Chapter 9 - The House on the Hudson
Spring returned to Westchester with an explosion of vibrant color, painting the sprawling estate grounds in brilliant shades of azalea, lilac, and emerald green.
The west wing of the mansion had been officially renamed by the boys as The Triplets' Kingdom, complete with a treehouse built by Gabriel himself, a sprawling vegetable garden where Julian, Leo, and Mason proudly watered tomatoes every afternoon, and a golden retriever puppy named Barnaby who followed their every move.
On a bright Sunday morning in May, the estate was filled with the soft, elegant strains of a string quartet playing classical waltzes across the lawn.
There were no billionaire philanthropists, no corporate spies, and no federal investigators. Just a small, intimate gathering of family, trusted friends, and loyal staff members who had watched the Cross family survive the fire and rise from the ashes.
I stood in front of the massive French doors of the grand ballroom, wearing a breathtaking, ethereal gown of ivory silk and lace that flowed around my ankles like seafoam.
Mrs. Gable stood beside me, carefully adjusting my veil, wiping a stray tear of joy from her wrinkled cheek. "You look radiant, Mrs. Cross. Just like a queen."
"Thank you, Mrs. Gable," I smiled softly, taking a deep, steadying breath.
Then, the heavy oak doors swung open.
Julian, Leo, and Mason walked down the grassy aisle first, wearing matching miniature beige linen suits and bowties, carrying small wooden baskets filled with white rose petals that they scattered across the manicured lawn with exaggerated, theatrical care.
Behind them walked Gabriel.
He looked devastatingly handsome in a custom navy tuxedo, his dark hair neatly combed, his gray-green eyes shining with an overwhelming, luminous pride as he watched me walk toward him.
When I reached the altar beneath the ancient weeping willow tree, Gabriel took my hands in his. His palms were warm, calloused, and steady.
"Do you, Gabriel Cross, take Claire to be your lawfully wedded wife..." the officiant began, his voice carrying clearly across the quiet lawn.
Gabriel didn't wait for the prompt to finish.
"I do," he said, his voice ringing with absolute, unyielding devotion. "In this life and every life after."
May you like
I smiled, tears of pure happiness spilling over my eyelashes. "And I do."
With the exchange of platinum bands and a deep, breathless kiss that made our three little boys cheer and clap at the top of their lungs, the circle was finally unbroken.
