That their father could actually be alive somewhere, possibly suffering.
Cole didn’t like that. Not one bit. He didn’t love the man who had been their father.
But, if Jacob hadn’t really been Jacob, then who was the person who had tried to ruin their entire lives? The person who scarred Aidan, who tried to kill their mother?
Cole needed the answers to these questions. It would drive him mad if he didn’t figure this out. So, as soon as his shoulder healed more, he would leave for London with Lily and try to find the answers.
To discover the truth of Braddock’s words, and finally talk to Eden. She was the love of his life; his soul mate and he had never even spoken to her. He needed to fix that. To finally claim her as his own.
If Aidan could find his happiness, and not let their past hold him back, then Cole had absolutely no excuse to not get his as well.
He knew now he would never act like Jacob had, because if Braddock was right, Jacob wasn’t their real father.
It was such a weight off Cole’s shoulders it made him breathe that much easier. He felt free.
And he would wait no longer to claim what was his. Eden was his and had been for three long years.
He just hoped she would feel the same and that they would get their happily ever after like Aidan had.
He finally shut his eyes and dreamed of his blonde goddess. Tomorrow will be another day, but for now, he was going to get lost in the dreams he had that starred the woman he loved.
* * *
THE END
Epilogue
Aidan
Aidan loved every moment of waking with his wife in his arms. For years he was lonely, waking up alone, never having had a companion or anyone share his bed. Now he couldn’t imagine life without her.
She was everything to him. His soul, his heart. And that was the end. Kissing her neck softly and nuzzling her beautiful red hair, she stretched in his arms and he smiled down at her. Loving that she looked up at him with so much love in her eyes.
He leaned down and softly kissed her, and she sighed. “Good morning love.” He said and she smiled, “Good morning,” he kissed her again, “I think Cole and Lily leave this day. He said that he needs to get to London.”
Rhia frowned, “I know. I worry for him and for Lily. And for you. What if you don’t find out what you need to? Then what?”
Aidan ran his hand over his face and pulled her tightly to him. “I don’t know. But I do know that we have to try.”
Rhia snuggled into his side and then sat up, groaning. Aidan sat up as well, his face a mask of concern. “Rhia? What’s wrong?”
She shook her head and slid from their bed and lurched over to the chamber pot in the corner. Aidan jumped out of bed and helped her to her knees as she retched the contents of her stomach up.
Aidan held her long hair out of her face and rubbed her back. “What in the world? Are you all right?”
Rhia nodded, and Aidan stood, finding a cloth to wet so he could help her wipe her face. She was just sitting, trying to take in a deep breath. “Let me call my mother.”
He helped her stand and then led her to the bed. He placed her under the covers and kissed her forehead, then he picked up his breeches and put them on, placing his dressing robe over his scarred back.
He hurried to his mother’s bedchamber and knocked lightly on the door. He knew it was early still, but this was important. He was worried Rhia was coming down with a cold again. Or something worse.
She opened the door, her hair pulled into a long braid down to her waist and she was belting her dressing robe. “Aidan, what on earth? Is something wrong?”
He nodded, “I think Rhia is sick. She retched this morning and I don’t know what to do.”
Lydia smiled, “Let me get my bag.” He nodded and hurried back to his wife’s side. She was sleeping again, and he kissed her forehead softly, moving the hair out of her face.
She stirred a little, but stayed asleep. A knock sounded and Aidan rushed to answer his door. Lydia hadn’t changed, but had grabbed her medicine bag.
She walked to where Rhia slept and gently shook Rhia’s shoulder. Rhia opened her eyes and smiled at Lydia. “I hear you haven’t felt well this morning.”
Rhia shook her head. “It was just a slight bought of nausea. I am fine. Truly.”
Aidan scoffed. “Rhia, you were retching. That is more than just nausea.”
Rhia sighed, “Lydia, truly. I am fine. Yes, I did retch this morning, but I am fine now. I am just tired.”
Lydia smiled, “Rhia, I believe you. Have you ever given thought that you might be with child?”
Rhia’s mouth dropped open. “I-I, no. I hadn’t thought that actually.”
Aidan could see her trying to work this out. They had been intimate with the other just over four weeks ago. It had taken Cole this long to truly recover and be ready to leave.
And Aidan had no idea that women could get sick this early. Or that she was with child. He hoped with all of his being, but he would be happy either way.
Lydia sat down on the edge of their bed, “I do think you could be pregnant, but we can wait to see if I am right in a few more weeks. When was the last time you had your courses?”
Rhia blushed and then said, “I finished them right before I left to Scotland.”
Lydia smiled, “Then there you go. I am guessing you got pregnant right away.” Rhia blushed again and Aidan wanted to puff out his chest in pride.
