"Our children are fighting again," Will said dryly, glancing over at Theo.

"I am sure Francis started it," Theo replied with a raised brow.

Will wasn't offended; Theo was likely right. His son had the habit of teasing his cousin relentlessly. "Are you trying to imply that it is my problem, then?"

Theo laughed. "Was that not obvious?

They were sitting in the gardens at Rosecrest, watching as Victoria and Francis engaged in a shouting match that rivaled even the one they had the previous evening.

"What are you even fighting about?" Will hollered over to them.

Both children whipped their heads around at the sharp tone in Will's voice. Victoria stomped her foot and pointed a small finger at his son. "Uncle Leo gave me flowers, and Francis stole them and threw them in the pond."

"Francis," Will said in a warning tone.

"But father—"

"You know," Theo cut in, "we just happen to be in a garden, Victoria. There are plenty of flowers."

He gestured around them at the blooming plants, meticulously cared for by Will's gardener at Rosecrest.

"But it is the principal of it, father!" Victoria protested, stomping her foot a second time before crossing her arms tightly across her chest. Will was continuously taken aback by the fierceness of the little eight-year-old. Though, he realized he shouldn't be, given her parents.

"Are you simply repeating things your mother says again, Victoria?" Theo asked in an exasperated tone.

The little princess looked sheepishly up at her father, and it was then that Will noticed Francis trying to slip away from the scene.

"Where do you think you're going?" Will demanded and then repressed a laugh at the look on the boy's face when he realized he was caught. Francis whirled back around, his head of light brown curls bouncing at the action. Wide amber eyes peered up at him.

"Nowhere, father," Francis said quickly.

"They're coming," Theo muttered and gestured toward the manor house. Will followed his gaze to see Addie and Emilia walking toward them, laughing along the way.

Emilia was bouncing their other son, Felix, on her hip. She looked beautiful today in a lilac-colored gown that perfectly accentuated her body as she strode across the lawn.

If Will had thought that Emilia was happy in the aftermath of their wedding, it was nothing compared to how she acted now that she had the role of motherhood on her plate. He knew that her heart was fuller with the children in her life, and Will was just happy that he could give her that.

He loved Francis and Felix dearly, but all Will had ever wanted was to give Emilia all of her heart's desires.

The women suddenly stopped, surveying the events before them.

"Were they fighting again?" Emilia asked, looking defeated.

"We've handled it," Will said hastily, giving a warning glance to the children.

Theo cleared his throat and grunted, "Yes, all is well here."

Everything was quiet for a moment. And then, "Mother! Francis took my flowers from Uncle Leo!" Victoria pleaded her case to Addie.

Theo and Will dropped their heads into their hands.

"Francis, is that true?" Emilia's stern voice asked.

"Yes, mother." His head drooped, similar to his father's.

"You will pick Victoria new flowers," she commanded, and the six-year-old boy ran away to retrieve fresh blooms for his older cousin.

Emilia turned her gaze toward Will, and it softened. Will smiled before making his way over to her. He kissed her forehead before taking Felix from her.

"Why, hello," Will said, nuzzling the newborn softly.

"I can carry him," Emilia protested.

"I know you can," Will replied. "But so can I. Can't I?"

Emilia looked displeased but didn't say anything. It wasn't that she cared if Will held Felix, but it was because she knew he was lying.

Felix was only a month old, and his birth had been particularly trying on Emilia. Will tried not to think about it. Because if he was honest, it still haunted his soul. There had been a moment during the birth when the physician had given Will a knowing look. It was a look as if to say he should prepare for the worst. Will had not known how to do that, however, and had instead commanded Emilia to push through it and fight as hard as she goddamn could.

And of course, she had; an hour later, Felix was born.

But Emilia's recovery from the complicated birth had been slow. And Will was concerned that she was pushing herself too much lately.

"Addie and I were just going for an afternoon walk to town," Emilia said then, explaining their presence in the gardens.

Will frowned and glanced at Theo, whose expression was the same. Emilia's brother was also concerned for her health.

