Epilogue
“Mom just leave it, please!” Anya stared at her daughter, a look of shock painted on her face.
“But he-“ she began defensively only to he cut off mid sentence.
“Yes he left me, yes I know. I was there. Could you just… stop rubbing it in?” She pleaded, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes.
Anya was instantly apologetic, “Oh sweetheart, that’s not what I meant to do.”
“I know, but that’s what you are doing. Please just leave it. I hate being the center of all this gossip! My life imploded and its all anyone can talk about! Least of all you!” she gestured to her mother as tears pilled out over her cheeks.
Anya felt her blood heat at the sight, Magda shouldn’t be the one hurt by this! “Marriage is a sacred duty and Erik, who you loved and gave your best years to-“ she defended her actions hotly.
“Oh mom! I’ve heard it, and a fat lot of good it does me! He’s gone; he’s got a boyfriend-no fiancée you tell me! And a…a baby. It’s over and done with, please let it be,” she sobbed miserably, voice breaking.
“But you love him, Magda. I still see it in you, or it wouldn’t hurt so much to hear,” Anya pleaded, fighting back her own tears to see her daughter so broken.
“I know I love him, I feel it every day, but he’s not coming back and I have to move on and I can’t if we keep dwelling on it,” She sighed, leaning into her mother’s offered embrace.
“Alright, love. I’ll let it go, but I won’t forgive him for hurting you!” she squeezed her tightly, trying not to hate Erik for making then leaving this mess.
“I’m not asking you to forgive him, mama I just need you to let the past be the past.”
“I can do anything if it will make you smile again. I love you,” Anya assured her dear girl, wishing there was something she could do to make it all right.
“I love you too,” Magda whispered, finally ready to move on and let her heart heal.
~~
Raven stood on the steps of the church blinking the early spring sun out of her eyes. They’d just stepped out of the vestibule and into the weak light that did nothing against the chill in the air.
“Would you like to hold her?” a soft voice came from behind her.
She turned to see Erik’s mother cradling the baby in her arms with a warm smile on her face.
“Oh, yes, thank you,” Raven beamed and pulled her niece close to her chest. She was a beautiful girl, like a little living doll with wide blue eyes and fat pink cheeks. She wrapped a strand of Raven’s long hair around one tiny fist and held on for dear life.
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Edie ventured into the silence after they spent a moment admiring Jean.
“Yes, likewise,” she offered shyly, wondering what this woman knew about Raven’s dislike of her only child.
“I’m glad you came, the boys were worried you wouldn’t. Charles almost didn’t send the invitation,” Edie chided gently.
Raven felt her heart sink at that. Not that she didn’t deserve it, but it still hurt to hear. She turned her gaze back to the baby who was kicking happily in her grip.
“I’m glad I came,” she admitted quietly, “I almost didn’t but, Charles is the only family I have and I couldn’t miss this.”
“He’s not your only family anymore,” came the gentle reminder of the life she held cradled in her arms.
“That’s true, I have Jean now, too,” She smiled down at her niece.
“Yes, and us, and Erik if you like.”
She looked up in surprise at the kindly older woman, what had Charles told her about their relationship?
“It’s alright to admit you were wrong, even if it’s just to yourself,” Edie said gently.
Raven looked turned to glance at the door of the rectory where Jakob was engaged in what appeared to be a lively theological debate with the vicar that both were greatly enjoying of their wide smiles were anything to go by.
Erik and Charles were stood off to one side, having a whispered conversation while Erik held Charles’ left hand like it was something precious as he absently toyed with the ring he’d placed there just days before.
She’s right, Raven admitted to herself. But it’s better to admit it to the people you’ve wronged as well.
“We’re having a small brunch at Crepes Galore, do you know the place? You’re welcome to join us,” Edie offered kindly.
Raven smiled and nodded, handing the baby back to her grandmother as she blinked back a sheen of tears. She’d gladly go to brunch and hopefully snag a moment with the happy couple to welcome Erik to the family.
~~
Marie felt wrong footed in a way she hadn’t in a long while. The man who’d met her at the elevator with a thunderous scowl was neither Erik nor Charles.
At the sight of her his faced switched to a frankly appreciative gaze followed by a slow, seductive smile that lit a warmth low in her belly that she tried to ignore in the name of professionalism.
“Ah, I’m Anna-Marie, here to check in on Charlie and Jean,” she introduced herself hesitantly, wondering if Charles had hired a body guard.
“So is that why she’s called Jean Marie?” he asked teasingly, “Not bad for a namesake.”
She felt her face flush to the roots of her hair, he was charming, she’d give him that, and handsome, and built- she snapped her gaze back to his face, feeling her flush deepen at the knowing smirk on his face.
“Well, Anna-Marie, I’m Logan Just here checking up on my goddaughter,” he beamed proudly at the last word as though he’d accomplished something amazing. Perhaps he had.
He extended his hand and she took it in a firm grip, trying not to show the nerves jangling under her skin at his touch.
Their handshake drew out longer than necessary as a tense silence fell around them. He tugged her hand lightly. Gentle enough that she could easily pull away if she chose; instead she let him reel her in until she had to tilt her head back to look at him.
“What are you doing after this?” he asked softly.
“Nothin’ sugga, this is my last call fo’ today,” she drawled slowly, accent coming thicker in her excitement.
“Let me buy you coffee after? I can walk you out,” he offered kindly.
She smiled at his polite request. She loved a man with manners. “I’ll hold you to it, darlin’”
“Logan, is that Marie?,” Charles’ call from the nursery broke them apart,
“Ah’d better get to work,” she pulled away from his warmth reluctantly.
“Sooner begun sooner ended,” he agreed with a wink that set her spine tingling, she made her way to the baby’s room with a small grin of her own.
Eager to interrogate Charles about Jean’s godfather.