He had gotten his woman pregnant on one of the first times they had been together. She smiled up at him and Aidan felt like he could fly.
He leaned down and kissed her softly and then Lydia patted him on the hand. “I hope that in a few more weeks we will truly know. But I feel that I am right about this.”
Aidan hugged his mother and she left them. Aidan pulled Rhia into his arms and put his hand on her belly. “I will be the best father there ever was my love. This I promise you.”
She smiled up at him, with tears swimming in her eyes. “I know you will. That’s why I love you. You are already so wonderful; I have no doubts you will be to our child as well.”
Aidan felt a lump grow in his throat. “Thank you for having such faith in me.” He pulled his breeches off and climbed back up on the bed with her. She was still nude, and he looked down at her. “How do you feel now?”
She smiled, “Fine. I feel better. But I would feel even better if my extremely handsome husband made love to me.”
Aidan kissed his way down her body and felt her wetness. Then he surged forward, completely to the hilt inside her. He watched her eyes roll back as he surged in and out of her, taking her softly, and then harder with each pump of his hips.
She was crying out softly and ran her hands up his back, her fingernails digging into his shoulders. He loved her fierce passion and let her mark him anyway she saw fit. He could tell she was nearing her release and he reached down to toy with the small pearl she had hidden at the top of her folds.
She arched under him and her sheath clenched down on his cock, and she came with a cry. He followed her over the edge, his release barreling down his shaft into her womb.
The womb that held their child. He pulled out of her after they were sated and pulled her into his arms. “I love you. My life, my heart, my soul.”
She sighed and kissed his chest. “I love you too.” Then she was asleep. He watched the sun come up through the windows and once again thanked his lucky stars that he had stumbled upon an angel in the night.
His life had changed so much in the course of a month and it was all because of the woman held securely in his arms. She had opened his eyes and made him see the light and for that he would always be grateful.
He kissed her forehead and let her sleep. Just holding his reason for breathing. And now? They would add someone to love them. Someone he would never treat like his father had. He couldn’t wait to see his wife round with his child.
Knowing that their love and passion ha
d created someone new was something Aidan would cherish. He shut his eyes and sent up a silent prayer of thanks. To whomever had sent him her. She was his greatest gift, and now so would their children.
However, many they were blessed with. Thanking his lucky stars once again, Aidan just lay quiet and happy. He knew that whatever Cole would find would change nothing. He would have the love of his life and that was what mattered to him.
* * *
The End.
Acknowledgments
First off, I have to thank my amazing husband for supporting me through this entire journey. For letting me write the stories in my head the way they need to be written instead of having me change them to fit what everyone thought I should write. I love you. You inspire a lot of my stories.
Next thanks are for my kids. They are amazing and have let me write all the time, let me be the crazy mom who took time to write this story all the while watching them grow.
Thanks to my family in their support as well. My sisters rock! They have always been there for me, and I love all my awesome sisters. Allison, Steph and Kris. Thanks, guys, for being great! Love you. To my mom and dad also love and support me. Thanks mom and dad. Love you.
My hubby’s family who have given me love and support as well. Thank you, you wonderful family!
Thanks really goes to my dear and amazingly wonderful friends who I consider part of my tribe. Who are my family. Lindsay, Cassie, Jen, JaDee, Natalia, Jayla, Peyton, Lizzie, Jessica, Seara and the other awesome girls who have supported me in this crazy journey. Who have read each book and have given me the support and hope to keep going. That I wasn’t crazy in thinking my book was great. That it truly was. So, thank you. You guys are all wonderful and I don’t know what I would do without each and every single one of you. I love you all.
Thanks to the amazing authors out there who have inspired me to write. I love so many of you and your work, and can’t thank them all enough for letting me escape into new worlds, new places, new lives. Thank you for all of your words.
To my awesome book cover designer, Elisa. She is amazing in what she does and has given life to my book, to what was simply words on a page.
To my awesome girls at my job, and my awesome boss, LeeAnne, for being there for me always. For not thinking me bragging or nuts for bringing up this huge accomplishment all the time. For being so great and supportive to me. You guys are all the very best and I love each and every single one of you.
To everyone else who has given me hope. Has given me love to continue this. Who has never once thought I was crazy, even though its kind of seemed like it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
About the Author
Rachelle Stevensen is a stay at home mom and part time author. She also works at a spa and loves her job. All of them. She has been married for 15 years to a wonderful man and they have four beautiful kids. Twin boys, and two girls. Rachelle enjoys writing and has dabbled in it for years, before finally deciding to write out her first novel. That quickly became two, then three and hasn’t stopped since. Writing is her happy place, and she will never stop.
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