Epilogue

Zane crept silently down the hallway, his eyes locked on the door that was his target. When he reached it, he gently twisted the handle and hoped it would be silent. Then he gently opened the door, hoping that it wouldn’t creak. He had made sure it wouldn’t and he would fucking kill someone if it did. But the door glided open without a sound. He let out the breath he was holding and entered the room. Aniela Zarah Velky was peacefully sleeping in her crib in her nursery that Ava had designed to be the perfect fantasy hideaway. Every time he stepped inside this room, Zane got the feeling of peace and calm. The shadow forms of the trees and the sparkling lights in them together with the colours made it impossible to be anything but relaxed. Zane could hardly belive that their daughter would be six months old tomorrow, technically today as it was after midnight. Locks of jet-black hair curled on top of her head and Zane knew it made a stunning contrast to her deep blue eyes. His daughter was a perfect mix of her parents and Zane had a hard time letting her out of his sight. She had started sleeping through the nights and even though it was nice to finally get some sleep, he missed the diaper changes and night feedings that would allow him to snuggle with her as he held her when she fell back to sleep. Aniela was as sweet as an angel most of the time, just like her mother. But when she was unhappy, her Velky blood made it’s presence known and she turned into a little banshee. Zane knew she would be a force to be reckoned with as she got older. He should have gone to his and Ava’s bedroom when he got back from meeting the suppliers. But he needed to make sure his baby angel was safe.
“I thought I heard someone,” an amused voice whispered. It almost made Zane jump and he turned around. Ava stood leaning against the door frame in the open door. She had a smile on her face and she was wearing his old t-shirt with the game characters on it. Her hair was messy and she looked absolutely stunning and sexy as hell. He walked up to her and kissed her.
“Did I wake you?” he asked in a whisper.
“No, I was just getting ready for bed,” she said.
“I just needed to check on her,” Zane explained. Ava smiled at him.
“I know,” she told him and kissed his cheek. “You are a good dad,” she added. It made him smile. He loved his family with a burning passion and at times like this, the world seemed perfect.
“I think it’s time we head to bed. I need to check what you are wearing underneath my t-shirt,” he whispered to her and placed several kisses along her neck. Ava tried to control her giggle.
“And if I tell you I’m not wearing anything under MY t-shirt?” she asked and then soundlessly hurried out of the room. Zane’s brain had a momentary short circuit. Then he smiled and went hunting for his wife.

———

Ava sat at her desk in her home office and was going through the previous month’s statistics. She was distracted by movements and she looked at the corner where a playpen had been set up. Aniela was on a blanket, clutching a colourful, soft ball in her hand and waving it around like a maniac. Ava smiled at her daughter, she looked happy. Aniela usually was, except when she was hungry. There was a soft knock on the door and when she called for them to enter, Tom walked in. Before he did anything else, he walked over to Aniela and bent down over her to tickle her tummy.
“Hello there, princess,” he said. It was what everyone in the organisation called her daughter and Ava knew that Zane and her had a tough job making sure their daughter didn’t become a spoiled princess. At six months old, she had already wrapped everyone around her little finger. “I have the latest report from the Rodriguez cartel,” he then said and handed her a flash drive.
“Thank you, Tom,” she said and he left. Just to be on the safe side, Ava had asked Zane to reach out to the Rodriguez cartel and ask if they would be willing to provide quarterly reports about Jonas. They were more than happy to do so. The reports were delivered in person on a coded flash drive. She ran the report through the decryption program and read it. She nodded with a smile as she read that he was still working off his debt. She should object to their inhumane high interest rate. But then, the interest would most likely keep Jonas in the hands of the cartel for at least the coming ten years. If he didn’t become useless before then. If he did, it was a strong chance he would end up dead. There was another knock, but this time it opened up without her permission. Zane walked inside.
“It’s time,” he said, holding out a banana. Ava looked at him for a moment and then burst out laughing. “What?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she answered. He was so sweet sometimes. Zane had been looking forward to Aniela starting to eat solid foods. He wanted to be able to be a more central part of feeding her. Ava had pumped to make it possible for him to be more involved. It had been amazing when Aniela had woken up in the middle of the night because she was hungry. Zane had been more than happy to take the night time feedings. But Ava knew that solid food was a big step for him. Their paediatrician had told them it was best o wait until Aniela was around six months old before letting her try other things to eat. Zane was very literal and as Aniela was six month old today, it was time to do the first taste test. Ava got up from her chair and walked up to her husband.
“You couldn’t contain yourself any longer, could you?” she asked him and gave him a kiss.
“Should I wait until dinner time?” he asked, looking defeated.
“No, no. I think now is a perfect time,” she said. He looked almost giddy as he placed the small bowl with blue elephants on it on the desk. It was a gift from Gabriel and Ryder. Ava picked up their daughter and Zane carefully mashed the ripe banana into a smooth paste. On the small silver spoon she had got from Linda and Jax he scooped up the tiniest bit of the paste and held it up to her mouth. He dabbed it against her lips and as she got it into her mouth she looked a little startled. But then she smacked her mouth and let out one of her happy shrieks.
“She likes it,” Zane said, very happy with the results.
“She does,” Ava agreed as Zane offered a little more.
“I will have her eating stake within a month,” he proclaimed as Aniela ate the second offering with just as much enthusiasm. Ava laughed.
“Let’s hold off with the meat for a while and stick with soft, mushable things,” she said. Zane was happy with the two helpings and reached out and took Aniela from Ava. She was just as happy being in her father’s arms.
“I was thinking I could take her this afternoon. We don’t need to go anywhere and it would give you a chance to work in peace,” he offered.
“Sounds nice,” she agreed and gave both her daughter and husband a kiss on the cheek. She looked at the two most important persons in her life and she was grateful for the life she had. She had a husband that she knew would do anything for her and for their child. She had a wonderful daughter that was the light of both of their lives and she had a family that supported them and loved them. Being kidnapped that day two years ago, had been traumatic, but she thanked her lucky star for it.