A/N: We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, as far as the end of this fic goes! We have ten more chapters and a 60+ page epilogue, and a lot more angst to get through. Hold on tight!

Thanks in advance to all who read and respond on this chapter and to all who have faithfully been commenting throughout the series. It means a lot to know that folks enjoy and look forward to the stuff I write. You guys have been great!

And of course, thanks to Leiasky. The smut in this chapter is completely due to her influence (curse or thank her at your leisure)!

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A NEW DAY, ch. 23: A Beautiful Pair

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One Month Later

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Kaylee stared at her daughter’s sleeping form, her heart filling with love and contentment that she had thought she might never feel again. With a glance from Rylee to the far corner of the room, she saw Emma and Ethan asleep as well, and this time, the sight of her babies brought a few tears to her eyes. She had just checked on Daniel and her son was sleeping peacefully too. Her family was finally at peace, finally home, finally safe.

She felt Simon’s strong arms work their way around her waist and she leaned back against his broad, bare chest. Burying his face in her neck, he kissed the skin there and then dropped his forehead to her shoulder, content to hold her for the rest of their lives. Turning in his embrace, Kaylee brought her arms up and around his neck and kissed him lightly before murmuring, “Ain’t they amazin’?”

Simon glanced over her shoulder at their sleeping children and then looked back into his wife’s adoring eyes. Nodding once, he brought his mouth back to hers and whispered, “You are amazing,” before again pressing their lips together.

The kiss was soft at first and then quickly grew passionate. The past few months had seen both of them through trials and tribulations that no young couple should ever have to face, but with each other to lean on, they had made it through and the gratitude they felt for each other