Epilogue
Three Months Later
“Iwill definitely not allow that,” Prim said.
“I would love to hear your arguments.”
“On why I don't want a shooting range in our estate? Do you want that in alphabetical order or priority by urgency?”
“I am sure you will come round in the future.”
“Keep your certainties for other things. If Edwin wants a shooting range, he can always ask Abigail.”
“I realize we have reached a conundrum.”
“What you have reached is a unified use of common sense by Abigail as well.”
“It is an argument that was lost from the beginning,” Leo conceded.
They were in the breakfast room before they both went to ride into the city. Leo had to attend assembly in Westminster, and Prim had a meeting with the Mayor of London regarding the building of a new hospital.
“I should be back by dinner,” Leo said as they were getting ready to leave the house.
“Be sure to be back before dinner.”
“I will.”
Prim paused and looked at them through the mirror that hung in the big entrance. The common description of them when they attended balls, or went out for walks, or promenaded was that they looked like a lovely couple. And they did, but it was not Leo's dominating looks or her beautiful softness.
What was radiating and attracting the attention of others was the light that shone from within. And the fact that neither of them allowed anyone in this world diminish that light.
“Prim,” Leo demanded her attention through the mirror, “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
It was so amazing to be married to a person who could double as your best friend in almost anything.
She still couldn't believe how far they've come.
Not just as the forgotten diamond of a Season turning into a Duchess or the rakish brute finally settling down.
Not even because of the scandals that Aaron had scattered in their lives, now an old memory.
No. Prime was thinking about them, as people. Leo and Prim. Two people who simply never thought that they could deserve love, the carried deep wounds for years. Now Prim looked at them and realized that both had an abundance of love in their hearts.
Later that night, the dinner was set in their little, intimate drawing room. Only this time, three sets were waiting. Leo looked at the extra set of plates on their bed, and he frowned.
“I still can't believe I agreed to this,” he told Prim.
“And this is where you're sorely mistaken. You are functioning under the impression that your agreement was of paramount importance. In reality, what happened was that you were merely informed. An act of magnanimity on my part.”
“I don't see how this is fair.”
“And yet it somehow is.”
“I hate it when you are right.”
As if summoned, the butler appeared and gave Leo the calling card. Leo read the name and returned the card as he stood up.
“It was not that I was expecting enthusiasm,” Prim said, “but it would be better if you wiped that snarl off your face.”
Leo was looking at her when Bridget entered the room, looking impeccable as always. But she didn't wear that air of privilege that Prim had noticed the first time they met at the opera. She was now more grounded and aware of how her actions could make others feel
“Good evening,” Bridget said.
She stood at the edge of the intimate dining hall not knowing what to do with yourself.
“Please do come in,” Leo said.
Both women looked at him as if he had grown horns. And who could blame them? Leo was usually withdrawn at best when it came to Bridget
For him to invite her to the table was a development that neither had anticipated.
Bridget couldn't hide her excitement as she took her place at the table. Prim was also smiling not only because Bridget’s heart would finally settle, but because she saw Leo on his own path to heal past wounds.
For a while, they didn't talk, and if they did, it was only about the food served.
Easy, safe subjects. Both mother and son needed time to adjust. Bridget had to finally acknowledge the damage that she had done and tried to repair what relationship was left with Leo.
You would have to recognize that his hatred was mainly carried around by 9 year old.
“I want to thank you, Leo,” Bridget said. “I know you could have pursued legal action for the crimes Aaron committed.”
Leo’s jaw tensed when he heard those words. His eyes flipped straight to Prim. Of all schemes that Aaron had orchestrated, the unforgivable one was paying those thugs kidnap Prim. Even after all this time, Prim saw fear coming over Leo’s body when this incident was mentioned.
“Winston,” Bridget continued, “decided to help him become his own man while being taught a lesson that he very much needs.”
“I hope you have more in mind than an educational experience,” Leo said coldly.
“Aaron,” Bridget continued, “was sent to Italy with some pocket money, not even close enough for him to live in the opulence he's used to.”
“A slap on the wrist,” Leo commented, “for a man who went to great lengths and deployed unique skills on hurting others.”
“Leo, I understand your frustration,” Bridget talked evenly, “but I don’t see him as evil. If there One person that deserved punishment, that would be me. I let down both of my sons. made you feel less than the wonderful creatures you are just because I was wallowing in my grief.”
