Page 155 of Thorns of Silence

EPILOGUE

PHOENIX

Life had finally settled into some semblance of peace and normalcy.

It seemed like it’d been forever since the events at Lake Tahoe had taken place. The Nikolaev family continued to be part of Skye’s life, as per our agreement. Once a month, Skye spent a weekend with them in New Orleans. Since I was their surrogate, they visited frequently and had all but attached themselves to our family. Even with the upcoming arrival of their baby, they claimed to want to continue the same arrangement.

I didn’t mind it, but Dante sometimes got a tad bit jealous. I knew exactly how to distract him, and it involved taking full advantage of a child-free weekend.

Papà died a week after our wedding. He met his granddaughter and apologized for not being there for me. I forgave, but I hadn’t forgotten. My grandma, on the other hand, I would never forgive. Reina tried her hand at mediating, but there was no point.

She had almost cost Dante his life and had been responsible for my own daughter’s rough start in this world. I hated that woman with every fiber of my being. She almost ruined our lives. It was her duty to protect us, not condemn us.

After the whole ordeal with the Nikolaevs, we returned to Trieste. Skye loved living in Italy. She loved her aunt and uncle Amon. We saw them almost every week, and needless to say, my friends had fallen instantly in love with Skye too.

But nobody—not a single person on this planet—mattered to her as much as Dante. And, of course, me. She had earned herself a nickname: Dante’s sidekick. Neither one of them minded.

I stared across the room at the two people who mattered more to me than anything else. My husband’s eyes found mine and he mouthed “I love you,” melting my heart further, his eyes blazing with passion and devotion. And even in my extremely pregnant state, I couldn’t resist him. My whole body came alive when he watched me.

He and Skye had purchased a telescope and were now studying the stars.

I loved watching them together. So as I sat at the piano bench, my fingers dancing across the keys, vibrations of the music filled me, and I watched them with a happiness I still couldn’t believe.

Sasha and Branka were due to arrive any moment. We’d made amends. A tentative alliance turned into a true friendship.

I lowered my eyes to my huge belly and my lips curved into a smile. Soon, the little bundle of joy would meet his parents. My sister had warned me that I was too young to do it and it would be hard to give the child up.

I didn’t disagree, but I also knew that this baby belonged to Branka and Sasha. They’d been to every appointment and every sonogram, and had been by my side for every milestone. Dante and Skye too, cheering us all on.

The doctor said that baby boy Nikolaev was healthy and ready to come out any day now, even though he was predicting a late delivery. I, on the other hand, was convinced he was eager to meet his parents. Possibly even craved a cold Russian winter.

We were growing into a big family with unexpected alliances. Life had turned out better than anything I could’ve wished for.

A sharp pain lanced through my ribs and my fingers stopped moving, drawing Dante and Skye’s attention.

I froze as I felt a wetness rush down my thighs.

“Ah,cazzo.” I let the word vibrate in my throat. It was a new habit I created. Cursing in Italian. But only when I was home alone with my family.

I shared a look with my husband. “Is it time?” he signed.

I nodded.“Where are the Nikolaevs?”

He reached for his phone just as Cesar walked into the living room, Branka and Sasha trailing behind. I jumped to my feet, wincing as sharp pain pierced through my lower abdomen.

“It’s time.”

They shared a look, smiling as their eyes found mine and realization hit them. It was finally their turn. They were about to be parents. And I couldn’t be happier for them.