Epilogue
EPILOGUE
DION
Four months later
I sit on the plush couch in Dr . Goode’s office, glancing over at Aria sitting next to me. She’s fidgeting with a loose thread on the Post Malone tee I gave her on the first night we met, over two years ago. The sight of her in that shirt brings a rush of nostalgia. It’s like a snapshot of our journey together, a reminder of how far we’ve come.
I reach out and gently touch the sleeve of the shirt, my fingers brushing against the soft fabric. Aria looks up, catching my gaze, and a smile spreads across her face.
When Aria first told me about her therapy sessions, I was completely floored. We had been working in the greenhouse, enjoying a quiet afternoon, when she casually mentioned her therapist’s name. I nearly dropped the fucking petunias.
“ Wait , did you just say, ‘ Dr . Goode ’?” I ask, my eyes widening in surprise.
Aria frowns, puzzled. “ Yeah , Dr . Goode . Why ?”
I try to process the coincidence. “ That’s my therapist.”
She stares at me in disbelief. “ You’re kidding, right?”
I shake my head, a bewildered laugh escaping my lips. “ No , I’m serious. I've been seeing her for months.”
The initial shock quickly turned into amusement. Of all the therapists in the city, we had both ended up with the same one. It was almost like some cosmic joke.
It somehow made me feel even more connected to her. It was like we had been on parallel paths, not quite meeting for a while. And now those paths had finally converged.
As we shared our experiences, I realized how much we had both grown. Finding out we were seeing the same therapist was a surprise, but it was also a blessing. It brought us closer, made us more open and honest with each other.
Dr . Goode clears her throat, drawing our attention back to her. “ It’s good to see you both here together. How have things been?”
I reach out to Aria’s hand and give it a gentle squeeze. “ It’s been great.”
Aria smiles at me before turning toward Dr . Goode . “ It hasn’t been without setbacks, but with each passing day, we’re learning to build a life together that honors our past while looking into the future.”
I stare at my girl in absolute awe. Her strength, resilience and unwavering spirit leave me speechless. I am so deeply in love with her.
“ How do you feel about where you are now in your relationship?” Dr . Goode asks.
Aria chuckles softly, and I feel a warmth spread through my chest. “ Stronger than ever. We’ve been communicating better, really listening to each other.”
I nod in agreement.
Adjusting to a new normal has been a challenge, but it’s one I’m committed to facing head-on. Aria , understandably, was shaken up for weeks—she still is. Her father’s sudden death and her brother Dimitri stepping up as the new head were monumental shifts for her. Add to that the discovery of having a half-brother and the lingering trauma from nearly two years of Andrew’s abuse, and it’s no wonder she’s struggling to find her footing.
In the beginning, we had to take things slow. I remember the first few weeks when Aria would wake up from nightmares, drenched in sweat, her body trembling. I would hold her, whispering reassuring words, hoping to provide some comfort. It was a delicate balance between giving her the space she needed and being there for her to lean on.
“ We’ve come a long way,” I say, feeling a swell of pride.
Dr . Goode leans forward, her expression warm. “ I’m proud of both of you. You’ve done the hard work, and it’s paying off. Keep supporting each other, keep communicating, and you’ll continue to grow stronger.”
“ Thank you, Dr . Goode . For everything.”
“ Yes , thank you. We couldn’t have done it without you,” Aria adds, her grin radiant.
“ Push !” the nurse says from the other side of the hospital room. She’s shouting encouragement, urging Angelica to keep going.
Evander hovers nervously by her side, his eyes never leaving his wife.
Angelica’s screams become louder, and I feel myself pale. Oh , my fucking God . What am I doing here?
Aria is next to her best friend, holding her hand and passing a damp towel on her head. “ You can do this, Giegie ! Make your vagina your little bitch and push that baby out!”
I need to fucking leave. I bend down next to her. “ I think I’m going to be sick.”
Aria shoots me a stern look, her tone not concealing her annoyance. “ Seriously , Dion ? Don’t be rude.”
