I'm too sad to let this story go, so here's a final FINAL chapter to spoil you with. Love you all.
James' POV:
6 years later
"Please Sir, I'm afraid for mine and my son's safety. He's out to hurt my son and I couldn't live if anything were to happen to him".
"Don't worry ma'am, he won't hurt you anymore, not whilst I'm around. We'll provide you with a new home in the US and I'll give you some contacts over there. He won't hurt you two anymore". The lady sat in front of my desk covered in bruises cried into her hands as she stared back at her 2 year old asleep in a buggy.
Cases that involved children always hit home for me reminding me of my own childhood and the suffering my mother and I endured. But it also made me think about my own children. God knows what I would've done if anything happened to them at the same age as this little boy.
The woman recomposed herself and took a deep breath. She muttered thank you and dismissed herself out of my office along with her child.
Knock knock
"Come in".
"Hi Boss". Glancing up at my trusty assistant Katrina I smiled and ushered her in.
"Hello Katrina, can I help you?" She shook her head with a huge smile on her face.
"I can't, but there is someone here to see you".
Normally with unexpected visitor Katrina can get quite nervous as most of our unexpected visitors were not so great, but judging from her expression this was a good visitor.
"Okay, send them in". Katrina smiled at me before swiftly exiting the room.
Oh please let it be my wife dressed up in a long coat with only lingerie underneath.
Spritzing on some of her favourite cologne of mine I smiled up expectantly at the door awaiting her arrival.
"Hi daddy".
A similar looking woman to my wife entered in and it hit me who it was. I hadn't seen her in so long and my she had grown to look more like Isabella.
"Baby girl". Jumping up from my desk I ran over and engulfed my sweetheart tightly in my arms and spun her around. I hadn't seen her in well over a year and by god had I missed her.
"I've missed you so much daddy" she cried softly into my chest. I missed her so much. And truthfully it was hard letting go of my little princess, but I had to let her fly the nest. She wanted to go to University to study Forensic Science and she did it. She was in her last year of study but had taken a year out to go travelling with her boyfriend.
"I've missed my little princess so much".
Lily pulled away and shook her head at me hearing the all too familiar nickname that would always belong to her.
"Dad, when are you ever stop calling me that".
"Never. You will never stop being my princess, not since that day".
3 year old Lily
I smiled as I entered in through the large oak door instantly reveling in the smell of freshly baked cookies.
"Hello love". Sneaking up behind my wife, I snaked my arms around her waist and kissed her neck from behind.
"Hey handsome. How was work?".
"It was great thank you baby. Where's my little angel hiding?"
"She's in her bedroom having tea with her dolls and teddies".
Kissing my wife softly on the neck once more I pulled away from her and headed over to the door coated in beautiful stickers and flowers.
Grasping the handle to her door, I pushed it open and smiled seeing my baby girl sitting on the floor, wiping her tears?!
Running over I scooped down and knelt before her taking her face in my hands.
I was going to kill whoever made my little girl cry.
"Oh sweetheart, why are you crying? Please don't cry baby girl, you know it makes me sad when you cry".
Lily sniffled softly as she rubbed at her tears with her long sleeve.
"T-Tommy said t-that princesses are not real and said I was n-not a princess".
Rage burned inside me as I listened to my little girl sob at another child's comments. Would it be totally unreasonable to contact the nursery and find the address of this child who hurt my baby girl.
"Don't you dare for a second listen to what that silly boy said. You are a princess and nobody can take that away from you. You are my princess and that is all that matters. I bet that silly boy doesn't believe in fairies or dragons either".
Lily giggled softly and shook her head as she wiped away her tears.
"That's it baby, wipe away those tears, I don't want to see you cry".
"Dad? You okay?". I stared up at Lily startled by my deep flashbacks.
"Sorry sweetheart, just thinking. Anyway, how's Matthew doing?"
I still couldn't believe I allowed my little angel to delve into a relationship with the same boy she went to Nando's with years ago. But he proved himself countless times and from the way Lily looked at him and spoke about him, I knew he'd always make her happy and that was more than enough for me.
