Julian looked into her eyes and kissed her hand very lightly and gently; reminiscent of the time he kissed her in her office. He loved her unconditionally, it didn’t matter to him that she had had their baby. Every time, he looked at Eve, he had to make sure he wasn’t dreaming, to know that what they shared was real and true, it amazed him in so many ways. The deep love he had for her was something he could never live without. In the past, he truly wanted her to choose what made her happy. After all that he had put her through, he had to put aside his selfishness for her. He owed her in so many ways and being patient was very difficult, but now that he had everything he ever wanted, patience was the best thing he had ever learned to have when it came to his ladylove.
Eve lay on her side and Julian pulled her close against him, just holding her to show that he was there for her. Eve loved how kind and sweet he could be, she knew how genuine Julian was in his words and feelings. He was never embarrassed to show how much he cared for her or tell her what he was thinking. In fact, he was more emotional and communicative than he was even back then. They were in love then, but they were different people and they had both matured so much. She especially saw the changes in Julian. She had overcome so many obstacles, she was not without her mistakes either, but Julian had truly taken on quite the transformation. It was hard to believe how much she despised him only a short time ago, but she could never despise him ever again. He had truly been her rock when she needed him, he had shown her his heart and soul and she loved him dearly for it, she loved him for his support and his unselfishness to love her, even if he had had to love her from afar at the time.

She lay there quietly, closing her eyes, loving the feeling of his warm mouth against her neck, even after all of this time, he still gave her goose bumps, just proving that their chemistry was and would always be explosive and real. She then turned around to look at him, enjoying his very inviting eyes as she stroked his soft gray hair. He kissed her lovingly and she put her arms around his neck, not wanting to ever let go. When she moved back a bit to look at him again, she took his hand to her chest to his surprise. He wanted her to be comfortable with him and with herself. He gazed at her quite intensely as he caressed her, an expression driven by such passion and desire for Eve. She closed her eyes, loving the feeling of his strong, firm hands upon her. He wanted so much to show her the deep love he had for her, emotionally, physically, in every way possible. Julian slipped his hand down her stomach, and then she moaned ever so softly as he touched her, knowing how to please her. She hugged him tightly, wanting to feel so close to him as he continued to caress her intimately.

“Oh sweetheart, how I love you completely, body and soul.” He whispered into her hair.

She looked at him, Julian knew her so well, that he then moved his body on top of hers. She played with the back of his hair, touching it in such a way that drove Julian wild, she always knew how to turn him on and that night was no exception. As he kissed her more passionately, he then slipped his hand to the inside of her leg, running his fingers, up and down very delicately. He always had such a way of teasing her that she yearned for more. She gazed at him, not wanting him to be so gentle any longer and when he went to enter her, he closed his eyes and smiled when he heard Ashtyn start to cry. Julian moved off of her then and sat there for a moment.

“That’s the way it goes.” Eve said touching his face.

Julian sighed, but knew she was right.

“I will be back in one minute my love, don’t go anywhere.” He said putting on his boxers.

“I will be here.” She said smiling.

Julian went into the nursery and leaned over the crib to pick her up. She leaned against him; he loved how Ashtyn snuggled up to him, being there for his little one. As she continued to cry, he sat down in the chair, rocking her. There were certainly sacrifices to make when having children, but Julian loved every minute of it, being involved with this child from the beginning. It was an experience in itself, but one that Julian felt he needed, to truly appreciate fatherhood almost for the first time. She meant everything to him and being interrupted before the big moment was something that they had to deal with, it was life and he wouldn’t trade it for the world.

“Don’t cry pumpkin, daddy’s here.” He said kissing her.

After a while, she settled back down and he put her back into the crib and when he returned to the bedroom, Eve was laying there, just relaxing.

“She’s okay now honey.” Julian said.

“Good.”

Julian sat down on the bed and brought Eve to sit in front of him. She closed her eyes as he rubbed her shoulders.

“How does that feel Eve?”

“Mmmm, wonderful, you are very good with your hands Julian.”

“As I’ve been told, why don’t you lay on your stomach for a bit?”

“Why?”

“I thought we could do something.”

He reached over to open the drawer of the nightstand and took out a bottle of oil. Eve bit her lip and obliged by lying down. Julian straddled himself over her and ran his hands up and down her back and shoulders, massaging every part deeply with the oil.

