EPILOGUE ELISA

Five years later, I am sitting on my porch, watching my husband, Patrick, play with our two-year-old son, Peter. My son has his father's raven hair and his evergreen eyes. He giggles as his dad chases him around the yard, his tiny legs moving as fast as they can. My best friend, Penelope, is sitting next to me, a small smile on her face. She is holding her baby girl, Elizabeth, in her arms.

"I can't believe it's been five years," I said, a smile on my face.

"I know. It feels like just yesterday that you were telling me about your one-night stand with my brother," she said, a playful grin on her face.

I laughed, a beautiful, melodious sound that filled my heart with joy. "I'm glad I told you. I was so scared that you would hate me."

"I could never hate you, El. You're my sister. And I'm so happy that you and Ricky are together," she said, her voice filled with love.

I looked at my husband and my son, and I felt a wave of love wash over me. I was so grateful for that night, for that one night that proved that love was real. A love that was a mystery, a secret that had woken up beneath the surface, but a love that was all mine. A love that was a slow-burning flame, a love that was worth waiting for.