Chapter 67: Epilogue

10 years later/ Ophelia's POV

A smile forms on my lips as I let down my paintbrush and look at the landscape I've just completed. There are so many emotions racing through my veins every time I finish another painting that I can barely describe them. A mix of happiness, joy, and a tad of sadness alter inside me.

My eyes fell on the lone figure of the man who gazes at the city's skyline outside the floor-to-ceiling window. He has his back turned at me, and I can't see his face, but I know it must be breathtaking. His figure is tall and slim with broad shoulders, and I'm sure that his body is toned underneath the grey tailor-made suit he wears. He must be rich and powerful, or at least, in this painting, he is...

To be honest, I don't know who this man is, nor can I draw his face. However, I use him as my model very often. I've asked my husband, my mom, my grandparents, but no one seems to know his identity. I call him The Devil because of the bad boy vibes I get from him.

Sometimes I feel like my memories have been stolen and replaced with other reminiscences that feel unfamiliar to me. I've talked a lot with Christopher, and he believes that it must be related to the six months of coma I was in after I defeated Marcus.

All the supernatural creatures think of me as a Goddess, someone above and beyond. The truth is I'm nothing more than a witch. I might have restored most of my power, but that is all. I'm not a hybrid; I'm not half Keeper. Yet, I don't regret the choices I've made. I don't regret the sacrifice I've made to bring Ethan back…

Ethan is the love of my life, my best friend, my other half.

Ethan is my husband and the father of our children.

Ethan is the source of my happiness and the light of my life.

A soft knock on the door makes me look up, and I smile when I see David walking inside my atelier.

"Everything's almost ready, angel. Your husband is an expert on the barbeque," David chuckles and walks closer to my easel.

"Finally! It was high time to master his techniques on grilled meat," I exclaimed, caressing my baby bump. I have many weird cravings during my second pregnancy, and my poor husband tries hard to keep me satisfied.

"You know it's not good to be standing for so long in your condition," David advises me with a concerned look.

"I'm okay, and the painting is done," I reply and motion for him to see the final result.

His eyes widen, taking in the beauty of the painting. The sun is setting behind the silhouettes of the tall buildings. The sky is painted with numerous shades of red, orange, and pink.

"It's beautiful, angel…" David mutters, caressing my back softly.

"The city or the man?" I ask, giving him a lopsided grin.

David chuckles. "The city's view is breathtaking, and he's handsome. But don't tell Ethan I said that!"

A giggle escapes my lips, and I nod my head in agreement.

For a while, we just stare at the painting without talking.

"I don't know him, but I think I miss him…"

"He'd be lucky to have you as a friend, Ophelia."

"You must think I'm crazy…"

"No, angel. You're not. You're the strongest, most beautiful, and intelligent young woman I know. Your father used to say that sacrifices must be made, and he was right. Some people sacrifice their life or their personal happiness to see their loved ones happy…"

I shiver, thinking of Lucas, and my eyes snap at David questioningly. What does he mean?

"Your father should be proud of you just like everyone that lost their lives during that war," David continues before I have the chance to ask him more.

"You are my father, too, David. I might have never called you father, I might have never thanked you for what you've done for mom and me, but I sincerely hope that you know how much I love you," I tell him as a few stray tears run down my face.

I mean every single word that falls from my lips. David is more than a father to me; he's the man that raised me up like I was his own daughter. He's the man that fought by my side in a war that wasn't even his. He's the man that walked me down the aisle when I got married to Ethan.

David's dark brown eyes are also teary, and he hugs me tightly. "I love you, too, angel. And I'm so proud of you. You're the best daughter I could have asked for…"

Reluctantly, we lean back and dry up our tears while a beaming smile appears on our lips.

"They're going to skin me alive if they find out I made a pregnant woman cry," David sighs, and I chuckle.

He offers his arm for me to take, and we head towards my back yard where our barbeque party is taking place.

My ocean blue eyes shift across my loved ones. Papa Peter and Nana Eva enjoy a glass of their favorite wine, watching the children run all around the green grass. They both look happy and content. My grandfather finally decided to step down, and now Ethan is the new leader of the local Keepers' community.

My mom is setting the table, bringing the salads and the fried potatoes I've been craving. She and Davide are still handling the restaurants in our city. They opened new ones in different places around the country, and they frequently travel to oversee things.

Izzie is trying to calm down her second son, who's crying inconsolably in her arms. Christopher, her husband, is helping Ethan grill the last steaks. My best friend and my brother got married a few months after I woke up from the coma. They already have three children, Jake, Rose, and George. Jake and Rose are playing hide and seek with my son. Lucas-Ashton is five years old, and he's a Keeper, just like his father.

"You finally decided to grace us with your presence, your Majesty," Christopher teases me as usual.

I roll my eyes at him and suppress the urge to cast a laughing spell on him.

"Don't try her patience," Ethan warns him, as a small smile appears on his full lips.

Christopher grins and sends a wink my way, "Right, a pregnant witch. That's one supernatural creature you don't want to anger…"

David slaps his son's back, glaring at him. "I thought I raised you better, young man. Now, help me move this to the table," he adds, pulling Chris away from us.

"How are you, my love?" Ethan asks, pecking my lips lovingly.

"I'm hungry, and this whole Chris thing gave me a few ideas I'd like to try with you later tonight…" I reply, smirking at him.

"A pregnant, hungry, and horny witch. Damn, I must be the luckiest man alive," Ethan chuckles and kisses me again.

Before I can have enough of his kiss, a pair of small hands pulls the hem of my blouse.

"Mommy, mommy, when is my baby sister coming?" my son asks me, eying me with his beautiful big blue eyes.

"In about twenty days. How about you count each day until then?" I reply to him softly and brush my fingers through his dirty blonde hair.

Lucas-Ashton looks exactly like his father, although he has my sapphire blue eyes.

"Okay, mom. I'll start counting from tomorrow," the young boy replies, giving me a toothy smile.

Lucas places his small hands on my belly like he usually does when the baby kicks, and Ethan mimics his son. They both smile when my unborn daughter greets them with a small kick.

"I think she wants to eat, too…" I grumble, caressing my baby bump.

Ethan laughs, and Lucas tilts his head to the side, probably thinking about how his sister eats. The small frown on his face is adorable.

"Lucas, come with me to help you wash your hands," my mother yells at her grandchild.

"My sister wants to eat!" the boy yells and runs towards my mom.

My mother raises her eyes to meet mine, having a small smile on her lips.

I mouth her a quiet "I love you," and she sends me an air kiss.

Ethan laces his hands around me and kisses my forehead softly, inhaling my scent.

"I love you so much…" I whisper close to his ear.

"I love you more," he replies, boring his emerald green eyes into my sapphire blue ones.

Our lips meet in a soft, tame kiss that proves our words and makes our hearts throb in happiness and need.

Moon Goddess had blessed me with more things I had ever asked for. I found love and happiness, and this is the perfect ending to my adventures.

I am Ophelia, the Awakening of a Myth, and it's finally time to live my happily ever after, or so I thought...

THE END

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A.N. Hey everyone! I can't thank you enough for reading up this far and following Ophelia's story! Let me know your thought in the comments! I plan on realizing a small teaser for book 2 during the next few days, so stay tuned!