. You looked back at Jessie coolly.

“We’re a little busy right now,” you told Jessie, an uneven dip in your voice as a touch of emotion came through. You turned to leave again and Jessie cut in.

“You can’t just drop that bombshell and then walk away,” she whispered imploringly, searching for your eyes.

“We’re not talking about this right now,” you replied in a hurried voice that was meant to be even and cool, but she knew very much otherwise.

“Babe,” she repeated, completely baffled and unable to understand how you two were meant to just disregard that and move on.

“We’ll talk later,” you said, voice finally growing gentler, but still leaving her little room to push. You began to walk away before rounding on her and whispering in an unsteady voice. “So that’s why I’ve been fucking crazy. It’s not that I don’t want you home. I’m just,” you shook your head at a loss for words, “freaking out.”

She reached for you to comfort you and reassure you but you hurriedly made your escape to join the others.

Jessie’s forehead began to ache and she belatedly realized the deep frown she wore on her face as she stared at the spot you just stood, now blankly staring at the wall instead.

Her mind was rampant.

Pregnant?

Her heart raced at the word alone, and so much more than the night months ago in front of the fire in the backyard together. This time, you spoke it into existence. You were upset. And nervous.

And you were feeling sick. And tired.

Holy shit. Her mind put all the pieces together. It was possible. Absolutely. You two hadn’t used protection once.

But you had an IUD.

But they weren’t 100% effective. Never mind other factors that affected that.

Her breath quickened and her mouth went dry as the rest of your declaration began to take shape.

Ky would be in university by the time the baby was 10. Harper would be graduating high school. Gosh, your and her timeline around empty nesting would be well out the window. Finances? How would those change? Did they have enough rooms in the house - how would that work?

Her mind was going crazy.

Your voice coming from the other room broke through her consciousness. She blinked hard, trying to compose herself and she forced her legs to take her to the other room.

She came in and you were carrying a heavy box full of books.

She didn’t even think - she took quick strides over and grabbed the box from you, nearly causing you both to drop it in her hurry.

“What the hell,” you complained as she successfully took it from you.

“It’s heavy,” she told you pointedly. It took you a second but you soon gave her a masked, but withering stare.

“Jess. I’m fine,” you relayed with practiced patience to not draw too much attention from her friends.

“Hey Jess. Meet [Y/N]. She’s not a damsel in distress,” Sam poked fun at her.

“I’m aware,” Jessie said in measured voice though she gave her former teammate a mildly perturbed look.

She scaled things back from there, but she couldn’t help how her eye was continually drawn to you. She supposed that would always be the case, but this was different.

She examined your middle. If you were pregnant, you certainly weren’t showing. Though she assumed it could be too early - who knows how far along you may be.

She thought back to many years before. A faint smile pulled at her lips at the memory. When you were pregnant with Ky you didn’t start showing until the second trimester. She smiled further at the recollection of how impatient you’d both been for it, too.

With Harper, you started to show only a couple of months in, unbelievably.

Jessie remembered so well how tears immediately sprung to her eyes as soon as you held her hand to the slight swell of your stomach the first time.

It was no less special the second time, but my God, the way her chest felt like it could burst with how much love and adoration she had for you when she saw proof - real, tangible proof - that you were growing your family together. A little human steadily growing inside you; a miracle the two of you made together so deeply in love.

Never mind the wonderment when she first felt her babies kick and move inside your stomach. Or the absolute joy she’d felt when she held their tiny, crying forms when they were born.

She’d sobbed, melting at the reality that they were finally here.

“You’re staring,” you muttered discretely as you brushed against her.

She came to and cleared her throat, looking at you with intent.

“Focus up, Fleming,” you said in a flat tone, but with underlying gentleness. “We need to finish up soon so we can pick up the girls.”

She nodded readily, recentering herself. You were right. So she did her best to concentrate and sure enough, soon boxes were broken down, items mostly put away and you both hugged her friends goodbye.

You both waved from the front door as they all drove off. They were hardly out of sight before Jessie turned to you.

“Okay, can we talk please?” She asked pleadingly. You gave her a tired look and puffed out your cheeks with an exhale, but nodded.

You stood before one another in the entryway. Jessie wanted to take your hands, but you’d folded your arms self-consciously against yourself.

“So,” Jessie said tentatively, not entirely sure how to broach things. “What’s going on?”

You delivered a dubious look. “Um,” you started facetiously, leaning in as you spoke, “I let you cum in me - many times - and now I think I'm pregnant! That’s what’s going on.”

She took an inaudible breath.

“I mean, what makes you think that?”

You took an unsteady breath, possibly biting back another sarcastic remark before instead answering her properly.

Your period had always been irregular. Even more-so with the IUD. And it’s true, you’d started feeling sick. You didn’t think much of it at first, but then once the thought crossed your mind, you couldn’t rid yourself of it.

You’d checked your records. Turns out you were due for a new IUD last year, but with everything that was going down at the time, it was really the last thing on your mind until it was entirely forgotten.

By the time you were done explaining, you were half in tears. Jessie went to hold your hands and embrace you but you held up your hands to fan at your eyes.

“I’m getting emotional. I’m pregnant for sure,” you catastrophized before going on wryly. “Can’t wait to tell the girls. ‘Hey, remember how you’ve been asking for a puppy? Well, you get a baby brother or sister instead! Surprise!’.”

“Babe,” Jessie cut in both firmly and gently. “We don’t know anything yet.”

You released a shaky breath and finally allowed her to hold your hands. She caressed the back of them with her thumbs.

“Right. Thank you,” you accepted.

“So, um, have you taken a test?” She asked as she tried to swallow her own nerves. You gave her an impatient look.

“If I had, then I wouldn’t think I’m pregnant. I’d know,” you retorted. She didn’t need to say or do anything for you to give her an apologetic look a moment later. “Sorry,” you breathed, composing yourself. You shook your head. “No.”

