Page 114 of Modern Romance July 2025 #4-8

EPILOGUE

Five years later…

C ARMEL HADN ’ T PLANNED to get pregnant.

She and Damian had talked a few times about having a family, but she had remained hesitant, even when she saw how happy Atlas and Stella were with their twins.

Deep down, there was a part of her that wanted a family of her own, but her doubts in her ability to parent well lingered.

Even though she was firmly committed to her sobriety, she knew things from her past could crop up to distress her.

Somehow, however, days after her brother’s children were born, she woke feeling nauseous. For a full week, she’d attributed it to anything but pregnancy: food poisoning, the flu, a weird allergy. Finally, Damian insisted on taking her to the doctor.

One seemingly unnecessary test later, she was told they were going to be parents.

It was a shock, but a thrilling one. Aside from feeling hungover for nine months, her pregnancy was uneventful. Their son, Theodore, came out wailing and strong, and he brought out the best in both of them.

Today was his first birthday. His cousins were his guests, and it became an absolute zoo for a few hours before Atlas and Stella took their toddlers back to their yacht and Theo went down for his nap.

Zoia had enjoyed the chaos, but she needed a rest, too. Age was very much catching up with her, but she was strong enough that Carmel and Damian were planning a visit to see Nick and his family soon. Even so, they worked from the island as much as possible, preferring to be close to her.

Preferring to be home.

“I have something for you,” Damian said as Carmel stuffed a wayward ribbon into a gift bag. She looked up to see he held a ring box.

“Damian!” She couldn’t help her gasp as he revealed the stunning band of baguette diamonds set between rows of round diamonds. “I love it.” It fit perfectly on the ring finger of her right hand and was a gorgeous counterpoint to the two on her left. “Why are you spoiling me? It’s not my birthday.”

“No, but it’s a special day for us.” He looped his arm around her and drew her close. “As of today, we have officially been married longer than we were the first time.”

“You’ve been doing math behind my back?” She tsked in mock scandal. “How dare you.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t see the chalkboard and ask me about all the algebra.”

She chuckled and slid her arms around his waist, loving him the most when he said silly things.

“Actually, I realized it was coming up a few weeks ago, when Zoia mentioned it had been five years since her surgery. She said she was glad she’d had these extra years with me, to get to know you and see us happy and hold Theo. I realized that I was happy to have these years with you, too.”

“Oh.” She curled into him, growing misty. “I am incredibly grateful for this life I have with you. I love you so much it makes me want to cry.”

“Don’t do that. I’d rather spend our son’s nap doing something else.” He kissed her, but it was a press of one smile upon another.

It altered, though. They were still a deliciously sensual mix. As they rubbed their lips together, the kiss deepened to a slow, tender, thorough precursor to what they both wanted.

When he lifted his head, she was breathless and dazzled and so in love with him, she could hardly speak.

“Shall we go upstairs?” he asked in the sexy rough voice that sent delight shivering down her spine.

“Yes, but I want to say first that even though I didn’t know we were doing gifts today, I have one for you, too. You have to wait about nine months to hold it, though.”

“Carmel.” His brows quirked with deep emotion. His mouth kicked sideways in the cocksure grin her heart had tumbled over the first time she saw him. “I love it already.”

He swung her into his arms and carried her to their bed.