Extended Epilogue

Four Years Later

Juliet lifted her teacup to her lips, sighing before taking a sip and studying the contents of the book in her hands.

She’d received St. Catherine’s financial records a few days ago and was trying to study them as quickly as possible because she knew she would only have a short time before she was distracted from making a verdict.

The house was relatively silent for a Saturday morning, but Juliet did not complain.

She was glad she had chosen to work in the sunroom, thankful for the warm calmness the room provided before she needed to face the rest of her life and responsibilities.

Juliet managed to make it halfway through the ledger when the door creaked, and a head of fair hair poked through the gap. She smiled and lowered the book, waiting for her guest to approach her.

It didn’t take long before the intruder waddled forwards once she had spotted Juliet.

“Mama!”

Juliet giggled, holding her arms out to embrace her daughter.

“Lily! What are you doing here by yourself?” she cooed, lifting the girl into her lap.

“Looking for mama. Papa is still asleep. With Robert. I want cookies.”

Juliet smiled down at the child.

“Cookie? But you have not yet had breakfast.”

“Mama, cookie? Please?”

Juliet sighed and stood with her child in her arms.

“Let us go and see your father and brother first, and then we shall discuss this unexpected request for cookies.”

Lily nodded, and Juliet left the sunroom.

Hector had been feeling a little overwhelmed by his work, so he had suggested they leave their home to visit one of his vacation houses to relax.

He had played a lot with the children the day before and wanted to turn in early, but the children had begged to spend the night with them. They’d passed the night huddled closely together.

When Juliet left the bed, the others were still heavily asleep, and she decided it would be best to let them rest as much as they needed.

As they returned to the bedroom, Juliet asked her daughter if she was happy with their vacation.

“Um-hmm!” Lily nodded happily. “I like seeing papa more! He lifted me way up yesterday, so I could get the apple!”

There was an apple tree in the front yard, and Hector had held the children up to the tree to get some of the ripe fruits. The whole affair had lasted an hour and was filled with happy laughter from the children.

“I am sure he enjoyed it just as much as you did, starlight,” Juliet beamed at her daughter.

Hector had genuinely looked as though he would’ve been willing to do that same task for hours, simply hold them up and encourage them, even if they dropped a few apples on his head.

When Juliet arrived at the bedroom, she walked in quietly, not wanting to disturb her husband or child in case they were still asleep.

To her surprise, an adorable sight was waiting for.

Hector was asleep, but Robert was wide awake and was using his tiny hands to softly stroke his father’s cheeks. For some reason, he was content with his task until he saw his mother and sister.

“Mama!” Robert squealed, waking Hector up in the process.

“Hm? What?” Hector grumbled, sighing as he sat up, his arms still carefully holding onto his son.

“Good morning, my love,” Juliet giggled.

Hector’s eyes softened, and he smiled at Juliet.

“Good morning, darling.”

Juliet could hardly believe that this was her life. She could still vividly recall some painful moments of her past, and she had never imagined that she’d have such a beautiful and bright future.

But then, help had come from an unexpected source and had given her more out of life than she could have ever dreamed of.

And she wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.

“Did you sleep well? You seemed really tired,” she voiced concern, lowering Lily to the bed to greet her father.

The girl quickly settled on top of him, nuzzling into his chest.

“Good morning, Papa. Might I have a cookie?” Lily asked.

“Good morning, sunshine.” Hector dropped a kiss on her head before looking up at Juliet. “A cookie?”

Juliet shrugged, sitting down at the foot of the bed. “I am also at a loss, but I am sure we can ask the cook to make a fresh batch for our picnic later.”

Hector nodded and gently said to Lily, “We will give you cookies later, all right?”

Lily paused thoughtfully in a way that Juliet felt resembled Hector before she nodded seriously, sending her curls flying everywhere.

“Are you promising?”

“I am. And you know what we say about promises,” Hector prompted.

“Promises are a debt that must be paid in full,” the girl recited happily. “So, you owe me cookies!”

“That I do. Worry not; I keep all my promises.”

He winked at Juliet as he said that, and once again, she felt thankful for everything she had.

Hector had promised to be better and do everything he could to improve their lives, and he had kept that promise.

And now, with their children, Juliet felt her heart overflow with love whenever she looked at the three of them.

Although Lily looked like her mother, she had her father’s mannerisms and quirks, along with his stubborn nature, and could be a little tyrant when she set her mind to it.

Robert had Hector’s dark hair but Juliet’s eyes and seemed a well-balanced mix of their characters. He was mostly a quiet child, but his fits of anger could at times be overwhelming.

Juliet loved them with every bit of her heart.

“And how are you, Duchess? Light of my life. Mother of my children. The keeper of my heart,” Hector grinned, looking proud when she glanced away, flustered.

“I am all right. Very much so,” she assured him gently.

She wanted to say more.

She wanted to tell him how happy and content she felt at that moment. She wanted to thank him for choosing her, for keeping his promise to his sister and still marrying her despite her complaints, and for loving her as he had learned to love himself.

She wanted him to know how much she loved him and the life they had built together and how deeply she intended to cherish it all for the rest of their days.

Juliet did not speak, but Hector heard her.

“That’s good,” he smiled at her, letting Robert hold his hand and pull at his fingers while he spoke to Juliet. “I am really glad. I love you. And I will love you every day moving forward from this one.”

Juliet nodded, feeling safe, sound and whole, her eyes glistening with unshed tears of joy.

“I love you too, Hector. From now until the end of our days.”

The End.