Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER
Buttery morning sunlight spilled through the window behind Irina, turning her hair to spun gold and bathing her in an ethereal glow.
She was absolutely gorgeous, inside and out, so much that it hurt to look at her sometimes.
He had no idea how he’d ever gotten so lucky, but he knew one thing—he was never going to let her go.
He watched as her eyelashes fluttered against her cheek, those gorgeous, big blue eyes blinking open and meeting his, as if she could feel him watching her.
He swept a strand of hair off her face and tucked it behind her ear. “Good morning, beautiful.”
Irina shifted her head on the pillow to look at him, a sexy, sleepy smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Merry Christmas.”
It was a very merry Christmas, and he couldn’t wait to share it with her. “You ready for breakfast?”
“Mhmm. In a minute.” She burrowed her head into the crook of his neck, tangling her legs with his, and he pulled her into his arms, the way he did each morning.
The queen-sized bed they were currently curled up in was smaller than the king they typically shared at home, but he wasn’t going to complain.
Yesterday afternoon they’d flown into Pittsburgh to spend Christmas with his family, and they’d insisted they stay with them instead of a hotel.
It was the first time Irina had met his parents, who’d immediately welcomed her into the fold.
His mom was beyond thrilled to meet her and already loved her as much as he did.
Last night, once they were alone in their room, Irina had broken down and cried.
He didn’t completely understand her reaction, but he knew the tumultuous relationship with her mother had done a number on her.
Irina was part of his life for good, and he would do everything in his power to never let anything hurt her again.
A little over a month ago, Irina had moved her things into his house and they’d listed her two-bedroom home for rent.
Sharing a bedroom at his place left two other rooms open—rooms that he hoped would be filled soon.
His mom had hinted at grandkids on the phone, but he’d warned her not to say anything in front of Irina.
Though they both wanted kids eventually, he knew it would be tricky with Irina’s career, and he promised himself he wouldn’t pressure her.
He swept one hand down her back and patted her butt. “Come on, sweetheart.”
She let out a little groan before peeling herself away, a sexy little pout taking up residence on her pretty face. He caught her and dragged her back to him, one hand tangled in the hair at the back of her head. “Hotel tomorrow night, then you’re all mine.”
He kissed her once—hard—then let her go.
He watched her slide from the bed, lean muscles rippling as she lifted her hands over her head and stretched.
With their busy schedules prior to the holiday, it’d been several days since they’d had a chance to make love.
His parents probably wouldn’t care, but he preferred to be in a hotel where they could be alone.
Several hours later, they’d eaten and were gathered in the living room to exchange presents.
His brothers and their families would be coming in tomorrow to celebrate, which gave them some one-on-one time with his parents.
He passed Irina a brightly colored package, and her cheeks glowed with happiness as she pulled out a pair of fuzzy socks and clutched them to her chest.
“I love them! Thank you.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek, then turned her attention to his dad, who was doing his best to distract her with talk of his new tool set.
He pulled up the camera function and slipped his phone to his mom. She met his gaze, a huge smile on her face. “I was worried at first, but now that we’ve met her…”
He knew exactly how she felt. His parents were initially concerned and slightly disappointed to hear that he’d eloped with Irina before he even bothered to introduce them.
He’d eventually told them it was a whirlwind romance, and that he’d known the moment he met her that he loved her and had to have her.
Looking back, he thought that was the truth.
They’d both tried so hard to conceal their true emotions and failed miserably. Thank God.
Mom passed him an ornament with Irina’s name inscribed on it, then pulled him into a hug. “I’m happy for you.”
“Me, too.” He softly kissed her cheek, then turned back to his wife. He laid a gentle hand on Irina’s shoulder to get her attention, and his dad shot him a knowing look as Mom sank down on the couch next to him.
“Hey, babe. One last thing.” She looked up at him with curious eyes as he passed her the ornament. “Now that you’re officially part of the family, you get your own ornament.”
She reached out and tentatively touched the silver Treble Clef, her bright eyes jumping between his parents and him. “I… Really?”
“Absolutely,” his mother encouraged with a smile. “Go put it on the tree.”
