The Mafia’s Good Wife
Epilogue

- Violet -

SIX YEARS LATER

SUMMER, 2028

NEW JERSEY

"Boys! It's lunch time!"

Talia yelled and waved her hands to get the boys' attention. Zach, Asher, and James were out playing soccer in the garden. Zach's little brothers, twins Zane and Zander were also out there, running around next to the big kids.

The boys turned to look at Talia who was waving at them to come to the table. Elena had prepared a lunch for them, some sandwiches, iced tea, and snacks. It was a hot summer's day and a glass of refreshing iced tea seemed like a great idea. Zach, Asher, and James quickly ran toward the table. The twins followed right behind them.

"I wanna sit next to Zach!" Zane, the 4 year old, quipped.

"No, I wanna sit next to Zach!" Zander, his twin brother replied.

"Alright, alright, you can both sit next to Zach!" Talia stepped in before the twins started fighting again.

Zane and Zander were always competitive about everything. But that was probably a given since the twins had three older brothers to look up to. And the three older boys were also just as competitive. Needless to say, the Van Zandt household was a lively home. Every day was always full of new possibilities, fun, and passion.

Talia sat next to Violet and Barbara as the boys sat on the other side. It was just the moms and the boys today for lunch as the dads were out at work. Damon, now named the Governor of New Jersey, was giving a speech at a university. Dylan, the second-in-command, was handling all the financial aspects of the Van Zandt Corporation. And Liam, the executioner, was now the COO of the company.

Everyone was moving up and on. Dylan and Ivy moved out a couple of years ago, they bought the house down the street. After baby James, they tried for another baby, but so far they had no luck. Still, that didn't stop them from trying every chance they got.

Liam and Talia also moved out after Dylan and Ivy. They had a simple wedding a year after Asher was born, and the year after that, their baby boy Landon was born. The cottage felt too small with two baby boys running around, so it was fitting that they got a place of their own. Luckily, the house next door was up for sale and Liam was quick to snatch it.

Even though everyone had moved out, Talia and Ivy still came by every chance they could. Not only that they were helping Violet expand the coffee business, but the three ladies were also passionate moms. They dedicated all their afternoons to their sons, hosting playdates, or taking them out on museum trips.

"Asher, eat your greens," Talia said as Asher was pushing away his broccoli off the plate.

"James, put the book away," Ivy scolded as James was busy with his latest superhero graphic novel.

Violet looked up at Zach who was just calmly eating his lunch. Unlike the other boys, Zach was not difficult at all. Violet never had to scold him for anything. Asher was known as the rebel and James was the artistic genius. Zach was the quietest of the three of them, but he acted as their leader and role model.

Sitting next to Zach were the twins, Zane and Zander. Violet gave birth to them two years after Zach was born. Zach took on the role of the big brother very well. Whenever Zane or Zander would cause trouble, Zach could always deal with them before Violet got a chance to. Zach reminded Violet a lot of Damon. He was always like that, three steps ahead of everybody else. A natural born leader.

Meanwhile, the twins resembled more of Violet. Or actually, they resembled the two sides of Violet. Zane was the cautious type while Zander was the curious type. Zane was mostly obedient while Zander loved questioning authority and breaking rules. Whenever he was left alone with Asher, they would get into the most trouble.

"Momma! Momma!"

A cute little cry was heard and Violet turned her head back. Landon, Talia's four-year-old kid, was tugging at his mom's shirt.

"What, Landon?" his mother asked.

"Can I eat my sandwich in the house?"

"You don't wanna eat with us?"

"I wanna eat with Zoie,"

"Zoie's sleeping, sweetheart," Talia shook her head. "You can play with her later,"

Landon's face turned sour as he was about to cry. Even though Landon was the same age as Zane and Zander, he never really got along well with all the boys. His favorite friend was Zoie, Violet and Damon's newborn baby girl. Ever since she was born three months ago, Landon never stopped asking about her or wanting to be around her.

"But I wanna play with her now..." Landon whined.

