Chapter 39: Beautiful Scar: Epilogue

One Year Later

“Amelia?” I call out, trudging down the steps and into our big, finished basement. “Where are you, little girl?”

I find Tigran down on his knees at the bottom, a grin on his face. He puts a finger to his lips, shushing me, then lightly gestures for me to approach.

“What’s going on?” I whisper.

He nods toward where we have a huge couch set up just a couple of feet away. There’s a big, comfy beanbag chair about the size of a mastodon instead of a coffee table, and kids’ toys are scattered all over the place.

Lena’s little Roman is standing at the end of the enormous beanbag chair, his arms outstretched.

And ahead of him, on the couch, is my baby girl, Amelia.

“You can do it!” Roman shouts.

“Hold on,” I say once I realize what’s about to happen.

But it’s way too late.

Little one-year-old Amelia takes a flying leap off the couch, squealing the whole time.

She lands on the bean bag, cackling with delight. It’s pushed right up against the bottom of the couch, so there’s really nowhere else for her to land. Roman cheers, and even Tigran claps as I stare on, horrified.

“How are you letting her do that?” I hiss at him, but he only puts a hand on my arm when I try to hurry over.

Amelia’s struggling down onto the floor, giggling the whole time. Roman helps her, the two of them beaming at each other like crazy people.

“More,” Amelia says in her adorable little baby voice as she teeters toward the couch.

“All right, crazy,” Roman says, helping her climb up. He holds her hand as she shuffles across and cheers when she jumps again.

I stare, dumbfounded. Roman’s a good little kid, but he’s only three, and normally, he’s a nightmare of wild singing, running, and dancing. I’ve never met a little one with so much energy before in my life.

But right now, he seems totally calm and at ease helping and playing with Amelia.

“She’s safe,” Tigran says, pulling me down next to him. We’re only a few feet away, and I could lunge forward and catch her if I needed to. But I don’t because Amelia’s having so much fun. “Don’t worry. Look at our beautiful daughter.”

“You scared the heck out of me,” I say, leaning against his shoulder.

“You think I’d let my baby hurt herself?” He clucks his tongue, shaking his head. The man’s got a point. He’s the most protective papa I’ve ever met in my life. “I just want her to explore and be adventurous. Her cousin’s helping her with that.”

Like mother, like son.

“Teaching her bad habits,” I grumble, but I smile and clap as Amelia makes the jump again.

I want her to be free and happy too. I just want to make sure she doesn’t break her head in the process.

“Momma!” She totters over to me and tumbles into my arms. “Momma.” She snuggles into me, her cheeks flushed and pink, a big grin on her face.

The most beautiful person I’ve ever seen in my life.

“Good work, little man,” Tigran says, fist-bumping Roman.

“Where’s my mom?” he asks.

“Upstairs,” I tell him, scooping Amelia into my arms. “Come on, enough jumping.”

Tigran chuckles and comes up with us. He pinches my ass on the way to the top. “Don’t you worry, little momma bear, I would never let our precious baby girl hurt herself. But she’s got to explore sometime.”

“When she’s eighteen, she can jump off the couch.”

Lena’s waiting in the kitchen. “Did I hear something about jumping off a couch?” she asks, eyebrows raised. She comes out from behind the counter, one hand cradling her pregnant belly.

I pick up my wine and take a long sip. “Only my reckless husband encouraging bad behavior.”

“Fun behavior,” he corrects, grinning, and ruffles Roman’s hair. “It was this little monster’s idea.”

“Mommy, come watch,” he says, beaming and running around. “I can jump too!”

“Oh, god,” she says with a sigh. “What did he do?” But she gamely follows her wild little three-year-old into the basement and lets him show off for a while.

Eventually, we end up in the backyard. Roman and Amelia play together in a sandbox Tigran built for them while we relax at the table. “When’s Arsen coming?” I ask Lena, and she only shrugs.

“Who knows? That man’s been working too much lately.”

“Things have been busy.” Tigran’s smile slowly fades as he glances at me. “We’re lucky, you know. The city almost tore itself apart, but Alexan did the right thing.”

“Worked out,” I agree, still watching my baby girl. “And now everyone’s prosperous.”

“And busy,” Lena adds.

“Lots of new jobs.” Tigran smirks and strokes a finger down my hand. “Making us all rich.”

“Can we not talk business right now?” Lena asks with a big groan. “I get enough of it at home.”

“You’re right,” I say, squeezing Tigran’s fingers. “Anyone hungry? I put together some snacks earlier.”

“You two still don’t have a housekeeper?” Lena asks incredulously. “I’d fall apart without Nikkita.”

“Assuming she doesn’t poison you first,” I tease, getting to my feet. “But I don’t know, I sort of like taking care of the house. It’s not forever.”

“She keeps saying that,” Tigran says, stage-whispering. “And yet I suspect she likes getting all domestic.”

“Some people do,” I say, glaring at the two of them as they grin at me. “Nothing wrong with it.”

“Totally agree.” Tigran gets up and stretches. “I’ll help my beautiful domestic goddess carry out her lovely cheese plate.”

Lena waves us off. “And I’ll make sure the children don’t do anything dangerous… again.”

I head into the kitchen with Tigran at my back. He puts an arm around me once we’re alone and kisses my neck, nuzzling against me. “What are you doing?” I ask, a little thrill running through my core as he pins me against the counter.

“I was just thinking. You haven’t had a panic attack in a while.”

I laugh lightly and lean into him. “That’s good, right?”

“It’s very good, kitten. It’s very, very good.” He nuzzles me, huffing like a hungry bull. “You know, every time I see Lena all pregnant like that, I keep thinking about having more babies.”

“Easy for you to say. You don’t have to squeeze them out.”

“Tell me you don’t want a big family.”

I shrug and kiss him lightly. “Maybe I do.”

“Then we should get to work.”

“You’re always getting to work.” I pull him down for another, deeper kiss, letting it linger. “But maybe you’re right.”

“I know I’ve said it before, but you can do anything you want. There are jobs in the organization waiting to be filled. Or you can let me breed you until we’ve got a dozen little children running around.”

I shimmy my hips. “Not sure I like the breeding bit there, but everything leading up to the pregnancy is fun.”

“That’s my girl.” He kisses me again, fingers running through my hair. “Now, did someone mention snacks? I’m starving.”

“You’re always hungry.”

“What can I say?” His smirk is pure devilish glory. “I’m a man of many appetites.”

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