Epilogue
Six months later
Potomac, Maryland
“Uh-oh. Someone looks baby-struck.”
Tamia’s teasing words made Daniela laugh. “You got me. I’m over here having all the feels right now.” She sighed. “I thought it was bad when my niece and nephew were born. It’s even worse now.”
“Probably because you’re about to become a wife and, God willing, you’re one step closer to having children of your own.
” Tamia sat across from Daniela in a custom pink rocking chair, gently swaying back and forth as she breastfed her daughter.
She looked spectacular as always in a shimmery silver dress that emphasized her killer curves.
Daniela had made herself comfortable on a plush pink sofa curved against the wall, her legs tucked under her as she quietly watched mother and child. “I love the way she looks at you so trustingly while she’s eating. It’s so freaking adorable.”
“I know, right?” Tamia smiled tenderly at her nursing daughter. “I’m going to miss these little moments. It’s the most peaceful part of my day.”
“Aww.” Daniela smiled, motioning around the room. “You’ve definitely created a peaceful sanctuary for both of you.”
Tatiana’s nursery was like something out of a fairy tale.
Hand-painted butterflies adorned the walls, and a butterfly carousel above the canopied crib had realistic flapping wings.
Storybooks, stuffed animals and black baby dolls in frilly dresses lined pink shelves.
There were tall pink curtains, a pink chandelier, ruffled pink bedding and fuzzy pink rugs scattered across the wood floor.
Artificial white birch trees strung with fairy lights cast a magical glow over the room.
It was unapologetically girl-coded, and Daniela loved every delightful inch of it.
“I might have gone a little overboard,” Tamia admitted with a sheepish grin as she looked around. “I guess I just want Tatiana to have the best of everything. Everything I never had growing up.”
Daniela smiled softly, touched by her words. “She already has the most important thing any child could ever need: the love and protection of her parents.”
“So true.” Tamia smiled, stroking the baby’s cheek as her eyes began to drift closed.
Music swelled from the backyard of the Chamberses’ eight-bedroom estate nestled on the banks of the Potomac River. Six hours in and the party showed no signs of winding down.
Tamia grinned at Daniela. “Thanks for letting me host a coed shower for you and Caleb. I wanted to do something special for you guys, even though I knew you might cuss me out for adding another event to your hectic wedding calendar.”
Daniela laughed. “The thought crossed my mind,” she teased.
After a lavish engagement party at Crandall Thorne’s ranch, a high tea brunch at the Ritz and two separate bridal showers, she was all partied out. And to think there were still a few events remaining before the actual wedding. God give her strength.
“All jokes aside, though, thank you for planning such a lovely day for us, Tamia. Everything was perfect. The food, the cake, the decorations, the entertainment. And don’t even get me started on this gorgeous setting.
These views are ah-mazing,” Daniela raved, gesturing out the window overlooking the river.
“At one point during dinner, Caleb told Deacon Hubbard that he should just marry us right here and now. I think he was half serious.”
“He probably was.” Tamia cackled. “That man is so impatient to make you his wife. He’d elope with you tonight if he thought he could get away with it.”
“I know,” Daniela said with a grin. “His father already warned him not to try it. Even your mother-in-law had something to say.”
“Of course she did,” Tamia retorted with an amused eye roll. “I told you she’s a control freak.”
“You weren’t lying. Let’s not forget the high tea bridal brunch was her idea. I still can’t believe she made us wear hats and white gloves.”
Tamia laughed. “Only Gwen Chambers could come up with something so bougie.”
“Right?” Daniela pulled a wry face. “My poor mom is a little terrified of her and, frankly, so am I. She’s kind of a lot, isn’t she?
I know Caleb is like a son to her, and I think it’s really sweet the way she adopted him in the absence of his mother, the way she’s already appointed him to Brandon’s cabinet if he ever becomes president—”
Tamia cringed.
“—I love that she adores Caleb, I really do. But, um, she’s been way more involved in our wedding planning than I expected. I mean, she’s the First Lady of Texas. How does she have time to be micromanaging somebody’s wedding?”
Tamia snickered. “She’s a master multitasker. It’s kind of impressive, to be honest.”
“Oh, for sure. She’s scary impressive. But it’s not like we don’t have a capable wedding planner.
” Daniela paused, biting her lip. “Even though Mrs. Chambers probably would’ve preferred some heiress for Caleb, and apart from the occasional shady putdown, she’s been kind to me for the most part. So I feel guilty for complaining.”
