Yes, she realized, it was. What sane person would require more? She turned to face him. "I love you, Peter."
He opened his arms again, and this time she rushed into them. He kissed the top of her head, and she leaned back in his arms so their lips could meet.
"How is our daughter?" she said.
"When last I saw her, she was cooing in young Agatha's arms."
"Well, it's time she was cooing in her own mother's arms," Regan said. "Let's go home."
"Momma, Papa." Daniel's voice rang from the dining room doorway. Daniel came through the door, dragging Margeaux with him. Dark circles ringed the elven healer's eyes. Regan looked beyond her for Ben, but he wasn't there.
Daniel freed himself from Margeaux and ran first to his father and then to his mother. Regan held him close and sought Margeaux's face. "What has happened?"
"Ben has gone with his daughter through the rift?" Peter said.
Margeaux nodded.
"There's more," Regan said. "I see it in your eyes."
Margeaux told them of Darrian's death at the hands of the fenris'ena.
"Oh, my God," Regan said.
Peter crossed and pulled the elven healer into his arms. "Dirkk has cost us all dearly."
"Ben's gone?" Daniel said. "I won't see him ever again?"
Margeaux pulled away from Peter and knelt before the boy. "We will see him again. Ben promised. We just have to wait seven years for the rift to open once more."
Above her son's eyes, Regan's gaze met Margeaux's. The raw pain was easy to read in them. Regan mentally counted. How many days had the rift been open? How many days did she have left before Kelsey too would go back? One? Two? Panic rose within her. She turned to Peter. "I want to see my sister, and then I want to go home."
Peter clasped her hand. "Come," he said. "We will do both."
*****
As Regan marched toward the castle and her meeting with Queen Tessa, Rourk turned to Kelsey and grabbed her hand. She looked up at him in surprise. "When I saw you walk from here, I thought I had lost you once again. I cannot let it happen."
Kelsey felt her heart start to pound. "What do you mean?"
"Come, we cannot talk here." He pulled her toward the old stable.
Inside, among the stale scents of dung and moldy hay, Rourk pulled her into his arms. He did not kiss her, but just held her pressed against his heart. "Feel how it races?"
Kelsey nodded.
"If we separate again, you will take it with you."
"Rourk—"
"Kelsey, if you will not remain in Daradawn, then I will go with you to your world."
Rourk in San Francisco? She laughed softly.
He pulled away from her and turned his back. "You find my words amusing?"
"Oh, no," she said, circling to face him. "I think they are wonderful."
"Good," Rourk said. "I ask we be married here by Queen Tessa."
"But Rourk, Patrick..."
"We will give him his choice to come with us, or stay. I am sure Angus will take him beneath his wing."
"Rourk—"
"I love you, Kelsey. I will not be parted from you again." He pulled her into his arms.
She rested there a moment. "No," she said.
"No?" All color drained from Rourk's face.
"I mean no, I'm not going back," she added hastily. "I love Daradawn. I love you. It's the reason I came back. I guess I always knew if you'd have me, I wouldn't go back."
"What about Duncan?"
"I hate doing it this way, but there isn't time to go to him and tell him, and I won't wait another seven years."
Rourk dropped to his knees in front of her and then reached to grasp both her hands. "Kelsey Cafferty, will you marry me?"
"What's this?" Regan said from behind them.
Kelsey ignored her as she stared into Rourk's eyes. "Yes, I will."
"You're not going back," Regan cried. "You're staying."
Rourk stood and pulled Kelsey into his arms.
"I'm staying," Kelsey said, her voice muffled against his chest.
"Did you hear?" Regan said as Peter came up behind her. "My sister's staying."
"I heard," Peter said. "So why are you crying?"
"Because I'm happy."
Kelsey leaned back in Rourk's arms and smiled at her brother-in-law. "It's a woman thing," she said, and then wiped at her own wet cheeks.
Peter shrugged his shoulders. "Rourk, let us take our ladies home.
