"Christine! Carter! Anna! Come inside, it's time for dinner!," Jessica shouted.

"Coming, mom!," came a chorus of little voices from the backyard.

All three of them shuffled in, excitedly twittering to each other about what they were doing outside.

"Go wash up, and I'll go get your father."

Heavy footsteps ran toward the bathroom as all three of the children shoved each other through the door.

Jessica let out a light laugh passing the scene on her way to retrieve Ivan.

"Ivan, dinner's ready, and the kids are cleaning up."

Ivan turned around and looked at his wife with a goofy grin.

"What are you smiling at?," she asked, returning his grin with a smirk.

"I was just watching them play outside. They're all so precious."

"They are sweet, aren't they," she praised.

"Any children I have with you wouldn't be anything but. It would also be impossible for them to not be beautiful" he gushed.

"If you're trying to charm your way into my pants, it's working; so save it for later," she said teasingly.

He let out a hardy laugh.

Jessica loved hearing Ivan laugh. She also couldn't help but admire the way his looks had matured since having three children. The last eight years had been very kind to him. His hair was salt and pepper, and he had reading glasses now. He was every bit the sensitive family-oriented patriarch he appeared to be.

"Wasn't my intention, but I'll never turn that down."

"For now, we have a taco bar waiting for us. And Adam and Tatianna are coming over to join us."

"Fantastic! I'm so glad Adam decided to go into theology and become a priest too. It really lightens my load."

"It is nice having you home often. We've grown very close."

"That we have, kæreste. And we'll only grow closer."

Jessica stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Ivan cradled her face in his hands and placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

The doorbell rang.

"Mom! Dad! Aunt T and uncle Adam are here!"

"Coming honey!"

"Come on, Jess, they're waiting for us."

"Of course, darling," she beamed up at him.

They turned to leave, holding hands; both perfectly happy they had each other forever.