A/N: Its here! The End is finally here! Well technically chapter 43 was the end but whose keeping count? 

Read & Enjoy lovelies!❤ I really hope it turned out just like you had hoped and I didn't disappoint! XOXO.💋

| 4 Years Later |

| Ariel |

"...$40, $60, $80, $100..." I mumbled to myself counting out the last of the money in the register. Shifting from one foot to the other as the pain up my leg intensified, I pushed through and counted the last stack of bills which was the singles.

I will take all the leg cramps in the world in order to have the successful business I have now and its all thanks to my amazing husband because without him I could not even have started this so soon on my own. 

What was once a small online bakery called, Sweet Treats is now an 1800 sq. ft store front called Hendrix Cafe. Damon is lucky his last name is the same as the great Jimi Hendrix because now the bakery has double meaning to me (just don't tell him that). It is all I ever dreamed of and more, not too big and not tiny where you couldn't set a few tables around inside -- it was the perfect size with 3 tables and 3 long booths on either side. 

Looking at it from the outside you can see the white and black striped awning perched on a white store front with multiple small windows on each side and a black front door. Decorated with a couple black potted red flowers on each side and a small breakfast table with two chairs and an umbrella for shade, it was the perfect little bakery entrance. 

Once you stepped foot inside the bakery though, the black and white theme did not end. The whole bakery was covered in white subway tiles and stuck right behind the register was a huge chalkboard black sign that listed our entire menu and filled up almost the whole wall. Right in front of that was the black dessert case displaying all of my freshly baked sweet treats and sugar delights and right next to that was the register which was also black in color. 

My favorite about the design of our bakery was probably the flooring and light fixtures. I literally had heart eyes when Damon surprised me with the design one morning. The lights that hang from the ceiling were a matte black industrial dome light and gave a 1950s diner feel to the place. 

The tile flooring almost gave me a snake skin print vibe when I first saw them; showcasing black diamonds with smaller white diamonds overlapping. It was stunning. Damon put every single feature of the place together using my color scheme and ideas -- his artistic vision was perfect!

Oh, and did I mention hung up on our walls were various copies of my rock vinyl records collection protected in black frames? 

A tiny but loud baby laugh coming from one of the booths that sat closest to the front of the register, caused me to stop mid-count and look up...

My lips curled into a big smile at what I saw. Emma was bouncing a very excited Jax on her lap. Tyler was seated right next to her, his arm resting on back of the booth, behind Emma's shoulders. Jax threw his head back in a fit of giggles as Ty leaned over and buried his face in the baby's tummy, blowing raspberries. I watched as Emma looked up at her husband in love and admiration but my heart broke a little. She has wanted to be a mom for so long and her and Tyler deserved it. I prayed it would happen for them.

Sadly, Emma and Tyler haven't had the honor of welcoming a baby into the world yet. They finally got married 5 years ago, it was in April, the spring before Damon and I had our November destination wedding in Paris. They have been trying for the past 3 years and they have been to a few doctors already. Emma doesn't talk much about it and we don't like to push because it's such a sensitive topic for her but even we are afraid now that our best friend won't be able to have the things, she wants the most in this world.

Lena and Zack sat across from Emma and Ty, watching them enjoy baby Jax and making conversation as well. I lifted my left foot and tried to roll it around a bit and get the blood flowing, I had been on my feet all day and it was taking a toll on my body. Especially in this condition.

I smiled as I looked down at my six-month round baby bump, rubbing gentle circles. Looking back up, I met eyes with Lena, she smirked knowingly and winked my way. I was about to question it but I immediately knew why she winked when I felt two strong arms wrap around my waist and pull me against an even stronger chest.

He was supposed to be in the kitchen, finishing up any last bit of cleaning and taking the trash out to the dumpster but I guess he was done now.

His hand held my swollen baby bump protectively as his lips pressed kisses up and down the column of my neck. "You shouldn't be up princess. You've been on your feet all day. Please go sit and relax, I'll finish this up."

