“What we already suspected. She told Cassie that Lia was trying to take her baby away from her. Convinced her that with Lia gone, she could have you and her baby back. She also told her that Lia had been the one who had been screwing around with you behind her back in college.” I grimace at the last part, grateful I’d finally told Aidan about cheating on Cassie the night that everything had imploded eight years ago. “She is fucking insane. Cassie was unstable and Monique recognized that fact and used it to her own benefit.” Turning, he brings his fist down on a nearby table, almost toppling it. “And I was sleeping with her. You tried to tell me to get away from her, and I didn’t listen. I mean, I knew she was a bitch, but I never saw the evil within her. If I had, I could have prevented all of this. Instead, I signed Cassie over and maybe a part of me was even relieved to let Monique handle things.” Fuck, he blames himself? What the hell?

“Aidan. Fuck, man, this isn’t your fault. You’ve done nothing but try to help Cassie. Monique played us all. I had no idea what she was up to, either. I figured she was just playing games as usual. I certainly never guessed what was really going on.” Now it makes sense why she sought Lia out at Leo’s that night. How does someone become so evil? I put a hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him, but he’s rigid—filled with inner pain and rage. I’ve been there. My brother…

A throat clears nearby and I look over Aidan’s shoulder to see Max. “Everyone is ready. Shall we?”

Aidan looks at me with pain-filled eyes, and I feel conflicted knowing he is in a terrible place and I am, once again, moving forward. I know he wouldn’t want me not to go to Lia now, but I tug him to me for another brief hug, hoping he understands that I feel his pain. Thus, in solemn joy, we walk quietly toward my future with Lia. With Aidan, Max, and Sam at my side, I await the mother of my child and promptly lose my breath as she steps into the room. She is beautiful, elegant, and kind. She is the words to every love song I’ll never be able to write. She is the sun rising in the morning and the moon that lights the blackest of nights. She is my greatest strength and my worst weakness. She is everything I’ll never be, but together we are one against the world and today she’ll take my name forever. The beast in me roars in pleasure—the man in me wants to fall to his knees and thank her once again for loving someone who didn’t deserve a second chance. Through her, I’ve been granted salvation and I will gladly worship at her altar through every season—as our love eclipses that of even the brightest star.

Lia

I am Mrs. Lucian Quinn, and I am loved beyond measure by my husband—a true fact since he told me that very thing only moments ago. We were married in front of a handful of our closest friends in an intimate ceremony at Lucian’s family home. With so much pain all around us, this moment stolen in time seems to have affected everyone deeply. Debra is still dabbing at her eyes as Martin rubs her back soothingly. Rose and Max look very much like a couple as she curls against him in the circle of his arms. She told me earlier that nothing had been resolved between them and she would be going home for a while after today. She is troubled and I wish desperately she would let me in, but her feelings are as closed off as Lucian’s once were.

Fae was escorted today by her work colleague and friend, who, incidentally, was also instrumental in helping Lucian battle his addiction to cocaine. It makes me wonder if she wasn’t able to allow herself happiness until her beloved nephew found his own. I’ve come to associate just that type of selfless devotion with her.

Sam and Cindy are also here as a couple. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to attend their wedding in the near future. Lucian says it still gives him the creeps to ponder what goes on behind closed doors between two of the people he loves the most—but I know he’s secretly happy they’ve found each other.

And a joy I never could have imagined—my father being here to walk me down the aisle. Lee Jacks came into my life such a short time ago, but he has quickly become so very important to me. It hurts him deeply that he wasn’t able to save me while I was growing up. I know he battles both sorrow and rage over losing those years with me. For a man still so young, he looked close to tears earlier when I hugged him and called him Dad. He’ll always mainly be Lee to me, but sometimes I think he needs to hear me call him my father and I vow to do that more often as we continue to grow closer.

My uncle Peter is also here today with his wife Charlotte, and daughter, Kara. Their son, who I’ve only met once, was unable to come due to some schedule conflict. It feels better than I could have imagined having my own small family in attendance. People who I’m growing to love as we try to make up for the years lost.

Arms come around me from behind and I snuggle into the firm body of my husband. His hands cup our daughter through the fabric of my simple, white gown, and he nuzzles into my neck. “Hey, baby, what’re you doing over here by yourself?”

I put my hand over his and we both stare out the glass wall at the lone figure in the distance. “I’m worried about him,” I admit softly.

“Me, too.” He sighs. “He doesn’t want to talk about it, and I’m not going to push him. I was surprised he even showed up today. I certainly wouldn’t have held it against him had he not.”

I turn, looking up at him. “He’d do anything for you, Luc. As deeply as he’s hurting, you’re still his brother and he loves you.” We stand for a moment, both lost in thought as Aidan stands with his shoulders slumped and his head bowed.