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Jenna – Two Months Later

I stare at my reflection in the full-length mirror, barely recognizing the woman in the flowing white dress. My hands smooth over the delicate lace bodice, and my heart fills with overwhelming joy.

"You look beautiful," my mom says from her chair by the window. Her color has improved so much since the transplant, and seeing her healthy smile makes my eyes water.

"Don't cry!" Lucy, my future sister-in-law, rushes over with a tissue. "We just finished your makeup."

I laugh, dabbing carefully at the corners of my eyes. "I can't help it. A few months ago, I never imagined I'd be here."

The world has shifted so dramatically since that night at the Kean estate.

Learning the truth about my past, about Blaise, about everything, it nearly broke me.

But somehow, through all the pain and confusion, we found our way back to each other.

His love proved stronger than his desire for revenge, and my heart proved capable of forgiveness.

"Your father would be so proud," Mom says softly.

“I’m just happy to have another woman in this family.

Two, actually,” Lucy says, glancing at my mother.

I’ve so enjoyed meeting her and getting to know her.

I was shocked to learn she was the one who wrote the article that had the Keans scrambling to fix their reputation.

To think I’d wanted to meet with her and tell her how good they were.

When I think of it, I feel foolish, followed by guilty.

"Five minutes!" Phoenix calls through the door.

My stomach does a flip. In just moments, I'll walk down the aisle to marry the man I love. The man who showed me what real love feels like.

"Ready?" Lucy asks, adjusting my veil one last time.

I nod, and my hand drifts to my slightly rounded belly, where our baby grows.

Some might think we’re marrying so quickly because of the baby, but they’d be wrong.

We marry today because I can’t wait another moment to become Mrs. Blaise Ifrinn.

Well, not officially. The brothers are still operating in the shadows, not using their real names and even dropping Tine, the fake last name they’d been using before.

But in my heart and someday when this war with the Keans is over, I’ll be Jenna Ifrinn.

There was a moment when being an Ifrinn was the last thing I wanted.

But back at the safehouse, Ash had helped me understand Blaise’s actions and the intense pain that led him to do what he did, not just to Ronan, but to me.

When Blaise bared his soul to me, I believed him, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was afraid to be hurt again.

I just couldn’t deny the love I felt for him and knew I had to learn to trust him one more time.

He knew it too, if his actions following that day are an indication. He started with little things. Fresh flowers on my windowsill each morning at the safehouse. Tea exactly how I like it, boiling hot with one ice cube.

When Mom was ready to leave the hospital, he brought us both to an amazing home outside the city with a large yard and security greater than Fort Knox. The home has an attached apartment complete with an accessible bathroom and an emergency call system for Mom.

In the yard, Blaise spent weeks creating raised beds and installing irrigation systems. Now, roses climb the arbor where we often sit in the evenings, and my herbs perfume the air.

"Plant whatever makes you happy," he told me, bringing home packets of seeds. "This is your space to create beauty."

When I worried about the baby, he came to every appointment. When nightmares of that terrible night plagued me, he held me close and whispered his love for me until I fell back asleep in his arms.

The real turning point came when he took me to his parents' graves. I’ll admit, it was difficult to see them knowing the part I played in their deaths.

But Blaise wasn’t there to shame me. Instead, he laid flowers I’d grown in our new garden and told me about their love for each other and their sons.

Then he turned to me saying he wanted that for us as he dropped to one knee and gave me a beautiful diamond ring that had several marquis-shaped emeralds, making it look like a flower with green leaves.

"They would have loved you," he said. "Just like I do."

There was no hesitation when he asked me to be his wife. The trust we'd rebuilt wasn't fragile anymore. It was stronger for having been tested.

"Yes," I whispered, and his arms wrapped around me, solid and secure.

That's what I feel with Blaise now. Completely safe. Not just physically protected, though I know he'd die before letting anyone hurt me or our baby. It's deeper than that. I trust him with my heart, my future, my everything.

“It’s time,” Lucy says with a grin.

“It’s past time.” I’m so ready to join my life with Blaise’s.

We’re marrying in a small ceremony at Flint and Lucy’s place, with Mom giving me away.

Only family is allowed since we’re trying to stay out of the Keans’ and their minions’ radar.

My heart aches thinking of Debbie, who should be here as my maid of honor.

But having her here would put both our lives at risk since the Keans are looking for Blaise and would likely hurt Debbie if they knew she had any contact with us.

As I look up toward the makeshift altar, I see Flint, Blaise’s twin, although their colorings are completely different, standing next to Blaise.

He’s holding his baby son, Flynn, picking up the boy’s hand and waving toward Lucy as she makes her way to them.

She takes the boy and goes to stand to the side.

Phoenix and Ash stand with Blaise as well. Ash leans forward and whispers something. Phoenix makes a face while Blaise gives him the finger. I smile, loving how these four brothers who lost everything somehow held onto their humanity and their deep bond with each other.

Music begins playing, and my heart swells with emotion as Blaise turns to watch me, his blue eyes shining with pure adoration.

Mom squeezes my arm. "Ready?"

“So ready.” I glance at her, and it feels like a miracle that she’s here with me. Not long ago, I feared I'd lose her. Now, she's not only walking me down the aisle but also glowing with health. And it's all because of Blaise. Another miracle.

