Sofia, as far as they knew, was in fact dead. There were no trace of her whereabouts. Cristiano issued a private investigation into her disappearance from the treatment facility down to the last known location Mateo stayed but no solid clues were found. Even after Alessandra was imprisoned for two accounts of attempted murder and her cooperation in finding Sofia would lessen her sentence, she did not provide anything profound to help find her. She claimed never seeing her nor was she involved in her death. She only confirmed Mateo saying he had taken care of her and she would never see the light of day.

Alessandra confessed she never questioned Mateo where or how she died. Cristiano doubted her confession but there was nothing else they could do to change or challenge what she claimed. However, even after collecting all the facts knowing Sofia probably didn't make it alive at the hands of Mateo, her brother ensued the investigation hoping they would find a lead, a clue, anything that would prove otherwise. Just because nothing came up now didn't mean it wouldn't show up at a later time.

He refused to give up hope.

With the birth of the twins keeping them busy during the nights and days, the absence of his sister slowly began to sink in during the down times. He was devastated and saddened at the loss of his only living family. He never had the opportunity to say his goodbyes or make amends. With nothing but time on their hands, the pain dulled but her memory never forgotten. A portrait was constructed of her and hung in Cristiano's and Jasmine's homes in L.A. and at the castle.

Jasmine and Cristiano's love blossomed and matured beyond their expectations. Everyday they learned more and more about each other and each day provided a different experience. Jasmine gave him every bit of herself she had to give and Cristiano had given even more. Despite the void of his missing sister, for the first time in his entire life, a feeling of serenity filled him. He'd found his home in Jasmine and her family. With her by his side, they would get through anything.

It was time to finally have some normalcy in their lives after a wild year.

Jasmine had embraced motherhood with an enthusiasm Cristiano could never have envisaged. He had thought she would have been itching to leave the twins in the care of a nanny so she could concentrate on work but she hadn't. She looked light years away from the fiercely independent business woman she had always executed to a soft and giving, selfless mother.

They spent part of the year in Italy, at the castle, and the rest in California in the home Cristiano had bought before the twins were born. Jasmine added her personal touches to both homes and made it feel homey. She also made her own work space so she would be able to work from home. Sometimes throughout the year, she flew to England overseeing important business concerning the hotel.

Cristiano watched as Jasmine settled down Vincent and Valentina in turn for the night returning earlier from a short one night stay in London. Cristiano and the twins regularly accompanied her on her trips but since the stay was short lived, they decided not to expose the twins to jet lag. As soon as the private jet landed she was eager to see them and hadn't bothered to change the dress she traveled in or a bite to eat.

The twins were healthy and happy at eleven months old.

Vincent had his father's dark hair and eyes while Valentina had her mother's grey ones and bright honey-brown hair. They were the highlight of their lives. Their innocent giggles made the days go by faster and their peaceful demeanor and vast curiosity highlighting their bright eyes was enchanting to capture in pictures.

Her intense concentration on her features would soften a little, and she would smile and speak to them as if they understood her. Cristiano had never seen a mother more devoted nor more loving than her. When his mother was alive, she loved him and Sofia desperately but he could not remember seeing or feeling what he'd witnessed with his wife. He'd known his Yasmina to be a fire and ice type of woman but the rush of emotion at her gentle hands and the tenderness she demonstrated with their children made him love her even more than he already did.

She was remarkable. His chest swelled with pride. This woman was completely and entirely his. A woman with a strong backbone, sass, and the fire, and the ability to challenge him in a way no other human being ever dared. He loved her so much it hurt sometimes.

Her mouth opened slightly as she looked up at him with those big, grey eyes. And right there, he knew he needed to righten the one wrong he never corrected.

"What are you looking at?" Jasmine asked playfully, closing the adjoining baby room door behind her and entering their suite.

"At you. A Madonna." He stated simply following her.

"Stop it." Cristiano's charming compliments still managed to make her blush.

