Epilogue
EPILOGUE
ELENA
A month later
Elena watched over the industrious people in her backyard setting up the barbecue. Everyone was there. Baran, who was healing nicely, was basking in the sun next to the pool. Katya came by his chair every five minutes to ask if he needed anything, and he was totally milking the attention. Something the twins loved to point out.
Kristoff had gifted them with an enormous grill that could probably cook a complete cow. Sy and Yuri argued about who was the better barbecue master and should take the lead.
Other than that heated discussion, so far, the housewarming was a success. They had moved into a new home just a week ago and were now neighbors with the twins. Viking had liked the idea of living on the outskirts of San Fran, where they could have a vast patch of land all to themselves.
Elena took it all in as she swung in the swing on the back deck. Her son was asleep in the newly-decorated nursery, and her daughter was talking to Katya as they were setting the table. Viking had disappeared inside ten minutes ago. He was probably checking up on baby-proofing the place for the nth time.
She should get up and play hostess, but she just wanted to bask in her new home and new family she had found.
For the first time in ages, she felt content. Her heart expanded to an extent it almost felt it might grow right out of her chest. The sun felt amazing on her skin and she looked up into the clear blue sky. She liked to think her mom was looking down upon them and felt as happy as she did.
“Anything up there I need to worry about?”
She smiled at her husband, who appeared by her side. “I didn’t see a drone hovering around, if that’s what you mean.” Viking was taking the security of this place a little too serious for her liking.
He frowned. “Drones. Why haven’t I thought about that? I should get Damon on that.”
When he attempted to leave, she grabbed his hand and pulled him next to her on the swing.
Seeing as how big he was, he didn’t look all too comfortable on the wooden bench swing. When he tried to get back up, she swung her legs over his lap.
“Leave Damon alone. He’s already occupied with other stuff.” Right then, he was putting together an inflatable swimming pool.
“Nothing is more important than my family.”
Her heart softened. Ever since her close encounter with a bullet from Pedro Morelli’s gun, Viking was adamant about their safety. He was becoming a bit obsessed with the matter. She’d indulged him for weeks, because she understood that he needed to get over the fear of seeing his wife and son almost get gunned down. So had she. But while she had bounced back on her feet, arranging things like Vicky’s transfer to a school in town and picking out a new home, Viking seemed stuck in that moment in time in that awful garage.
They had talked about pretty much everything that had happened between them. He had apologized profusely, they had talked things through and they were good. Better than ever. Yet, there was this cloud of sadness and worry covering Viking, and she wasn’t sure how to get him out of it.
She brushed her fingers over his five o’clock shadow and turned him so she could look him right in the eyes.
“Baby, you have to let go. Please. I know you mean well, but we’re okay. All of us are fine. We are together, we are healthy, we are loved.” She emphasized the last part because she knew how much he liked hearing the words.
“I was too late,” he said in a throaty voice. “I failed you.”
Her heart started to beat faster as he finally seemed ready to discuss what had happened that day. Up until now, he hadn’t spoken a word about it, other than to tell her that her brother would not be a problem anymore. She hadn’t asked about Ricky. She didn’t want to know, she never even wanted to hear his name again.
He rubbed his hands over his face. “If it hadn’t been for Baran, you’d be dead. I would have lost everything all over again. You don’t know the damage a bullet can do to a body, but I do. When he shot at you, it was as if the world stopped. That second when I thought he’d hit you and our boy? It was the longest second of my life. My body froze, my mind went blank, and my damn heart stopped beating. All it took to bring me to my knees was that one second and a bullet. I’m never going through that again. I’m almost hitting forty, my heart won’t take it. The next time it will stop beating, I’m sure of it.” He kissed her cheek.
“So, you have to be patient with me,” he continued. “If I need to baby-proof every inch of this house over and over again, you have to let me. If I surround this house with a big fence and place soldiers around it, you have to let me. I need to do that so I won’t lose my mind thinking of all the evil in this world and that it could get to my family. No one is getting to you ever again without going through me first. I’m the damn wall between you, my kids, and any fucker stupid enough to ever pull a gun on you again.”
Her heart broke a little at his words. Whatever he did, he did it from a place of love. Still, he needed to realize he couldn’t cover them up in bubble wrap. So far, Viking had shown impressive skills in his attempt to become Dad of the Year by lending a helping hand with bathing, clothing, and giving midnight bottles to their son. He was running haggard in his attempt to make up for what he’d missed with Vicky and taking great joy in it. But, so far, not once had he opted to take them outside. Every time she’d even mentioned leaving the house, he’d found an excuse for why they shouldn’t go.
She took his face into her hands. “Honey, I love you for wanting to protect your family. But sitting around the house all day is driving me crazy. We can’t live in a fishbowl like this. The baby needs fresh air, I need fresh air. And I need it now. So, tomorrow I’m taking him to the park two blocks down. Please be reasonable about it.” She crossed her fingers that he wouldn’t make a big deal out of it.
He nodded. “I’ll take you myself.”
“You will?” She couldn’t hide the surprise in her voice.
“They delivered the new car this morning.”
“The new—?”
“Bullet proof.” He nodded once more for good measure, and she could barely stifle a laugh.
The man was absolutely adorable. So much so that she didn’t have it in her to protest at the new car that was probably an eye-catching monstrosity. The serious expression on his face told her to let this one go.
Baby steps, she reminded herself.
Once again, she looked up to the sky. There was a collection of clouds hovering just above. This time she could feel her mom’s contentment and love wash over her.
If you are loved, it means you are blessed, Lena. And that makes you the richest person in the world.
Truer words had never been spoken.
***
Read the next book in this series, Love is a Game