I just want to say THANK YOU a million times over to every single person that has stuck by me and has read this story from beginning to end. And yes, this is the end. And I can't even tell you how much I will miss these characters and how amazing you all are for coming back after every extended absence between chapters! I LOVE YOU all so much for reading! THANKYOU,THANKYOU,THANKYOU!

P.S. Reviews make awesome Christmas presents! ;)

Epilogue: Don't Make It Easy

Six Months Later

(June)

Riley stood at the end of the aisle, behind the closed doors, gripping tightly onto her father's arm. She smoothed out the invisible wrinkles in her white, satin dress for the millionth time. She was getting married today. She was going to walk down the aisle of the church and say yes to the man she loved. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The only thing keeping her from being completely petrified was the thought of Jax, standing in his tux at the end of that aisle.

It was incredible, really. She was going to marry him today. After today he would be her husband. He would be her constant. He would be there, day in and day out and he wasn't running away. She remembered briefly the night he'd asked her to marry him. The moon, the ring, him. It had been perfect. And six months later they were finally here. They were finally sure.

She felt her father squeeze her arm lightly and he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Are you ready?"

Riley looked up at him, smiling down at her, proud of her, and couldn't help but grin back at him. "I'm ready," she nodded. She stood up on her tip toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I love you, Daddy."

He smiled, tucking a curl behind her ear and kissing her forehead. "I love you, Ry." He readjusted her arm in his and took a step forward as the music began to change. The doors to the aisle opened and almost instantly...she could see him.

He was standing at the front of the church, his hands shoved gorgeously into his pockets, his hair tamer than usual but still a controlled chaos, eyes bright. He grinned widely as they locked eyes. She was completely unaware of anything but Jax as her father walked her slowly towards him. She saw him mouth, 'I love you.' And the tears started. She could feel them welling behind her eyes, blurring the clear image of Jax's face and she tried to blink them back, mouthing that she loved him too.

Finally, she reached him. He shook her father's hand and then took her arm, leading her up to the front. They faced each other and he took her hands in his. His eyes raked over her dress from bottom to top before he landed on her eyes. He gave her a soft smile and for a moment, she thought maybe he might cry too. "You're perfect," he whispered and she felt like she could melt.

He didn't say anything more as the minister led their service. When it was time, they repeated the traditional vows. And as the minister asked, "Do you take this man?" She had never in her life been more certain about anything.

Riley locked her eyes firmly on Jax's and she smiled up at him. "I do."

Jax slid the ring onto her finger and it came to rest just above her engagement ring. He kept his eyes trained on hers and, as the minister began to repeat his question, he gave her a mischievous wink. "...as long as you both shall live?"

Jax bit his bottom lip and grinned widely at her before he said, "Absolutely, I do." She, along with everyone else, couldn't help but give him a pleased laugh as she remembered her response, during his proposal, when he'd asked her if she loved him. She slid the ring in her hands onto his finger and laced them with hers.

"Forever," she whispered and he nodded back at her.

"Forever."

Not a second after they were pronounced man and wife and the minister had just barely spit out the words, "you may kiss your bride", Jax's mouth was on hers. His hand wrapped around her waist and he pulled her flush against him, capturing her lips in his. "I love you," he mumbled against them. She threaded a hand up into his hair and pulled his head back from hers just slightly, remembering that they weren't even a little bit alone.

He laughed, taking her hand in his again and turning to face their guests as the minister said, "I present to you for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Weston." And they clapped, and the music started and with her fingers laced between Jax's, she followed her husband back down the aisle.

–

The reception hall was decorated beautifully. Abigail had stood up as Riley's maid of honor and given an amazing speech that had made her cry. James had followed with some incredible words of his own that had them both in tears. She was standing now, on the sidelines of the reception, watching her parents laughing with Maggie and Jacob, James leaning in to kiss Charley and Abigail leaned against Mark, twirling the weeks old engagement ring around her finger.

She closed her eyes as a soft music began to play and she was pulled back against a warm, firm chest by a pair of strong hands on her hips. Jackson. She leaned into him and smiled at the feel of his body pressed against hers. He tucked his face in close against her neck and kissed the soft spot behind her ear. "You hear that, love?" he mumbled. "They're playing our song."

