Epilogue

Thanks to everyone for reading this story, I really hope you enjoyed the story

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Eighteen years later.

“Tell me the story again.” Alba whispered hugging her father’s arm tightly as he kissed her forehead, “The one where you fall in love with mama.”

“Well as she signed her name on the document, she looked up at your Uncle Brice and said ‘Some better than others hey Brice.’ And that’s when I fell in love with your mother.” Albus grinned as his daughter wrinkled her nose in disapproving laughter. “What?”

“You told me you fell in love with her when you saw her standing on the ridge watching you come over.” She stated letting go of him and smirking.  “And when she stitched you back together in Scotland.”

“Well does it matter when, just that I did?” Albus asked cupping his daughter’s face in his hands, “Alba, tell me what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know if I love him.” She whispered dropping her eyes down to her father’s chin and fighting tears. “How could I love him, I barely know him.”

“That is the way of the world; but tell me, does the sound of his name make you smile?”

“Yes.” She admitted with a small laugh.

“And does the feel of his hand in yours make your toes curl?”

“Where is this coming from?” she asked looking back at the dark haired man, his brown eyes the only thing she’d not inherited from him.

“The way I am when I see you, but obviously you’re my daughter so it’s slightly different.” He admitted with a grin, “But it’s still love and I know your mother once smacked me because I got so close she couldn’t think.”

“Promise to come visit me when I’m fat.”

“I’ll visit you even when you think I can’t.” he promised, “and your brother’s here, that’s what I came to tell you before I was stunned into silence by your beauty.”

“WHAT!” she screamed, “You bring him here on my wedding day, how am I meant to get to know him if I’m leaving for another village?”

“Blandus knew there was a wedding and permitted me to bring him.” He sighed, “Alba, I wanted to do it differently, hell I wanted both of you with me since the word go.”

“Can I come in yet?” an impatient voice asked from outside.

“He sounds just like you.” Alba laughed as Albus smirked.

“He looks like Brice. Come in Marcus, meet your twin sister.”

“I thought she’d have red hair too.” He admitted as the door opened and he stepped inside.

“He does look like Uncle Brice.” She stated jumping to her feet and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you.” Marcus admitted hugging his sister and instantly knowing, just where she always should have been. “So you’re getting married, do I have to beat some sense into him?”

“Papa already did.” She laughed and Marcus frowned looking up at Albus.

“He’s not our father.”

“He is, can’t you tell?” she asked stepping back and beside Albus.

Marcus’ throat closed in anger and joy, Blandus wasn’t always the most attentive of fathers and for years he’d pretended Albus was his father; he was always there if he needed help and always with a smile.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked as Albus stepped forward, bringing Alba with him.

“I couldn’t, I wasn’t married to your mother; Blandus was and he is your legal parent in that way. But when he ordered me to kill my own daughter I knew I’d have to be there for you in a way Blandus wouldn’t see.”

“Why did no one else notice?” he asked looking at Alba once more, “How do we look so different.”

“Your colouring throws everyone off; Blandus is my half-brother anyway so the similarities are there.”

“I’m getting married here guys, can I have you both walk me there?” Alba asked gripping their hands in hers, “I’ve finally got my brother and my father; I just wish I’d had you both sooner.”

“I’m going to threaten to kill him you know, it’s my duty.” Marcus stated as they left the small house and headed towards the gathering in the middle of the village.

She grinned and nodded, watching as everyone’s eyes fell onto her family. There was no denying it, not with Alba there to bridge the gap. Albus smirked at the man his daughter was to marry, he looked a little terrified.

“Normally, we make the prospective groom fight a male relative.” He stated and the young man blanched, “Alba?”

“Don’t scare him.” She hissed smacking his chest.

“But you boy, have to worry about my daughter beating you.” He grinned.

“I promise, I won’t hurt her.”

“Oh, I’ll hold you to that.” Marcus hissed before being dragged back by his father and standing back. “You must be Uncle Brice; Alba said I looked like you.”

“You really do.” The older red headed man stated, “Perfect, always wanted to warp Esma’s sons.”

Albus bit back a grin and tears as he watched his two children with their family in the same room. He wished Esma could be here to see them, to give Alba advice; to chastise Brice and Marcus. But most of all he just wished he could see her one more time. His eyes closed against the emotion and two large hands landed on his shoulders.

“Thank you, for loving her like she deserved.” Edwin stated, “I really couldn’t have asked for a better man for Ma.”

“I’m glad she chose you.” Ceolwulf whispered.

“I miss her so much.” I whispered and they smiled.

“We do too; but she’s always here, looking over her family.”

Albus looked up at his daughter just as she turned and grinned back at him; tears were streaming down her cheeks as she signed her name quickly and stepped back throwing herself into her father’s arms.

“You taught me to be brave; you taught me how to love.” She whispered, “I’ll take your advice everywhere.”

Albus wiped his eyes on her shoulder and stepped back, “My daughter needs her sword; do you still have the necklace?”

“Always.” She grinned before taking the sword, “Papa?”

“Defend your family Alba.” He grinned flicking her chin.

“What do I get?” Marcus asked stepping forwards, eyeing his brother-in-law carefully.

“My foot up your arse, now when your mother married I remember a beautiful ale being served.” Albus announced loudly, “Ceolwulf?”

“Oh we still have it.” He grinned lifting his niece off the ground and leading the part towards the ale, “Alba darling?”

Alba turned to offer the first drink to her father, but instead he spun her to face her new husband. “Don’t take anything for granted, you’ll never realise how lucky you are.” She stated quietly.

“I won’t.” he promised drinking from the cup in her hands as all the females and non-related males cheered the newly married couple. “I promise to look after her Sir.”

“As you should.” Albus smirked, “Because Marcus and I have access to weapons you wouldn’t know what to do with.”

“Papa!” Alba ground out as Marcus laughed. “Marcus, I mean it.”

“Listen to her; she’s handy with a spoon.” Edwin smirked passing Albus a flagon of ale. “To Esma, our long suffering sister who was reborn in her daughter.”

“Esma.” Albus smiled downing the contents. “So, Cain… how are you at holding down your alcohol?”

“Pretty good.” He smiled as Alba wrapped her arm around his waist. “Why?”

“Marcus, show the English how we Roman’s do it.” He grinned as Marcus smirked evilly.