Epilogue
Eva - Three Months Later
I trace the pink scar along my hairline, barely visible now beneath my hair.
The physical wounds have healed, but some nights, I still wake gasping, Ivan's face looming over me, the cold press of metal against my temple.
Those nights, Adriano holds me until the shaking stops. Sometimes he's already awake, fighting demons of his own. We're broken in complementary ways, jagged edges fitting together like puzzle pieces.
"Mommy, look!" Mirabella twirls across our bedroom in her new fairy dress, wings fluttering behind her. “I’m a real fairy.”
“You’re the most beautiful fairy of them all.”
I’d always wanted to give Mirabella a stable, happy home. There was a time when I feared all she’d know was danger. But now, with Adriano, she’s flourishing, surrounded by love and security.
The morning air fills with the scent of flowers as I stand before the full-length mirror.
My wedding dress, ivory satin with delicate lace detailing, hugs my figure before flaring at my hips.
I remember dreaming of his moment and then giving up the dream when Lorenzo threatened to kill me.
It’s surreal to be living a moment I once thought impossible.
Valentina bustles in, radiant in her matron of honor gown.
"No crying yet, Eva! You'll ruin your makeup and Adriano will have to marry a raccoon." She fusses with my veil. Then she gives me a pointed stare. I’m worried she’s going to give me the same warning Alessandro did.
“When we thought you died, something died with Adriano. Thank you for bringing him back to life.”
I can’t help it, tears flow again.
She shakes her head. “Goodness.” But she gives me a tissue and a hug. “Don’t live in the past, Eva. Today is about your future."
A knock at the door reveals Katerina, Luca's wife, balancing a baby girl, Alessia, on her hip while her son, Enzo, stands with a pillow holding wedding rings.
“Look how handsome you are, Enzo,” Valentina coos.
“Where’s Matty?” Katerina asks her.
“Cristian is showing him off.”
“I hear there’s a fairy here,” Katerina says, her gaze going to Mirabella. Mirabella has never had a family. Now she has aunts and uncles and cousins. She loves it, except she’s still shy. She hides behind me.
“Say hello, Mirabella.” I gently prod her. “Why don’t you show them your wings?”
She turns quickly to show her wings and then hides again behind me.
These children, the next generation of Dantes, will grow up differently from their parents.
Still privileged, still protected, but perhaps with fewer shadows.
At least that’s what I plan for Mirabella, and in the short time I’ve gotten to know my soon-to-be sisters-in-law, they hope the same for their children too.
"It's time." Cristian appears in the doorway, a chubby boy in his arms. He hands the child to Valentina and then offers me his arm. "Alessandro sends his regards. He's keeping your groom from pacing a hole through the floor."
I float down the aisle on Cristian's arm, barely registering the gathered family members and allies. All I see is Adriano waiting for me beneath an arch of white roses, looking devastatingly handsome in his custom suit.
Mirabella precedes me, solemnly dropping rose petals until she spots her father. She breaks protocol, rushing to him with a squeal. “Daddy, look at my wings!”
He laughs, picking her up. “My own little fairy Mirabella.”
“And look at Mommy.”
His gaze catches mine. “I am. She’s the most beautiful woman in the world.”
He sets Mirabella down just as I reach him.
He takes my hands and looks at me like the sun rises and sets by me.
It’s a heady feeling that I love but also know carries a responsibility.
I can’t ever do anything again that makes him doubt me.
I’d never forgive myself.
When the priest finally says Adriano can kiss the bride, he wraps me in his arms, his lips firm and true against mine.
And then we’re announced… Mr. and Mrs. Adriano Dante.
It’s a dream come true.
The reception blazes with light and laughter in the Dante estate gardens. Fairy lights twinkle overhead as Adriano leads me in our first dance.
"Happy, Mrs. Dante?" he murmurs against my ear.
"Beyond words." I rest my head against his chest, savoring the beat of his heart, knowing it beats for me.
Luca and Katerina dance up next to us. According to Adriano, both Luca and Cristian came to New York right after the incident with the Bratva and “cleaned up” the rest of the scourge.