You cracked a rueful smirk. “I haven’t worked up the courage to buy one. I’m acting like a nervous 17 year old.”

“Hey,” Jessie said gently as she reached up and cupped your cheek. You looked up at her with glistening eyes and she wanted nothing more than to hold you and ease your worries. “Unlike that scenario, we are more than ready and capable of handling things if it turns out positive.”

"Ready?" You asked skeptically. "We settled on two. I wasn't exactly planning on going through another pregnancy and extending being, you know, in full-on parent-mode for basically an extra 7, nearly 8 years,” as you did the math around Harper’s birthday.

You shook your head vaguely and muttered as your gaze drifted away. "I knew I should've made you get a vasectomy."

She gave a faint chuckle. "I would've if you'd asked me. We can certainly talk about that - regardless of what happens here."

You scoffed. "Lot of good that does if I'm already pregnant."

"Well it'll keep us from having four,” she countered easily.

You shot her a look that was both terrified and dangerous. She inadvertently swallowed.

"Don't even say that," you said slowly and evenly. Your hard stare turned bewildered as you processed the possibility further. "If you knock me up four times, I swear to God..."

Jessie had to stifle a laugh, but was only partly successful. You shot her another glare and it only drew another laugh out of her.

Four kids was - a lot - to her. She was taking you seriously, but she couldn't help how much she loved you in this moment.

"I hear you, I promise," she assured you as she tried to be fully serious. She cracked a smirk. "I could imagine what my friends would say. "Dude, get off her."," she said in a mocking tone.

You didn’t laugh and looked overwhelmed instead. She held out her hands, now speaking gently and calmly to you.

"We'll pick up a test on the way to get the girls," she assured you of the plan. "I'll run into the pharmacy."

"Make it two," you instructed. "Different brands," you added pointedly. "To verify results."

She smiled at you, endeared by the way your mind worked.

"Two tests. Different brands. Consider it done," she affirmed.

You released a weary, tired sigh and stepped forward, letting yourself fall into her, knowing she'd catch you in an embrace.

Her heart swelled. You'd basically dodged her all day and this sudden affection fixed everything for her. She squeezed you tightly and kissed the side of your head.

"It's going to be okay, love," she said tenderly. "No matter what, we'll figure it out."

The rest of the day went by quickly and though she was thrilled to have her first evening at home as a proper family again, she knew during any breaks between the girls’ attention and requests, your mind was preoccupied. And hers was too.

It wasn’t until she’d put the girls to bed - a much longer process than usual given their giddiness over having Jessie home - that you two could retreat to the bedroom to get to the bottom of things.

Your hands subtly shook as you undid the shrink wrap around the first package and Jessie stepped in, wordlessly taking it from you and calmly extracting the test.

You’d huffed irritably at first over the gesture, but you didn’t leave her side. In fact, wrapping your arm around hers and leaning into her, your head on her shoulder as she readied both tests.

She kissed your head and handed them to you. You took a heavy breath, one doe-eyed look at her before you headed into the bathroom. She stood in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe as you took the tests and placed them on the counter.

“Now we wait,” you announced with another audible breath. Jessie held out her hand to you.

“Come on,” she urged with a gesture of her head. “I have something for you.”

You looked at her skeptically for a moment before taking her hand. She led you to the edge of the bed and sat you down.

“Here,” she said after retrieving a large envelope from her backpack.

She’d wanted to commemorate returning home by giving you a gift of some kind. Now, when you needed a distraction, was the perfect time to give it to you.

You took the envelope and turned it over in your hands as she sat down next to you. She spied the faint smile that was already forming on your face.

You opened the tab and pulled out the card, looking at the front. It had two cartoon penguins standing cutely together and holding flippers. You chuckled softly and opened the card.

Opening the card revealed a collage on the left panel that Jessie had put together of photos she'd printed out and made fit. It was meant to be simple - she was just going to pick two photos, but there was just too many to choose from, so two became three, and she painstakingly kept it pared down to four.

The first photo was your first photo ever together. It was a group photo with mutual friends. Jessie laughed internally as she looked at it; a much younger version of herself inadvertently caught looking over at you despite not even standing together.

Even then, only the second time she'd met you, she couldn't help but be drawn to you.

The next photo was the first selfie you two ever took. Only a few short weeks after the first photo and Jessie didn't need to spy the stupid grin on her face in that image to know how smitten she was with you already.

Underneath those pictures she'd written:

Who knew these kids were going to grow into this:

Cue photo three. Another selfie of them years later, looking a bit older, but so very in love. They were in a kayak on the lake, sun beaming down as they both smiled. Jessie remembered the memory fondly.

The final photo was the four of them posing together as a family at the zoo. It was only a few weeks ago and Jessie's heart ached in the most wonderful way at how - after everything - you all looked so happy. Harper was laughing, Ky grinned widely, each of them leaning into one of you.

What made her the most grateful though, was how you leaned into her, your arm curled around hers, much like it was several minutes ago. She was beaming - no surprise - and had her arm wrapped around your waist. The smile you wore felt real and true.

You loved her again. And you allowed her to love you back.

She nearly made herself tear up again upon reflection. She watched you and saw your earlier apprehension fade from your face as you examined the pictures and read the note she'd written on the other panel.

You eventually looked up at her, eyes misty, but smiling. You turned and pulled her into a hug.

"That was beautiful," you said as she held you tenderly, idly playing with your hair. "Thank you."

"I love you," Jessie said instead. You pulled back, eyes still teary and smiling gently at her.

"We've had some pretty great, and crazy, adventures," you said. She nodded and you opened the card again, pointing at the picture of your first selfie.

"Could add another photo in here - what - a few months after this, 'First pregnancy scare'," you chuckled. The comment drew a laugh out of Jessie.

She remembered it vividly. It was true, they'd only been together a few months, and considering they didn't sleep together right away, the incident really was early on.

