Epilogue

*1 month and ½ later*

Mia wrapped the plastic stick in tissue paper and paced in the confined stall of her personal bathroom. Her movements couldn’t really be described as pacing; it was more of a twirl based on the size of the space. Tiny. Suffocating. Although, her restricted airflow had more to do with the anxiety creeping up through her stomach and into her chest than the size of the toilet. Anxiety’s narrow fingers closed over her heart in a dramatic display, giving a small squeeze before it relaxed. It was giving her a taste of what was to come.

The confusing part? Mia wasn’t sure what she desired to see. Positive or negative? She held out her left hand, her fingers twitching to get a better view of the stunning, pear-shaped, white gold, engagement ring sitting on her fourth finger. Her divorce to Gabriel had been finalised within the month of Raya filing the Petition and Harvey had wasted no time making it clear that the empty space on her left hand was reserved just for him.
On the day her divorce was finalised, he’d bent down on one knee in front of her and Amiyah and asked for her hand. It was repetitive to indicate what answer she’d chosen when the ring was nice and snug on her finger.
Mia raised her hands to peer at the ring from different angles. Would Harvey’s mind change if she was pregnant? His promise at the hospital had been the perfect answer to a potential situation. What about if the situation was not a mere potential? Would he feel the same?
She groaned, jumping impatiently as she glared down at the stick. How would she feel? Would Mia herself be regretful if she was pregnant or regretful if she wasn’t?

“Mia?” A male voice permeated through the doors of her bathroom. “You in here?” The voice was becoming louder and she guessed his proximity was shortening.

“I’m coming.” She didn’t need any hints as to who was in her office. She would recognise his voice even if she were deaf. Mia glanced back at the pregnancy test in her hand; it still hadn’t shown any results yet. She sighed, shoved it into the back of her jeans pocket, grateful that today was casual Friday, and walked out from the back of her office.

“There you are.” Harvey held out a hand and she took it, stepping closer to him. Harvey never did seem to get the memo about casual Friday’s. He was put together in a dark suit that sharpened his already defined jawline and blended with his eyes. He was an imposing figure and sometimes Mia had to consciously remind herself that this is the very same man who’d sit for hours having a tea party with Amiyah, or who’d allow Amiyah to cover him in pink sparkles and hair bands.
The very same man that touched her with the gentlest movements and who’d rock her to sleep for weeks after the incident with Gabriel. The same man whose eyes softened at the sheer sight of her and her daughter.

“Where did you expect me to be?” Mia teased as he drew her body flush against his. Harvey inhaled her scent, easing her hair back from her face as he lowered his head.

“I was hurt you didn’t come have lunch with me today.” He breathed the words against her lips. Mia couldn’t tame the rush of blood to her cheeks but she did have control over her hands. “ Harvey, what if someone walks in.” She blocked her lips with the palm of her hands.
Harvey chuckled. “They all know what we are.” He replied confidently. In the past month he’d learned many new things. One such being that Mia had some serious qualifications that their company could more than use. He’d discussed it with Ethan and she was offered a position at their company. It was a win-win situation for him; he now got to see his future wife every day.
Mia struggled to see past Harvey’s head at the clock on the wall. “It’s ten past twelve.” She gave him a quizzical brow.

“Ten minutes too late.” He responded, running his hands down the small of her back until he felt something in her back pocket. “What’s this?” He’d pulled it out before Mia had a chance to react.
He gazed down at the pregnancy test clasped between his fingers. Mia held her breath, “My period’s late.” She responded, that hand on her chest was squeezing again, tiny whimpers erupting from Mia’s painted lips. She couldn’t see the side with the result; he was holding it before his eyes.

“What does this mean?” He lowered it down to her eye-level. Her knees grew weak as she reached out, the test transferring from his hand to hers. A single tear rolled down her cheek. It was unbelievable that she ever thought she would be regretful. The two red lines stared back at her.

“I’m pregnant.” Her eyes were filling up with liquid, causing the clear lines before her to fade out. Harvey’s breath caught in his throat. He eased Mia into his embrace.