A huge grin split Irina’s face as she slipped it from his fingers and headed for the tree in the corner. He followed right behind and pointed out a spot high up right in front. “How about there?”
As she stretched up to hang the ornament on the branch, he dropped to a knee. She turned, and her eyes widened at the sight of him. “Roman…?”
“It’s occurred to me that you never received an official proposal.” Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears as she stared down at him. “We told everyone that we got engaged at Christmas when I took you home to meet my family.” He opened his arms wide. “Now it’s the truth.”
One tear escaped and slipped down her cheek. “I can’t believe you did this.”
She still wore the ring he’d given her during their fake proposal, so he didn’t have anything to give her, except himself.
He stood and pulled her into his arms. “Never doubt that I want to be with you. You deserve the absolute best, baby, and I want to spend the rest of my life giving it to you. We’re already married, but I want you to know that I’m in this because I want to be—because I love you more than anything. ”
A stifled sob caught in her throat, eliminating her words as she threw herself against his chest. He caught her, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her off her toes as he hugged her tight. “Don’t cry, beautiful. You know I can’t stand those tears.”
She spoke against his chest, but the words came out muffled, and he let out a little chuckle. “Didn’t catch that.”
His mom and dad had made themselves scarce, and he kissed Irina’s forehead.
She lifted her head to meet his gaze. He lowered her until her feet were flat on the floor, then swept a stray tear from her cheek. Her mouth trembled, and he fought a smile as she sniffed loudly. “You didn’t have to do this.”
He cupped her chin and lifted her gaze to his. “I wanted to. You deserve it.” Her mouth trembled in a shaky smile, and he slid his fingers through her hair, cupping the back of her head. “Everything about our relationship was unconventional, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
“I love you.” She looped her arms around his waist and tipped her head up to him. He pulled her close as she leaned into him. Her teeth cut into her lower lip as she studied him. “I have something for you, too.”
“Oh?” He followed behind as she made her way up the stairs to the guest room where they were staying.
She stopped just inside the room, and he closed the door behind them. A strange feeling gripped him as she turned to face him, looking incredibly unsure of herself. “I… I didn’t want to do this in front of your parents.”
He stiffened, his entire body going rigid.
He was pretty certain that no good conversation had ever started with something like that.
It meant she was worried how he would react.
It put him on edge, and he stared silently at her as she continued.
Her eyes darted around the room, unable to make contact with his for more than a second or so.
“I just…”
She wrung her hands together nervously, and he fought to keep his tone level. “Whatever it is, sweetheart, you can talk to me.”
Her lips rolled together, and her chest rose and fell on a deep breath before she spun on a heel and crossed the room.
She bent and rifled through her suitcase for a moment before pulling out a small rectangle, clutching it to her chest as she turned to face him.
“I…” She faltered and started over. “I wasn’t sure what you would say, so… ”
He eyed her quizzically. She was worried that he wouldn’t like her gift? His gaze fell to the item, which, from the back, looked like a small photo frame. He held out his hand. “Let me see.”
She swallowed hard and took a step forward, then extended the object to him, facedown. He slipped it from her shaky fingers and flipped it around. His brows drew together at the blurry black and white image.
“Wh—” The air left his lungs as the small typed letters in the upper left-hand corner registered.
Baby Incardona.
He lifted his gaze to Irina, who looked like she might cry. “Is this real?”
She wrapped her arms around her stomach—the still-flat stomach that housed their tiny baby—and nodded. “I know we haven’t really talked about it, but…” She shrugged helplessly.
“Irina…” His voice started to break, and he cleared his throat as he stepped forward and pulled her to him. “This is the best Christmas present ever.”
“Really?” She stared up at him.
“Really.”
She looked thrown. “You never said anything.”
“I didn’t want to pressure you.” He grinned at her and pressed one hand to her middle. “This is incredible.” He held out the frame and looked at it again. “How far along are you?”
“About eight weeks.” She placed her hand over his where it rested on her belly. “I had the ultrasound taken the day before we left. I was going to wait until we got back home, but…”
“This was perfect.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, long and slow.
They would have dozens of Christmases in their future, and he looked forward to every single one with Irina and as many babies as they were blessed with.
He pulled back and grinned down at her. “I was happy before, but this? This is only the beginning.”