Hidden in Her Letters

Epilogue

Annie's heart fluttered as she opened her eyes, blinking into the golden sunlight streaming through the window. 

The warmth of the morning matched the soft warmth of Leo's voice as he greeted her.

"Wake up, beautiful."

Still groggy, she squinted and smiled as Leo brushed a strand of hair from her face. His eyes glimmered with the same admiration they'd held for her since high school, and despite being married for nearly five years, she still felt that thrill every time she saw him.

"Morning," she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. Leo leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, the tenderness of his touch sending a familiar warmth through her.

"I let you sleep in as long as I could, but we really have to get ready soon," he said, his voice light and teasing.

Annie stretched her arms lazily as she sat up, still adjusting to the brightness of the room. "Where's Liv?"

Leo reached over to the bedside table, handing her the steaming mug of tea he'd prepared for her. "Jack came by earlier and took her to his place. She's playing with Jules," he said, his voice carrying that soft, protective tone she loved. As she took a sip, Leo's gaze softened. The way the sunlight caught her hazel eyes made them glow like honey, and he couldn't tear his eyes away.

Liv, their four-year-old daughter, was always a bundle of energy, and being best friends with Jack's five-year-old, Jules, meant mornings like these were full of playdates and laughter.

Annie placed the mug back on the table and pushed the covers off herself. "I can get out of bed without help, you know," she teased, shooting him a playful look.

Leo raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Am I being smothering again?"

Annie scrunched up her nose in that way that made Leo's heart melt, giving him a cheeky grin. "Not complaining," she teased, her eyes dancing with affection.

Leo swooped around to her side of the bed and gently held her waist as she stood up. His hand instinctively rested on her large, rounded belly. "This little one's going to be a handful," he said softly, rubbing her stomach. "I can already tell."

Annie laughed, looking down at her swollen belly as if it were a giant watermelon. "If he's anything like you, everyone will be swooning over him the second he's born."

Leo quirked a playful eyebrow. "Swooning, huh? I've got a feeling it's a girl," he countered with a grin.

"Well," Annie smiled, "we'll find out at Jack's gender reveal party. No more guessing after today."

Leo took her hands in his, his expression shifting to something more serious, more tender. Annie tilted her head, curious at the sudden shift in his demeanor. "Annie Smith," Leo began, his voice filled with admiration and love, "have I told you how much I love you today?"

Her heart fluttered as she felt the familiar flush creeping up her cheeks. No matter how long they'd been together, his words still had that same magical effect on her. "Hmm, maybe once or twice," she teased.

Leo cupped her face gently with his hands, leaning in to kiss her again, this time lingering for a little longer, savoring the moment. "I love you," he whispered against her lips before pulling away, a soft smile playing on his lips.

After she freshened up in the bathroom, Annie returned to find Leo sliding on his dress shoes, his gaze immediately locking onto her.

"You are absolutely beautiful," Leo said, his voice filled with awe. Annie's cheeks flushed with warmth, and she smiled, running her fingers through her hair. "And you are incredibly handsome," she replied, placing her hands on his chest. "I love you."

Leo leaned in, brushing his lips against hers with a soft, loving kiss. "I love you too," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.

Just as she was about to grab her purse and head out the door, Leo stopped her, gently pulling her back by her hand. She turned to him with a playful grin. "What now? Did I forget something?"

Leo shook his head, smiling warmly at her. He held out an envelope, his fingers brushing against hers as he passed it to her. "I wrote you something this morning while you were still asleep. It felt... right, given how far we've come," he explained softly.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at the envelope, then back at him with curiosity. "What's this?"

Leo kissed her cheek gently. "Just a little something. I'll go start the car while you read it." He left the room, leaving her to unfold the envelope with eager, trembling fingers.

Annie sat down on the edge of the bed, her heart racing as she opened the letter.

Dear Annie,

Perhaps this has been a long time coming. It's not the first letter I've written you, and I promise it won't be the last.

I would write you a letter every single day just to remind you how much love I have for you. When I look at you, I still feel that same wonder I did all those years ago. Sometimes I stop and realize how lucky I am to call you mine.

You make me feel safe, Annie, like I'm home.

I can't imagine my life without you or Liv, and now, with baby number two on the way, our family feels like everything I've ever dreamed of. I love how you still manage to make me feel like that teenage boy, falling in love for the first time when I saw you across the hall in high school. I wanted to protect you then, and now I have the honor of doing so for the rest of my life.

Thank you for never giving up on me, on us. You're my good luck charm, my forever.

The world is brighter with you in it, the trees have bloomed again, and every day with you is a new adventure. I will spend the rest of our beautiful life together showing you just how much I love you.

- Yours only, Leo.

Tears welled in Annie's eyes as she finished reading the letter. She pressed the paper close to her chest, feeling overwhelmed by the love and devotion Leo poured into his words.

As she stood up, ready to head out, Leo reappeared at the door. "Ready to go?"

Annie nodded, her eyes glistening as she smiled at him. "I love you so much," she whispered, stepping toward him and wrapping her arms around his neck.

Leo smiled, holding her close. "I love you more," he whispered back, planting a soft kiss on her forehead before their lips met again, full of warmth and promise. 

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, savoring the moment of love that had carried them through the years and would continue to carry them through the rest of their lives.

THE END