While they'd tried to be diligent about protection, there were - admittedly - times when things had gotten so heated and desperate that before either of you could gather the resolve to be responsible, you'd sink down onto her or her into you.

Murmurs of intentions to pull out entirely failed as you'd lock your legs around her waist and she'd bury herself deep.

She couldn't help it. She knew better, and so did you, but she wanted you so badly and urgently. And apparently the feeling was very mutual.

It was only a matter of time until the risk caught up with you two.

As nervous as she'd been while waiting for the results, there was also a calm underneath. Yes, it was very early - and logically, her mind knew it would be questionable to fall into such a monumental commitment with someone new, but despite how early things were, she loved you. Really loved you. Loved you like she'd never loved anyone else before.

She'd had to laugh. Jessie - who'd taken ages to start dating, and even when she did, went on dates few and far between - finally meets the woman of her dreams, falls head over heels alarmingly fast for you, and potentially knocks you up within the course of a few short months.

What could she say. When she liked something, she really liked something - or someone, rather. And she wasn't one to do things partway.

So. Even if it was positive, she would’ve been okay delving into this with you.

However - and she had to admit she was grateful at the time and so were you - the test was negative.

You called the very next day to schedule an appointment to get an IUD.

You started to speak and it drew Jessie out of her memories.

"Am I the only person you'd want to have a pregnancy scare with?" You chuckled with a wry smirk. Jessie leaned over and gave you a quick peck on the cheek.

"Of course. And 'scare' doesn't feel right. I know we weren't planning on having another kid, but, having a baby with you isn't scary. You're incredible. And if you ask me, we've raised two pretty awesome kids together already and we'd raise a third just as well. So, I'm not scared," she told you in earnest, despite the teasing of your previous comment. "And I told you, I'd always take care of you and any kids we might have."

You took in her words with a loving smile. The worry that had clouded your eyes earlier was nowhere to be found. You eventually nodded.

"I know. And same. It's just, we planned for the girls, we had all sorts of other life plans - this is all just...unexpected," you explained.

"I know, baby," she acknowledged as she rubbed your back. You leaned into her, resting your head on her shoulder.

"I did enjoy the way you took care of me during the pregnancies," you relayed in a teasing tone. "You always take good care of me, but there was definitely something different and special about it when I was carrying the girls." You chuckled softly. "And seeing you care for them when they were babies...how they both just gravitated to you and could calm in your arms like no one else's..."

Nerves fired off in Jessie's system in a way they probably shouldn't have. She simply nodded against you and kissed the crown of your head.

She blinked, working to refocus.

"So? Should we look?" She asked with a readying breath. You remained still for a moment before pulling yourself up and looking to her with a nod. She kissed your head again. "Want me to check them?"

She'd been the one to check the tests every time before.

You nodded decidedly and she stood, you rising as well. She squeezed your hand reassuringly and made her way to the bathroom, noting how you followed a few steps behind her. You stood outside the bathroom door, a faint frown on your face as you chewed at the corner of your thumb.

She picked up the first test and examined it with a silent breath. She knew how to read it, but double-checked the instructions anyway. She picked up the second and repeated the process.

She turned to see you still watching her intently, the most precious frown still on your face as you waited for her.

"Negative," she announced.

She thought she'd feel relieved, but she didn't actually know how she felt.

Conflicted. Maybe that was the best description for now.

Your expression didn't change for a moment or two before it slowly, steadily, relaxed. Your posture straightened.

"Oh," you said in faint surprise.

Maybe it was her own perceptions clouding things, but she thought she caught a flash of disappointment on your face. It shifted so quickly and suddenly, she couldn't be certain.

“Both of them?” You asked, tone unreadable, even to her.

She gave a nod. “Both.”

You were quiet for a prolonged moment before you cracked a vague smirk.

"Well, okay," you said softly before chuckling. "Guess it's just a flu or something." You shot her a wry look. "Hopefully not cancer."

"[Y/N]!" Jessie practically snapped, aghast at the mere mention of such a thing and making her borderline distraught. "Don't say that!"

You nearly snorted a laugh, holding up your hands in apology. "I know. Sorry. Sorry." You shook your head, growing serious once more. "Silly. The symptoms are totally just a flu. I guess I just...overreacted," you relayed as your gaze shifted away and the room fell quiet once more.

Another couple of moments passed and you eventually smiled fully, holding out your arms to her.

"Okay! I'm not pregnant!" You announced. "Our empty nest plans are still intact!"

She may have hesitated for just a half second before returning your smile. She walked towards you and you jumped into her arms. She laughed as you locked your legs around her and she caught you. You kissed her.

"Now you don't have to worry about dealing with pregnancy hormones," you joked between kisses.

She grinned into the kiss. "I didn't mind," she assured you.

"Mhmm," you hummed skeptically as your fingers wove their way up the back of her neck and into her hair. "I'm sure you didn't mind me crying about how you didn't want me anymore despite you doting on me hand and foot day in, day out. Or being sent out to the corner store at 1 am. Or me snapping at you one second and grinding on you the next."

She cracked a lopsided grin as she murmured into the kiss. "You were snapping at me earlier today, and look at us now," she teased. "Do I seem bothered?"

You, inadvertently or not, rocked your hips into her waist, and ran a hand down her neck, sending a shiver through her body. "I suppose not," you relented.

She felt you smile into the kiss and you ground against her body further. "Or are you?" You teased.

"Mmm," she hummed in mock complaint as she drew back from the kiss to look up at you. You smirked down at her and she felt like her heart honest to God skipped a beat. "You're bad," she said dryly.

"Mm, well, you know how to shut me up," you quipped as your eyes shone playfully.

She walked you towards the bed, a smug smirk on her face now and she let you two fall onto the mattress, her body pinning you to it. You grinned.

She took a deep breath, her eyes raking over you as her steadily growing length continue to strain against her pants and now you.

