Epilogue
EPILOGUE
ADA
T wo Months Later
The day dawns bright and clear, the perfect backdrop for my wedding. We decided to hold the ceremony in a beautifully decorated garden in New York City surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers. The floral scent in the air is everything. Mother insisted that I was going to get cold feet any minute, but all I feel is excitement and nervousness as I prepare for this new chapter in my life. It’s unreal. I can hardly even believe how much has changed in just two short months.
We’ve built a whole life together.
My reflection is my friend.
For the first time in countless years, I say the age old mantra in my head and actually feel like it might be true. My reflection is a stunning woman. Maeve designed my dress, a lovely concoction of silk, satin and lace. It hugs my body just right without clinging to the small baby bump that’s forming. It looks like a large lunch, and for the first time thinking that my body reflects that I’ve eaten today doesn’t repulse me.
My hands run over my body, the growing curve of my hips and the way my breasts are finally filling in. My face is no longer gaunt and my cheekbones are just a touch harder to see but that’s okay. The recovery is working. Day by day, but it’s progressing so well. Finally, my hands settle on the bump. Still too early to feel anything but I know that any day now the little bean will flutter. Kieran’s got our first sonogram stuck to our mirror so that he can see it every morning. I’m sure he’s going to keep up the habit until the whole mirror is covered with pictures of our child.
More than that, I’m starting to feel strong. Inside and out. My body feels more capable and I don’t get so cold and tired every day. I will do this for myself, for my baby and the future that we are promised. It’s not just a bride looking back at me, but a woman who has overcome such immense challenges.
A soft knock at the door and Maeve pushes it open. Her baby pink dress is perfect on her, another one of her designs. “Ready?”
I nod, grabbing my bouquet and linking arms with her. Lila’s also in a matching baby pink gown, waiting for us by the line of chairs that lead to the aisle I’m going to walk down. Kieran’s support through all of this only cemented the knowledge that he’s the one I’m meant to spend my life with and start my family with.
Kieran stands at the altar, looking so handsome I can hardly breathe. He’s chosen an all-black tuxedo, very on brand for him. He even let Maeve help style it for him. It’s as much of an olive branch I think that I’m ever going to get between the two of them.
Lila and Maeve walk down the aisle first. Cristiano comes around the corner. He’s going to be the one walking me down the aisle. Emotions surge inside me as I slip my arm in his. Everybody stands, turning to look at me. I have to make sure that I don’t cry, no matter how much the tears are welling up in my eyes. I can’t afford to ruin the wonderful work that Lila’s done on my face.
At the other end of the aisle, Liam slaps the back of his hand into Kieran’s chest excitedly. No doubt he’s making some silly comment about how, if Kieran doesn’t marry me, he might have to after all. Kieran’s jaw twitches. He didn’t think it was funny the first two times that Liam said it, but Liam keeps telling me that he just likes seeing Kieran’s eye twitch like that. Liam said that if Kieran wanted to have his position of Reaper switched to Cristiano with his blessing, then Kieran wasn’t allowed to punch him anymore.
Liam’s been capitalizing on that immunity every chance that he gets.
When my eyes meet Kieran’s, something in his expression softens. I can’t stop smiling even though happy tears are in my eyes. I’m going to blame the hormones, but I’ve always been a little bit weepy.
This is the most important runway of my life, and I’m ready to embrace it fully. Everybody that I’ve ever known and every one of my brother’s allies are here to celebrate. Family, friends, associates, all gathered to witness our union.
Unarmed, of course. I insisted on it.
My dress flows out behind me prettily and we stop at the end of the aisle. Cristiano leans in.
“You’re sure about him?”
I nod and kiss his cheek. “I’m certain. Thank you.”
I step up to the altar, a surge of love and determination filling me as I pass my flowers to Lila and take Kieran’s hands.
This moment marks the start of the rest of our lives.
The rest of the ceremony passes in a blur. Before I know what’s happening, I’m dancing in the center of an elegant ballroom. Maeve and Lila have kicked off their heels with me as we dance together, singing lyrics at the top of our lungs. I can’t drink, of course, but my best friends don’t seem to care.
Only when my legs feel like they are going to fall off does Kieran carry me off the dance floor. I don’t want the night to end. I want to stay here in this blissfully happy bubble forever.
