Hi! Well this is it! I can't believe this is over! Thank you so much for all the support you've given me, I really appreciate it! My Christmas story will be up tomorrow. It is 13 chapters so I'll be posting one chapter everyday which should take us up to Christmas day (if I've worked it out correctly haha). Again thank you so much for all of the support, I'm so so so so grateful!

Tris

Ten Years Later

"You sure you have everything handled? You don't need my help?" I ask down the line. I can practically envision Christina's eye roll.

"Everything is fine. Jesus, woman. I can handle this. You've just given birth. Why don't you lie down and breastfeed or something."

My eyes narrow. "Don't tempt me. As you've said, I just had a baby."

"What number is this now anyway? Eighteen?" she teases, and I fight my smile. She knows damn well how many kids I have. Hell, she's the godmother to most of them.

"You're such an ass. She's number four."

Christina whistles. "Tobias really took the term barefoot and pregnant to heart, didn't he?"

I laugh because she isn't wrong. The man has no qualms about coming inside me. Not that he should, as he's my husband, but you'd at least think after four kids he'd want to slow down.

He doesn't.

"You're horrible. You know that?"

"That's why you love me," she singsongs. "Oh, I gotta go. We have customers."

"Okay, I'll be in later to check on things once Tobias gets back from work. He took Andrew with him, so I'm sure they'll be back sometime soon. You know how that kid is. He's the biggest complainer. A lot like you, actually."

Christina huffs, "Har, har, har. Goodbye, Tris. Kiss my sweet little baby Harper for me."

"I will."

Moonchild has been incredibly successful. I took a risk bringing this baby to life in Pasadena, then again here, but it's performed so much better than my wildest dreams. Tomorrow officially marks ten years that we've been open, and I still can't wrap my head around it. It's my dream come true, and I get to live it every single day.

After hanging up with Christina, I check on Harper, our youngest. My sweet little girl is still fast asleep in her crib. So far, she's been our calmest child, and for that, I'm all too thankful. There's not a lot of downtime these days.

I have Luna, who is now a sixteen-year-old and sassy as all hell, Andrew, a nine-year-old who seems to roughhouse with his six-year-old little brother, Noah, any chance he gets, and finally, our sweet Harper who is eight weeks old. On most nights, our house is filled with bickering children or their vivacious laughter, but I wouldn't change it for the world, and I know Tobias wouldn't either.

It hasn't been easy, raising a family while running Moonchild, but my mom and Christina are incredible at helping pick up the slack when I need it. After much consideration, my mom decided to stay. I think, despite the heavy memories of the past, she couldn't bear the thought of being away from her grandchildren. With my father's house officially in my name, I told my mom she could stay there as long as she needed. It was also in part because I couldn't stomach the thought of letting the property go. It had Andrew Prior written all over it. It was the last piece of my father that I truly had.

Tobias and the guys still own the construction company, though now, they've broadened their customer base. They don't just limit themselves to work in the surrounding areas anymore. They've since expanded to all of the close by states. Tobias is great when it comes to traveling. If he feels like the job is too far, he makes arrangements for the guys and handles his blueprints from home.

He's all about family first, and when you see him with our kids, it shows. Tobias is an incredible father, and dare I say, an even better husband. He's the very best thing that's ever happened to me.

I'm in the kitchen cleaning up the mess from lunch when I glance out the window, spotting Luna and her friends. They're in the backyard, and a smile tugs at the corners of my lips when I spot the sunflowers. One summer Tobias took it upon himself to plant over three dozen sunflowers in the backyard, all in varying sizes. Luna just about cried when she saw what her dad had done for her, and me? Well, I did cry, like a baby.

I pause what I'm doing when I notice the look on my sweet girl's face. Luna has always been the spitting image of her father, but she's a lot like me in so many ways. My heart squeezes at the expression on her face. It's one I know well.

I follow the trajectory of her gaze, and my stomach dips.

Oh, no.

Aiden Saint.

He must sense Luna's gaze because he glances at her, his brows furrowing when she looks away. He does the same, going back to pretending she isn't there, but I notice the way he watches her when no one else is looking. The way his jaw tightens with frustration when someone else sits and talks to her. It's a trip back to my youth.

Grabbing a handful of water bottles out of the fridge, I head outside. At the sound of the porch door opening, everyone looks my way.

"If you guys get thirsty, here are some waters." I leave them on the porch next to Luna, who looks like she'd rather be anywhere else than here.

As I'm walking away, I hear the comment made by one of the boys, and my heart squeezes for my daughter.

"Jesus Christ, Luna. Your mom is hot as hell." It's my niece, Mia's boyfriend. Her boyfriend is best friends with Aiden, the one boy my daughter can't seem to keep her eyes off. The same boy who can't keep his eyes off her, too. "She's hot, ain't she, Saint?" Mia's boyfriend directs the question to Aiden. I hear his deep reply.