Cristiano suddenly asked, "Will you marry me? Again?"

At first, Jasmine pretended she misheard him. But her heart started to race.

"Are you serious? Where is this coming from?"

Cristiano nodded.

"I never properly asked the first time." He murmured.

Jasmine laughed and hugged him. "Finally!" She exclaimed. "Yes! I will marry you!"

"My mother and father would have been very proud of me if they were alive. If it wasn't for Sofia and her accusation, I would never have found you and learned to love and be loved. Wherever she is, I pray her soul is at peace. I could not have asked for a better life, family, home. The life I'm living is one I never would have dreamed."

She kissed Cristiano's cheek and smiled at him as his dark eyes merrily twinkled back at her.

She kissed him, clutching him to her, and a growl came from the back of his throat. Putting his hands on both sides of her face, Cristiano kissed her back fiercely, possessively, almost violently. He kissed her with every bit of love and longing and passion in his heart.

The zipper of her dress gave way smoothly beneath his quick tug. A shrug of her shoulder was all that was needed to send the dress slipping to the floor. In an instant it fell, the silk stocking she was wearing and the lacy scrap of a garter belt that held them in place was revealed. Combined with her half-cup bra and tiny bikini panties, they gave her an alluringly sensual air.

Cristiano pulled back, running his eyes over her so hungrily that she felt almost scorched by them. Through the shirt that hung open to the waist she could see the bronze skin of his massive chest. The muscles of his powerful arms rippled sinuously against her softeners.

"So beautiful. . ." He groaned, letting his palms run over her naked spine as it were silk, exploring every inch of her.

Jasmine trembled beneath his touch. Caught up in the waves of desire pounding through her, she barely aware that he had insistently unclipped her bra and pulled it from her. His hands slid down the vulnerable line of her back and beneath the rim of her last garment to squeeze and knead her bottom.

She cried out softly as he lifted her, and wrapped both her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bed. Even as they fell onto it, he was stripping the fragile lace from her.

Rolling her beneath him, his mouth was warm and gentle as it followed the slender line of her throat, his tongue darting out to taste the sweet hollow at the base of her collarbone before continuing on downward the cleft, separating her breasts. His fingers traced the fullness of her breasts before stroking her nipples. When his mouth claimed the taunt peak of her breast she moaned softly. Each swollen peak was tenderly suckled before at last his mouth drifted further down her body, lingering on the indentation of her navel and the flat plane of her abdomen.

Twisting beneath him, unacceptable to endure much more, Jasmine cried out softly.

"Cristiano. . ."

Insane, intoxicating need overwhelmed her.

Cristiano glanced up for a moment, his eyes locking with hers as he deliberately confirmed her surrender. Gripping her hips, he pulled back, then thrust inside her, filling her so deeply, all the way to the heart.

She gasped, gripping his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing his hard body against her own, and she felt the heat of his breath against her skin as he rode her slowly and hard and deep. She cried out, clutching him to her. Drawing back, he looked straight into her eyes, holding her gaze as he plunged one last time, deep, so deep, that she shuddered all around him as he shuddered inside her.

They found their absolute surrender a fulfillment.

They wasted no time planning their official wedding. A month later, they celebrated their one year anniversary by renewing their vows at the castle surrounded by the twins, Jasmine's family, close relatives and Sammy, of course. They exchanged beautiful vows made of promises to cherish one another and love that would last for the rest of their lives.

It was just as intimate as their last but with love and happiness floating in the air. Thousands of flowers littered the walls and scented candles illuminated every corner. Jasmine and Cristiano cut down the six-tiered wedding cake as confetti rained from the ballroom ceiling. They danced and drank, their laughter and joy shared with their loved ones. It was a wedding renewal celebration they would never forget.

Absolutely nothing they had done so far was followed traditionally.

