by Lucy Rinaldi
His head shoots around, eyes widening. It takes him but a second to scramble off my lap and rush the people looking at him. “Mommy! Daddy!” He didn't forget them, not one tiny bit. His mother grabs him, sobbing as she falls to her knees, holding him close to her body, her husband falling to his knees beside them, pulling them both against him. All three of them are crying hard. And I can't help my own tears.
All the pain they suffered is over now. Seb is safe, safe in the arms of his parents, the people who love him the most.
“Mr. and Mrs. Johnstone, if you'd just follow my deputy, he'll have you sign some papers and you can take Seb home where he belongs.”
“Thank you so much, Sheriff Harper.”
“Don't thank me, Mr. Johnstone, it was my daughter who realized something was wrong.”
Seb's mother turns to me, “You're the baby she stole, Abigail Harper.” I nod. She comes close to me, Seb still in her arms. She wraps one arm around me and we hold each other for a moment. “Thank you so much, you will never know how much this means to me. I never thought I'd see my baby again.”
“It's okay, Mrs. Johnstone.”
She pulls away from me with a nod and then leaves with Freddy. I'll never see that little boy again, but I won't feel sad about it, he's finally home with his parents. Just like me.
My father pulls me into his arms and holds me tight and close. “I am so proud of you, Abi.” He kisses my head hard.
“What's going to happen to Simone, daddy?”
“She'll be charged for her crimes. It will be down to a judge what happens after that. I don't want you worrying about her, baby girl, she deserves to be punished for what she did not only to you but to Seb as well. Because of you, that little boy is back in the arms of his parents, safe and sound. He suffered for six months too long. But she made you suffer for years and I want her behind bars for the rest of her life.”
“Abi!” My mother comes bounding into the room and I'm suddenly engulfed in both their arms, held close to them, feeling their love flowing into me. This is where I belong. This is where I've always belonged, and it's all over now.
I'm home.
Seventeen
Bryton
“Jesus fucking Christ!” I hold Roya close to me, kissing her head over and over. Fuck, I can't believe what she's been through while I've been away.
The woman who abducted her came here to dump another child she abducted on Roya?
What the hell is the world coming to?!
Her father called me to come home early because Roya needed me. I couldn't get home yesterday, but I left early last night to make it home this afternoon. As soon as I got here, she ran at me, holding on for dear life. Her parents are here, they didn't want to leave her alone too long. I'm grateful for that.
Jaxson has been hugging my leg since I got here. I want to lift him up but his mother hasn't let go yet. This has frightened her, taken a lot out of her. God, I should have been here!
“I'm so glad you're home. You can't leave us again.” She mumbles in my ear. “You're moving in right now.”
I chuckle and pull her closer. Whatever she wants.
She finally pulls away allowing me to lift our son in my arms and squeeze him. Gently, of course. “I missed you, daddy.”
“I missed you, too, my boy. Keller.” I shake his outstretched hand.
“Welcome home.”
Okay... He's not normally this friendly.
“Bryton. It's so nice to see you.” Okay, what the hell is going on, why are Sidney and Keller being so nice to me.
Not that they've ever been horrible toward me, but this just isn't like them where I'm concerned. I don't think they forgave me for walking away from Roya while she was pregnant. Not to mention the abortion they don't seem to want me to live down.
I follow them inside what is now my home. My home with my girl and my son. Jaxson is soon off to play with his toys, leaving me alone with his grandparents, and Roya, of course.
Not that she stays long, she rushes off to make coffee. Now I'm alone with her parents. How wonderful. I wonder what lecture I'm going to get from the great Sheriff and Principal Harper.
“There's something I have to say to you, young man.” Here it comes. I smooth down my dark jeans as I sit forward in my seat beneath the window. “I'm not going to give you a huge lecture, Bryton. But I do want you to understand what my daughter has been through. She has no idea that I know even a half of it. But I know everything. There is nothing I can't find out.” So everyone in this town has told me multiple times since I came here.
“I think you know too what I mean.” I do know what he means, and I hate thinking about what she did in order to keep our son alive. And I hate thinking about what that woman put her through. “That woman will be behind bars soon. She can't hurt my daughter or anyone else again. It's Abi's turn to be happy now,” Still makes me chuckle that they call her that. I know that's who she is to them, but she'll always be Roya to me. “She and Jaxson need you, and I hope you'll do right by them.”
I narrow my eyes. Why would he think I'd do anything less?
Sidney takes her husband's forearm and shakes her head slightly before turning to me. “I'm sorry if what my husband said came across in any way offensive. He didn't mean it to. He simply means that he'd like to see you make an honest woman of Abi.”
“Are you saying you want us to get married?” I'm laughing internally. I never dreamed her parents would be asking me this.
“That's exactly what we're telling you, Bryton.” Sidney continues. “We know how much Abi loves you. How happy Jaxson is when you're here. They both love you and need you. And I believe that you love them twice as much.”
“I do.” I smile. God knows I do. “More than you know. The truth is, Jaxson and I have a surprise for Roya. I guess now is a good a time as any to give it to her. Jaxson?”
