Epilogue #2
He was sprawled across his bed, blankets kicked off, Rex clutched to his chest. Four years old now, growing so fast it terrified me. Soon, he'd be five and starting real school. The years would slip away faster than I could catch them.
I stepped into the room quietly, pulling the blanket back over him. He stirred, mumbling something about trains and cookies before settling back into sleep.
"I love you, little man," I whispered, brushing his dark curls back from his forehead. "More than you'll ever know."
He smiled in his sleep, as if he'd heard.
Back in our bedroom, Isla had set aside her book. She watched me with soft eyes as I undressed, sliding into bed beside her.
"He's perfect," I said, pulling her close. "How did we make something so perfect?"
"We got lucky." She kissed my shoulder. "Both times."
"Both times?"
She pulled back slightly, her hand coming to rest on her stomach. A small, secret smile played at her lips.
My heart stopped. "Isla. Are you—?"
"Eight weeks. I wanted to be sure before I said anything." Her smile widened at my expression. "Surprise?"
I couldn't speak. Could barely breathe. My hand covered hers on her stomach, our fingers interlacing over the tiny life growing there.
"Another one," I finally managed.
"Another one," she confirmed. "Are you happy?"
Happy. The word seemed inadequate for what crashed through me—joy, terror, overwhelming love. Another child. Another piece of my heart walking around outside my body.
"Terrified," I admitted. "But yes. God, yes, I'm happy."
I pulled her into my arms, holding her carefully now, as if she might break. "When were you going to tell me?"
"Tonight seemed right. After your speech in the park about wanting to be better."
"I meant it. For all of you now." I pressed my hand more firmly against her stomach. "Boy or girl?"
"Too early to tell. Does it matter?"
"No." And it didn't. "Just healthy. Safe. Loved."
"All of the above," she promised, settling against me. "We're pretty good at this family thing."
We were. Against all odds, despite everything that should have destroyed us, we were building something real. Something good.
I lay awake long after Isla fell asleep, my hand still resting on her stomach, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breathing. Down the hall, Leo slept peacefully, his nightmares having finally faded into memory.
Two children. A wife who loved me despite knowing exactly what I was capable of. A life I'd never imagined wanting, much less deserving.
I'd spent my life building an empire of oil and steel and silence. Convinced myself that power was all that mattered, that control was the only thing worth having.
But lying there in the dark, my pregnant wife in my arms, my son sleeping down the hall, I finally understood what my grandfather had tried to teach me before he died.
"Family isn't who shares your name, Cassian. Family is who you would burn the world for."
I would. Without hesitation. Without regret.
But more than that—I would build a world for them. One where Leo and his siblings could grow up safe. Where Isla never had to be afraid. Where I could be more than just the Don.
I could be Daddy. Husband. The man who made terrible pancakes but made his family laugh.
The man who'd finally learned that the only empire worth having was the one built on love.
I closed my eyes, finally allowing myself to rest. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new dangers, new reasons to be afraid.
But tonight, we were safe. We were whole. We were home.
And that was more powerful than anything I'd ever had before.
THE END