Chapter 30: Chapter 30 - Epilogue

Recommended for mature audiences only. Some content is not suitable for young readers.

(Updated for errors & minor content – 19 Oct 2022)


One year later


Snow marched through the palace, or waddled, as Eric liked to call it these days, much to her chagrin. Her hand dropped to the cause of her waddling and she rolled her eyes to herself. Her husband loved to tease her about her ever-growing stomach, but she knew deep down he was in awe of it, having missed so much of her pregnancy with the twins. Snow smiled to herself but quickly pursed her lips, remembering that she was supposed to be mad at him.

Her dear husband had woken the children from their afternoon nap, as he so often liked to do, but today she'd specifically begged him not to. They were due to be leaving for the wedding in a few hours, and she didn't want to sit in a carriage with two grumpy one-year old's, especially all the way to Stonehill.

Snow huffed and rubbed her sore back, breathless from the long walk between her rooms and the garden. She hadn't bothered asking anyone along the way if they'd seen Eric – she was fairly certain she knew where he was hiding.

She finally made it outside and found them, all three of them sitting in the grass beside the roses. She didn't make her presence known however; instead, she stood back and observed as her beautiful children played with their father, and felt her irritation instantly melt away.


Eric sat with his back to her, Ivy tucked in her usual spot in his lap. He bent down to kiss the Princess, growling playfully into her neck. Their daughter squealed with laughter and Snow covered her mouth to muffle her own laugh.

Her sweet Thomas was playing next to them, with something that looked horrifyingly similar to Eric's axe, only a lot smaller. He hadn't quite worked out how to use the wooden toy, however, and began chewing on the end.

Eric knew Snow would be mad with him for waking the children, but he figured it was worth it. He sat on the grass in the garden, Ivy perfectly content in his lap while he watched his son poke at the grass with his new wooden toy.

The other reason for Snow to be mad. He supposed his wife would have a fit if she saw their one-year-old son playing with an axe, but he'd made sure it had no sharp edges or splinters before he gave it to him.

Eric smiled as Thomas stuck the smooth, soft wood in his mouth. "No' quite, lil' lad, but ye'll get the hang of it."

Thomas smiled and waved the axe around, little droplets of saliva flying all over the place.

"A little young to be playing with weapons, don't you think?"

All three of them turned their heads to find Snow frowning at them, hands on her hips. Eric had heard her coming of course, but he'd let her think she'd snuck up on them. It was hard not to hear her these days, the way she waddled about everywhere, puffing and groaning about her large stomach. He smiled sheepishly. "The younger the better, they say."

Snow frowned at him again. God, she was breathtaking. Her cheeks were flushed red, and her full chest rose and fell quickly from her walk. She looked like a goddess, full and glowing, like the sun. His sun.

Thomas dropped his toy and lifted his arms up for his mother. She picked him up, groaning a little as she bent over. "I told you to let them sleep, Eric. Now they'll never settle on the road."

Eric shrugged and lowered his head, placing a soft kiss in Ivy's hair. "I dinnae know why we 'ave to go all the way there for the weddin'. Ye're in no state for such a journey. Why cannae they just 'ave it 'ere?"

Snow clicked her tongue. "Because, Greta wanted it there. It's their home now." No matter how sad Snow was to be losing her handmaid, she was glad William and Greta were happy, that they had all found happiness at last. "And I'm fine. We'll be back in a couple of weeks."

"Aye," Eric sighed, getting to his feet. "Ye should 'ave a rest instead, ye look exhausted."

"Charming," Snow huffed, putting Thomas down again when he pointed to the grass. Eric did the same with Ivy and she fussed a little, but quickly settled when Thomas showed her his special new toy.

"Exhausted, an' beautiful," Eric added, dipping his head to catch Snow's mouth with his.

Snow pulled away from him, but her eyes couldn't hide their sparkle. "I'm still mad at you," she whispered, and kissed him back.

Eric wrapped his arm around her waist, splaying one hand over her swollen stomach. This was where she was supposed to be, in his arms, forever and always. "Ye can stay mad at me for as long as ye like, princess. It willnae change how much I love ye."

But Snow had already forgotten why she was supposed to be mad at him. She was the happiest she'd ever been in her life; in her hunter's arms, the man who had captured her heart. "I love you more," she whispered between kisses as their children played at their feet…

… and all was finally right in the world.


End