Extended Epilogue

Seven Years Later

“Mama, can you play it again?” Helen asked, her thick lashes fluttering as she supported her jaw on the black pedestal. At only six years old, she was a remarkable child, resembling Simon both in looks and character. When she was born, Simon insisted she would end up exactly like Eloise, though that was quickly proven to be wrong. 

Eloise’s fingers traced the pianoforte keys, playing the melody Simon had taught her, the same one her own mother would once play to her in her childhood. A smile tugged the corners of her lips as she noticed Robert, her son, watching at the movement of her hands with curiosity. Robert resembled Eloise more than anyone else. He was shorter for a start, with longer legs than torso, and his personality was more patient and tolerable, though he still held a wicked childish streak. Born only ten minutes after Helen, he was officially the youngest but also the most patient and kindest of the family.

“All right, that’s enough now,” Eloise said, standing up, “It’s time to get ready for dinner. Our family will be here soon.”

“Aw, but I wanted more.” Helen frowned, hugging her hands on her chest in stubbornness. She wasn’t one to give up easily.

Before Eloise had the chance to reply, Simon entered the room with a smirk. He looked breathtaking as always. His attire had changed long ago, from the usual dark garments to more light-colored ones, such as gray and white, which suited him. His overcoat was white, reaching down to his knees, and a few lines had appeared on his face, adding to his masculinity and dominance.

“I’ll tell you what,” Simon said, “After the dinner, I’ll play something for you, and your mother will sing. Does that sound like a deal?”

“I don’t sing,” Eloise insisted.

“Oh, you will this once.” Simon wrapped his hands around Eloise’s form, bringing her close to him and placing a gentle, caring kiss on her lips.

“Ewww!” Both of the children exclaimed, and Helen made gagging gestures with her hands and mouth.

“Time to get ready. Go to Fenella, she’ll help you,” Eloise said to the kids.

“Papa, catch!” Little Richard’s pale hands stretched long and wide as he threw a ball in Simon’s direction though it was headed toward Eloise instead. Without the slightest hesitation, Simon caught it in his hands and placed it on top of the piano.

“It almost hit mama, you unlicked cub!” Helen yelled out, her hazel eyes wide with anger.

“Helen! Where did you even learn such language?” Eloise asked.

“From papa.”

“Of course, it was from papa.”

Helen’s lips stretched into a guilty smile as she held her hands crossed against her chest in confidence. Usually, she would get in trouble, but it was Simon’s doing. He had the tendency to spoil the kids rotten and treat them more like friends instead of two devilish children. But that was his way of showing how much he loved them and how much he loved her.

And it was an interesting upbringing. Whereas Eloise ended up as the strict mother of the family, Simon was the opposite, balancing things out. There weren’t enough words to describe the love Eloise felt for them, nor the love she held for Simon. Having the life she always dreamed of bringing her a feeling of peace and happiness she never had before.

“What are you dwelling on now?” Simon asked, holding one of her hands in his own. His touch was soft and reassuring, and it managed to bring a smile to her face every time.

“How lucky I am to have you,” she whispered. “And that Helen and Robert are still here! Come on, off to Fenella, you two. They’ll be here anytime now.”

“If she’s not busy with Gregory,” Simon burst out and Eloise slapped his shoulder. Giggling, both of the kids sprinted out of the room, leaving the married couple to their solitude.

“Alone at last,” Simon whispered, in her ear, shutting and locking the door behind them. With two long strides, he was already by her side, pinning her against the wall and sucking on that sensitive spot of her neck, just underneath her jaw.

“Siiiiimon,” she moaned, “We don’t have time, they’ll be here soon…”

“Trust me, I’ll be quick.”

He rustled up her skirts, rubbing up against her flesh with slow, torturous motions.

***

“Here we are!” Kate yelled out, stretching her arms wide and open. Felicity did the same, though her gestures were more reluctant and modest since it was difficult for her to get used to. Being around children, she had confessed, brought out a side of her she didn’t know she had; a kinder, more at ease one.

“Aunt Kate! Aunt Felicity!” Helen rushed into Kate’s embrace while Robert ran up to Felicity, hugging them tightly.

“You’re acting like we haven’t seen each other in years,” Felicity commented sarcastically, her red lips stretching into a grin. “It’s only been a matter of weeks.”

“Four weeks, mama said,” said Robert, planting a kiss on Felicity’s rosy cheeks.

“Four weeks is nothing. Try being away for a whole year, then you’ll see.” Kate placed Helen on the grassy ground, straightening her yellow gown.

