Loving Lizzie Finn

20. Epilogue

One Year Later

Lizzie looked up from her embroidery. Ruby sat across from her at their usual table in the workshop, but now Stella and Effie sat with them. Stella had become quite proficient at needlepoint, and Effie … well, Effie found she was more suited for decorating hats. The fact that Byron had hired them touched a soft spot within her. He’d said he’d needed more workers and that the two of them had been available as if he’d put no more thought forth than that. He’d undoubtedly faced resistance against employing them. Luckily, the tides had turned over these last months, partially thanks to Aunt Margaret.

The Female Moral Reform Society now promoted goodwill toward those businesses willing to hire former prostitutes, making society in general see the act as one to be respected and encouraged. Lizzie had been so impressed by the move that she’d joined the society herself. After all, she had to wonder how her mother’s life might have changed if a group like the Moral Reform Society had helped her. With Teague no longer an influence, the society was also targeting Maude’s House at last.

“How has my father been lately?” Ruby asked, glancing up at Lizzie. “I’ve been meaning to stop by, but I’ve been so busy these days.”

Lizzie could imagine. With a job, two growing boys, and another child on the way, Ruby had her hands full.

“He’s been well. Much better this week.” Although Byron’s father would likely never recover, he had good days along with the bad. Despite Byron’s success at paying off the loan at its original amount, Mr. Greeley had decided not to leave his family with only the off chance that he could live longer at a sanitorium. As for her own father, she hadn’t seen him in quite some time. Most of his assets had been auctioned to pay back what he’d embezzled. Now he spent his days in prison, but they had exchanged a few letters over the last month. Perhaps once he completed his sentence, they could start over. She looked back on the days when they’d gotten along so well, and she missed them. He had been good to her over the years. For that alone, she should extend the olive branch. Perhaps they could have a good relationship once again.

“Aunt Lizzie! Aunt Lizzie,” Lewis called as he and his younger brother raced to the table.

Ruby paused again in her stitching. “Boys, slow down.”

Lewis and Jesse did as their mother asked and began jumping in place instead. Such energy! How was Ruby not exhausted every day? Still, judging by the smile on Ruby’s face, her sons were worth any amount of exhaustion.

“What is it, boys?” Lizzie asked.

“Uncle Byron wants you to come to his office,” Jesse piped up before his brother could get a word out. Lewis scowled his displeasure.

“All right.” Laughing at the boys’ antics, Lizzie rose from her seat and headed in that direction, a spring in her step. She’d been meaning to tell Byron something anyway. Now was as good a time as any.

Byron stared out the door of his office at his beautiful wife as she walked toward him. Their engagement hadn’t been a long one. He hadn’t been able to wait to make her his wife before more misunderstandings or people came between them again. They’d been married for almost six months now, and he couldn’t be happier.

Their eyes met, and Lizzie smiled, her face even more radiant than usual.

“You wanted to see me?” she said as she reached the doorway.

He ushered her inside the office and shut the door. “First, I need one of these …” He kissed her lips, her usual scent of violets teasing his senses. Her warm yielding mouth captivated him as it always did, and he couldn’t help but deepen the kiss, abandoning all thought.

Lizzie drew away and glanced through the glass of the door. “This isn’t the appropriate place for this. Was this the reason you called me in here?” She let out a soft, husky laugh that made him wish they were home in bed, but that would have to wait. He cleared his throat as his blood cooled. “It was one of the reasons.” He chuckled. “All right, perhaps it was the main reason,” he conceded. “Can I help it if I crave you night and day?”

Her cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink, and he was sorely tempted to kiss her again. Instead, he dragged his fingers through his hair and restrained himself, as difficult as that was. “Now that our financial difficulties are over, I’ve been thinking about when we should rent an apartment of our own.”

Her smile returned. “I don’t know if we want to leave your family’s home so soon. We might benefit from their advice and help in the coming months and beyond.”

“What do you mean?”

Her smile became a full-out grin. “After all, they have much more experience raising children.”

Byron’s heart skipped a beat. “Are you saying …?”

Lizzie nodded. “I asked Ruby what her first signs of pregnancy were, and I’m experiencing the same. It’s very likely I’m carrying your child.”

Warmth spread throughout his chest, and his breath caught. He grabbed hold of his precious wife and brought her close. “You’ve made me the happiest man. Not because of the child, but you … you are my dream come true.”

He settled his lips over hers again, this kiss more tender than the last. From the first moment he’d met Lizzie, he’d known deep in his soul that they were meant to be together. He’d just never imagined how sweet his life would become.

Giggles and silly gagging sounds wafted through the door. He and Lizzie drew apart to find Jesse and Lewis peering through the glass. Soon those boys would have a cousin. Byron could hardly wait for that day to come. His future was finally filled with hope and love.

I hope you enjoyed Lizzie and Byron’s story. Please remember to leave a review. Even one line is greatly appreciated.