Apparently, Luca and Cristian had their own beefs with the Bratva and were happy to make sure the threat was finally eliminated.
“Welcome to the family—officially," Luca says as he twirls his wife. "I know what it's like to find your way back."
“Thank you.”
As we dance, I take in this newfound family I have. Valentina and Cristian, dancing with their baby between them. Enzo and Mirabella running around catching fireflies.
Across the room, Alessandro catches my eye and offers the barest nod. Not quite acceptance, but a truce.
“I hope my family doesn’t scare you away.” He means it as a joke, but there was a time his family did scare me.
“There’s a lot of love here, Adriano. I feel it.” Tears sting my eyes, which embarrasses me, but I’m so filled with emotion. “It’s everything I’ve ever wanted for me and Mirabella.”
“You’ll never lack for love, baby. Never.” His promise is as solid as he is.
Valentina and Cristian agree to watch Mirabella as Adriano takes me into Manhattan to a fancy hotel for our wedding night.
Adriano slides the key card into the lock and then sweeps me up into his arms, carrying me across the threshold.
The day has been a whirlwind of emotion, laughter, and dancing. Now, finally, we're alone.
"Do you think Mirabella will be okay?" I ask. I don’t know why I worry. Old habits, I guess.
"She couldn't drag Valentina to the fairy castle in her room fast enough." Adriano chuckles. "Our daughter practically pushed us out the door."
"Wife," he murmurs, pulling me close to him, the word sending delicious shivers down my spine.
"Husband," I reply, looping my arms around his neck.
"I have something for you," I say, suddenly remembering what I’d tucked away into my clutch.
Adriano raises an eyebrow, that half-smile playing across his lips. "Is it this sweet body of yours?”
“Well, yes, in a minute. But I have something else too.” I hand him a small box wrapped in silver paper. He studies my face before carefully unwrapping it.
When he lifts the lid, his expression freezes. The positive pregnancy test lies nestled in tissue paper, a tiny note beside it reading, Baby Dante #2 arriving in 7 months.
"Eva.” His gaze lifts to mine, and in his eyes I see all the love I’ve ever wanted.
"I found out three days ago. I wanted to wait until we were alone."
"A baby.” He lets out a giddy laugh. “We're having another baby."
His kiss is fierce yet tender, possessive yet reverent. “I love you so fucking much.”
“And I love you.”
He sweeps me up again, carrying me to our bed. As he lays me down, his touch changes. It’s slow and gentle, like he’s worshiping me.
"I'll do better this time," he promises, pressing kisses along my collarbone. "I'll be there for everything."
I pull him closer, undoing his tie. "I can’t wait."
Our clothes fall away. Adriano's body covers mine, his hands roaming everywhere, bringing out pleasure with each caress.
“I need you,” I say, pulling him to me, opening to him. He slides in, and arch, savoring the moment we become one. Sometimes, I’m still amazed that we’re here. We’ve come through the hardship and now we’re two souls joined.
We move together. It’s like the most perfect dance. All the pain of the past is gone, replaced with love and a promise of a happy future.
“Fuck,” he groans. “I was going to make this last all night, but—”
“We have all night to do this over and over again. All our lives, really.”
He smiles down on me. “I bet we’ll break the record for the most times a married couple has sex.”
I laugh. “We should keep a tally.”
“No doubt.” He rolls us until I’m on top. “Do we tally each time we have sex or the number of orgasms?”
I rock over him. “Both.”
He levers up, his lips kissing my nipple before capturing my lips. His fingers slide over my clit, and immediately, I’m soaring into pleasure.
“One,” he murmurs against my lips.
I push him back. “Now it’s time for two.” Moments later, orgasms two and three rush through us.
Later, tangled in sheets with his hand protectively covering my stomach, I marvel at how life works. Four years ago, I fled this world, never planning to return. Now I've found my home in the last place I expected.
"What are you thinking?" Adriano kisses the scar on my temple.
"Fairy tales do come true.”