DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter Sexting the Don: Epilogue II
Three years later
‘Great work today, everyone!’ I call out, my voice carrying over the fading echo of the music. ‘Incredible energy!’
From the back, a familiar voice pipes up, one of the newer faces who happens to be a world-famous singer.
‘Mandy, that playlist was killer! How do you always manage to find the perfect tracks?’
I flash a grin, feeling a swell of pride. ‘Trade secret! But let’s just say it’s all about matching the beat to the burn. Keeps everyone on their toes, you know?”
Another regular client, drenched in sweat but beaming, chimes in. ‘Honestly, these HIIT sessions have been a game-changer for me. Thanks for pushing us so hard!’
‘That’s what we’re here for,’ I reply, my eyes sweeping over the group. ‘Remember, it’s not just about keeping up; it’s about setting your own pace and then challenging it. Whether it’s your first class or your fiftieth, you’re here to surpass yourself, not your neighbor.’
As the group begins to disperse, I lean against the front desk, watching with satisfaction as everyone packs up. Some exchange high-fives, others check their fitness trackers, comparing stats and setting goals for the next session.
I pull my phone from the side pocket of my gym bag and immediately smile at a notification on the screen. It’s a picture from Enzo; he and the twins are at our favorite ice cream spot in Malibu, their faces joyous and messy with dribbles of chocolate and vanilla. It’s these little moments that get me every time. I quickly tap the heart reaction and type back, Looks delicious! I’ll pick up some dinner on the way home. Love you guys.
Tucking my phone away, I take a deep breath and glance at myself in the wall-length mirror. There’s a slight sheen of sweat on my face, evidence of a good session.
As I’m admiring how far I’ve come, a flutter of nervous excitement runs through me. Although I’ve just gotten my body back, I have another little surprise growing.
This secret has been burning a hole in my brain, and it’s almost time to let Enzo in on it. Adding another baby to our brood is both exhilarating and daunting. Knowing Enzo, though, his reaction will be nothing short of elation.
I head to the showers, my thoughts racing ahead to dinner and the conversation that awaits. After a quick rinse, I’ll be off to meet Nat for coffee before heading home with takeout.
Stepping out of my studio, the fresh air hits me with the salty tang of the sea, mingled with the earthy scent of street vendors lining the colorful, bustling avenues of Venice Beach. The vibrant street art, the crashing of the ocean in the distance, and the eclectic mix of street performers and skateboarders never fail to amaze me that this is where I get to work every day.
As I stroll down the street, I adjust my sunglasses and soak in the unique vibe that only Venice can offer. The sun is high and bright, casting a shimmer on the palm tree-lined streets. It’s just a short walk, but every step is a reminder of how far I’ve come—from a freelance trainer to a studio owner—in one of LA’s coolest locations.
I spot Natalie seated outside the cafe, her signature wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses making her look every bit the incognito movie star. She’s waving energetically as I approach, her smile as dazzling as the Golden Globe Award she just won.
‘Look at you, still glowing from that win! When’s the Oscar party?’ I tease, giving her a tight hug.
Natalie laughs, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. ‘Oh, stop it! I’m still enjoying riding this wave. But yeah, an Oscar would look nice on my shelf. Got to keep dreaming big, right?’
We order our coffees and settle into a cozy corner, dishing about everything from the latest Hollywood gossip to our personal lives. The conversation is light and full of laughter until Natalie, ever the blabbermouth, lets something slip.
‘So, when’s the wedding? You and Enzo make such a perfect couple,’ she says, her voice casual but curious.
I choke on my coffee a bit, caught off guard. “There’s no rush. We’re happy where we are.”
“Fine. Just make sure when it does happen, I won’t have to wear a horrible polyester nightmare of a bridesmaid’s dress,” she teases.
I laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Changing the subject, I lean in, lowering my voice playfully. ‘So, tell me about this new role you’re eyeing. Are you seriously going to be working with the Timothee?”
Her eyes light up, and she’s off to the races.
“Well, he’s not confirmed for the part yet, but the director is desperate to get him on board.”
We dive back into the safer waters of movie roles and upcoming projects, but Natalie’s teasing lingers in my mind, a gentle echo of the commitment conversation I know Enzo and I can’t avoid forever.
I still get a little thrill every time I pull up to our swanky beachside pad in Malibu. This place is somehow even bigger than Enzo’s old digs in the Hollywood hills, with sleek, modern lines and windows so large and clear you feel like the ocean’s breaking right on your toes.
As I get out, the salty breeze and the soothing rumble of the waves hits me. Before I can even grab the takeout from the car, Connor and Callie come barreling out the door like a couple of pint-sized whirlwinds, screaming, “Mommy!” Their hugs are the best part of my day, hands down.
Behind them, Mom saunters out, ever the picture of chill in her role as the world’s coolest grandma. She’s rocking her new digs in the guest house like she was meant for Malibu life, telling the twins it’s time to scrub off the day’s adventures.
“Off you go, you two,” she chimes, herding them back inside.
I head into our house, where every room is a postcard. The kitchen’s a masterpiece—massive, with appliances so fancy they practically do the cooking for you. I drop the takeout on the island, looking forward to the delicious Thai food inside.