“You’ve been away for a year?” Helen’s eyes opened wide as if learning a shocking secret.

“No, but her lover has. Right?” Felicity teased.

She chuckled the moment Kate thrashed her on the shoulder. “I don’t have a lover,” Kate argued, but it fell on deaf ears as Felicity nodded in disbelief.

“No greetings for your grandparents, huh?” Uncle Marcus joked, placing a hand over his heart and pretending to be hurt.

“No, we love you too!” The twins jumped onto him, careful not to throw his weak body to the floor, planting kisses on his cheeks.

“I never thought I’d say this before, but I think I want to adopt your children,” Felicity joked, strolling up to Eloise, followed by Kate behind her.

There was a moment of silence and quiet reflection until Kate finally spoke again, “You both look so happy together. If my husband doesn’t look at me the way Simon looks at you, then I know I’m doing something wrong.”

“Maybe say that to—”

“Aunt Kate, Aunt Felicity!” Helen called out.

“I’m coming!” Felicity yelled back, turning back toward Eloise. “We’ll talk later, I promise.” Rushing toward the twins, Felicity and Kate’s dresses floated with the wind.

Aunt Alexandra walked up soon after, placing a hand on Eloise’s shoulder and smiling. “How are you both? It’s been a while since we last spoke, though I see not much has changed.”

“We should be asking you instead,” Eloise said quietly, not wanting to be heard from the rest of the family. “What happened with Uncle Marcus? I heard you went to Bath for his treatment, but you didn’t write to me; did they say good news? Is he to recover?”

“Yes,” Aunt Alexandra said, her smile widening.

Simon had also caught up to them now. “What did they say exactly? Is there anything he needs to watch out for? Certain medicines? I’m sure we can help.” He turned to Eloise, whose fingers seemed to be clenching tighter on his coat. “It’s okay, my love.”

“There are certain foods he needs to avoid. And alcohol—they said he is never to have it again. It can be horrible for his health,” Aunt Alexandra continued, “God knows how he’ll manage, but he’s doing it for Helen and Robert, he says. Those kids are angels in disguise.”

“That’s good news. And as I mentioned, anything else he might need, we’ll provide,” Simon said to Aunt, then held both of Eloise’s hands in his own, placing a kiss on her forehead as she tensed up once more.

“What are you three whispering for? I thought this was a garden party, so bring out the food,” Uncle Marcus yelled out from afar, waving. 

It was obvious to anyone that he appeared to be in much better health, his skin warm-colored and his body more filled up, giving him a slightly rounded shape. He was still crouching and complaining about aches in his muscles, but it was nothing compared to before.

Aunt Alexandra walked on ahead while Eloise crept behind, stalling a little. Noticing her demeanor, Simon stayed with her, wrapping a hand around her waist and bringing her closer to his chest.

“Are you all right, pet?”

“He looks better,” Eloise commented, inhaling the sandalwood scent of Simon.

“And you’re not happy?”

“No, no, of course, I am,” she continued, “I just…It’s hard to explain. Now that he’s partly recovered, I’m afraid he won’t ever admit if anything is wrong. He’d rather hide it to keep everyone happy.”

Simon shook his head. “Maybe to you. But you forget that I’m close to the old man—if something is wrong, I promise I’ll tell you, all right?”

A smile crept on her lips, and she nodded, accepting his reassuring words. It was true; Simon and Uncle Marcus had gotten closer than anyone expected them to, to the point where they told each other things they wouldn’t reveal to others.

“And I also think you worry too much. Everything will be all right, I promise.” He placed a kiss on her lips. “Come on, let’s go now.”

Finally at peace, Simon grabbed her hand, dragging her toward the rest of the family. But she halted, remaining in place, a blush on her face.

“I wanted to tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“Well…my condition doesn’t allow for alcohol either, you know,” she paused, waiting for him to catch on. 

“Your condition?” Simon asked, his eyes wide with worry. “Are you ill? What happened?”

“I’m perfectly all right,” she said.

“Then what is—” He paused as she placed two hands on her stomach, holding it gently. “You’re pregnant.”

“I am. I wanted to reveal it in front of the whole family, but I thought—”

He silenced her with a kiss. “You thought right. You couldn’t have made me happier if you tried, Eloise. I love you.”

“And I love you.” Warm hands wrapped around her, holding her buttocks, her waist, and her breast. It was risqué as the family could walk up to them any moment. With a squeaky giggle, she pushed him away, stopping him before he lost control. “Let’s go back to the rest of the family and tell them the news.”

“And I’ll try to keep my hands off you for now.”

The End.