Chapter 145: Epilogue

Isabella’s POV.

Nine months later, I found myself staring at Ares in the hospital room. Reynold Kirill, our baby boy, was bundled up and asleep in his father’s arms. I couldn't help but smile. Slade was also in the room, fast asleep after spending hours staring at his baby brother and fantasizing about all the games they could play together.

Slade was proving to be a great big brother, which eased my worries. This pregnancy had been far better. It was not just Ares' support that I had, but also Rene and Reynold’s. Even Maksim and Daniela, who, by the way, ended up pregnant two months after me, so we were pregnant buddies. And if that wasn’t enough, Seyra and Lionel were also expecting.

“He’s so precious,” Ares whispered, swaying around as he still held our youngest.

“He sure is,” I hummed. When Reynold heard the news about the name, he pretty much cried. I figured it was only fair since Slade does have my father’s name.

There was a soft knock on the door, indicating that our family had finally come. They made this whole schedule just to avoid it being overcrowded, and today it was Lionel, Seyra, Maksim, and Daniel who had come.

I looked over and saw Seyra with her ever-growing stomach. I kept bothering her to make cousins for my kids, and it turned out she was having twins. So I was told to never ask her for cousins again; these two would fill the void, plus Maksim’s child too.

"Hey you," Seyra whispered, placing a tempting, overstuffed sandwich in my hands, perfectly satisfying the craving that had been haunting me.

Grateful, I looked up and met her eyes, promising, "Thank you so much. I'll make sure to return the favor when it's your turn." With that, I couldn't resist sinking my teeth into the delicious offering Seyra had brought me.

As the others gathered around, their attention focused on little Reynold, a warmth filled me. Ares, especially, seemed to be reveling in the joy of showcasing his adorable son. Silently, we all marveled at the tiny bundle of joy that had brought an unexpected and heartwarming break to our routine.

With a mouthful of sandwich, I managed to express my delight, "This is amazing, Seyra. Seriously, thank you." I glanced at Ares, who was still playfully showcasing Reynold, making the atmosphere around us even more joyful.

As the shared laughter and chatter continued, I made a mental note to repay Seyra's kindness in the future, just as I had promised.

***

One year later...

I gazed at Ares as he gently placed me down on the bed adorned with an array of roses. The uncontainable grin on his face mirrored my own emotions. Pride and happiness radiated from him, and truth be told, I shared in his excitement. Glancing around the room, I took in the romantic vibe created by the dimmed lights and the soft glow of candles strategically placed around the luxurious lovers' suite. It was simply perfect.

“I can’t believe I can finally call you my wife,” Ares sighed with a profound sense of love, lowering himself between my knees as he hovered over me.

“It took us long enough,” I laughed, leaning up to meet his lips with mine.

Our decision to postpone the wedding until after discovering I was pregnant with little Rey seemed like the right one. We wanted to embrace the joy of parenthood first and then celebrate our union. The child-free honeymoon I had yearned for was now a reality, and it made the moment even more special.

"Hold on, someone’s texting me," Ares groaned, reaching into his pocket to retrieve his phone. I watched with a fond smile as he unlocked the phone, the code subtly switched to our wedding date already– wow. His charm never ceased to amaze me.

"Aw, look," he said, showing me the photo Maksim had sent.

The image captured a beautiful scene—each one of us in this beautiful photo. Lionel and Seyra cradled their son and daughter, Zoltan and Defne, in their arms. Maksim, now a proud father, held his son, Andrei. It was evident that he had managed to get Daniela pregnant again because she was radiating and her beautiful stomach was in shot too. In the snapshot, both our parents also found their place with Slade between them, Nasira and Ken, who had tied the knot 11 months ago, now cradling their one-month-old son, Zahid Sanford.

I couldn't help but smile at the photo, a visual representation of the bonds and shared milestones within our extended family.

“Oh, it's perfect,” I gushed, captivated by the photos Ares was scrolling through on his phone.

“Look at this one,” he said, and the screen revealed a heartwarming image of Slade cradling our precious Reynold. Slade, a spitting image of his father, showcased the strong family resemblance, but Reynold, with his father's dark hair and dimpled smile, bore a striking resemblance to me.

“We should make more of them,” I hummed, my fingers lightly tracing the contours of Ares' beard. It was meant as a playful remark, but my words seemed to light a spark within him.

