My life improved significantly after my allies and I defeated the evil organization. We had many stolen goods, the kids got more interested in the pirate life, and Kenneth fixed the damage left by the SHA. Besides, everyone kept loving Tess even though I told them about her real father... Yes, I'd underestimated how loving the Gálvez family could be. Despite all that, one person was missing. Although I hadn't seen my mom since I escaped prison, I wouldn't stop thinking about her. Uncle Ruben said she was troubled, but I didn't think it was enough to never see her children again. She missed so many things... It was sad. I wish she'd attended the fantastic wedding celebration Miguel and I had at Ocean Storm... Everybody danced, drank, and ate so much that I let everyone have a break the next day. Laurens and Maartje's was great as well, but mine was better... What? It's true! Anyway, I took a deep breath while holding my 6-month baby girl. She was born five months after Luna turned seven... See? Maartje was wrong! I don't get pregnant easily because Luna was five when Miguel and I had our unofficial marriage.

I chuckled, "Don't give me that look, Isabel. You just had your food."

Isabel cooed while I kissed her forehead. Although my baby couldn't talk, she seemed happy. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have her and my other kids.

"Izzy is calm, but Stefan won't stop crying," Miguel walked closer while carrying our baby boy. "The lullaby isn't working anymore."

I smiled, "Izzy cries less, but she still isn't easy... See what I did here?"

"Very funny," my husband laughed. "At least our twins don't puke all the time like Vasco."

Of course! They're the best babies ever!

Guess what? I'd fulfilled the promise I made to an opponent a few years ago! I had so many babies that my enemies would never run out of pirates to chase. I was among the few women who survived a twin birth. Nothing except joy followed Stefan and Isabel's arrival. My twins had light skin, light-brown hair, and hazel eyes. My nephew Vasco had light skin, blue eyes, and dark brown hair. Stefan was born a few minutes before Isabel, but I had a feeling she'd be more mature than him and Vasco... Don't judge me! You know men are more childish.

I nodded, "Maybe our nephew will stop after today. It's his birthday, after all."

"I know we're sailing to San Agustín for Vasco's birthday, but I'm most excited about showing Isabel and Stefan to my mom," Gálvez caressed our son. "She'll be delighted to meet them."

I stared at the ground, "Definitely..."

Why won't my mother come back? Is she alive?

I felt a hand smashing my heart as I remembered my mom. She should've never started the SHA... Yes, I couldn't judge someone broken, but she didn't think twice before attacking my family and me! Maybe she'd pretended that day with the birthmark. Only God knew why my mother ran away... I'd probably never find out. I squeezed my eyes shut to avoid crying.

Miguel tilted his head to the side, "Is everything alright, mi amor?"

I chewed on my lip, "I just wish my mother could meet our kids."

"Perhaps she will," he looked at the bright moon. "Wherever your mom is, she's thinking of you."

When I was ready to respond, Maartje came running with her son. Willem smiled widely while playing with his wooden sword. I hugged him tightly.

Willem pointed to the bowsprit, "We're arriving in San Agustín, Captain Storm!"

"Great job, dear!" my cousin kissed her son's head. "Just like we rehearsed!"

"Thank you, Will!" I chuckled. "Maartje, prepare us to dock."

My heart pounded as we approached the port. I should be glad the kids had at least one grandparent alive, but my mom was still on my mind. She'd suffered enough. Besides, my uncle and Francis came back to my thoughts. They would've loved to meet the twins. Perhaps my father would've liked to meet my children as well... Damn it! I shook my head to steer the upsetting thoughts away.

Your mother's gone, Eva! Stop dwelling on it!

I smiled once we arrived at my mother-in-law's house. Giacomo, Nuria, Rosa, and Vasco greeted us with a long hug. My daughters started running like maniacs... How did children have so much energy? I could never understand.

"I can't believe you had two babies at once, Eva! You're muy strong," Rosa's eyes gleamed. "How is taking care of twins like?"

I smiled, "Isabel and Stefan are a lot of work, but I love them so much that I don't mind."

Nuria grinned widely, "Can I carry one?"

I nodded and handed Izzy to my sister-in-law. Miguel gave Stefan to his mother. Luna, Willem, Tess, and Vasco played while the adults talked. I sighed in relief after sitting on the couch... Wasn't that the best feeling ever? I barely sat down since the twins! My brother walked closer and gave me a pat on the back.

"I wish Joaquim and Andrew were here," Giacomo sat beside me. "They never showed up again after retiring."

"They're probably still in Barbados," I glanced at the floor. "I really miss them."

Although I was happy, I wanted Andrew and Joaquim to be with us that day. I took a deep breath, hoping they were fine in their new home. Luna spilled water on Ricci as she ran after Tess.

Children never get tired, do they?

Luna laughed, "I'm sorry! It's a water battle!"

"Nuria and I can barely handle our kid," Ricci chuckled while drying his coat. "I don't know how you and Miguel take care of four."

I laughed, "Me neither. The captain needs a nap."

A person wearing a black hood and a brown cloth covering their face peeked through the window. They wouldn't stop staring. Since it was night, I couldn't see their face. Scared for my children, I grabbed my cutlass. The mysterious person left running. That wasn't the first time I'd seen that stranger. Even though they disappeared quickly, I could never talk to them... More trouble was all I needed! Perhaps it was the same spy who vanished when my husband proposed in Nassau.

Giacomo raised a brow, "Is something wrong?"