Just then Enzo strides in, dressed in a sharp suit and that killer smile that still gives my heart a flip. He wraps me up in one of his movie-star-worthy kisses that says he’s just as glad to see me as I am to see him.
“Guess what? Your mom is on twin duty tonight,” he whispers, his eyes lighting up with mischief. “We’ve got the place to ourselves.”
“Oh, you don’t say?” I shoot back, matching his grin. “Sounds like someone’s planning trouble.”
He chuckles and, with a cheeky wink, steals another kiss. “Only the best kind.”
We sit down at a table scattered with Thai takeout containers, and the twins immediately launch into their version of toddler storytelling.
“Connor is building a rocket with his blocks,” Mom says, her eyes twinkling.
“And Callie apparently met a mermaid today in the pool,” she adds, causing us all to laugh.
After the feast, Mom rounds up the twins with promises of their favorite movie and a big bubble bath, their giggles fading as they head to the guest house.
Left alone, the quiet settles around us, and I notice Enzo has something on his mind. He pulls out a bottle of wine and starts to pour a glass for me, which I gently decline.
“What’s got you so quiet?” I probe as we step out onto our rooftop terrace, the sky a canvas of oranges and pinks.
Enzo leans against the railing, looking out over the ocean. “I’ve been thinking about us, about everything we’ve been through these past few years,” he starts, his voice soft. “We’ve come a long way.”
He turns to face me, his expression earnest. “You, me, the kids … you’re my world. You know that, right?”
I nod, touched by his words, feeling the warm breeze dancing around us. “I know. I feel the same.”
He takes a deep breath, his gaze returning to the horizon. “I want to make sure you know how serious I am about us. About our future.”
I reach out, taking his hand. “I do know. But why do I feel like there’s more you’re not saying?”
Enzo smiles a little sheepishly. “Because there is. I’ve been thinking about how fast time is moving, how our lives are getting bigger and better. How I want to make sure you and the kids always have everything you need.”
His eyes search mine, looking for a reaction. “So, what are you saying?”
Enzo’s gaze holds onto mine, intense and full of love. “Mandy,” he begins, his voice steady but filled with emotion, “from the moment we met, you’ve been the force that’s driven me to be a better man. You and the twins have given me a purpose that goes beyond anything I’ve ever known.”
He takes a deep breath, his hands reaching into his pocket. “I’ve spent every day thankful for you, for us. And I want to spend every day from here on making sure you know how much you mean to me.” He pulls out a small box and opens it to reveal a stunning diamond ring that sparkles under the orange sky. “Mandy, will you marry me?”
Tears well up in my eyes as I nod vigorously, overwhelmed by the love I feel in the moment. “Yes, Enzo, a thousand times, yes!”
As he slips the ring onto my finger, a perfect fit, I can’t hold back any longer. “I have a surprise, too,” I say, my voice trembling with excitement. “We’re going to have another baby.”
The shock and joy on his face mirror the emotions swirling within me. “Really?” he gasps, his smile so wide it could light up the night. “You make me so fucking happy.”
He pulls me into his arms, and we embrace, our hearts beating as one, our future unfolding bright and beautiful before us. “I love you, Mandy,” he whispers into my hair.
“I love you too, Enzo,” I whisper back, feeling the ring on my finger, the promise of forever etched deep within its glittering stone.
Back in our bedroom, the entire world seems to shrink until it’s just the two of us, wrapped in the warm afterglow of our big news. As he draws me close, his kiss is a slow burn, deep and resonant, like it’s sealing our promises and dreams all at once.
His hands roam familiar paths down my back, untying the knot of my dress with a deft flick of his hand. The fabric falls to the floor, and his appreciative murmur sends a thrill racing through me.
‘Still the best view in Malibu,’ he teases, voice low, as his lips trail a fiery path down my neck. I’m quick to peel his shirt away, revealing those hard-earned muscles I never tire of exploring. Every touch from him sparks a little more heat, a delicious pressure building where I need him most.
Guiding me back toward the bed with that sure, gentle strength of his, he lays me down under the dying light of the sun streaming through our windows. He hovers above me, his presence a solid comfort. There’s a reverence in the way he touches me, each kiss and caress a word in the love language we’ve perfected over the years.
His lips capture mine again, hungry and insistent, and when he finally moves within me, it’s with a rhythm that’s all too familiar yet endlessly exciting. The sensation of him, so close and so intense, pulls a gasp from my lips, morphing into a moan that fills the room. I lock my legs around him, drawing him deeper, lost in the rhythm we set together.
The sunset casts a golden glow around us, turning our room into a canvas painted with the hues of our passion. As we move together, the outside world fades to nothing—there’s just here, just now, just us. Each thrust deepens not only our connection but the promise of our future, a dance as old as time but always new with him.
The climax comes like an ocean wave crashing over us, intense and all-consuming. As we cling to each other, riding out the aftershocks, his breath is hot against my ear. Enzo murmurs those three words that still send my heart racing, ‘I love you so damn much.’
‘Forever and always, babe.’ We’re just a tangle of limbs and heartbeats now, watching the last of the sun slip below the horizon, our world perfectly, wonderfully complete.