Page 85 of Duplicity

Jasper rocked back and stood. “Get everyone out of the house. It’s rigged to blow.”

Someone lifted her into their arms, and everything went black.

EPILOGUE

Three months later.

Simon tugged on the end of the bow tie. This side room in the small country church in a little town on the coast echoed with instrumental worship music being piped into all the rooms.

“Leave it. It looks good.” Talia swatted his hand.

He frowned. “It looks ridiculous. I just can’t decide if I look like a monkey or a penguin. Why is it called a monkey suit anyway?”

Talia rolled her eyes, and her gold eyeshadow glinted in the light. The door opened. Mason, her husband, stuck his head in—the guy was as big as a Redwood and had a kid on each hip. He wore a suit, though probably one of the same ones he wore every day since he worked as a Secret Service agent. Their four-year-old son was in a suit of his own, and the little girl had on a pink dress.

A different door opened, and Peter stepped out of the washroom, tucking in the tail of his shirt. He’d gelled his hairand complained only a little when Simon refused to get more than a trim. “Ready.”

Simon nodded. Why was he nervous anyway? He wasn’t the one getting married.

Mason said, “Let’s go, babe. The natives are getting restless.”

Talia kissed Simon on the cheek. “You’ll be fine.”

Peter shrugged on his suit jacket and held his hands out, palms up. “What about me? I’m the one getting married.”

“Boy, you already know you’ll be fine.”

Peter had to concede that point.

Simon took in the scene. Talia gave his brother a kiss on the cheek and said, “Your mother would be very proud of you.”

Then she trailed to the door and closed it.

Peter looked at him.She’s right.Neither of them said anything, sharing the moment in the quiet with their own thoughts even if the sentiment was the same for both of them.

There was a gentle knock on the door.

“Come in.” Peter walked over to it, glancing at his watch.

Their sister Freya stepped in. She wore a blue dress cut to accommodate the fact she was now in the second trimester of pregnancy. Though, it wasn’t super noticeable. Mostly, she just seemed to have this…glow about her. Her dark eyes shone like the pins she had holding back her hair. Her eyes filled with tears. “Wow.”

Simon and Peter both strode to her, hugging her between them.

“I’m not supposed to cry.”

Simon snorted.

Peter said, “Who cares? Cry if you wanna cry.”

“Where is Lucas, anyway?” Simon half expected him to be here. The guy practically rolled out the red carpet everywhere she went now that she was carrying their baby. She could barely lift her purse without him offering to help.

Peter made the same noise Simon had a second ago.

Freya smacked his shoulder, but it was weak. “Well, it’s almost time. Your ladies are waiting for you. I should take my seat.”

Peter said, “Love you,” and kissed her cheek.

“Same.” Simon leaned down.

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