Maya's pov:

After 8 years -

With the door closed every pretence falls. Every kiss has a raw intensity - breathing fast, heart rates faster. Then before I know how it happened, we are naked and our skin is moving softly together, like the finest of silk. I feel his hand enter from below moving fast, our tongues entwined in a kiss, and then he's inside, changing my breathing with every thrust, hearing my moans timed to his body.

Then all at once he stops and kisses from my breasts to my stomach, his hands light; then he's licking and using his fingers all at once, watching my reaction, feeling how my legs move, watching my body writhe. He tells me he's going to make me beg for it and I just let out a moan, unable to articulate a response. In seconds he's on me again, taking me harder, just long enough to intoxicate my mind before stopping again. If it's begging he wants, he's gonna have to stop long enough for my brain to start working again first...This is all we do when we are alone.

Last 8 years have been heaven, purely a blessing and a dream come true.

'Pain is a chance to become more empathic, more sensitive to others in pain. In isolation, we can think and let the creative mind spin new ideas. In unfulfilled expectations, we can learn patience and understanding. In grief, we can learn to cherish the gift of life each day. We can use our pain and fear to mature the mind and develop the soul. For how can the soul dance if it is hiding in the shadows? Thus, only the brave of heart can know true happiness. So, be bold, my love.'

This is what Xavier told me all these years to become the woman I'm today.

My pains, my fears, my anxiety, my problems all made me stronger.

"MUMMMAAAAA." My chain of thoughts broke when a loud voice echoed the living room.

My lips automatically turned into a crescent smile and turning off the gas stove, I made my way to the source.

Lauren and Edward ran as fast as they could towards me. Wanting to embrace my children into my arms, I kneeled down to their level and hugged them tightly.

Lauren and Edward. Two little munchkins of my life.

Edward being 6 years and Lauren being 5, keeps the house entertained with their antics. They symbolise mine and Xavier's love.

"Where's your Dada?" I asked them, not seeing Xavier with them.

They both giggled making me sure that something's a mess.

And there he is! Not something, rather someone's a mess.

Xavier entering the living room with two water bottles hanging around his neck, two back bags on his both shoulders and his hairs tied in two pony tails. Wait! What?

"Hahaha." Anna's laughter echoed the mansion and everyone started giggling.

Xavier, all red by embarrassment, kept the stuff on the couch and said sternly, "There's nothing to laugh." And the laughter increased more.

After a while of the laughter attack and successfully embarrassing Xavier, we were all silent.

"Enough with the fun. Come on kids, get back to your room and change your uniforms. Snacks are ready. Hurry up." I said and the kids ran upto their rooms.

"And, you big guy, get your bags and keep them at their places. No mess in my living room." Mimi ordered, looking at Xavier and not to forget, still trying to hold her laugh.

Muttering something under his breath, Xavier ran upstairs.

"Anna, you also go and get freshen up. I'll have the brunch served." After instructing the staff , I went to my room to see my husband plus the big child.

Life has been nothing but a roller coaster ride for us both for the past eight years. Many things changed.

My dad ; he passed away after two months of my marriage due a heart attack. However he treated me, I was and will be daughter. And the truth is , I loved him with all my heart, selflessly. His death took a huge tole on my mother and that's when, Xavier encouraged and convinced me to forgive her.

And guess what, he is more close to her today, than I am. She also agreed to make a new start and whole heartedly embraced me and Xavier and most importantly, my kids. Xavier even got her an appartment near our mansion, so that we could tak care of her properly. That's only after she refused to move in with us. Till date, Xavier takes all decisions regarding my mother. And, I'm the happiest about it. Because, somewhere I know that my past grudges with her, come in the way.

About Dan and Lucas, they are blessed with a beautiful angel named Livia and a baby boy named Nelson. Livia is eight and Nelson is gonna be 1 tomorrow. As amazing parents they are, Livia is the most well mannered kid and a beautiful soul. No doubt, she's my favourite. A perfect elder sister to her brother as well as her cousins and a pretty well understanding daughter to her parents. Not to forget, apple of her Uncle Xav's eyes.

About Chris and Lina, they are happily married and expecting twins. Soon, they will be blessed with two boys. Lina has been doing really good in her career. She grabbed a couple of movies and they did pretty well. Now, along with being a model, she's also a successful actress. And, for Chris, well he is no more Xavier's Personal Assistant. Instead , he is the manager of Xavier's companies in New York and also the most important thing, he is Xavier's friend now. Isn't that amazing that they call each other by their first names, do parties together and all the things that friends do?

It was somewhere after a year of my marriage, Liam and Daisy bursted the bubble that they both were dating. Everyone of us was extremely happy to hear that . But our happiness was short lived. Soon, they both seperated their ways and broke up. The reasons given by them were compatibility issues which we had to belive even though we were suspicious of something else. Soon, after that Daisy got a pretty good opportunity to work at a renowned hospital in Mexico and she shifted there. Even though, I terribly miss my best friend but, seeing the growth in her career, I am happy for her. Liam is also doing pretty well now and he recently opened two new hospitals accross the world.

