Ever Happy Ending

Chapter 69

10 years later

Blaine De Lombardi's POV

The fact that there are no second chances in life—not even for the paranormal—was among my first teachings. Every decision we make, error we commit, and word we speak affects the path our lives take.

What if Mirabel and I had never dated? What if, on Lucia's birthday, that first night, I had marked her? What would have happened if my mother had never been involved in combat? I am where I am now because of every decision I make, as well as every decision made by those around me.

Blaine De Lombardi, an Alpha, a partner, a dad, and closest pal.

I took great pride in each title, but I never would have imagined that I would be able to live up to them decades ago. A long time ago, I was dead on Elena's temple floor. Without my partner, I too would have remained dead.

Realizing that I would never have the family I had always imagined was one of the hardest things I had to come to terms with as I was dying. It seemed strange, therefore, to be here today with my family and friends, watching my kid blow out the candles on his birthday cake.

Ryan De Lombardi was born eight years ago on this day. At the moment, he was just a young child excited to receive his gifts, yet he was the next alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. The De Lombardi children could always count on their grandmother spoiling them on their birthdays. It's true that Claire once brought an entire petting zoo to my girls' birthday celebration.

"Can I open my gifts now, Grandma?"

"Of course you can, my handsome man!"

"Yeah!" Ryan dashed inside, heading for the gift-laden table.

"Hi, young man! You still haven't even sliced the cake!" With a cry, Lucia said.

"Later Mom!"

Before slicing the cake to serve the guests, Lucia rolled her eyes.

"Cake, please! I'm craving cake.

Lucas and Bernard, our twin boys, were the ones chanting. It was a pack of hellhounds. I don't remember being nearly as crazy as they were when I was that age, but my dad wasn't convinced. I missed him during these times. My father, Gilbert De Lombardi, a former alpha, died quietly in his sleep last year. Losing the one parent I still had was difficult, but it was unavoidable. In my opinion, if he hadn't survived without my mom's support, we would have lost him long ago. On the day he passed, there was a beautiful sunset full of pink, purple, and orange colors. The fact that my parents were together once more, wherever they might be, comforted me.

I had resolved to put off having children for a while with Lucia. She was eager to start her medical practice, and I felt that I had to accept my position as the leader. Together, we had an amazing time. Together, we've explored new interests, visited several nations, and generally just enjoyed each other's company.

Each of you receives a single slice. Alright? I cautioned them, 'Don't fool your grandparents into giving you more.

"You're just giving them ideas now, Daddy," my daughter remarked mockingly. Even though Christabel De Lombardi was only five years old, she already had a strong attitude. Someone informed me that Lorenzo ladies shared this characteristic in common.

"Higher, uncle, higher!" Sandra yelled.

Greg answered, "This is the furthest my arms extend," as my daughter raised her arms above his head in a manner akin to a human airplane.

I had read all of Romano Matteo's letters to Dorothy. Tragically, he was never able to tell her those words or experience raising a family together, something they had both yearned for. In one of the letters, he had suggested two names he liked for their future children. Among them was Ryan. When Lucia was expecting Christabel and Sandra, we read the letters. At that time, Ryan was five years old. It seemed absurd that Romano intended to use the same name that we had given our son.

Complaining that she spoils her daughters excessively, Lucia argues that if she does not, then who will? Their mom forces them to consume celery. After all that suffering, I believe they merit a little indulgence.

"Daddy! "Look, I'm an airplane!" Sandra yelled.

"I want to be an airplane, too!" Christabel made a demand.

"Okay," and I lifted her above my head.

"Yeah!"

Lucia gave me a snide glance. Hey, if that was her dream, my daughter could be an airplane.

"Daddy, look!" Lucas growled.

Oh my God, as I looked down, I saw that my son was clutching a rat.

"Lucas! Is that a rat you're holding?" Lucia screamed.

Lucas' eyes widened at the sound of his mother's rage, like tiny cartoon characters.

"Bernard, how did you get on top of the bounce house?" Steve yelled.

When I turned to look, I saw my seven-year-old son, grinning like a shithead, perched atop the bounce house.

I instructed him, "Lucas, go put the rat where you found it."

"Daddy, you're not swooshing me like an airplane," Christabel told me.

"My apologies, Princess."

She grew tired and ran to her companions after I swooped her back up and down a few times.