"You were just worried that I knocked you up, and now here you are begging for me to pump myself inside of you again," she murmured against your lips as she rolled her hips against you. A rush went through her at the way your grip tightened on her. You tilted your head back, inviting her to kiss your neck.

"Well I can't help it that I'm a slut for you," you whispered casually as your hips gyrated under her. Her shoulders rounded out at the claim and her movements stilled, but there was no denying the way her cock throbbed. She heard you chuckle. "It's not my fault that I can't help but spread my legs for you."

Jessie groaned low in her throat as she pushed herself firmly against you as though she was trying to drive herself deep inside, regardless of the layers and layers of clothes between you two.

"You are such a brat," she told you though her body tingled with anticipation.

"Only for you," you responded easily and proudly.

She blew out a breath, her cheeks puffing out as she sat up, grasping your legs and pushing them outwards as she rocked her bulge against you.

"Fuck," she murmured. "You always know how to work me up."

"What are you going to do about it?" You challenged, a glint in your eye. She couldn't help but smirk adoringly at you. She leaned down quickly and tugged your lower lip between her teeth before sitting up once more.

"You're in luck," she told you as she pushed off the bed and went over to the nightstand. "I picked up reinforcements when I went in to get the tests."

She reached into the drawer and pulled out the unopened box of condoms. You laughed at the sight of them.

"So sly," you teased. "And presumptuous of you; that I'd be allowing you anywhere near me after a scare."

She returned, holding up the still-sealed condom between her index and middle finger.

"Well, what did you say?" She asked cheekily. "You can't help spreading your legs for me?" She went on as she leaned down, smiling at how your arms immediately wrapped around the back of her shoulders. You gave a clipped moan at the statement. She kissed you. "I may have been banking on that."

She felt you smile into the kiss and she chuckled. "I figured it could've turned into celebratory sex one outcome or another."

You rolled your hips against her aching length, drawing a groan from her and you grasped her head, guiding her to your neck once more. She suckled at the sensitive skin there, nipping at it as she exhaled, her whole body melting into you.

"So are you just going to tease me or are you going to let me have my way with you," she murmured against your skin as she dipped her tongue out to tease you in return. Your breath hitched and your body jerked against her.

"Who's teasing who," you asked with a breathy laugh as you dug your fingers into her hair. "I'm on my back for you, legs open and my pussy dripping wet. You're the one wasting time."

She groaned again as she righted herself once more. She smirked down at you in awe.

"My baby's always right."

Soon enough, your clothes and hers were scattered on the floor, she'd rolled the condom onto her cock and she'd sunk herself inside you as your legs and arms wrapped around her.

She exhaled steadily as she remained sheathed inside your tight heat. It didn't feel the same with a condom on, but you felt heavenly nonetheless.

Her first few strokes were almost stilted and disjointed as she adjusted to the overwhelming pleasure of how your walls hugged her cock so perfectly.

"I love that I still have that effect on you," you said with a smirk and glint in your eyes that was both triumphant and wicked. She looked down at you, seeing the challenge in your eyes. She raised her eyebrows.

"Oh yeah?" She said as she withdrew, a lopsided grin on her face at the fleeting look of disappointment you gave her as she pulled out. She grasped one of your legs and maneuvered you so you were on your side with one knee up. She placed one arm on either side of you, arched above you as she lined her hips up with your entrance again.

She grinned as she sunk inside you once more and your eyes immediately closed at the sensation as your jaw fell.

In this position she was completely unencumbered in her movements. She kissed your shoulder tenderly as she slowly withdrew to the tip before rolling her hips forward and surging into you once more.

She was slow and steady at first, the thumb of one hand on your clit as she continued to work you up. It took little time for rings of your cum to form at the base of the condom as you breathed and moaned deliciously beneath her.

Soon, she planted both hands on either side of you again and picked up the pace. She held herself up above you as her hips bounced quickly and fluidly against you. With you angled this way, she sunk to the hilt with every stroke. She smiled devilishly as your jaw fell further and you balled the sheets in a fist as you began to writhe under her.

She thrust into you and you mewled and gasped, soon turning so you were flat on your stomach, your one knee still up though. She growled at the sight of you before her and she anchored her hands on your lower back and continued to drive her hips into you.

Your back arched into the bed with soft gasps and you folded your arms in front of you, your head rolling helplessly against your forearms as she saw your hands flex and relax repeatedly as she brought you closer to the edge.

Your movements grew more hungry and desperate; your other leg now angling out, your legs spread wide for her as your knees and chest dug into the mattress while she fucked you.

"Oh God, you're so deep," you panted as your hand aimlessly palmed at the sheets. "Don't stop."

Jessie resisted the urge to fuck you harder and faster, instead staying steady in her rhythm. She could see the sheen of sweat forming on your back, small beads forming in the dip of your spine where her hands were splayed. She could feel sweat dripping down her own back, but she didn't care.

Your back arched further into the mattress and she could feel your legs starting to kick and grow restless as your moans rose in pitch, as much as you tried to muffle them in the sheets.

You came with a small cry as you lifted your back off the bed, arching the other direction now. Jessie followed your movements to not slip out and keep stroking into you. You white-knuckled the sheets in your hands as you buried your face into the mattress.

Your walls convulsed around her and the sight of you cumming on her cock drove her insane. A first wave of spasms ceased and you fell back down onto the mattress. The tension at the base of her cock was impossible to hold back now.

She pushed your hips deeper into the mattress, basically balancing the majority of her weight on her hands as she angled further over you and began to pump in and out of you at an unrelenting pace. You screamed further into the mattress and your nails claws at the sheets.

Jessie's steady breaths grew ragged and soon hitched gasps and groans began to work their way up her throat until at the end of one stroke she let out a strained grunt and arched into you, holding herself deep inside of you while she shot rope after rope of cum into the condom.

Another clipped grunt fell from her lips when she drew back and drove home once more as she released the last few spurts and relief radiated throughout her body.

