Chapter 10 - The Family We Choose
One year later.
The sun shone brightly over the gardens of St. Catherine’s Memorial Chapel in Queens.
I stood near a small, beautiful marble headstone surrounded by fresh white roses, lavender, and soft green ivy. The inscription read: Grace Vance — Forever Loved, Forever Our Angel.
Beside me stood Gabriel, wearing a sharp charcoal suit, his arm wrapped securely around my waist.
In front of the headstone, toddling on sturdy little legs through the grass, were one-year-old Anthony and Lucia. They wore matching little white outfits, laughing as they chased butterflies near the flowers.
I knelt down beside the grave, holding a small silver locket. Inside was Grace’s footprint, alongside a new picture of Anthony and Lucia smiling brightly.
“Hi, my sweet Grace,” I whispered softly to the gentle breeze. “Your milk saved them. And their love saved your mama.”
Gabriel knelt beside me, placing his hand over mine on the cool marble stone.
“We will bring them here every year,” Gabriel promised gently, kissing the top of my head. “She will never be forgotten.”
Specialist Mateo—who had been hired onto Gabriel’s permanent private security detail alongside Vance—walked over with a broad smile, carrying a camera.
“Boss, Mrs. Moretti,” Mateo called out warmly. “The family photo before we head back to the reception?”
I smiled, standing up.
Three months ago, Gabriel and I had been married in a quiet, intimate ceremony surrounded by the people who truly mattered—Vance, Margaret Hale, Marcus (who had spent the year making amends for his past weakness), and the loyal staff who had become our real family.
Gabriel picked up Lucia, holding her close against his shoulder, while I lifted Anthony into my arms. The little boy rested his head against my neck, babbling happily, his tiny hands tangling in my hair.
I looked into Gabriel’s eyes—the man who had given me a home, a purpose, and a fierce, unyielding love that healed every broken piece of my heart.
“Ready, mama?” Gabriel asked, his face lit with a bright, beautiful smile.
“Ready,” I answered, leaning into his side.
May you like
Mateo snapped the photo—capturing a moment of pure, unbeatable joy.
Grief had broken my world into pieces. But love had rebuilt it into something stronger, richer, and far more beautiful than I had ever dared to dream. My body had kept milk for a baby who was gone, only to nourish the future of the family I was always meant to find.