Talia could only sigh and shrug. Violet felt bad as Landon was starting to sob. She put a hand on his shoulder gently and said, "Hey, Landon, you wanna see baby Zoie?"

Landon's face changed instantaneously. His frown turned into a big, happy smile. Violet grabbed her plate with one hand and took Landon's hand in the other. He was practically skipping all the way back into the house.

Violet and Landon went up the stairs and stopped at the baby's room. She slowly pushed the door back and put a finger to her mouth, signaling for Landon to be quiet. London nodded his head eagerly and watched as the door swung back. Inside the soft pink room, there was a

white crib and a little baby sleeping inside of it.

There she is. Our beautiful baby girl, Zoie Rose.

Violet and Landon spent the rest of the afternoon in Zoie's room. They ate their sandwiches, waited until Zoie was up, and played with her. Not long after that, the other boys also came to play with them. It was almost like Zoie was the glue that brought everyone together. Violet watched with a big smile on her face as six little boys ran around in Zoie's little room. The boys, competitive as always, were all vying for Zoie's attention. Zach was leading the charge with loud singing, Asher was climbing and jumping off a table, James was showing Zoie his comic book, while Zane and Zander were making funny faces. Meanwhile, the baby girl was just laughing and giggling at her six older brothers and their antics.

Zoie probably didn't have a clue, but she was the most beloved little three-month-old baby girl in the world right now. Violet glanced into the crib and caught Zoie's purple-blue eyes. Zoie inherited her mother's eyes and Violet felt like she was looking into herself whenever she saw her. It was a feeling so hard to describe, but Violet felt the strongest bond with Zoie. And somehow, someway, Violet just knew... Zoie would be the one to watch.

Later that night, when the sun had gone down and everyone went back to their homes, Violet put Zane and Zander to bed while Zach was putting himself to bed. It had been a long day and she was exhausted, but Violet came back to Zoie's room one more time to make sure the baby

was sleeping well.

Violet stood next to the crib and looked inside. Zoie was fast asleep. That was probably the biggest blessing, Zoie could sleep in any situation. Even when her brothers were being loud

and annoying, Zoie could sleep through it all.

Violet let out a smile as her hand reached down. She ran her fingers gently across Zoie's forehead, caressing her soft hair. She stood there and just watched the sleeping baby for the longest time, losing track of time and space.

"Hey, sweet girl,"

Violet was so lost in the moment, she didn't realize that Damon had come home. She turned around and saw him standing in the doorway.

"Oh, hey, love," she replied.

Damon smiled and stepped closer. He linked his arms around her body from behind, pulling her into a tight hug. Violet melted into his arms as she inhaled his familiar, masculine scent.

Ahh. This feels like home.

"How was your day?" he asked.

"It was great. I just stayed home. I didn't feel like leaving Zoie,"

"I know what you mean, I think about her all the time. I'm obsessed," Damon stepped to the side and leaned his head into the crib. The biggest smile formed on his

face as he saw his little girl. Damon was such a great dad to the boys, and a great role model. But when it comes to Zoie, Damon worships the ground that the little baby walks on. And she couldn't even walk yet.

Damon leaned his face closer and gently placed a kiss on Zoie's forehead. He did it so

smoothly and gently as he didn't want to wake Zoie up. He kissed her for a long time, and

Violet was smiling at the sight. When he was done, Damon stood back up and linked an arm

around Violet's waist.

"And how was your speech today, Mr. Governor?" Violet asked.

"Not too bad. Exhausting, but it's a great day overall," he chuckled. His hand went to his tie and

he yanked it lose.

"Well, I bet I can make it even better," Violet said as she threw him a knowing look.

Damon's lips twitched into a smirk.

"I bet you can,"

Violet couldn't stop the smile forming on her face. Standing on her tippy toes, she leaned into

the crib and placed one last kiss on Zoie's forehead.

"Good night, my sweet girl," she whispered. "Sweet dreams,"

And with that, she took the edge of Damon's tie in her hand and led him out of the room.

Damon followed obediently right behind her, turning off the light, and closing the door.

THE END