She held herself in place for a few moments longer before fully collapsing out onto her back next to you as her chest heaved up and down.

You didn't move for several moments either before eventually chuckling and turning, slinging a tired arm across her torso.

"Celebratory sex, huh?" You asked with a weak chuckle as you snuggled your head against her shoulder. She could barely think or move, but she instinctively leaned her head down to kiss the top of yours.

"Something like that," she replied breathlessly.

You two laid there, both resting and Jessie simply savouring the idle and gentle touch of your thumb grazing across her hip.

Eventually, she opened her eyes as you propped yourself up on your elbow and she felt your hand on her now-soft member. You removed the condom and eyed it for a moment.

"For such a small person, you have such a huge load," you remarked. Jessie stared blankly at you for a moment and you laughed. "I love it." You shook your head and set the condom aside. "I need to book an appointment with my doctor ASAP, because I'm looking at this and all I can think is how much of a waste it is that it's not in me."

Jessie released a slow, steady breath, her mind immediately going astray. You looked at her.

"Do you agree?" You asked, your hand now slowly and sensually tugging along her length. She closed her eyes and moaned deep in her chest.

"Mhmm," she voiced with a nod.

"Tell me," you told her as you continued to massage her. Blood surely rushed back between her legs as she began to grow in your warm hand.

She groaned again softly as she opened her eyes to the ceiling before glancing down at you. You were already looking at her, watching her intently.

"Believe me," she murmured, a crooked smile crossed her lips. "As I was about to cum all I could think is how much I wanted to leave my load inside you."

An open mouth grin formed on your face as you stroked her growing cock, your thumb circling the head the way she loved before your fingers teased the underside, causing it to twitch in desire.

"Yeah, we need to get this IUD thing sorted out. Because. Yeah," you repeated flatly and trailed off.

She nodded distractedly, eyes drawn back up to the ceiling as pleasure built. "Yeah. Or the vasectomy," she said, laughing inwardly at how she could even mention it as you were actively stroking her to another climax. She tried to keep a level head. "I don't want you to have to worry."

Suddenly, your hand was gone and she looked back down right away to see you pushing yourself up onto your knees and swinging a leg over her waist. She smiled subconsciously and you grasped both her hands, pinning them gently above her head as you settled yourself on her hips, her cock laying flat beneath your slick heat.

She groaned at the sensation as her gaze shot back up to the ceiling before drifting down to see the subtle, smug smirk you wore. Her gaze dropped further to see a small bead of precum at the tip of her cock once more and how her length spread your lips and how they hugged her.

She moaned again.

"Yeah," you accepted and she had to rack her mind to think back to what she'd said.

Right.

You cocked your head slightly and looked at her, half flirtatious, but half serious. "As long as you don't take that as a free pass."

She shook her head. "I promise," she said in earnest, trying not to be disappointed. She breathed. "Babe."

"Just making sure," you said, voice teasing again and eyes light. You slowly, deliberately, rolled your hips along her length. "Just want to make sure you know this cock is mine."

She puffed out her cheeks as she exhaled and gave an adoring shake of her head.

"Believe me. I am - and this cock is," she smirked, "very much yours."

You held her hands in place and continued to roll your hips sensually.

"Good. That's what I like to hear," you affirmed.

Your slick lips glided across her length, expertly over her head, her length just begging to be let up, before you slid back, rubbing your clit against her. It was absolutely sensational. She clenched her hands into fists as she rocked her hips up against you.

"What's wrong, baby?" You teased with mock concern.

Her hips inadvertently jerked against you and you tightened your hold on her wrists.

"You know," she told you as her eyes were absolutely fixed on your lips hugging her length.

You smiled knowingly at her as you continued to work yourself against her. Your movements slowed as you pushed your clit over and past the head of her cock. She felt her sensitive head push over your lips and soon nestled at your soaking entrance. The heat that radiated from you caused her jaw to grow slack.

As soon as the sensation came, it went as you lifted slightly and rested yourself along her aching length once more.

She gazed up at you, enchanted with how your hips flexed and shifted so sensually.

"Baby, please, I want to hold you," she said as she gently wrestled her wrists against your hold. Clearly, if she wanted to break free, she could've.

"Promise you'll be good?" You asked. She nodded readily. "Okay," you said as you released her hands with a benevolent smile. You rest your hands against her chest and her hands immediately came up to grasp your waist.

"I'm always good," she pouted with a pointed look as she followed your movements.

You cocked your head again and gave her a disbelieving look.

"Then explain the time you were dropping me off at the airport. You were supposed to just drop me off at the doors, but instead you tell me you want to come in with me. You park, start kissing me and telling me you don't want me to go, then suddenly you've got me in the backseat, and then I'm rushing through security later with your cum pooling in my panties and I nearly miss my flight.”

Jessie released a shuddering breath at the memory. "Well," she started while her brain struggled to formulate something coherent.

"I thought as much," you replied matter-of-fact as you continued to grind against her, strings of cum stretching from your lips and along her cock in your wake.

"I can't resist you," she pouted as her eyes remained transfixed on how you rode against her. Precum was now dripping down her head and onto her torso.

"I can tell," you said smugly as you rocked forward, sliding past her head again, the tip soon nudging at your entrance once more.

She blew out a breath as she held your hips firmly.

"You're playing with fire," she warned. Again, she tried to keep a level head despite everything. "I feel like I should grab a condom."

You rocked against her hold, your entrance sliding subtly back and forth across her aching tip. She released another strained breath.

"Well, we don't know for sure the IUD isn't effective. I mean, the test was negative after all," you trailed off.

Jessie's eyes rolled into the back of her head as you ever so gently rocked against her tip. God, you were tempting. She just wanted to grip you and pull you down onto her.

As if you knew, you reset, pushing her cock flat again and sliding along her.

Maybe she wasn't thinking clearly. Well, hell. The most gorgeous woman she knew, the woman she was desperately in love with, was currently grinding on top of her and looking absolutely breathtaking.

