Page 99 of Once Upon a Wicked Wager

“And what would we call her?”

He thought about this for a moment. “Petunia.”

“Petunia,” Lisbeth agreed. “And if it rebels and comes out a boy?”

“Henry.”

Lisbeth smiled again. “Perfect.” Then, “I shall be hideously fat, you know.”

“And still, I will love you,” he said, as if amazed by the notion. “My dear, darling Lisbeth, you have given me a happiness I thought I would never have—a family.”

“I shall love you for an eternity, at least. I hope you are prepared.” This seemed to please him immensely, but she knew he could not comprehend the full magnitude of how much she loved him. How much she would always be grateful for the night he took on The Black Raven Wager and demanded entrance into her life. A life which was no longer cursed by the black raven, bad luck, or death. Only happiness. She was determined to show him every day how grateful she was.

An unusual feeling came over her whole body, warming her from the inside out. She realized it was joy. A true and wonderful feeling of hope and contentment that had always felt so far out of reach filled her heart to overflowing. She felt tears prick behind her eyes.

“I hope those are tears of happiness?” he asked, a frown upon his brow. He wiped away her tears with the gentlest of touches.

She hastened to reassure him. “Yes, oh yes, they are. I could not be happier than I am right now.”

Later she may tell him how she had wept with joy when the doctor had confirmed her pregnancy. How all the memories of her sweet little son had come flooding back, reminding her of how much she missed him and filling her with doubt. She knew the future for this baby; their baby would be so very different. For this child would be born from love. This child would grow up loved and cherished by both parents. She would never forget Daniel for he would always hold a special place in her heart no matter how many other children she may be blessed with.

Oliver pulled her closer, his warm brown eyes alight with love for her. “I do believe I will kiss you now, wife.”

She laughed. “I do believe I will kiss you back, husband.”

Finally, they had found a home for their wayward hearts, in each other.

The End.