Beast to your Beauty

EPILOGUE

What can I say? Time has changed everything.

My life now seems so much different than it did back then. It's funny how one starts one way, sure of themselves that they're on the track that they're destined to be on, then life throws a curve ball your way and suddenly you find yourself heading towards a direction you never expected to take.

But oh, when something happens, no matter how uncomfortable it is at the beginning, I know now that it all takes time until everything falls into place. It's taken quite a while but now I feel like the happiest woman on the planet. I have a life I never expected to have with a man I never expected to love.

He cares for me, listens to me, and puts up with me even on days when I'm not the greatest person to be married to.

Today marks three years since Julian and I married, and there is not a day that goes by that I am grateful that he came into my life.

Lily and I still don't talk after all this time, and probably ever won't. At times I find myself in the city walking around the shops when I'll stop across the street from her bookshop. I always stop to see if I catch a glimpse of her. Her leg never recovered from the gunshot wound Logan gave her and although she never fails to smile at her customers and treat them with respect, there are moments I've seen a pain and loneliness appear on her face after they leave her shop.

Erma is just as busy as ever at the house, but happy that all seems to have returned to a state she once adored with all of her heart.

As for Astrid, she's been taking each day one step at a time since she lost her memory. There are times when Julian finds her deep in thought, as if she was remembering something from a long time ago. Julian, however, has kept true to his promise and has been a better brother than he's ever been before. He spends time with her, talks to her, and even gives her pointers after she started to ride her horse again.

As for me ... well, you no longer have to worry about me. I'm with a man that loves me wholeheartedly and I am living the life every woman dreams of, with a wonderful husband, a growing family, and a promising career.

* * *

Hannah looked up at the sky, smiling. Her hair was longer, more styled, her nails were manicured, and she wore a beautiful red dress. She looks down at her father's gravestone and kisses her hand before touching where his name is engraved. "I love you, daddy."

She stood and walked away from the grave and down the cemetery's footpath. She gets into her car and drives off, heading home to the Caldwell Estate.

Hannah pulls up around the driveway and gets out of her car. As she approaches the front doors of the house they are opened by one of the many butlers that now work at the estate.

"Welcome home, Mrs. Caldwell," the young man says politely.

"Thank you Jerry," Hannah smiled at him. She entered the house and it was like a completely different place.

The halls were brightly lit as the sun shined through the large windows. All the vases were filled with brightly colored flowers. Maids and Butlers scurried busily around the house. Erma appears and Hannah hears her scold one of the maids.

"No, no Sally, tell them to put the cake in the ballroom!" Erma said shaking her head.

"Right away, Ma'am!" Sally nodded and quickly ran off. Hannah watched Erma turn to her and wink at her with a smile. Hannah chuckled and continued walking through the house.

Hannah steps out back onto the veranda and takes in the beauty of their backyard. All the bushes were filled with flowers once again and the grass on the lawn was perfectly cut.

"Oh my gosh!" a little voice shouted with glee.

A smile appeared on Hannah's face as she turned to see Julian appear from the gardens racing his wheelchair with a little blond girl on his lap. Hannah's heart filled with joy watching as Julian laughed with her daughter.

Despite it all, he loves her as if she were his own...

"That was so fast!" Little Lilian exclaimed excitedly when Julian stopped next to Hannah.

"I saw that!" Hannah laughed, "Daddy is quite the speed racer, isn't he?"

"Yes he is," Lilian grinned and hugged Julian. "He's the best one, too!"

Hannah looked down at Julian caressing Lilian. He looked up at Hannah and they both stared at one another with so much love and devotion. Hannah smiled and leaned over to kiss him. "Happy anniversary".

Lilian chuckled and jumped off Julian's lap.

"Happy anniversary, sweetheart," he says to her and suddenly pulled Hannah onto him.

"Oh!" she cried out, laughing.

"I love you," Julian says to her.

"I love you too," Hannah tells him. They kiss again before parting. Hannah grabs Lilian and pulls her up onto her lap. "And I love you, my little princess!"

Hannah tickles Lilian and she bursts into laughter. After they stop they just sit there, looking out towards the bright spring sky.

"It's a gorgeous day, isn't it?" Julian says after a while.

Hannah cuddles up to him, "It sure is."

Julian wrapped his arms around Hannah and Lilian. Hannah sighed happily, thankful for her family, her life, and hopeful for what was yet to come.

~ THE END ~

Author's Note: I humbly thank you for having taken the time to read my story. I hope you enjoyed it. If you'd like, feel free to check out some of my other completed stories:

Beauty in Cinders

Awake, My Sleeping Beauty