Epilogue
Dearest Emily,
While it is my sincerest hope that you are enjoying your time at your cottage, we miss all of you quite fiercely!
Does little Dalton enjoy the country as much as his father?
I am sure he has already changed so much and I wonder if his looks have continued to favor Theodore’s.
I cannot wait to hold him and cuddle him—it feels like it has been a year rather than only a couple of weeks.
I know you will be returning within the fortnight, but this letter simply could not wait.
Theo attempted his first steps today! To say Gideon was the proudest father in the world would have been an understatement.
He scooped Theo up and spun him around; the room filled with laughter and squeals.
To gaze upon my boys brings me boundless joy, and I am certain you feel the same with your family.
As you know, these past eleven months as a family of three have consisted of a great deal of trial and error.
Gideon and I have both been learning from the shortcomings of our parents, as well as finding our own way as husband and wife.
Nowhere is this more evident in our quiet moments together—when I hold little Theo in my arms until he falls asleep and Gideon cannot help but kiss us both, when Gideon and I suffer a disagreement only to inevitably come back together because we miss one another far too much to stay that mad for long.
We have learned to forgive. We have learned grace and patience.
We have learned to bring joy and laughter into our home.
Most of all, we have learned what it is like to love and be loved unconditionally. Theo is the epitome of that.
Our lives look very different from how they used to, but that has not prevented our adventures…
or sneaking away to cause a bit of a scandal.
Speaking of which…it is about time I inform Gideon that our family will be expanding in a little more than seven months.
(Thank you for being such a loyal keeper of secrets!) I shall report back with his reaction, but I do not anticipate anything less than the most heartwarming elation from my marquess.
There may even be some tears of joy, though I will not disclose who sheds them. I will leave that up to your imagination.
Ever yours,
Caroline