~*Epilogue*~

*5 years later*

Maggie walked down the stairs from the upstairs bedrooms and sighed softly. She brushed a wavy lock of hair out of her blue eyes and yawned. A ratty old t-shirt of Niko's hung off one shoulder, almost covering her cotton shorts. A squeal of delight sounded through the house as Maggie bent over and tossed the dirty clothes into the basket she was carrying. A pounding of footsteps echoed through the house. Maggie smiled as her daughter and son came running towards her, Niko hot on their heels.

Niko caught their children in his arms and lifted them up into the air. He smiled at Maggie as he carried them underneath his arms. "It seems that Juliana and Kale are wanting to play tag."

Maggie laughed and looked up at Niko before she reached up on her toes to gently kiss him on the lips. "Oh yeah? Tag, huh? Ok…who's it?"

"Me, Mommy! Me!" Juliana giggled and wriggled out of Niko's arms as she bounced up and down.

Juliana looked just like Maggie with a mop of dark curls and blue eyes. Kale was already getting tall for his age and was taking after Niko. Maggie smiled and ruffled their hair as she sighed a bit. "Ok, baby…you can be it. But we are going out into the backyard."

The group headed into the huge, fenced in backyard. After deciding where the safe base would be, Juliana started to count. For an hour, they ran around the yard, laughing and chasing one another. Finally Maggie rounded everyone up. "Ok, ok! That's enough for now. Juliana, Kale, go get cleaned up. Aunt Michelle, Uncle Mark and Jessica are coming for dinner."

The four-year-old twins squealed as they ran into the house, chasing each other. Niko walked over to Maggie as she watched their kids run into the house. He wrapped his arm around her waist as he held her close. "Those two are so incredibly hyper and full of energy."

Maggie looked up at him and smiled. "Yes they are. I'm already tired and we haven't even gotten through dinner."

Niko smiled and kissed her temple. "I know. I can make us dinner. Go take a long bubble bath and relax, mi amore."

Maggie laughed and looked up at him. "Mm…that's why I love you. Ok…a bubbly bath it is. You've convinced me."

Niko laughed and walked with Maggie back to the house. He went inside, lightly smacking Maggie's rear end before she jogged up the stairs. Niko listened as Maggie got the kids cleaned up before she sent them down into the living room to play. He smiled as he started dinner, moving to check on the kids. The doorbell rang about forty-five minutes later. Niko walked to the door and smiled at Mark and Michelle. After hugs and kisses, Niko ushered them in and smiled. "Dinner is almost ready. The kids are in the living room and Maggie is upstairs, though I am almost positive that she fell asleep in the bathtub."

Michelle laughed and set their three-year-old daughter on the ground next to Juliana. "Go play, Jessica. Juliana, Kale, watch out for her, ok?"

Juliana and Kale nodded and immediately included Jessica in their game. Michelle smiled and looked at Niko. "I'll go finish dinner, you go get Maggie. Mark, honey, keep an eye on the kids, ok?"

Mark leaned down and kissed her on the lips. "All right. I can do that."

Niko laughed softly and headed up the stairs to their bedroom. He walked into the bathroom and smiled. Maggie had indeed fallen asleep, her hair piled on top of her head, her eyelashes brushing the tops of her cheeks. The bubbles had basically disappeared; the water was starting to get cold. Niko knelt next to the top. "Maggie? Piccola…wake up."

Maggie shifted a bit and rolled her head to look at Niko. She smiled sleepily as she looked up at him. "Hey…"

Niko reached out and gently stroked the fine hair at the scalp line. "Mark and Michelle are downstairs and the water is getting cold. Do you want to come down to dinner or would you like me to make your excuses?"

Maggie smiled and shook her head. "Nah…hand me a towel and I'll get dressed."

Niko smiled and tugged Maggie out of the tub and wrapped her in a towel before he carried her into their bedroom and set her on the bed. "All right, piccola. What would you like to wear?" He handed her a pair of panties and a matching bra before he rummaged through the closet and grabbed a fitted t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. "Here. Wear this."

Maggie laughed softly as she changed before walking back into the bathroom and cleaned up a bit more before she walked out of the bedroom. "Ok, I'm ready. Sorry for falling asleep, baby."

Niko smiled and hugged her close, kissing the top of her head. "You are allowed to sleep, Maggie. No need for an apology."

Little feet pounded up the stairs as Kale walked into the room. "Mommy! Daddy! Come on! Aunt Michelle says dinner is ready and to hurry up!" He rushed over to them and grabbed their hands, tugging them towards the stairs.

Minutes later, they all sat around the table eating dinner and laughing. Maggie spoon fed Jessica as she smiled at her. Maggie gave her an Eskimo kiss and laughed softly. Jessica laughed and gave her a smacking kiss on the lips. Juliana and Kale immediately wanted Maggie's attention. They crawled onto her lap and wrapped their arms around her neck. Maggie smiled and held them close, the three of them wrapped in their own little world.

Niko sat back and watched his family, smiling. Mark looked at him and smiled. "It's kind of amazing, isn't it?"

Niko looked at Mark and smiled. "Yes. It is. There is this…special bond…knowing the woman you love is the mother of your children, no?"

Mark nodded and chuckled. "Yeah. There sure is. Michelle and I are working on having another one. She really wants another kid right now. Honestly, it's a good idea. Feels right."

Niko nodded and clasped his shoulder as he smiled. "Then I wish you the best of luck, my friend."

Mark smiled and nodded as he turned to look at Michelle, who was busy cleaning up Jessica's face.

Niko looked at Maggie and smiled. Maggie glanced up at him and smiled back. He looked down and sat that his two little angels had fallen asleep, Maggie gently stroking their hair. Life really couldn't get any more perfect.

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Ok kids! That's it for this story! I hope you enjoyed it! Stick around for the next one! Please review! I love all types of reviews! :o) Lots of Love :o) Cat