Epilogue

EPILOGUE

" I t's a miracle you were able to find her and bring her home. We've all been deeply worried," Uncle Brendan said, his voice filled with love and tenderness.

Jonathan looked at Ciara, his expression filled with affection and gratitude. "It was the most important thing I've ever done. I would have traveled to the ends of the earth to bring her back."

Several weeks after he'd brought Ciara back home, the garden of Silverbrook Manor had welcomed guests.

At a charmingly set table, Jonathan and Ciara were enjoying lemonade, their spirits buoyed by the serene surroundings. The Kirdales and Ciara's uncle were seated around them.

As Jonathan sipped his lemonade, he looked over at Ciara, who was seated beside him, her hand resting comfortably in his. Her eyes were bright with relief and happiness, the storm's shadows now a distant memory.

Ciara realized she could never express her gratitude for what he had done. The only thing she could do was love him with every breath of her body and show him her love in every way possible.

"And what about Mother Superior?" Archie asked a question that had clearly been on his mind.

"When the storm subsided and the constables were finally able to search for any remaining traces, we found the bodies of Mother Superior and the coachman on the side of the road. It seems they were thrown from the coach when it hit that large branch. The storm and the accident… they had no chance."

A hush fell over the group as they absorbed the gravity of Jonathan's words. The garden's serene beauty seemed to contrast sharply with the dark turn of the conversation.

Rebecca had not spoken yet, but she rounded the conversation with her own comment. "It seems a fitting end for a woman so cruel. What she did was unforgivable, and perhaps the storm's fury was her final reckoning."

Her husband nodded in agreement, his face reflecting a mixture of relief and resignation. "It is a harsh end, but justice has a way of finding its own path. The suffering she inflicted on others cannot be forgotten, but it seems that fate has dealt with her in its own way."

Ciara, her gaze distant, seemed to be wrestling with her emotions. She glanced at Jonathan, finding comfort in his presence. "It's difficult to reconcile such a fate with the lessons we're taught about justice and mercy. But perhaps it's a reminder of the consequences of cruelty."

Jonathan smiled at her. "What matters is that we're together and safe now. We can't change the past, but we can focus on the future."

However, that was not the end of Archie's questions. "And what of your parents, Ciara?" His wife gave him a frowning look, but Archie only shrugged. "What? They are to blame for this as much as Mother Superior is."

"Archie!" Rebecca shook his head at him. "I swear, sometimes you are just like a child."

Ciara smiled. "It's perfectly all right, Rebecca. It is a perfectly natural question. But I think Uncle Brendan can provide a better response to it than I can, seeing that he went to see them with Jonathan. I just… couldn't."

All eyes were on Uncle Brendan, who took a sip of his lemonade and then recounted what had happened.

"Jonathan and I visited their home to inform them of what happened to Ciara and to Mother Superior. We also told them that we would be in search of justice as we seek to resolve the situation. They were, understandably, quite distressed. After some… heated exchanges, and a few well-placed blows from Jonathan, Lord Hartfield and his wife pleaded to be granted permission to leave the country and never come back. We eventually agreed. Better yet, I left it to Jonathan to decide upon. I do believe that they have already left, and it will be as if they were never here in the first place."

A murmur of approval and sympathy ran through the group. Rebecca glanced at Ciara, who sighed deeply, her gaze distant and reflective. So many things had taken place. Her hopes had been dashed so many times against the rocky shores of reality, but she was wiser now. She knew who her real family was, and she was fine with that.

"I'm glad to hear that," Rebecca said softly, her eyes meeting Ciara's with sympathy flickering in them. "You deserve peace, and they should not be part of your life any longer."

Jonathan, sensing the weight of the moment, wrapped his arm around Ciara and pulled her close. His touch was both reassuring and protective.

"Yes," he affirmed, his voice firm yet gentle. "You don't need to see them ever again. We're here now, and that's what matters."

As if to emphasize his support, Jonathan leaned in and placed a tender kiss on Ciara's forehead. Ciara closed her eyes for a moment, drawing strength from his presence.

Allowing them a moment of tenderness, Rebecca turned to Jonathan and Ciara with a curious smile once more.

"What are your plans now that everything has settled? What will you two do next?"

