by Willow Aster
And that’s exactly what all of us have done.
We’ve embraced each other with arms wide open.
We’ve set aside our kingdoms’ past mistakes, and we’ve created a future that’s brighter every day.
A world that is beautiful for future generations…
Epilogue 2
Jadon
Seven months later
“Breathe, breathe!” Ava whispers.
I’m holding Delilah’s hand—or actually she has a death grip on me—and my sisters and Kathryn are surrounding us, along with a midwife. Star is guarding the door, looking concerned by the sounds coming from her favorite woman human. Our son is in the other room with his uncles, and soon we will be welcoming our baby girl into the world.
Delilah moans and looks up at me, her violet eyes shooting daggers into me. “This is the last baby,” she shouts. “A boy and a girl, I hope you’re happy…” She pants quickly and her face turns bright red as she breathes through a hard contraction.
I don’t dare remind her that she was the one who stopped birth control months before Basile’s wedding unbeknownst to me. She said she wanted to surprise me because she knew how much I love being a father. And it’s true, I was all too happy to have another baby, as many as she wanted. But it’s always been about her.
“You make me happier than I’ve ever dreamed of being,” I whisper, wiping her hair back from her face. “I love our life, our son, this baby that’s coming…but it all started with you in the Cave of Stars. It’s because of you that I smile. I love every facet of the woman you are. It’ll end with me loving you too.”
Her eyes soften and then she groans. “It’s not fair how perfect you are,” she whimpers. “At this rate, I’ll never stop having your babies.” She leans up and starts pushing, as Ava yells along with her. “If this one would give us a niece or nephew so we could stop popping them out ourselves,” Delilah says to Ava as she lies back again, breathing hard.
Ava chuckles and gives Delilah ice chips to chew. When Ava lowers the glass, she pats her stomach and lifts one eyebrow. “Working on that…”
Kathryn and Eden gasp, along with Delilah and me.
“What?”
“When?”
The questions fly at once.
“Are you finally gonna marry your baby daddy?” I ask and Ava slugs me in the arm.
“Yes,” Ava giggles, “I finally said yes to his hundredth proposal.”
We all laugh, even Delilah through a contraction. I hug Ava with my free arm and then Delilah does a mighty claw of reckoning: she’s as deadly as some of the fights I’ve been in with her grip. She groans and pushes with all her strength, and we hear a little blustery cry. The tears are flowing among all of us and I reach down and help our midwife wipe her off before I take her in my arms and put her on Delilah’s chest.
“Astra Kathryn,” Delilah whispers. “What a little beauty.”
“Just like her mama.” I lean my forehead on my wife’s and feel my heart cinch tightly in my chest. The love I have for my family. “Mother, will you get Elijah?” I ask Kathryn.
Her mouth falls open, a tear dropping down her face. She reaches out and takes my hand. “You’ve never called me Mother before,” she says, her lips trembling.
“I think it’s time, don’t you?” My heart pounds a little harder.
“Long past time.” She smiles and pats my cheek then hurries out to get Elijah.
When he comes in, his face brightens when he sees his sister. “She’s really mine?”
“She is. You’ll have to be the best big brother ever…see how she’s gripping your finger? She trusts you already.” I look up at my sisters and grin at their teary faces.
Everyone I love is in this house and I couldn’t be happier. I remember the days of thinking loneliness was all I’d ever know, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Each day is full of beauty, a revelation of how good life can be…of more love than I can contain.
“Jadon?” Delilah says. “You deserve all of the best things. I’ll give you all the babies in the world if it means seeing this look on your face.”
I kiss her, our tears and sweat mingling with the sweet scent that is her. “I have everything I want right here.”
The End
Note to the Reader
If you enjoy angsty love stories, give one of these a try:
True Love Story
Lilith
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my husband and my kids, my family…I love you so much. You’re the ones who truly keep me going. Thank you for loving me during every part of the process.
Thank you to Christine Estevez for being my cheerleader and support (and so much more) throughout the writing process and beyond. I’m so grateful for you and your friendship!
Thank you to the betas who worked hard on this book: Jennifer Mirabelli, Christine Estevez, Tosha Khoury, Laura Pavlov, Christine Bowden, Natalie Burtner, Vicki Cuic, and Kathleen Pathi. Your input has been so helpful and has made the process way more fun!
A huge thank you to Laura Pavlov for becoming my sprinting partner —your encouragement motivates me SO MUCH! And you’re just so great and positive and wonderful.
Thank you to Hang Le for this amazing cover! I love working with you.
Thank you to Wander Aguiar for the beautiful photographs…thanks to Neil Ingham, for this one in particular.
Thank you to all the bloggers and readers out there who spread the word about the books and authors they love. Thank you to everyone who has given this series a chance! I love all of you who have tried it out with me.
Thank you to my Asters FB group!
Thank you to my dear friends who support and love me whether you read my books or not. Your love means the world to me.
XO,
Willow
About the Author
Willow Aster is a USA Today Bestselling author and host of Living in the Pages podcast. She lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband, kids, and rescue dog.
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Also by Willow Aster
True Love Story
Fade to Red
In the Fields
Maybe Maby
Lilith
5,331 Miles
Miles Ahead
Downfall
Exposed
Ruin
The End of Men Series with Tarryn Fisher:
Folsom
Jackal