Chapter 37: Forbidden Vows: Epilogue II

“How the heck do they grow up so fast?” Ciara asks.

“I’d like to say that three years go by in a flash, but it doesn’t really feel that way to me,” I reply. “Then again, I’ll enjoy every second of every day that I get to spend raising them.”

We’re lounging in the afternoon sun on a late summer Sunday. The back garden of the Karpov mansion unravels at our feet with its lavender and hydrangea bushes, the sycamore trees casting their long shadows across the deep green. Anton and Ian keep the twins busy—Anton’s got Lachlan on his shoulders, while Ian has Ronan. They’re in the pool, splashing and laughing and having heaps of fun.

“They look so cute with their bright orange swimming vests.” Ciara can’t stop laughing.

“Our husbands are so cautious when it comes to my boys; it’s so endearing.”

“We got lucky, didn’t we? You with Anton, me with Ian.”

“Or maybe they’re the ones who got lucky.” I raise an eyebrow at her.

Ciara nods in agreement, then checks her phone. “Ah, good. Andrei and Laura are headed back from the conference center. So, it’ll be the six of us for dinner tonight.”

“I’m going to leave you and Anton to discuss business after dessert,” I tell her. “He’s got a proposal he wants to run by you.”

“A proposal?” She gives me a curious look.

“Yes. He asked Tommy Benedetto to come over, too.”

“Care to share some details?”

“I don’t have any.” I shrug. “But I trust you three will handle it. You’ve been rocking this whole mob boss thing, anyway, Ci. I knew you would.”

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hack it. Not after what Sergei did.”

“I knew you’d bounce back. A little insecurity never hurt anyone. Today, the Donovans are stronger than ever, thanks to you and Paddy. Anton’s got his ducks in a row with the Bratva, and there are rumors that Tommy Benedetto is being groomed for a top leadership position, as well. It’s looking more and more interesting, I’ll be honest.”

“Have you told him yet?” she asks me.

I shake my head slowly. “Not yet.”

“You should.”

“Give me a minute.” I laugh and get up.

Ciara gasps. “Wait, like, a literal minute?”

I don’t answer. Instead, I slip out of my cover-up and join my boys in the pool, the cool water quick to seep through my one-piece bathing suit, sending a slight shiver down my spine. Anton and Lachlan are the first to turn around and eagerly greet me.

“Momma!” Lachlan exclaims, reaching out.

The twins are like two peas in a pod, ridiculously identical. It took me a while to securely tell them apart when they were babies, and somehow, it’s getting even harder now. They’re both curly-haired little monsters, the spitting image of their father, but I see the red highlights whenever they’re out in the sun, their green eyes allowing their Donovan side to shine through.

Dimples deepen on their cheeks whenever they smile, and I melt every time I hear them laugh.

“How are my guys doing?” I ask, shuddering while I adjust to the water temperature. Anton comes closer, with Lachlan safely on his broad shoulders.

“Causing mischief, as usual,” my husband replies.

“Momma, look!” Ronan cheers and slaps the water with his feet, splashing it all over Ian’s face.

“You’ll make a fine boat engine someday,” Ian quips.

I laugh lightly. “You got yourself into this the minute you caved into Ronan’s demands,” I tell him. “Your only option now is to let him wear himself out.”

“Oh, his batteries are dwindling, worry not.”

“How’s my favorite wife?” Anton asks me, then plants a kiss on my lips.

“Your favorite wife?” I give him a confused look. “Is there a less favorite wife I should worry about?”

Anton thinks about it for a moment. “Well, there’s Andrei, my work wife. He’s the nagging type. You made these two little rascals, and you make me happy on a daily basis. So, yeah, you’re my favorite.”

“As if I couldn’t love you more,” I say, practically swooning.

“Mommy loves Daddy!” Lachlan declares.

“She most certainly does, baby,” I say, keeping one eye on Anton. “So, my darling husband, I’m your favorite because I made two boys, huh?”

Anton gives me a wry smile. “I didn’t call you a baby factory.”

“What if I am, though?”

“What?”

I shrug lightly. “What if I am?”

“What if you’re what?”

“You seem confused,” I sigh deeply.

Ian’s jaw drops. “Holy moly…”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Wait, what?”

I laugh. “Well, if I’m your favorite because I made two babies, what do you say if I make us a third?”

There it is. The spark of realization. Then the ensuing joy. The purest kind of joy.

Ciara laughs wholeheartedly from the comfort of her chaise lounge. “I get to be the godmother this time.”

“Are you for real?” Anton asks me, his voice barely a whisper.

Lachlan and Ronan are too young to keep up with the conversation. Besides, they’re also too busy giggling and splashing in the water. But Anton is catching up, and he is damn near jumping out of his skin.

“Eileen.”

“Yeah, we’ve got a third one on the way,” I tell him, holding my breath for a moment.

“As if I couldn’t love you more.” He looks over to Ciara. “Hey Aunty Ci. Give us a hand here for a hot second?”

“Yep, yep!”

Gently, he carries Lachlan over to the edge of the pool, where Ciara is quick to take him. Ian brings Ronan closer to them, as well, while Anton comes back and swoops me in his arms, the water splashing everywhere around us.

“Are you for real, Mrs. Karpova?”

“I am, Mr. Karpov.”

“Then, yeah, you’re absolutely, totally my favorite wife,” he says and kisses me deeply.

I feel his love blooming in my heart, every atom in his body resonating with mine as the sun’s golden light glazes us both in shimmering happiness. It’s been such a crazy, wonderful ride so far. Despite the bumps, the ups and the downs, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Bringing a third child into the world we’re building together feels like the natural course of things.

It makes sense.

Our love makes all the sense in the world, and each of our children is living proof of it.