Chapter 305 - Epilogue

Delaney sat outside on a blanket on a cool fall day.  She smiled as she looked over at her husband, standing with Miles, Duncan, and Bernard, laughing heartily about something one of them had said.

It had been an exhausting week preparing Edgewood for a royal visit but now Daniel and Sophia were there with their beautiful little twins so she was taking a moment to relax.  Delaney still couldn't believe their luck at having both a little prince and princess.

Cora sat with Selina on another blanket not far away.  Cora had been letting her new little son play with Selina's daughter Samara.  Now Delaney and Vincent had a sneaking suspicion that a marriage contract would soon be announced between them.

In the garden, baby Benjamin walked around examining the plants, looking more and more like Olive every day.  Constance stood back watching him with a proud smile on her face.  Now officially his step-mother, it was obvious there was nothing in the world she loved more than that little boy.

"My Lady would you like something to drink?"

"No thank you, Ava we're fine," Delaney smiled at her young lady's maid.

Ms. Bird had waited long enough for her mistress to give birth before announcing she and Win were going to be married.  The old man had been visiting Edgewood so often no one was surprised to learn the two had fallen for each other.

Delaney had brought Ava and her family from Honeywell to live at Edgewood and Ms. Bird had insisted on pushing her wedding back just long enough to make sure she had taught her replacement all she possibly could.  Now after some time on her own, Ava was improving every day.

Violet Adair stood with Felicia and Rose who had come with the three young children to visit as well.  Little William who had been happily living with the dowager duchess, had been allowed to take a break from his studies to come and play like the others.  Delaney smiled as she watched him.  He saw himself as a sort of big brother to all the other children.  Now he had the ones that were old enough lined up doing something.

"Do you remember when I raced you at the bottom of this hill like that?"

Delaney smiled up at her handsome husband as he came to sit beside her.  "Of course I do.  You let me win."

He chuckled, "No, my love I think you won fair and square."

She rolled her eyes as she leaned over and kissed him.  "Liar."

He grinned and picked up the papers Delaney had left on the blanket beside her, looking over them.

"And what does Ian say in his letter then?"

Delaney smiled warmly and took the pages from his hands, gently folding them.  She had been thrilled when Daniel had presented her with the news and letter that had come from Ian.

"He says he's well and happy.  Mason should be arriving soon.  Ian wrote that he has a surprise for us."

Vincent shook his head, "Mace is always full of surprises.  I'm just glad to know they're alright."

"Me too," Delaney nodded.

Just then a little sound of displeasure came from her lap and she looked down, gently lifting the squirming bundle that had been resting there.

"Are you hungry again?" Delaney giggled, "You just ate not that long ago."

"He needs it," Vincent chuckled, scooting closer and taking the baby, "Tell your mother you're trying to grow big and strong, my son.  You're going to be the next Duke of Edgewood after all."

"That's not for a very very long time," Delaney reminded her husband, taking his lightly scarred face in her hands and turning it so her lips could meet his.

Their kiss was slow and, even now, caused butterflies to flutter in Delaney's stomach.  She leaned in to kiss him deeper but their little son gave another cry of displeasure.

Chuckling, Vincent got to his feet and helped up his wife.  They walked together up the hill and into their home.  Upstairs in their bedroom, Vincent closed the door behind them and pulled his shirt over his head before helping Delaney undo her dress.

Sitting in their bed, Delaney leaned back against her husband's warm chest as he wrapped his arms around her.  Looking over her shoulder, they both watched their baby happily fill his belly, pressing a little fist against Delaney's warm skin.

Once he'd had his fill, Delaney moved to lay down on the bed on her side and Vincent did the same, turning on his side to face her.  The baby rested between them, looking up with big blue-green eyes at his parents.  Delaney and Vincent both smiled lovingly down at him as they watched him move around and make cooing noises.

The dark-haired baby moved his arms in the air, both hands balled into fists at first but then he opened them as if he was trying to reach for something.  As he did, one of his chubby little hands caught the light.

And there across his palm was a dark scar in the shape of a dragon.

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Author's Note

Hello, my Lovely Readers!

I hope you have all loved reading my book as much as I've loved writing it.  It was my very first one so I'm sure it was a little rough in places and there were some mistakes but overall I have to say I'm so proud of it.

I can't tell you all how much all your votes, comments, gifts, and just support, in general, have meant to me.  I have had some rough days but then I get on and see how many people have voted or I read some of your sweet and funny comments and it really turns my day right around.  I truly hope my book has been able to bring some light to your days too if you needed it.

Now, I am very pleased to announce the second book to this (hopefully) series:

The Prince And The Pirate

I can't wait to share the adventures of Ilona and Mason for all of you to enjoy.  There are some crazy times ahead for them!  Pirates, Shipwrecks, Dragons, Princes, Princesses, Love, and Betrayal.  I really think it's going to be good!  Since it's my second book I hope it will be even better than this one :)

I am going to post the first few chapters of that book here so all of you will get to read them early before the actual book comes out.  So the chapters that come after this one will be the first few chapters to that one.

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If you haven't already, I would really appreciate it if you could leave a review of My Once Handsome Husband.

Also, feel free to comment away at the end of this chapter with any questions or comments you have for me!  I will answer any questions as long as the answers won't be a spoiler for a future book :)  I have many more in mind for this series and hope to keep writing them.

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It has been a long journey with a lot of learning and I thank you so much for going on it with me!

Love and appreciate all of you!

-Erin