His little head shoots up, his toy car mid ride across the carpet. “Is it time, daddy?” I nod and he excitedly rushes over to me. “Do you got it?”
“I've got it.” I smile. I stand up, taking off my leather jacket and dropping it on the seat I just vacated. I then crouch down to Jaxson's level, Sidney, and Keller watching me curiously just as Roya walks back into the room and places a tray of coffee on the table.
She looks at us with narrow eyes and a smile on her face.
“Come here, baby.” She giggles and comes closer. I take her hand and she goes to crouch down. “No. Stay standing.” Her eyes narrow again. “Do you have something to say to mommy, Jax?”
“Yes!” He takes her hand and kisses her knuckles. “Daddy and me love you more than the whole world. We want you to know that we would be lost without you.” I'm so fucking proud of him right now. He remembered every damn word.
“You are the best mommy in the whole world. You are self... What is it, daddy?” I whisper the word in his ear with a smile on his face. “Selfless. Beautiful. Smart. Amazing.” He giggles. She's crying but smiling. “I love you, mommy.”
“I love you, baby boy. So very much.”
“So,” I pick up where Jaxson left off. “We have something to ask the most amazing woman in the world.” I slip the velvet ring box out of my pocket and pop the lid. “Ready, Jax? He nods and we both ask, “Will you marry us?”
“Oh, my god!” Both hands come to her mouth, eyes turning to her parents, both watching us with huge smiles on their faces, Sidney crying softly. She's lost for words, but somehow manages to nod her head before yelling, “Yes, of course, I will!”
I'm on my feet swinging her around, both of us laughing. I should have done this four years ago. I didn't and I can't take it back. But I can't make the future count. And what a future we have in front of us.
Epilogue
Roya
Eighteen Months Later
Oh, my god. How did I get myself in this situation?
Fourteen months Bryton and I have been happily married. Jaxson is thriving, now almost five and a half years old, and stil
l in remission. He's a happy, healthy – finally – little boy and he is my world.
My life with my family just couldn't be any better. Bryton's family are just as wonderful to us.
Simone was sentenced to thirty years imprisonment. Not only for the abduction and cruelty of both myself and Seb but for the murder of another child. My heart sank when I found that out. A little girl she'd taken from the parked car of a young mother who'd simply stopped to get gas.
That young mother will never find peace after the fact. Her little girl is gone from this world thanks to Simone and her cruelty. She beat that little two-year-old so badly she died from her injuries.
Two years later, she took Seb.
I try not to dwell on it all, though, I have a life and I intend to live it. The life I should always have had.
Bryton opened his own gym here in town, and he is always swamped with members. A lot of the women in town always request him as their personal trainer. Not that I get jealous, he's my man and nothing will ever change that.
Della and Lora became parents again a few months ago, Paige also became a month recently. My brother Greg had his second child last month. Kory still doesn't have any, and of course, Callie can never have another child. So as you can imagine, my mother has been on at me to hurry up and catch up.
She won't have to wait much long. I found out ten minutes ago that I am expecting my second child. I don't think the shock has sunk in yet. Bryton and I hadn't even talked about having another child. But what will be will be.
I've learned not to question things in life. Everything happens for a reason, and the reason as usually perfect in the end.
Jaxson is asleep, tucked up in bed, safe and sound. Bryton is waiting for me in bed, and I'm about to pass out from shock. But I won't keep this from him, I keep nothing from him. Ever.
I make my way back to my room and climb into bed next to him. “Everything okay?”
I nod against him. “I think it is, anyway.”
“You think?” He laughs.
“Bryton, don't. I'm a little scared right now.”
“Why, what's wrong?” He pulls himself back against the headboard in a panic.
God, he's so cute sometimes.
I sit in front of him on my knees. “It's nothing serious. Well, it is, but not like that. The thing is... I'm pregnant, Bryton.”
Although I know he would never tell me what he told me all those years ago, to have a termination, the fear inside of me is sickening.
But the huge smile now splitting his cheeks tells me I have nothing at all to worry about. “Fuck, I love you.” I laugh loudly as he grabs me and wrestles me down on the bed, kissing me passionately.
“I love you, too, Bry. We made this baby out of love, and I can't wait to tell Jaxson.”
“He'll be so damned excited. Maybe almost as much as me.”
“You're really happy about this?”
“Roya, are you crazy? Of course, I'm happy! Baby, I couldn't be happier.”
I breathe deeply in contentment. This is all I have ever wanted, a family of my own. It may have taken me six years to Trace them, find them, but I did it. And along the way, I found a family of my very own. My husband, my son, and now this little bundle of joy.
It's funny how life works out...
The End!
Read on for a sneak peek at book 5 in the series. Torn, Kory & Aimee.
Also, I'd just like to thank you for embracing my new series the way you have. I appreciate each and every one of you and the comments and messages you leave me regarding my stories. Without you, they wouldn't be the books they are. If you wouldn't mind leaving a review I would be most grateful :) What you think counts, so let others know what you think. And again, I thank you for taking the time to read this.
Yours, Lucy xoxo
Sneak Peek
Oak Springs, 5. Torn, Kory and Aimee's story.
