Rick Longtree’s room
Rick was hopped up on the good drugs and feeling pretty damn good. The bullet had gone clear through, and overnight they did surgery to repair his shoulder. They were still up in the air over his ability to return to work. The bullet ripped apart the nerves in his right arm. The entire thing should have devastated him, but honestly, after barely surviving with his life, he didn't care. Rick had a second chance, and that’s all that mattered to him and his family.
What he was looking forward to was the quiet returning to his reservation. The FBI was too damn stressful for him.
Speaking of the devil, he thought about them and there they were drinking coffee. “I think I owe you three my life.”
Elizabeth grinned. “Tori saved you. We just cleaned up the mess.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.”
Blackhawk took a seat, and Elizabeth dropped down into his lap, since there were only two chairs for visitors. “You don’t owe us anything. This is what we do.”
“Still, thank you.”
Elizabeth knew how bad his shoulder was, she’d just spoken to the doctor. Prognosis was grim. The man’s career was most likely over. “I heard about your shoulder. Are you going to be okay?”
He shrugged. “I’m glad to be alive. Some good came out of all of this,” he replied. “My ex was here, and maybe I’ll get another chance with my family.”
Blackhawk was glad to hear it.
Callen crossed his boot across his knee. “We did all the paperwork for the entire assignment. Kane Redwolf is in charge now, and he’s doing a good job of handling the media.”
“I saw the paper this morning,” Rick replied. “You didn't have to make me look like a hero in your interview, Elizabeth.”
She shrugged. “You made yourself the hero by fighting and trying to escape. You didn't know we were there. You deserved it.”
Rick leaned back against his pillows and flinched. “Shit this hurts like a bitch,” he muttered. When two of the FBI agents began laughing, he was confused.
“We both had the same injury,” Blackhawk clarified.
He grinned. “This sucks.”
Neither was going to disagree.
“I appreciate everything you did for us. No one is talking about the blood thirsty Indians causing hell in Red River,” he stated.
Elizabeth kissed Ethan on the cheek. “You know me. I love me some sexy Native men. No one was going to disparage them on my watch,” she answered.
Rick looked around and then lowered his voice. “I need to ask you something. No one saw me running around naked in the woods, did they?” He actually blushed a deep crimson.
Elizabeth snorted. What was it with native men and blushing? You’d think it wouldn’t be possible.
“Come on, Elizabeth! You wouldn’t spread that around now would you?”
She shrugged. “Honestly Rick, if you’ve seen one buck naked native running around, you’ve seen them all.”
Blackhawk started choking on his coffee. “Elizabeth!”
Reaching around, she patted him on his back. “What?”
Callen shook his head finding his family entertaining. Fortunately, he wasn’t drinking his coffee at the time. “We should go,” he stated, standing. Immediately, Elizabeth linked her fingers with his, twining them together. “It’s been nice seeing you, Rick,” she teased, waiting for him to get it.
Blackhawk took her other hand and gave her a look, as he led them out of the room.
“Come on Tex, your husbands get testy when you make references to other naked men,” stated Callen.
“Yeah, yeah, so I keep getting reminded.”
Rick laughed, as he watched them leave. He’d decided that after it was all said and done, the FBI wasn’t as bad as he’d always heard. Hitting the morphine button, he slipped down into bed, thankful to be alive. He’d get through this, and he’d figure out what to do next with his life.
As his cell rang on the stand, he struggled to grab it with his left hand. When he saw the name on the display he grinned.
“Hey Honey,” he said, getting that fuzzy feeling. He wasn’t sure if it was the woman on the phone or the morphine kicking in. “Yeah, I was just thinking about you too. I miss you and the kids.”
Job or not, everything was going to be just fine after all.
Outside the hospital, they headed for the Denali. People stared as they walked hand in hand. It didn’t matter to any of them. They wrapped up the assignment and were heading home to be a family.
“I called Dad; he’s expecting us and said that Catherine is adjusting well to being home. She’s been eating like there’s no tomorrow,” Elizabeth offered.
“I can’t wait to get there and see our children,” Callen said, grinning. It was time to forget work for a while and get distracted with other more important things.
“Can we bail on work today?” Elizabeth begged, wanting to have some down time with her kids and men. “I may be able to come up with other things that we could do for the rest of the afternoon when we get to the house.”
That piqued interest and held their attention.
“Like what?” Blackhawk inquired, whipping out the famous grin, as he released her hand to pat her possessively on the ass.
Elizabeth’s heart stuttered in her chest. The men made her crazy. Already her body was heating up, and they still had a three hour trip home.
“Are we having a tag team event?” Callen asked, leaning down and running his teeth across her earlobe, ignoring the looks from the passers-by. His body was heating up and the rest of the world was falling away.
Elizabeth swallowed. “Are we off duty, Ethan?”
“Mmmmm hmmmm,” he answered, as they closed in around their woman, staring at her ferally beside the Denali.
“Great, then kissy-face and touchy-feely are now allowed.” Before she even closed her mouth, Callen attacked, closing his lips over hers in a searing kiss.
Elizabeth’s hands went to the back of his neck, and she held on through the kiss. He slowly pulled away, only giving her a taste of what was to come. Before she could catch her breath, Ethan moved in next.
Blackhawk slid his fingers into the back of her hair, holding her mouth to his in a brutally demanding kiss. When he finally pulled away, all three were breathing heavy. “We need to get home,” he stated.
Callen happened to agree. “This is going to be the longest ride of my life.
Elizabeth was finally able to focus and she started giggling. “When we get home, boys, that’s when you get the longest rides of your lives,” she answered, winking at both men, as she climbed into the Denali.
Both men pictured what was to come. It was going to be heaven and hell for the next three hours. She’d make sure of it.