She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as he moved to stand in front of her. He held a hand out. "May I have this dance?" he asked, a heart stopping smirk creeping it's way onto his lips. She felt her breath catch in her throat. His hair fell into his lashes just slightly and his eyes practically glittered. He raised one eyebrow and pushed his hand out closer to her in offering. He was perfect.

Riley placed her hand in his. "Definitely," she answered, letting him pull her onto the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Their joined hands rested comfortably over his heart and her left arm wrapped around his to grip the back of his shoulder. She heard the words of their song playing around them but it felt distant. Everything did. Everything except Jax. He felt closer than she'd ever felt him before.

She felt his lips against her ear and then he was singing. He drowned out the entirety of the world and all that mattered were his arms around her and his words in her ear. He spun them gracefully, fluidly around the dance floor, humming and singing and as he twirled her away and then back into him, laughing.

As he pulled her body back to his she felt his forehead press against her own. His eyes were open and it was as if she could see into him. For maybe the first time ever, she was completely, wholly, a part of Jax. And he was a part of her. It was almost difficult to understand, the intensity of that moment with him. But if she knew one thing it was that she never wanted it to end.

Riley brought her hand up from his shoulder to tuck the pieces that were long enough to reach, behind his ear. He gave her a serene smile and she ran a finger down his cheekbone, coming to rest against his jawline. "I am so terribly in love with you," she whispered.

Jax's smile widened, if that were possible, and he pressed his lips against hers, capturing her bottom one between them. "Baby, you have no idea."

–

Ten Months Later

(April)

"Green?" Jax's voice startled her and she whipped her head around to see him leaning against the door frame, one eyebrow cocked up in question.

She shrugged. "It's neutral."

He pushed himself off the door and took a few steps into the room, nodding. He came to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. "You know we could just find out for sure and then pick a color you actually like."

Riley glared at him over her shoulder. "I do like this color!"

He chuckled and gave her a patronizing, "Mmhhm..." Riley rolled her eyes and threw an elbow back into his ribs. "Hey!" He scolded, jumping back from her and rubbing his side. "What was that for?"

She put her hands on her hips and turned to face him. "Being an asshole," she told him simply.

Jax laughed, shaking his head at her and running a hand back through his hair. He backed up into the white wooden rocking chair in the corner of the room, lowering himself down into it. He held an arm out. "Come here."

Riley gave him an exasperated shake of her head but moved to stand in front of him. He took her hand in his and pulled her down into his lap. She let him wrap his arm around her and leaned her head on his shoulder. "You really don't like it?" she asked after a few moments of silence.

Jax smiled ruefully. "It's growin' on me."

"You're humoring me?" she guessed and he grinned up at her.

"Is it working?" Riley fought the smile spreading across her face and shook her head, leaning down to kiss him. "I think it's working," he answered for her and she laughed against his mouth. He readjusted his arm around her and she tucked herself back into his embrace. They were silent for a few more minutes before Jax gave an awe induced sigh.

"What?"

He shrugged, kissing her hairline. "I don't know, just...did you ever think we'd be here?" He gestured around the room with his free arm. "Together, married, painting nurseries, buying cribs?"

Riley exhaled softly. "No," she admitted. "I didn't think you'd ever...want this, I guess?"

He frowned, pulling back to look at her face. "I always wanted this, Riles. I just...I didn't deserve to have it. Still don't, probably," he added with a sad smile.

She sat up fully now and put her arms around his neck, bringing his face in closer. "I love you," she told him. "And don't for a second feel like you don't deserve that. Because you do." She nodded at him, stroking the hair above his ear softly. "Don't ever think that you are less than you are." He moved to pull his face away from her and nod quickly, but she stopped him. "I mean it, Jax. You are a good man." She bit her lip and gave him a gently smile. "And you're gonna' be an amazing dad."

–

Five Months Later

(September)

Riley sat silent at the kitchen table, hands folded, elbows resting against the wood. She picked up the cell phone in front of her and dialed his number again. Nothing. She dropped her head to rest on a closed fist, her free hand moving to rest against her protruding stomach. Where the hell was he? She had gone back and forth over the last few hours from worried to angry and back to worried again. At the moment she was a little bit of both.