“We are having a baby?” He replied incredulously, there was too much emotion exploding inside of him for him to react. He held onto her and closed his eyes.

“Is that something you are…” Mia gazed up at him, she could barely make out his face behind the tears.

“We’ve spoken about this, love.” He reminded her, “*We* are having a baby.” The words causing his heart to flutter. Mia sank against him.

“Did something happen?” Angela had burst through the door unexpectedly, the sound causing both Harvey and Mia to spin around. Angela had seen the raw emotion in them both, she dropped the basket of goodies she’d brought for Mia and Amiyah and walked up to them.
Mia rubbed at her eyes and sniffled, shaking her head. “We are having a baby, mom.” Harvey rubbed Mia’s back. Angela’s squeal could have been heard throughout the floor. She yanked Harvey away from Mia, taking his spot. She cuddled Mia in a bear hug.

“I am so happy!” she placed her hand on Mia’s stomach. “Oh, I hope it’s a boy.” She said, “We have Eva and Amiyah to give us enough sass.” She explained her reasoning and they all laughed.

“Although, I am happy with whatever.” She said finally. She had Brad were at that age where they wanted to spend every waking moment with their children and grandchildren. The more the merrier in their eyes. Amiyah already had them wrapped around her baby fingers and there was no doubt this other baby would steal their heart.

“Does this mean the wedding is going to be sooner than next year?” Angela gazed back and forth between them, leading Mia to take a seat.

“Definitely, I want us moved in together before the baby comes along, also so Amiyah can get accustomed to the change before the baby.” Harvey followed his mother’s movements with his eyes. She’d opened the basket she brought and handed Mia a cupcake. His heart warmed knowing that his family had been so supportive and loving towards her, towards them.

“That reminds me, the purchase of the house has been finalised.” She glanced back at Harvey and he shook his head, running his fingers through his hair.

“House?” Mia directed the question to both of them. Angela’s mouth formed a perfect circle. She’d instantly realised that Mia had been unaware.

“She didn’t know did she?” Angela bit her lip and stared at Harvey apologetically. He shook his head in the negative. “I’m sorry.” Angela scrunched up her nose.

“Well, now she does.” He saw Mia’s confused expression and opted to clarify, “I bought a house for us, my apartment is not big enough to give our children their own space, I wanted it to be a surprise.” He said and Mia smiled.

“You bought us a house?” She repeated and he nodded. “So, mother, how long do you need to plan a wedding for us, preferably before Mia starts to show?” He turned his attention to Angela. She beamed with light.

“One month.” She said after consideration, “Leave it to me.” She gave Mia’s hand a little squeeze.

*9 months later*

Amber and Nate rushed towards the waiting room to find Harvey walking about chaotically. His eyes were wild and unfocused, his fingers were shaking. They’d just returned from their honeymoon when they got the message that Mia was going into labour. They’d rushed straight from the airport, all of their luggage still in their car.

“How is she?” Amber had planted herself in Harvey’s path, waving to his parents and sister. They’d been occupying Amiyah.

“She’d doing well,” He told Amber, shaking hands with Nate. “They have opted for a C-section and asked that I wait outside.” He moved away to take Amiyah into his arms. She was getting restless waiting about. His parents had been watching her while his mind went into overdrive but she was getting fussy. She wanted to see her mother.

“Look whose here, love.” His voice soothed Amiyah, he realised his behaviour was making her nervous. He inhaled deeply and steadied himself. He turned her attention over to Amber and Nate but she hung onto Harvey’s neck studying him, almost as if she was trying to figure out if he was okay.
Harvey placed a kiss on her forehead, “Mommy is busy making you a brother or sister, aren’t you going to spend some time with your aunt and uncle?” He asked her softly. Amiyah nodded and eased her arms from around his neck. She carried Amber and Nate over to her backpack of toys and illustrated to them what was new.

“Congratulations everyone,” The delivering doctor, the very one who’d attended to Mia the night of the incident, came out. “It’s a girl.” She said and a chorus of happy voices erupted behind Harvey.

