Epilogue. Trent kicked the front door shut with her heel and popped her head around Juliet’s office door

Trent kicked the front door shut with her heel and popped her head around Juliet’s office door. The room was empty, so Trent headed off to the kitchen.

“Juliet? ”

“Up here, sweetheart.”

Following Juliet’s voice upstairs, Trent padded into their bedroom but found that was empty too. “Jule? ”

“In here.”

Trent wandered into the spare bedroom, which was still empty save for a few boxes of Juliet’s clothes she was sorting through to throw out. Trent found Juliet standing in front of the large window, the blinds pulled aside so she could see the expanse of the yard below.

“Surveying your handiwork, love? ” Trent asked, slipping her hands around Juliet’s waist and hugging her close. She pressed a kiss on Juliet’s neck, then rested her head on Juliet’s and looked down at what held her attention.

“Hey, gorgeous.” Juliet hugged Trent’s arms around her. “Just look at how pretty everything looks.”

The yard was a riot of flowers. The last burst of summer colors was making way for autumn’s turning shades. The new growth of trees edged the lines of fencing, and the gazebo stood proudly amid the pebbles in lieu of grass. Small paved steps led the way to the gazebo, laid by Juliet and Monica as the last finishing touch. Trent had to admit her favorite piece was the darker shade of pebbles that Monica had fashioned into a very distinct Space Invader alien that could only truly be seen from above. It was a perfect finishing touch, requested by Juliet.

“You and Monica did a fantastic job, ” Trent said, amazed as always by how her yard had been transformed from the unruly mess it had been to the gorgeous picture-postcard perfection it now was. It had become a place even Trent liked to spend time in, usually in the evening with Juliet at her side.

“Kayleigh’s coming over later tonight to sleep over ready for tomorrow’s event.”

Trent chuckled at Juliet’s exasperated amusement. “It’s our first big ‘kids only’ tournament. She’s been preparing for it for over two months now. I’m just glad the hall let us open it up to all the kids. I think it’s going to be as popular as the grown-up matches are.”

“Kayleigh is so excited.”

“She should be. She’s very good. I hope she gets a trophy tomorrow.”

“You could be considered biased, her being your sister-in-law and all.” Juliet leaned forward to let the blinds drop back down, giving them back their privacy in the room.

“Your sister is an awesome gamer. She’s going to do well with or without my bias.”

Juliet snuggled back into Trent’s arms, reaching up to tangle her fingers in Trent’s hair, pulling her down to kiss her long and deeply. “I’m glad you’re home.”

“I missed you too, ” Trent said, astounded every day by how much she loved coming home to Juliet in their house. It made her feel safer than she could ever have imagined. It never ceased to amaze her how empty her life had been. Trent cuddled Juliet close, enjoying the feel of her in her arms.

“I have had a thought on what we could do with this room.”

Trent looked around at the bare walls. “You want wardrobes in here for your clothes? Elton said he would help me read the directions.”

“No, I was thinking more along the lines of using it as a nursery for when we have a baby.”

Juliet’s softly spoken words made Trent’s heart jerk in her chest. “A baby? ” she repeated dumbly.

Nodding, Juliet caressed Trent’s cheek. “I’d love to have a baby with you. You’d make a remarkable mommy.”

Trent knew her mouth had dropped open. “You want a baby with me? ”

“I want us to be a family, our own family, yours and mine. Can you imagine bringing a child up into our love? ”

Trent’s throat closed over the wave of emotion rising through her. “My own family.” She digested this while staring into Juliet’s expectant face. “That would be so cool! ”

“I’m not saying we do it right this minute, but one day soon you and I will go look into a way to get me pregnant.”

Letting out a whoop of joy, Trent swung Juliet round in her arms until they were both laughing and giddy. “God, I love you so much. A baby! Yes, yes to a baby! ”

Juliet laughed at Trent’s exuberance. “How’d you feel about us trying right this second the old-fashioned way of making a baby, you know, just to get in some practice? ” She popped the buttons of her blouse and parted it to reveal full breasts straining against her bra.

Trent quickly picked her up in her arms and carried her to the bedroom.

“What time is Kayleigh coming? ” she asked, peeling her shirt off over her head in one quick movement and flinging it aside.

“Later, much later.” Juliet wriggled out of her jeans and scooted her way up the bed, beckoning Trent to follow.

“Good, because I think we’re going to need lots of practice to get this baby-making thing down just right.” Trent stared down at Juliet, loving her so much. “You, a real home, and maybe a baby to love one day. How did I get to be so damn lucky? ”

“You opened your heart to love, Trent, and I promise to never let you regret it.”

“I love you.” Trent nuzzled her face between Juliet’s breasts and barely raised her head to ask, “You are coming with us tomorrow, aren’t you? ”

Juliet’s fingers threaded through Trent’s short hair. “Of course I am. Someone has to keep the gamer groupies away from you.”

“Like I’d even look at anyone else when I have you. No one begins to compare. You’re my ideal.”

The hands in her hair began stroking as Trent pressed kisses across Juliet’s chest to roll her tongue around a nipple straining through Juliet’s bra.

“Damn, I wish I’d told Kayleigh we’d just pick her up on the way there tomorrow, ” Juliet said, wrenching her bra off and moaning as Trent’s mouth instantly latched onto her bare flesh.

Trent just smiled against Juliet’s skin. “Look on it as practice for when we have a child of our own.” She paused for a moment, thoughtful. “I might want to get as much gaming in now as I can as well.” She jumped as Juliet hit her playfully. “Hey, don’t ever think I don’t know where my priorities lay.” She pressed her lips to Juliet’s and kissed her tenderly. “You, my love, will always come, in every sense of the word, before my gaming.”