“It’s wonderful,” Caroline said, blinking back tears. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I’ll give you a hint. You’re welcome, Caroline.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Jack.”
He sounded self-assured but looked a little nervous. “Please say you like it.”
“I love it,” she whispered.
“Even better.”
“It’s the most magnificent thing I’ve ever seen.”
“I’ve always given you jewelry on Christmas. This year I wanted to do something different. Something truly valuable.”
“You’ve outdone yourself.” She was still at a loss for words. “I may never leave this room.”
“You can stay here every day as long as you end up in bed with me at night.”
She could certainly agree to that. “Deal.”
“I want you to come in here whenever you start to forget who you are and who you’re going to become.” Jack kissed the back of her head. “We’ve lost a lot but we have each other. We have our family. And all in all, I hope you feel you’ve lived a meaningful life. You have so much more to do, sweetheart. And time to do it. We both do.”
Caroline turned to face him. He’d recover physically. She’d recover mentally. The girls would grow and mature and become remarkable women. They were complete at last. They’d fill what once was a large, impersonal house with enough love to make it the home it was meant to be. “I know.”
Jack kissed her left hand, just above her engagement ring. She wore it all the time now, along with her anniversary band. Now that she felt it was safe. Now that their lives had started to return to normal, though they would never truly be normal again. It was a reminder of everything they’d gone through together. She still wore his wedding band around her neck, and he hers.
“I know you never put much stock in happy endings,” he said quietly. “But do you think you might be willing to see if we can make our own?”
She was safe here, with him. Safe, and strong, and oh so loved. He whispered those words in her ear when he held her in his arms at night. Except now he knew she wasn’t asleep, knew she heard every word as they tangled themselves up in each other despite their physical and emotional wounds. Caroline knew that he would spend the rest of his days making sure she never forgot any of those things.
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Absolutely,” she whispered.
The End
Acknowledgments
If any of you were wondering what Christine told Caroline when she gave her the medal…I’ll never tell.
Just kidding! She said, “Saint Michael, protect my warrior sister.” Apparently he did.
I’m not even sure where to begin…since this has been such a long journey. I started writing The Bellator Saga in November 2013. It started out as one book, then three, then six…all because Jack and Caroline kept talking to me.
And now, over three years later, we’ve reached the end. I can’t say I’ll never revisit the world these vibrant characters inhabit; all of them have become embedded in my soul and I doubt I’ll be able to completely let them go.
As time has passed the books have taken on greater significance, not only because of current events but because of the way that people have responded to the saga. For this I am eternally grateful…but there are a few people I must thank personally. I hope I didn’t leave anyone out! There are a lot of you who have helped out in innumerable ways, and I adore you for it. Any oversight is unintentional.
First, to Jx and Deanna (my Pink Ladies, LOL!), Rachael, Sybil, Liz, Kimmy, Terri, TeriLyn, and everyone else who has ever beta read any part of the series…your feedback was invaluable. The series is what it is because you helped me organize my thoughts and enhance the plot when needed. You loved my characters enough to improve them, and that is precious to me. Simply referring to you as betas doesn’t seem enough. You are my nitpickiest critics (looking at you, Jx!), my snarkiest analysts (Kimmy and Sybil, bingo), the most awesome table assistants (Rachael and Liz), my story structure managers (Terri, Deanna, and TeriLyn), and the cheerleaders I needed when I was in doubt. To Monica (my Wonder Twin), who did my editing for free.
To Suzanne, who forced Katy to read my books. I adore you both. To Dee, I hope you keep enjoying my books and my cookies…they’re often slow to come but they’re worth it, right? To Jean my fellow law talking gal, I’m so glad you clicked on that Facebook ad. I’m pretty sure you’re the only person they worked on, LMAO! To Kristen, you describe my books better than I ever could. We have to meet in person so I can act all awkwardly grateful. To Jaime, who shares my undying devotion to Tori Spelling. Someday others will realize we’re right. To my Pusheen, Carol Sales, every time I see Pusheen Jack I think of you!
To Carol Allen, Shelley, Danielle, Dianne, Mercedes, Samantha, April, Pavi, Zetti, Natalie, Rose, Moonshine Becky, Elle, Kay, Myla, Tana, Annie, Ninnie, Tesrin, Kim, Gill, Veronica, Shirley, Margaret, Claudia, Letty, Brandi, Elizabeth Clinton, Kiki Chatfield, and anyone who’s ever been a Rebel Warrior or a Stealth Bomber or permanent pimper, your friendship and support mean the world.
To my husband, who has tolerated my crankiness and my schlepping of parental duties so I could write, you are my Nicky. And to my kiddos, whose names I managed to work into this final book just because. You are the light of my life, but you’re not allowed to read mommy’s stories until you’re fifty.
To Lucy, who keeps me on my toes and makes me a better writer and person, I am so grateful for your friendship. You mah boo. People come into our lives for a reason and I am so very glad you came into mine. Thanks for the back cover quote!
And last, but certainly not least…to Irene, who’s the reason a lot of these folks are in the acknowledgments to begin with. Your tireless promotion of my books exposed them to countless new readers, and your friendship has maintained not only my sanity but my faith. Words cannot express how much I owe you. Without you I would not have my kick ass betas or my quotable reviewers or the constant reminder that I did something really super significant, even if it’s not a money maker. If America goes to shit, remember that you promised me and my fam your spare bedroom.
Of course, to those of you who have stuck with me until the end…you’re awesome. Jack and Caroline love you, I love you, and I hope someday I can come up with a story as captivating as theirs. But I’m taking a break first, LOL!
This saga has crossed over into metafiction at times. I did not envision this when I started writing. It has reawakened my critical thinking and reinvigorated me to use my skills to improve the lives of those around me. Vigilance is sorely needed in these trying times. I don’t need to tell you my political beliefs; these books lay them out pretty clearly. I am sure there are some issues on which I and my readers would disagree. But I hope that if you take anything away from Jack and Caroline’s story, it is this: Be engaged. Be involved. Question your leaders. Demand accountability. Work for justice. Most of all, be kind. Be ridiculously, ludicrously kind. We don’t get to take anything with us when we depart this world, so make sure you leave it all on the field.
Triumph (The Bellator Saga Book 6) Page 33
