Chapter 6 - THE SWEETEST LIFE
One Year Later.
The morning sun over Westchester shone brightly over the manicured gardens of the Vance Estate.
The air was soft, filled with the scent of summer roses, sea salt, and fresh vanilla from the outdoor kitchen pavilion.
Laughter echoed across the vast green lawn.
Eight-year-old Sophie was running through the grass, holding the hand of her new baby brother—four-month-old Leo Vance—who was riding happily in a high-end, custom-built pram pushed by his big sister. Sophie’s hands moved constantly as she signed stories to the baby, who babbled back with delighted squeals.
Sitting on the wide, shaded veranda overlooking the lawn was Emma.
She looked radiant.
She wore a soft, yellow linen summer dress that draped beautifully over her lush curves. Her dark hair was styled in soft waves, falling over her shoulders, and her pink diamond ring sparkled brightly in the sunlight. On her lap rested the final architectural blueprints for the third Brooks Pediatric Center opening in Chicago next month.
A pair of strong, broad arms wrapped gently around her waist from behind.
Emma leaned back against Julian’s broad, solid chest, feeling his deep, soothing warmth envelope her entirely.
Julian was dressed in a relaxed white linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing the raven wing tattoos on his wrists. He rested his chin softly against her head, watching their children play on the lawn.
“You’re working too hard on a Saturday, Mrs. Vance,” Julian whispered softly against her ear, his deep baritone sending a delicious shiver down her spine.
Emma smiled, turning her head slightly to press a kiss against his jawline. “I’m just reviewing the Chicago budget, my love. We’re enrolling fifty new deaf students next month.”
“You’ve already saved three thousand children this year, Emma,” Julian said gently, taking the blueprints from her hands and setting them on the side table. He wrapped both arms securely around her waist, pulling her back flush against his chest. “Take a break and let your husband admire his queen.”
Emma chuckled softly, resting her hands over his on her stomach. “Is the dangerous mob boss turning soft on me?”
Julian let out a low, rumbling laugh, pressing a warm kiss against her collarbone, right above the faint pink scar where she had taken a bullet for him.
“I am only soft for you, Emma,” Julian growled gently, his charcoal eyes filled with deep, unwavering devotion. “To the rest of the world, I am still the storm. But in this house... I am just a man who got lucky enough to be saved by a baker.”
Down on the lawn, Sophie noticed them standing on the veranda.
She parked the pram safely under the shade of an oak tree and came sprinting up the stone steps, her face glowing with pure, unadulterated happiness.
She stopped in front of them, her hands flying into rapid, radiant motion:
Papa! Emma! Look! Leo smiled when I signed "cookie" to him! He knows our language already!
Emma’s heart swelled with profound, overwhelming joy. She slid out of Julian’s embrace, dropping to her knees on the veranda floor, and wrapped her arms around Sophie, pulling the little girl tight against her heart.
He knows, Emma signed back smoothly with one hand, her voice speaking out loud with clear, radiant pride. Because he has the best big sister in the world.
Julian dropped to one knee beside them, his broad arm wrapping around both his wife and his daughter, pulling them tight against his chest.
The morning sun bathed the three of them in warm, golden light, casting long, beautiful shadows across the stone floor—a family built not by blood alone, but by courage, warmth, and a love that spoke louder than any words in the world.
Julian looked into Emma’s shining hazel eyes, leaning down to press a gentle, eternal kiss against her lips.
May you like
“No more fear, my love,” Julian whispered against her mouth.
“No more fear,” Emma smiled back, wrapping her arms around his neck as their daughter’s silent, happy laughter filled the warm summer air.
