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SIX MONTHS LATER

Flying into the Richmond airport, Annalissa held Vinny’s hand tightly, her eyes closed as she listened to his warm voice whisper reassurances to lessen her nervousness. He rubbed her hand, fingering her engagement ring. They traveled every other month for a concert and he always accompanied her, moving the crowds away and protecting Easnadh.

At least that was what he told her. The truth was somewhat deeper. A love of seeing her play her harp. Seeing her sitting in front of the orchestra, her princess dress standing out as the audience sat as enraptured as he was. Every single time. Whether she was playing in their apartment or in front of hundreds, it was always the same. The music flowing through him, touching the deepest abyss inside.

Before she knew it, they had landed. Her eyes opened. Gazing at his smile, her heart stumbled with love. She watched, mesmerized, as his lips moved toward hers. The kiss was soft. Full of promise .

“This will be the last trip for Annalissa O’Brian,” he teased.

Gifting him with her glorious smile, she nodded. “I know. I was thinking about that myself. After next month, I’ll proudly be Annalissa Malloy.”

“Baby, I’ve got no problem with you keeping O’Brian as your name.”

“No way, Vinny. I’m proud to become Mrs. Malloy. And,” giving a little shrug, she continued, “I want the world to know. After all, it was you who helped me realize that I can teach, still perform, and sometimes even play at the occasional bar. I’ve got it all,” she laughed.

“Well, you’ve got me,” he said, as they made their way to the baggage claims to pick up Easnadh. Seeing the familiar case always made her heart pound. Vinny deftly opened the case and carefully inspected the instrument. Giving her a nod, he placed it on the cart along with their other luggage and they headed back home.

The next day found them at the Alvarez picnic. The women excitedly talked about the upcoming wedding plans while the men kept an eye on the children.

“Just wait until you have kids,” BJ exclaimed, his twin toddlers keeping him on his toes. Shane and Matt’s toddlers were moving around quickly enough and Ross was enlisted to help corral them. Gabe and Tony eyed them suspiciously, both of their wives pregnant.

Ross ran over to Vinny and excitedly told him that Annalissa had agreed to show him how to play the violin. “I saw her friend, Les, play in his band and I never realized how cool that could be,” he exclaimed.

Vinny gave him a fist-bump, knowing that Annalissa would love to teach him. “You’ll be great, buddy.”

Ross smiled and said, “I kinda worried about trying to play baseball and play the violin, but figured if other kids didn’t get it then I didn’t care.”

Vinny laughed as the others nodded. “You got that right. Nothing says you can’t have it all.” He looked over at his beautiful fiancé and thought, yeah. I’ve got it all.

Six Years Later

Vinny sat with his parents, Stewart O’Brian, Maurice Feinstein, Gabe and Jennifer in the audience, his nerves getting the best of him. Taking in a huge breath, he let it out slowly. Gabe glanced sideways at his twin and grinned. His mom leaned over and patted his leg, whispering, “It’ll be fine.”

The lights dimmed and the curtain rose. A visibly pregnant Annalissa walked out to applause and took her seat in the middle of the stage. Attired in one of her beautiful princess dresses, a lacey headband holding her long, dark hair as it fell in waves down her back, she pulled Easnadh onto her lap. She looked to the side of the stage and nodded. Vinny held his breath. He could not remember the last time he had been this nervous. Hell, I’ve never been this fuckin’ nervous.

Just then eight little girls and boys walked out onto the stage, their tiny violins tucked under their arms. The children ranged from four to eight years old, all adorable in their formal outfits. The boys in little suits and the girls in frilly dresses, formed a semi-circle around their teacher. The crowd held their breath when Annalissa nodded to the children and as she began to pluck the strings, the children lifted their child-sized violins and played along with her.

One little four-year-old girl held Vinny’s gaze. Her long dark hair was pulled back away from her face with a lacey headband that matched her mother’s. Her heart-shaped face was a study in musical bliss. With her eyes closed, the little girl swayed gently to the sounds of her violin, playing in perfect unison with the harp. The children played beautifully as the proud parents videoed the performance. Gabe was taking care of that, knowing that Vinny was unable to focus on anything other than the tiny performer and her mother.

The sounds of innocent music in a war zone once touched Vinny before it was ripped away. Now, at the sounds of innocent children creating the music, he knew he had been healed. As the final notes resonated over the rapt audience, he was the first to his feet, giving a standing ovation. His little girl’s eyes opened and she turned them to him, her smile infectious. Those green eyes, like her mother’s, pierced his heart as he finally let out his nervous breath. Allowing his gaze to slide back to Annalissa, he saw her stand and lead the children in their bows.

After the recital was over, they made their way over to the reception. Her tiny violin put away carefully, Christina ran straight into her father’s arms as soon as she saw him. He swept her up easily, planting a kiss on her chubby cheek. With his praises still ringing in her ears, she hurried over to her grandparents, gaining their approval of her performance as well.

“Ah, little Malyshka,” Maurice effused. “You and your mother were superb.”

Knowing his daughter was safe and basking in her earned glory, he made his way over to his wife, still accepting the thanks of the grateful parents. Wrapping one arm around her shoulders he pulled her in close as his other hand rested on her protruding stomach, feeling his son kick. “Babe, you were amazing, but you’re dead on your feet. Let’s get you and Christina home as soon as possible.”

She nodded, her green eyes smiling up at him. “She was wonderful, wasn’t she? They all were. Oh, Vinny, this feels so right to teach the little ones how to make such beautiful music.”

“Yeah, she was wonderful. Just like her mother. And seeing you up there with them? Oh, princess, you did make beautiful music together.”

Saying their goodbyes, he finally gathered Christina up in one arm, wrapping the other around Annalissa and they made their way out to the car. After fastening his daughter into her car seat and buckling his wife in, Vinny walked around toward the driver’s side. The night was cool and the sky filled with stars. He looked up for just a moment, letting the music of the night float back over him.

Closing his eyes for only a second, he thanked God for the music. Music that tames. Music that heals. Music that loves.

Ready for the next Alvarez Security Book?

Jobe