Chapter Twenty
Holding Catherine in one arm, Regan knocked on Kelsey's door with her free hand.
"Come in."
Her sister stood at the balcony doors, staring out. Spread in the middle of the bed was the remains of a morning breakfast. As on the morning of Regan's own wedding, Margeaux and Tessa had come to join the bride-to-be for breakfast. Regan had hoped to be there, but a cranky daughter had other plans.
"You're not dressed yet," Regan said.
"I'm not getting into the dress any sooner than I have to," Kelsey said, walking to them. "Let me hold her."
Regan gave Catherine to Kelsey. "You and Rourk going to have any of your own?"
"We haven't discussed it." Kelsey's gaze met Regan's. Kelsey's eyes were wide with doubt. "Is this right? We haven't discussed anything. What if Rourk doesn't want children? What if I don't want children? If he does, what if he wants me to stay at home and just be a mom?" Catherine stirred and Kelsey switched her to the other arm. "I don't think I could do it."
Regan smiled. "Doubts are part of the pre-ceremony. Rourk knows who you are, and you know who he is. He won't expect you to change because of a few words."
Catherine opened her blue-gray eyes and Kelsey smiled. "I guess having a couple of these would be fine."
"Then I suggest you get dressed." Regan held out her hands and Kelsey placed Catherine within them.
Kelsey walked to the leaf green silk dress draped across the back of a chair. She slipped from her nightgown and pulled a white cotton chemise over her head.
Regan saw her run her fingertips over the dress and then take a deep breath.
She walked to Kelsey's bed, pushed three plates to the far end, and laid Catherine down. "I'll lace it for you."
Kelsey slipped the dress over her head, and then walked to Regan and turned her back. "I wish Ben was here."
"Me too." Regan tied the last lace.
"I wonder what he's doing? The rift's been closed for three days. He knows I'm not coming back."
"Ben's smart," Regan said. "He'll figure you and Rourk worked it out. There. Turn around and let me see you."
The dress hugged Kelsey's frame to just below the hips, then flared softly until the hem just brushed the floor.
"You're beautiful." Regan moved to the dressing table and picked up a mirror. "Take a look."
Kelsey blushed. "I suppose I'll do." She ran her fingers through her hair. "What about this?"
"Nothing fancy," Regan said. "Just a wide ribbon, I think, to hold it off your face."
She walked to the freestanding wardrobe. "Hey, what's this?" She pulled out Kelsey's backpack.
Kelsey laughed. "I forgot all about it. Open it." Inside were the yo-yos she'd brought for the kids. Daniel could have his now, but Catherine would have to wait a few years. She frowned at seeing the sandals she'd brought for Ben. She'd just hold onto them until she saw him again.
"You've got quite a selection here. What do you want me to do with it?" Regan asked.
"Leave it all out. It looks like the bride's going to be giving out a few gifts herself."
Regan grinned and turned back to the wardrobe. "Here's a ribbon; it's perfect." The inch-wide ribbon was pale green. "It matches the marriage one."
Kelsey laughed shakily. "Well, I'm ready."
Regan smiled. "Some shoes would be nice."
"Oh. Oh, sure. They're right here."
*****
Regan and Kelsey stood before the chapel doors. From inside came the soft sound of lute an
d guitar. "Okay, I'm going up front to join Peter. You okay?"
"I'm fine." Kelsey didn't sound too sure.
A throat was cleared behind them and they turned. Angus stood there. He wore a new tunic and trousers of brown with a moss-green vest. His beard and mustache had been trimmed and the linked belt around his middle, polished to a high shine, matched the glint in his silver eyes.
"Do I look okay?" he asked.
Regan leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek. "You look very handsome."
The dwarf blushed. "I still don't see why I must parade you down to Rourk," he blustered, but Regan knew he'd been overwhelmed at being asked. His choked voice as he'd accepted had given him away.
