Page 65 of Innocent Salvation

“I know you’ve probably seen the best jewels in the world, but I thought this fit our family and how we met.”

He felt hesitant for a second, butterflies in his belly as he waited for her reaction and he hoped, no, he knew, he’d always feel that with her.

“I love it, it’s perfect.”

Seb leaned in and kissed her, showing her everything she meant to him and more as he undressed her and made love to her in just the diamond engagement ring she wore.

Epilogue

The family-run hotel on the edge of the Malvern Hills was strung with fairy lights, the room where she was getting ready had its own twinkling Christmas tree lighting up the corner of the room. Snow looked into the mirror and couldn’t believe the radiant woman looking back at her.

Her hair was up in loose tendrils, a small tiara held in place on the top of her head with pins. The ivory wedding gown was simple yet suited her and made her feel like a princess in every way. A deep V neckline in satin with spaghetti straps held the low back before sweeping into a huge ballerina ballgown of taffeta.

Nerves tickled her tummy and she found it hard to wipe the smile from her face she was so excited to become Sebastian’s wife.

“Will you be my mummy ’ficial now?”

Snow spun in her seat to look at the little girl who’d caused all of this goodness in her life. Fleur had on a pale pink dress with silk flower petals sewn into the net hem, her hair in a sleek bun, and a mini tiara that matched Snow’s on her head.

Snow reached for her, and she came closer as Duchess and Lotus looked on. Both women were bridesmaids, as well as Aiofe and Valentina, who was currently making sure the groomsmen were in place.

Snow had no worries. Her stress from the day before that everything would go perfectly had slid away into a calm rightness. “Yes, I’ll be your mummy officially.”

She and Seb had talked when after the engagement. Fleur had asked if they could be her mummy and daddy now like the other kids at school and they’d decided to officially adopt her and end the confusion.

Snow knew it would be confusing when they did tell her the details, but for now, she knew her birth mummy had gone to heaven and her aunt and uncle were now her parents. The adoption was a formality, and they’d have the paperwork next week when they came back from their honeymoon. Patrick hadn’t contested anything, and as he wasn’t on the birth certificate, he didn’t have any rights. Lucinda’s birth parents were both dead, killed in a car accident shortly after she was born. That was the reason for her adoption and Snow wished she’d known how much they’d wanted her. The couple were newly married and in love from what they could find out.

“I love you, Mummy. You look so pretty. Daddy is going to think you’re a princess.”

Snow would never get used to those words and knew Seb felt the same. So much had changed for them this last six months, some of it hard, most of it good.

Now they shared their time between London and Longtown. Her role in Shadow had changed in some ways but they’d adapted and having Seb on board as an advisor helped too. He’d retired as a judge, wanting to be able to travel with her and give Fleur the attention he never had from his parents. He looked after the family money now, telling her it meant something as they were building a new generation for it to benefit.

Valentina came rushing in, a smile on her face, the dusky pink of the bridesmaid dress making her look like a model, and perfectly suited her skin tone. In fact, all her friends looked gorgeous.

“You ready to do this?” Snow glanced at Duchess who gave her a smile before she hugged her. “I’m so damn proud of the woman you’ve become. I’m proud to call you friend and I’ll kick his ass if he hurts you.”

Handing her the bouquet she stepped back and let Lotus take her place. “Congrats, Snow. You bagged a good one, but he’s bagged a priceless gem.”

“Thank you, Naz.” Lotus only let them get away with calling her by her real name on special occasions, and today was one of those.

As the others hurried out with Fleur chattering happily, Snow knew that, as they approached the new year, it would be filled with love and adventure and more important to her, the family she’d always craved and loved with all her heart.

“You look beautiful.”

Bás had been the one she asked to give her away since he was the only man who’d been any kind of father to her in the last five years. The rough brogue of his voice sounded scratchy, and she wondered if today was the day for emotions to overflow.

“Thank you.”

He led her down the stairs and she heard the music start as her bridesmaids walked ahead of her. She didn’t see the flowers or the faces of her friends, and family of choice, but she knew they were there. The men from Eidolon, with their wives and children. A few of Seb’s close friends, and even Margaret’s sons who Seb had set up for life with a financial trust that would make anyone’s eyes water.

All she saw was the man she loved, dressed in a black tux, his eyes wet as he watched with so much love in his eyes she could hardly breathe. Bás kissed her cheek and handed her over with a whispered warning to bury his body if he hurt her.

“You look like a dream.”

His voice wobbled and she had to fight her own tears as the vicar led them through the vows. They’d said their own vows in private, just the two of them, wanting it just to be them when they opened their hearts. Seb had changed but he was still her grumpy, private, hot boss and always would be and she wouldn’t change a thing about him.

Then it was done, and Seb was kissing her as if they were the only two people in the world, his kiss promising a lifetime of love and passion.