“Fuck, I was waiting for you to say that,” he declared, tossing his phone aside before climbing back on top of me. His lips met mine in a fiery, passionate kiss. "I think we should start right now," he added, his kisses trailing down my neck.

***

Five years later...

I finished my last business call, realizing that it would be months before I'd find myself back in the hustle of work. Mancini Interior had flourished to the point where my daily presence wasn't needed anymore. The company had a stellar reputation, and the pride I felt was amazing.

The reason for my impending break was not business-related but personal; I found myself pregnant once again. Baby number four was on the way, a delightful surprise that, despite being unplanned, was undeniably wanted. As I absorbed this realization, a knock on the door brought me back to the present. Glancing over, I saw the door open without my confirmation.

Alessio Ilya, my two-and-a-half-year-old son, rushed towards me. He was the third of the three boys, bearing a striking resemblance to Ares but with my distinct green eyes. I was just happy he carried a piece of me.

Alessio possessed a vibrant personality—loving his mother dearly, harboring an intense dislike for vegetables, and strongly defending his stance when counter-argued to eat veggies. Despite being the youngest, he must see himself as the boss, a trait of Ares' childhood Rene informed me and I had no doubts.

Our oldest, Slade, had already hit double digits. He proved to be the most protective and caring brother, continually surprising me with his maturity. A little genius too, Slade delved into space, mathematics, and the art of programming.

Reynold, the little one, remained an angelic presence in our lives. He developed a love for baking, often lending a hand to my parents in the kitchen and participating in every sport he could get his hands on. He was definitely a grandma and grandpa baby, on both sides of the family.

All our kids had their own unique interests and hobbies, making it challenging to keep track, especially with all the classes and games filling their schedules. Yet, the joy they brought into our lives made it all worthwhile. Our little ones were the epitome of happiness.

"Hello, Alessio," I smiled, lifting him onto my lap. "Rey, you look so dashing," I gushed, turning my attention to our youngest again for a short moment as he played with my necklace. I glanced over at Slade, who was just smiling.

"Don’t get me started," Slade chimed in. It tugged at my heartstrings to witness Slade, now so grown. I couldn't help but reminisce about the days when he was tiny and snuggled in my arms.

"Okay, let’s go outside then," I winked, rising from my seat and placing Alessio on his own feet. Unfortunately, this pregnancy didn't allow me to carry him anymore.

Today marked Ares’ birthday, and the entire family had gathered to celebrate the occasion. Rene and Reynold owned a cabin nestled in the woods, chosen by Ares for its kid-friendly environment. The location featured a lovely pool since the kids were still too young for the nearby lake. I was smitten with the cabin, its breathtaking view continuing to captivate me, even after being here since yesterday.

The party officially kicked off, and with the family growing, the once quiet family events had transformed into lively gatherings. In our world, silence hinted at something not being right.

I walked up to Ares and wrapped my arms around him from behind, basking in the warmth and familiarity of the gesture.

"Hey you," Ares greeted me in a soft tone, his hands sliding over mine as they rested on his chest.

"What’s up?" I wondered, curious about the source of his amusement.

"Well, I’m watching Zoltan, Defne, Andrei, and Rey swim, trying to determine who’s the fastest," Ares chuckled. I joined him, moving beside him to witness the playful race he spoke of. Maksim had taken on the role of their personal lifeguard, while Daniela was asleep on one of the lounge chairs, possibly tired of being pregnant yet again, this time it was a baby girl she was expecting which was all the more exciting. Some would say that the Volkov brothers are in a battle and Maksim is slowly catching up with Ares.

Observing Zoltan and Defne, who had grown significantly since the last time I saw them, I noticed the striking similarities between the siblings. They both possessed Lionel’s distinctive green eyes, complemented by Seyra’s dark brown hair and olive complexion. Their sweetness and convincing ways, especially when it came to coaxing sweets from their grandpa, never failed to amuse.

Andrei, on the other hand, was unmistakably a true Volkov little of Daniela’s genes to be seen.

"Oh, look at them," I pointed out, drawing Ares' attention to Zahid and Marco, who were busy sweet-talking Reynold Sr into getting more soda. Marco, the second child of Maksim and Daniela, seemed to have inherited his parents' charm.