“Girl, don’t feel guilty. You know I’ve been in your shoes.
Hell, just imagine how much worse it was for me—the girl from the wrong side of the tracks who had the audacity to date her precious firstborn son.
She absolutely hated my guts for the longest time,” Tamia lamented, rocking back and forth in the chair.
“Things are much better between us now, thank God. But even though I make her son happy and I’ve given her two beautiful grandchildren, every time some tabloid dredges up my past, I know it embarrasses her.
There’s no doubt in my mind that if she could turn back time, she would keep me far away from her family.
Hell, if she could turn back time, she’d stop me from ever being born. ”
Daniela eyed Tamia sympathetically. “I’m so sorry.”
She shrugged. “It is what it is. I try not to dwell on it. I don’t need to prove myself anymore.”
“That’s right,” Daniela affirmed. “All that matters is the wonderful life you and Brandon are building together. There’s no doubt in my mind that if he could go back, he would choose you every time.”
Tamia’s face softened with gratitude, and she smiled. “Love you, boo.”
Daniela winked. “Right back atcha.”
Over the past six months, Daniela and Caleb had spent several weekends visiting Brandon and Tamia at their home just outside Washington, DC.
During one of these trips, Tamia had opened up to Daniela about everything—her impoverished childhood, her past as a porn star, her incarcerated sister, her deep regrets about hurting and betraying Brandon.
She’d shared her struggles to adjust to life as a senator’s wife, describing the challenges she’d faced trying to gain acceptance into her husband’s elite social and political circles.
Washington, DC was notoriously insular and cliquish—definitely not for the faint of heart.
Under the tutelage of her mother-in-law, Tamia eventually became the perfect hostess and fundraiser.
She threw elegant dinner parties, organized charity events and gave keynote speeches at women’s empowerment luncheons.
Her husband was the most popular junior senator in the country, a rock star being groomed for a run at the White House.
An invitation to one of their soirees was now the hottest ticket in town.
She and Daniela had talked for hours one night and come away with a deeper understanding of each other.
Tamia had been a tremendous support to Daniela through the exhausting haze of wedding planning, and whenever Tamia wanted to vent about the latest Beltway shenanigans, Daniela was a reliable sounding board.
She was grateful for Tamia’s realness, friendship and loyalty.
“I’m so glad we get along,” Tamia echoed her thoughts, still smiling. “It’s hard to make and keep good friends, at least in my experience.”
“Mine, too,” Daniela said ruefully. “I’ve been blessed with an amazing sister-in-law, and of course Kennedi has always been there for me. But she’s family. I’ve never had a big circle of friends.”
“Same. That’s why I’m super thankful for my bestie Shanell, Brandon’s sister Brooke, and now you. Since our husbands are like brothers,” Tamia added, her eyes twinkling, “it would’ve sucked if we couldn’t stand each other.”
Daniela laughed. “Big time.”
Tamia sighed, patting her daughter’s diapered bottom.
“I’m homesick for Texas. So is Brandon, though he doesn’t like to admit it.
Just between you and me, I honestly don’t know how much longer he’ll stay in Congress.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, he loves serving people.
He works tirelessly to improve the lives of his constituents, and he’s definitely made some strides since getting elected.
But Capitol Hill is a cesspool of greed and corruption.
These lobbies are powerful and ruthless; they can make life hell for anyone who refuses to play ball. ”
“That’s a damn shame,” Daniela said grimly. “Some of the stories you’ve told me are pretty shocking.”
“Girl, it’s crazy. And there’s a lot Brandon doesn’t even tell me, just to protect my peace.
” Tamia sighed again, looking down at the sleeping baby in her arms. “Did you know he and Caleb discussed starting their own law firm back when they were in college?” She smiled at Daniela.
“Wouldn’t it be wild if our husbands ended up as business partners? ”
“Hella wild. But it could definitely happen,” Daniela said, because the topic had come up between her and her fiancé more than once, usually after one of their trips to DC.
“I honestly think it sounds amazing. Caleb loves being in the classroom, though, so even if he went back to practicing law, he’d want to do some adjunct teaching as well. ”
“Of course. He’s a natural.” Tamia’s smile widened into a grin. “I’m telling you right now, if Brandon wakes up one morning and says he’s had enough of politics, my bags will be packed so fast his head will spin!”