ᴇᴘɪʟᴏɢᴜᴇ

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Twelve Months Later

"How is Penelope holding up?" Billion turned his attention from his glass of wine and glanced at the woman from across the dining table.

He only allowed Annabel to coax him into accepting Dean Clifford's dinner invitation because he wanted to spend some time with his niece.

"She is fine... And she is settling in well." Billion picked his words carefully since his niece was at the table with them.

After Dean was granted custody of Noelle, the separation took an emotional toll on Penelope. Billion then had to beg his grandmother to move into his father's mansion where she could be well-taken care of.

But like the stubborn old lady she was, Penelope refused to leave her husband's home. However, after days of persuasion, she finally accepted to move into her son's house.

"Can I go and visit grandma Penny?"

"Of course Princess-" Billion stopped himself when reality hit him that he was no longer in charge of his niece. He relinquished his rights six months ago when he signed those adoption papers.

But once again, Billion assured himself that he made the right decision. His sister would have wanted this. And most importantly, his niece was happy in her new home.

"If its Okay with your father..." Billion looked pointedly at Dean who was also regarding him intently.

"Can I go please?"

Billion watched as Dean's gaze softened at his daughter's request. In as much as he hated to admit it, Dean Clifford was a doting father from what he had witnessed these past few months.

"Of course angel. Mommy and I will take you to see grandma Penny tomorrow." he offered his daughter a warm smile and she returned it with a much more broad one.

However, Billion did not miss his niece's wavering smile when Dean referred to Annabel as her mother. Despite everything that had happened over the years, Annabel was still a virtuous woman, and he couldn't have asked for a more positive role model for his niece.

But while his niece might have settled in with the couple with less drama, it was obvious that the girl was still mourning her biological mother. And the least they could do was to give her time to come out of that grief before imposing titles on her. Billion made it a point to talk to Dean about this.

Once Dinner rolled over, Billion was escorted to his car by Annabel and Noelle while Dean excused himself and retired to his study. Much to Billion's relief.

Although he had put some things behind him for the sake of his niece, he was yet to thread the friendship path with Dean Clifford. Maybe one day.

Billion pulled his niece into his arms when they got to his car. "You are a good girl. Don't let anything or anyone change that." Noelle gave him a playful salute.

Though the separation was emotionally hard for all of them, he stayed away after the adoption for his niece to adjust to her new life. That did not lessen the ache in his chest whenever they had to say goodbye.

Billion kissed her on the forehead and held her at arm's length to look intently at her. "I love you, never forget that."

She nodded firmly. "I love you too Uncle Miles." Billion pulled her nose, earning a giggle from her.

He turned his attention to Annabel and gave her a hug.

"I can never take the place of her mother, but I promise to love her as if she was my own. Don't worry about us, we will be fine." Annabel said to his hearing alone and stepped back.

"I trust you, Anna and I'm grateful for all your sacrifices..."

Annabel nodded, the meaning of Billion's words not lost to her. "Drive safely. My greetings to Em and the baby and tell her to get well soon."

"Sure." They were both invited to the Clifford's dinner but Emery had been feeling nauseous and fatigued the last few days, hence Billion had to attend without her.

Billion threw a smile their way before driving out of the Clifford's mansion.

As he drove home, his mind shifted to his little family and as usual, a hearty smile touched his lips at the mere thought of going home to his wife and daughter.

They had come a long way after they made their peace, and the days following his reconciliation with Emery was truly blissful—never had either of them tasted true companionship and unconditional love until they gave in to the needs of their heart.

So a few months ago, Billion had deemed it fit to have them moved in with him but with Emery's job and the memories back home, getting them to come back to Clifford Hills was not easy. But surprisingly, she agreed to move in together.

Their Villa was a forty minute drive from her office. Plus it was just two streets from her brother's home, a block from Lewis's home where Jae mostly plays with her cousins. Also, it was a street from his parents' mansion. So now, Penelope and his parents as well as Aunt Diana get to spend some time with their granddaughter when need be. It was a win-win situation for everyone.

When the automatic gates parted for Billion and he pulled into the garage, he heard squealing and the struck of the piano in the house. He knew right away that his little angel had heard the roar of his car, hence the jubilant sound. He parked the car and made his way into the house.

"Dada!"