Ares chuckled, "Oh look, the terrible three," as he pointed to Jesse-James, Aurora, and Greyson. We affectionately referred to them as the "terrible three" not just because they were currently three years old, but also because no other children could match their mischievous antics and they worked in a group of three. Even now, they were up to no good, hiding the slippers of those who were in the pool.

As the kids ran around, creating a playful and loud sphere, each of them connected with the other somehow. It was evident that love and connection knew no biological boundaries. JJ, the son of Julian and Toni, had found his way into our family. Rosa ended up being their carrier.

Rosa too wanted to be a mother but had no need for a husband so they had been the donor for her own child. Resulting in the birth of Aurora. With her brightest red hair and greenest eyes, Aurora was a true Mancini, embodying not only the physical traits but also the sass that she 100% got from her mama.

Greyson, the son of Isla, was another member of the family. Isla and Oliver's story began with constant clashes during law school, transforming into love, marriage, and the birth of their son. Greyson inherited the blondest hair from his father, coupled with the beautiful eyes of his mother.

With all these intertwining stories and shared connections, our family had truly become one big, cohesive unit. Playdates were always hectic, filled with the laughter and energy of the children, and we wouldn't have had it any other way.

"Where’s Alessio?" Ares began to worry, his gaze scanning the lively scene of our extended family gathered around the pool. I too frowned, joining in the search amidst the laughter and splashes of so many kids in our grown family.

“Oh look, there with my mom,” I said, relief washing over me. Alessio sat on a lounge chair with my mom, sharing her attention with Inaya, who was the exact same age as him, only a few days apart. Inaya, the youngest and last child of Nasira and Ken, adds some cuteness mixed with chaos to their own little family.

“Thank god, he was trying to run out the front door before,” Ares laughed, shaking his head at the thought of our youngest's adventurous spirit. The diversity and energy that filled our family gatherings were a testament to the beautiful tapestry of love, blended backgrounds, and shared memories that defined us.

"Hey, Mom, Dad, it’s time to cut the cake," Slade called out, appearing on the deck with us.

"Come here for a moment," Ares called Slade, pulling him to his side for the tightest hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Daaaad," Slade playfully whined, his shyness peeking through at the unexpected display of affection.

“Come on, babe, let’s go cut that cake,” I suggested, entwining my hand with Ares'.

It took a bit of effort to gather everyone around the table, but we finally managed to capture everyone's attention. As we sang for Ares, his sons helped him blow out the candles. I intervened before Ares could cut into the cake.

“I know what your number one wish is,” I announced, carefully cutting the cake without revealing the inside. “The color inside indicates our baby’s gender.”

Ares had expressed a deep desire for a girl, yearning to have a daughter to join our family of sons. The anticipation for this reveal had been building, and we had initially intended to keep the gender a surprise. However, during my last doctor's visit, she let me know the gender by accident and luckily I was alone for the visit. The reveal had led to happy tears on my part because I too was looking forward to welcoming a daughter into our lives of boys. I was seriously outnumbered.

"Really?" Ares asked, his eyes full of hope and anticipation.

“Take a look,” I hummed, presenting him with a slice of cake.

Eagerly, he took the slice, revealing the pink inside. The joy that lit up his face was infectious, and everyone around cheered with happiness. Ares was so excited; you could practically see it dripping from his smile. “I love you so damn much, Bella,” he declared, placing a quick kiss on my lips. I smiled back at him and leaned over to plant a gentle kiss on his cheek.

“Oh, stop it you two, we want cake,” Maksim teased, breaking the moment and making everyone laugh. The mention of cake had the kids on high alert, and they began to babble, demanding their slices.

As I observed the laughter and happiness enveloping our family, I couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible life we had built together. A life filled with love, health, and family, far beyond anything I could have ever wished or dreamed of. Ares, the most loving husband and the world's best dad, stood by my side. Together, we had created this beautiful family, one that I would forever cherish.

This story was the realization of my dreams, and sometimes, it was hard to believe that everything I had ever wanted had come true. I loved my life, and I loved my family. As we celebrated this special moment, cutting a cake to reveal the gender of our upcoming addition, I couldn't help but feel a profound gratitude for the life we had built together.

And so, with laughter, love, and the promise of a new addition to our family, this chapter closed with a heartfelt ending.

The End.