Of course she wasn't thinking clearly.

But, in this altered state, she felt words burning on her tongue and she eventually lost any resolve to temper them. She embraced them.

She tightened her grip on you and gave a pronounced roll of her hips as her mind wandered.

"You're going to hate me for saying this," she warned as her gaze flicked up to your face. Your mouth was open in need as you rocked against her. You frowned faintly and she continued. "But I actually didn't mind the idea of you being pregnant."

She instinctively dug her fingers further into you and inhaled deeply.

"In fact. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted it." Her gaze fell to your stomach. "To see you swelling up with my baby again. You really don't understand how absolutely beautiful you are when you're carrying my baby."

To her delight, you groaned, hips rolling needily along her cock and she caught the way your breath shuddered.

"Fuck. Stop talking, Jess," you warned.

It did nothing but spur her on. She released heavy breaths as her jaw remained slack while she watched you. She looked you in the eye.

"I know you thought about it, too," she said gently, but confidently. "Growing round with another one of our babies. I remember the way you talked. The things you'd say to me."

A rush came over her at the recollection.

"That you loved knowing that it was me who made you so big; filled you so completely that you could barely get off the couch. That people would look at you, seeing your shirts that barely fit, and know that you'd given yourself to me."

Your shoulders hitched with an unsteady breath as your hips rocked faster against her length. The look you gave her was a conflicted pleading.

She shifted her hand, rubbing it sensually along your lower stomach.

"You telling me over and over what it did to you knowing - and seeing proof - that I'd claimed you as mine," she went on, her hips matching your pace.

"Stop," you whined, eyes closing briefly, your head back before you let it fall forward again and you looked to her. "You know what that talk does to me."

"I'm not doing anything," she claimed innocently as she let you lead.

Your movements were growing desperate and more dangerous by the second. You rose off her enough to let her cock rise up, as if immediately seeking your core. You settled yourself on her tip once more and rocked gently.

You were truly dripping wet and her tip nudged inward - just barely - effortlessly.

You both gasped.

She didn't say anything. She just brought a hand up to the back of your neck and massaged up into your scalp wrapping her other arm around your waist.

You let out an aching whine.

"God, Jess," you pleaded as you lifted yourself off her, the tip popping out once more, but your core sliding easily along it with your arousal. "If you don't stop I'm going to end up begging you to put another baby in me. And I don't know if I want that when it could actually happen." You huffed, pouting as you confessed, "As hot as that is. I'm actually fucking throbbing at the thought of you giving me another baby."

You rolled your hips in a gentle circle on her tip before dropping down just enough for her to start stretching you out again, but not quite slip inside. The sensation drew a pained groan from Jessie.

"Fuck, Jess. What did you do?" You whined.

“Nothing yet,” Jessie retorted, voice strained as she willed herself to remain still. “But, fuck, I want to.”

You moaned deep in your throat, lifting subtly and rocking yourself along her again, the sounds of your arousal as you moved caused her jaw to clench. You braced your hands against her and your brow furrowed adorably.

“We just got back together,” you reasoned breathlessly.

“We’ve been married for over ten years,” she countered easily. “And we’re still in love.”

“I think I’m delirious. I don’t know what I want.” You shook your head as you settled your entrance on her tip once more, “but all I know is this teasing shit isn’t enough right now. I need you to pound me and cum as hard and deep in me as you can.”

Jessie blew out a breath, her cock twitching at your demand. “Babe,” she warned you.

“I’m fucking serious, Jess,” you whined desperately.

Suddenly, you relaxed yourself, dropping down onto her length and enveloping her fully. You let out a small cry and Jessie's eyes rolled into the back of her head with a strained moan as her toes curled.

"I need you to fuck me," you begged through hurried breaths as you went to flip the two of you over.

She didn't need to be told again. She grabbed you, rolling the both of you urgently so she was on top of you. Your hand came to her face and you stared up at her with an expression she wished she could hold in her mind forever.

She sunk into you fully, you so dripping wet she wasn't worried about hurting you. She groaned and you gasped in pleasure, arching off the bed again and raking your nails down her back from that alone.

She pounded you mercilessly. Your bodies bounced off the bed with her thrusts and you were both far louder than you’d normally be given the girls were down the hall.

“You’re so fucking wet,” Jessie breathed, voice trembling with barely tamed desire. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you want my baby.”

“Oh shit,” you cursed as you clawed up her back and writhed beneath her.

She plowed into you, hips flexing powerfully. You were so slick and you whimpered and gasped beneath her with every stroke.

“Oh, babe,” she nearly grinned as she pulled you tighter to her. “I think you may really want another baby.”

"Jess," you panted in need.

She leaned back onto her heels, your legs wrapped around her still as she held you by the waist and pumped in and out of you, her cock just dripping in your juices.

She placed a hand on your lower stomach, caressing tenderly. “Mmm right there. You’ll start to show, swell little by little as you grow our baby big and strong.”

Her cock pulsed and throbbed as images of you pregnant years before filled her mind. How glorious you looked, so round and tight. The way you held her hand to the swell of your stomach while she made love to you.

She'd done that to you. You were growing and changing because you'd allowed her to do that to you. Begged her to.

She pumped deeper and harder. Your hand clutched hers, holding it tightly to your stomach and your head was thrown back into the mattress as you tried to stifle moans and cries.

“I loved showing you off. God. You're so perfect," she praised. Your free hand came up to your face and your fingers dug into your skin as your pleasure continued to crest.

“I’m going to cum so hard. I’m not kidding, babe,” Jessie warned, knowing she couldn't take much more. "Where do you want it?"

“Do it," you panted without hesitation. "Cum inside me."

Almost instantaneously, Jessie buried herself deep inside you, pushing your legs back now, nearly folding you in half as she spilled herself as deeply as she could.

She grit her teeth painfully as she tried to swallow an overwhelming groan of pleasure as white hot cum shot up her cock and continued to coat your insides.