Billion smiled broadly, his heart swelling with warmth when he heard his daughter's voice.

"Dada!" his legs were immediately attacked in a hug when he opened the door.

"Hey Princess." Billion scooped his daughter into his arms and twirled her around. "I miss you, angel. Did you miss Daddy?"

"Yes!" the toddler giggled and squirmed in his arms as he showered her with kisses.

"Where is mama?"

"Chicken!" Billion laughed heartily and corrected her once again that it was kitchen before making his way there.

"Hey beautiful."

"Hey handsome." Emery lowered her coffee mug onto the marble isle and stepped away from her laptop. She stood on the tip of her toes and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"How is Elle?" she inquired.

"She is doing alright." Billion set his daughter in her high chair and placed some colorful building blocks before her. Once he had her distracted, he pulled his wife eagerly into his arms.

"I miss you." he leaned down to take her lips in a proper kiss.

"I miss you too," Emery replied when she managed to unlock their lips.

She risked a quick glance at their little girl but she was busily dismantling her play toys. They never shy away from showing affection to each other in front of their daughter but sometimes they get carried away.

"How are you feeling?" Billion kissed her on the tip of her nose and led her to one of the side chairs. He sat beside her.

He had wanted to drive her to the hospital himself but he was needed urgently at the office at HOPE, and after Emery had pleaded with him to go, he begrudgingly instructed Samuel to drive her to the hospital.

"Better," Emery said, reassuring him with a smile. The man worried too much.

"But what did Doctor Hayes say?" Billion asked, tracing his fingers along her arm in a soothing manner.

He was not religious but if Emery could warm up to his picky eating habits then he could also share in her beliefs. So secretly, he had prayed for her nausea and dizziness to be as a result of pregnancy.

But despite their active bedroom activities, Billion knew they had been extra careful since their daughter was only sixteen months old.

Emery shrugged lightly. "She said its stress. You know with coursework, vlogging, work and being a mother to this little hurricane." she ruffled her daughter's curls and kissed her on the head. "All I need is a soothing massage and a good dose of sleep."

Okay. Inwardly, Billion told himself that he was being selfish. After all, they had agreed that they would only start trying when she finishes with her master's. Which was eight months away? By then, Jae would be well over two years. A perfect time to plan for another baby.

But after all the time spent with Lewis and his ever-growing family, Billion couldn't strike out the baby fever that had overcome him of late.

"Hon?"

"Yeah?" he replied absentmindedly but shook himself out of his thoughts when he met Emery's keen gaze. She could read him like an open book now.

Billion quickly masked his disappointment and kissed her on the forehead, assuring her afterward that they would make a trip to the spa tomorrow.

Emery made him a cup of green tea and they made small talk in the living room, sharing their day's activity with each other. It was well after eight when they decided to head upstairs.

"Jae is dozing off." Billion pointed to the fluffy rug where their daughter's head would occasionally sway to the side. "I bet she was all over the place today," he said with a shake of his head and rose from his seat to gather his daughter into his arms.

"I dropped her off at Nat's before going to the hospital so you can only imagine what mischief she and her godmother have been up to."

Billion smiled down at his little angel who was busily sucking on her thumb as she nestled in his chest. "Come on angel." he headed to the nursery with Emery in tow.

He mostly played the piano for his girls before bedtime and it always put Jae to sleep soundly, but his little one might have overworked herself during the day because she was fast asleep the second she was put to bed.

After locking up and switching off the lights, Emery and Billion head off to their bedroom. She had barely shut the door after them when he drew her into his arms and captured her lips in a ravenous kiss. She kissed him back immediately, opening up to savor the sweet taste of wine and his own freshness.

"Shower?" Billion asked in between kisses as he swiftly undid the buttons on his shirt.

"I've already showered with Jae remember..."

Billion pulled back to look at her, his lips turned up in a sly smile. "Are you sure you don't want to join me?" his voice was teasing as he took his time to slip out of his remaining clothes.

Warmth pulsed between Emery's thighs, her mouth running dry at the sight of his naked splendor. "Ugh you are such a tease." she groaned.

"If you change your mind, I could always give you a pre-first-class massage." Billion gave her his come-hither smile and made his way to the bathroom, dropping his clothes in the hamper.