"Yeah."

Back in the kitchen, I press a hand to my sternum, rubbing away the sudden ache there as I take in the pain that's written all over Luna's face. His comment hurt her, for obvious reasons. I make a note to have a discussion with her later about how idiotic young boys can be.

I drift back to the pain I felt whenever I'd see Tobias with Nita. Even though she's no longer an issue in our lives anymore, I still can't help but sympathize with that young heartbroken girl who felt like she never quite compared. After hearing about our engagement and my pregnancy, Nita finally backed off, and it was a relief. Not because I worried Tobias would fall for her ever again, but because we didn't have the looming black cloud of her presence hovering above us.

For a while, I constantly worried about Peter, wondering if he'd ever come back to hurt me, but thanks to Zeke and Uriah and their father, I didn't have to worry about Peter anymore. They purposely kept it hush-hush, but Mr Pedrad, Zeke and Uriah's father, found him hiding out a few counties over about eight months after the incident. It was a weight taken off my shoulders, one I hadn't realized I was carrying around until I knew he was gone.

Tobias' truck pulls into the driveway not long after and out hops my little man, Noah, and Tobias. They bypass Luna and her friends, stopping to give Mia a hug. It doesn't escape my notice the way Tobias watches the boys through narrowed slits. Even though Mia is his sister's problem, I don't think he enjoys the fact that our house has become somewhat of a hangout for the older kids. I'm not sure how I feel about it either. Luna is only a sophomore, while Mia and her boyfriend and Aiden are seniors.

I turn at the sound of the front door closing, and I smile when I spot my boys. Noah and Andrew press a kiss to my cheek before they head off to their room, and when Tobias walks into the kitchen, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me deeply. His hand cups my ass, and he squeezes, making me moan against his lips.

When we pull away, his gaze seeks out the window, and he frowns. I don't even need to ask why.

"Is it necessary for them all to hang out? Whatever happened to girls sticking with girls?"

"They're all friends. Stop it."

He glares. "They're too young for boyfriends."

"You mean to tell me you didn't have a girlfriend at fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen?" I quirk a brow.

"I did, and that's the problem. I know exactly what is going through those boys' heads, and I don't fucking like it."

I laugh at the seriousness in his tone. He really doesn't like the idea of our daughter dating. Ever. He's in for a rude awakening if what I suspect between Aiden and Luna to be true.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I press my body flush against his and toy with the back of his hair. He smells like hard work and everything I love about Tobias. The stubble on his jaw is growing thick. He hasn't shaved for the past three days, and I find I like it. Especially when it chafes between my thighs.

"Baby, Luna is smart. Give her some credit."

"It's not her I'm worried about," he grumbles. His thumb strokes my cheek, and I find myself falling into him, seeking his warmth. The anger is slowly seeping from his gaze as he stares down at me. "I missed you today."

I smile. "Me too." Pushing onto the tips of my toes, I press my lips to his in a kiss that has heat stoking through my body. My tits suddenly feel heavy, and as if he can sense I'm growing horny, Tobias' grip around me tightens, and he groans into my mouth.

"And this is why I have so many siblings," Luna deadpans.

I laugh against Tobias' lips, and he smirks when we pull away. "What can I help you with, Luna Bella?"

"Can I go with Mia to the movies?" she asks, gaze darting back and forth between her father and me. It's then I notice the audience behind her. My cheeks heat at being caught lip-locking the way we were in front of her friends.

"It's up to your dad."

Luna shifts her gaze to Tobias, giving him her puppy dog eyes. "Please, Dad. I'll be home right after. I promise."

He sighs, raking a hand through his unruly hair. His gaze falls on the boys behind her, and his lips thin. "All right."

"I'll meet you guys outside. I'm gonna change really quick."

Crossing my arms over my chest, I shoot Tobias a playful smirk. "You're such a sucker for her puppy dog eyes."

Somehow, his lips thin even more. "Fucking Christ, I know. Ten years and you'd think I'd at least learn how to say no."

I toss my head back and laugh. "Oh, baby. If only it were that easy."

When Luna steps back out from her bedroom, dressed in an off-the-shoulder sundress, I feel Tobias stiffen beside me. "A little dressed up for the movies," he comments, an edge to his tone.

Luna frowns, looking down at her outfit. "It's a sundress and a pair of Vans, Dad. Nothing too special."

"A dress equates to boys with wandering eyes."

Luna rolls her eyes. "Believe me, Dad. They're both too busy salivating over how hot Mom is."

Okay, so she's still definitely angry over that comment. Duly noted.

When Luna's gone, Tobias turns to me, questions in his eyes. I relay the conversation I overheard earlier, telling him about the comments they made. He laughs. "The fact that someone in high school calling my wife a MILF can still make me possessive tells me I'm fucking insane."