She catches my gaze, and I see tears shimmering in her eyes. "I’ll admit that I’ve had concerns about Blaise, but the way he looks at you, like your father used to look at me, I know he loves you.”

To hear she had concerns surprised me when she first mentioned it since she’d quickly latched herself to the Ifrinns the night everything went down. For some reason, she knew to trust them over the Keans, at least with our safety. With my heart? That was a different story.

"He's a good man, sweetheart. The kind your father would have approved of."

Her blessing means everything, especially knowing how protective she's been since that terrible night at the Kean estate.

As we take our first step forward, something shifts inside me. My entire life, I lived behind a wall, sheltered, coddled. But as I walk toward Blaise, I’m feeling empowered. Like I’m finally moving forward in my own path, not one set by my mother or confined by the Keans.

I reach Blaise, who takes my hands in his as we face each other before the officiant. He mouths that he loves me and that I look so beautiful. I want to throw my arms around him and kiss him, but I’m able to restrain myself for the moment.

I’ll be honest, the ceremony is a bit of a haze. Finally, we get to the vows.

"I spent so long living in darkness," Blaise begins, his voice thick with emotion.

"Then I met you and it was like having the sun on me for the first time in so long.

You taught me that love is stronger than hatred, that forgiveness can heal even the deepest wounds.

" His thumb brushes over my knuckles. "I promise to protect you, cherish you, and love you more fiercely each day than the last. You and our child are my everything. "

Tears blur my vision as I start my own vows. "You showed me what real love feels like and that it’s something worth fighting for. I promise to stand by your side through whatever storms come our way, to be your shelter just as you've been mine."

“I love you so fucking much,” he says, causing our families to laugh. He blushes as he realizes his use of the F-word, but I don’t care. I love his intensity.

When he kisses me as his wife for the first time, I feel like I’m in a fairy tale come true. I’m not so na?ve to think our lives will be smooth sailing from now on, but I know our love is strong and it will help us endure anything and everything.

After the ceremony, during the intimate dinner, I notice Mom and Blaise sitting together in quiet conversation.

She reaches out to pat his cheek in that maternal way of hers, and he captures her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles.

My mother's forgiveness means everything to Blaise.

And her acceptance of him, despite everything, tells me I've made the right choice in following my heart.

The dinner feels intimate and perfect, with just our small family gathered around the table. Watching Ash and Phoenix tease Blaise about his lovesick expression makes me laugh.

“They’re just jealous,” Flint says, patting Blaise on the back. “Just wait until they fall. Then they’ll know there’s nothing better.”

I catch Lucy's eye across the table, and we share a quiet laugh. She understands what it's like to fall in love with an Ifrinn brother despite all odds.

The evening flows with wine, sparkling water for me, laughter, stories, and inside jokes. Mom dozes in her chair, a contented smile on her face. Looking around at our unlikely family, I feel truly at peace for the first time in months. Maybe ever.

Blaise rises and holds his hand out for me. “Time for the honeymoon.”

My body tingles already at how he’ll touch me tonight. We say our goodbyes, and then Blaise takes me back to the hotel we were at before.

I’ll admit, a small feeling of unease hits me when the memories of that night return. He’d been so different. In hindsight, it was probably because I kept wondering why anyone would want to hurt the Keans. It had to be like a stab in the heart each time I defended them.

“I fucked up last time,” he says, as if he can feel my unease. “I’m going to make it right this time.” Blaise carries me across the threshold.

"Is it safe for us to be here?" I ask, unable to completely shake my fears even on our wedding night. The Keans still have considerable influence in the city.

Blaise sets me down gently, his hands lingering at my waist. "No one gets near this floor without our knowing." He brushes his lips against my temple. “Tonight is just you and me. And tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, for forever.”

I laugh. “What about your mission to take back the Ifrinn legacy?”

He shrugs. “For now, I’m passing that on to Phoenix and Ash.”

"But you're still part of the family business?”

"Yes, but in a different way now. I'll focus on legitimate ventures, building something safe and stable for our future. The dangerous work, that's for Ash and Phoenix now. Flint and I will offer support, but our focus is on our wives?—”

“Wives.” Joy whips through me. I’m his wife.

He laughs. “That’s what you are. My wife. And I’m your husband.” He places his hand on my stomach. “And this is our child.”

Movement rolls through my belly. Blaise’s eyes widen. “Is that indigestion or?—”

“No, you silly. That’s your son or daughter.”

Emotion sweeps over his face. He drops to his knees and places a kiss on my belly. “Daddy loves you, little one.”

“What about me?”

He laughs and rises. “I love you too, my sweet, sweet Jenna.” His lips meet mine with infinite tenderness. This kiss holds all the promises we've made today, of trust rebuilt, of forgiveness given and received, of a future filled with hope.

"My wife," he whispers against my lips, and the words send shivers down my spine. His hands slide down to my waist, drawing me closer until I can feel his heartbeat matching mine.

He slowly unzips my dress. I reach for his tie and loosen it.

"I love you," I breathe, and his response is to tug me onto the bed in a tangle of half-removed clothes and tender touches.

Emotion overwhelms me as I consider how far we’ve come.

We were two broken people who’ve set out to build something beautiful from the ashes of the past. I have no doubts about Blaise or his love for me.

I know my love for him will endure until I die.

Tonight is the first night of the rest of our lives together, forever.