Page 183 of Shades of Loyalty
Andrew comes out from behind the counter, eyebrows raised. “Wait… what’s going on—”
Daniel doesn’t even look at him. His eyes are only on me. “You’re pregnant. You’re… really pregnant?”
I nod, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Don’t act like that extra room in the house wasn’t in your plans already.”
“Fuck,” he whispers, “it totally was.”
Andrew, now next to us, lets out a little gasp. “You’re pregnant?” he says to me.
I flash him a cheeky grin. “Your brother insisted on not using a condom.”
Andrew makes a face. “Ew.”
Daniel shrugs proudly. “As if you’ve never had unprotected sex.”
Andrew’s brows shoot up, but he wisely keeps quiet. I give him a subtle smile.
Daniel stands slowly, leaning in and pressing the gentlest kiss to my forehead. Then another, to my temple. And finally, one more, right over my belly.
We’re still surrounded by people. But I don’t care.
It’s warm in here, the snow is falling, and everything in my world feels right.
Everything is perfect. It finally is.
Epilogue
Jennifer
The spring sun is gentle, brushing the tops of the trees with golden light. The playground is filled with soft laughter—the kind that lingers, the kind that warms even the toughest hearts.
My husband sits beside me on a bench, his arm slung lazily around my shoulders. He rubs my arm in slow, absent circles while I rest my head against his chest.
The world finally doesn’t feel like it’s burning—it hasn’t been for over ten years now.
A soft sigh escapes my lips as the thought settles in.
Everythingis perfect.
Across the field, Daria—Yuri and Katya’s daughter—is chasing Matteo and Misha toward the slides, their laughter ringing through the breeze.
Daria’s little arms flail as she giggles, and Matteo is playfully leading the way, with Misha not far behind, his little legs moving fast to keep up.
Enzo and Mary, though, are a little farther away. They’re sitting together on the swings beneath the tree line. Not too close, but close enough.
Both always stick with us—their family. But often, they tend to linger a little further from the chaos.
Teenagers.
Their heads are tilted toward each other, laughing about something they definitely won’t be sharing with the adults. Mary nudges him playfully. Enzo doesn’t shove her back. Instead, he just looks at her.
And when I saylooks—I meanreallylooks.
The way Daniel once looked at me before he even realized he’d fallen in love.
Daniel freezes beside me.
I follow his gaze, the air around us suddenly feeling thicker. My lips part.
