My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

After a long car ride-what should have been five hours stretched into seven- Celeste and Peter finally arrived at her long-awaited home in Willowcombe. Celeste felt a slight pang in her chest as she looked at her garden. It was overgrown, neglected. The care and effort she had been putting into fixing up the house had clearly been put on pause. She gave a small, bittersweet smile before crossing the yard and stepping inside. The house, surprisingly, still carried a warm, comforting presence.

"Celeste, where's your room?" Peter asked with curiosity.

"It's this way..." she said, walking toward the door.

Without warning, Peter scooped her up into his arms. Carefully, he pushed the door open and gently placed her onto the bed.

"What do you say we rest for a bit? You look exhausted, and I... I'm dead tired," he said, taking off his coat and getting comfortable.

"Uh..... well, yeah..." Celeste murmured, feeling suddenly nervous.

Like so many other times, Peter managed to surprise her. He had these spontaneous bursts of affection, like now. Once he was settled, he lay beside her, pulling her close and wrapping an arm around her waist, resting his hand on her belly.

"I hope the trip wasn't too long for you, little ones," Peter murmured, burying his nose in Celeste's neck. "I love this..."

Celeste could feel his warm breath against her ear, sending a strange shiver down her spine-one she wasn't quite sure how to interpret.

"Peter..." she whispered, trying to turn to face him.

"Hmm?" he responded, already half-asleep.

"Are you really tired?"

"A little... why?" he replied honestly.

His hushed words, spoken so close to her ear, had a singular effect on her. She turned to him, cupped his face in her hands, and kissed him. When she pulled away, she whispered, "Thank you."

"For what?" Peter asked, intrigued.

"For bringing me here. For staying. For not leaving us. For really trying. I'm a very happy woman. I know it's only been a few days, but in these days, I've felt like the most loved and cherished woman in the world."

"That's how it should be, Celeste... You're carrying my children. That, my love, is no small thing. You're giving me the chance to be a father. You're letting me witness them growing inside you, and after that, you let me see them grow outside of you. I get to watch them take I

shape, see what they'll look like.

You're giving me the chance to be a

father to two beautiful girls."

"I never imagined I'd get to experience something like this. I mean, I know I have

Alden, but... he's about to become a father himself, and I don't remember anything about him."

"I... I love you, Peter Palmer," Celeste whispered, emotion thick in her voice. "Not a day goes by that I'm not grateful you're here, that you were stubborn enough to never leave me. I know I've always been a serious woman, but with you, you bring out the best in me. And if I'm being completely honest, Hove this version of you more than the old one. Though, I also love and cherish who you used to be. But if I had to choose... I'd still pick this one."

She punctuated her words by pressing a deep, lingering kiss to his lips.

Peter felt it. It was a kiss filled with desire, passion, and longing. And soon, that desire became undeniable.

His lips trailed away from hers, exploring the soft skin of her neck. His hands— strong, eager, and familiar-began to make quick work of the clothes that kept them apart.

Within moments, Peter's lips

traveled over her bare skin, worshipping every inch of her. Celeste writhed beneath his touch her breath hitching at every kiss, every caress. Her body was already burning with need, but she discovered somethingnoveldrama

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surprising-this new version of the man she loved could bring her pleasure unlike anything she had ever known before.