Aimee
Okay, date number two with short and stocky. Why am I on a date with a man who is so very obviously twenty years older than I am and an out of towner? Because I'm dumb and I allowed my friends to set me up on a blind date.
Why did I allow them to set me up on a blind date?
Your guess is as good as mine.
According to the people of this small town, I need to start getting out there and dating before I get too much older. I mean, seriously? I'm twenty-seven, I'm not dead.
But I can't deny that my desire to have a baby is taking over everything else in my mind. I feel like time is running out for me. I want a baby before I get much older. All of my friends have kids, and there's me. No man, no kids, nothing but my business. But in order for me to have a baby, I need to find the right man to have said baby with. And not just anybody will do.
Call me what you will, but the man I choose to have a baby with has to be someone I can see myself getting along with for the rest of my life. For the baby's sake. I want my child's father to be in its life not out of it. I'm not looking for a relationship, just a father for my child. Although, finding the man that I could have a real relationship with would be nice. Just won't happen.
It's not that I'm against dating or even relationships, but I don't have a very good track record, and to be honest, there's not much talent left in this town for a girl like me.
A lot of my friends are younger than me, so that sucks all to hell. All I want is what they have. I want to be loved like I'm everything to the man sleeping next to me each night.
Love.
What's that?
Love has not exactly been kind to me. Don't get me wrong, I have loving parents and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. But the romantic kind of love? That ship sailed a long time ago along with my heart. No, love won't be knocking on my door anytime soon.
And that's how I know I won't be having a baby. I just have no chemistry with anyone. But I'm trying. That's why I figure giving people a chance will soon land me with the right man to father my children.
Back to short and stocky.
Tim is nice enough, he's funny in a contemporary kind of way. A probate lawyer from New York, here to visit the sleepy town where all the high flyers come to relax. The picturesque waterfront town of Oak Springs is hardly the place people think it is. But nevertheless, the place is fast becoming popular to outsiders.
Over the last three years alone, business has tripled. My little waterfront boutique is thriving in a way I never believed it would. I'm even traveling a lot these days, all over the place to sell my designs and Roya's. God, that girl has some talent when it comes to lingerie.
I love traveling, I love meeting with potential buyers, and I love putting my boutique out there. My designs mean the world to me and I love that a more wider customer is getting the benefit of them. Phone orders, internet orders, it certainly keeps Roya and me busy. I hate putting a waiting time on orders, but sometimes it's unavoidable.
Roya is my only staff member, so it's becoming a lot of work for the just the two of us. But in a town this small it's hard to find anyone who would even want to work with us, let alone be qualified enough. Thank God for mass production warehouses or we'd never get anything done.
I'm sat here in the same bar I've been in every weekend since I was legally old enough to drink, and sometimes before that when my parents brought me here as a child. This town doesn't have much in the way of nightlife. Four bars, three restaurants, and two nightclubs. And one of those nightclubs is inside local firefighter, Enzo Ryker's hotel. But Hooliey's was Tim's bar of choice for us to meet tonight.
I don't even know why I agreed to this second date, the first one was boring enough. Tim hadn't done anything wrong, in fact, he'd done everything right. He'd been a real gentleman, but there's no spark there for me at all. In all honesty, it feels like I'm having dinner with my father. So definitely not the father of my future children.
Our first date was exactly the same as this one. Dinner, a bottle of wine, some chatter about what we do for a living, and then home...
Alone. When he came into my boutique this morning and asked if I'd like to come to dinner tonight, my first thought was, Oh, hell no! But that's not the answer that came out of my mouth. I stupidly said yes.
What the fuck?
I'm wearing black slacks and a black glittery type shirt that ties around my neck. At least it's not backless because I don't think I could handle this man touching my naked back. Him touching my naked arms and shoulders is enough to make me want to hurl. That, and I wish I hadn't worn such high heels. Not only do my feet hurt, but I feel like I'm standing next to a midget every time I stand up.
I shouldn't be so hard on him. He tries hard to look good, to make me feel comfortable and happy. But the truth is, this isn't me. I don't do this whole dating thing. I like being alone. I like working, working out, and that's pretty much it.
Hell. My life is so boring!
But if I don't try, how will I get what I want? A sperm bank? Like I said, I kind of want a father for my child. But if I have to go down that route, then I will.
“Would you like some more wine?”
“No, thank you, Tim. I think I should be getting home.” I smile at him. He's kind of handsome for a man of his age. Pity “short” doesn't do it for me.
“Are you sure I can't persuade you?” He smirks, his fingertip sliding up and down my arm. And yes, of course, it turns my stomach. I shudder but he doesn't seem to notice.
“Maybe we could take this somewhere else.” It's not a question but a statement, and there is no way on this earth I'm going anywhere with this man. I don't sleep with random people. I never have and never will. Hell, I don't sleep with anyone... Okay, someone, but that's irrelevant right now.
Tim and I may have been on two dates, but sleeping with him is not an option at this point. I may want a baby, and I will do anything to get one, but I won't just sleep with just anyone to get it. I have some damn pride.
