Extended Epilogue
“Calm, my friend. If I did not know better, I would have thought she was on her deathbed,” Lewis said as he placed a hand of comfort on Antony’s shoulders.
Antony fidgeted and held his hands together. The anxiety he was feeling could kill him if it lasted a second longer – his beloved wife was about to give birth and he was instructed by Marina to remain outside for now, afraid he could distress her. He did not blame her, of course. From the moment Isabel complained of pregnancy pains, he was worried and stressed, always by her side with anything she needed. But it could be overbearing at times as he learned the hard way from his sister.
He couldn’t help himself, no matter how hard he tried—the thought of anything going wrong was tormenting him day and night. Fatherhood was so new to him – his insides stirred with excitement, fear, and confusion all at once. Oh, how much everything had changed in such a short period.
“I am worried,” was all Antony could muster as he tapped his foot up and down in an erratic motion.
“Hell, the whole Castle can see that,” Lewis said. He rested his back against the wall as they stood outside of Antony’s chambers. “Should I bring some whiskey? I know it can calm the nerves.”
Antony shook his head. “No, no, I…I need to be sober for this. I need to see her.”
“You will soon, I promise. Everything will be fine.”
Antony breathed a shaky breath and placed his hand against his breastbone. He wondered if it would be a girl or a boy. He did not care, of course, since he would love the child regardless, but his mind was mustering all of the different possible scenarios surrounding this.
What about the birthmark? Would my child have one too?
It was not so much a worry as it was a question, something he wondered and often thought of during these past eight months. If something of that sort were to happen, Antony knew what to do. He knew to love his child unconditionally, to teach them to love themselves no matter what because they were loved.
The door creaked open at once, interrupting his thoughts and forcing him to hold his breath with anticipation. Marina stared at him with a grin, her hair disheveled and messy in front of her face, a maturity taking over. Her face, calm and excited all the same, helped relax him and reassure him.
“You look as if you are ill,” Marina said with a smile.
“That is precisely what I have been saying,” Lewis continued. “The man is about to die out here, do not tease him now.”
“Is she all right? Did everything go fine?” Antony asked. He was not able to remain patient anymore, not even if he tried.
Marina stepped to the side, her skirts getting caught on a splintered bit of wood on the door. She pulled against it, freeing herself, and then moved fully into view. Lewis wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close as she breathed deeply. Antony nodded, then gulped audibly in anticipation.
“Well then, what are you waiting for?” Marina teased.
Antony’s boots thudded against the floorboard as he hurried inside the room where his beautiful wife awaited him. His heartbeat quickened and his hands trembled as he inched closer toward Isabel. And then he blinked.
“My love?” he asked.
And then she came into view. Her beauty radiated, causing him to lose his breath and his balance—he had never seen someone so beautiful in his life. Isabel raised her head, smiling at him as she held the baby closer to her chest.
“Shhhh, come quietly. He is sleeping.”
Antony stepped closer to her and sat on the edge of the bed as it slightly shifted due to his weight. He could not help but stare at his wife and son with pride and tears in his eyes. Isabel’s eyes were so bright and lovely as she stared at their son with love and motherly instinct, and everything about it was perfection.
Her soft hands moved towards him, as she showed him their son. Antony chuckled with pleasure, unable to contain his happiness. Their son looked so much like Isabel—his nose the same round shape and his lips the same thickness and pink hue. He wished to see his eyes, hoping they would be like Isabel’s as well, but he knew better than to disturb his sleep.
“He looks like you,” he whispered as he looked at his wife lovingly.
Isabel nodded. “His eyes are like yours. Beautiful and filled with strength.”
Antony inched closer, kissing Isabel’s forehead with tenderness.
“Does he have—”
Isabel interrupted him and slowly unwrapped the blanket that wrapped his tiny body. She pointed at his foot, where a tiny dark mark stood, right below his toes. It was the same color and texture as Marina’s and his, but less noticeable.
“I love it,” Isabel confessed, smiling at Antony once again.
Antony nodded with a grin plastered across his face. Yes, indeed, he loved it too.
“We need to give him a name,” Antony said. Isabel supported her head against his shoulder. “Something that fits him.”
“I have one,” Isabel whispered. “Alexander. It fits him. He will grow up to be handsome and strong, just like you.”
“Oh, I beg to differ. I think he will grow up to be intelligent and kind, just like you.”
“But not handsome?” she teased.
“More than just handsome. He will be overwhelmed during balls with how many Ladies will be chasing after him. I can already see the gossip columns saying: Duke Alexander, the most respected man of England has made yet another appearance.”
Isabel giggled, unable to remain quiet. She certainly liked the sound of that. “You should teach him how to deal with that. I certainly don’t want him to be overwhelmed.”
“Trust me, we will both teach him. Lewis and Marina as well.”
Isabel smiled. “I like the sound of that.”
“I do too.”
His wife inched her body toward him as she supported her head against his chest. It was a tender and sweet moment—them laid together in bed with their son in their arms. Nothing could feel better than this, it was impossible.