Is his.
I close the door gently and circle to the other side.
Dinner awaits.
And for once, the only battle I’m fighting tonight is over who gets the last bite.
EPILOGUE
Elias
Snow always makes me sentimental.
It drifts past the tall windows of the Romano estate in slow, deliberate spirals, coating the courtyard in white and softening the sharp edges of the world outside. I stand there for a moment with my tea in hand, watching it gather along the stone railing, thinking about the first time I arrived here.
I was nineteen. Angry. Wrapped in a red silk bow like a joke.
Now I’m barefoot in the den, wearing one of Lucian’s sweaters as Mara and Riley’s daughter toddles toward me.
“Lias,” Hannah babbles, wobbling toward me across the living room rug with determined little steps.
“That’s right,” I tell her solemnly. “Your favorite.”
Riley snorts from the couch. “That’s bold.”
Hannah promptly trips over her own foot and falls forward into my legs.
I scoop her up before she can protest, settling her on my hip. She smells like baby shampoo and whatever snack Mara gave her ten minutes ago.
“You’re getting heavy,” I tell her.
She responds by smacking my cheek enthusiastically.
“Assault!” I gasp.
Riley stands and crosses the room, holding his hands out. “Come here, tiny tyrant.”
Hannah twists toward her father immediately. An obvious betrayal.
I pass her over and Riley presses a loud kiss to her temple before she grabs his nose with both hands.
“See?” he says smugly. “Ranked above you.”
“You’re just taller,” I mutter.
Riley laughs and then leans in to kiss my cheek as he passes by me toward the kitchen.
“Gross,” I reply automatically, even though I smile.
Mara is already in the kitchen, one hand braced against the counter as she adjusts a tray of porcelain cups. Six months pregnant and glowing in that effortless way that makes me suspicious.
She looks up as we enter.
Hannah reaches for her mother, but Mara waves her off gently. “No lifting for me. Your father’s on duty.”
Riley rolls his eyes but adjusts his grip, balancing Hannah easily on one arm.
“Did you sleep at all?” I ask Mara.