“Does that feel good hon?”

“Oh yes Julian, I could fall asleep right now, you sure you don’t want to be a professional masseuse with those hands?”

“These hands are only for you.” He said leaning forward to kiss her neck.

She was in heaven, feeling very relaxed and calm, just enjoying his touch. Julian gazed at her, his eyes scanning every part of her body, she had amazing curves and they were all for him. He squeezed some more oil into his hands and continued on, moving them farther down her back and over her behind quite seductively. Eve couldn’t help but turn around to look up at him.

“This is a full body massage darling.” He said smiling.

“Okay then.”

She was almost asleep, so content when he whispered, “Why don’t you lay on your back now?”

Eve adjusted herself and he looked at her body hungrily, opening the bottle to pour the oil over her from head to toe, smiling quite devilishly. She could never get bored with him in the bedroom; he was so inventive, so spontaneous. Julian was always ten steps ahead and she loved that about him. She knew that even though they had a baby now, he would never change in bed, life would always be interesting and Eve would feel more loved than she could have ever thought possible. As he caressed her, he leaned forward kissing her, he couldn’t resist her. For over two decades, how he yearned to feel her lips upon his and now he just couldn’t get enough of them. Eve pulled him suddenly on top of her and he smiled, loving the feeling of the slippery oil, between their bodies. Julian wasted no time, continuing where they left off before Ashtyn began to shed tears. The soft cries from Eve turned Julian on every time he made love to her. They were so compatible when they became one, they knew what each other liked and they worked to find their rhythm without hesitation.

“Oh Julian.” She whispered.

“I am so in love with you, oh Eve, you are my world.” He said into her hair.

He quickly picked up the pace as the oil helped to make this session even more sensual and sexy for both of them. When he let himself go, she held him as tightly as if it was the first time he made love to her. Every time was magical, passionate, amazing, words couldn’t really express their lovemaking sessions. They fell asleep in each other’s arms and when Eve woke up, Julian was in the kitchen sitting with Ashtyn on his knee, playing with the suit on his tie.

“You are up early Julian.”

“Yeah, I had a few things to prepare for work and when I peeked into the crib, our little darling was already awake of course.” He said looking at Ashtyn.

“Let me take her so you can have your coffee.” Eve said.

They sat there talking for a bit until he looked at his watch, realizing he had to go. She walked him to the door.

“Julian?”

“Yes dear?”

“Pick up some milk on your way home, oh and we need more diapers.” She said.

“Okay Eve.”

He took Ashtyn in his arms for a moment.

“Now you have fun with your mommy today and don’t tire her out too much.” Julian said smiling.

“Bye Eve, I love you.” He said kissing her.

“I love you too Julian, see you later.”

Eve was getting used to being home, she was enjoying it, and she really missed when Simone and Whitney were small, so having Ashtyn was sure a blessing. She put her down for a nap for a while and looked through some wedding books, she was getting excited about her upcoming marriage. She wanted to find a wedding dress that was simple, so she took her time looking through them. This was going to be small wedding of course, but she still wanted to look nice. When Julian returned home from work that night, she was sitting in the living room watching TV. He hung up his coat and held up the milk and diapers to show her that he remembered and she nodded. They sat down on the sofa and were just listening to some music when the doorbell rang. Julian smiled when he opened the door to Sheridan.

“Hi Sheridan.” He said giving her a huge hug.

“Hi Julian, hi Eve.” She said smiling.

Sheridan had been the only one who was really understanding of the whole situation with them, she hadn’t been around to see them too much as she had been battling losing her baby and it had been hard for her. And when she had to choose between Antonio and Luis, it was difficult as well. Antonio was hurt when Sheridan had chosen Luis, furious over it in fact. Alistair was still up to his tricks though to keep them apart and Julian and Eve both knew that. But she did find the time to try to be with Luis when she could.

“I have missed you.” Julian said.

“Me too, sorry about not being over too much, now that things are better, I will try to get over as much as I can.”

“Where’s Luis?” Eve asked.

“Working.”

“I am glad you chose him, you two share a love like we do Sheridan.” Julian said.

“Yes, I know what true love is all about and I know that you do love Eve so much.”

