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Epilogue

Claire

Time feels different once you find the things that bring you joy in life. That night in the alley changed my life forever. It made me see what was right in front of me, made me realize I had everything I could’ve ever wanted. All I had to do was open my eyes.

It didn’t take long at all for me to meet the man known as Julian. Intense, dark, and brooding Julian. He was the reason we were on the run for such a long time and why Lucca had to hide me. He was also the one and only reason Lucca found me, so while tragic events that involved him ripped us apart, he brought us back together again.

Lucca grips my hand beneath the table while Elena, Julian’s beautiful wife, presents the cupcakes she made for dessert. I know if they can be happy and have children in this world, surely we can, too.

Elena beams as she grabs a cupcake from the tray and peels the liner back. “Claire, you must try the chocolate ones. I put little chocolates inside that practically melt in your mouth when you bite into them.”

I smile and help myself to one, letting go of Lucca’s hand to do so.

“Yes, Elena has become quite the cook, but only after burning the house down a time or two.” Julian snickers before taking a drink of his bourbon. Elena glares at him over her shoulder.

“I love cooking too. Maybe we could get together and have an evening of baking?” Fallon, Markus’s wife, suggests.

She’s quiet and sweet. Markus, on the other hand, is terrifying with his stocky frame and pensive stare. And when he smiles, it’s not like he’s smiling because he’s joyful, but because he just stabbed you in the heart, and he’s happy about it.Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

“I thought you said it wasn’t like that…” Markus taunts and elbows Lucca in the side, a shadow of a smirk on his lips.

“At the time, it wasn’t.” Lucca shrugs.

I take a bite of the cupcake Elena gave me. The delicious flavor of chocolate explodes against my tongue, and I barely stop myself from moaning at the taste.

Damn, that’s a good cupcake.

“Right, so how did that happen?” Markus points at my already swelling stomach.

A giggle slips past my lips, and Lucca’s gaze becomes icy. I’m twenty weeks pregnant and enjoying every minute. As soon as we found out, we were over the moon.

I wasn’t sure that I would ever want kids in this world that we’re in, but Julian and Elena easily changed my mind with their children.

“I said at the time, asshole. You want me to kick your ass?” Lucca rests his fist against the table.

“You could try.” Markus snickers, and Fallon rolls her eyes at her husband.

“Stop instigating fights,” Fallon shoos.

“Boys, there will be no bloodshed during dinner time,” Elena adds, pointing her finger at both men.

“Fine, but next time we get in the ring, I’m kicking your ass.” Lucca smirks.

“You can try.” Markus leans back in his chair unphased.

“How about I shoot both of you, and we don’t have to listen to your arguing anymore?” Julian’s eyes glint with mischief.

This is easily the best day ever. Never did I think I would be here having a conversation like this. I finish my cupcake, and Lucca and I get ready to leave. We say our goodbyes and exchange hugs, promising to do a girls’ lunch soon.

As we step outside, and Lucca helps me into the SUV, my phone rings. Mom flashes across the screen, and I press the green answer key as I bring the phone to my ear.

“Hello, Mom!”

“Hello, sweetie. I wanted to let you know I ordered some clothing for the baby.”

I smile, not only because of how caring and supportive they are, but because after all this time, I could finally allow myself to call them Mom and Dad.

“Mom, we don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet,” I exclaim.

Lucca and I decided to wait to find out the sex of the baby, to let it be a surprise.

“I know, I know, but I just couldn’t help myself. I’m going to send you a picture of the onesie I got. You’re going to love it.”

“I’m sure I will. I’ve loved everything you’ve bought so far.”

“I got to go, honey. Dad needs help in the kitchen with dinner. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

The words used to be foreign, but now they’re an everyday occurrence. I know with them and Lucca by my side, I’ll never be alone again. They’re my family.

“She bought more clothes?” Lucca asks, already knowing the answer.

He navigates the car onto the road, driving us home.

“Yes, she’s excited about the baby. Probably more excited than us.”

“I highly doubt that.” Lucca looks between the road and me. “I didn’t think I would ever find love or have kids, but I did, and I’m fucking excited as hell to have a baby…”

“Same. I’m thankful that everything turned out the way it was supposed to.”

“You were always meant to be my butterfly…” Lucca says, grabbing my hand and placing a kiss on the top of it. I shiver at the touch of his lips on my skin.

My core tightens, and instantly I want to climb him like a tree. I tell myself it’s just the pregnancy hormones, but it’s more than that.

“You look absolutely beautiful tonight.”

“Only tonight?” I tease.

“I fuck you so much that you beg me to stop. I’m positive you know I think you look sexy as fuck all the time.”

He’s not lying, his appetite for sex and me is through the roof. Now that I’m pregnant, he wants me more. As if the fact that my stomach being swollen isn’t his fault.

“I know you think I’m beautiful.”

“Not just beautiful, but perfect. You’re everything, Claire, and I’m thankful that you gave me a second chance because now I get to watch you fly. I get to see you smile, and that’s all that I’ve ever wanted. Your happiness is mine.”

“I’m happy because of you.” I beam.

“Good, because I’m never letting you go.”

And I’m fine with that because I no longer want to be free of Lucca.