Page 76 of Expecting Royal Twins!
“I didn’t know. Maybe I wasn’t ready to admit it until today,” he said. “I wanted to be honest with you, but I wasn’t honest with myself. I thought I knew what I was doing with my life. I had everything mapped out, and then this strange, kind, determined woman was thrust into my way and turned everything upside down.”
“Strange?”
“Strange and beautiful.” His smile sent tingles shooting through her. “You changed everything and left me uncertain how to act. Until now. I realize what a tremendous gift you are.”
“When Uncle Frank died I holed myself up and stuck with what was comfortable.” She stared up at Niko. “You thrust me into this whole new world and I’ve been trying to forge a path.”
Niko squeezed her hand. “You won’t have to forge it alone.”
Izzy looked around at the devastation, but amid the rubble she saw signs of life, of love. “I know what Vernonia means to you. The land. These people. I’m here now because I understand this duty you are so attached to.”
His gaze met hers. “A duty you are attached to also.”
She nodded.
“Our duty isn’t only to Vernonia. It’s to each other and our children.” Niko’s words made her heart sing. “I want you with me, Isabel. Always. I offer all that I have and all that I am. I hope that is enough.”
The choice was hers. She could take what he was offering or leave it.
Izzy stared at the man in front of her. Her heart overflowed with love. “I miss you, Niko. I let my fears and pride get in the way of us being together, but no longer. I love you. I’ve loved you since our wedding day. I’m not sure what my role is supposed to be, but I’m ready to embrace it. With your help, maybe I won’t fall flat on my butt.”
“You won’t. I won’t let you fall.”
Niko gathered her into his arms. She went willingly, eager for his touch and his warmth. He lowered his mouth to hers, reclaiming her with a slow, hot kiss.
Her heart danced, dipping and twirling as if on a ballroom floor and not a disaster zone.
“You are the only woman I want,” he said, his voice so full of love she could barely breathe. “The only one I need. I love you. I want to marry you.”
Izzy sunk into his embrace. “We’ve already married. Twice.”
“This time I want to marry you out of love, not duty or obligation. Nothing fancy. Just us.” He placed his hand over her stomach with an almost reverent touch. “And these two.”
“Yes! I’d like that very much.” Laughter spilled from her lips. “Maybe the third time we’ll get it right.”
“If not, we’ll try again until we do.” He looked her straight in the eye. “Just so you know, I’m never letting you go, Highness.”
“You can’t even if you want to, Highness.” She grinned. “In case you forgot, your bridal box, the key and you are mine.”
EPILOGUE
IZZY cradled His Royal Highness Aleksander, the future heir to the Vernonian throne, in her arms. Contentment and peace flowed through her. The baby slept with a serene expression on his beautiful face, a face that reminded Izzy of her beloved husband. She kissed her son’s tiny forehead, inhaling the baby scent she never imagined could smell so good.
Niko carefully adjusted a little blue cap on His Royal Highness Franko’s head.
Her heart overflowed at the sight of her loving husband and two healthy sons. Izzy exhaled on a sigh. Life couldn’t get much better.
This was only the beginning, but she understood what happily ever after meant. She was living the fairy tale and felt blessed by all she’d been given from Vernonia, her people and Niko.
“Franko is asleep,” Niko said quietly, as he stared lovingly at the child in his arms.
She glanced down. “So is Alek.”
Their eyes met in unspoken understanding. Between all the nursing and diapering, getting both babies to sleep at the same time was quite a coup.
Niko’s gaze clouded with concern. “The noise—”
“The pediatrician assured me that we’re high enough from the crowd that the decibel level won’t be a problem.”
