Epilogue I

Lev

S ix Months later…

We're cruising back from the hospital, the car seats in back cradling our new treasures—Emma and Laurel.

Fraternal twins, each with her own unique patchwork of features, both equally mesmerizing. I’m behind the wheel, but my focus keeps slipping from the road to the rearview mirror, where I can just catch glimpses of their peaceful, sleeping faces.

Dalia’s hand is warm in mine.

She chuckles and nudges me gently. “Lev, eyes on the road, please. They’ll still be the most beautiful girls in the world when we get home. But we still have to get them home . ”

“I can’t help it,” I admit with a laugh, my heart so full it feels like it could burst. “They’re just impossible not to look at.” And it’s the truth; they've already got me completely wrapped around their little fingers.

She agrees with a soft smile as she turns around to look at them.

As we pull up to our new place—a sprawling mansion in Lake Forest—the scene out front is a lively one. A mess of cars lines the driveway, signaling the eager family awaiting inside.

I park the car, excitement building. "Ready to introduce them to the clan?"

"Absolutely.”

Dalia and I carefully scoop up our sleeping beauties from the backseat. Each of us cradling a twin, we head to the front door where our entire family has gathered, buzzing with anticipation. The moment the door swings open, I’m greeted with eager faces about to erupt into cheers.

Quickly, I press a finger to my lips, and the room instantly quiets down, all eyes now gently admiring Emma and Laurel. Everyone takes their turn marveling at the twins, their coos soft and their touches lighter than air, careful not to wake them.

After a few moments, I lean in and whisper to the group, “We’re going to take the girls up to get some rest.” The group responds with silent nods and thumbs-up.

Dalia and I make our way to the nursery, a room we've decked out with all the cozy trimmings fit for our girls. We lay each twin down in her own crib, their peaceful faces the picture of serenity.

I flick on the baby monitors, making sure we don’t miss a peep.

“They’re home,” Dalia breathes out, her voice filled with emotion.

Pulling her close, I plant a soft kiss on her lips. “We’re all home now.”

After planting gentle kisses on the twins' chubby cheeks, Dalia and I head back downstairs where the house is buzzing with our closest and dearest. Elena, Yuri, and a fully recovered Vanya are chatting by the kitchen island. Luk and Maura are there too, with little Michael and Sasha bouncing around them. Even Alexei is here, blending into the family scene like he's always been a part of it.

I flip on some music and the drinks start flowing, the atmosphere light and filled with laughter. It feels good to have everyone together, celebrating not just the arrival of Emma and Laurel, but the unity of our family.

Gifts wrapped in soft pastels and ribbons are piled up on the side table—tiny outfits, cuddly toys, and all the newborn essentials a parent could wish for. Every so often, I pull out my phone to check the baby monitor app. I'm on high alert, ready to dash upstairs at the slightest whimper. But each time I look, there they are on the screen, sound asleep in their cribs, not a care in the world.

The amount of love in the room is overwhelming, everyone sharing stories and catching up, the joy of the occasion bringing us all closer. Despite the constant pull to check on the girls, I let myself relax, assured by their peaceful slumber, and focus on enjoying the night with our family. This, right here, is what it’s all about.

The party shifts out to the pool, with the BBQ sizzling and drinks in everyone's hands.

Vanya, cracking a grin, nudges me. "Hey Lev, look at you, man—classic suburban dad now, huh?"

I laugh, looking around at our assembled family and friends enjoying the serene backyard. "I guess you could say I'm getting the hang of this lifestyle. It's not too bad, you know?"

As we hover around the grill, talk inevitably turns to business.

"So, what's the latest with Vladimir's crew?" Luk asks, flipping a burger with practiced ease.

I take a sip of my beer. "It's all wrapped up. We've disbanded his operation. Those loyal to him had two choices: leave Chicago or join us. Most of them made the wise choice."

Alexei, who's been quietly listening, joins in. "Speaking of joining, my operations are officially merging with the Ivanovs. It's about making us all stronger, more unified."

The news brings nods of approval from around the grill. Yuri raises his beer. "To the Ivanovs. Stronger and more unstoppable than ever."

I clink my beer against his. "Unstoppable indeed. With all of us together, there's nothing we can't handle."

The future, for once, is looking as bright and promising as the afternoon sun glinting off the pool's tranquil waters.

As we're lounging by the pool, Dalia's phone pings with a notification. My immediate reaction is to check if it's something about the twins.

“That the baby monitor app?” I ask.

Dalia gives me a playful look. "It’s just Claude," she says, glancing at her phone. "He emailed to say he sold another one of my jewelry pieces. He’s got the cash ready whenever we want to pick it up."

"Good to hear he’s keeping his word," I reply. I’m satisfied to know that Claude's staying on the straight and narrow under our arrangement.

Elena, who's been listening in while sipping her drink, joins the conversation. "Dal, you should really think about getting back into making jewelry. Claude’s going to run out of your stock soon enough."

Maura, half-watching Michael and Sasha play near the edge of the pool, speaks up. "Yeah, your pieces are flying off the shelves. It’d be great to see what you come up with next."

Dalia nods. "You’re right. I think it’s about time I got back to the studio. Maybe kick off a new collection."

I lean back, taking in the relaxed atmosphere, the sounds of family and friends enjoying the evening's barbecue filling the air. Turning to Dalia, I smile and squeeze her hand gently.

"You know, there's no rush for you to decide what you want to do next," I say. "And you're definitely not obliged to come back as my PA. Then again, I'd be crazy to think you'd stay inside all day.”

She laughs, that familiar sparkle in her eye. "You know me too well," she says. "But I might as well enjoy the maternity leave while I can."

We sit there, comfortable and content, watching everyone enjoy the food, the drinks, and each other's company. It's moments like these that remind me of what's truly important.

Suddenly, both our phones chime. It’s the baby monitor app, letting us know that Emma and Laurel are awake. We look at each other, the parental instinct kicking in immediately.

"Guess it's time to see what our little angels need," I say as I stand up, ready to head inside. “Let’s go, Mom.”

Dalia nods, her face lighting up at the mention of our daughters. "Let’s do it, Dad.”

Together, we head back into the house, love all around us.