She took a glance at the clock. 3:15am. He should have been home by now. He should have been home hours ago. She picked up the phone again, dialing a different number this time. After a handful of rings James answered the phone with a groggy, "Hello?"

"Jamie, it's me." She sighed. "I'm so sorry to wake you up like this..."

"Ry? What happened? What's wrong?"

She closed her eyes tight and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Have you heard from Jax?" Her voice was on the verge of tears now and she wished she could pull them back in.

"You don't know where he is?" James' voice was alert now, awake.

Riley shook her head to herself. "He had some building showing tonight and I know some nights he goes out with the guys after to...celebrate or whatever." She bit her lip. "Jamie, he never stays out this late and definitely not without calling." She shook her head again. "His phone is off or something and I just...I can't get a hold of him and next week is..."

"The anniversary," James finished for her.

"I'm just having a meltdown, Jame. I don't know what to do." She was crying now, warm tears running down her cheeks as she frantically tried to wipe them away.

"Okay," he said. "Okay. Just calm down. Everything's gonna' be fine, okay? I'm coming over there. We'll figure this out-"

"Jamie, you're an hour away," she admonished. "You can't just leave Jake and Charley...it's late."

"Riley. Stop," he ordered. "We will find him, okay? I am going to-" She shushed him at the sound of a door opening. She stood up as quickly as she could and made a bee line for the living room. She should have been relieved at the sight of him, stumbling through the doorway, shirt untucked, tie hanging loose around his neck, but all she could feel was complete and total rage.

"Jamie. It's okay. He's here." Her voice sounded angry, even to herself. She heard James sigh.

"Is he sober?"

She took a moment's pause to glare at her husband. "Definitely not."

"Dammit," James cursed. "I'm sorry, Ry."

"I gotta' go, Jame. Thanks." She hung the phone up as Jax slid his shoes off and kicked them in the direction of the front door. He didn't say anything. He didn't even look at her. "Seriously!?" His eyes whipped up to her and he raised a defiant eyebrow, daring her to challenge him. "It's three in the morning, Jax! You couldn't have called me!?"

He scrubbed a hand through his hair and pulled his tie off. "Phone's dead," he mumbled, moving away from her and into the kitchen.

"Phone's dead?" she repeated. "Are you kidding me?" She threw her arms out around her and she heard him let out an agitated sigh.

"Nope." He pulled the fridge door open and pulled out a bottle of water, leaning his elbows against the counter and dropping his head into his hands.

"Jackson!" He glanced up at her but didn't move to stand up or to speak. She waited, mouth agape for him to do something. Anything. He didn't. "What the hell is this?"

He gave a flailing shrug and stood back up to look at her. "This is me, Riles." He shot her an angry smirk. "I'm an asshole. I get drunk. I break shit." He picked the water bottle up from the counter and threw it angrily against the wall furthest from her. She watched him silently. She could feel the tears welling up inside her eyes and before she knew it they were falling down her cheeks. He locked his eyes on hers. "I break you," he added, gesturing pointedly to her tears.

He dropped his head into his hands again and she took a step forward, moving towards him. "Jax, stop." He looked up at her silently. "What is this about?" she asked him helplessly. "Is this about Beckie? Or me? Or us?" She touched a hand to her stomach. "Or the baby?"

He groaned and shook his head, pushing himself back from the counter. "It's about me!" he shouted. "It's about how I can't do any-fucking-thing right!" He gestured around them. "Beckie! You! My god damned job!" He slammed an open hand against the counter. "How the hell am I gonna' be a dad? Look at me!"

"Jackson," she pleaded, shaking her head at him. "Beckie was not your fault. I love you! You did not screw up us!" She moved around the counter and came to stand directly in front of him. She reached out for his hand and put it over her stomach. "You are going to love this baby. You do love this baby! That is how you're going to be a good dad!"

He shook his head, pulling his hand away. "Love doesn't just fix everything, Riley!" He leaned his back against the closest kitchen wall and closed his eyes as if the movements were making him dizzy. "Love didn't save my sister," he mumbled. "Love didn't make me stop breaking your heart." His eyes were starting to fall closed and Riley took another few steps forward. He seemed to give up as she put his arm around her shoulders.

