Page 97 of Gabriela and His Grace

Gabby swung her gaze to the cricket pitch, where David demonstrated an overhand bowl while James explained the mechanics to Gabriel, Daniel, and Benjamin, Ana María and Gideon’s son. “September. Sebastian is thrilled he has so much time to spend with them. They’re accompanying us when we travel to San Luis Potosí next month.”

“Daniel and Gabe will be elated.” A small smile curled Isabel’s lips as she watched her sons. “The twins are surrounded by extended family in Mexico, but it’s different…it’s special when they get to spend time with their cousins.”

Exhaling a shaking breath, Gabby nodded. James and David had been integrated seamlessly into the family, and Gabby struggled to remember what life was like before they had become a part of her happily ever after. Although Sofia kept her busy, Whitfield Manor had been quiet since David left to join James at Eton for the summer term. Sofia had missed them terribly…and so had Sebastian.

Ana María released a long breath. “I wish we could travel with you, but we won’t be able to leave London until after Gideon’s committee meeting. They’re so close to pushing through a viable Ballot Act, and Gideon is worried the vote will fall through if he’s not there to advocate for it.”

“Well, of course he needs to be there,” Gabby exclaimed. “If anyone can get the legislation before Parliament, it’s Gideon. Sebastian has said numerous times that when Gideon is ready to stand for prime minister, he will be his most vocal supporter.”

True to his word, Sebastian had eased into politics, using his influential position to argue for a multitude of reforms. On more than one occasion, Sebastian had lamented the frustrating dance required to advance any meaningful legislation, and he marveled at Gideon’s ability to do so, especially considering how he’d earned his political power from pure tenacity.

“Don’t worry, Ana, we will be eagerly awaiting your arrival,” Isabel said, patting the back of Ana María’s hand. “And then we can travel together to Mexico City to visit Father.”

The trip would be the first time the sisters had been in Mexico together since they fled following the Second Battle of Puebla. Ana María, Gabby, and their respective families had visited Isabel in San Luis Potosí, but never at the same time. After their father’s stroke, the sisters agreed that they would visit Elías for what would probably be the last time, before they introduced their children to the city they spent their childhoods in. It would be a difficult trip to take, but Gabby was thankful her sisters and Sebastian would be there to do it with her.

“Do you ever wonder what your life would be like now if Puebla didn’t fall?” Isabel asked suddenly, turning in her chair to face her and Ana María. “Would the person you are in the depths of your heart be who you are today?”

Gabby blinked. She’d been so young when they’d fled Mexico City in the middle of the night. Young, scared, and angry. But in the many years since, Gabby had encountered ideas and met people who challenged her and taught her, and shaped the Gabriela she was now. Her father would never have allowed her such freedom had her life in Mexico continued on uninterrupted.

She looked to the pitch again, where Sebastian helped Sofia hit the cricket ball and then scooped her up and dashed with her to the first wicket while her tíos and cousins scrambled to field the ball. Her husband’s and daughter’s combined laughter brought a grin to her face, and Gabby sat back, rubbing at her gently swollen belly where the newest member of the family was just beginning to make its presence known.

“I don’t want to think about what life would be like, because my life is perfect now. I know where I belong, and it’s with Sebastian…and the two of you.”

Her older sisters exchanged watery smiles, and then the three of them clasped hands as they watched their perfect lives play in the grass before them.