Chapter 186 Epilogue
5 YEARS LATER
The apartment that was once made to create Arabella’s spiritual presence had been renovated into a home of love and memories.
The walls of their lounge were adorned with the pictures of their first anniversary, vacations. And of course, their 4 years old daughter Laura, and 2 Years old Ayra.
Sunlight danced across the bed where William lay in a deep, peaceful slumber. He no longer looked like the man who carried the world on his shoulders, the lines of tension around his eyes had been smoothed away by five years of genuine happiness.
Though the silence didn't last long.
The door creaked as two small figures crept inside. Four-year-old Laura and three-year-old Ayra shared a mischievous look before pouncing.
"Papa! Wake up! Mama is calling you!" Lyra squealed, shaking him to drag him out of his trance.
William let out a dramatic oomph, his eyes snapping open to see two pairs of bright, dancing eyes staring back at him with a wide grin.
He let out a husky laugh, his arms, once used for protection and restraint, now pulling his daughters into a chaotic tumble of tickles and morning snuggles.
"The turkey, huh?" William rumbled, kissing their foreheads. "And here I thought you are here because you missed me."
“Get up. Get up. Get things ready, they will be home soon!”
“Darling, they will come at night. There is a lot of time.”
Downstairs, Arabella was the figure of felicity. She moved through the kitchen with an undeniable grace, her hair tied in a messy bun.
She was humming a melody as she prepped the vegetables for the grand family dinner.
The walls of the kitchen and the hallways were bright, overflowing with a gentleness. They were a gallery of a living present.
Framed photos showed days of true smiles, interspersed with messy finger paintings, snapshots of Luke’s toddler playing with his cousins, and images of the sisters' first steps.
The obsession had been replaced by a legacy.
A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind, and a chin rested on her shoulder. William had arrived, looking relaxed in a soft sweater.
"The girls said you needed help," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple.
"I always need you," she replied, leaning back against him.
Together, they moved in a practiced, effortless rhythm. William chopped, Arabella seasoned, their laughter punctuating the sound of clinking dishes.
There was no coldness, no manipulation. Just a husband and a wife living their nonchalant lovely lives.
As the sun began to set, the doorbell echoed through the house.
"They’re here!" the girls shouted, racing towards the door to open them, “Welcome, Uncle and Auntie!”
Luke burst through the door, looking every bit the exhausted but happy father, three three boys holding onto their father.
Followed by an elegant woman who held onto her charm after three boys. His three sons, a trio of energetic boys who looked exactly like miniature versions of him, rushed past their uncle toward their cousins.
“Laura! Ayra!”
“John! Anderson! Leo!”
Peach followed behind them, looking vibrant and lethal as ever in a stunning pink dress. She didn't look like she had birthed three children, she took her break and gave herself time to recover.
"William! Arabella!" Peach cheered, handing over a bottle of wine. She immediately spotted the two Grayson daughters in their matching velvet frocks and lace bows.
“Ah, my, my. Look at these princesses.”
Peach’s eyes narrowed with a playful, dramatic jealousy. She shifted to her knees, pinching their cheeks.
"I am officially done with the dirt and the toy trucks, Luke," she whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"Look at those bows. Look at those dresses. I’m telling you now, I am not stopping until I have a girl. I need someone to inherit my jewelry who won't try to eat it." Peach whined.
“Here you go, girl. This is from your Auntie.”
“Yay! It’s pink!”
“Exactly. We are the team pink!” Peach beamed, hugging them tightly before getting up.
Luke laughed, pulling her flush against him and kissing the tip of her nose. "I’m at your service, my Queen. But don't blame me when she has your temper and my stubbornness."
“I think I can handle that.”
“By the way, guys, me and Luke are thinking of going on a road trip to Europe.” Peach announced delightfully, clapping in excitement.
“And the kids? How are you guys going to handle them?” Arabella chuckled to which Peach smirked triumphantly, waving her hand.
“Who said they are going? They said they want to stay at their grandpa’s. I sometimes wonder what potion Papa had given them. They would rather be with their grandparents than a trip.” She sighed, shaking her head before clinging onto Luke.
“But, good for us. We can get some alone time.”
“Enjoy you two. We just returned from Paris and the girls did not like it.” Arabella laughed, gesturing to them to take a seat.
Soon, the final guest arrived. Helena stepped in, carrying her son who was hugging his mother, since he was too attached to her. She looked at her brothers, both of them happy, both of them whole, and felt a quiet sense of peace.
“You don’t have to cling onto your mother all the time, little man. Come here.” William called, picking her son instead and ruffled his hair.
He grinned and hugged him instantly, “Uncle!”
“Papa! Put Sam down! Sam, come here! Take a look at this.”
He instantly whined and ran away too, rushing to the play room to create a disastrous mess while playing to their heart’s content.
“Finally, all of you are here. Come. Kids! Enough playing, come here! Time for dinner” Arabella called.
“Coming!”
Dinner was beautiful, filled with chattering and laughter. The children played, barely eating their food, leaving the parents worried but they were busy in their own world.
William sat at the head of the table, his hand firmly interlaced with Arabella’s under the tablecloth.
He looked at Luke, who was currently trying to convince his middle son that broccoli was a "superhero snack,"
And then at Peach, who was showing Arabella photos of a nursery she had already started designing "just in case."
William Grayson was in the light, surrounded by the people he had once been willing to destroy himself to protect. They had grown into the pillars present for him at one call now.
His world was right before him.
The Grayson bloodline wasn't a tragedy anymore. It was a legacy.
…As the laughter of the children and adults echoed through the halls, the nightmare of the past, of pain, lies, and obsession finally went silent, replaced by a love they were going to treasure for the rest of their lives….
THE END