Epilogue
They chose to have their wedding on Christmas Eve. Despite deciding to have a small wedding, it had turned into a huge magical event taking place at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn.
Anya hadn’t had to do a thing, and as much as she loved special events and planning, when Penny and Danielle had insisted on hosting and designing everything from the flowers for the wedding and reception and even choosing her gown, she’d let them have their way.
They’d treated her like a daughter.
“You look beautiful,” Eric said softly, several hours into their reception. The band would only be playing another set and then the guests would soon be departing, although a few of them were booked at the Inn.
“Thank you. I feel beautiful too. I never envisioned wearing such an extravagant gown.”
“You look like a princess,” he muttered, suddenly grinning.
And then he kissed her very thoroughly.
“Would you like to dance, Mrs. O’Neill?” Eric asked as a slow ballad echoed through the air.
“Very much, Lieutenant O’Neill,” she replied, stepping into his arms. “You’re looking awfully handsome in that uniform too. It’s funny that our wedding was the first time I’d seen you in it.”
When the song was finished, they returned to the head table to have one more glass of champagne.
“I’m surprised so many people are lingering,” she said as they sat back in their seats.
“Have you seen Jake and Danielle?” he asked suddenly.
“They haven’t said goodnight so they must be here somewhere,” she replied.
“There’s Jake,” Eric said, suddenly puzzled. “I wonder what’s wrong?”
“Hey, you two,” Jake said softly as he approached. “Now that the reception is nearly over, Danny and I have something pretty urgent to tell both of you. But we need to discuss it in her office upstairs.”
“Sure,” they answered in unison as they stood, Anya reaching for her purse before they followed Jake through the room and then toward the elevator.
Once the elevator doors closed, Jake spoke. “We found her, Anya, but she can’t come home yet.”
“ What? ” Anya squeaked. “You found Shanna, Jake?”
“But what’s stopping her from returning?” Eric asked, wrapping an arm over Anya’s shoulders and squeezing her reassuringly.
Jake sighed, answering quietly, “You have a remarkably brave sister, Anya. You were completely right about all the paintings. That’s how we found her, you know, at one of those homes she’d featured in her paintings.”
Anya closed her eyes. “I knew there was more to it. Is she working with you then, Jake?”
“She wants to,” Jake admitted. “You’ll understand more when you see the note and the uh…package she left for you in Danny’s office.”
Jake knocked, peeking inside. “Danny?”
“Are they ready?” Danny asked as she walked into her office from the adjoining room.
“I thought that maybe Anya should read the note first before springing their big surprise on them,” Jake replied.
Danny grinned. “I think you’re going to like this surprise, despite the overwhelming responsibility. I’m just relieved that the two of you aren’t planning on going on a honeymoon right now, even though I was trying to talk you into it two weeks ago.”
Anya’s eyes met Eric’s before she asked, “Danny? Are you sure you’re feeling alright? You have to be exhausted. You’ve done so much for us. Everything about our wedding was magical, you know. It will be a day that both of us will always remember.”
“I probably am sounding kind of nuts, aren’t I?” Danny admitted. “It’s been a really busy week with the auction and then your wedding tonight.”
Jake grinned, reaching for something on Danny’s desk and handing it over to Anya.
Looking at Eric first, she carefully ripped open the envelope.
‘Although I’ve had a limited amount of freedom during the past few years, if I were to appear again in your life, it would mean the death of others who I care for, including one very important person I love. But I promise I’ll be there for you someday once the world I live in becomes safer. Until then, I’m entrusting you and Eric with one of the most precious possessions in my life.
Please take care of my Anya so she knows what it’s like to be loved.
I’ll continue watching over all of you…
S.
Puzzled, Anya looked hard at Danny, handing over the letter to Eric.
Danny turned to the door. “Casey? You can come out now.”
As Anya glanced across the room, a woman appeared through the doorway, carrying what appeared to be a baby in her arms.
“Anya, meet Anya,” Danny said softly, giving her a tender smile. “She’s your niece.”
Tears suddenly filled Anya’s eyes as her jaw dropped open before she finally approached Casey, reaching for the baby.
“Anya?” she said softly, studying the baby in her arms. She couldn’t have been more than a week or two old. “Aren’t you beautiful? Eric—come over here and see.”
Joining her, Eric reached over, gently brushing back the dark hair from the sleeping baby’s brow.
“How do you feel about an instant family?” Anya asked in an unsteady voice.
Eric grinned. “What’s one more?”
Anya blinked, and when they both started laughing, Jake and Danny joined in.
Bending over, Eric kissed the baby first, and then Anya. “Like I always seem to say…”
“We’ll figure it out,” they said in unison.