"Just walk with me, okay?" She pulled him forward and he stumbled after her, using her for balance as she walked him into the living room and let him fall horizontally onto the couch. She moved to pull his shoes off his feet and tossed a blanket over him.

She leaned down to kiss his forehead, silent tears falling from her eyes. "Love doesn't make good people," she heard him mumble quietly.

Riley left him on the couch. She moved into the library and collapsed into one of the couches against the wall, pulling her cell phone from her pocket and dialing yet another familiar number. She felt the tears still running down her face but she just couldn't seem to stop them.

"Riley?" A sleepy voice answered.

"I need to talk to you," she sobbed into the phone.

"Are you okay?" Abby's voice was concerned and while still sounded sleepy, was at least aware.

Riley shook her head to herself. "What am I doing, Abs?" She took a shaky breath. "Jax came home like twenty minutes ago, drunk and screaming about how he can't be a good dad. And not being a good person and breaking me and..." she trailed off into a fit of sobs.

"Oh, honey," Abby mumbled. "Are you okay? What happened? Where are you?"

She sighed. "I'm fine. I'm in the library. I don't know what I'm doing, Abby." She took a gasping breath. " He's a mess. I don't know what happened. I just...I don't know."

"Did Jackson hurt you?" Abigail asked, forming her words as clearly as possible.

"What?" Riley exhaled heavily. "No. Of course not." She shook her head. "He's just drunk and scared and...we're just...I'm just worried Abs."

"Ry, everything is going to be okay. Just calm down. Worrying is not good for you and it's not good for the baby. You and Jax are going to be okay. This is just..." she sighed. "I hate to say it, honey but it's just Jax. He's scared, Riley."

"And I'm not? What am I supposed to do here, Abigail?" She leaned back into the cushions of the couch.

"You work through it, Ry," she said simply. "You chose Jackson. You chose this love and this life with this man." She paused for a moment and Riley nodded to herself. "He loves you. You know that right? You believe that?"

"Of course I do."

"Then you fight through it, babe. Do you love him? Same as always?"

Riley nodded again even though Abigail couldn't see her do so. "Yes."

"Let him sleep it off," she said. "And when he wakes up...you kick him in the balls and call him an asshole." Riley chuckled a little. "And you talk it out with him. You be scared together."

Riley took a deep breath. "What would I do without you, Abby?"

"You'd be just fine," she said. "Now I love you. Get some sleep and deal with your asshole husband in the morning."

–

One Month Later

(October)

"Are you okay?" Jax was pacing back and forth in front of her hospital bed. "Do you need me to do something? Or get something? Or..." He ran a hand through his hair, making it stick up haphazardly all over his head. "Say something? I feel so worthless."

Riley gave a soft laugh and leaned back into her pillows. "Calm down," she mumbled, letting her eyes fall closed. She winced hard as yet another contraction hit her. "Shit." She held a hand out and beckoned him toward her.

Jax practically leaped to her side, curling his fingers in hers and letting her squeeze them. He put his free arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him, pressing his lips against her temple. "It's okay," he whispered. "You're doing so great, Riles."

She let out a deep sigh and released his hand, dropping her head back. She took a few slow breaths before opening her eyes and looking up at him. "See, that was worth something."

He smiled softly and kissed her forehead. "I still feel mostly useless," he muttered.

Riley laughed a little and shook her head at him. "You're not useless," she assured him. "You're here."

"You couldn't get me out of here for anything," he said. He sat down on the edge of her bed and she reached a hand out to smooth his hair back into it's typical controlled chaos. He studied her silently for a few moments, a look of pure awe passing across his handsome features. He bit his bottom lip and exhaled. "We're having a baby today."

–

An hour later Riley was leaning exhausted against her pillows, head turned slightly to watch Jax, perched on the edge of his chair next to her, their beautiful baby girl tucked safely in his arms. His eyes had barely left her little face since they'd handed her to him. "What do you think, Daddy?" she mumbled and he looked up at her, a marvelous grin lighting his face.

"She's so perfect, Riles." He shook his head a little in amazement. "God, how did we make this?" He leaned his head down to press a soft kiss against the baby's head. "You're the prettiest baby in the whole world," he told her. "Did you know that?"

Riley reached a hand over to stroke the soft skin of her head and smiled at her husband. "We did pretty good," she whispered.