Jonathan's face lit up with a smile, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "I am very glad you asked that, Becky."

Reaching into his pocket, he produced a neatly folded document and extended it towards Ciara. "I have something for you," he said softly, his tone filled with anticipation.

"What is this?" she asked, her fingers trembling.

"Read it," he said joyfully.

Ciara took the document, her brow furrowing in confusion as she unfolded it. As she read, her eyes widened in astonishment. She couldn't believe it. She thought it was all some beautiful dream, and she would wake up at any moment.

"What is it, dear?" Rebecca asked what was obviously on everyone's mind.

Ciara looked up at her, her cheeks flushing with joy, her heart skipping a beat with delight.

"It is a contract," she said, her voice on the verge of breaking. "It confirms the purchase of a piece of land…"

She looked over at Uncle Brendan, and she was absolutely certain that he knew what she was about to say. She could see it in his eyes.

"The land where my grandmother grew up…" She tried to hold back her tears, but that was more difficult than she thought.

Her heart raced as she looked up at Jonathan, her emotions welling up. "Am I dreaming?" she asked, incredulous.

"No, my dear. It is not a dream. It is your reality. Together, we'll build a home there," he said gently. "A place where you can feel connected to your grandmother and to your roots. And whenever you desire, we can visit that place of wonder and stay there for as long as you'd like."

The significance of the gesture overwhelmed Ciara. This man had already done so much for her. He had proven his love for her in so many ways, yet he always managed to outdo himself. Tears of joy filled her eyes as she set the document aside and threw her arms around Jonathan.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "This means everything to me."

Jonathan held her close, his own emotions stirred by her heartfelt response. "I'm glad," he murmured. "I love you, Ciara. I want us to have a place where you feel at home."

"You are my home, Jonathan," she gushed, her heart swelling to the brim.

As they embraced, Jonathan's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.

Drawing back slightly, he looked into Ciara's eyes and with a playful grin, said, " Taim i' ngra leat ."

She knew those words immediately. She had not heard them too many times in her life, but she did hear them when she needed them the most as was the case now.

"What does it mean?" Rebecca asked curiously.

"Unless it is something too private," Archie teased.

Ciara chuckled. "It means I love you in Irish."

Uncle Brendan, who had been observing with interest, couldn't help but chuckle. "Ah, Jonathan, that's a charming sentiment, but your pronunciation needs a bit of work!"

Ciara's eyes flashed with mock severity as she turned her glare towards her uncle. "Uncle Brendan, that's not very nice of you! It's the thought that counts," she said, her tone half exasperated and half amused.

Jonathan, taking the teasing in his stride, laughed softly. "Perhaps I need a lesson or two from you, my dear," he said, making her blush. "But I meant every word of it."

With a tender smile, she looked up at Jonathan and responded in Irish, her voice filled with affection.

" Taim i' ngra leat freisin ," she said, responding to his expression of love.

Jonathan's smile broadened, but his curiosity was piqued when Ciara continued speaking in Irish. The words were a soft murmur, and while he recognized the emotional weight of her tone, he didn't fully grasp their meaning. He simply listened to the melodious sound of her voice, lulling him into a sensation of love and serenity.

Uncle Brendan's eyes widened in surprise, and he glanced between Jonathan and Ciara with a look of incredulity. Jonathan noticed it immediately, his own inquisitiveness rising with each passing moment. Seeing the confusion on the Duke's face, Uncle Brendan couldn't hold back any longer.

With a mix of amazement and excitement, he cleared his throat. "Jonathan, perhaps you would like to know—Ciara just told you she's with child."

Jonathan's eyes widened in shock and delight as he turned to Ciara, his mouth slightly agape. The gravity of her words sank in, and a profound wave of joy and astonishment washed over him.

Ciara's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and happiness. She looked up at Jonathan, her eyes sparkling with love.

"I wanted to tell you in a special way," she said softly.

The world seemed to stand still as he looked at Ciara. Without a second thought, he swept Ciara up into his arms, lifting her effortlessly. He twirled her around in a jubilant spin, his laughter mingling with her delighted squeals.

"Jonathan!" Ciara exclaimed between laughs, her tone tinged with a hint of amusement. "This isn't helping my nausea, you know!"

He gently set her back on her feet, his face still radiating the joy of the moment. His eyes were filled with affection and wonder as he looked at her.

