Epilogue
It had been five years since he'd proposed to Caoimhne and they'd been happily married for five years now. They also now had three children of their own and Labhaoise was fifteen. When she was thirteen she was sent off to school but they'd never gained another governess. Caoimhne undertook her children's education.
They now had a four year old son, two year old daughter and a six month old son. Though they still loved Labhaoise as their own their children meant everything to them. Stephen smiled every morning to see them as when he'd left America he'd believed he would never have a chance to be a father. He was thankful for the three he had. He couldn't imagine having the eight he'd heard the Donnellys had.
He'd received letters since his engagement from Shannon and happily responded to them. Caoimhne knew she was his past and he felt nothing for Shannon now other than friendship. She'd been proud to see her husband accept the olive branch Shannon had offered all those years ago. It had proven to her the better man he'd become.
He was more than thankful he'd returned to Ireland as he knew if he hadn't he'd never have met Caoimhne and be this happy. The gossiping women of society had left him alone once he'd gotten engaged to his governess but he didn't care; it only showed their prejudice. He loved Caoimhne and that's all that mattered. She made him happy.
Labhaoise was turning into a fine lady without any prejudice. She knew she'd been sent to school to enhance her chances of making friends her age and turning her into a lady of society so to increase her chances of making a good match when it came to marriage. She assured her aunt and uncle though that she would marry only for love like they had.
She was due home today and found them in the play garden which was an area of the gardens cordoned off for the children to happily play in without spoiling the flower beds. Her uncle had ordered it to be created shortly after little Stephen's birth.
She found her uncle lying on the grass bouncing baby Seamus up and down in his hands who was giggling sweetly. He was a very hands on father and loved nothing better than to be with his family. She'd been so secretly happy when they named their second son after her father. She still missed him every now and again but had been so thankful her uncle had taken her in.
Stephen was running around the garden with a ball and hoop happily playing on his own. Ever since he'd become a big brother he'd been quite happy to play by himself and was fiercely independent even though also a devoted brother.
Her cousin Sinead was making daisy chains with her mother. She loved to play with flowers and was one with nature. Labhaoise had been allowed to choose her name and had named her Sinead Niamh.
Stephen looked up even though he stayed lying on the grass playing with his youngest son and smiled when he saw his niece. He always looked forward to when she came home and all four of the children were together again.
She sat down gently on the grass and started tickling her youngest cousin while the other children ran over and gave her a hug. She was a devoted cousin and loved to help them look after their children.