Epilogue

Ten Years Later

"Harris!" I shouted, scowling. "Come back here. Right now."

He looked at me with a pout, before making his way up to me. I about to bend to pick him up, but Shadrach beat me to it, placing him in his cot.

"Relax, Butterfly," he said softly, placing his hands on my waist. I sighed, rubbing my temples.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"It's okay," Shadrach smiled, before kissing my forehead. He then cupped my cheeks. "How many times have I told you not to bend down, Love?"

"Shadrach," I chuckled. "I'm just ten weeks pregnant. I can do all that with ease, you know."

"I don't care," he replied, frowning. "I want my little girl to stay safe in there. Absolutely secure. You need to take care of yourself."

"Oh yeah?" I smiled, biting my lip. I wrapped my arms around his neck, looking up at him. "How do you know it's a girl?"

"Hmm," he smiled back, pulling me closer to himself. "Well, I want a little caterpillar to be crawling around our house, so yeah."

"A caterpillar?" I laughed in disbelief.

"Yeah," he shrugged, smiling. "I call you my Butterfly, so a baby version of you would be a caterpillar, wouldn't she?"

"Of course," I laughed. I cupped his cheeks, caressing his face. "So, Mr. Bradley, since I'm pregnant, will you be nice and do me a favour?"

Shadrach smirked, raising an eyebrow at me.

"What is it, Mrs. Bradley?"

"Would you..." I trailed off, biting my lip seductively, as my eyes darted to his lips.

"Ahan?" He asked, and I could see his expression change in the slightest.

"Would you," I repeated, caressing the back of his neck with my hand.

"Would I?"

"Would you put Harris to sleep?" I grinned at him, and his expression fell.

"Really?" He scowled at me, making me laugh.

"Well, yeah," I smiled innocently. "I'm so tired."

"What were you even up to all day?" He asked, pulling away from me. "I told you not to do any work."

"I know," I replied. "And the maids took care of everything, but I went out shopping today."

"What?" He asked.

"Yeah," I replied timidly. "Look don't get mad, please."

"I can't believe this, Aliza," Shadrach sighed, running his hand through his hair.

"Hey, just-"

"Shh," he shushed, placing his index finger over his lips, making me silent. He took my hand and led me out of the room. "Clarissa?" He yelled, making me flinch. "Clarissa?"

"Yes, Master Bradley?" She asked timidly, almost stumbling as she ran up to us.

"Would you please stay with Harris for a while? Thanks," he said, before leading me away from there. He took me to our room, and I waited for him to shut the door.

"Shadrach, calm down," I said.

"I am calm," he nodded. "Now, when I told you not to leave the house, why did you do that?"

"I'm sorry," I replied.

"Butterfly," he stepped closer to me, and cupped my cheeks. "You know I'm really worried about you, right? I've told you not to leave the house unless I'm coming with you, or you're going out with Rachael or any of your family members. Even in that case I told you to inform me, before you leave. It's not safe for you to be walking around like that. Especially not when you're pregnant."

"I understand, I get it," I nodded. "I went with Ash. I know I should've informed you, but Shadrach," I placed my hands on his shoulders, "you're working so hard for us. And I know how worried you get if I'm out with anyone. I had to go shopping for Rachael's baby shower. You remember how much she did when I was pregnant with Harris? I wanna do something for her."

"I get it, my Love. But couldn't you just send someone else? And I won't be worried, if I know where you are. Did you take a bodyguard with you?"

"I did," I nodded. "Craig was with us."

"Okay," he nodded, looking much calmer. "But still, just tell me next time, okay? So I can just, keep checking up on you."

"Alright, I will. I'm sorry," I smiled.

"It's okay," he replied, but I could see he didn't look very relaxed.

"What's wrong?" I asked, cupping his cheeks.

"It's just that, I'm the one who should be sorry, Butterfly," he sighed. "I just don't know when my past crimes are going to stop haunting me. I'm so scared everytime you're out without me, as if some ghost from my past will come back to hurt you. I didn't... I didn't want you to lead a life like this. I feel so vul-"

"Hey, hey," I cut him off. "Listen to me. You've given me the best life I could ever ask for. You've left your past life behind, you've changed your ways for me, for Harris. And that's the most you could do for us. You're a loving husband, father, and I'm proud of you, Shadrach. I'm proud of how far we've come together," I said, taking his hands in mine. "And never think for a second, that you put me into any sort of trouble. You're my life, and without you, I'd be dead ten times over," I laughed.

"Don't say that," he scowled. "Don't say stuff about being dead and all. You know I don't like it."

I chuckled, pulling him into a kiss.

"I love you, Maxon Shadrach Bradley. And trust me, you're the best husband I could have ever asked for."

"I love you too, Butterfly," he smiled, kissing my forehead. "You're the light of my life. Without you I'd be nothing."

"Hmm, that's kinda true," I bit my lip, trying to suppress my amused smile.

"Ahaan?" He nodded, smiling.

"Yep," I replied, laughing. He joined in, before pressing his lips against mine once again.

"Now, now," I pulled away from the kiss, pushing him away by his shoulders. "We have a son we have to put to sleep. You know he can't fall asleep without me."

"Of course," Shadrach smiled, taking my hand. "Let's go get him. I want him to sleep with us tonight. I miss my baby."

"Alright," I smiled.

"In fact, I'll put you both to sleep," he added, leading me out of the room.

"Even better," I replied, smiling at him, wondering how I ever got so lucky.

I would never have imagined a family, or a future with him, when I first met him at the club. Life, I realized, is a big plot twist in its own. I never thought he'd actually succeed in making me fall in love with himself, or that he'd even succeed in getting me to marry him. It always seemed so impossible. But he did it. And who am I kidding? He had to. Of course he had to.

After all, he called me his Queen.

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A/N: Thank you to all of you who stuck till the end. I love you all! I wouldn't have been able to complete this book without your support! <3 Thank you so so much. It was an epic journey, really, and I hope all of you enjoyed!