I shook my head, determined to finish the last little bit of closing the register. I knew I was pregnant but I didn't want to feel incapable of something so small, not yet.

"I'm fine, why don't you go and – "

A low warning growl against my ear cut me mid-sentence "Ariel. Go now." He wasn't asking and I knew it was coming from his caring, overprotective nature but being the woman, he turned me into I wasn't exactly going to back down.

Turning around in his arm, I crossed my own over my chest "Listen here mister, I am very capable of – "

"One more word Ariel..."  He removed his arms from around me and stood in front of me, feet shoulder width apart, arms crossed over his chest and an amused smirk on his face. "Say one more word."

His eyes challenged me and his voice dripped with authority. I loved when he became this person but that doesn't stop me from acting like I hate it. He should know who he was dealing with by now.

My inner goddess winked at me and sat back to watch the show.

I tilted my head, giving him my best coy smile. Putting emphasis on each word, I said "One. More. Word."

His eyes darkened and his jaw twitched before a cocky grin appeared on his lips. The devil would be jealous of the way he looked at me right now. I knew what that look meant, that look meant my ass would be sore for the next couple days and there would be a Damon sized hand print on my ass.

In a flash his arm was around my waist, gripping my ass cheek with firm fingers as he pulled me tight against him, always carefully of my bump though. His other hand gripped my chin between his thumb and forefinger pulling me in for a hard soul searing kiss. My hands pressed against his chest, moaning into his mouth, clutching his shirt in my fists as he pulled away, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth. With one last smacking kiss he palmed my ass once more with a light smack before whispering "Your ass is mine tonight princess."

Biting my lower lip, I raked my hands up and down his chest "Can't wait..."

Gagging noises pulled us away from our little bubble and I automatically knew they were coming for the booth housing our friends a few feet away. I rolled my eyes with the biggest smile on my face but before I could make a move, I heard Lena gag even louder.

"Get a room!"

"Really guys, nowhere in the sign outside did it say dinner and a show." Zack teased.

I could imagine the cringe on Emma's face as she responded "Ugh, seriously that might be incest just me having to watch that."

Tyler laughed "Shit, someone start recording, if it goes any further, we can make some money off of it..." most likely he then turned to Emma when he said "baby just close your eyes."

I rolled my eyes when I heard some slapping of hands which I assumed was high fives and I also assumed they came from Zack and Tyler.

Damon was now fighting back the laughter in front of me, meanwhile my head was buried in his chest in embarrassment as I groaned and blushed fifty shades of red.

Damon's laughter rumbled through his chest. "Alright guys, Enough!" He shouted to the group before giving me a quick kiss to the top of the head. I finally removed my head from his chest and looked up at him, he nudged his head at the booth where everyone sat as if silently telling me to go.

"I'm going, I'm going..." I mumbled in defeat with a small smile as I walked around the register towards the occupied booth. I smiled at the image in front of me. Everything felt perfect and fit right into place. I couldn't ask for a better husband or happier life, I was truly blessed in every way.

Emma rubbed noses with her godchild and kissed his chubby cheeks as I approached. Reaching the table, I slid in next to Lena, giving Tyler and Emma their space on the other side of the booth.

Jax noticed me right away and began craning his neck back. Emma turned his little body to face me and he giggled and gurgled my way. "Momma!" he clapped his hands with a big drooly smile.

I blew him kisses and cooed "Hey baby, is Auntie Emma making you laugh?"

He giggled again as Emma tickled his sides with her fingers.

The way I saw Tyler look down at Emma was one of pure adoration and love. He seriously came a long way from the boy he was in high school. He learned so much from losing her treats her like she's his life line. He is the perfect husband to Emma and I just know he would be a great dad to all their babies.