"He's great dad. Actually he said he wanted to speak with you about something today, I don't know what though. Ethan is coming home with Laura today so we're going out for lunch. I don't know what time Matthew wants to talk to you, but I'm sure he'll contact you".
Why would he want to speak to me?
"Okay baby". Lily ran over and wrapped her arms around my torso and nuzzled her head in my chest.
"I have to go now, but I'll see you later dad".
"Bye sweetheart".
Lily waved back to me before heading out of my office and shutting my door gently behind her. Slumping back into my chair I continued checking through my papers smiling at the pictures of children's faces in their new home. That was my ultimate goal, to rescue the vulnerable and protect the helpless.
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It was 4pm now and the day had flown by rather quickly full of meetings and consulting with vulnerable people helping them with their needs.
"Sir" Katrina yelled out from behind the door.
"Yes Katrina?"
The door opened and in walked Katrina who smiled at me before nodding curtly at me.
"There's a young man called Matthew who wishes to see you boss. Shall I send him in?".
"Yes, send him in please".
Katrina nodded sharply and ushered Matthew in who instantly sat down in the armchair in front of my desk.
"Hello Matthew. How are you doing?"
Matthew had grown up so much, he too had followed the route of business and now ran a successful chain of hotels. I couldn't be more proud of the man he had become.
"I'm good thank you Sir, and yourself?".
"Excellent thank you. So what brings you into my office Matthew?"
"I erm, I wanted to run something by you".
"Sure, fire away".
"I want to ask you for your permission for Lily's hand in marriage".
I choked violently on air as his words sank in. He wants my sweet little girl to become his wife. Oh shit, I wasn't ready for this.
"Sir. I have been in love with your daughter since we were teenagers and we've been together for 6 years and I feel like it's time to take our relationship to the next level. I promise to love and cherish her for the rest of my life and it would mean a lot to me if you'd accept this proposal".
Mixed emotions swarmed through my body as he continued his little speech. He proved himself worthy of being with her and I trusted that he would always look after her, but she was still young and I didn't like the idea of her living far away from home. But I had to stop myself and let her live. They'd been together for years and I knew nobody could make her happier than Matthew.
Standing up from my chair I walked around the desk slowly inwardly laughing as Matthew's face paled in fear. On instinct he stood up and faced me head on with his head held up high.
Resting my hand on his shoulder, I smiled widely at him and nodded.
"You make my little girl so happy and have done nothing but support, love and cherish her all these years. So yes, I give you my blessing. When do you plan to propose?".
Matthew's face lit up and smiled wider than I had ever seen.
"Thank you Sir, that means everything. And I plan to propose tonight with a special picnic with just the two of us".
"That sounds wonderful and please, call me James".
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"Honey, I'm home".
"In here my love" Isabella's voice echoed around the house.
But before I could reach my darling wife the sound of paws clattered against the wooden floors making my heart swell.
"Hello Macey".
"He had a great life James. Max lived to the fullest, our cheeky little boy lived a long and happy life but now he's at peace. I still can't believe how long he lived for".
Isabella hugged me gently before pulling out a large box with a ribbon on it.
"You didn't?".
"I did. I know how much Max meant to us all so I want you to have this".
Isabella passed over the box and smiled as I unwrapped it. And there staring up at me was a beautiful black Labrador puppy.
Macey bounded into my arms and I carefully lifted her up and snuggled her like I used to do with my two children before walking into the kitchen where my gorgeous wife was waiting for me.
"You have no idea what I'm going to do to you in the next few seconds. I'm going to rip your clothes off and ravage you- Oh, hey guys".
I could've died in that moment. My wife was trying her absolute hardest not to burst out laughing as she stared between Lily, Matthew, Ethan and Laura who were sat around the table eating cakes and drinking tea.
"I'm er, going to, leave" I mumbled not able to look anyone in the eyes.
"Actually dad, Matthew and I are going out for a picnic, so we will see you later". Lily stood up with her hand entwined in Matthew's and headed out the kitchen not before pecking me on the cheek softly.
"Have fun you two" I smirked at Matthew who winked back at me.