"Give me a minute and then follow," Regan said, smoothing her dress. She opened the chapel doors and slipped inside.
Kelsey hooked her arm through Angus'. "You ready?"
"Aye, Kelsey Cafferty, I've been ready for a long time."
Angus reached forward and opened the door for her. Then, arm in arm, they marched through them.
After the ceremony, they gathered for a formal reception in the large dining room. Kelsey picked up a piece of white-frosted cake.
"Feed it to him," Regan urged.
Rourk looked surprised, but opened his mouth as she held it toward him. In a moment of silliness, she pressed the tip of the cake to his nose and left behind a glob of white. The wedding guests roared their approval, and roared even more when she stood on her toes and licked the frosting away.
"What is this? Another new custom?" Angus said, lifting a flagon of ale to his mouth.
"New to Daradawn only," Regan said, "and a much subdued one." She winked at Rourk. "Just be thankful, brother-in-law, that she did not smash the cake all over your face."
"Why would you waste good cake?" Peter said. He grabbed Regan around the waist with both hands. "Let's dance, my beautiful wife."
Regan started to laugh, then saw the look on Rourk's face. "What is it?"
The crowd slowly parted before Patrick. As he reached Rourk and Kelsey, the lute and quick strumming of the guitar quieted. He bowed first to Kelsey and then to his father.
Angus stepped toward the boy. "Do you want him here?"
Patrick paled, but did not take his gaze from his father's face. "I have made peace with Queen Tessa, and now wish to do the same with you."
"Now's not the time," Regan said.
The boy smiled stiffly. "If not now, then when?"
"Let him speak," Rourk said.
Patrick took a deep breath. He faced Kelsey. "I have wronged you. I blamed you for the unhappiness of my mother and father, but it was Dirkk's doing."
He turned to Rourk. "I let him poison me against you." Patrick blinked rapidly. "Even when he died and I came back here, I did not tell the complete truth." He glanced at Regan. "If I had, some of the fear and panic could have been avoided." He knelt before Rourk. "I ask your forgiveness."
Regan's glance met Kelsey's and, in that instant, a silent pact formed between them; both would watch this one in the times to come.
Rourk leaned and placed both of his hands on Patrick's shoulders. "You are my son. I will always love you. Rise."
The boy stood and faced Kelsey. "I welcome you into our family."
Kelsey pulled Patrick to her and gave him a long hug. The crowd behind them cheered, and again the lute and guitar began to play.
"May I have this dance?" Patrick said to Kelsey as he stepped back from her embrace.
"I would be honored," Kelsey said, taking his outstretched hand.
"But this one only," Rourk said. "Then my wife and I are leaving to be by ourselves for a few days."
Regan watched Kelsey's face bloom with color and felt quick tears fill her eyes. She turned and wiped one escaping down her cheek.
"I see you are happy once more," Peter said.
She smiled. "If I was any more happy I'd explode." She took his hand. "Let's go check on Daniel and Catherine, and then I want to spend some time alone with my husband."
They stood at Catherine's crib, smiling down. Then, with a finger to her lips, Regan pulled Peter from the room.
Daniel lay, a curled lump in the middle of his bed. Another lump rested at his feet. A black-and-tan head poked from beneath the coverings as they walked to the bed. Maggie's tail thumped in welcome.
"Quiet, Mags." Regan whispered, scratching the basset hound's chest. She felt Peter stop behind her and leaned back against him. Her love, her family. What more could a woman want or need? In response she felt the two Powers within her stir. She touched them with a thought and they settled. She patted Maggie again, then turned and whispered to Peter. "The tika flowers are blooming just outside the gate. How about a little walk?"
Peter pressed a quick kiss upon her lips. "Lead on, my queen." Hand in hand, they slipped from the room.
Epilogue
Ben lifted the yellow Peace rose to his nose and inhaled deeply. He smiled as he surveyed the circular brick wall ringing the rose garden. It seemed a lifetime ago when he and Regan had first ventured out to view it.
