Page 70 of Poisoned Roses
My happy smile is never far away and as he draws close, he jerks his head toward the house.
“We should head back. We don’t have long.”
I glance toward the sprawling white beach house that is vastly different from our usual mansion. Modern, almost clinical, yet filled with happiness, dreams and freedom. Of all the homes we own, this one is a family favorite and I can see why.
Rose Island.
The only place in the world where it’s just us. The Romanov family.
Today we are all here for a special reason and Titus says gently, “You shouldn’t be carrying Maksim; he is too heavy.”
“Nonsense.” I kiss my child’s soft cheek and he wipes it away with an impatient sigh. I laugh as Titus nods his approval andreluctantly I set my child down on the soft white sand and he races off to join the others.
Titus reaches for my hand.
“Mama is waiting.”
As we walk, he asks with concern, “I’m worried about you.”
I roll my eyes. “There is no reason to be worried.”
“But the wedding; it’s too much work.”
“Nonsense, Titus.” I shake my head. “I’m pregnant, not incapable.”
My fingers brush against my swollen belly. Baby number four. We already know it’s another boy. Poor Katya. Three brothers to terrorize her, not that she cares. She’s already stronger than both of her older brothers.
It amuses me that she’s a daddy’s girl already, preferring his company over mine, but I don’t blame her for that. I prefer my husband’s company over everyone’s, which is why I love being here so much.
There is a strict rule on Rose Island. No business. I suppose that’s why it stands empty for most of the year, because this family is all about business even now.
“How is mama?” I ask, my attention diverted to the reason we’re here.
“Happy.”
One word that means a lot and settles my heart.
When the dust settled on our marriage and the subsequent chaos that brought, Grace moved to the United States, a homecoming if you like. She settled in Cape Cod for all the reasons I love coming here, and one year ago she met Milton Warwick, a gorgeous man who swept her off her feet and treats her like a queen.
I love how deeply in love they are and savoring life as a couple, doing simple things such as taking out their yacht andexploring the world. They have an intimate gathering of friends and Milton has a large family who live nearby.
Grace has blossomed, and the years fell away from her when she no longer struggled to hold a family together, confident that her work has been done.
Today is her wedding day.
She is marrying for love and this time her husband to be loves her back unequivocally.
Her family—my family, are happy for her. She has earned this and deserves every delicious moment of her retirement away from the dark side.
Katya squeals with delight as she points to a figure walking toward us and Titus sets her down and she toddles on the sand, running on her wobbly young legs as she hurries to meet her second most favorite person in the world, Mikhail.
It amuses us both how much they adore one another. Mikhail and Lilli have twins of their own. One boy and one girl and Katya is always with them, so much so she has become a second daughter to Mikhail, who idolizes her like his own.
He swings her into his arms and kisses her relentlessly, her squeals of delight warming my heart.
“I should be worried about that child.” I shake my head with amusement and Titus squeezes my hand.
“Why?”