It's not that I am always happy. I sometimes, miss Daisy, sometimes my father and sometimes my own self. How good were the days when I no longer had to struggle to maintain the work life balance!

As for it turned out to be the biggest happiness for me. This company made amazing profits and wonderful marks in the world for people to remember. Earlier Xavier was there with me at evry step but, after I won my first Best CEO award and he was pretty sure that I can handle the company well, he transferred me the complete ownership. Earlier I was upset with his decision, but then realised that he already has loads and loads of works for him. I cannot burden him something that I can do. I still, struggle to take out time for myself and my family sometimes but, having Xavier by my side, nothing is impossible.

Xavier says it will be okay. We have each other. And the family. We can make them understand in a way that will make them braver. We can explain them that we try to give time to everyone but, if it's not possible sometimes, then we are very sorry. We surely try to make up for that next time though.

Sometimes, I am so irritated with Xavier for spoiling Lauren and Edward, that I don't talk to him for few hours. But, as he says, "Darling, it was your idea to name them after my parents. And now whenever I see them both, they remind me of my mom and dad. Tell me now, how can I scold them and how can I refuse them for anything. And even if they weren't named after them, I still would want to spoil them and I would want you to correct them."

Soon after playing and spending a lot of time together, we called it a night. It was my turn to tuck the kids to bed today. We both take turns, where one day, one wraps up the kitchen after dinner and the other takes the kids to sleep. It was Xavier's idea as he wanted his children and his family to have the complete privacy. He didn't want maids sticking around the mansion everytime. Maids only come for a fixed time, do their work and leave.

After I was sure that both of my devils were asleep, I got up to leave only to find Xavier leaning on the door and looking at us, with a smile on his face.

Before I could ask him what happened, he spoke.

"Don't you thing that the time is running too fast? It feels like it was only yesterday when I was hell freaked out to know that there's my baby inside my wife." I chuckled at his words and nodded my head.

"Time isn't running fast instead, we are happy Xav. Happy in our small world with our family and our kids. So happy that we stopped the counting minutes and hours."

"You know, whenever I see them , I feel more motivated than ever. I want to work so hard that I get everything for them under their feet and at the same time be their motivation and inspiration to work harder." He was still looking at our kids and smile still didn't leave his lips.

"I know and understand that. I feel the same way. And, trust me when I say, you are the best dad and also the best husband." I said , hugging him sideways.

He kissed my forehead and held me more close.

"I want then to be happy everytime but, at the same time I want them to face challenges and get stronger with each day. I will one day tell them about both of our lives. I'll tell them how we survived it. I'll tell them that on bad mornings, it feels impossible to take pleasure in anything because we're afraid it could be taken away. Also sometimes, we experience the greatest happiness. It's like a game. Repetitive. Even a little tedious after more than daily."

"You are the best mom and the best wife, baby." Xavier said as he once again pecked my crown.

In each other's arms, we walked towards our room. Xavier closed the door and I could see him walking towards me like a hunter.

As soon as I sat on the bed, he took me off guard by pouncing on me as if I was his prey.

"Ahhh. Xavier get off me! What are you doing?" I sequeled in surprise.

"Darling, do I really need to tell you what am I doing right now? Even after 9 years of knowing each other and eight successful years of marriage." He wisphered huskily into my ears.

His hot breath falling on the skin at the back of my ear was enough for my whole body to shiver under him.

Xavier's pov:

One touch and it was over, it was always that way with maya. She felt electricity in her skin, hormones shutting down of her higher brain and the rise of her own self. From there on in it was all passion, intense, intoxicating. It was her release, her escape, her drug... not that she was easy, she knew well enough to tease me with her innocence but, I still manage to bring the lioness out of her. Yet with chemistry, with real love, too many of her switches were flicked for a reverse gear to be possible.

With each kiss of mine her painted toes dig the in the bed and each clothing we get rid off, she blushes even more like it's her first time. As I thrusts inward all I see is her face, the sweat beads over her forehead and the sky almost midnight blue, the moon a milky crescent through the window. Our breaths rise in visible puffs and though there is a soft wind, we are warm with one another. Tomorrow this memory will be what gets us through our days, and in our old age it will be the reason behind our grins. I'm pretty sure, she feels the same.

"Maya, I've been with you nine years and still you are the only flame I will ever need. Your fingers are like divine fire for my soul, your voice intoxicating in all the finest of ways. I love you; I always will." I keep on chanting this as if saying these words to her is the only thing I know.

It isn't the first time for either of us, but we're so into each other that each time feels like the first one. There's something about her that lights me up from the inside, there's something about me that melts her confidence to nothing at all. Touching her is like being handed the holy grail, like my heart is mended even though I never knew it.

After a long passionate night, we both fell into each other's embrace and went to our dreamland. The only dream we both see. Us. The happy us.