Page 81 of Blurred Lines

"Verona and Alec," she continues animatedly. "They've taken off. They know well enough we have what we need to send them behind bars. I may have intervened and said they'd be safer overseas."

I laugh at that. "You did not!"

Flora shrugs nonchalantly. "You mess with my family, you can be sure I'll find a way to get even."

A relieved sigh escapes me. Those two scheming, manipulative vipers—the ones who'd sunk their claws into Emberton, leeching off its resources, poisoning the heart of my family—are finally gone. We're safe. Truly, undeniably safe.

"Well, it's about time," Finn booms from the doorway, startling us both. He beams, his freckled face alight with genuine happiness. "I say we crack open a bottle of the good stuff to celebrate! With some apple juice for the queen, of course," he winks at me.

"Or better yet, let's make it a double celebration!" I exclaim, a burst of excitement bubbling to the surface. "Guess who just aced her sergeant exam?"

Finn whistles, enveloping Flora in a bear hug that lifts her off the ground. Her protests are drowned out by his booming laughter.

The late afternoon sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in a blaze of orange and pink. Silas lights the candles on the balcony, casting a warm glow over our makeshift feast as Finn pours the wine—a rich, velvety red with the promise of better days on the nose. I don't have any regrets about not being able to drink it, though. There'll be many years for that. Right now, I'm too happy to care. He raises his glass, a twinkle in his eye.

"Here's to new beginnings," he toasts. "To second chances, to families found and legacies reborn."

"And to plenty more where that came from," Caeleb's remark comes from the back. We turn to see him come in, Brian hanging to his side. The child runs to me the second he sees me, giving me a tight bear hug.

Silas hands Caeleb a glass.

"To second chances…" I murmur, echoing Finn's toast. I look around the gathering, my heart swelling with a fierce, protective love. These are my people, this sprawling, patched-together, wholly unconventional family. Together, we've weathered storms, vanquished villains, and emerged stronger, more resilient, and more bonded than ever.

The touch of a tiny hand against mine draws my gaze downward. It's Brian.

"Em," he says, with eyes alive with innocence. "Can I help you pick your outfit for the promise ceremony?"

I smile wide. The men and I have decided to have a promise ceremony with Flora and … if my mom can come around to accept my situation, her. She's not gone cold turkey on me, but we don't talk as much as we used to. I hope that will change once she sees how happy I am.

A gentle, curious kick from within reminds me that our journey is far from over.

In a few months, our circle will expand to include the newest, most precious member. A wave of wonder and anticipation washes over me. The future, once uncertain and filled with shadows, now stretches out before us, bright and limitless.

We clink glasses, laughter filling the space between us.

There will be challenges ahead, I'm sure of it. Life has a way of throwing curveballs. But with these men by my side, my fiercely determined sister, and a thriving vineyard brimming with the promise of new beginnings … well, I'm ready for anything. Because after all we've faced, all we've overcome, one thing is abundantly clear: this big, beautiful, messy family of mine?

We're unstoppable.