“How is Mia?” He asked amidst the tears of joy and happiness. “Mother and daughter are doing perfectly well.” She assured him. The doctor then led them in to see Mia. Amiyah was in awe at the new baby, gazing back and forth between her mother and Harvey with a blush on her face. Her excitement was clear.

“Daddy, do I have a sister?” she tugged at Harvey’s pant leg and he’d picked her up. She’d recently promoted him from a titleless man to her father. He recalled the first time he’d heard it, he wasn’t ashamed to say he’d cried, grabbing her up and spinning her around the room.

“Yes, want to help us choose a name for her?” He brushed her hair out of her face as she nodded.
The doctor led them all out after a while, only allowing Harvey to stay in with her for a bit. “I am so proud of you.” He said to Mia, cradling the baby in his arms. She was super tiny in his arms. Mia rubbed his arms and smiled.

“Did you tell your parents that the baby might be…” her voice trailed off. Not knowing how to finish the sentence. Harvey shook his head, tearing his gaze away from the perfect specimen in his arms.

“This baby is ours. This family of you, me, Amiyah and now this baby is ours. There is no need to tell anyone anything else, Mrs. Regal.” He passed his index finger along the tip of her nose. She had the most perfect nose. Either way, his parents wouldn’t care. All they cared about was that they now had two granddaughters to keep them occupied.

“Mr. and Mrs. Regal?” The doctor peered her head in, interrupting them. “I wasn’t supposed to do this and if you choose to I can lose my job, but if the results were any different I wouldn’t have said anything.” She was fiddling with her fingers before them.

“What are you trying to say?” Mia was growing tense. Was there something wrong with their baby?

“I sent in some samples to test the paternity, I-I swabbed the baby’s cheek,” The doctor began and Mia held her breath, unsure of whether she wanted to hear any of this, “and well, Mr. Regal you are the biological father.” The doctor finished. “I thought your family could use that good news.” She handed them two envelopes. Harvey placed the baby down gently and took the documents from her. Her words not changing how he felt. There was no added surge of emotion or pride. She was already his from the moment found out she was pregnant.

“One of the folders I was asked to bring in for you Mr. Regal.” She said and Harvey nodded, he knew exactly what it was.

“Thank you.” Mia and Harvey said, genuinely feeling grateful.

“Does the knowledge make you happier now?” Mia searched his face as he pulled out the papers from one of the folders.

“It’s nothing I didn’t already know.” He replied. Regardless, this baby was his. Amiyah was his. He’d be a good father to them both because he loved them.

“What’s that?” Mia questioned. Harvey’s eyes had been downcast on documents.

“Amiyah’s name is still legally Evans,” he began casting a glance in Mia’s direction. Mia nodded, not knowing where this was going.

“I want to change that.” Harvey handed her the documents but she stared up at him.

“You want to change her name?” Mia was shell-shocked.

“I want her to have our name, because she is also my daughter.” He confirmed, “If you approve, of course.” He’d taken a seat beside her. Mia’s eyes sprung fluid magically. “She also cannot have a different name from the rest of us when she calls me father and you mother.” He said, “I never want her to feel different, because I do love her, Mia. No matter what anyone else has to say. She is my daughter and I will protect her, I’ll protect all of you, with my last breath.” He’d pressed his forehead against hers, wiping a trail of tears away from her face with his thumb.

“I would like that very much.” She sniffled, pressing her lips against her husbands. They shared the calmest kiss they ever had together but it represented the purest love and emotion that they held for each other and their beautiful family. For even the calmest tides concealed all consuming passion and love with the power to transform lives and loves.

****THE END****

*A/N*
*This is the end everyone. I hope and pray I have not disappointed you in the slightest. A very warm and special thank you to everyone for reading and commenting, it meant so much to me.

*I will be back in July for my second instalment of my ‘Assassins can love’ series; A Brother’s Mistake. If any of you were interested in Draven’s character he will be our hero in the third instalment of my ‘Assassins can love’ series. Thank you all so much again! I adore you guys.

*Book 1- His Tempting Captive (Available on Anystories)
Book 2- A Brother’s Mistake (Coming July 2021)
Book 3- No working Title Yet (Date to be determined)*