Epilogue

J illian stroked the soft blond fuzz on top of her newborn son's head. She pressed her lips gently to his brow, inhaling the sweet scent of him. Exhausted, she slumped back against the pillow, and let her eyes drift closed.

"You gave your mother a hard time, son," Garrick whispered to the babe resting sleepily in his wife's arms. "'Tis not to say the birthing was any easier on you." At his words, the wee one scrunched up his face and let out a loud wail.

"There, now sweet babe, mother's here," Jillian soothed while helping him find her swollen breast. He rooted around until he found that which he instinctively sought. Latching on with a vengeance, he suckled loudly.

"Our son takes after his father," she laughed softly.

"Aye, he knows where to find comfort, where to find love."

Their eyes met, filled with an outpouring of love flowing from deep within them both. Their hearts were whole. The icy bleakness surrounding their souls melted in the warmth of that love.

"Dearest Jillian, I shall love you more than yesterday, but less than tomorrow."

"Always, my love," she whispered.

Wrapping his arms around his new family, Garrick opened his heart to the promise of a lifetime of love.

Jillian raised her lips to his and willingly accepted the loving challenge.