She swore her vision narrowed with how incredible it felt.

"Oh fuck," she breathed as her cock finally stopped pulsing inside you. She became vaguely aware of the way she'd pressed you into the mattress and she shifted enough to let your limbs relax, but still stay sheathed within your heat.

"I'll get you Plan B first thing if you want," she mumbled against your ear. You nodded tiredly, but didn't say anything. You merely traced tender touches up and down her back as you lay entwined together.

She laid a gentle kiss to your cheek as she eventually pushed herself off of you, her cock regrettably leaving the warmth of your tunnel.

"Jesus Christ," she couldn't help but say in both reverence and amusement when she saw the soaked and cum-stained sheets beneath you.

"Shut up," you admonished with a blush as you swatted at her shoulder. She leaned in and kissed you.

"It's incredible. And you're incredible. I love you so much," she reassured you. She stared at the mess, including the way her cum still dripped from your entrance and down onto the sheets. She shook her head.

"As much as I'd love to revel in this. Or, Hell, maybe go again, we should probably get changed. I'm afraid we were a bit loud. I won't be shocked if someone woke up," she told you as she forced herself to come back to her senses.

You nodded, already climbing off the bed, but nearly falling back for a second.

"Jesus Christ," you echoed as your legs were unsteady under you. You paused and tried again, stable this time. You shot her a flat look and she tried to temper a boastful grin. "I need to get cleaned up," you told her.

She nodded. "I'm not much better," she chuckled as she looked down at the mix of her cum and yours coating her softening cock and all around her base. "I'll change the sheets and bring you your clothes," she relayed as she threw on her clothes from earlier. "I'll get sorted later."

She was about to put the last corner of a new set of sheets on the bed as the she heard the doorknob turn. It jostled due to the lock.

You were still in the ensuite getting ready and she jogged over to close that door before jogging back and opening the bedroom door.

"Hey, sweetie," she greeted as a smile crossed her face upon see her youngest look up at her drowsily in her PJs and rubbing sleep from her eye. "Is everything okay?"

"Can I sleep with you and Mommy tonight?" She asked sweetly.

As if Jessie was going to say 'no' tonight. Her family was back together and she wanted every part of it.

She glanced over her shoulder, contemplating what you'd say, but deep down knew you'd agree given the circumstances.

"Yeah, come in, sweetie," she said as she opened the door. Her eyes returned to the bed. "Oh," she said as she went over and finished putting the last corner on.

"Did you have an accident?"

Harper's voice drew Jessie to turn around in question. She followed the little girl's gaze back to the fresh sheets.

"Uh, no. No. I didn't," she said as she as she worked valiantly to stifle a laugh.

"Did Mommy?"

Again, Jessie bit back a laugh. "No. No, sweetheart. I'm just, changing the sheets. Because fresh, clean sheets are the best after a long day."

Harper's eyes scanned over to the bathroom and she seemed to come to conclusions of her own.

"It's okay. I won't tell anyone," she said as the bathroom door opened and you stepped out, cleaned up and refreshed.

"Tell anyone what?" You asked. Harper walked up to you and wrapped her arms around your legs in a hug.

Jessie's heart melted, but she continued to struggle not to laugh. You looked at her perplexed.

"Your, uh, daughter thinks you may have...had an accident," she relayed as she nodded to the bed.

Your jaw fell, affronted. You gently held Harper out from you and looked her in the eyes.

"Honey. That's not what happened. I-" you trailed off, unsure what the narrative was. Jessie jumped in.

"Yeah, Harp. I was simply changing the sheets. Nothing more than that," she emphasized.

Harper nodded her understanding and moved on.

"Momma said I can sleep with you tonight," she said as she smiled up at you.

"Oh did she?" You asked with a teasing smirk Jessie's direction. "Well that sounds like fun tonight."

Harper lit up. "I'll go get Ky," she announced and had turned on her heel and padded hurriedly out of the room before either of you could interject.

You released a sigh and gave Jessie a stare.

"I think I may need to brace myself for some rumours going around the school parents," you deadpanned with a pointed look to the sheets. Jessie snorted.

"Well, anyone with a brain will know the truth," she rebuttled.

You rolled your eyes playfully. "Great. All the school moms already eye you. They're always raving about how sweet and cute you are. If they learn you're a stud in bed, too, it's over."

Jessie scoffed and folded her arms. "Come on."

"I'm serious," you said primly as you got into bed.

"Well, let them think that," she countered. "You're the only one I have eyes for."

You gave her a sidelong, chiding expression, but smiled nonetheless.

Jessie excused herself to go get cleaned up. As she was coming back out, Harper returned with Ky in tow, holding her hand and the two climbed up onto the bed next to you.

She stood quietly as you lifted your arm, Ky cuddling in next to you and Harper next to her.

"Momma, come on," Harper giggled and Jessie had to take a moment to collect herself. Her throat was tight and she couldn't speak, instead simply smiling at all of you and climbing in to bookend the group. Harper wrapped her arms around her middle and she kissed the top of the girl's head.

None of them were ready for sleep anymore. Instead, Jessie turned off the lamp and they made shadow puppets on the wall with the light from the moon. They took turns and they each added tidbits to a story about whatever shadow puppet the other had made until they'd weaved a full tale together.

She felt like she was in a dream of some kind as her daughters lay next to her and laughed. And, you - you smiled and teased and she just never wanted it to end.

She'd gone astray, but she found her way again. You had the grace and forgiveness to allow her to walk beside you again, to believe and accept her love in its newer, and truer form. And her girls, who she loved unconditionally; she vowed to never be the source of their hurt again.

She'd been so wrapped up in her feelings of disappointment and inadequacy about her career, herself - none of which were even true - when she should've been focused on this right here. Her family.

She couldn't have asked for better.

She was going to cherish this.

-------

Epilogue

"Mm, this tea is truly the best," you commented as your shoulders rose in approval and you cupped the warm mug in both hands.

