The Divine Temptation (18+) (Forbidden Priest Romance)

Epilogue - 10 Years later

I've been holding onto this epilogue as I wanted to release it when I reached the milestone of 10k reads. Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to read this book! And here's to 10 years later for Evangeline and Gabriel!

Enjoy!

10 years later

Evangeline

"Daddy," Elijah squeals as he escapes my arms and runs towards Gabriel, who is crouching down, arms wide, ready for his son's embrace. I smile as his small legs carry him towards him. Gabriel hauls him up in the air before kissing his cheek and holding him to his side.

He opens his other arm for me to walk into his side, where he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me in for a kiss.

"How's my favourite boy?" Gabriel asks, lightly tapping him on the tip of his nose, which elicits a giggle.

"G-good," Elijah answers, waving his arms around and smiling.

"And how's mummy?" he asks, looking at Elijah before looking at me.

"Tired," I reply, running my hand over my swollen tummy as Gabriel leans down and kisses my forehead. I am about ready to burst, being a couple of days away from my due date.

"But so much better seeing you now," he smiles before removing his arm around my waist, taking my hand in his, and walking out towards the university courtyard and towards the car.

Gabriel has been a lecturer at the University of New York for the past seven years, focusing on political studies, with a specialism in international relations. He loves the job, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't love it too; multiple times, I've snuck into the back of his lectures, watching him command a room and grow in confidence.

"How was work?" I ask, settling into the passenger seat of the car while Gabriel straps Elijah into his car seat.

"It was good; Reed came in and gave a talk about counter-terrorism. The students loved him; honestly, I don't think I've heard them be this silent before."

He slides into the seat next to me before leaning over and kissing me on the lips, giving my stomach a light rub.

"You look beautiful as always." His compliment makes my face warm as I shy away. Gabriel has been loading me with compliments—not that he hasn't before, but with my second pregnancy, it's been difficult; the swelling and the face puffiness have made me feel less like myself. But Gabriel has never failed to make me feel beautiful. If anything, I think he likes seeing me pregnant, as if my curves have become an aphrodisiac to him.

He turns the car on before driving off and resting his hand on my thigh, running soothing circles on the fabric of my dress.

"Any day now, and we're a family of four. How are you feeling?" he asks.

"Nervous."

I would have thought I'd be better equipped now that I've had Elijah, but I fear a sense of uneasiness has grown at the idea of caring for two, scared that I might mess up along the way. Again, Gabriel has been an absolute angel, and whenever I do doubt myself, he's there to tell me all the very reasons why I'm doing amazingly, as he likes to say.

He gives me a reassuring smile and a squeeze around my thigh.

"Just like you're doing amazingly now with Elijah, you'll do amazingly with our little girl."

"I'm excited too," I smile, running my hands over my curves; a little girl is about to grace our lives, and as much as I am nervous, I am still looking forward to it. To meeting the little girl Gabriel and I created.