Disclaimer: As before

Author's Note: Now, as you know, I never normally write epilogues, but a little while ago in this story, I set myself up with a scene that makes, I think, an ideal epilogue that actually ties in rather than is there for the sake of it – I hope you all agree. And now, onto the thank-yous. I want to thank everyone who has read and reviewed this story; the amount of reviews I have received for this has absolutely blown me away, you've all been amazing, and, as always, the response really makes the writing worthwhile. The prequel to this story is now underway, Back to the Beginning, which I would love it if you would read, and of course review. Can I also take this opportunity to plug another of my stories, The End, which is a little unconventional, but I personally think in terms of quality, it's the best I've got up here, so I'd love it for you to all go and check it out. Right, having said all that, I will stop nattering and get on with writing.

The soft, hot smell of late summer was in the air, and there was a hint of a thunderstorm beginning to brew in the humid, heavy atmosphere. The heat was having a soporific effect on her, although it was a little cooler where she was sitting on the veranda. A large, leafy tree was casting the corner of the house in shadow, and Neela was making the most of the shade, sitting back on a large, comfortable deck chair, her feet up on a small table with a cushion resting on top of it. Her hands lay on her massive stomach; she'd never been heavily pregnant through the heat of the summer before, and she couldn't wait for it to end. The baby, now at thirty six weeks, was kicking crazily; he was obviously hating the heat just as much as she was, and was equally eager to get out and see the world as Neela was for him to.

Drifting over to her, she heard the girls' voices coming from the sandpit at the bottom of the garden. Squinting against the light, Neela watched them. Lucy was six years old now, and she could barely believe it had been six whole years since her life had changed so incredibly. She still shuddered, even now, when she thought how close she had been to giving it all up. When they had picked Lucy up from Abby and Luka's that afternoon, they had brought her home, and their lives together had begun. Ray's old room became a nursery as soon as they had the chance to redecorate, and after a proposal, on the roof of the hospital of all places (strangely right, despite what one might initially think) so beautiful that it still brought tears to her eyes when she thought of it, they got married in a small, understated ceremony shortly after Lucy's first birthday.

Then, a little while later, Neela found out she was pregnant again, and the four year old Jas, well, Jasminder really, but they always called her Jas, was playing now with Lucy. As soon as they knew she was on the way, they decided, with a pang of regret, that the apartment really wasn't big enough anymore, and they had moved out here to the edge of the city. Neela adored their house here. She had been scared to leave the apartment; it had been such a home to them, but the house turned out to be even better. It was a beautiful, three storey property, with a huge garden, perfect for their growing family, and painted in a pale primrose yellow on the outside, with all the rooms a riot of bright, primary colours that along with the children's laughter and Ray's music, brought the place to life.

Both she and Ray were attendings now, still at County, him in the ER and her in Surgery. Northwestern had been trying to poach Ray for months now, dangling all sorts of important sounding titles as a temptation to him, but he wasn't interested. County was home, to both of them. It brought them together, and it was where they wanted to be, as simple as that. Maybe one day, that feeling would change, but they couldn't see that happening in the near future.

She heard Ray come out of the house behind her, and make his way across the wooden deck.

'Hey babe, how are you feeling?'

He held out a tall glass of iced tea to her, and she took it gratefully. She took a sip and sighed blissfully; it was just what she needed. Better still was the feeling of Ray right behind her, and she leant her head back, resting it on his lean, hard stomach.

'Thank you,' she said, referring to the drink. 'I'm fine thanks. Someone's feeling active this afternoon.'

Ray leant over her, and reached down to lay his hands alongside hers on her stomach to feel the movement. They already knew the baby was a boy. Ray said he was pleased, that he had had enough of being outnumbered and he was looking forward to a son to help redress the balance a bit, but everyone knew he adored his daughters. They were both absolute daddy's girls, and the apples of his eye.

As he put his hands on the great dome that her belly had become – she had been small with both the girls, but she had no such luck this time around – he felt the kicking strongly, just as she had said. 'I think you've got yourself a little soccer star in here,' he joked, smiling at her. Having been indoctrinated by their mother from an early age, both of the girls were relatively into soccer, but not as much as he knew Neela had hoped. All Lucy wanted to do was learn to play the guitar.

'Good,' she replied firmly. 'You've got your rock chicks, I get my soccer star; it's only fair.'

After staying there a while, until the activity ceased, Ray's hands gradually moved away from her stomach, and she felt him behind her, and his strong arms wrapped around her. He nuzzled the crook of her neck, kissing her gently just in the spot he knew she liked, and she felt, suddenly, an odd feeling of déjà vu, as if somehow, she had been here before.

Of course, they had sat in this spot a million times, probably in this exact pose at one time or another, but there was something distinctly familiar about this particular moment. And then, as she looked over at the girls, making sandcastles in the bright sunlight, it came back to her.

She'd dreamt this once, all of it, the sandpit in the garden, the shade of the tree and the white picket fence. Ray and the girls, and the new baby who she hoped would be putting in an appearance sooner rather than later. She even remembered when she'd had the dream; it was the very first night she had asked Ray to share her bed, when, both of them gripped by nerves, they had fallen asleep in each other's arms.

God, look at how far they had come since then. Then they had been new parents, tired and emotional, both too scared of causing each other or themselves any more hurt, thinking they had been through quite enough of it, to be honest and face up to what there was between them. They had lived in a small, messy apartment in an area of town that wasn't exactly top of the home hunters' list, and were struggling to survive on the combined salaries of an R3, and a surgical intern on maternity leave. Now, Neela had everything that she had ever dreamed would make her happy. She had a kind, caring, gorgeous husband who she loved beyond all else, and who in return absolutely cherished her, and two, soon to be three, wonderful, intelligent children. Their careers were going well and they owned the most beautiful house she swore she had ever laid eyes on. They had a wide circle of friends, and she was completely, utterly happy. She thanked whoever it was up there that dished out such luck for them every single day for how things had turned out.

Abby had told her once that whatever you do, whatever you throw at it, love will win out in the end, against the odds. She and Ray had had some incredible odds to overcome, but they had managed it. And it was so, so worth it.