Jax's grin widened, if that were possible, and he stood, moving to sit next to her on the bed. Riley opened her arms and he placed the baby in them. He stood again, moving to stand beside her, running a hand over her hair and leaning in to kiss her. "You were amazing," he told her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

There was a soft knock at the door and Maggie peeked her head in, Jacob at her heels. "Can we come in?"

Riley nodded vehemently and Jax beckoned them with a wave of his hand. They moved into the room and stood next to Riley's bed, just behind Jax. Maggie kissed her son's hair. "Oh, honey. She's gorgeous." She took a deep, watery breath and held her arms out. "Could I hold her?"

Jackson nodded, taking the baby from Riley's arms and placing her into his mother's. "Rebekah Margaret Weston," he said, putting his hands back at his sides. "Meet your grandma."

Maggie lifted her eyes in surprise to meet her son's. "Margaret?" she asked.

Jax nodded again and took Riley's hand. "If that's okay with you," he teased.

Maggie's eyes widened and she laughed. "Of course it is," she mumbled, leaning down to kiss her granddaughter. "Hi, Rebekah," she whispered. "I'm your grandma. And I am gonna' spoil you so bad."

Jax and Riley exchanged a humor filled glance and he cocked an eyebrow before turning back to his parents. "She's pretty great, right?"

Jacob's voice was filled with complete pride as he took his turn holding his granddaughter in his arms. "I think perfection is more like it."

Riley chuckled and leaned her body into Jax's. "We're pretty fond of her," she said and Maggie leaned around Jax to take Riley's hand in hers.

She kissed her daughter-in-law on the forehead. "I am so proud of you," she said, nodding firmly. "Oh, I love you both so much." She turned to pat Jackson's face affectionately.

–

Ten Months Later

(August)

Riley was laid out across the couch watching Jackson, who was sitting on the floor, his daughter happily handing him blocks from her spot between his outstretched legs. "Thank you," he told her, setting the thousandth block back in the piled near his knee. "Bee," he said and her little eyes met his. "Can you give one to Mommy?" He glanced over to the couch a few feet away. She held the block out to him and he smiled. "Mommy," he said again, pointing to Riley.

Bee fell back into a seated position and pulled her outstretched arm back into herself. "Mamamama," she babbled and Jax laughed.

"Yeah, Mama," he agreed. "Can you go give her the block?"

Bee's eyes found Riley on the couch and she giggled as her mother opened her arms. "Come here, baby! Let me see!"

Jax picked his daughter up and set her on her feet, facing in Riley's direction. "Go give it to Mommy."

Riley clapped her hands together and held them out again. Bee gave her as toothy a grin as she could manage with her few teeth and reached out for her mother. Riley beckoned for her again and she took a stumbling step forward, rocking slightly on her heels but keeping her balance. Riley shared a suspense filled, excited look with Jax and he gave her a hopeful grin.

"Go get her," he prodded. "Go get Mom."

Bee giggled again and took another wobbly step. Riley sat up quickly and opened her arms. "Jax!"

"I'm watching!" he told her, eyes never leaving his daughter.

Bee took another step, and then another, and then another. "Good job!" Riley exclaimed as the wobbling steps kept coming. When Rebekah reached her she picked her up and tossed her excitedly in the air. "You walked!" She looked over to Jackson and gave him an amazed laugh that he returned wholeheartedly.

He stood up as quickly as he could manage and practically jumped to Riley's side, taking his daughter into his arms and kissing both of her cheeks. "Look at you!" He grinned wider than Riley thought she'd ever seen him grin. He hugged her to his chest and looked to his wife. "We've got a genius baby!" He pulled Rebekah back again and kissed her head. "Are you a genius, Bumble Bee?"

Riley laughed and took a step towards her family, leaning up to kiss Jax. "Our baby's walking," she mumbled against his lips and he laughed.

"Our baby's a genius," he repeated.

–

Two Years and Two Months Later

(October)

Riley put the very last of the frosting on the cake in front of her and pushed it aside as she heard the front door open and close. "I think Daddy's home," she told Rebekah, who was sitting cross legged on the counter in front of her, watching her frost the cake.

Bee's eyes widened and she scooted to the edge of the counter. "Daddy!" she hollered, holding her arms out for Riley to set her on the floor. She put her daughter on her feet and laughed as she heard Jax's muffled grunt as she collided with him in a hard hug.