Leo didn't respond anything to this, but Prim could see that there was a part of him that wanted to hear exactly those words, to acknowledge that he was abandoned without any fault of his own. Only then would Bridget and Leo ever hope to mend what was torn.
There was nothing more to be said about the subject the rest of the dinner was uneventful. Bridget knew better than to extend her stay.
“Thank you so much for having me,” her gratitude was directed at Prim.
“I am most grateful that you came into our lives and then became part of our family, Prim. If I wanted to be exact, you did not become part of our family because we were not one to begin with. But somehow, even through all this hurt and pain, your presence is what made us finally something closer to family.”
“Thank you, Bridget. It takes a lot of courage to admit when mistakes are made.”
“It takes even more courage to choose love, to choose to stay even when it hurts so much. You are the strongest person I know, Prim. Your example gives me hope that one day I could be that person too.”
Prim felt tears sting her eyes, and she moved to take Bridget by the hand and gave her an encouraging smile. Over Bridget’s shoulder, she got a glimpse of Leo that took in this tableau of the women in his life, and she could see that satisfied smile.
Later that night, Leo was in his study, perhaps processing what he was feeling, and as it was her favorite thing to do, Prim, of course, went to disrupt him and his peace.
“Aren't you coming to bed?”
“Oh, I forgot myself.”
Prim walked into the study and went straight to the desk where he was sitting. She looked at him with adoration, and he returned a full, warm smile.
“I want to organize a little gathering. I was thinking out in the garden. Good weather is still here, so perhaps a little tent or under the canopy of trees.”
“You have had thoughts about it already.”
“Nothing social, just our families, Edwin and Abigail of course, and some of our closest friends, people we trust and we share.”
“Am I forgetting some birthday? ”
“It is a gathering to celebrate birthdays yet to come.”
Leo frowned upon hearing this weird proposal. He knew that Prim never spoke nonsense, even if she was trying to do so intentionally.
“I'm not sure I understand why you want to have this gathering.”
“I think it would be easier to have all the people we love so that we can announce it.”
Leo stood absolutely still. Very slowly, as if there was something very delicate in the room, something that would be scared off with sudden movement, he rose to his feet. His palm cupped her face carefully, as a Prim was made of porcelain.
“What are we announcing?” He asked in a hushed, incredulous tone.
Prim took his other hand and placed it on her belly. A surprised sigh left his lips as he looked down at where his palm was touching. His eyes snapped up to find Prim’s, to confirm the meaning of this gesture, bleeding her to say the words that would make his life full.
“Yes, Leo,” Prim said with a shaky voice. “We are expecting.”
The world for one beautiful moment. Leo stood absolutely still, his body motionless as if any movement would crack this bubble of happiness.
Prim saw before her very eyes Leo transformed into the boy he once was, that boy alone in this huge mansion, having just lost both parents and asked to shoulder the difficult responsibility. What thoughts did that boy have? What wounds was he nursing?
“Prim,” he tried softly.
And then he transformed again. he was now the young man that he notoriously was.
Shame game over, Leo, for the first time in his life.
He was always so unapologetic for who he was before, the rake, the unholy duo, the arrogant handsome man that navigated life without a care.
And now he was going to become a father.
Prim knew that he thought that he didn't deserve this, just as he thought that he didn't deserve her. he held his palm firmly on her belly, and then touched his handsome face, to chase away all doubt.
“You,” she whispered over his lips, “have made me the happiest I've ever been, when I thought I would never be happy.”
His hand, still cupping her cheek, began to tremble. The other, resting over the soft wool of her gown, pressed ever so slightly.
“Prim,” he whispered, the word cracking.
“I know,” she said and pulled closer.
A sound escaped him, a genuine, breathless laugh that was also a sob of release. He leaned forward until his forehead rested against hers, their noses brushing, sharing the same air that suddenly felt sacred.
“You have given me everything,” he said softly over her lips. “Even things I never imagined I would have. All my life, I wanted what others had, envied their happiness, just because I thought it was not for me. And here you are, my little flower, my Prim.”
Then he sank to his knees before her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his lips gently against her belly. Prim let her fingers go through his hair, keeping them in this in that silent communication of everything. Finally, he rose, pulling her up into a fierce, tender embrace.
“I love you so much,” he murmured in her hair.
“I love you too,” she breathed on his neck.
The End?