Then again, they were not your ordinary couple. Neither ever imagined they'd end up with the life fate had in store for them. It was full of different surprises arising in a different order.

They met and married under difficult circumstances. They conceived twins. Went through hell and back to find that their love was worth fighting for. They found the true love they always wanted from one another much later on. Renewed their vows, just after a year–not ten, fifteen, twenty, or even thirty years later. And were finally having that honeymoon they well deserved.

It was true, life was full of surprises.

They were kissed and hugged and wished a safe journey on their official honeymoon. The twins, carried in her mother's arms and fathers, waved their little hands as they said their goodbyes.

Jasmine left them with a heavy heart, a tear escaping her eyes.

"I don't like leaving the twins." She said miserably, turning back from window.

"They are in good hands, Yasmina." Cristiano reminded her.

"Where are we going?" She asks.

"That my love, is a surprise. Since the twins have been born we've been exceedingly busy. With your traveling schedule for work and mine as well, being parents, making renovations to the castle and our home in California, we could both do with a little rest and recuperation."

They boarded onto the Russo private jet.

"At least give me a hint. Is the place we are going to warm?" She asked, buckling in her seat belt as their baggage was being loaded.

Cristiano switched off his phone and removed his suit jacket before answering. "Yes, it's warm. Don't worry tesoro, even in the coldest of temperatures, I'll keep you warm." He said thickly and smiled.

Jasmine heard the note of promise in his voice and it made her tingle everywhere.

The island, Pantellerai, was known as the black pearl of the Mediterranean. The island lay halfway between Africa and Sicily. Jasmine was surprised to learn, Cristiano inherited a simple house built of volcanic stone, with shallow domes and thick white walls from his parents and he hadn't visited since they passed.

The home offered a terrace by a swimming pool which had a backdrop of the distant sea.

Pantelleria's October air was warm, and beautiful wild flowers bloomed in pinks, reds and yellows. Crystal blue waters were rich in lobsters and the valleys were filled with grapes as large as plums. It truly looked like paradise on earth.

It had been at least thirty minutes as Jasmine toured the island while Cristiano unloaded the car with their baggage. He surprised her when he told her there would be no staff attending to their needs. They would be completely alone.

"Will you be cooking too?" She teased.

Her darkly handsome, intimidating husband frowned, placing their luggage in the corner of the foyer.

"Yes."

Jasmine's surprise increased. "You?"

She couldn't restrain the bubble of laughter that burst from her lips.

His frown deepened. It was difficult imagining Cristiano doing anything domestic. His small army of people did everything for him. He was spoiled rotten. And now he claimed he was going to cook.

"Do you consider me incapable of living my life without any staff to help me, Yasmina? As I recall on hundreds of different occasions, it is I, who brings you pleasure without any assistance."

Cocky, she thought. But that's what attracted her to him to begin with. It was a total turn on and she loved every inch of the good and bad that accompanied her hot-headed and passionate Italian prince.

"Well, I cannot discredit your abilities in that department for sure." She agrees but bursts into a fit of giggles at his scowl. "You're a prince, a winemaker, a fighter, you deliver babies, and now a cook. Next, you'll tell me you can sing."

"Your humor at my expense is quite refreshing yet irritating, Cara (dear)."

He began stalking towards her, slowly, as a predator to its prey. Jasmine's eyes widened and she slowly walked backed away.

He lunged forward and she jumped, squealing in delight, turning and running away from him playfully. Jasmine rushed into the cool, domed bedroom which she assumed was the main room they would share. The bed was huge and encased in white sheets.

Cristiano slammed the door shut with his leg effortlessly.

"You're exactly where I want you." He said with a dark smirk. "Shall we begin our honeymoon and remind you of my many talents?"

They were on opposite ends, the bed separating them.

"Will you be gentle, Cristiano?" She asked a little breathless heat rising to her cheeks as she said the words.

"Not this time." He answered in all honesty.