“I do, words can’t express my deep love for Eve.” He said kissing her.

“Anyway, I wanted to stop by and see my niece.” Sheridan said smiling.

Eve handed Ashtyn to Sheridan and she took to Sheridan right away, she was like that when Sheridan had visited before.

“She is so beautiful Eve.” She said smiling.

“She takes after me.” Julian said laughing.

“Anyway, how are you doing with everything Sheridan?” Eve asked concerned.

“Well it’s hard not having our baby, but we are thinking maybe in time, we can try again.”

“What about Beth?” Julian asked.

“Well, Luis will be there for Martin, to take care of his responsibilities, but he loves me and I do want to marry him, and have children.”

“You two belong together.” Eve said.

“Father is not happy about it, he has always hated Luis so much and I know he would rather I stay with Antonio.”

“You should be with who you love Sheridan, you should be happy and if Luis makes you happy, then you two are destined to be together.”

She smiled and her cell phone rang.

“Oh it’s Luis, hold on, I will take this in the other room.” Sheridan said.

“Eve, I worry for Sheridan, I know it’s only a matter of time when he will try again to keep them apart.”

“Alistair is so evil, you have to protect her Julian.”

“I will try my best Eve.” He said putting his arm around her.

Sheridan returned a few minutes later.

“Luis gets off in ten minutes, I just told him to meet me here if that’s okay?”

“Sure it is, listen why don’t you and Luis stay for dinner, we would love to have you.” Julian said.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course, you are family Sheridan, we can get caught up.” Eve said smiling.

“Okay.”

Luis arrived soon afterwards, Sheridan watched him as he played with Ashtyn.

“He really is a good father Eve, I know he wishes that he had our child, he was just as devastated as I was.”

“I understand you suffered a great loss, you know I can relate losing my son.”

“Are you and Julian any farther ahead in finding your boy?” she asked.

“We are trying Sheridan, having Ashtyn has been wonderful for Julian and I, but of course, we want our son as well.” Eve said sadly.

“Well if there is anything I can do, perhaps Luis, being a police officer can help as well.”

“I appreciate that.” She said smiling.

Julian sat across from Luis, they had gotten closer in the last while, Luis could tolerate him, he had been great with Sheridan, being involved in her life once more and Luis liked that.

“Listen Julian, I don’t want to upset Sheridan, but I know Alistair is still trying to keep us apart, I am just waiting for him to try something again, considering she chose me instead of Antonio.”

“Keep your guard up Luis and don’t turn your back for a second, I know my father.” He said.

“He kept you and Eve apart for so many years, and to have a son that you can’t find, I can relate, losing my child.”

“I know it’s hard Luis, I wish I had the answers for you, but it’s just as much a tragedy as Eve and I knowing we have a son out there and not knowing where to look. But I hope for our sake, that we do find him one day, I would love to get to know my son.”

“Are you serious about that father?”

Julian looked up to see Fox standing there.

“I didn’t hear you come in.” Julian said.

“I figured, but I have a key anyway right, so no biggie. So are you going to treat that son like you did me?”

“Now Fox, you know that we have come along way right?”

“Yes I know that, so I hope you can get to know your son and welcome him.”

“Of course, I love him, even though I don’t know him.”

“Anyway, let me see my baby sister, hi there cutie.” He said picking up Ashtyn.

She snuggled up to Fox; she was a very happy baby.

“So Luis, how are you?” Fox asked.

“Pretty good and you?”

“Just fine thanks, dad, I am only staying for a bit, I am going to pick up Whitney in about an hour.”

Eve and Sheridan came out into the living room.

“Fox, hi.” Eve said.

“Hi Eve, hi Sheridan.” He said hugging them both.

“Stay for dinner, Sheridan and Luis are as well.”

“I don’t want to impose.”

“Impose, you?” Julian said rolling his eyes.

“Well, I don’t want Eve to go through the trouble of having to make more because I am here.”

“Fox, you are always welcome, you are family.”

“Come on, just join us, and besides, you can afford to store it.” He said punching Fox playfully in the stomach.

Fox smiled and when it was ready, they all sat down to eat. It was nice to know that they still had people they could count on in their lives. Grace and David came around sometimes as well, so they weren’t completely alone.