5 Years Later

Luca closed his eyes for a moment sighing heavily as the day had caught up to him. His hands rubbing down his face trying to relieve some of the headache he feels brewing. He closes his eyes for a moment resting his head back against the worn leather chair. After a moment of serenity he opens his eyes and they turn to the photos on his desk. A small smile begins tugging at his lips and the tension soon lifts from his shoulders. He straightens himself back out turning back to his computer with a new found concentration just wanting to get home to his-

"What are you still doing here?"

His eyes snap to the door finding his sister-in-law standing at the entrance to his office. She walks in with her bag in hand directly up to his desk. She looks at him with a tilt to her head.

"I know you want to wrap it up but Soph is going to kill you if you are late."

He sighs giving a gentle nod with his smile still in tact. She is 100% correct. Today was too important for him to be late getting home. That is why he was to leave at 2 today. He was hoping to finish up his emails but they would just have to wait. He powers down his computer all the while Jessica stood there making sure he was really leaving. He grabs his keys and phone before rounding his desk. Jessica handing him the jacket sitting on the couch. He gave her a nod in gratitude taking the jacket before ushering her out.

"How did you find your way up here during the middle of the day?"

"Brad sent me up to make sure you left on time. Sophia apparently was concerned that you would get to invested in your work and lose track of time."

He smirked realizing how right his wife is. He's done it on more occasions than he cares to admit. They exit his office, Jessica walking to the elevator while Luca locks his door and follows her. They both get in the elevator before Jessica continues.

"Are you excited?" Jessica beams clearly enthusiastic.

Luca nods his head giving a wide smile that showed his beautiful teeth. He was thrilled this day had finally come. It seemed to have taken far too long for it finally get here.

"Speaking of Brad, is he ready?" Luca turns raising a brow at her.

She beams and her eyes twinkle, "He better be... I can drag his ass down the aisle if need be."

Luca laughs heartily before replying, "He wouldn't have asked if he wasn't ready."

Yes it is true, Brad had asked Jessica to marry him. They have been solid now for over 5 years. The couple had their ups and downs but nothing their underlining friendship and trust couldn't overcome. Jessica had turned him down when he asked a few years back. He felt disheartened however Jess had explained that she just wanted to make sure this wasn't a rash decision due to Destiny. He respected her wishes at the time but did voice his concerns to Luca. They have grown to be close friends over the years do to the sisters. Luca told him that he had to look at it from her stand point. They worked through it and after a few years of showing his commitment, he found the courage to ask again and she happily accepted.

They both laugh for a moment before Jessica sighs, "I just wish Taylor would be able to make it."

Luca nods his head in understanding, "I know, I miss her."

Taylor had become a full blown artist and about two years left the company to follow her passion. It had taken a lot of coaxing to finally get her to see how talented she was. Darren and her didn't work out but both remained very good friends. Taylor was currently dating some actor that she said was her 'muse'. She had an opening in Spain the weekend of the wedding so she felt bad but told her she would come visit as soon as possible.

The elevator dings arriving at the Finance floor. Jessica steps off waving a goodbye to her boss and brother. Luca nods his head at her while the doors close. He closes his eyes momentarily feeling his excitement build. He walks off the elevator giving a friendly wave to Sam. The older man will be retiring later this year after 25 years working at the company. Luca had gifted him and his wife a vacation as a parting present. They had a daughter in Ireland and were thrilled to visit her.

He got in his car speeding down the roads back to the home him and Sophia had build. When he purchased the large house for them, it was just that... a house. Now, it was a home. He could feel it the moment he walked in every night. The feeling unmatched to any other. Sophia and him have taken many adventures over the years as she continued to work part time with TIMES while also being his assistant. She loved both and didn't want to give them up. He by no means, had a problem with that. He loved having her daily by his side and when the time did come to travel, he made it work so he could always come as well. Eddie, her boss, always making sure to give her a +1 on each trip. He has now been to the Carnival in Rio De Janiero, the Chinese New Year in Shanghai, even the Oktoberfest in Munich. All were incredible experiences that he got to enjoy with the love of his life by his side.

