Before She Ruled (Before Series, Book 1)

Epilogue One

Exactly six weeks later, Addie was in her newly remodeled chambers. However, she didn't notice the beauty of her surroundings. It had been hours since the labor had started. Addie was beginning to fear that she wasn't going to make it; everything she had done would be for naught. And she was going to die here, in this sweat-soaked bed.

Despite any gossip that might accompany his presence, Theo was downstairs, pacing for just as many hours as she had been pushing. Addie could almost feel his anxiety from here, which is why she had made him leave her, much to his displeasure.

But finally, after the agony had come to its finest moment, her baby was born.

Theo ran in, first to clutch Addie in his arms, ignoring her protests due to her messy, dirty state. And then with a great cry, they turned together to meet their child, presented by the friendly faced midwife. Liza, who was her newly appointed lady's maid, beamed next to her. Her friend had refused to take any funds from Addie without offering something in return. So here they were.

"It is a beautiful baby girl, Your Majesty," the midwife said.

"A girl?" Theo said in surprise, meeting her eyes with a teasing glance.

"I was wrong," Addie breathed, having been so sure it was going to be a boy.

"It happens, darling," Theo laughed, kissing her on the top of her golden crown of hair. Then he reached for the baby girl, cradling her in his arms with the sound of a distinctive coo. "What should we name her?" he asked, glancing to Addie for a quick second before directing his attention back to their daughter.

Their daughter. How amazing it was that they had gotten here, to this place in time.

Addie was a queen. It was a victory among many lost battles. And she would defend this triumph as long as she breathed.

"Alexandrina. Alexandrina Victoria."

Theo gazed at her with wonder and then smiled. "Victoria. I like it. No, I love it." He returned his attention to the babe, rocking her gently as he whispered to her. "One day...you're going to be queen, Victoria."

And with that, he passed the baby to Addie, and her heart burst with the love of a million loves.

Peace, she had found.