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I didn’t need to escape, run, or hide anymore. Someone was home. I was home.

EPILOGUE 1

Nirah

Five years later

“Daddy’s home!” Arabella, our five year old, screamed and I whipped around to find Antonio standing in the doorway.

She sprinted into his arms and he crouched down, embracing her.

“Daddy!” I heard Athena, Arabella’s twin, shriek as she ran out of the bathroom and into his arms as well.

“How are my favourite girls?” He smiled, kissing their cheeks.

Kingsley, our teacup sized poodle, barked excitedly, running up to him as well. “And my favorite little guy.”

He glanced at me and I narrowed my eyes at him, nodding slowly.

Kingsley sat, staring up at him with his tongue hanging out of his mouth in excitement.

Antonio made his way toward me and kissed my cheek, as well as Ilaria’s, our two year old who was sitting on my hip.

“Mommy made us waffles for breakfast and added ice cream and syrup and berries and strawberries and chocolate.” Arabella blurted out, catching her breath.

“Yeah—then she played music and we danced around the house until we all fell to the floor.” Athena quickly added.

“And she also took us on a huge boat!” Arabella emphasised, overly excited as she stretched her arms into the air. “And she also taught me how to braid Athena’s hair! Look!” she pointed at her sister who all too willingly, whipped her head to the side as she revealed her long braid down her back.

They continued ranting about their day and what a cool mom I was, which was true, if I do say so myself.

After a little while they hopped off his arm and rushed to their bedroom to show him how good of an artist they both were.

“Mines better, right!” Athena jumped up and down, holding her painting in the air.

“That’s not fair because I don’t really care about painting.” Arabella pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. “I wanna be a dancer!” she clapped her hands together. “Like mommy.” She pointed at me and I froze.

Antonio looked over at me and I cleared my throat, casually looking around.

“Oh, God no.” He breathlessly said and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Their mother used to be a ballet dancer in middle school and now so does she,” I slowly said, using my eyes to explain that she doesn’t mean being a stripper.

“As long as you’re wearing pants.” He looked down at her and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Of course I’d be wearing pants.” Arabella frowned. She leaned over to me and whispered, “I think Daddy has gotten too many hits to the head.” She pointed her thumb at him.

“I said the same thing.” I smiled, giving her a high-five.

Arabella, since the day she was born, had always been more like me, whereas Athena was more like him. Although they were identical twins, their personalities differed widely.

“We should paint our little brother too!” Arabella gasped.

“Let’s go!” Athena gasped too before they rushed out of the room holding hands.

“I didn’t know we were expecting a boy…” Antonio slowly trailed off as he walked up to me, hugging me from behind. He kissed my neck and Ilaria tapped his shoulder, wanting attention as well.

He took her from me, giving her multiple kisses all over her face and she laughed, grabbing his face in her small hands.