However today was entirely a different kind of experience. Pulling up to his home, the feeling once again rushes over him. The warmth seeping into his heart that always melts as he steps into their home. Opening the door, he smells an amazing aroma wafting in the air. He chuckles setting down his keys and phone near the door before kicking off his shoes. His feet pad towards the kitchen as he finds his lovely wife moving a mile a minute. Her long auburn hair swinging as she moves.

"Tesoro?"

She whips around to him and a sigh of relief escapes her. He walks over to her pulling her into a hug instantly making her relax against him. He smiles still loving the way her body responds to him. She lifts her face to look at him and Luca couldn't help but chuckle while wiping the excess flour from her cheek. He pulls his finger away to show her as she pouts adorably making him laugh once again.

She whacks his chest, "I'm nervous!"

He looks around to see that she had made cookies and had already cleaned up the mess. He steps back holding her hands so he could look over her outfit. She had put on a light green summer dress making him nod his head. She looked beautiful like always. He couldn't understand how years have passed and yet, she hasn't aged a day. She still looks like the goddess she was. Her hair had grown back and longer than before. Luca constantly reminding her that he loved her with our without it but he knew it was a security for his tesoro.

"Daddy!"

Luca turns around grinning as he bends down to his knee as his 3 years runs into his arms. Her own red hair bouncing behind her. She was a replica of her mother except for her eyes. She had been graced with the Sanford eyes. Luca could recall how excited he was finding out Sophia was pregnant. It was not a secret that he was wanting children with Sophia. They had tried for some time but Sophia's prior health issues making it harder for her to get pregnant and carry full term. She had gotten pregnant twice but the second time was not able to carry full term. It was hard on both of them.

Luca chuckles lifting her as he stands back up turning to find Sophia looking down at their daughter with pure love. The little arms wrapped tightly around his neck as he rubs her back soothing while kissing her hair.

"How is my princess today?"

"I'm not a princess daddy!" The little girl pouts crossing her arms still securely in father's arms.

Luca tries to suppress giggling at her serious expression. "Oh! Then what are you?"

"Grandma Cami says I'm a queen!"

Sophia bursts with laughter at Luca's slack jaw. He closes his mouth trying to figure out what to say to that. After a moment of seeing him struggle, his wife steps in to help.

"Penelope, will you make sure all your toys are picked up from the living room?"

The little girl nods her head before wiggling to get released by her father. Luca gently sets her down and watches as she runs away. He turns back to find his wife with an amused smile on her lips. She steps to him wrapping her arms around his neck before pecking his lips. The touch much needed by the stunned man. Luca relaxes in her hold wrapping his own arms around her.

"When on earth did Cami tell her this?"

"Earlier today, your mother and sisters along with Cami came over to help me get the house ready."

He shakes his head only picturing all the girls showing up here just ready to scrub the house. Over the years, all his family has come back together in a sense. The twins have opened their restaurant and it has flourished beautifully. Cassidy had graduated from high school and now is attending college where she had decided to take up a passion the family was unaware of... Art. She even shadowed Taylor a few times for a thesis study.

His parents still lived in his childhood home. Father finally stepped away from the company realizing he wants every minute he has with mom. He occasionally will attend a meeting if Luca is out with Sophia but otherwise remains a happily retired man. They are happy to watch after Penelope daily much to their little girls happiness. Luca still finds his parents love to be a true inspiration even after all these years.

Cami and Theo had ended up falling into becoming parents shortly after Luca and Sophia's wedding. Nicholas apparently had a child no one was aware of before deploying. Luca highly doubts whether he knew himself. The mother had become gravely ill and reached out knowing she wouldn't be around much longer. That is how Lolita had come to be a Black, and an extension of his family. She was a lovely young woman who now was going through her teenage years. Theo had become very protective of the young woman which was comical for his dad since remembered being that way.

