Page 94 of Abigail's King
Epilogue
Kye
The past ten months had certainly been eventful. We had both returned to the UK and Abigail had officially moved in with me permanently. As my apartment had five bedrooms, we didn’t need to move. For now, we had kept the twins in the same room together until they were old enough to move into rooms of their own. However, I suspected that they would constantly be in and out of each other’s rooms. As for me, I had continued to go to my sessions with Stuart. They were only once a month now, or when I was feeling low, but with the twins, I really didn’t have a chance to feel low. They and Abigail brought joy and light into my life, and that was all I needed.
Mason, Jayden, and the rest of the team had all forgiven me for what I had done to Abigail and myself. I had sat down with them all and explained everything. I was an open book now and had decided not to hide away anymore. Life was too short, and I had realised and I needed them in my life to help me when times got tough. I worked from home a couple of days a week, just to give Abigail a break, and I was always the one to cook. I couldn’t expect her to look after two babies and look after me at the same time. All in all, life was wonderful and I was completely ready to move forward to the next chapter. The one where I finally made Abigail my wife.
Abigail and I were back in Madeira, but this time, we had two extra bodies with us. The twins were now six months old. They had been born nearly a month early on the advice of Abigail’s doctors. It meant that they had to be born by caesarean section, which Abigail wanted to avoid, but it was the safest way to bring them into the world. I had been there for the birth and was the first to hold my son and daughter in my hands. Abigail was amazing and calm throughout. I couldn’t have loved this woman any more than I did before she made me a dad. Our life had been well and truly turned upside-down. In a few days, we had gone from just the two of us to a family of four, but neither of us would have had it any other way.
After a bit of debate, we decided to give both of them Portuguese names. It was funny that it was actually Abigail that won that debate. I had wanted to stick to English names, as we would be spending most of our time in the UK, but Abigail said that she had promised my family to make sure they knew everything about their Portuguese heritage, including being Catholic. That was one of the reasons why we were back here in Madeira. Calista Maria and Tomás Ricardo Carvalho were going to be christened by Father Frederico in the church where my family went every week. It had also been where Mateus and Sofia were married, and Joaquim had been christened. This was an important part of my family’s life, and it was where Abigail wanted the twins to be christened.
This, of course, meant we had to fly out the godparents that we had both chosen. So, Chrissy and Lucas, along with Nathan and Kelsey, would be joining us in Madeira in a couple of days. Along with them, we had decided on Mateus and Davi. Abigail had wanted Davi because he had saved me from killing myself, and I wanted my brother for two reasons. One, because he was my brother, and two, because he had helped to save my Bonita. A lot had changed for Davi as well in the past eight months. He had gotten back together with Eva like I knew he always would, and he was also a father to a son, Luiz Migel Fernandes. He was nearly eight months old now, and we would be meeting him for the first time soon, especially as I needed to speak to him about my plan.
Davi was coming to the house today with Eva and Luiz. I thought it would be nice for Abigail to spend some time with Eva, as she didn’t speak much English and Abigail’s Portuguese had come on leaps and bounds since we had gotten back together. It would give her a chance to chat with someone other than me. She quite often chatted with my parents and Sofia and Mateus now in Portuguese so she could get the practice in, and spoke to both Cali and Tomás as well. By the time they went to school, they would probably already be fluent in two languages.
It was just after ten when they all arrived. Davi and I left Abigail and Eva together with the kids whilst we headed out onto the terrace. I had promised to make everyone lunch, but before that, I needed to speak to Davi.
“So, what is so important that we needed to come over?”
I offered him a cigarette which, to my surprise, he took. I knew that he used to smoke when we were younger, but I thought he had given it up. I didn’t even know why I had offered him one in the first place. Giving him a light, I stood there for a moment, relishing the calmness that the cigarette brought me.
“I need your help with something. Can you get the band to play at the christening? We have the hall booked for afterward, so the venue isn’t a problem. I just need the guys to play a few songs and learn a new one.”
I saw a confused look come over his face, which quickly turned into a huge smile. “Fuck, Ricardo. You’re not planning what I think you are, are you? I never thought I’d see the day Ricardo Carvalho got engaged and married.”
He was getting excited and his voice was getting louder. I was worried that the girls would hear.
“Shh, Davi. Yes, that is what I’m planning. You don’t have to seem so shocked. Abigail is an amazing woman. Even more so now she has made me a dad. Of course I want to marry her. Who wouldn’t?”
He raised his hands up in defeat. “Okay, I know. But that is fantastic news. What song do you need us to learn? I was meeting up with the gang tomorrow, actually. And as for playing, I’m sure the guys won’t mind. They are all going to be at the christening anyway.”
“Thanks, Davi. So, the song is ‘What About Love’ by Meat Loaf. I can send you the music score later. I was going to join you for a few songs, then when I give you the signal, I wanted you to get Abigail onstage to sing with me. At the end of the song, I will propose. Mateus knows all about the plan, and he is going to have the twins that night so we have some time together.”
“All you have to hope is she doesn’t feel pressured in front of everyone and says yes.”
That had been the one thing that was worrying me. I didn’t want her to feel she had to say yes because she was in front of all of our family and friends. I wanted this to be meaningful, and I thought this would be the best way.
I was sure it would be fine. It had to be. I couldn’t lose her again, not now.
“I have talked it through with Mateus, and he thinks it will be okay. I’m still worried as fuck about it. But I’m sure she would say yes if it was just the two of us, or with all our friends and family around.”
“Well, as long as you are sure, I will make sure everything is set up for you. Just don’t fuck it up. I can’t have her as mine now, so some other fucker will get her if you don’t.”
I knew he was only messing with me, but there were times when I really wanted to hit him for the things he said. But then again, what were best friends for if not to wind each other up once in a while?
The christening had gone perfectly. Cali and Tomás had been as quiet as church mice throughout everything and didn’t cry at all during the service. As for Abigail, she looked absolutely amazing. She had worked hard to get her figure back after having the twins. It hadn’t bothered me, if I was honest. She was gorgeous the way she was. However, I had to admit that the new curves she was now sporting turned me on whenever I saw her.
We were now at the hall near the church and everyone was gathered to celebrate the christening. Davi and the band had agreed to play a few songs for us, and I was going to join them after a little while. The only people that knew what I had planned today were Davi and Mateus.
One of the first things I did when we moved back to the UK was to get a piano put into the apartment. I wanted both Cali and Tomás to learn how to play and appreciate different types of music, but Stuart had also suggested that it would help me heal. That I could use it as part of my therapy. I had to admit that it had, especially when Abigail sat down with me and either played next to me or sang for me. I didn’t sing much myself, but there were a few times she had managed to convince me. There was one song we loved to sing together, and it was the one I was going to sing with her today, right before I proposed. I checked my pocket for the umpteenth time to make sure the ring was still there. I took a reassuring breath when I realised it was.
The band was all set up and the twins were currently asleep in their pram while I was walking around the hall with Abigail by my side.There were two people in particular that I hadn’t spoken to yet, and I was desperate to see them. Walking over, I pulled Kelsey into my arms as she held onto her son, George.
“How is my favourite non-blood sister and nephew?”
“We’re good, thank you. As you can see, George is determined to make it through the whole day without sleep. Just wait until the twins get to this stage. Abigail, you won’t get a moment to yourself.”
I saw Abigail looking apprehensive next to me.
