EPILOGUE
Five Years Later
Oliver rolled onto the blanket and faced Phoebe. The warm sunlight illuminated his light brown hair and face, making him look younger than his forty years. The sun also highlighted the gray streaks in his hair, which he hated. She thought he looked more distinguished.
Today was his birthday, and they celebrated with a picnic on the lawn of their expansive country estate.
Their two children, four-year-old Sebastian and two-year-old Simon, were with their nurse.
That evening, she planned to surprise him as several friends arrived for a week-long visit.
She also had another birthday surprise to share with him, but all in good time.
“Happy birthday, my darling,” she said as she ran her fingers through his still gloriously thick and overly long hair.
“I’m really trying not to think about turning forty. Good lord, I’m ancient.”
She kissed him, trying not to giggle. “Yes, but you are as fit as most twenty-five-year-olds.”
He brushed his lips against hers. “You know, I was lying here thinking that the best thing I ever did was marry you.”
“Is it?”
Another kiss, this one more intense. “Hmm, I believe so.”
“Remember the time you left me with Lord Hudson and Lady Julia right after you rescued me from being kidnapped? And I know I say this often, but thank you for letting Hennie live in the dowager house. It means much to me that she’s here.
Anyway, you told me you loved me too much to marry me, then said you wouldn’t be responsible for my death.
You had to break both our hearts and leave me so I could marry someone else. ”
“Not my finest moment.”
“No, it wasn’t. Your greatest moment and the best thing you ever did was not five minutes after you left me with a broken heart, tears streaming down my cheeks, and unable to breathe.
You came running back, pulled me into your arms, and kissed all the heartache away. Do you remember what you said to me?”
“Yes. I said, ‘I don’t care about the curse or believe in it. If you die, I die. I love you so much that the thought of being separated from you for another minute would kill me. We belong together. I will love you until the end of time. Nothing will take you away from me. Please, please, please forgive me and marry me?’”
“Word for word. I believe that was the best thing you ever did. The second was marry me. If you hadn’t done the first, there would be no second.” She took his hand and placed it on her belly. “Nor would there be another baby growing inside me.”
His face lit up as tears welled in his eyes. “You are my saving grace. I never thought finding you, falling in love, getting married, and having children would ever be in the cards for me. Not after the tragic deaths of my first three wives. I thank God every day that he sent you to me.”
“I do as well.” Her hands moved to his cravat and began to untie it. “You know what I wish for your birthday?”
“Tell me.”
“I wish for you to make love to me.”
“As long as I’m able, I will make all of your wishes come true, even if it’s my birthday.”
THE END