If only that was possible.
My husband has been gracious enough to field most of the host duties, shaking hands and thanking everybody for the gifts and wishes. We’ve received enough envelopes to pay for three or four honeymoons. I plan on having a very elaborate trip, just the two of us, where I can keep him naked and in my bed for days at the beachside somewhere.
Kieran carries me onto the balcony, the cold air refreshing to my overheated skin. He plops me down on the concrete railing and lifts my skirt just enough to step between my legs.
“I’ve barely seen my wife all night.” Kieran whispers, smiling softly as he kisses my jaw, my neck, his hand coming to curl around my neck.
I giggle like a schoolgirl. “We still have guests here, Kieran!”
“So? Let them see. They are here to celebrate our love, aren’t they?” Kieran teases, even as he stops and wraps his warm arms around me. I return the favor, holding his solid frame as close as I can get. The pair of us look out over the city that’s now our home. The distant hum and the cool breeze creates such a serene atmosphere.
Kieran’s hand trails down my lower back, reminding himself that I’m here. That this isn’t a dream. I don’t know how many more times I will have to assure him that I’ve chosen him. As many as he needs. Anything he needs.
“There you are!” Liam says, jogging up to us. “I need to talk to you.”
“Oh, fuck off , cousin.” Kieran says with a groan.
“Are you offering? Ada?” Liam winks. He shuffles back a step, Kieran’s patience will only let that truce go so far. I know that Liam’s harmless when it comes to me. “Seriously, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I just need a moment.”
“It’s okay, you can go.” I tell him, pushing my fingers through his hair and scratching his scalp.
Kieran groans, pressing his forehead into my chest before sliding away from me. “I’ll only be a moment.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
KIERAN
“This better be really fucking important, bastard.” I growl at my cousin’s quickly retreating back. I follow him around the edge of the crowded ballroom and into a more secluded sitting area. “If this is another test, I swear to God…”
Liam looks around the room, checking to make sure that we’re totally alone before pulling the doors shut and locking them for good measure.
All of the protective instincts in my head switch to high alert, and the smile slides right off of my face.
“I wanted to wait, but I have to head home rather urgently,” Liam starts.
“What’s happening?”
“Nothing that you need to worry about. At least, not yet.” Liam rubs a hand through his hair. “You wanna be my underboss? Cousin?”
My first instinct is to think that he’s teasing me again, so I laugh. But he’s not smiling. “Are you serious? I can’t. You know that I can’t!”
“Hear me out! I have the open position, and there’s nobody that I trust more than you. You know that. It would be a position that would solidify the alliance even more than before. Your marriage would link us then, an unshakeable bond.”
“Crisitano set very strict conditions that Ada is to remain here in New York. I am not leaving her. We’ve been married less than six hours, Liam,” I say sternly. Cristiano was very specific that his blessing came with geographic limits. Things that could probably be bent in the future, but certainly not while his little sister is pregnant. I get it. I don’t love being told what to do, but when it comes to Ada I’m just as protective.
“You can do the work here! I promise. I’ve already thought of that. Your role would mainly be ensuring that all of our products arrived safely in the Dominio warehouses for distribution. It would allow you to stay close and still play a key part in our family business.” Liam explains. “Besides, I don’t wanna lose you, cousin. Not when we’re finally bonding.”
“I’m not sharing Ada.” I say firmly.
Liam bursts into laughter. “I know! I get it! So, what do you say?”
I won’t deny that a wave of relief washes over me. It’s a compromise that’s really a win-win for me. It would mean that I can honor both my commitment to both my families. I would still have my life here with Ada without losing the only family that I have left.
“I’ll give it a shot, but if you drive me nuts -- all bets are off.”
Liam hugs me, wrapping his arms all the way around me, pinning me enough that I’m tempted to bite his ear off.
“This will negate things quickly. Get off of me or I’m going to punch you.”
“You can’t!” Liam cackles. “I’ll tell Ada on you!”
Bastard.
“I have to catch my flight. But all my blessings, yeah? I’ll be in touch, cousin.” Liam says as he pretends to punch the corner of my jaw slowly as a form of goodbye.
Feeling more at ease in my skin than I can ever remember feeling before, I return to the wife waiting for me. I take her hand, and lead the pair of us to the dance floor.