In the End, It Was Always You
(Epilogue — Years Later)
The office was quiet.
Jay sat behind the sleek glass desk of Mariano Corp, the city skyline painting shadows across her white blazer. Her heels were kicked off, a pen tapped between her fingers, and three phone lines were blinking red.
Her assistant peeked in. "Ma'am, the Tokyo conference call is in fifteen."
"Push it five. Tell them I'm reviewing projections."
"Yes, ma'am."
What she was really doing?
Reading a note stuck to her screen in crooked handwriting:
"Don't work too hard, you promised me dinner. Love, your equally busy husband."
Jay smiled. Despite the pressure, the power, the name — Jay Mariano-Watson was still soft for one person.
And he was waiting.
Across the City – Watson Industries
Keifer leaned back in his chair, top button undone, eyes skimming contracts while holding a half-eaten juice box.
A small hand tugged at his sleeve.
"Papa."
Keifer looked down at the little girl with Jay's stubborn mouth and his eyes.
"Yes, princess?"
"I finished my drawing."
He set his tablet down instantly. "Let's see it."
She held up a crayon masterpiece: stick figures labeled "Mommy Boss," "Papa Boss," and a smaller one with spiky dark brown hair: "Me, CEO of ice cream."
Keifer grinned. "Ambitious."
That Night – Home
Jay walked in, exhausted but smiling. The scent of garlic and butter filled the kitchen.
Keifer stood by the stove, in sweatpants, stirring pasta. "Dinner in five."
"You cooked?"
"Your mom called. Said I should keep you alive."
She walked over, kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Mr. CEO."
He winked. "You're still the scarier one in meetings."
Their daughter zoomed past with a cape on. "Mommy! Papa said I can be the boss of the world!"
Jay scooped her up. "Only if you promise to marry for love."
"Like you two?"
Keifer met Jay's eyes. That look—the same one from the park, the rooftop, the altar.
Exactly like them.
Jay smiled. "Exactly."
Final Lines
Later, when the lights were low and their daughter was asleep between them, Jay whispered into the quiet:
"Did you ever think… this would be us?"
Keifer brushed her hair back and whispered,
"It was always going to be us. We just had to fight for it."
And Jay, now a queen in boardrooms and a softie at home, closed her eyes knowing—
She'd choose him again. Every time.
The end