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THREE WEEKS LATER
Lena
The Californian landscape is yellow, bright, and dusty as far as the eye can see. My heart pumps harder and harder as Mom drives the car up the small paved road, the U-Haul pulling behind us. It’s been one hell of a road trip, but now I’m aching to see my man.
The last time I saw him was when he took my virginity on that magic, steamy, taboo night. That night, he reminded me of what it felt like to be kidnapped. To neverwantto escape.
I rest my hand on my belly as Mom takes the turn. I think she can sense my anticipation. He was gone when I woke up that morning. Then, two weeks later, I got a text from an unknown cell number and an address. The case is moving on from us. Lionel Strafer is the focus. We’re just two unfortunate women who happened to be there. The cops don’t care about us.
The neighborhood sits just past the two small hills. I bite my lip as we drive through the quaint Main Street, past several ranches and galloping horses. I watch them running across the fields, so free, so powerful.
Finally, we pull up at the large house in a long row. Jamie immediately runs from the door. He must’ve been waiting for us. His hair is entirely silver now as if he’s dyed it, and he’s grown a thick silver beard, the same color. He’s also got a small scar under one eye. He still looks like him but different. Enough to make a person question it.
“Sorry about the getup,” he says, laughing, then shuddering with emotion. I’m doing it too.
We fly to each other. I throw myself into his arms. He catches me, holds me tight, buries his face in my neck, and kisses me. “Marry me,” he whispers urgently in my ear. “I wanted to propose. Dammit, I had a plan, but marry me, Lena. Be my wife. Forever.”
“Y-yes,” I whimper, hardly able to speak, not caring if we’re still on the porch, not caring if Mom or anybody can see. I feel like we’re the only people in the whole universe.
“Don’t worry. I didn’t forget everything.” He kisses my cheek, takes my hand, and leads me up the steps and into the house. He reaches for a table by the door. The interior is quaint, with lots of light and open space.
Kneeling, he smiles up at me. There is so much love in those sharp blue eyes, but I’ll always see the dark glint in there. He’s my man, capable of anything, and I’m his woman who is not bad in a scrape myself.
He opens the ring box, the diamond glistening. My hand is shaking as he slides it on. I’m bubbling up with excitement.
“Have you told him?” Mom says from the doorway, a big grin on her face. She’s been getting stronger day by day. “No? Tell him, girl!”
“Tell me what?” he says, grinning from ear to ear, happier than I ever could’ve imagined seeing him before.
I look into his eyes and step forward. I feel the heat of his body. I remember all the moments that brought us here. All the suspicion. All the pain. All the bloodshed. A tear falls down my cheek. “I’m pregnant.”
His eyes start glimmering, too. His hand moves to my belly. “I love you. I love our baby.”
I lay my hand atop his.
EPILOGUE
SIX YEARS LATER
Simone
I sit on the back porch, bobbing Hope up and down on my knee, watching as Tommy marches across the garden with his stick in his hand, Demon at his side. My three-year-old grandson aims the stick, leaning against the big, protective dog like two warriors riding into some ancient battle.
“I could watch those two all day,” Lena says, smiling as she sits next to me, the sun beaming down on her, making her shine more than she already is. She rests her hand on her belly. Another baby. Another precious bundle of joy.
“Me too, Mommy,” Hope beams, her black hair flowing down her back. It was the color of Jamie’s hair before he dyed it silver, and then it turned naturally silver with age.
He stands across the yard, talking to Tessa, my partner. It took a long time to come to terms with many things, especially the guilt over Lena and her father. I did love her father in my own way, and it hurt to lose him. I’ll never know how my life would have turned out after my confession, but that’s not something I can change, and I’ve learned to accept that. I lost a part of myself when I lost him, but Tessa brought a new light to my world when she came into my life, and I couldn’t be happier. It didn’t happen overnight. There were long conversations with my therapist and Lena about my past, my parents, and my relationship with Lena’s father.
I’m so proud of the relationship I’ve built with Lena and the strong woman she is with no thanks to me. I watch her, one eye on Tommy and Demon as they march, ready to spring up at a moment’s notice. Not that she coddles her children. She’s an excellent mother. So capable. So loving. Even after starting her charity and spending a little time in the office, she never forgets the children. Primarily, she works at home. That was important to her—not like me.
“Why so glum, chum?” Lena says, winking at Hope.
Hope giggles, turning and flashing me her heart-filling smile. “Why sochum,glum?” I laugh, looking into her eyes, seeing the future, seeing evidence of the repair Lena and I have made. I’ll never fully forgive myself for letting go like that and disappearing into myself, but we’re here now. We’re together.
Jamie says something, making Tessa laugh. It’s funny. I always think of him as Jamie, but he’s been Jake since we moved here. Jamie King disappeared from his apartment and was never seen again. Jake Fitzgerald has been a martial arts instructor for the last five years, building a franchise. He’s respected in the community. The whole family is. Lena reaches over and squeezes my hand. Tommy and Demon make another pass in front of us.
“Look at us, Mom,” Lena whispers, gesturing to the garden, the vibrant flowerbeds, the pool glistening. Hope is laughing on my knee. My partner and my son-in-law are making each other laugh by the grill.
