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“You’re not doing so badly,” I reminded him before turning to the others. “He’s writing his story, but turning it into fiction. He already had publishers interested in it.”

“The only catch is remembering to turn real-life characters into fictitious ones,” he chuckled. “And don’t be surprised if you find me knocking at your door in the future—this could become a series, and I’ll need more material.”

Mariya elbowed Elias. “This one has material enough for a series.”

They smiled fondly at each other.

It did my heart good to see them thriving in Philadelphia. The apartment was tiny and clogged with books, but cozy. Filled with warmth and the scent of cinnamon tea. There would’ve been a time when jealousy would’ve torn me to shreds, but now I was too busy living a happy life of my own. Only after I found happiness did I understand how unhappy I was before.

“How’s Mom?” she asked in a soft voice.

Elias touched her shoulder.

“Are you kidding? She’s living it up. Somebody had to lead the coven while I was gone, and she was more than happy to step up and make the sacrifice.”

We both chuckled.

“And she had to tell me all about it, of course. How exhausting it was. How the coven needed her. You know how she is. But things have calmed down now, and she’s back to only thinking she could do a better job.”

“It’s good to know some things never change,” she smiled, leaning against Elias.

It was surreal, seeing them together, relating to my sister as an equal. I had missed so much time with her.

She looked down at my belly again, and worry touched her face. “You know, it’s one thing when this little one can’t speak, and there’s no danger in seeing them. What happens when it turns into a chatty toddler, and there’s a chance of it blabbing about visiting Auntie Mariya?”

“Let’s not worry about that right now. I just found you—I don’t want to think about the future yet.”

Although in my heart of hearts, I knew we would find a way. We were both navigating uncharted waters but had managed well up to that point.

With the help of our men.

Gentry sat on the arm of the couch, and I leaned against him.

The slight pressure of his warm, gentle kiss on the top of my head was like a silent affirmation.

We would make it work, the way we made everything else work.

Together, always.