"Dad, it's so great to see you". Ethan stood up gave me a strong firm hug before turning to his wife who was resting her hand on her large pregnant stomach.
"It's great to see you too son and I believe congratulations is in order to both of you".
Ethan held out his hand to his wife and gently lifted her up to her feet bringing her over towards Isabella and I.
"Nice to see you again James" Laura muttered softly as she rubbed her stomach gently with Ethan's hand rubbing alongside her.
"You too, how far along are you now?".
"37 weeks, so our little man is due in the next couple of weeks. We cannot wait to see him and for him to meet his grandparents".
Isabella entwined her hand in mine and stared up at me lovingly as we listened to our daughter in law revel in anticipation over the upcoming birth of our grandson.
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3 months later
"Thank you for all coming to our engagement party, we're so glad you could all make it on this special occasion".
I held onto Isabella tightly as we watched our daughter proudly as she made a quick speech about her engagement. She was over the moon about Matthew's proposal and spent every single day planning and making plans for the wedding that would soon come into place in the next three months.
We all tucked into our delcious meals at one of Matthew's very own 5 star resturants in one of his hotels. He had done so well for himself.
"Hey dad, mum. You know, I never asked how you two met?" Ethan perked up whilst feeding his wife a spoonful of chicken risotto.
"I bet it was so romantic" Lily chimed in smiling at Isabella and I.
I stared worryingly at Isabella as our kids continued discussing the possibilities of how we met. What were we to tell them,
Oh hey kids, you know I kidnapped your mother, forced her into marriage and basically kept her locked up until she loved me.
Noticing my discomfort Isabella discreetly placed her hand on my thigh and stroked her finger against it reassuringly.
"Your father and I met in a nightclub. Not so romantic. For your dad it was apparently love at first sight but I was not interested in him whatsoever".
She's a fucking pro.
"But this big goof did not give up. He chased me and wore me down until one day I just said yes. He was so devoted and dedicated that I realized I couldn't get him out of my mind. I hated him at first, he was like an annoying fly that wouldn't leave me alone, but then he grew on me and earned my love".
I love this woman so goddamm much.
"Aw, that's adorable" Lily squealed out as she stared up at Matthew.
"Ha, yeah, adorable" I mumbled under my breath.
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3 months later
Don't cry James, goddamit, do not cry.
"Are you ready to see your beautiful daughter James?" Isabella yelled out from within the bedroom in front of me.
"Nope. I won't ever be ready" I yelled back. But they clearly ignored my response and opened up the door revealling the most beautiful girl, my daughter, my baby girl dressed in white lace and silk.
Fuck, the tears are coming.
My baby girl walked out of the room with Isabella dressed beautifully behind her with tears in her eyes.
Lily walked towards me and stroked my cheek softly capturing the tears as they fell down my cheeks.
"Wipe those tears away daddy. It hurts me to see you cry" she whispered softly as she wrapped her arms around my trembling body and pushed herself against my chest.
"You look s-so perfect baby girl. My beautiful baby has grown up and is ready to fly the nest. I'm so damn proud of everything you've become. You have grown to be such a strong and beautiful woman, but you'll always be my little girl".
The tears trickled down my cheeks uncontrollably as Lily stared at me lovingly wiping away profusely at them before they could fall.
"It's time sweetheart. You ready to get married?" Isabella walked up to us and rested her hand on my shoulder.
"More than ready".
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"How does it feel to officially to Mrs Lily Evans?".
"It feels amazing to officially be his wife. Thank you dad for this beautiful wedding". The music was playing softly in the background as I held my daughter closely to my chest as all the other guests watched in awe.
"You never have to thank me baby girl. You have no idea how happy I am right now seeing my little girl grow up and looking so beautiful".
She rested her head on my chest as she hummed the tune of the song as we danced slowly together. From the corner of my eye I could see Isabella crying softly as she linked arms with Ethan and Laura who was now cradling their newborn baby.
"I love you dad".
"I love you too sweetheart".
The End
Got a quick question for you. Which book did you prefer more?
For me, I much preferred this one. ❤️