Ty kissed Emma's temple and with that gesture she looked up at him with a smile but it didn't reach her eyes, even I could see that. It was a sad smile, as happy as Jax made her she was sadden by the fact she couldn't give Jax someone to play with and I knew it because she had told me multiple times.

Ty didn't need to say anything to Emma, I was sure the look he gave her was enough to reassure her. He held one of Jax's hands in his and made a quick funny face for him. Jax wrapped his fist around Tyler's finger giving him another one of his famous drool gurgled giggles.

Zack brought Tyler into conversation about the last football game of the season and the started exchanging terms that were way out of our intellectual range. As the boys spoke and Emma had her hands full playing with Jax, Lena and I seemed to look over at each other with as much discreetness as we possibly could.

She gave me a sorrow filled smile and I gave her one of my own, knowing exactly what she was thinking. We were both thinking of our best friend and how much of a hard time she must be going through. Today must have been a bad day for Emma because she wasn't hiding it well, we both could see it.

A ping notification came on my phone and I wiggled around, fishing it out of my denim back pocket – that in itself was a challenge with a six-month baby bump.

Unlocking my phone, I saw the new text message from Lena.

Le: You think she's going to be okay? Maybe we should have some girl time and kick the guys out early before us?

I sighed and quickly typed her one back.

Me: Ty knows how to handle this Le. You know he takes care of her and plus, you know how she is, sometimes she doesn't like talking about it.

Le: I guess...I wish she would take our advice and at least look into surrogacy.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek, deep in thought. Emma spoke to us once about her condition and we brought up all the different options she had but it seemed like our Em, was as stubborn as a mule. Nothing would change her mind from wanting to carry her own.

Me: She wants to experience her own pregnancy and carry her own baby Le, it means a lot to her.

Just as I pressed send, I felt Damon squeeze in beside me and place a hand on my bump. He handed me a water bottle and I took it gratefully.

"Drink." He ordered with a smile.

"Thanks baby." I smiled right back and unscrewed the cap, taking a long sip, I was thirstier than I thought and it seemed as if Damon knew that better than I did.

"Everything closed up?" I asked him, placing my bottle on the table.

He placed a soft kiss to my lips and nodded "All done baby. How are your feet?"

I smiled at his soft caring tone. "Much better, thank you."

He winked down at me before Zack asked him a question, bringing him into their conversation now as well. Lena, Emma, and I all look at each other with smiles.

Emma didn't have Jax in her arms anymore, she has passed him on to Tyler and now he was busy talking and blowing raspberries on Jax's bare belly.

The girls and I all laughed at the scene. It was the sweetest thing ever and I silently took a mental picture of all of us right now, in this moment. This was us and it was simple but it was perfect. Never did I think I could get here with my high school crush. I married the man of my dreams, had a 16-month-old baby boy with another one on the way and all that complete with my very own bakery and a little single-family home with a wraparound porch, just like I wanted.

"What's Uncle Ty doing?" I heard Emma's voice coo to baby Jax with a huge smile upon her face – this one totally genuine. "Is he tickling you?"

"Hey, where's Dean?" Zack inquired looking at his watch for the time. "Wasn't he supposed to hang out for a minute before his flight?"

I sighed; any mention of Marissa and Damon's anger always surfaced or I shouldn't say anger but his frustration with the choice his older brother made for a girlfriend.

"Marissa texted me something about having to pack and not being able to come with it being such last minute," she scrunched her nose "Something or other..."

Dean and Marissa had a flight out to Brazil in the morning for a modeling show she had lined up and they would only be gone a week or so but regardless we haven't seen him in a couple weeks. One reason Damon doesn't like Marissa is because it seems she keeps him from us too much, she rarely hangs out with us and even more so rarely allows him to come hang out. Dean swears she's just shy and anti-social but we have a hard time believing that.

Taking a sip of his own water bottle he brought from the back, Damon grunted "Of course she did. I still don't fucking get how Dean doesn't see it."