The first week he and Delilah were back, he heard a soft meow and looked out the back porch to see Duchess sitting there.
"Maggie's not here," he'd said, and the white cat had sauntered away.
Ben fished the letter out of his pocket. It had arrived today. It was addressed to Kelsey from Duncan. It would be awhile, but he'd make sure Kelsey received it. "So did you and Rourk finally do it?" he asked the rose. "I told Duncan so, and he took it well. He really loves you and wishes you to be happy."
Seven years. It seemed like such a long time. Without his dream visits from Margeaux, he doubted he could survive. The visits came each night. He didn't know if she was real in the dreams, or if what she said was true, but his heart clung to them. It was the reason he'd told Duncan that Kelsey and Rourk were together.
The car Kelsey had used, and the key beneath the driver's side mat, had been waiting when he and Delilah came through the rift. The house key was also on the small chain. He knew Regan and Kelsey would be happy to have someone in the Victorian.
The morning after they'd returned, he and Delilah went to the hospital. He'd met his grandson Joshua for the first time. The boy was holding his own, but not getting better. They'd tested Ben and found he was a match. The bone marrow was drawn and given to his grandson. Delilah was at the hospital right now getting the results of the transfusion.
Delilah had moved in with him. He never asked about her visit with her mother, and she never volunteered the information. He supposed it was stormy at best.
Ben tucked the rose into the top buttonhole of his shirt. Peace was what he felt right now. He knew in his heart his grandson was okay. He just needed his daughter to feel it also.
"Dad."
He turned at the sound of her voice. Tears streaked her cheeks.
"Full remission, dad. They've never seen anything like it."
She'd called him dad. Ben's heart flooded with happiness. And then Delilah opened her arms wide and he walked into them. They stood for a long moment, father and daughter, arms wrapped around each other. Ben took a photo with his mind and stored the moment away in his heart.
"He'll be able to come home soon. Can I bring him here?"
"This is our home. Of course you can," Ben said.
He felt her tremble in his arms and pulled back from her. "There's something else. What is it?"
"I'm pregnant, dad. I'm carrying Darrian's child."
Emotions warred in Ben's heart. A half-elven child. How would such a pregnancy go? Would it endanger his daughter? He remembered Margeaux's words about Darrian's life span in this world. How would it affect a child?
Delilah stepped back from him. "I know what you're thinking. I've done nothing but think since I found out."
"How far along are you?"
"Just days, but I knew when it happened. I felt it." She pressed her hand against her stomach. "I don't know how long it will take. Nin
e months? Sooner? Later?"
"Tonight I will ask Margeaux," Ben said.
"I hope those dream visits are real. I'm going to have a lot of questions for her."
Ben placed his arm around her shoulders. "You want this child?" He hated to ask the question, but felt he must.
Delilah smiled. "Very much. It's all I have left of Darrian."
Ben took the rose from the buttonhole of his shirt and held it out toward his daughter.
"Peace?" Delilah said, taking the rose. "Yes, I'm beginning to feel it. I have you, my son, and now Darrian's child. Mom will come around. You wait and see. Everything is going to be all right."
Ben smiled without comment.
She turned to look across the yard. "You're going back in seven years, aren't you?"
"Yes, I promised Margeaux."
"I'm going with you, dad. I'm taking Darrian's child to Daradawn."
Ben sighed. "And then what? Will you stay?"
"I don't know. But I do know I'm going back."
The two of them walked toward the Victorian. Seven years. They would wait for the time to pass together.
Barbara M Hodges lives on the central coast of California in a town she'd rather the world didn't discover. She shares her life with her husband Jeff and two basset hounds, Hamlet and Heidi.
When Barbara is not writing she enjoys NASCAR, creating jewelry, and designing fashion accessories for Vida. Visit her website: http://barbaramhodges.com
The Emerald Dagger Page 28