"Are you sure?" he asked softly, his voice a blend of curiosity and concern.

"Yes, my love," she gushed softly.

Tears of joy filled his eyes as he pulled Ciara into another embrace, holding her close.

"Are you… happy?" she asked with a slight tremor in her voice. He knew why she would ask that. He remembered their last conversation about children well. Her fear was justified. But at the same time, he was not the man he was before.

"Yes, my love. This is the most wonderful news," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so incredibly happy. I promise we'll create the best life we can for our little one."

Uncle Brendan, still looking both surprised and delighted, added with a warm smile, "Congratulations to both of you. This is truly wonderful news."

With a look of joy and satisfaction, Rebecca raised her glass in a toast. "To the future and the new addition to your family. May it be filled with love and happiness."

Everyone did the same as Jonathan and Ciara gazed at each other lovingly. The joyful celebrations had filled the air with a warm and festive atmosphere, but now, Jonathan's heart was set on a more intimate moment with Ciara.

With a kind yet firm expression, Jonathan addressed their guests. "Dear guests, we love you all, but I'd like to ask you to leave us. Ciara and I would appreciate some time alone to absorb the news and uhm… enjoy each other's company."

Ciara turned to Jonathan, a playful scowl on her face. "Jonathan, must you be so forward? Our friends and family are here to celebrate with us."

Jonathan gave her a mischievous smile. "What's so wrong with wanting to spend some time with my lovely wife?"

Before Ciara could respond further, Archie stood up with a knowing smile. "I understand completely," he said warmly. "I know the feeling of wanting to have your wife all to yourself."

And upon those words, he walked over to Rebecca, picking her up into his arms and taking her away. "Goodbye, everyone!" Archie said through his wife's giggles.

"Goodbye!" Rebecca waved at them, her face lit up with love for her husband.

As soon as they left, Uncle Brendan got up as well. "It would seem I am the last one to leave."

"Come to see us soon," Jonathan smiled, patting the man on the shoulder as they exchanged their goodbyes.

As the garden began to clear, Jonathan and Ciara were left alone in the tranquil, softly illuminated space. The sounds of departing footsteps and the closing of the manor's doors marked the end of the evening's festivities, leaving Jonathan and Ciara in their own private haven.

"You know," he said playfully, turning to her, "Archie had a grand idea."

"Which one?" Ciara asked, but before she received her answer, Jonathan scooped her into his arms.

She giggled in response. It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. "Where are you taking me?" she asked, looking at him with a mixture of amusement and affection.

"Where you belong," he grinned. "To my bed."

But they didn't reach the bed.

They stumbled into his bedchamber where he pinned her against the wall with her locking her legs around his waist. His heart pounded like mad. His manhood throbbed. His body trembled. His insides were on fire. As he fumbled with the hem of her gown, he stared at her.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered as her bright eyes burned with desire and profound love unlike anything he had ever seen before.

He pulled down her gown, exposing her nipples, dragging his hungry lips over them as she moaned. His other hand fumbled with his trousers, freeing his manhood from the constraint. He pressed against her wet heat.

Her breaths were already short, ragged. She was clutching at him desperately, greedily. His hot mouth surrounded one nipple, sucking on it, licking it, teasing it. He was strong and hard for her.

He had to have her now. He couldn't wait a single moment.

"I need you," he heard her say. "Inside of me, Jonathan…"

"Ciara, my love…" he groaned. "You don't know what it does to me when you speak like that…"

He slid inside of her fully, completely. She felt so good, wet and hot. Everything about her was pure perfection. There was no denying that he was hers in every way a man could belong to a woman, and in turn, she was his. The thought drove him even more insane with desire.

Gripping her behind with both his hands, he slammed into her, thrusting deeper and harder every time.

She was so close already, trembling, clutching at him. She was drenched, and the hot clench of her muscles around his manhood made him finish inside of her moments later, as he pulsed with raw need. She finished at the same time, clenching around him, keeping him inside of her.

Their foreheads touched as they were both still breathing heavily.

"I love you, my beautiful siren…" he murmured against her lips.

"I love you, too…" she whispered back, closing her eyes, and he knew that she was imagining their life together, a dream that they were building.

The End?