“Those are good names for good lads.”

“And there was another girl—a tiny thing, but she was plucky. She copied every move I made.” Lenora chuckles. “Even the way I held my teacup.”

She shakes her head slightly, her voice soft. “And it felt, not exactly like they were ours, but still . . . like they belonged to us. To you and me, Edward.”

Lenora turns in my arms, her eyes round and silver in the moonlight as she looks up at me.

“Do you think that’s silly?”

I brush the back of my hand across her cheek, just to feel its softness.

“No, I don’t think it’s silly, sweet girl. I think it’s a beautiful dream. A beautiful destiny. I think that laughter and happiness and all those lovely little tykes will be our dynasty. They will be the joys we leave behind.”

I bend my head and press my lips to her silken neck, speaking the words against her skin.

“Mine and yours, forever and always.”

Her hands skim up my arms, to my shoulders, then around my neck.

“Mine and yours, forever and always,” she whispers, pressing her body against mine, leaning into my touch.

My wife, my love, my Queen . . . my life. I kiss her deeply—our tongues dance and our moans mingle. And then I sweep her up into my arms.

“Let’s get started on them, straight away.”

Lenny throws her head back and laughs as I carry her toward the bed.

“What a marvelous idea . . .”

She peppers my jaw with kisses, working her way to my mouth. Then she presses her lips to mine with all the sweetness and passion and tenderness she has to give.

Life can be an unpredictable, cruel beast—but I know down to the marrow of my bones that whatever comes our way, whatever happinesses or heartbreaks are in store for us, we’ll face them together. Hand in hand, heart to heart, side by side, Lenora and Edward.

And when our bodies are dust in the ground and our souls are joined in whatever life comes after this one, the legend of our story and the echo of our love will live on forever.

The End