Beacon Hills, 2026

Stiles wakes up with sunlight shining on his face. For one disorienting moment, he forgets where he is. But then he feels her body lying against him, and he knows he's home. She turns into him, still half asleep, resting her hand lazily on his chest.

"Was it the nightmare again?" she asks, her voice groggy. Stiles knows the nightmare she's talking about, the one in which he runs towards the tortured screams of his best friends, never able to reach them. But it wasn't that this time. In this dream, he was reliving Malia's death, another recurring theme. Letting the images drift away, he shakes his head.

"No, Lydia," he tells her. He runs his hand through her silky red hair. She sighs. "I'm sorry I woke you." He rests his head on his hand, facing her. She lies on her back gazing up at him, tracing circles on his bare chest. After seven years of marriage, Stiles should be used to waking up next to her, but part of him will always be the teenage dork hopelessly crushing on the most popular girl in school. Sometimes, he can't believe that she is his wife.

"It's okay," she says. "We have to get up soon anyway." She glances over at the clock beside their bed. It reads 8:23 am. Stiles moans and buries his face into Lydia's neck.

"Nooo," he teases. "Can't we just stay in bed all day?" He kisses the soft skin of her collarbone as she shakes her head and laughs.

"I have to get the food ready and you need to clean up around here," she reminds him. "Everyone's coming over." Lydia smirks at him, and he knows that she wants to stay here just as much as he does.

"They're not here yet," he notes, acting like he's searching the room for guests. She laughs at his theatrics, playing along.

"They're not, are they?" she responds in an overly innocent voice. Stiles grins as she pulls him to her, letting his hands travel along her back, pressing his lips against hers. Even after all the years they've spent together, her touch still ignites a fire within him, and her love still astounds him. He tries to express his amazement through his body, gently caressing her cheek as his lips wander down her throat. Lydia responds by wrapping her legs around him and sighing. Soon, they are lost in each other, both laughing and declaring their love through words and motions.

"Stiles," she sighs, pulling back from him. "We really do have to get ready." Her eyes are full of desire, and he knows she wishes that they could forget the world outside even exists. Stiles would happily do the same. He is about to lean down and kiss her again when someone bursts into their room. They startle apart.

"Daddy! Mommy!" their little girl, Allison, shouts as she jumps onto their bed. Stiles and Lydia laugh as Stiles pulls her into his arms.

"What did we tell you about knocking, Alli?" Lydia scolds tenderly. Alli pouts, hanging her head, her auburn hair falling around her face.

"Sorry, Mommy," she says, her voice sweet and melodic. Lydia smiles, kissing the four year old on her nose.

"You're forgiven," she tells her. "But knock next time, honey." Stiles tickles his daughter, and he delights in hearing her high pitched laugh. Lydia laughs with her and they make a beautiful harmony.

"Are you ready for today?" Stiles asks Alli. She nods, eager to see everyone. "Well then we better get you dressed." Stiles picks her up and zooms her to her room, winking at his wife as he leaves the bedroom.

Hours later, their house is full of friends, family, and love. Sheriff Stilinski leans against the kitchen counter, a glass of wine in his hand, telling some horror story about his work, while Cory and Mason listen attentively, their hands intertwined. Stiles fondly recalls their wedding ceremony a few months ago. Liam and Hayden, who have been happily married for about two years now, sit near the fireplace, whispering to each other. Mama McCall is laughing at something Argent has said, and even Derek seems to be having somewhat of a good time, talking to Alli while she plays with her toys.

Just as Stiles pulls Lydia in for a kiss, he sees Scott out of the corner of his eye. His best friend comes over with a very pregnant Kira on his arm, both of them beaming. Stiles hugs him as Lydia asks how Kira is feeling.

"I'm fine," Kira tells them. "The morning sickness just went way and my doctor prescribed me something for the swelling." She holds her hand on her stomach, smiling brightly. Scott kisses her on the cheek and then they share a look.

"We actually went to the doctor yesterday," Scott says. "And he said that the baby's a girl." Lydia squeezes Stiles' arm and squeals.

"Oh my god!" she exclaims. "I'm so happy for you guys!" Meanwhile, Stiles pats Scott on the shoulder.

"Thanks," Kira says.

"Have you thought about names?" Lydia asks. Kira and Scott exchange a meaningful look.

"We were actually going to talk to you guys about that before deciding," Scott answers, laying his hand over Kira's on her stomach.

"Well what were you thinking?" Stiles asks.

"Malia," Scott tells them. There is a small pang within Stiles' heart at the sound of her name, a reminder of the pain that will never really go away. Lydia stand s beside him, stunned.

"If you guys think it's a bad idea, we can-" Kira begins, but Lydia puts a soft hand on her arm, a sad smile on her face.

"It's lovely," she tells Kira. Stiles rests his hand on Lydia's back, letting her know how grateful he is that she read his mind. All four of them stand there a moment, glowing with the radiance of Malia's memory.

"It's going to be one hell of a name to live up to," Scott says with a grin.

"Your baby girl will have no problem with it," Stiles assures him. "I'm sure of it." Stiles gives his best friend a hug before taking Lydia by the hand and leading her into the dining room where the food is ready to be eaten. Lydia calls everyone over and they find their seats. Stiles and Lydia stand side by side, their arms around each other, facing their pack.

"We'd like to thank everyone for being here," Stiles begins.

"As you all know, today is the seven year anniversary of our marriage, and we're so glad we can share it with all of you," Lydia finishes for him. They grin at each other.

"So here's a toast to our pack, our family, and many more love filled years ahead of us," Stiles says, and they all raise their glasses. Hours later, Stiles is sitting in his favorite chair, watching everyone interact, knowing that he's blessed beyond belief. Lydia comes over and sits in his lap, nestling her face into his neck.

"I just put Alli to bed," she tells him. He sighs, kissing her on the forehead. They rest like that for a while, observing their beautiful mess of a life. It hasn't always been easy, full of gut wrenching loss and grief, but they've gotten through it together.

"I love you," he whispers to her, holding tightly to the belief that he can never say it enough.

"I love you, too," she whispers back, and then she kisses his ready lips, finishing off this perfect night.

Stiles knows that this night will eventually cease to be, that it will fade into the inevitable day, but for now, he's happy. His best friend is finally getting the family he always desired, his little girl is tucked in safely, and his gorgeous wife is in his arms, where she belongs. Lydia rests her head on his shoulder, breathing softly, her heartbeat matching his.

He realizes, remotely, that this will all become a memory one day, that even those who remember this will fade into oblivion leaving this life behind. But that's not what makes this life important. This life isn't worth it because it lasts; in fact, the opposite is true.

Stiles turns to Lydia, looking into those vibrant eyes he could never forget, and says, "This is a night I'll always remember." She smiles, understanding his thoughts without a word.

"Me too."