"Theo and I were about to go in and ring for tea. Doesn't tea sound good?" Will asked, hinting heavily.

"Sounds perfect, Trotten," Theo said and called to Victoria to follow them inside.

Emilia crossed her arms and raised her brows at her brother and husband.

"When did you both become such tea enthusiasts?" she asked hotly.

Addie leaned over and whispered something in Emilia's ear, which made both of the women giggle. Will frowned again.

"What do you think, Your Majesty?" he asked, giving Addie a pointed look.

The queen paused and then flashed an apologetic glance at Emilia before saying, "Yes, fine. Tea sounds rather nice. Perhaps we can go for a stroll another day, Emilia?"

Emilia grumbled something beneath her breath before turning on her heel and heading back toward the manor. Will waited a few moments before he could see Francis running around with a hand full of flowers and then proceeded to follow his grumpy wife.

As their group streamed into the parlor, Will passed Felix to his Uncle Theo and pulled Emilia to the side of the room. She leaned against the wall, and Will put his hands on either side of her shoulders.

"Before you become upset with me—"

"Too late," she interjected.

"Emilia," he said softly. "Do not do this. I am merely worried. I do not know what I would do if something happened to you."

She sighed and looked up at him. "Nothing is going to happen to me, darling. I know the birth frightened you--"

"Frightened me?" Will repeated, incredulous. "Frightened me?" He forced himself to take a steadying breath before saying, "I do not have the words to describe how I felt that day, but frightened doesn't even begin to cover it, Emilia."

After searching his eyes, Emilia finally relented. "I do not wish to ever make you feel that way, Will. I simply cannot stay cooped up in this home any longer."

Will nodded, knowing how hard it must be for her. He knew that she had started to grow bored, even though he had done his best to keep her entertained with endless rounds of cards—all of which she had won. Emilia had been so excited upon hearing that they were going to have company visit for the week.

He leaned back, surveying her discontented expression. Will needed to meet her halfway with this, and so he said, "I have a proposition, Lady Trotten."

One brow on Emilia's face raised in curiosity. "What is that, Lord Trotten?"

"What if we packed up and took the children on a picnic tomorrow for luncheon?"

Her eyes lit up, and Will quickly added, "You would ride in a carriage to get there, though."

She rolled her eyes and smiled; Will thought that was an encouraging sign.

"It's a deal," Emilia replied. "I should like that very much."

"I like you very much," Will shot back teasingly. He swooped down to steal a kiss. "Just kidding," he whispered against her lips. "I love you."

He could feel the way that she smiled, her plump lips curving beneath his own.

"I love you, too," she whispered. "Now, I thought I was promised tea?"

Will beamed and offered his hand to her, which she took, following him back to the others. They settled into the cozy parlor chairs, and after Emilia was sitting, Theo handed her son back to her. Will watched admiringly as Emilia whispered loving words in Felix's ear.

Francis rushed up to her then, exclaiming that he picked two handfuls of fresh flowers for Victoria. Emilia smiled at him as well and patted her knee to indicate that he could sit in her lap. Francis enthusiastically accepted, and soon Will's wife had both children balanced on top of her while taking afternoon tea.

The whole scene was terribly lacking in etiquette. Especially considering that they were in the presence of the Queen of England. But Will couldn't care less, nor did anyone else in the room.

Emilia might not have the best manners, but she was the best in all the ways that truly mattered. Bravery and kindness might not be fashionable, but they were some of the only things that truly made a difference in this goddamn world.

Not to mention love, which Emilia gave out in heaping measures.

Always, love.

THE END

author's note:

Thank you so much for reading Before He Was Mine! It means the world to me. I appreciate the support of my work immensely. If you enjoyed it, I hope you'll similarly enjoy my other stories within the series. The next one follows Leo & Scarlett, and it is titled, Before Liars Loved.

There is one more bonus chapter from Theo's POV, so scroll on if that interests you!

Thank you again!
-Amelie