Three years had passed since Marina and Laurence had found each other again, their love growing stronger with each passing day. They had faced challenges, but their unwavering commitment to each other had carried them through.

Marina sat in the elegant, cosy library of their newly renovated estate, her eyes filled with contentment as she watched Laurence read to their firstborn, Helena.

The mansion was a far cry from the neglected building she had walked through the first time she met Laurence. A full staff tended to the gardens and household, making the estate a warm and welcoming place for family and friends to gather. Marina had poured her heart and soul into making the house a home, and it had paid off in spades.

Little Helena, with her mother’s soft curls and her father’s mischievous smile, giggled as Laurence exaggerated the voices of the characters in the book. Marina couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her two favourite people in the world bonding over a story.

“My lord, my lady,” Mr Yates, the trusted butler Lady Frankton had secured for them, politely interrupted their intimate moment. “A letter has arrived from your barrister. The messenger said it was an important missive.”

“Hand it to me,” Laurence said affably as he placed Helena on the floor so that she could rush to her mother’s arms. After a moment of inspecting the letter, he turned toward Marina with a smile on his face. “It seems that the legal proceedings against Sir John have concluded at long last. He has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term.”

Marina’s heart swelled with satisfaction and relief, knowing that justice had been served. Though accusing her prior guardian for everything he had truly put them through was impossible, they had been able to gather enough evidence of his wrongdoings to make a case for fraud against him. It was vindication after all these years and a relief to know he would never harm anyone else to satisfy his own greed.

Marina kissed her daughter on the forehead before standing and walking over to Laurence, wrapping her arms around him tightly. “I am so glad it’s finally over,” she whispered, resting her head on his chest.

“Mama, mama, more stories,” Helena demanded, sitting stubbornly by the fireplace, holding one of the books in her tiny arms.

Marina giggled, turning toward her daughter, who was looking up at her with that big, sweet smile on her pretty face.

“Just a moment, darling,” she replied sweetly and looked at her husband. “Please write to Marcus and Danielle to let them know the news. I am certain they will be elated too.”

“I will.” He nodded, kissing her lovingly before letting her go back to their child. “Marina, I think I shall visit my father tomorrow.”

Marina looked up at him, concern momentarily noticeable on her face, but she quickly forced herself to push such feelings aside.

That man could no longer hurt her or Laurence, not in his current estate, and she could not blame her husband for wanting to ensure his father was well taken care of.

“Of course, dear,” she sat by Helena’s side. She forced herself to ask, “How is he doing?”

“He’s… not doing well,” he admitted softly but shook his head. “Marina, do not worry about him. I owe him nothing more than to ensure he is as comfortable as possible for the rest of his life, however long that might be, but I have no intentions of bringing him back into our family. Even if you encouraged me to do that, I would bluntly refuse. He made his choices, and the consequences of his actions are his to deal with.”

“I understand, Laurence,” she said earnestly, idly opening the book as she sat by her daughter’s side on the carpet.

The guilt of his actions had consumed the viscount completely, leading to a mental breakdown that left his son with no other option but to have him committed. Marina’s heart ached for Laurence and the difficult relationship he had with his father. 

“Your support means the world to me, my dove.”

It was only after reading another one of Helena’s favourite fairy tales that she turned back to Laurence, who had already finished penning the letter.

“You know, last time I spoke with Danielle, she suggested we visit Anna’s state for the summer,” Marina said, making a reference to her birth mother, the Dowager Duchess of Frankton. Due to the inevitable concerns over rumours, she avoided referencing her as her mother, even though that was what she called her in her heart. 

“That sounds like an interesting plan,” Laurence grinned, looking out the window into well-kept gardens. “And I always welcome the chance to get away from the London Season. There will be no balls to attend if we are far from the city.”

“I am certain our Anna can be persuaded to host a ball or two,” Marina teased him playfully, but Laurence was not so easily defeated.

“Only close friends would be invited. Her beach house is simply too far from London to allow the entirety of the ton to attend. I can live with that, particularly if it means I get a chance to dance with my lovely wife.”

Marina giggled softly and turned to Helena, who was looking up at her with those big, beautiful eyes.

“What do you say, Lena? Would you like to visit the beach?”

“Yes, yes, beach!” Helena squealed with delight, prompting Laurence to chuckle.

“I think that is settled then. The child has spoken,” he said good-humouredly. “It will be nice for her to spend time with Harry, too.”

“Harry, Harry, want to see Harry!” the two-and-a-half-year-old squealed once more.

She and Danielle’s firstborn son, Harry, got along famously, and Marina’s heart swelled with joy at the thought of their children growing up together and becoming the best of friends.

“Do you think she should be travelling at all?”

“She is only five months with child. I think she will be all right,” Marina said with a smile. “I am certain Anna would be more than glad to let her stay until she gave birth, though, if anything were to happen. She would be treated like a princess.”

“Oh, yes, I remembered how she spoiled you during your pregnancy,” Laurence said playfully.

As Helena tugged at her mother’s hand, begging for another story, Marina acquiesced, longing to create a lifetime of beautiful memories with her precious family, cherishing every moment they shared together.

Laurence sat nearby, watching the scene unfold with a smile on his face, and she stole glances at her handsome husband from time to time, feeling overwhelming gratitude for the love they shared.

They had faced adversity and challenges, but through it all, their love had remained steadfast. 

“I was thinking,” she whispered as they stepped outside of Helena’s nursery later that night, walking hand-in-hand toward their own chambers. “It might be time to expand our family, Laurence. What do you think?”

Laurence stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening with surprise, a playful little grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

He pulled Marina into his embrace, holding her tightly and planting a passionate kiss on her lips. “I think that is an excellent idea,” he said with a smile, his voice filled with excitement. “And I certainly look forward to everything that is involved in bringing another little one into this world with you, my love.”

She giggled at his innuendo, kissing him once more before following her husband into their bedroom, ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives together.

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