Five years later

“My Lord, my Lady! Please, stop running!” Miss Newcastle cried, running after the mischievous four- and two-year-old.

It was quite the hilarious sight, Imogen had to admit and pretty common too. It was almost always that way in the Derby household ever since their children learned that they could run with their little legs.

When Richard Klaus Derby had begun to show signs of being a terror just after his second birthday, his parents had desperately begun to hope it was just a phase that would soon pass. As time went on, they realized that soon would be a while still.

Then they had welcomed Olivia Annalise Derby. The tiny angel had melted their hearts so effortlessly and they had had reason to believe she would be the gentlest soul. Once more, they had been wrong. She was even more of a terror than her brother.

Often, Imogen found herself pitying their nurse, Miss Newcastle. The poor lady was so fond of the children and good to them. Sadly, they were bent on only causing her trouble.

Imogen turned to her husband as she heard his snickering.

“You should be giving her a helping hand by calling your children to order, you know.”

He immediately sobered. “We both know it would do no good. They never listen.”

That was true. “Well then, perhaps you could help in catching them and taking them to the nursery so that Miss Newcastle can finally dress them for the party. Our guest will be arriving any time now, you know. It would do no good if the birthday boy himself is not ready.”

It was Richard’s birthday and all their close friends and family had been invited. Her father and his new wife. Her brother with his own wife and their lovely twin boys. So was Ethan with his family, his wife and their beautiful daughter. Her mother-in-law and Arthur, Aunt Rachel and Uncle Peter, and, of course, Alicia and Jerome who would be bringing along their four-year-old daughter, who was only a few months younger than Richard.

Both sets of parents had hopes the two of them would grow to fall in love so that the Wilkins and Derbys would become family in truth.

“As your Ladyship commands,” her husband said.

He started to go after the children but not before pulling her into his arms for a kiss.

Imogen quickly recovered from her surprise, melting in those arms. When he finally pulled away, her soul sighed. She watched him as he went after the children, falling in love all over again.

It did not matter how long it had been, he still made her heart tremble with just a touch. He only needed his kisses to steal her breath away. As for his smiles, whenever she saw those lips tilted at their corners, the butterflies in her belly fluttered.

He was her true love’s match indeed.

Hours later, as evening fell, their guests began to arrive one after the other. In no time, everyone was present, and pleasantries were more than enough to go around.

They dined, wined, shared memories, and happy laughter. All of it filled Imogen’s heart and soul.

Imogen looked at the faces of everyone present, all of whom she loved, knowing that she was beyond blessed. How else could everyone she cared about have ended up so happily?

Her father had refused the thought of remarrying at first, but had finally found a woman who made his heart beat again, three years ago. She was the Lady Daphne La Conte. A French heiress of English descent who had never married. He had met her on one of his travels and she had—in his words—awakened feelings that he had never thought he could feel again.

They had wedded in half a year and they were all the better for it. Her father looked younger by the day. His happiness was infectious. Lady Daphne was the sweetest woman. She never tried to be Lewis’ and Imogen’s mother. She only tried to be their friend, and they loved her all the more for it.

Aunt Rachel and Uncle Peter had finally returned to England for good. They had been living contentedly in their manor in Dusham, away from the noise of London save for occasional visits and the Season.

As for Ethan, he had found himself a lady who treasured his adorable self, jests and all. They were in love with each other. It was as true as the sky was blue.

Jerome and Alicia continued to have a blissful marriage, as did her brother and Sapphire. Lady Cheshire was the best mother-in-law anyone could ever have. In truth, she was more of a mother to Imogen.

As for her dearest husband, Nigel. He had kept all of the promises he had made to her and more.

He cherished their children and her, more so every day. He was the best father and an even better husband. Daily, Imogen’s heart filled with gratitude for the blessing that was him.

As the wonderful evening neared its end, Imogen saw it fit to share her thoughts.

“I grew up with such a small, close-knit family. However, the heavens found me worthy to be blessed with more. Two mothers, an aunt, an uncle, two brothers, two fathers, a dearest friend turned sister, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law, nieces and nephews, I have so much more than I could have ever envisioned, and it fills my soul with so much joy. Thank you all for being by my side now and always, for joining in our celebration and for living happy lives. They say true life is not a fairytale and people do not always have happy endings. Well, in that case, we must be living a fairytale!”

Soft chuckles were heard all round.

She raised her glass then. “Now that the children have gone away, I say let us toast. To us, to love, to family! Let us drink that our hearts shall continue to merry.”

They all raised their glasses. “To us, to love, to family!” they chorused!

When they would have started to clink, Jerome spoke, stopping them.

“And to me!” he chimed. “If I had not been such a royal arse—pardon my French—perhaps, Lady Kensington would never have met her one true love. So, in a way, I made all of this happen. I brought us all together. You all must thank me,” he jested. “To Jerome, for being a royal arse!”

“You might have been an arse, Exeter,” Ethan interjected. “But you are certainly no royal. So yes, to Jerome, for being an arse!”

They were all laughing heartily as they clinked their glasses and drank.

Imogen seized the moment to send a prayer up above, that they would continue to be so happy, until the very end.

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