Jessie smiled at you from her spot next to you on the deck of the cabin you two had rented for the weekend.

"They are so happy to have you back," she relayed with a smirk as her chest filled with affection.

Her parents. They knew you loved this one particular tea blend from a shop in their area and they made sure to bring you some, along with an array of other goodies they knew you loved.

With Jessie moving home, she and you decided a weekend getaway, just the two of you, might be a nice way to celebrate such a momentous milestone after such a turbulent journey.

Her parents had been more than willing to come down and watch the kids for an extended weekend. And they were more than thrilled to see you again.

Jessie's eyes had welled with tears as her parents each took their turn embracing you, holding you so tightly and not wanting to let go. They whispered to you and she saw how you all teared up and nodded in the embrace.

She hadn't been the only one who'd lost you last year.

They sat together on this deck, the sun barely starting to peek over the trees with how early it was. The site was still and quiet and you did nothing more than sit next to her, your arm brushing against her as you silently sipped your tea, but her heart felt full with how much she loved you.

A small smile crossed her face. She'd been so nervous the first time she did this. There's been eventual calm - once she actually started getting the words out - but leading up to it, she'd been a bit of a mess even though deep down she knew what you'd say.

This time, she felt a different kind of confidence and ease. It's not to say there were no nerves, but after everything you'd been through, there was no way either of you could say that you two weren't meant to be.

She set her mug down on the stoop and stood. Your eyes followed her with idle curiosity and she held out a hand for you. You gave a half frown, but smiled as you took her hand and rose. She took your now-empty mug and set it off to the side.

She stood in front of you and cleared her throat briefly before grasping both your hands in hers.

"Hey, what-"

Your words ceased as she glanced down at your left hand and she let her thumb graze over the wedding ring and band you'd placed back on your finger.

"I've been trying to come up with something poetic or super special, but I've struggled because - and I'm grateful for this - every single day with you is special and extraordinary."

She smiled at you and she could see the way your mind was trying to process what was happening.

"I don't really have anything super special or new to say because how I feel for you, how much I love you, adore you, how much I cherish the life we've built together, those are things I live and breathe out loud each day. I don't want to tell you once in a blue moon how much you mean to me, I want you to know - without a single doubt - day in and day out.

"It's you. It's always been you. Every version of me - the best, the worst, and everything in between - loves you. And after everything, I feel like we've built something new. Something stronger.

"I want to be your partner. Your safe place. Your home. I've always wanted to be those things. And I intend to spend the rest of my life proving that I deserve to be standing next to you.

"So," she said with a breath, as she removed her hands from yours and reached into her pocket. She pulled out a small box and knelt down before you. Her heart skipped at the look of surprise on your face. She opened the box.

"This isn't me asking you to marry me again because I'm scared of losing you. It's because I want to promise this to you. To promise to keep choosing you. Keep showing up for you. Keep trying. I want to promise again to protect our relationship and this life we've built. To protect you and to give you all of me.”

Her chest radiated with love and affection as she stared up at you.

"So, will you marry me? Again?"

You stood before her, mouth agape. A slow smile crossed your face and you reached out for the ring. You drew back before you touched it.

"Wait," you shook your head, a short, amused laugh coming from you as you eyed her. "We're still married. We - very intentionally and specifically - stayed married. And I already have a ring...," you trailed off, subconsciously showcasing the ring you were wearing.

"I know," she said calmly and patiently. "Even though I know we're still married - you're still my wife and I'm very much yours - I really wanted to propose to you again. To mark - to celebrate - a new chapter and the rest of our lives."

She looked at your ring, stopping herself from growing somber.

"And when you took off your ring all those months ago, I understood why. It hurt like hell, but I understood. And I don’t ever want you to look down at your hand and feel pain again. And I know you don't say anything, but I know it lingers when you look at it."

She took a breath and held out the box to you further.

"So, I want you to have something new. Something that symbolizes what we've built and fought for, rather than a token of the past."

Your eyes were teary now and you finally reached out, taking the ring from its holding place. You turned it over in your fingers, examining it, before looking at her, your lower lip now trembling.

"It's beautiful, Jess. I love it."

You pulled her to her feet and she met you in a tight embrace. You clutched her closely and she held you.

"So...is that a 'yes'?" She asked after you finally pulled back and gave her a kiss, cupping her cheek.

You let out a watery laugh. "Yes! Of course."

You took off your old ring, looking at it for a poignant moment before kissing it and tucking it in your pocket. You held out your hand to her and she beamed.

"Not every day you get to propose to the love of your life for the second time," she said as she gently slid the ring on.

You gazed at it and she adored the look you wore. You let out a small sob and you pulled her into another sweet embrace.

You wiped at a tear when you pulled back again.

"Are we actually getting married again? Like full-on, guests, venue, renewing our vows?" You asked with a frown. She chuckled.

"Not unless you want to. I know both of us hated getting up in front of people and reciting our vows," she smirked. You nodded readily.

"I'd rather we recite vows to one another in the privacy of our own home. Just the two of us. Nothing formal. Just…us," you told her as you wiped another tear.

"That sounds amazing to me," she told you. She nodded to the ring, holding your hand tenderly. "I just really wanted to honour this new level of our relationship. It feels impossibly deeper than before. And I wanted something to signify it."

You nodded. "I adore it."

She cracked a goofy smirk despite how earnest she felt. "And I adore you."

You smiled in appreciation and kissed her again.

"Thank you, Jess," you said softly, your eyes searching hers as your hand rest gently on her face. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too." She took a steadying breath as emotions mounted in the best of ways. "More than anything. I’m sorry you ever had to doubt that. I promise you you’ll never need to again.”

You nodded tearfully, warmth in your eyes. “We found our way back.”

She kissed you and eventually pulled back. Your eyes met once more.

She didn't break your gaze. She never wanted to turn away.

"I'm yours forever."