A few seconds later Jax entered the kitchen, grocery bag in one arm and his daughter in the other. "Did you get the candles?" Riley asked him as he set the bag on the counter.

"Yep." He frowned, turning his attention to Bee. "What do we need candles for?" he asked her. "Is it somebody's birthday?"

Rebekah's eyes widened and she slapped a hand dramatically to her forehead. "Daddy, it's my birthday!"

Jax's frowned deepened and he studied her in mock confusion. "It is?" He glanced over her shoulder at Riley. "It's not...Mommy's birthday?" Bee shook her head. "It's not...Grammy's birthday?" She shook her head again, vehemently this time. "Oh!" He said. "It must be...Uncle Jamie's birthday!"

"Daddy!" she exclaimed. "It's my birthday!" she told him again. "Don't you listen?"

Jax laughed at that, exchanging a puzzled glance with Riley at the expression, but she merely shrugged. "Oh that's right!" He smiled at his daughter. "It is your birthday, Bumble Bee." He kissed her head and set her down in front of him, hovering a hand over her head and moving it horizontally to where her height met his body. "How hold are you today?" He asked her. "Seventeen? Eighteen?"

"Three!"

He nodded. "Right!" he agreed. "Three years old today." He sighed, shaking his head at her and bending down to kiss the top of her head. "You are growing up way too fast, Beezly."

She shook her head at him again. "Grammy says I grow perfect."

Jax laughed again and ruffled her hair as a knock sounded on the door. "Speaking of Grammy," he said. "I think she's here." He winked. "Why don't you go open the door for her." Bee ran quickly out of the room and Jax turned his attention to Riley. "So? Did you decide?"

She leaned against the counter and nodded. "After Bee opens her presents we can tell them." Jax held an arm out and pulled her into his side. "I don't want to take her thunder," she laughed. "It is her birthday, after all."

Jax kissed her temple and smiled. "She's gonna' be excited more than anything," he said. "She asked for this as a birthday gift."

Riley chuckled. "She also asked for a dinosaur," she pointed out.

Jax shrugged. "So she's a little indecisive."

–

Two hours later Rebekah had a pile of birthday gifts and was focusing on rolling a ball back and forth across the living room floor with four-year-old Jake. James was seated on the couch, an arm draped around Charley's shoulders, watching his son play with his niece. Abigail sat in the rocking chair, her legs curled underneath her and four-month-old, Danny in her arms. Mark was at her feet, back leaned against the chair. Maggie and Jacob were on the love seat and Dolly sat in the arm chair against the far wall.

Riley completed the circle, seated in a kitchen chair they'd drug in from the table, Jax stood behind her, leaning his arms against the back of it. She glanced up at him and raised both eyebrows in question. He shrugged. "Okay," she mumbled. "So," she started loudly, gaining everyone's attention, including the children on the floor. "Jax and I have...an announcement."

Bee frowned up at her mother and pushed the ball back to Jake before moving to stand in front of Riley. "Mama, what's a nouncement?"

Riley smiled and shook her head. "An announcement," she corrected. "And it's some news we have to tell everyone." She picked her daughter up and set her on her lap. "You especially," she added.

"Is it for my birthday?"

Riley glanced up at Jax and he smirked. "Sort of," he said. He squatted down next to Riley and faced his daughter. "Do you remember when you asked for a little brother or sister for your birthday?" Bee nodded. "Well," he shrugged, "Mommy and I sort of...got you one." Riley raised an eyebrow at him and he lifted a shoulder in a half shrug.

"You're pregnant?" Charley asked from across the room and Riley grinned, nodding at her.

She glanced back at Jax and he put a hand on her knee. "We're pregnant," he confirmed.

"I have a sister?" Rebekah exclaimed.

"Or a brother," Riley said. "Is that okay with you?" Bee grinned and wrapped her arms around her mother's neck. "I guess it's okay."

"Where is the baby?" she asked, leaning back and turning excited eyes on Jax.

He laughed. "The baby isn't here yet," he said.

Rebekah frowned. "Well where is he?"

"He or she," Riley corrected. "Is growing in Mommy's tummy."

