Epilogue

EPILOGUE

ZARA

Seven months later

“They’re finally asleep.” I sigh, collapsing onto the couch.

“For now.” Dimitri chuckles, and I shoot him a glare.

He’s busy in the kitchen, washing bottles, and the sight makes my heart swell. He’s taken to fatherhood so well. Granted we’ve only been home for forty-eight hours, but he hasn’t complained once.

I, on the other hand, am exhausted and have been a blubbering mess, but I have a good excuse seeing as I just pushed two babies out of my body a little over a week ago. If I’ve not been crying from a lack of sleep, it’s from happiness at the sight of the twins snuggled up together in the bassinet beside me.

My heart is fit to bursting.

“Are you sure you’re ready for visitors?” He comes over to sit beside me.

He lifts his arm, and I snuggle into his side, letting my eyes flutter closed for a moment.

“I don’t think we have a choice. Bianca has been blowing up my phone all day asking for photos, and so has my sister.”

“Zara, it’s okay if you want some more time just the four of us.”

The four of us .

There was a time where I thought that would never happen.

As if he can sense the thought, Dimitri tightens his arm around me and presses a kiss to my forehead.

“We’re all safe, sladkaya .”

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“I want Sasha and Benedikt to meet everyone.”

I know Dimitri is desperate to introduce his brothers to the newest additions to the Koslov family. We were planning on having everyone come to the hospital, but the labor progressed so quickly that by the time Dimitri got me there, I was ready to push.

I barely had a chance to get my head around the fact that the babies were coming before I was holding them in my arms for a second before they were off to the incubator for a few days.

Dimitri, sensing how overwhelmed I was, decided to invite our family over to the penthouse only once I had been discharged to meet the twins, giving me more time to focus on my babies and us a little more time to adjust to life as a family of four.

He’s been incredible, and I couldn’t have wished for a better husband or father to my children.

Barely an hour later, the living area of the penthouse is filled with chatter as Dimitri’s brothers arrive, as well as Bianca, Leo, and my parents and sister.

Bianca immediately goes into hostess mode, sorting out drinks for everyone and getting Leo sorted with some toys and snacks, allowing me to just sit on the couch and enjoy being spoiled by my family.

Everyone is completely enamored with the twins. Even Mikhail manages a smile as I introduce him to his new niece and nephew. Though it’s not long before the babies start squawking.

Leo immediately runs over to the bassinet, reaching up to try and peak inside.

“Careful, Leo!” Bianca calls out, but I quickly get to my feet and reach for the toddler.

“What do you think, Leo?” I pick up my nephew so he can get a look at the babies.

He points his chubby finger at his cousins, and I laugh as he blinks when Sasha lets out a cry.

“I think she’s hungry,” I explain to him.

“Bottew!” He looks at me with his big blue eyes, and I chuckle.

“That’s right, Leo. They’re going to have some bottled milk.”

Leo squirms in my arms, wanting to get down to go and play with the basket of toy trucks and building blocks that I keep on hand for when he visits. Though I suppose before long Sasha and Benedikt will be the ones playing with them.

The thought makes my eyes sting.

“I can’t believe he used to be that small.” Bianca sighs, coming over to stand next to me, her hand over her heart as she gazes adoringly down at the twins. “It’s going by too fast.”

“You’re welcome to come and snuggle these two any time,” I offer.

“Oh, trust me, I will.” She laughs. “It makes me want another one.”

I bend down to pick Benedikt up out of the bassinet. His little fist punches the air as he screws his face up.

“This little guy is hungry.” I chuckle. “Who wants to feed him?”

Emily holds her arms out to take Benedikt. “Oh, I will. Come and have some cuddles with Auntie Emily.”

I grin at my sister as she cradles Benedikt in her arms. I help her get settled on the couch beside my mom and hand her a bottle and burp cloth before going back to the bassinet to fetch Sasha.

“Do you want to feed her?” I ask Danil, who’s hovering nearby.

“Sure, why not.” He shrugs. “How hard can it be?”

Mikhail laughs as Dimitri walks past him with the bottle for Sasha. “If Dimitri can do it, then not at all,”

“Watch it,” my husband warns, smacking Mikhail around the back of the head.

“Ow! What the fuck was that for?”

Alexei frowns. “No cursing in front of Leo.”

Mikhail scoffs. “He’ll learn it eventually with you as his father.”

“Remind me why we didn’t leave you at home?” Alexei grumbles.

I catch Dimitri’s eye, and we both grin. I love the fact that my children are going to grow up with such a large family who loves them so much.

We might not be perfect, but there’s no doubt that we all have each other’s backs.

I never thought I’d say it, but I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better extended family than the Koslov brothers.

I pick Sasha up out of the bassinet and hand her over to Danil, who cradles her with confidence .

“Be careful, she tends to spit up quite a lot.” I hand him the bottle.

“And I’m out.” Danil hands the baby off to Dimitri who appears beside us.

“Amateur.” Dimitri chuckles, shaking his head at his youngest brother. “Put off by a little baby vomit.”

“Yep, and I’m not afraid to admit it.”

“You can change their diapers instead.” I pat Danil on the shoulder, and he shoots me a look of disgust which only makes me laugh more.

“Let me,” my father offers.

Dimitri carefully hands Sasha over to him, and my eyes start watering as I take in the sight of my burly father delicately holding his granddaughter.

“Sorry, I can’t stop crying.” I wipe my eyes.

Dimitri places an arm around my waist and pulls me against him.

I sniffle. “I’m just so happy.”

“Twins are a blessing. Now you have two more heirs to the family business,” he mutters under his breath.

I frown at my father, but he’s only looking at Dimitri.

Family business? What is my father talking about?

“Dad—”

“I trust you’ll do what’s right by my grandbabies.” He has a knowing look in his eye as he stares Dimitri down.

“Yes, sir. My family is my number one priority.”

“I will hold you to that, Koslov.” He turns and takes Sasha over to the couch, sitting down beside my mom.

“Does he know?” I breathe, clutching Dimitri’s arm as I watch my mother carefully take Sasha from my father.

“I have no doubt that he did some digging into my family the moment we announced our engagement.”

“He can’t have. There’s no way my father would have let me walk down the aisle if he knew the truth about your family.”

“There’s one thing that might have made him come around…”

“What?”

“The fact that he could see how fucking in love I was with his daughter that he was willing to look past it.”

“But you weren’t.” I frown. “Not then…”

I glance up at Dimitri, and a faint blush stains his cheeks as he gazes down at me with nothing but love in his eyes.

“I’ve loved you since the moment I first laid eyes on you, Zara Koslov.” He cups my face in his hands. “And I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”

“Dimitri Koslov… You big softy.” My eyes start to water once more.

He leans down and kisses me. “Only for you, sladkaya . My sweet. ”

Get ready for Mikhai and Lucia’s story in "Sinful Wrath," coming soon!

In the meantime, I think you will love Vengeful Vows . Read on for a preview…