The Innocent Carrying His Legacy by Jackie Ashenden

EPILOGUE

IVYWENTINTOlabour just as she and Nazir had come in from a nice, long stroll around one of the most picturesque villages in Italy’s Cinque Terre. Instantly, he mobilised the small medical team he had on standby, much to her annoyance since she was only having a baby, not a serious medical event.

He ignored her, managing the move to the hospital and everything in between. Eventually, though, he ran out of things to manage and was forced to do nothing but be at her side, holding her hand, unable to do a single thing as she gave birth to their son.

It seemed she was right about that too. He was, indeed, a boy.

Much, much later, as Nazir cradled his newborn son in the crook of his arm while he cradled his wife in the other, he felt a contentment steal through him unlike anything he’d ever felt in his entire life.

He’d given up his army, had handed it over to his second-in-command and the fortress with it, and he and Ivy now headed a worldwide charitable organisation dedicated to the well-being of at-risk children. He had no regrets. None whatsoever.

‘So,’ he said softly into the silence. ‘How do you feel about a daughter?’

Ivy groaned. ‘To be honest, I feel it’s in very poor taste to start talking about another child when I’ve only just had this one.’ But after a moment, she snuggled against him. ‘As long as we call her Connie.’

Nazir had no issues with that. Nor did he have any issues when Connie came with a twin sister they called Cora. Or with the little boy who came along a few years later as an extra-special surprise.

Because he wasn’t a vicious warlord any more or an unwanted bastard son. Or a lonely man hiding in the desert in a fortress with gates of iron.

He was the husband of Ivy Al Rasul and the father of four beautiful children.

And he wanted nothing more.