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Epilogue

Scarlett

Waking up, with the warmth of the late afternoon sun kissing my fair skin. Stretching, I feel the glorious ache of our love making session we had after a refreshing swim. I’ve been lounging on navy and white stripped pillows on a dark wood deck near the bow. The salty sea spray fills my nose as I take a deep breath. I could get used to this.

A quick glance over my shoulder reveals Cohen, standing at the wheel, looking like a sea god, in a white gauzy button down, with every single button undone and loose linen shorts riding low on his hips, revealing a perfectly sculpted V. He’s not overly muscular, but he’s lean and chiseled in all the right places. My mouth starts to water as I drink him in, from behind oversized sunnies.

“See something you like?” He calls out, above the sound of the waves lapping against the boat and the wind flapping in the sails.

“I do.” My eyes sweep down, lingering at the drawstring of his shorts as I suck my bottom lip in between my teeth, because I know it drives him wild.

“Keep looking at me like that and we will never make it to the inlet before sunset.” He threatens.

“Whatever you say, sexy pirate.” I blow him a kiss and let him be. For now.

Rolling back over and sitting up, my white crotchet cover up, tickles my skin as it slips off one shoulder. Reaching into my straw bag, I pull out the letter that Willow gave me at dinner last Sunday, at Everlend, the night before we Cohen and I left for our holiday. I’ve been meaning to read it when I had some time alone, this feels like the perfect time.

It was the first Sunday dinner since Piers and Drew found out that they were brothers, a few weeks before. Anna, the housekeeper kept crying and hugging everyone, I think she baked about six dozen scones. James even stopped by for some of Anna’s famous bread pudding. Baby steps.

But for the first time in a long time, it felt like old times, only better. Things are slowly getting better.

It wasn’t as awkward as it could have been, but Drew kept us all in stitches, as we sat around the table. James, Piers, Willow, Drew, Cohen, me and even Teddy was there. A family. Not by normal standards and certainly not a storybook family, but our family.

Holding the heavy linen envelope in my hand, I see that my name is scrawled across the front, in Wendy’s elegant script. Tears burn in the corners of my eyes. The gentle breeze flutter in my long hair that’s nearly white from being under the sun as I tear open the letter and hold it tightly as it futters in the wind.

Dearest Scarlett,

I fondly remember the day you came to us. You had the brightest indigo eyes with flecks of purple and the cutest little pixie haircut. I called you our little fairy. You were small for an eight-year-old, but you could definitely hold your own.

In fact, the boys were afraid of you at first. You had the spirit of a warrior and the grace of a dancer. That’s another reason you were my little fairy. Fierce and delicate.

I was worried how you might fit in because you tended to be a loner, but Piers and Teddy took you under their wing and you guys formed the most amazing bond, it was as if you had always been together. The lost boys, you called yourselves.

If you’re reading this letter that means I’m no longer with you and it breaks my heart to know that all the memories we have are in the past, and I won’t be there for your future. I will never see you fall in love, get married, or start a family of your own. Because those are the things that a mother looks forward to seeing her daughter do. You are like a daughter to me Scarlett. So, it pains me to say goodbye. The doctors say I don’t have much time, so I’m using what time I have left to put some things in order.

I know Willow was my niece and things changed with Piers when she came. But always know, I loved all of you at Everlend like you were my own. Please try to forgive her and understand that she was dealing with some things when she left. I hope someday you will see the sister you could have in each other.

Looking back on my life I can honestly say I have no regrets. I did everything I wanted to do, I was lucky to love and be loved by not one but two men as different as they were both a crucial part of my life. I was blessed with a houseful of wonderful children.

I know you have loved Piers since you were kids, but I truly believe that he and Willow are meant to be, just as it’s written in the stars for you to have someone who completes you. Someone who is your equal in every way.

A lover to hold you close, a fighter to protect you. One day someone will come along, if they haven’t already. He will be the one to hug you so tight that all your broken pieces will fit back together again, the half to your whole.

I’m already so proud of how far you’ve come, your business what you, Piers and Teddy have created with PAN Industries and the London Lost.

You’ve created such amazing lives and I wanted to wait until the time was right to give you a special gift.

I know you always loved having tea parties, when you were a little girl, but you didn’t want the boys to know… so it was our little secret. When you left you only had one of the cups, I’m so sorry how things worked out and that you had to leave so suddenly. But I’m grateful that you stayed in contact with me all these years, and I wanted you to know that the remainder of your tea set is at the estate, Anna has it for you.

Someday you’re going to realize your worth, I hope by now you already have. You have such light within you, don’t be afraid to let it shine. I’ve set aside a trust fund for you, I want you to find the joy that comes from giving back the way I did. The trust fund is yours so that you can spread your wings and make the world a better place. This will help with the London Lost expansion you’ve dreamed of.

The last thing I want to let you know, when your sister approached me all those years ago, she told me terrible things that were happening to her, things I won’t divulge because it’s not my story to tell, but it was very hard for her to leave you behind, so you have to know that it was for her own safety that she had to leave. My attorney has her name and her contact info. It took me a while to locate her, but it’s my final gift to you.

I love you very much Scarlett and I’m very proud that I got to be in your life. Remember to forgive and to live and love without limitations. Always keep each other close, family is everything!

Love, Wendy

Big fat tears fall on the paper as I read the words Wendy wrote for me. She always knows just what to say, even from the grave. It’s like she somehow was looking out for me and sent Cohen my way.