He is such a temptation, Emery grunted. She strode into the walk-in-closet to get ready for bed. But the second she heard the shower running, she did not even think twice before stripping out of her sweatpants and crop top.

She snatched a head wrap and a robe and went after him. He did promise her a massage after all.

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

Billion's pulse was racing, his forehead beading with sweat despite the cool evening breeze at the terrace. After months of waiting, this was finally the perfect time to ask her the one question that has been eating at his senses.

Glancing over the rail, he scanned the little mass of guests mingling in their backyard and caught sight of Emery at the buffet table. She was chatting the evening away with Natalia and a few other friends from the office.

She looked breathtaking in her backless burgundy dress, and the possessive male in him wanted nothing more than to storm over there and whisk her away.

Entertaining as that thought was, Billion knew he couldn't ruin the evening for her. Considering the misfortune that befell her on her graduation day, she deserved all the love and attention being showered on her tonight.

Okay, this is it. Billion mumbled a brief prayer and with his newfound faith and courage, he texted Emery, asking her to come to the terrace.

He regarded her as she glanced down at her phone, probably reading his message and then looked up at the rooftop. But Billion knew she couldn't see him from all the way down there. She set her wine glass down and said something to the group before making her way into the house through the back door.

Stop fucking freaking out and just ask her already!

"Babe?"

Billion's heart flipped giddily when she walked into the terrace, but when her gaze fell on him and she gave him that mischievous yet heartwarming smile, his nerves began to melt away.

"Mr. Dekker, don't tell me you threw me a party just to disappear on me..."

Emery strode over to him, taking in the beautiful decoration at the rooftop. "What happened here?"

She turned to Billion when he didn't speak only to find those beautiful blue eyes on her. His longing gaze roused a shiver down her spine, bringing all her nerves to life. She felt shy all of a sudden as she regarded him under her lashes.

Billion walked over to his little temptress and pulled his hands from behind him, holding up a single red rose to her. "Congratulations, sweetie. I'm so proud of you."

"Oh babe..." Emery took the rose from him and wrapped her hands around his neck. He pulled her snuggly into his arms. "thank you so much. You know I couldn't have done this without your support and love. I love you."

"I love you more, angel."

Billion might have held onto her longer because she pulled back to look at him with a questioning gaze. He was acting a bit funny.

But before Emery could ask him further questions, he took a tentative step back and went down on one knee. She covered her lips to muffle her gasp, her eyes widening as she glanced down at him.

"Queen, there is something I've been meaning to ask you..." Billion took a deep breath. "I know we've accepted each other as husband and wife and I know you already have my rings but I've been desperate to wear yours as well." he took her hand gently in his, and kissed the sparkling diamonds on her finger. "You bring out the best in me, Emery and it would do my heart justice to have our families and loved ones witness us seal our love before God... Em, will you do me the greatest honor of marrying me again?"

Emery was lost for words as she stared longingly at him, her eyes misting up by the second. She dabbed at her lashes when the tears overwhelmed her and gave him a big smile.

"Yes... yes, of course I will marry you again." she pulled him up and kissed him passionately for what felt like an eternity.

"OK guys, can we come in now?"

Emery and Billion broke apart when they heard that giddy voice. Natalia emerged with her protruding belly, her husband right beside with the camera rolling.

Emery turned to Billion who was giving her a sheepish smile, his ears turning pink by the second. "You did this?" she asked gently.

"Well they helped me set up the terrace and I figured you might want this on camera..."

"Oh babe, thank you so much." she leaned in to kiss him again

"The camera is still rolling, guys," Christopher called out to the love birds, making them burst into laughter.

"Thank you guys for doing this, I really appreciate it." Emery pulled Natalia and her brother into a group hug.

"OK, we better head out now before some little hurricane comes looking for her Mama and Dada," Christopher said.

They headed out of the terrace.

On their way back to the barbecue, Natalia rewind the video she took earlier and showed it to Emery "Well now it's official. I think the perfect title for this vlog should be Billion's bride. What do you think?"

Emery sighed softly, almost dreamily. "Billion's bride huh?" she tasted the words with a contented smile. "honestly, I like the sound of that," she confessed and made her way over to her husband and daughter with a new avid bounce in her steps.

Their relationship was never a bed of roses and probably would never be, but come what may, their love would continue to thrive as long as they have each other.

ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ

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