The Viscount himself met him at the entranceway as soon as he pulled the horse to a halt.
“Is Ana here?” He said out of breath from the hard drive.
“Why are you here?” Gregory asked instead of answering.
“I am going to take her home where she belongs,” he said. Why did he think he was here?
Gregory studied him for a moment. “And where is home?” He finally asked.
“Her home is with me, as my wife, the mother of our children,” he said. Jake knew that Gregory was sizing him up before coming up with his decision.
“She is on the second floor, third room on the right. Don’t hurt her again,” he warned unnecessarily letting him in the front door.
Jake went up to where he was directed and tapped softly on the door. He heard her soft voice bidding him to enter. He eased the door open and saw her sitting at a writing desk with her back toward him.
“Hello, Ana, my love,” he said. He watched her stand up and she faced him regally.
“Jake, how did you find me and what are you doing here?” She asked.
“Eliza helped and I came to take you home.”
“Jake. I’m moving and making a new life. There is nothing left there,” she said brokenly.
Jake’s love grew tenfold. “I love you. I'm here." He couldn’t stand there anymore and not hold her in his arms. “You’re making your home with me and starting your new life with me.” He crushed her to him.
Ana pulled back. “What are we going to do about children?”
Jake sighed and massaged the back of his neck. “There are a lot of children who need homes,” Jake said.
“You would do that for me?” Ana’s eyes misted.
Jake smiled and hauled her into his arms. “I love you, Ana. I would do anything for you. I just needed time, Sweetheart. Everything is okay now, I promise you that.” He sealed his promise with a kiss. “I love you just as you are. I wouldn’t change you. We will make it work, just don’t ever leave me again,” Jake said while holding her close.
Epilogue
While everyone was jumping in and helping to plan the wedding, Ana and Jake were working on healing their relationship. While it wasn't broken, some issues still needed discussing. They were happily married at his estate in the country. It was a small private affair with friends and family. Jordan was the best man and was ribbing Jake the whole day. Eliza was Ana’s maid of honor who was keeping Ana calm enough not to make a fool of herself.
Gregory offered his congratulations to them both, personally. Jake and the Viscount had become very close friends in the last two months since they left his estate. It was one of the happiest moments in Ana’s life. She truly never would have believed this day would have ever come. It was thanks to Katherine and her schemes.
They went on their honeymoon, where they spent three weeks in Scotland, where Jake lived for the two years he was gone. It was a peaceful place and she could easily envision Jake here. They both decided to live in his Ashbury estate and make trips to London when needed, keeping both townhomes as well.
Sarah was found guilty, but Jake decided it would be better for her to spend time in personal care getting help, rather than going to prison. He pulled some strings and made it happen. Ana truly believed Sarah needed someone to take her where she could be cared for. Everyone was in the agreement that she be moved to the Continent, so she could start a new life.
Jake, true to his word, put fillers out, trying to find children in need and they had already visited several orphanages. They had completely fallen in love with two darling twin children. One boy and one girl about 3 years of age, they were perfect.
Ana woke up that morning gloriously happy that they would finally be able to bring her children home. The whole family had a welcome party for the new addition to the family.
Later in the evening, Katherine gave Ana a personal gift. Ana took the box, opened it up and a parchment fell out. "Read it out loud, I want everyone to know," Katherine whispered softly.
Ana looked at everyone she loved dearly and in a calm loud voice she started to read:
Ana my love,
The last letter I sent you was unforgivable of me and I promised myself if given the chance, I would make it right. You are a wonderful woman who fulfills everything I could ever want in a daughter. My son is the luckiest man in the world. Your courage, strength and love outshine all expectations I have of you. You are a wonderful wife and will be a loving mother. Please never forget the little moments and the little things that make a happy life with the ones that you love.
Love the Dower Duchess
It was the best present Katherine could have ever given her. So different from the letter she had written two years ago. Ana knew her voice started to crack at the end, but she made it through the letter. Katherine pulled her into a motherly hug and she was ever grateful this woman took a chance on her. She truly had changed.
"I love you, Mother," Ana whispered in her ear and knew that Katherine was crying right along with her.
"Can we still adopt some more little ones?" Ana asked Jake impishly. She wanted a big family and the more children, the better.
"Whatever you want my love, whatever you want.”
The answer drifted softly to her ears.
Coming Soon
2011
The Viscount's Predicament
Viscount Langley's Story
Available February 2012
A Child's Love: Our Family's Journey through Autism
This is a non-fiction about our family and Autism.
Available Now
The Duke's Love Page 15
