Epilogue - Ten years later

The Colorado cabin was warm and cheery amidst the snow and wind outside. Elizabeth was in the kitchen with two of her daughters, baking cupcakes together. Eleven-year-old Cecilia was studiously following the directions, carefully measuring out the ingredients and mixing them exactly the way Elizabeth had taught her. Five-year-old Alyssa was copying her big sister, wanting to be an integral part of the process. Together, Elizabeth and her daughters finished the batter and then carefully placed the cupcakes in the oven.

This trip to their Colorado haven had become a tradition after Anthony's second birthday. They never missed a chance to rest and relax in the snowy mountains, their annual family getaway one of the highlights of Elizabeth's year.

"Can we read by the fire?" Alyssa asked, her bright blue eyes trained on her mother. Her dark curls spilled over her shoulders, framing her cherubic face prettily.

"Of course we can," Elizabeth said, scooping her daughter into her arms and carrying her to the living room. Alyssa giggled and wrapped her hands around Elizabeth's neck. Cecilia followed at a more sedate pace. She was Elizabeth's reserved, tender-hearted, ladylike daughter, a sharp contrast to her twin who was a fiery, passionate tomboy to the core.

They had no sooner settled in front of the fire than the door to the cabin opened and Nathan shepherded in their four other children. Arianna's cheeks were as red as her hair, her eyes bright with exercise. Anthony was holding a football, tossing it up in the air and catching it on repeat. Seven-year-old Jackson was in a lively conversation with them as they debated who had thrown a football the farthest. Nathan had Alyssa's twin, Eric, on his shoulders. The little boy sported the same brown hair and blue eyes as his sister. They looked more alike than Arianna and Cecilia did. Jackson was the spitting image of Cecilia, with the same blond hair and blue eyes. All six of their children had Nathan's eyes, a fact that delighted Elizabeth to no end.

When Jackson had come along three years after Anthony, Elizabeth and Nathan joked that they needed one more baby to complete the five children they'd settled on long before. When Elizabeth became pregnant again a little over a year later, she'd been shocked speechless to learn that she was once again carrying twins. Instead of five, they'd ended up with six children.

She wouldn't change that for the world. She and Nathan loved every single one of their precious miracles.

"Mommy!" Eric headed straight for her as Nathan set him on his feet. "Arianna and Jackson through the football super duper far!"

"I threw it the farthest," Arianna said, a victorious look on her young face.

Jackson wrinkled his nose, but he was apparently done arguing with his sister. Instead, he looked at the book in Elizabeth's hands, interest gleaming in his eyes. "Were you about to read, Mom?"

Elizabeth nodded, patting the floor beside her. "Yes. We're going to pick up the next chapter of The Chronicles of Narnia."

Excitement replaced the interest, and Jackson plopped on the floor beside Elizabeth. With Eric in her arms and Jackson and Alyssa cuddled on either side, with Arianna, Cecilia, and Anthony a few feet away, Elizabeth felt a strong contentment inside. Nathan settled on the floor beside the older children. "Who's ready to visit Narnia?" he asked with a grin.

All six children nodded or cheered their approval. Nathan chuckled, meeting Elizabeth's eyes. She smiled at him tenderly, thankful to share this life with him. He smiled back, their eyes communicating a thousand thoughts and emotions. Their love had brought them to this place, this place of home and warmth and comfort and safety.

Life was good.