"Do you need me to do anything?" Luca asks looking around.

Sophia also gazes around the kitchen but the ringing of the doorbell makes them both turn back looking at each other. Luca's breathing has practically frozen in his lungs. Sophia mirroring him as she grabbed his hands giving them a tight squeeze. He leaned forward giving her a gentle kiss helping relax both as they walked to the door hand in hand. Luca gives her hands one more squeeze before the door swings open.

Standing in front of them was a familiar woman with a gentle smile. Her hair neatly put in a low bun as she dressed in a pant suit attire. Her hand holding the little boy beside her. His tanned skin and dark curls moving as he tilts his head. The dark brown eyes looking up at them.

Luca and Sophia both looking down at him as he smiles brightly at them. He left the woman's hand running at Sophia. She kneeled down to capture the young boy holding him as she released a breath. Luca could feel his eyes sting as the young boy hugged her whole heartedly before seeing him. Sophia releases him as he comes over to him wrapping his arms around his leg. Luca smiles down rubbing his brown curls before holding him to his leg in a small hug. Hearing feet running, the young boy snaps away from Luca to see Penelope coming full force at them.

"Jasper!"

"Penny!"

He raises to her as the young girl wraps him in a tight hug. Luca and Sophia melting at the sight. Luca wraps his arm around his wife's back happy with their decision. Penelope takes the young boy's hand pulling him away making all three of the adults chuckle.

Luca turns back to the woman welcoming her into the home. She walks in and follows them to the living room off to the side. They all take a seat with Sophia still holding on tightly to Luca's hand. The woman opens her briefcase pulling out a file before opening it and handing it to them. Luca reaches out to take it.

Luca turns to Sophia who has tears running down her cheek. He reaches for the pen the woman was holding and signs his name before handing the pen to Sophia. She signs with the widest smile on her lips. The woman smiles at the couple affectionately before taking the documents.

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Sanford, Jasper is officially yours."

They turn to one another before Luca leans forward kissing her lips tenderly. This was a long strenuous process but completely worth it. Sophia felt very concerned about trying to carry after the miscarriage. Penelope had met Jasper at the park one day and came home telling her parents of the boy. They thought nothing of it to begin with until certain comments began posing questions. Worried for the young man, Sophia had taken the day off to go with Penelope to the park where she met Jasper. The young man was very shy to begin with. It took much encouragement from Penelope for Jasper to begin opening up.

Jasper had come from a home with a drug addict mother. The father was not in the picture and he had no other family that he knew of. Sophia was very worried for the boy asking where his mother was at. He told her that she was sleeping and that he came here daily. She didn't know what to do so she called Luca who came immediately. To say Jasper was scared of him was an understatement. He seemed to be terrified of men which only led the couple to believe that along with neglect, he was abused.

Luca had called social services immediately reporting it. They found out a few days later that his mother had overdosed when she was 'sleeping'. The young boy had no one. The social worker had brought Jasper to the Sanford home at the time until a foster home could be contacted. He had only stayed a few days however the family had become attached to him. They immediately requested that he be allowed to stay with them. That is how the long process of adoption occurred. After nearly 4 months, they finally had custody of Jasper.

They walked the woman out thanking her once again for all her help before closing the door. Both turning with wide smiles as the sounds of laughter filled their home. Luca took her into his arms spinning her around making her giggle into his ear. The sound making his heart skip a beat. Settling her on the ground, they walked off following the sounds of their children. They arrived at Jasper's room to find Penelope showing him everything they had gotten for him.

The couple stood in the door watching with utter happiness. Luca coiling his arms around his tesoro with her back pressed to his chest. He leans down so his chin is laying on her shoulder as they both continue to watch on.

"I'm so happy Luca." Sophia whispers gently not wanting to disturb the magic they are watching.

"Me too tesoro... me too."

It may not always be easy and life will throw curveballs at them. Luca had no doubts that he would fight until his dying breath for this family.

Because this... this was what life is all about. Love and Family.