Sins and Scarlet Lace

EPILOGUE

Three Years Later…

Sophia lay down by the lake, the blanket beneath her cushioned by the thick grass, and her hand resting gently on the growing mound of her stomach.

So much had changed in the time she’d been married to Declan. She’d once given up hope that she’d ever have a home or a family. Or children. But Declan had given her all of those things and her heart was almost bursting with the gifts she’d been given—and the second chances. God knows they both deserved them after everything they’d been through.

The baby kicked beneath her hand and she smiled, soothing him with a slow rub as the breeze ruffled the limbs above her.

“You’ll always have a family, little one. No matter what happens in your life your family will always be here for you and love you.”

And that was what it was all about, really. The MacKenzies were a family like none she’d ever seen before, but she couldn’t imagine ever belonging anywhere else. Families weathered storms and heartbreak—thoughts of Shane and what he was going through still filled her with sorrow—but families were also there through the good times and the births and weddings and Sunday dinners. It was the love that made a family work. And trusting that love would never falter.

She heard the squeal of giggles and her heart jumped in her chest at the overwhelming happiness that one sound could bring. Her head turned and she smiled as Declan walked down from the house, their little girl, Grace, up on his shoulders, her blond curls bouncing with every step he took.

She couldn’t imagine having the capability to hold more love inside of her, and from the way Declan looked at her she knew he felt exactly the same way. Dec stopped beside her and plucked Grace off his shoulders and put her on the blanket.

“Hi, mama,” Grace said, her smile showing two shiny teeth. Her eyes drooped despite the attempt to fight sleep.

“Hi, baby.” She touched her soft curls and held out her arm so Grace could snuggle up beside her. She was out like a light as soon as she lay down.

“Hi, mama,” Declan said, leaning over to kiss her softly on the lips. His hand rested next to hers on her belly and she felt his smile in his kiss as the baby kicked again. “I hope you don’t mind me saying that I’ve been thinking we should have another picnic soon.”

“The last time we had a picnic you gave me the baby who is now kicking against my ribs.”

“Mmm,” he agreed. “It’s a good spot for a picnic. Good memories.” He kissed her again, this time a little deeper, a little longer, and her heart thumped in her chest and her blood pounded by the time he pulled away. “I don’t think I’ve told you how much I love you in the last couple of days.”

“Maybe not, but you show me over and over again. So thank you for loving me.”

He grinned and lifted Grace in his arms, careful not to wake her. “Why don’t we go put her in her bed for a nap and you can show me just how grateful you are. I’ll even make sure you have a bed this time.”

She took his hand and let him help pull her to her feet. “It’s hard to pass up an offer like that.”

“I’ve told you, babe. MacKenzies know how to treat a woman right.”

They were both laughing as they walked hand in hand back up the hill. Back home.