Page 95 of Duke of Storme

“Terrifying ones, I imagine,” Jane said dryly.

“The very best kind,” Finn said firmly, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of Diana’s head.

As the morning wore on and the conversation flowed around the table, Diana felt a deep sense of rightness settle into her bones. This was what family was supposed to feel like – warm and accepting and full of gentle teasing and unconditional love.

But it was when Finn leaned close to whisper in her ear that she felt the final piece of her happiness click into place.

“Thank ye,” he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.

“For what?”

“For choosin’ me. For fightin’ for us when I was too scared to fight for myself. For seein’ somethin’ worth lovin’ in a man who didn’t believe he deserved it.”

Diana turned in her chair to face him fully, not caring that they were being watched by their entire assembled family.

“Finn Hurriton,” she said clearly, “you’re not the storm I survived. You’re the peace I chose. And I’ll keep choosing you, each and every day, for the rest of our lives.”

The kiss that followed was soft and sweet and full of promise – a beginning rather than an ending, a doorway rather than a destination.

And as sunlight poured through the windows of the solarium, casting everything in golden warmth, Diana understood that this was what happiness looked like. Not perfect, not without challenges ahead, but real and chosen and fought for.

This was the true beginning of their marriage – built on love rather than convenience, trust rather than duty, hope rather than fear.

And it was absolutely perfect.