I roll my eyes. "I never said they called me a MILF. And, I could've told you that, babe."

He swats my ass playfully, leaving me while he goes to shower the day off.

Tobias

True to her word, Luna came home right after the movie was over. Though, I expected her to be in a much better mood than she was. She was quiet and kept her eyes downcast throughout dinner. As much as I wanted to ask her why, I figured calling her out in front of her brothers wasn't the best way to do it.

My boots wade through the long grass until I spot her slumped form in the distance, sitting by the creek. When Tris showed her this place years ago, she was drawn to it. Now, it's one of the places she goes when she wants to talk to Andrew in private. Apparently, she doesn't feel anything when she sits at his grave, but when she sits here? She says she can feel him.

After dinner, she asked if she could go to the creek for a while. It was on the tip of my tongue to say no, but when Tris set her hand on top of my arm and nodded, I changed my mind. After I helped her clean up, she suggested I check on Luna to see what was wrong.

At the sound of my footsteps, Luna turns, and my heart slams to a screeching halt when I see the tears glimmering in her eyes. There's this inexplicable tightness in my chest when I take a seat next to her, careful not to crowd her.

"Everything okay, Luna?"

She nods. "Just came out here to talk to Grandpa and listen to the water."

"You miss him, don't you, babe?"

Luna sniffles, staring out at the creek. "I do."

"It's hard. I know your mom misses him a lot, too. But that's okay, means his memory is still alive."

She smiles at me through her tears, and it still feels like a physical punch to the chest. She's grown up so much in the past few years, and now she's looking more and more like her mother every day. She's looking more like a woman and less like my little girl. We're silent for a long beat, staring out at the rippling water.

"When was the first time you really noticed Mom?" she asks suddenly, her brows pulled together as if she's deep in thought.

I grin at the memory. "The night I moved here and saw her at the supermarket."

Her frown deepens. "I thought you went years not noticing her?"

"No, I noticed her. It was hard not to. Your mother isn't someone who can be overlooked, no matter how much she believes she can. She's a lot like you, actually."

"You think so?"

"I know so. You remind me so much of your mom. Scares the shit out of me."

She begins fidgeting next to me, so I brace myself, knowing what's coming next. "There's this guy." My hands curl into fists at my sides. "I really like him, but the thing is...I know I shouldn't."

I slam my eyes shut.

Jesus fuck. I know it's that damn Saint kid. I'd bet my left nut the little fucker is nothing like a saint.

I clear my throat, trying to play it cool. "All right..."

"Sometimes I think he likes me, but other times, it's like he doesn't even know I exist. I just...I don't know. I feel like I'm wasting my time waiting around for him to notice me."

I chuckle darkly. "Well, seeing as you're only sixteen and not allowed to date till you're thirty, I'd say this is all a moot point, right?"

Luna glares at me, nudging me on the arm. "Dad! I'm being serious."

"Fine. I'm sorry. You're still my baby girl, that's all. I didn't think I'd have to talk about boys with you for another ten years."

She rolls her eyes and laughs. Her smile is so much like Tris'. It's a wonder I haven't strangled any high school boys just yet. Luna leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder and hugging me. "I'll always be your little girl, Dad. No matter what. Even when I'm thirty, and I have like eighty kids."

Fuck. My eyes grow misty.

I hug my sweet little girl back. "Good. And make it fifty, yeah? Thirty is still too young." I press a kiss to her head and give her the only advice I can. "And listen, Luna, any kid out there would be lucky to have you. If he doesn't realize that, he doesn't deserve you."

I hear a soft sniffle. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you, too, baby."


Back at home, I wrangle the little ones into bed and stop inside Harper's room. Tris is already in there, rocking Harper in the chair. Her gaze flits up to mine, that soft smile on her face.

"Hey, babe," she whispers. "How'd it go?"

"Other than the fact that the world is ending because my baby girl likes boys? Well enough."

She laughs, then her face sobers a bit. "You look tired."

I am. I've been working overtime with the guys. We had an influx of contracts this past month, plus a project I have us all working on the side. I shrug my shoulder, brushing it off as I walk into the room. I look down at my sweet little girl sleeping in her mother's arms and press a kiss to her head.

"Let's go to bed."

"I thought you'd never ask."

Back in the bedroom, I lock the door behind me and begin stripping off my wife's clothes. She's just as beautiful now as she was the first moment I met her. She still has that ethereal glow. She still has the same beautiful heart and soul that made me fall in love with her.

"I love you, Tobias," she whispers, just as I kiss her. My love for this woman knows no bounds. It's all-consuming, a soul-filled bond I can't imagine sharing with anyone else. Our love is otherworldly.

"I love you, too, Tris. Always."

Our love is otherworldly. It always has been.

We belong to the cosmos, forever me and my moon goddess.

THE END.