I took my chance, realizing as I looked over at Lucia that my mate was alone for the first time all day, unencumbered by pack members or family. She was standing at the dessert table, so I went over, took her hand, and pulled her inside.

Rose, Valerie, Anthony, and Johnson were standing in the kitchen. Standing beside them were all of their friends. They were all holding drinks, but I didn't pause to strike up a conversation. I took Lucia into the closet near the stairs, closed the door, and she giggled beside me.

"How do we keep ending up here?"

"Because our kids are little shits who always interrupt us," I replied.

That made her chuckle a little.

"They're just our little shits, though," she said.

"Yeah, they are."

I never imagined having such a large family. Not only are my children involved, but also Lucia's parents, siblings, and their offspring, among others. The Lorenzo family appears to go on forever, and now I get to call them family as well. Lucia fixed me with her gaze. I had all this from her. The affection, the family, the opportunity. I could never express how grateful I am to her for it.

I kissed her, feeling the softness of her lips against mine.

I mumbled, "Thank you," against her lips.

"For what?"

"For everything."

She gave me another kiss with a smile. I didn't think I would get enough of her. Even if she were to live forever by my side, I would still look for her in the afterlife.

"Hi Lucia! While one of your children is playing with a rat, the other won't leave the bounce house!" Somewhere within the home, Mirabel let out a shout.

Dylan, Mirabel's intended mate, yelled, "I took the rat from him, but he found a squirrel."

"I'm not getting married," Mirabel whispered.

With a laugh, Lucia buried her forehead against my chest.

"Do you think everyone else's kids are so crazy?" Lucia enquired.

"I doubt it; it must be the Lorenzo in them."

Lorenzo, huh?

And what about De Lombardi?

" I remember you spending most of your early years being a little shit."

Yes! I put my lips to her neck and murmured, "And you're mated to the little shit."

"Oh, Blaine, we need to make sure our kids don't do anything bad."

"At this moment, their family probably numbers in the hundreds. I answered, "I'm sure someone will take care of them.

Her "mom glare" is what gets my kids to behave, no matter what.

"All right, good. Come on, let's grab our hellions."

I took hold of her hand and dragged her out of the wardrobe. Johnson gave me a smile as if we were in high school again, and I had gotten my hands on someone's underwear. I gave him a shake of my head and went back out to join the group. I never took my hand off of Lucia. I alternated between playing with her hair and resting my palm on her back.

For us, the mate bond never wavered. Rather, it grew more powerful. From the moment the sun rose until it set to make space for the moon, she devoured my mind and my soul. There were moments when I felt so grateful to the goddess for granting us this second opportunity. While difficult, the effort was worthwhile. I would do it all over again, a thousand times over, for her.

Love has been the greatest blessing in my life, and I vowed to love her forever. I drew her to my side and planted a kiss on her head.

"I declare my love for you, Lucia."

"I will love you forever, this is my sacred vow to you."

She beamed at me with that brilliant smile of hers that always made me feel like the world's greatest for bringing such joy to her.

"I love you too Blaine."

To create space for the moon, the sun started to set. While the grownups talked to one another, the children in the group ran around our garden, creating a spectacular show of colors in the sky. The beauty of the sunset overwhelmed me, causing a slight pang in my chest. Though it was comforting to know that my parents were somewhere in the cosmos, experiencing this moment, I still hoped they could be here in person with my family.

With her head crushed against my chest, Lucia wrapped my arms around herself in a cocoon-like fashion.

"Blaine; they're with you all the time," she remarked.

"I know."

"You know, in a week we'll be in Italy with beautiful water surrounding us and good food," Lucia uttered those words to divert my attention.

A few years prior, we had bought a property on one of the coasts in Italy. We used to spend a week alone at the villa whenever we had pack business on the pack's Italian grounds. I was eagerly anticipating it, and it was the ideal holiday.

"Did Rose say she could cover the clinic for you while you're gone?" I enquired.

"Yeah, she'll cover for me."

Lucia said, "Come on, let's go jump in the bouncy house."

"We? The grown-ups organizing this gathering?"

"Hey, you know I can backflip. Old man, I bet you can't even manage one."

"Oh, you're on."

With joy flowing from our mouths, we hurried to the bounce house.

Wasn't that the essence of love? It was the large things and the little things, the stormy moments of despair and the modest moments of joy. It was about honoring one another and keeping your word and commitments.

I would put in every effort to keep it. Lucia and I finally got our ever happy ending.

THE END.