Epilogue
Five Years Later~ Christmas Eve
Gabe watched as snowflakes fell softly outside with little wind to disturb the soft white blanket forming on the ground. The sky was a cold gray with the last of the sunlight fading as day turned to twilight. He couldn’t believe it was already Christmas Eve. The month had flown by, but at least he had finally finished all of his paperwork and scheduled meetings. He was free until after the new year.
Footsteps echoed down the hall. Gabe looked up from his desk and watched as his son, Oliver—also known as Prince Oliver Gabriel Phillip Alastair Rafferty, the future king of Delnovia—toddled through the doorway holding a pair of mittens.
“Well, hello, Ollie boy! What do you have there?”
Oliver held up the mittens and smiled showing all his teeth. “Minmins.”
Gabe ruffled the boy’s dark hair. “That’s right. Mittens.”
“Minmins,” Oliver replied.
Genevieve walked into the room holding Oliver’s coat and hat. She grinned at Gabe, causing his heart to flutter. Her smile never failed to affect him. “Did you find Daddy, Oliver?”
The boy looked at him with adoration shining in his eyes. He handed Gabe the mittens. “Outside, Dada.”
Gabe laughed. “Yes, sir. Is it time?”
Genevieve nodded, as she helped Oliver slip on his coat. “It’s time, dear.”
Gabe put on his coat and followed his family down the stairs. He was thrilled to see his parents and siblings gathered in the west sitting room. They all stood when he descended the stairs, then bowed and curtsied to him, something he still wasn’t used to after years of being the king.
Gwendolyn crossed the room to embrace him. He breathed in her perfume and hugged her tightly. “Mum, I’m so glad you and Father are here.”
She pulled back from the embrace. “Well, where else would be? It’s not Christmas without putting the star on the village tree before we all go to the Christmas Eve service.” Every Christmas Eve, the reigning monarch put the star on the village tree donated by the Rafferty family. The tree was a huge 100 feet tall spruce delivered from a Norway tree farm. The entire village showed up to join in the celebration, drink hot cocoa and wassail, and sing Christmas carols.
Gabe smiled down at her. “It is one of our best traditions.” His heart swelled looking around the room filled with all the people he loved. “Well, then, shall we?”
They all proceeded outside and split up to ride in their chauffeured cars to start the short drive into the village. As he relaxed against the car seat, Gabe wrapped his arm around Genevieve’s shoulder. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. He kissed her softly on top of her head. A lump formed in his throat as he gazed at her and Oliver, who was now sleeping soundly in his car seat. All he could ever need or want was in this car. He didn’t need the title, the money, the fame. None of it mattered if he didn’t have her and the little boy their love had made. Genevieve looked up at him and kissed him softly on the lips. “I love you so much.”
Warmth spread throughout his body. He’d never grow used to being loved by this woman. “I love you too, sweetheart.”
Genevieve raised her head from his shoulder and straightened up in her seat. She grabbed his hands and laced her fingers through his. “I have an early present for you.”
“I didn’t know we were doing gifts yet. I would have brought one of yours.”
Genevieve squeezed his hands. “I wanted to do this before the celebration tonight so we could have our own little celebration privately.”
Gabe raised his eyebrows. “Okay, now I’m curious what this present is.”
She reached into the pocket of her coat and handed him a thin envelope. He took it from her, trying to think what it could be. He’d mentioned a concert he would like to see recently to her and wondered if maybe she’d bought tickets for that. He tore open the envelope very carefully to find a small black and white photo. It took him a minute to realize he was looking at an ultrasound picture. An ultrasound of a tiny baby. His hand shook. “You’re pregnant?”
Genevieve smiled with tears in her eyes. “I am.”
“You are! Gen, I’m so happy!” He kissed her cheeks, her nose, her mouth. “I’m so, so happy.”
“Me, too.” She placed a hand on her belly. “I think this is going to be an amazing Christmas and new year.”
Gabe looked into her eyes and smiled. “I know it is. This is the best Christmas Eve ever. We have so much to be thankful for.” He looked over at his sleeping son and kissed his wife. “So very much.”
THE END
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