Relief and disbelief washed over his face. He crossed the distance between them in a few strides, taking her hands in his. His touch sent a jolt through her, a reminder of the connection they shared.
“Judith, do you mean it? After everything I’ve done…”
She nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes, I mean it. I was afraid too, but I don’t want to live in fear anymore. I want to be with you.”
Aaron’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “I love you, Judith. I promise I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you, proving to you that we can be happy together.”
Judith smiled through her tears, a sense of peace settling over her for the first time in weeks. “I believe you, Aaron.”
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if he would never let go. Judith buried her face in his shoulder, feeling his heartbeat against her own. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in that moment of pure, unadulterated love.
At that moment, Judith knew they would face whatever challenges came their way, together. The warmth of his embrace, the steady beating of his heart against hers, told her that this was where she belonged. No more doubts, no more fears.
“Aaron,” she whispered, her voice muffled against his chest. “I was so scared. Scared that you didn’t truly care, scared that I would end up alone.”
He pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. “I was scared too, Judith. Scared of becoming my parents, of repeating past mistakes. But I know now that we can forge our own path, make our own happiness.”
Judith nodded, her fingers clutching the fabric of his coat. “I believe in us. I want to build a future with you.”
He smiled, the expression lighting up his face in a way that made her heart swell with love. “And I want to build that future with you. From this moment on, we face everything together.”
As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s embrace, Judith felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She had made the right choice. And for the first time in a long while, she felt hopeful about the future.
She glanced toward the house, where Graham stood watching from a distance. He gave her a small nod—a gesture of encouragement and understanding. She knew she would always be grateful for his kindness and selflessness.
Turning back to Aaron, she felt a surge of determination. “Let’s go inside. We have a lot to talk about and plan.”
He nodded, taking her hand in his. “Yes, we do. But as long as we’re together, I know we can handle anything.”
They walked back toward the house, hand in hand, ready to face whatever the future held. Together.
As they entered the drawing room, Judith felt a sense of peace wash over her. She had found her place, her home, and it was with Aaron. No matter what challenges lay ahead, she knew they would face them side by side, their love a beacon guiding them through the darkest of times.
The future was theirs, and they would embrace it with open hearts, ready to write the next chapter of their lives together.
EPILOGUE
Eight Months Later
At the front of the church, the couple looked out at the audience and back again. Light streamed in through the tall windows and bathed the young couple in a warm glow, making them appear truly angelic.
Judith sat in the front row and beamed at her stepmother, who grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
“How I wish your father was alive to see this,” Matilda said quietly through suppressed tears.
Judith nodded. “But I think he is with us.”
She wasn’t sure why she always looked up at the sky when she thought of her father. She felt that he and her mother were always around her. Maybe it was because of the light shiningdown on Elizabeta—whom Judith had taken to calling Lizzy—and Oliver like a glow from heaven.
Only six months had passed since the Italian beauty had come to England to be with him. Judith had immediately liked her sister-in-law. Elizabeta was beautiful and serene, but more importantly, she was kind and sweet and genuinely cared about her brother. Both her brothers, in fact, because when John had come home from Eton, Elizabeta had immediately taken to him as well. Matilda had welcomed her into the family right away, as had Judith.
It was wonderful to have a sister, at last. Judith cherished her friendship with Elizabeta, having always wanted a sister, and now she had one.
She glanced over her shoulder to see Joanna sitting beside Sally, who was sitting next to Leonard, who was sitting next to the sisters’ parents, Lord and Lady Carlisle. Looking directly behind her, she caught the eye of her best friend, Rosy, who was sitting beside her husband.
Rosy’s stomach was rounded, and she would soon have her first child, which was a blessing, as that meant their children would be born very close to each other and might become very good friends. Judith could hardly believe she was with child herself.
She had only been married for four months, but she had been blessed. She placed a hand on her stomach and then put the other one on top of Aaron’s arm.
