Love and War

Part 25: Epilogue

Part 25- Epilogue

Two Years Later

"Well, shall we?" James extended his arm out as I hooked mine around it. I looked down at my white gown, flowing from my hips and hugging my pronounced curves.

"I can't believe you're marrying my brother. Don't get me wrong, I think you're perfect together and I take all the credit, but, frankly, I thought he'd blow it." I looked over to my brother-in-law as he smiled and chuckled, his hand squeezing mine for reassurance.

"He's the best thing to ever happen to me." I grin wildly. "Except this." I gestured to my stomach.

"Wait- you're pr-" His eyes lit with excitement before I quieted him with a shushing gesture.

"He doesn't know, I'm surprising him today." I smiled, James' arms wrapping around me in a deep hug.

"You're a beautiful bride, and you'll make an excellent mother." I took a breath, holding back my emotions. "Ready?" I nodded before walking into the room, the piano dancing melodious echoes into my ear, but all I could see was Axel. His face was light and refreshing, his smile grinning from ear to ear.

"Damn. You look ravishing." He smiled widely, greeting me with two warm hands and a whisper in my ear.

"So do you." I chuckled, leaning deeper into his embrace. "Let's get hitched and party." I smiled, kissing his cheek softly.

"Axel and Jeanie have a few words to say before the vows. Jeanie, why don't you start." The officient smiled, nodding my way.

"I'm the luckiest woman alive, today. You have no idea how much you mean to me. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. Your faith in me is unchanging, for that, I am forever grateful. It's an honor to be your wife and, one day, the mother of your children. You're a good man, Axel Ainsley."

"And you're an incredible woman, Jeanie Ainsley, but you're sadly mistaken. My faith in you is not unchanging, it changes every day. Every day you do something new to show me just how incredible you are. You captivate me just as much now as you did when you came into that bar after my asshole brother fired you. I thank him every day for calling me to send you my way." He looked to James who nodded in agreement. "Your open heart literally drew me to you like a moth to a flame. I was yours before either of us boarded that plane, Jeanie. I knew you'd change my life forever."

After the vows, we walked into a separate room for the cocktail hour and reception. Axel pulled me aside and gave me a little velvet box. I opened it and sighed gently, a key.

"What's this?" I asked quietly.

"The women's shelter. It's yours. I transferred the papers in your name, today. You had so many great ideas for how to expand and grow, I felt like it was only right." He tucked a stray strand of curls behind my ear before bending his face to my cheek, kissing it softly. "Besides, you, of all people, can connect to those women better than anyone else in our family." My arms wrapped around him and I pulled him close. It was the perfect gift. I walked to our table to grab his present from underneath it, a black bag tied neatly in a bow.

"It's something for both of us." I smiled, handing him the bag. Axe peaked down and opened the tiny white box, revealing a positive pregnancy test and my first ultrasound photo.

"Is this yours- I mean, ours, I mean. We're pregnant?" His cheeks flushed with nerves and excitement. I smiled before nodding my head with tears.

"Yep- 7 weeks. We're gonna be parents." Tears threatened to well into my eyes before Axe swung me into his arms and twirled me before putting me back down. "Stop, I'll puke." I laughed.

"Holy shit, Jeanie, you're fucking pregnant. I thought they told you no babies after your miscarriage? This isn't a joke, right? We're having a baby." I nodded in excitement and he turned to the cocktail room, shouting to the crowd. "I'm gonna be a daddy!" His shout echoed a loud roar of approval from the crowd.

"Two. Axe, we're having two. Look again." His eyes dropped in shock as he took a second look at the sonogram. Right there in the middle, two little peanuts, one little spot. "Identical twins, to be exact." His jaw dropped and tears started welling up in his eyes.

"It's fucking twins!!" He yelled again.

His arm wrapped around me as the DJ introduced us, applause and laughter echoed through the room before Axe twirled me around the dance floor, pulling me into his arms. My breath pulled as he lowered his stubbly chin to mine, peppering my face with kisses. His warm breath fanned over my neck as he placed kisses softly down my shoulder and collarbone.

"Axel-" I warned. "These hormones have me going crazy, so, proceed with caution." I whispered in his ear.

"Fine, I'll save it for after the dinner and toasts. After that, no holding back." His words traced my ear as he sucked softly, chills rolling down my neck.

"I can't wait to grow old with you." I smiled, whispering in his ear as he swung me around the dance floor.

"I can't wait to be captivated by you every fucking day for the rest of our lives. I can't wait to raise these babies with you. I can't wait to fight with you, soak you in. Make you happy. Jeanie, you deserve happy and I'll be damned if I don't give it to you." His kiss fell over me, washing me in the warmth of his love and affection.

"I guess you finally found someone worth changing plans for?" I asked, coyly.

"I guess freedom didn't mean what you thought it would?" His words stilled my soul. "You said the only way you'd ever be free is if you died or changed your name. Well, I'll take credit for the latter, thank you." His embrace tightened around my waist, pulling me closer.

"You were one of those secret admirers I was waiting on." I smiled.

"Told ya, you'd be surprised when they show up." A chuckle escaped my lips before I stood on my tip-toes, leaning to his ear.

"I always knew you had perfect timing."