Drum roll please. Yes, we are at the final chapter.

I'm a little sad as I write this. What a journey this has been. So many chapters, so many happenings. Lot of tough spots but a lot more fun.

/

"Do you want more kids?" Rachel's question made Jake look up from his baby girl to his wife. They were lying on their bed at the resort, Sienna asleep in between them on their first night as husband and wife. The soft sound of the tumbling waves could be heard in the distance.

"What, now?" Jake asked.

"Not now, silly," Rachel replied. "I just meant, will you want more kids in the future?"

"I guess," Jake shrugged. "Why, are you pregnant?"

"No!" Rachel replied almost instantly. "Not again. Not yet, anyway."

"You want more kids?"

"I don't know," Rachel admitted. "I'm torn. I love Sienna and just imagine how much fun it would be if we had a son to play football with…"

"Girls are fine too," Jake interrupted. "Sienna can kick a football."

"You know what I mean," Rachel continued. "But then, we're so busy with work and looking after Sienna. We focus all our attention on Sienna and I can't take any of that away from her."

"I'm pretty sure that no matter what, you'll still love Sienna unconditionally and that having another child won't change that," Jake replied. "But we don't have to jump right in and have more children straight away. Just because we're officially married doesn't mean that we have to have more kids straight away."

"That's too traditional… we're so far from that," Rachel laughed.

"That too," agreed Jake, laughing quietly so not to disturb his daughter.

"Sienna's only one. I'm not saying I don't want more kids. I think that later on I will. But I think I want to enjoy just being married for a while," Rachel spoke up a moment later. "Is that okay?"

"What do you mean, is that okay?"

"I just didn't know if you wanted more kids or how long or…" she was starting to ramble. Jake leaned over and silenced her with a kiss.

"Whenever we're ready. And if we're not, then that's okay too," Jake replied. "Let's just not think about the serious things yet. We've got the rest of our lives for that." Rachel gazed at him lovingly, somewhat relieved that he understood her hesitation.

"Exactly."

/

"Qantas Flight 2254, Lord Howe Island to Sydney, will now begin it's decent into Sydney Airport. Please fasten your seatbelts and fold up tables until landing." The voice echoed over the speakers as the passengers chatted amongst themselves.

"Is it really over?" Rachel said, leaning into Jake's side as the small aircraft dipped down slightly. "Did that two weeks just go way too fast?"

"It did," Jake agreed, shifting Sienna, who was asleep on his lap.

"But it was pretty nice," Rachel said with a coy smile.

"Only nice?" Jake scoffed. "With all that pampering, I would have at least thought it'd be rated 'amazing'."

"It was amazing," Rachel drawled the last word out, then laughed.

The newlyweds had just spent the last two weeks lying on the beaches and in the resorts on tropical Lord Howe Island, a hidden paradise. There, they had enjoyed their first two weeks as a married couple with their young daughter with them.

Little Sienna had proved to be a water baby, loving every opportunity her parents had taken in the water. And that was a big percentage of each day they had spent on the luxury island. With strolls along the beach and massages, the little family were in heaven.

Now on their way home to Sydney, Jake and Rachel were to face reality again. The reality where they had to wake up each morning and go to work and make sure their cars and house were under control.

And while they wished for more time away in a hidden paradise, the couple were ready to go home and start the rest of their lives. Before they had been officially married, both Jake and Rachel had thought nothing would change. They had always loved each other and their life together. But when they had actually been declared husband and wife, it had made the pair re-evaluate. It was a huge commitment and a big deal. And that's what made it all the more special; they had made that jump together.

/

"Mum!"

Rachel stuck her head out the back window of the taxi as it pulled up near the curb of the Rafter's house. As exciting as the honeymoon had been, Rachel was literally dying to see her parents again.

On the grass, Julie looked up and behind her. She had been gardening in the warm early February sun, Ruby content playing on the grass. With a smile, Julie pushed herself up and threw her gloves down on the ground as the taxi stopped. Rachel jumped out almost before the car had even stopped. Wearing a short summer dress, Rachel hurried over to her mother.

"Hello stranger," Julie said, wrapping her daughter in a tight hug. "Look how tanned you are? I'm so jealous."

"I've missed you," Rachel said as she hugged her Mum again.

"I'll get these shall I?" Jake called out, stepping out of the taxi holding on to Sienna. The taxi driver had come around to the boot of the car and was putting their bags on the curb. Giving her mother a smile, Rachel came over.

"Watch this Mum," Rachel called out, plucking Sienna from her father's arms. Jake shook his head with a smile as he made the final realisation that Rachel wasn't planning on helping with their bags any time soon. But she was happy.

Rachel put Sienna down, holding her hands up as the young girl took a few steps, gripping her mother's hands tightly. Julie watched as Rachel careful slid her fingers out and Sienna toddled unsteadily for a few steps. She only lasted a few steps before the toppled over, landing on the soft grass. But she wasn't hurt. Jake came up behind Rachel, having paid the driver and wrapped his arms around his new bride.

"She's walking? You've only been gone two weeks!" Julie exclaimed.

"Took her first steps on the beach," Jake said proudly.

"She was walking around the resort room holding onto things, and then we took her to the beach…" Rachel added.

"And how was the honeymoon? The beach? The resort?" Julie asked.

"It was amazing," Rachel dragged the last word out for emphasis, also referring to her banter with Jake on the plane. "The resort was gorgeous and our room…"

"We can stop there," Julie said, putting her hand up. Jake laughed.

"Where's Dad?" Rachel asked, looking around.

"At work, darling," Julie said with a chuckle. "We're not all honeymooning."

/

"Home sweet home," Rachel said as they approached the front door to their own place. Rachel was holding Sienna and her bag in the other hand. Jake stood behind them carrying more bags.

"It's good to be back," Jake said as Rachel fished out her keys.

"Not so good that we only have two more days before we go back to work," Rachel grumbled, pushing the unlocked door open.

"What are you doing?"

Rachel was confused, and turned around at his question.

"Huh?"

"I'm supposed to carry you inside after we arrive home," Jake said, a cheeky smile on his face.

"Oh, whatever," Rachel scoffed, laughing and about to head inside. But before she could go further, she felt both herself and Sienna being lifted up.

"Jake!"

/

*Tear*

I know it's a little shorter. But it seemed like the perfect place to end it. That and the fact that I dislocated my shoulder yesterday so I'm typing one-handed.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Special, special thanks to aussiebabe290, who I'm pretty sure NEVER missed a review. You really are all amazing. Thank you so much.

From Sunday, I'm going to be competing in dance competitions and taking a tropical holiday. So I'll be offline and unable to post any fiction or review stories. But promise you, the minute I get back I'll be reviewing as soon as I get the chance.

I can't say whether there will be more stories featuring this little family. At this stage, nothing is planned. But when we (finally) get more Rafters, I might be inspired. In the meantime, thanks for everything. And can I ask you to review, one last time? Thanks… Em x x