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Epilogue
Three years have passed since Ava and I married at the church. I still can’t believe it. On my desk sits a picture of her and me from our wedding. That day will forever be ingrained in my mind. Stunning falls short of how beautiful she looked. When I saw her, I couldn’t help the tears. She truly is the better part of me.
“Daddy,” Aisling calls, entering my office.
“Hi, princess. What are you doing here?” When I peer behind her, I spot Ava holding Niko’s hand as he cries.
Aisling jumps into my arms, stealing my focus from her mother and brother. “Daddy, we came for lunch.”
“Is that so? What’s going on with my little man?”
Ava lets out a long sigh. “He ran away from me onto the street. Thank goodness Marco was beside us.”
“Mommy, I’m sorry.” He wraps his little arms around her leg. He can’t quite hug her anymore since her belly is so big.
“You know better than that, Niko.”
“Mommy, I need the bathroom.” Aisling interrupts Niko’s scolding. Ava isn’t really mad. More worried.
“Come on then.” She holds out her hand for Aisling to take. “We will be back.”
Once they leave, I pick up where Ava left off. “Niko, you know it’s dangerous to run onto the street. A car could have hit you, or you could have gotten lost.” He glances up at me when I add, “You know it’s not as easy for Mommy to run after you anymore. You need to be good and help her.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy.” He curls his arms around my neck and hugs me tight.
“What have you done all day?” I ask, pulling him away so I can see his face.
“Mommy took us to the park.”
“Did you have fun?”
He nods so fast my head grows dizzy.
“Daddy, are you ready? I’m hungry.” Aisling demands, returning to my office.
“You’re as demanding as Mommy,” I tease while setting Niko down. Once standing, I greet Ava with a kiss. “You’re beautiful.”
“Don’t lie, Viktor. It doesn’t suit you,” Ava says.
“I don’t lie. You know that better than anyone. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m ready to push this baby out of me.”
I couldn’t have been happier when Ava told me she was pregnant with our third child eight months ago. At first, she wasn’t excited because she had been working day and night at House of Beauty. She wanted to wait until Aisling and Niko were at school full-time before adding another child to our family. I had to remind her we don’t always get what we want, but secretly, I knew she was ready for another baby.
“Daddy, let’s go.” Aisling grabs my hand and tries to pull me away from Ava. She still gets jealous.
“Mommy, up,” Niko demands, happy to even the playing field.
“How about I carry you, Buddy? You’re getting too heavy for Mommy.” When I pick him up, Ava mouths, “Thanks.”
“Let’s go already,” Aisling demands with a little stomp of her foot.
Ava and I look at her and smile.
This is what makes me happy—my family.
* * *