Bee slid off her mothers lap and leaned in, pressing her face against Riley's stomach. "Hello in there!" She called, her voice muffled by Riley's shirt. Jax laughed, pulling her back and kissing her head.

"It'll be a little while before you can see the baby, okay?"

Rebekah shrugged and moved back to sit on the floor across from Jake. "Just tell him to hurry," she stated as if it were obvious.

As the kids wrapped themselves back up into their game, Maggie came over to hug Riley. "Congratulations, honey!" The rest of the family chorused their joy and Riley wrapped herself into Jackson's side. After all of this...after everything that they'd been through, they were here. She looked around the room to all the little, forming families. How in the world had they all gotten this lucky?

–

Eleven Months Later

(September)

Jackson stood silently in front of a familiar headstone, hands shoved into his pockets, the soft breeze blowing through his hair. He'd grown so much since the time he'd first stood here. He'd fallen in love, he'd tried to push himself out of love. And failed miserably. He'd come close to dying himself. He'd married the most amazing woman in the world, had two perfect children.

His life was nothing short of incredible. Yet, no matter how many times he stood here, no matter how much better his life got and how much less tragedy plagued him, he couldn't ever stop feeling guilty. He didn't drink himself into a stupor on this day. Not anymore. He didn't crash motorcycles or scream at the people he loved. No, he'd stopped losing himself in the misery the day that his daughter was born. Because it wasn't fair. Not to Riley. Not to Bee. Not even to himself. So maybe he would feel guilty forever. Maybe he should. Maybe that was his penance. But it wouldn't keep him from being happy. Not anymore.

He let out a long sigh. People always say that time heals all wounds. That hadn't been his experience. He'd finally realized that when something was gone you couldn't just sit back and stare at the hole it left. He couldn't say that he'd filled it, or that it was even fill-able, because it wasn't. But he'd finally learned how to patch his up. Because things like that couldn't break you if you didn't let them. He knew now that if he believed in the invincibility of who he was that nothing could take that away, that tragedy couldn't break him. And so now...he didn't have a Beckie shaped hole in life anymore. He had a Beckie shaped scar. Which, he supposed, was as good as it gets.

He bent down and laid a handful of roses at the base of her grave before standing back up and placing a hand on the top of the stone. "I miss you, Beckie." He nodded to himself. He took a long pause before he added, "I'm sorry." He managed a soft smile before patting the top of the stone twice. "I love you."

He walked back to his bike in a peaceful silence. It was an odd sensation, peace. One he thought he may never get used to. At least, peace in this setting. He was so used to anger and regret. And he didn't have those things anymore. He was sorry, sure. And there wasn't a day that he didn't wish his baby sister was standing next to him, but his life was his life. And he had Riley. He had Bee and Andy. He wouldn't give them up for anything in the world. That had to count for something.

The drive home was as long as ever. He had to be glad that Riley never thought he was crazy for spending eight hours on the highway every September thirteenth. He walked quietly into the house, kicking his shoes off as softly as he could manage. Riley smiled over at him from her place in the chair, rocking back and forth, a bottle in her hand and a baby in her arms.

"Hey," she greeted as he walked over and sat on the arm of her chair.

Jax leaned down to take her lips between his own and closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against hers as they broke the kiss. "Thank you," he whispered.

Riley reached her free hand up to stroke the side of his face. "For what?" she whispered back, foreheads still melded together.

He kissed her again. "Everything." He let out a sort of amazed chuckle and pulled back to look her in the eyes. "Sometimes I don't know why you stay with me," he admitted.

Riley's eyes widened and she pulled him back into her. "Hey," she scolded, shaking her head against his. "I love you," she assured him. "You are an amazing man, Jackson. You're an incredible dad." She took a moment to chuckle. "And I am still so terribly in love with you."

He laughed softly. "God knows why." He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm not the easiest guy to love."

"Yeah," she shrugged. "But you're just so hot..." He laughed out loud at that and she grinned up at him. "I love you, babe," she said simply. "That's just the way it is."

He smiled and turned his attention to the clock on the wall opposite them. "What are you doing up, anyway?" he asked and she gave a deep sigh.

"Somebody couldn't sleep." She glanced pointedly down at the baby in her arms. "He decided a midnight snack was in order."

