Page 122 of Sacred Vows

Traveling to research sounded like a dream to hang on to, but I wanted to balance it all, to not miss a single moment of being a mother and wife. And I could. I wasn’t being bred. I hadn’t been sold off as a waste of worthless space.

I had fallen in love. I’dmademy happily-ever-after happen. And I would never lose sight of the mental and physical challenges I’d endured to get to this happy place I was in now.

Surrounded by family. Celebrating the holidays in a location similar to a scene of such horror and danger. This lodge wasn’t a reminder of pain or loss, of anger, but a new beginning.

Just like my daughter in my arms.

“How long do you think you’ll hold out?” Gabriella asked me after a while of peaceful quiet.

“Huh?”

“To stop insisting the guys be careful.” She gave me a sly smile as she stroked her daughter’s hair. “Because I don’t know about you, butthisis heaven.”

I smiled back, knowing what she meant. Alexsei would always give me control over what I wanted in terms of autonomy of mybody and whether I was pregnant. Yet, there was no denying the soul-deep peace and love that bringing a baby into the world could give me.

“Maybe once Sadie and Raisa have their next ones,” I admitted.

She laughed lightly. “Can you imaginetwins, though?”

I smiled. “I would definitely be looking for a nanny.”

“Me too.” She sighed. “Being CEO of the foundation is great.” She kissed her daughter’s head. “But this is what really matters.”

It did.

Love and family.

Security.

I had it all now.

Reaching out my hand to squeeze hers in solidarity, I sighed and knew it was only just beginning, for all of us.

Finally, I was free to be happy—and loved—in every way that mattered.