Stolen Queen (Dynasty of Deception #4)

Extended Epilogue

Ava – Three Years Later

As Matteo and I step into the D'Amato home, I'm immediately enveloped by the warm glow of Christmas cheer. The foyer is a winter wonderland, with twinkling lights draped along the grand staircase and fragrant garlands adorning every doorway. The air is filled with the scents of cinnamon and pine, transporting me to a world of holiday magic.

I adjust Rocco on my hip, marveling at how heavy our two-year-old son has become. His wide eyes take in the festive scene.

As we move further into the house, memories wash over me. It feels like just yesterday that I first walked these halls, discovering a whole new world in which families love and support each other. And now, I stride through them with my husband by my side and our son in my arms.

Matteo and I continued to live in the D’Amato mansion until Rocco was born. It was partly to make sure my father didn’t take action against me or Matteo. But it was also because I needed people around me. Piper and Diana supported me through my pregnancy and helped me with Rocco when he was a newborn.

Piper had her baby just a month after I moved in. A sweet little boy named after Elio, who they call E.J. Diana’s baby came two months after that, just before Lana and Henry finally tied the knot on Valentine’s Day. Diana and Lazaro have a little girl, Arianna.

As Rocco neared his first birthday, Matteo bought us a home not far from here. It’s not as large, but it’s large enough for us to have several more children. And while we have our own space now, we still spend a great deal of time here. With family.

We head to the living room which is dominated by an enormous Christmas tree, its branches filled with twinkling lights and sparkling ornaments. Presents are already piled high beneath it. I’m excited to think about Rocco's response come Christmas morning. At two years old, I think he’ll have a better understanding of what's going on. I press my hand to my belly, thinking about the other present I have for Matteo.

Laughter echoes through the room where the family is all gathered. All this feels so different from the Christmases of my childhood. There's a genuine joy here, a sense of belonging that I never experienced in my father's house.

Elysse, Elio and Piper’s ten-year-old daughter, is entertaining E.J. and Arianna by the Christmas tree. Rocco squirms in my arms, his little hands reaching out toward his cousins.

"Down," he demands, his voice a mix of excitement and impatience.

Matteo chuckles. “A man who knows what he wants.”

I set Rocco down, and he runs off to join his cousins. Elysse, ever the protective older cousin, immediately reaches out to envelop him in their fun.

Matteo's arm slips around my waist, and I lean into him.

"Look at them. They're so happy."

“And how about you?”

I glance up at him.

“Are you happy?”

“I’m beyond happy.”

He grins and gives me a quick kiss.

“We’ve got eggnog… boozy and unboozy,” Janey, one of the servants, says, holding a tray. I pick up an unboozy option.

Matteo shakes his head. “I’d rather just have the booze.”

“I’ll get you something,” Elio says, going to the bar in the corner of the room.

I walk over toward the fireplace where Lana and Henry are huddled close, each cradling one of their newborn twins, Lily and Hank. Lana is still a fierce, intimidating woman, but she’s also filled with loving warmth. I’m told Henry, and now the kids, have softened her up a bit.

Lana was particularly helpful to me when I decided to sell some of my jewelry. She envisions a big company, selling my designs in major department stores around the world. My true goals aren’t so lofty, but I appreciate her confidence in me.

Piper and Diana are on the couch, watching the children while Elio pours drinks for him, Lazaro, and Matteo. I smile as I watch them, knowing how much it pleases Matteo that they consider him their brother.

“Dinner is ready,” Janey announces.

As we gather around the dinner table, Matteo's hand finds mine under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Merry Christmas,” he whispers to me over Rocco’s head who’s sitting between us. That’s another thing that is different. When I was a kid, we didn’t eat our meals with my parents. Even on holidays. It wasn’t until we reached the age of ten that we joined the grownup table.

But here, all family members join the celebration. Even the twins are in baby carrier seats anchored to highchairs.

Elio stands, raising his glass. "To family. To the bonds that tie us together, through thick and thin."

We all raise our glasses and say, “To family.”

I pretend to sip the wine, glancing over the rim to see if anyone notices. Across the table, Diana has a glass of water.

Piper leans forward. "Diana, is there a reason you're toasting with water tonight?"

The room goes silent, all eyes turning to Diana.

Diana's cheeks flush, and she shares a look with Lazaro. He nods, a grin spreading across his face.

"Well, we weren't going to say anything just yet, but…" She takes a deep breath. "We're pregnant again!"

The room explodes with joy. Elio pats Lazaro on the back as Piper leans over and gives Diana a hug.

“We’re going to have to get a bigger table soon,” Elio says. He sits at the head and looks over the family, his family, and I can see he’s happy for all of us. And I’m more than thrilled to be a part of it.

As the excitement over Diana and Lazaro's announcement settles, Matteo leans toward me over Rocco again. “Maybe it’s time we give Rocco a little brother or sister.”

My lips discreetly twitch upward as I turn to him. "Who says we haven't already started on that?" I pull back slightly, watching as his eyes widen with surprise and then darken with desire.

His hand finds mine again under the table. "Are you saying…?"

I give him a coy smile, neither confirming nor denying. "I'm saying that maybe we should have a private conversation later tonight."

Matteo's face breaks into a wide grin, and he leans in to press a quick, passionate kiss to my lips.

"You're killing me, Princess," he murmurs against my mouth.

“Get a room,” Lazaro calls out toward us.

We laugh.

When the attention is no longer on us, Matteo leans toward me again. “Another baby. God, Ava, you make me the happiest man alive."

I smile at him. “Back at you.”

The sounds of laughter and celebration continue around us, and I know that I truly am the happiest person alive. The D'Amatos took me in and showed me what true familial love looks like.

Elio and Piper, Lana and Henry, Lazaro and Diana, all of them have found their own happily ever after. And now, with the news of Diana's pregnancy and our own secret joy, our family is growing even more.

I look at Matteo, a wave of emotion filling me. I’m so grateful for him. For all of them. I shudder to think of what my life would be like without them.

“Thank you for saving me,” I say.

His eyes soften. “Thank you for stopping running away from me.”

I laugh. “I’m not running now. You’re stuck with me.”

“Thank fuck.”

“Tank fuck,” Rocco repeats.

We all gasp and then laugh.

I kiss Rocco on the head and give Matteo a chastising look. He gives me a sheepish smile in return. Then he blows me a kiss.

My life feels like a dream, but it’s not. It’s real. And I’m so grateful to the man who kidnapped me and gave me this wonderful life.

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