Jax chuckled. "Bee go to bed okay?"

"Yeah. Half a story and she was out like a light." Riley shook her head. "I think we got our easy baby the first time around." She leaned in to kiss her son's head before turning her attention back to Jackson. "You say hi to your sister for me?"

He nodded and kissed her hair. "Yeah," he mumbled. "Why don't you get some sleep." He tipped his head at Andy. "I'll stay up with him."

"Really?" Riley raised a surprised eyebrow at him and he nodded.

"Yeah." He held his arms out and Riley willingly handed over the baby. Jax settled back into the rocking chair as Riley leaned over to kiss Andy's head before moving up to capture Jax's lips in her own. "Night, baby," he whispered as she pulled away.

She returned his goodnight and made her way up the stairs, leaving Jax alone with his son. He took a slow breath. "You've got a pretty amazing mom, little man." He stroked a thumb softly over the fuzzy hair on the baby's head. "God knows why she picked me."

–

Two Years and Nine Months Later

(June)

Riley stood at the Summer House's kitchen window. She finished drying the dishes in the sink and tossed the towel down in front of her, leaning forward on her arms and watching as James took turns grabbing Jake and then Bee around the waist, tossing them into the air and catching them again.

She smiled at the sight of Andy chasing Danny around the yard, Charley and Abigail watching from the porch, glasses of tea in hand. The sun was just beginning to set behind the house and it cast an orangey glow over her playing family.

She could do this forever, be right here, watching her beautiful children laugh and play, in her favorite place in the world. Even now, after years of challenges and changes and the arrival of a handful of children, two of which she could claim as her own, there was no where else she could ever want to be.

She smiled softly to herself as a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into a firm body. She leaned back into Jax as his lips met her ear, his hair just barely brushing against the side of her face. "I'm sorry," he murmured against her. Riley sighed and reached a hand up to thread through his hair. "I didn't mean to freak out."

"You took a walk?"

He nodded, pulling her tighter against him. "I just needed some air," he confirmed.

Riley turned around in his arms and tucked the loose hair that would reach, behind his ear. He let his eyes fall down to meet hers. "I love you," she told him. "And I would never make any life altering decisions without you." She clasped her hands together around his neck. "I wasn't keeping the New York a job a secret," she assured. "I just didn't think it was worth worrying you when I knew I didn't want to take it."

He nodded, leaning his forehead to meet hers. "I know. I just stumbled across the letter and...panicked." He shrugged. "We're good here, you know? Bee just started kindergarten and James is only an hour away. Mark and Abigail are finally close..."

"I know," she said again. "This is where we need to be. I know that. Just...maybe next time save the overreaction until after we actually talk about it?"

He smiled sheepishly at her and nodded. "Noted."

She leaned up and kissed his lips before turning around and facing the window again. They stood there in silence for a few moments and Riley considered everything they'd been through, all the screaming and crying and laughing and hugging and love and stupid fights that had put them here. Being with Jax had never been easy, and it probably never would be. But that was kind of the whole point.

Maybe it had been foolish...falling in love with Jax. Maybe standing next to him, maybe staying when the rest of the world would have left...was absurd. Maybe putting her trust and her heart in his hands was crazy. And maybe it was just...simply...meant to be.

Maybe they were destined to meet. Maybe not. But it didn't matter now. Because he had taken her hand on the beach all those years ago, and changed their lives. And maybe only fools would have fought through everything the way that they had. But falling in love hadn't ever been a choice. Falling in love had been...simple, easy, instant.

It isn't the falling that takes time or effort. It's the staying. It's the keeping. And if Riley knew one thing that would always and forever ring true, it was that she loved Jax.

She understood now how lucky they were. She had fallen completely and totally in love with a man that loved her back. This beautiful man standing next to her was in love with her. And after years of fighting and screaming and falling and maybe even a little drowning...he still made her heart race. He still took her breath away. And that was what mattered. That was the whole point. Love. The kind of love that moves mountains. The kind of love that challenges you, changes you. That creates you, that defines you. That's the kind of love she had for Jax. So keeping him...loving him...being the foolish girl that fell in love with the reckless boy...was a complete and total absolute. It was always. He was her always. Her forever. And maybe they were only fools, but they were the luckiest fools in the whole damn world.