Chapter 96 - Epilogue

Vanessa.

“You should be resting not doing all these things." He is trying to talk me out of making something for myself.

“And I have been sleeping all day. I'm tired." I complain.

“Never seen anyone get tired of resting before." He passes me the onions which I add to the pan.

“It has been two months since the surgery. Honestly, I have had enough rest."

“Then we should be doing something else. Like planning to expand our family. There are new experiments we should be trying." He says in a suggestive tone and my cheeks heat up.

“God! My eyes! It burns to see people making love in the sacred place for food." That is none other than the dramatic Carter. Beside him is a smiling Tianna who is four months pregnant. “You just had one baby like two weeks ago and you're trying to make another? Wow, Dimitri. Never thought you had it in you!"

“You're one to judge." I point at Tianna's belly.

“Do not accuse us of things you didn't see. We only prayed to get here." Tianna jokes.

“Tell them babe. They think we're all sin indulgent like them." I remember when Tianna confined it two months ago. She freaked out and cried. They broke up due to an ex coming back into his life and she almost had an abortion. I had never seen Carter so mad and pray never to witness it. He beat up the doctor and threatened to have her arrested. The only way out was to agree to another wedding which we all attended. I used to think Dimitri was the only caveman but I now understand why they are best friends.

“I am gonna steal him away when you're not looking." Alana walks in with Cyrus in her arms and Trent behind her.

“Not if I steal him away first." Diana says with a frown “She won't let me hold him."

“Its not my fault he doesn't want to let go of his favorite aunt. Am I right." Cyrus babbles and laughs.

“No you're not. Even Easton agrees that I'm the best aunt."

“That is because you slipped him a hundred dollar bill. I noticed." Diana gasps and clutches her fake pearls.

“I'm hungry," the little Easton complains and I pass him his plate.

“Here."

“I told you I'm hungry too. Where's mine?" Dylan asks.

“Dinner will soon be ready."

“This is why I always choose Tianna first."

Dimitri's phone rings and he answers it. I think it his mother. With the way he is responding, I think she is asking for Noah. “Mom, I'm not his babysitter!"

Noah walks in almost immediately and Dimitri tosses the phone at him. “I find it hard to believe you are in charge of anyone's security since you have no common sense to pick your calls." Sadie follows and an idea pops into my head about why he wasn't answering her calls. They have been sneaking around too much these days.

“Hello, everyone!" Estelle walks in with Brian who is carrying their nine month old son, Jace.

Cyrus starts crying in Alana's arms “This little one needs some food." Dimitri goes to take him and he continues to cry. “Told you he doesn't like your ugly face." Dimitri glares at her and she cocks her head.

“Dimitri, stop making the baby cry!"

“Shut your face hole, Stephan! Why are they here again?" he asks.

“Isn't it obvious. We're here because we're better company. Now hand the baby over to his mom." Stephan replies earning him an apple thrown in his direction which he catches.

Cyrus stops crying as soon as he's in my arms “Told you." They soon clear out into the garden leaving us alone. Noah carries Easton on his way out after returning his brother's phone. Did I forget to mention that Carter and Tianna adopted Easton as soon as they redid their wedding?

“He loves mommy so much."

“I don't think that's it. It's the sweater." I look down to assess my multicolored sweater.

“And what is wrong with my sweater?"

“Its hideous. Makes you look like a clown. Anyone else would be scared. Very much like the one you ore on your first day here."

“You remember!" That was also the first day I met him. I thought he was beautiful but his dog scared the shit out of me.

“It was the first day I met you and the first day I felt anything other than anger in a long time. I could never forget the scared girl in a hideous sweater." I thank God I was wearing the sweater that day.

“Well, Cyrus loves it."

“And I love you too, my queen." He does not need to tell me twice because I know. He showed it to me when killed our enemies, wiping out the ones who will do us harm. His love is a promise of acceptance. Of protection. And a promise of a future.

He extends his hand and my heart nearly bursts as I take his hand. I anticipate what the future holds for us as we approach our family. As long as he's here with me, I know despite everything, I will have the world at my feet.

The End.