Emma shook her head at her brother with a sigh "Damon don't start, she makes him happy and until he says otherwise, she is here to stay."

"She's a manipulative bi – "

"Hey!" I cut him off before he said the full word, he looked down at me confused but I simply pointed to our 16-month-old son. He sighed and nodded his head with understanding and gave me an apology.

Tyler and Zack chuckled at his almost slip up, before Zack continued on with the conversation. "Well, I wouldn't go that far but she certainly doesn't seem right for him."

"That's putting it nicely," Lena scoffed and rolled her eyes "She thinks her shit don't –"

"LENA!" I shouted at her actual slip up, pointing directly at Jax.

She grimaced and shrugged her shoulders "Oops? Sorry Ari."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small laugh that escaped, Damon and I were the first to bring kids into the group so there were definitely going to be some changes that would be harder than others.

"Well," Damon began "Whatever her deal is, she's got Dean by the balls and if he doesn't start questioning things, she isn't going to give them back. She's getting off on having him wrapped around her finger."

Before anyone could jump in to respond soft whimpers were heard and within seconds Jax was crying and uncomfortable in any position that Tyler would put him in.

"I think he's just tired Ty." I said to him before turning to Damon "Maybe we should give him some milk, can you get me a sippy cup and warm some up?"

He agreed and got up to go to the back and do that, while I reached out to take Jax from Tyler's arms but he waved me away. "No, it's alright, I got him. You sit and relax."

"You sure, he might not stop fussing..."

"Nah, I got him." Baby Jax had calmed down to whimpers as he looked up at his Uncle. He was chewing on his fist as he looked up at him in tears. Tyler's was literally calming him down with soothing words.

I tilted my head with a smile and sat back down. I looked over at Emma who smiled knowingly, she nodded her head in approval as if he knew what he was doing.

Damon came back in minutes with a blue sports themed sippy cup in his hand. He smirked seeing Ty still had Jax in his arms trying to calm him down but didn't hesitate to give him the milk. As soon as Tyler handed Jax his sippy, he was a calm and happy baby, resting his head on Tyler's chest.

Damon grinned at them two of them and nodded his head at his baby sister "Tyler's looking good with a baby on his arms Em."

Zack chuckled "Never know, you might be next Emma."

They didn't know just how much their words might sting Emma's heart but she played it off really well and smiled through their teasing. Holding on to Tyler's arm and laying her head there she nodded.

"Yeah, maybe..." 

Below is the inspiration picture I had for the interior of Ariels bakery, of course with the addition of the vinyl records on the walls. 

Ahhh!! This is it, is this it? Is it finally over? *cue tears*😭😭😭

How did you guys feel about the Epilogue? Do you see it being a continuation for the next book?🤔

Im with you guys, Im so sad that it's over but I am so excited for the next step in the Hendrix series. I know a few of you have been asking about Lenas story and I never really planned on making a story for her BUT if I do get the next two stories finished with ease I can always add her story at the end -- probably make it like a flashback story of some sort. 😁

The next story in the series is back to Tyler & Emma. How do you guys feel about that? Based on what you just read in the Epilogue, you might see where their story is headed. After their second story I have Deans story coming in as #4. How do you guys feel about that? 

Tonight after get all your opinions & Ideas I will most likely start on a cover for the next book and a definite name -- I have a name already for it, I just want to make sure it will be the one I will officially use. Im always open for suggestions if anything. 

I will most likely post the start of that book tomorrow and maybe start on writing the first few chapter next week! 

For now, I have one last surprise for you...I do have an extended epilogue to Loving Damon, should I post it or should I leave it and finish Damon and Ariels story here as is? Let me know!❤

Thank you guys so much for your love and support through this book and the entire series in general. Your loyalty is seriously appreciated and I hope I've been writing as well as you expected! Please continue on to read my other works, I would always love to hear from you guys!

Much love & Stay Safe!🙏

Xoxo
Lisamariee 💋