His arrogance electrified her senses. She loved the dominance, the relaxed way in which he held himself. So self-assured, so in control, so powerful. The only time she had ever seen him intimidated was when he was fighting for her love.

His breathing was quick and shallow, and although she saw the muscle leaping in his jaw, she was no more afraid of him than a tigress would be of its mate. He pulls the white T-shirt over his head leaving his vast and muscled chest on display.

Jasmine caught her breath. He was distracting her.

She loved it when he was rough. Between the sheets was the only time she allowed him full control over her. She melted like a ice sculpture at his hot touch every time.

"I will make sure to increase your desire and heighten your desperation until you can't think straight. You will be drenched in perspiration and half out of your mind, clawing my back, begging me with need for hours before you're thoroughly satisfied. This will be a long process, princess. And one, I promise, you will never forget."

Her dark and dangerous sexy prince. Was it bad she loved this side of him? He hadn't even touched her yet and she was already drenched with desire.

"Sounds sinful." She teased sending him a wicked smile and darting a quick glance at the closed door.

She loved this game of cat and mouse. From the very beginning, she was always running from him. And he was always there to catch her. It reminded of her their last 'honeymoon'.

Cristiano read her intentions because as soon as she leaped towards the door in a rush, he moved and quickly wrapped his arms around her before she could open the door and escape.

"Got you." He whispered in her hair. "Know in any world, in any life, I will always catch you."

Jasmine laughed, basking breathlessly in his playfulness. She turned into his arms kissing every inch of his face while he twirled her round and round knowing they would never be apart again no matter what happens.

His arms were her home, his heart her vessel and his soul completely hers.

This is where she belonged, where she would always belong.

In his arms.

Jasmine and Cristiano arrived at the surprise birthday party for Stefan, although very late.

Valentina and Vincent, now a year and a half, squirmed and kicked in their father's arms until he set them down then they tore off, running as fast as their little legs could, to the dessert stand reaching for cookies.

The guests had gathered in a circle as Cristiano and Jasmine approached. The guests consisted of close relatives and family friends. Zayn catches her eye and sends her a wink.

They were very late to the party as it appeared. Stefan was already unwrapping his birthday presents. Jasmine kept a close eye on her children as she listened to Camelia and Stefan.

Sammy was close by Camelia's side.

"Mine next." Camelia says, holding her present out for him to take.

It was a small little box. Jasmine smiled knowing what was already hidden inside.

"You of all people shouldn't get me a gift–you are the best gift in my world–a gift that keeps on giving." Stefan says.

"You have no idea." Sammy purrs, reaching for his martini glass on the table and saluting both Camelia and Stefan. "Thank God I wore waterproof mascara this time." He said.

Jasmine bit the inside of her cheek. The precious moment would have broken by the interruption of her laughter. Every single guest was silently watching and listening to the exchange and waiting eagerly for Stefan to open his very last present.

Cristiano clasps her hand and brings it to his lips kissing the back. She smiled lovingly, squeezing his hand. He knew what waited Stefan in the small box.

They turned away, hand in hand and walked close together back to the twins, which were running towards them. Brother and sister circled around their father's legs until Cristiano was forced to scoop them up in his arms and administer a sternly disapproving frown to each.

Their answer to his stern look was one they learned from their mother–laughter and kisses. His children covered his cheeks with chocolate kisses and giggles.

He attempted a scowl. "No more dessert until you've had your lunch."

"Yes, Papa." The two said eagerly in a show of obedience.

"Troublemakers." He muttered, giving them each a kiss on the forehead and releasing them once more.

Jasmine watched Cristiano and the twins with a full heart. He had so easily found his role as a family man. She loved the ease in which he adapted at fatherhood. But that was Cristiano, he had the ability to be easily converted into who he needed to be without much adjustment. She didn't think it was possible to love him more.

"Go find Nanna." Jasmine encouraged, smiling down at her daughter and son giving them each a pat on the head.