"Someone has been spying on me for a while," I stood up and approached the door. "I need to find out who it is."

"The same has been happening to me," my brother took a deep breath. "I'll come with you. The person can be dangerous."

We discreetly left the house. Walking faster, I reached the runaway spy. They started running. My legs burned as I chased the person... Yeah, I wouldn't get my nap that night. Ricci and I went to the left, almost giving up. The person tripped and fell. I knit my brows as I heard a crying sound... No, it wasn't my babies this time.

I gulped, "Who are you and what do you want?"

Once the spy got up and their hood fell back, I gawked. I hadn't seen that face in years. The Tuscan man breathed faster as his eyes flooded with tears. I was completely paralyzed.

Ricci's eyes widened, "Mom, why have you been hiding from us?"

Breathing quickly, I tried not to freak out. I was glad the stranger wasn't an enemy, but I couldn't believe my mother had been observing me without saying a word... How much had she seen? I swallowed hard, hoping she hadn't watched Miguel and me on the beach after I accepted his proposal... That'd be weird, to say the least.

"Every time I saw you, I wanted to talk, but I couldn't..." my mom wiped away her tears. "I was ashamed of what I'd done. Still am."

I caressed her back, "The SHA is in the past. I accepted your apology a long time ago."

"I already put my kids and grandchildren in danger once," my mom's chin trembled. "If I get any closer, I'll cause problems like I always do. Watching you from a distance is enough."

Taking several deep breaths, I was unsure of what to do. Uncle Ruben hadn't lied about my mom being troubled, but I wanted to give her a second chance. Giacomo kept gazing at her, apparently thinking. That situation was probably more complicated for him because of the abandonment thing. Mom slowly stroked my brother's face as if she'd read his mind.

"Leaving you was my worst mistake, dear Giacomo. I'm sorry," she squeezed her eyes shut. "I don't deserve you and Eva."

"I forgive you. There's no reason to stay away," Ricci pointed at our mother-in-law's house. "Your grandkids must meet you."

"Five grandchildren and a great-nephew. I never saw that coming," my mother sighed. "They're better off without me."

"I completely disagree," I held out my hand to her. "Why don't we come to Rosa's together?"

She paced. Why was my family so complicated? Sometimes I wish I had a typical one... Who am I kidding? Normal is boring! However, I still wished nicer people had raised me. Despite her issues, my mom would've been a thousand times better than Hendrika. The jitters returned when I remembered everything the SHA did, but I couldn't keep making my mom feel bad for it. She blamed herself already.

"If I meet the children, I'll get attached," some tears ran down her face. "I can't lose more people I love."

"Your solution is to never love again?" I looked deep into her eyes. "I tried that. It only makes things worse."

Mom took a step back, "I must go. Goodbye, my..."

"Wait!" a familiar female voice said from behind.

I raised a brow once I saw Rosa... How much had she heard? I hoped she hadn't followed me to scold my mom. Giacomo tilted his head to the side, seemingly confused. I gulped as my mother-in-law walked closer.

"I followed Giacomo and Eva. I'm too curious," Rosa sighed as she turned to my mom. "You're their mother, right?"

Mom nodded, "What is this about?"

"I can't let you go away. Not after hearing we share grandchildren," the Spanish woman crossed her arms. "I don't know your story, cariño, but you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you leave."

"Really?" my mother narrowed her eyes. "Was that a threat?"

"There's nothing more important than family," my mother-in-law sighed. "I'd never leave something so precious behind. Think about it."

Come on! Listen to Rosa!

Mom stared at the night sky. I bit my lower lip, wondering if Rosa's strategy had worked. When I thought my mother would say something impolite, she smiled. My chest felt lighter.

"I've missed enough important moments," my mom took a deep breath. "If you let me, I'd like to be a part of this family."

"You already are," my lips curled into a wide grin. "Follow us."

My heart started beating faster while I walked to Rosa's home. I couldn't believe I'd finally take my mother to the man I loved and the kids. Once we arrived,

I approached the living room, "This is everybody..."

After telling everybody's names to mom and introducing her, we came back to eating and drinking. Even though I was almost exploding, I kept eating more empanadas... They were so good! When my family was distracted, I went to Rosa's backyard. I grinned widely, not believing how lucky I was. Despite the SHA craziness and the past problems with my mother, I had the best family ever. They made me feel alive.

Miguel put an arm around my shoulder, "What's on your mind?"

"I'm just grateful for everyone in my life," I turned to him. "Especially you and our kids."

"I feel the exact same way," my husband smiled sweetly. "Do you think they'll become pirates?"

"Let's hope so," I put an arm around Gálvez's waist while resting my head on his shoulder. "We must pass on our criminal wisdom."

Miguel and I laughed loudly... Don't judge us! We had to teach everything about piracy to our children once they were old enough. There was no better life than sailing anywhere you want and having countless adventures. My husband and I spent a few minutes outside before returning to the house. I couldn't wait to find out what my kids would become once they grew up.

****

Author's note: Hey! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone is well. Please vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter and follow the "Battles and Secrets" playlist on Spotify. All translations can be found below. Also, please take a look at my aesthetic for Vasco and the twins. I loved writing this chapter because of the new kids I included. Next week's chapter will be the last, but don't worry. I'll publish some extra chapters after the final one... ;-)

I dedicate this chapter to my great friend PennyZee

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance:

1. Mi amor means "my love" in Spanish