"That sounds like a great idea," Emily told her.
"We'll do the same but we're coming over this weekend with the kids so we can have a big family barbeque," Jessica told her.
"Perfect. Thank you Jessica," Emily said, excited to have the family over for another get together.
"Your mother and I are going to stay the night. We'll feel better in the morning if we get to spend time with our grandson," Joseph said. He and Katherine gave Emily a kiss before heading off towards the stairs.
"I love you guys," she called after them.
"I'm going to make you some dinner to eat for after your bath. I'll leave it on the table by the door. It will be something easy on your stomach," Mary said and then rushed off to the kitchen.
"I really am grateful you're okay. Since you've come into this old home there's noticeably more laughter. You're a beautiful woman inside and out," Edward told her.
"Thank you, Edward. All of you are my family," she said and then kissed his cheek. He mumbled something and then shuffled off.
"You, my beautiful wife, are incredibly loved," Mark told her when they were finally alone.
"That's the greatest gift I could've ever received," Emily said to her husband.
Mark lifted her into his arms and gently carried her to their room. He sat her on the bed and then drew her a warm bubble bath. He slowly stripped the clothes from her body and kissed her gently, before carrying her into the bathroom, softly releasing her into the soothing water.
"Do you want to join me, I could use a foot rub?" Emily asked him. Mark stripped his clothes off and climbed into the opposite side of the tub. He lifted her foot into his lap and began to gently massage it.
Mark rubbed her feet and slowly massaged his way up her shapely calves and thighs. All thoughts of the day were washed away as Mark stroked her, from the soles of her feet to the top of her thighs and back down.
He turned her around and gently washed her back, then brought his hands around and ran his soapy fingers along her stomach and over the mounds of her br**sts. She leaned her head back into his neck and let the sensations of his touch wash over her. She could feel his arousal pressing into her back and smiled with how masculine her husband was.
He finally rinsed them both off and carried her wet body to the bed. He ran the towel over her, making her ache for him. He then tucked her into the bed and pulled her into his arms.
"You know how much I love you, right?" he asked her, as he gently kissed her lips and throat.
"I think as much as I love you," she answered him and then groaned.
"I think I was in love with you from the second I first saw you and Trevor standing there, so beautiful, after I'd been through such a rotten day," he told her, as he continued to slide his hands all over her body.
"I fell in love with you the first time you talked kindly to my son," she said, with tears in her eyes.
"Oh Emily how could I not love him, how could I not love you?" he said. He showed her how much long into the night.
Epilogue
Joseph sat in the chair, watching all his grandkids tear open their Christmas Presents. He was cuddling baby Tassia close to his chest. She was only a few weeks old and as beautiful as the rest of his grandkids. Mark and Emily certainly had the right recipe for creating a beautiful baby.
He smiled as he watched Trevor and Jasmine sharing chocolate. Jasmine had been a bit disappointed to find out Trevor was her cousin and she couldn't marry him but she soon recovered when she found out it meant they got to spend more time together.
Isaiah and Emily were each rocking on their brand new horses and giggling in a way that made the whole room light up.
Katherine was playing Christmas songs on the piano and all the kids were singing along. Jessica had a really beautiful voice and when it was accompanied by Amy and Emily it sounded like angels from above.
The three boys were sharing a drink by the fire and every few minutes they would glance over at their wives, as if to make sure the women didn't disappear on them.
Joseph was filled with pride at how well his matchmaking had turned out. He now had the large family he'd longed for and if things kept going as well as they'd been, he would be blessed with even more grandkids.
He had to admit he was a bit disappointed he didn't have anyone else to match up. He found he was really quite good at it.
"Dad, come have some of this Cognac, it's really good," Lucas called to him.
"Give me a minute," he said. He reluctantly got up and placed Tassia in her portable bassinet, standing over her, making sure she didn't wake up. He would be more than happy to pick her up again.
She stayed asleep, giving him no excuse to cuddle her close again. He walked over to his boys and held his hand out for a glass.