Extended Epilogue

A Few Years Later

The country estate was alive with laughter and music. The Audley family found it a comfort to stay there whenever they needed a break from the hustle and bustle of London.

Alexandra sat at the pianoforte while her daughter Emma perched beside her. The little girl’s tiny, dimpled fingers tapped tentatively on the keys. She somehow created a simple tune with her mother’s guidance.

“That’s it, my love,” Alexandra encouraged in a soft voice. “Try it again while listening to the rhythm. You will feel the music.”

Oliver leaned against the doorframe. In his arms was David, their youngest son. He watched his wife and daughter with a gentle smile.

“You are making her work hard at such a young age,” he teased, stepping into the room.

Alexandra glanced over her shoulder, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “If I don’t keep Emma busy, she’ll terrorize everybody else!”

“Mama!” Emma protested, pushing her lower lip out. “I don’t terrorize them. They love me!”

Oliver chuckled, leaning down to kiss the crown of her head. David blubbered happily as he did. “Of course not, my little angel. They do love you. Ellen says you can do no wrong.”

“Papa, can you play?” Emma asked, giving him that wide-eyed, innocent look. She knew that she often got her way whenever she did that.

Oliver feigned horror, clutching his chest. “Me? Play? Do you want me to scare all the birds and butterflies in the garden?”

Emma giggled. “Mama says you’re not very good. That you would rather listen.”

Alexandra laughed, her eyes meeting Oliver’s.

Oliver grinned. “Well, she’s not wrong.”

Later, as their children played in the garden, Alexandra and Oliver strolled hand in hand along the path, their eyes following their children with pure love. Ellen was close behind the little ones, ensuring that they were safe. The roses were in full bloom, their scent heavy in the warm air.

It was perfect.

“Do you ever think about how far we’ve come?” Alexandra asked wistfully.

“Every minute, my love,” Oliver replied, his tone serious. “I used to think marriage was merely a trap, and it didn’t help that we were not given a chance to court. We were thrown into this.”

She smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder. “I used to think love was a weakness. I thought of my mother’s love for my father, and how her music turned more desolate near the end. Now I know it’s our greatest strength.”

Oliver stopped walking and turned to face her. He pulled his hand back only so that he could cradle her face. His thumbs brushed against her cheeks, and she reveled in the roughness. The strength.

“I love you, Alexandra. I never thought it would be possible to love someone like I love you.”

“And I you, Oliver,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

Their kiss was punctuated by the laughter of their children, the trilling of birds, and the scent of roses in the air.

The End.