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Chapter 149 – Amara POV
Three Months Later
I was starving.
Again.
It didn't matter that I'd had pancakes for breakfast, a huge grilled cheese for lunch, and a "snack" that was basically half a lasagna two hours ago. The minute the clock struck eight, my stomach growled like I hadn't eaten since last week.
I shuffled into the kitchen, barefoot and wrapped in one of Ethan's oversized button-down shirts—my favorite thing to sleep in lately. The house was quiet except for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the soft music playing from the living room speakers. Ethan was in his office, working on something he refused to let me see, claiming it was "a surprise." I wasn't sure if I should be nervous or excited.
The leftover cupcakes from Zariah's bakery visit sat on the counter like temptation itself. I reached for one, took a bite, and let out a tiny, pleased moan. Cream cheese frosting. Sweet heaven.
"You're eating again?" came a voice from behind me.
I turned to see Ethan leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, lips curved into a smirk. His hair was slightly tousled like he'd run his hand through it too many times, and he had that look in his eyes—the one that said he was both amused and madly in love.
I shrugged. "Don't judge me. I've been hungry all day."
"That's the third cupcake today, Mara."
"No, it's the fourth."
He blinked.
I took another bite and narrowed my eyes at him. "Are you going to try and stop me?"
"Never," he said quickly, walking toward me and stealing a tiny piece of the frosting with his finger. "I just don't know where you're putting all this food."
"Honestly? Me neither. I feel like a black hole."
Ethan chuckled, circling behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. "Well, you're the cutest black hole I've ever seen."
I leaned into his chest, sighing. "I don't know what's wrong with me lately. I've been eating everything in sight. Yesterday, I cried because we ran out of fish and chips."
"You did cry," he said, kissing the side of my head.
"It was tragic."
"I went out at 11 p.m. just to buy you more."
"And that's why I married you," I teased, turning to face him.
His smile softened, and for a moment, we just stood there. Wrapped in warmth and the kind of silence that didn't feel empty—just full of everything we didn't need to say aloud.
"You've been working too hard," I murmured, pressing my palm against his chest. "Even now, you're supposed to be relaxing."
"I'll relax after the launch next week," he said, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "But I'm not too tired to make sure my wife is happy and fed."
"Well, I'm fed. Excessively. You might need to start hiding food from me."
"Not a chance." His hands slid down to my hips. "Though I might start charging you kisses per bite."
"Greedy."
"You married me."
I giggled, resting my forehead against his. "Remind me again why we waited so long to do this?"
"Because you're stubborn. And I was stupid."
"And now?"
"Now I'm just stupid for you."
He kissed me then, soft and slow, like there was nowhere else we needed to be.
After a moment, I pulled back and yawned, stretching my arms. "I'm sleepy."
"That's because you ate enough for a family of five," he teased.
"Shut up and carry me."
He laughed but didn't hesitate. In one smooth motion, he scooped me up into his arms, bridal-style, and I let out a delighted squeal.
"I will never get tired of this," I said, resting my head on his shoulder.
"Of me carrying you?"
"Of being yours."
He didn't respond, but I felt the slight squeeze of his arms and the way his lips brushed my forehead as he carried me down the hall.
He laid me gently on the bed, then crawled in beside me. As I curled into his side, he rubbed small circles into my back.
"Hey," I murmured, my voice soft in the dark.
"Yeah?"
"Do you ever think about the future?"
"All the time."
"What do you see?"
He was quiet for a beat. "I see a house filled with laughter. You in the kitchen stealing food. Me trying to keep up with you. Maybe... some noise. Little feet running around."
I smiled. "Sounds like chaos."
"Sounds like everything I never knew I wanted."
I kissed his collarbone and sighed contentedly. "Right now, I just want a long nap and a mountain of cookies."
"I can arrange that."
"You're the best husband."
"I try."
And then, like always, sleep pulled me in. With a full belly, a full heart, and his arms wrapped tightly around me, I drifted off to the sound of his steady breathing.
If this was what forever looked like, I never wanted it to end.