Page 23 of Absolution (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 3)

“Let me see your hand.”

I give it to him.

“You need this back.” He slides my engagement ring back on, and the tightness in my chest lifts. I’ve missed it every day.

“You need this one, too.” Griff pops his head around the corner of the bathroom and slides the other ring on my middle finder. He eyes trail down to the counter. “Congratulations.” He kisses my forehead and wraps me up in a hug. “I’ll never disappoint you again,” he whispers in my ear before kissing the side of my head again.

He gives Connor a bro hug with enthusiastic backslapping. “Twins can skip a generation, just so you know,” he says with a cheeky little wink for us.

Connor and I lock terrified eyes with each other, as Griff leaves the room chuckling.

Epilogue

LILITH

TWO MONTHS LATER

“You look so beautiful, Lil,”Ivy says as we stand with Claire, looking at ourselves in a floor-to-ceiling mirror. My dress only had to be let out a little from my measurements back in July. I’m not really showing yet, and most of the guests don’t know I’m pregnant. We’ve decided to announce it during the wedding.

Ivy and Claire ended up picking similar champagne colored dresses. Ivy’s dress is a little softer and romantic looking, with her signature backless style. Claire’s dress is tight and sexy, accentuating her slim dancer’s body. They both look stunning with their dark brown hair swept back into low chignons.

A knock at the door makes me jump, and we all giggle at my nerves. Victor pokes his head in with his eyes covered.

“Is it safe to come in?” he asks.

“Yeah, Dad. We’re all dressed,” Claire answers.

He steps in and closes the door.

“Wow. You three are gorgeous.” He gives Ivy a hug and Claire a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Can I talk to Lilith alone for a moment, please?”

“Sure, I should go find Levi and make sure he’s behaving himself anyway,” Ivy smirks at the possibility of his antics.

Victor turns to me after they leave the room and pulls out a small rectangular box. “I know today must be bittersweet for you. I know I’m just your father-in-law, but I hope that you know I love you like you’re my own. I didn’t know Michael long, but our friendship was very real, and I know he’s looking down on you with so much love today.”

“I got you this.” He opens the box in his hand showing me a necklace. It’s a sapphire pendant with two diamonds on top. “I took the ashes that were still in the corners of the bag at his ash release and had this made. They’re inside the sapphire.”

My heart swells and breaks, and I fight back tears. “Victor, I miss Dad so much, but I can’t imagine a better stand-in for him than you. Thank you so much, I love it.”

We hug, and then he puts it on me. “I always knew you and Connor were made for each other. From that first dinner in New York when he couldn’t take his eyes off you. Michael knew it, too.” My eyes start to fill with tears again, and he gives me a soft smile, “I’m going to go before I ruin your makeup.”

I watch him leave and walk over to enjoy the quiet serenity of the mountain winter around us. We did decide to get married at the Volkov estate in Jackson, Wyoming. There’s a heavy winter snowfall around the pine trees surrounding the lodge.

Connor enlisted Ivy’s help to plan the wedding because every time he’d bring it up, I’d just shrug and suggest an elopement. I walked through the library this morning and loved the way it was decorated. Twinkle lights hang from the ceiling, about forty chairs are set up, and there are cream-colored floral arrangements all throughout the house. Everything looks so much better than if I would have had a hand in the decisions.

“Lil?” Z knocks on the door of the suite. “Can I come in?”

“Yes,” I look at him quizzically when he walks in, “since when do we knock?”

He doesn’t answer my question because his jaw is on the floor. “You look so damn beautiful, Lil. Con isn’t going to know what hit him when you walk down the aisle.”

“Thank you,” I walk over and give him a long hug. “You look pretty good yourself.” His hair has a tight fade, and he’s rocking a five o’clock shadow. He’s wearing the same navy suit as the guys. I don’t know how it happened, but every man in my life looks like walking suit porn all dressed up.

“How are my nieces doing in there?” he bends down and puts his face to my belly. “I know you girls have two other uncles who might be rich and give awesome gifts, but I’m the best looking and the most fun. Behave for your mother tonight, ladies.”

Zion is the only one who knows we’re having twin girls. Griff, Levi, Ivy, and Claire only know I’m pregnant. Levi immediately started his campaign to be the coolest uncle. As soon as he found out, a five-foot teddy bear was delivered to the penthouse. Griff sent me to a day spa for a day of pampering in a surprisingly effective counter to the giant teddy bear.

“I haven’t thrown up in thirty-six hours, so they’re doing a good job in there.” I say with a little pat on my minuscule baby bump.

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