“ Why the fuck am I even here in the first place, Aria ?” I hiss.
“ To support your brother, vlakas ,” she retorts, smacking the side of my head with her free hand. “ Now , shoo. You’re disturbing us.” Fuck yes .
I don’t hesitate to leave the room, making sure to shut my eyes as I pass Angie’s legs. I’m not planning on getting my eyes gouged out by Evan for accidentally seeing his wife naked.
Evander , lost in admiration while watching Angelica , barely registers my discomfort or my exit as he whispers words of encouragement, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on her.
“ You’re doing amazing, a ngeloúdi mou . Just a little more.”
Once in the hallway, I relax on one of the chairs and wait.
A while later, Aria emerges from the delivery room. “ The coast is clear. You can come back in now.” She rolls her eyes when she sees the relief flooding my face.
When I step back into the room, there, in Angelica’s arms, lies their newborn baby, tiny and perfect.
Angelica looks exhausted but radiant, a smile spreading across her face as she meets my gaze.
“ Hey , Uncle Dion .”
My heart swells.
Evander’s eyes are on the tiny bundle cradled in his wife’s arms. There’s a softness in his expression I haven’t seen in years, maybe ever. He looks up, his face breaking into a tired but genuine grin. “ Come meet my new baby girl.”
I approach the bed. The baby is so small, so fragile, with a mop of dark hair and the beginnings of Angie’s soft features. Her tiny fingers curl and uncurl, and I feel a lump rise in my throat.
“ Thea Vasilakis ,” Evan says, his voice thick with emotion. “ After my sister.”
I nod, swallowing hard. The memory of Evander’s late sister is a tender spot for both of us. Naming his daughter after her is a tribute that strikes deep. I reach out, hesitating for a moment before gently touching Thea’s tiny hand. Her skin is impossibly soft, and when her fingers wrap around mine, something inside me shifts.
“ She’s beautiful,” I murmur.
“ Do you want to hold her?”
I freeze for a second, then nod. Carefully , I take Thea into my arms, cradling her against my chest. She’s warm and light, a reminder that, amidst all the darkness we deal with, there’s still innocence and hope in the world.
As I look down at her, I make a silent vow. No matter what comes our way, I’ll protect her. I’ll make sure she always knows she’s loved and cherished, that she’s more than just a part of our family legacy. She’s the future, and I’ll do everything in my power to ensure it’s a bright one.
Evan places a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm. “ We’re going to make sure she’s safe.”
I meet his gaze. In this moment, we’re not just mob men. We’re brothers, a father and uncle, and protectors. And Thea Vasilakis is a new beginning for all of us.
Aria comes to stand next to me, tears in her eyes. Her gaze is fixed on the baby, and when she looks up at me, her expression is a mixture of love and pride. She wipes a tear from her cheek and smiles.
“ She’s perfect,” Aria whispers, her voice trembling.
“ Can men say their ovaries are tingling? Because this sure feels like it. I think I’ve caught baby fever.” I try to keep a straight face.
Aria snorts, and Evan shakes his head with a laugh.
“ You’re so stupid, Dion ,” Angelica says.
I’m sure Aria can see the mischievous glint in my eye as I gently rock Thea in my arms.
“ I’m thinking I should start breeding you so we can make a little family of our own.”
Aria’s eyes widen before bursting into a fit of laughter. “ You’re impossible.”
“ Whatever ,” I retort with a wry smirk. “ I guess now I’ve officially become the best uncle, and I’ll spoil her rotten.”
Everyone chuckles, but I press on, my grin widening.
“ And don’t worry, I promise not to teach her how to handle a gun until she’s at least—what—five? Maybe six?”
Aria swats her hand at me. “ Dion !”
“ Just kidding,” I add, giving Thea’s cheek a gentle nudge with my finger. “ She’s already got the best defense system—me.”
Aria laughs again. “ You know, if she ends up with even half of your charm, she’ll be unstoppable.”
I wink at her. “ I’m counting on it.”