Elizabeth dropped her sunglasses on her face, knowing what they were thinking.
“You have no damn idea.”
~ Epilogue ~
Three months, two weeks and four days later…
Elizabeth Blackhawk was back in the same hospital bed, with the same doctor perched between her legs. Some irritatingly perky nurse was counting for her and telling her to push. On her left was Ethan, holding her hand and grinning down at her. Then to her left was Callen, his eyes so filled with love and emotion at what was coming.
Today was the day.
Little Ethan Jackson Whitefox was finally making his appearance. The family had been having a barbeque in their back yard, celebrating the holiday with friends and family, when her water broke.
The minute she uttered the words, she was swept up in Callen’s arms, rushed through the house and to the garage. Ethan was right behind him, keys and bag in hand. The entire way to the SUV, she laughed at the insanity of it all. It was like they had secretly rehearsed this plan waiting for it to happen.
At the time it was hysterical.
Except now she wasn’t laughing. From what it felt like, her child was trying to burrow his way back up her body, attempting to take
residence beside her lungs forever. For now, she was trying to listen to the nurse, but Ms. Perky Puss was on her last damn nerve.
When the contraction ended, the woman went to touch her and Elizabeth actually growled. “If your hand touches me, and you don’t stop smiling, I will rip off your damn lips!”
The woman looked startled.
Ethan laughed, and Callen, well he just looked as nervous as hell. His son was coming, and he didn’t want to do anything to go wrong.
Over the last three months, they’d all taken a rotation with Catherine, bonding with her and welcoming her into their family. Yet, this was different. He was getting to be there and not miss what was so callously stolen from him with his daughter.
“There’s another contraction coming,” the nurse warned, trying to not smile and provoke the woman in hard labor.
Blackhawk brought his face down to hers and stared into her eyes. “Callen’s going to get you through this. We’re here, look into his eyes and focus on him, Baby.”
She nodded, turning to stare at the other half of her heart. “I need you, Callen,” she whispered, her body wracked with pain. “Please help me. I can’t do this without you.”
The fear was immediately gone, as he sat on the side of the bed, facing her. “I’ve got you, Elizabeth.”
“Here it comes,” alerted the nurse.
Elizabeth gripped both their hands. Ethan’s spare one was behind her head, helping her bear down and push. Her eyes remained locked on Callen’s as everything else fell away and it was simply her hearing him count for her. When he hit nine, she released the breath and closed her eyes.
“Please tell me he’s close,” she pleaded. “I don’t have much more,” she whispered. Glancing up at the clock, she noticed they’d been at it for two hours.
The doctor nodded. “He’s right here, Elizabeth. Two more good pushes and you’ve got a son.”
Callen leaned down and kissed her on the lips, as if trying to share his strength. “I believe in you,” he whispered.
Ethan matched his kiss. “You got this Tex. Push out this kid and Callen has to buy you sparkly jewelry.”
He laughed. “I’ll go out tonight and get you something if you give me my son.”
“Here it comes,” the nurse warned. She was still trying to figure out the relationship between the three. She was married to one, but on the birth certificate listed the other man as father.
“Earrings,” she muttered. “I want big fat diamond earrings. One for each child I’ve had to deliver,” she muttered, going back into position and pushing. At six she heard the doctor’s voice and Callen turned his head to stare down at his son.
“Oh my God!” he muttered, eyes filling with tears. “He’s amazing,” he said, as the doctor removed the cord from around his neck.
“Who wants to cut this?” inquired the doctor.
“I do,” whispered Callen, staring down at his son. With one snip his boy was free and here.
Elizabeth laid back and closed her eyes.
As the nurses carried him off to clean him up, Callen returned his focus to Elizabeth and his brother. “He’s perfect. I’ve never seen anything like that before in my life.”
She opened her eyes and grinned.
“I love you so much,” he said, kissing her enthusiastically. “You’re getting those earrings.”
“I deserve them, he was huge,” she stated, laughing. “All those salads and you’d think he’d be scrawny.”
Elizabeth glanced over at Ethan to make sure he was doing okay. So far, he seemed to be more than fine. The grin on his face matched Callen’s.
“Your son is amazing,” Blackhawk whispered, genuinely happy for his brother. “I believe I’m up next in the baby making pool!”
His brother corrected him. “He’s ours, not just mine.” The love he felt for Elizabeth and Ethan was filling him. They were an amazing part of his life, and he was so damn grateful to have them both with him.
She started laughing at the prospect of having another child. It was that hysterical laughter of an insane person. “Yeah, both of you dream on. My uterus is taking a vacation.”
The nurse carried the baby over to Elizabeth, tucking him into her arm.
Immediately, tears filled her eyes as she became serious. “I love you, Ethan Jackson Whitefox. You look like your daddy, and have your uncle’s name. You’re perfect.”
Callen stared down at his woman and couldn’t imagine loving anyone else but her. She’d given him half her heart and a son that would be his forever. Never had he believed any of this was possible. Growing up he could only dream. The lost little boy that never had anyone to love him was finally at peace.
Life couldn’t get any better.
Elizabeth kissed her son on his chubby little cheeks. “You need to go to daddy,” she whispered, handing him to his father. “Please take a picture, Ethan,” she requested, lying back to watch Callen hold his child.
Blackhawk snapped the picture and couldn’t help but be happy for his brother. There’d been a great deal of anxiety the entire month before Elizabeth went into labor. Callen began worrying that the reason Desdemona died was somehow because of his child. He’d convinced himself that something was going to happen to Elizabeth. Callen worked himself up into a frenzy. Now that it was over, it was a blessing to watch the miracle of his nephew’s birth and the joy on his brother’s face.
“I love you so much,” he whispered to his son. “You have a sister and an awesome brother. CJ is going to keep you safe and probably get you arrested a few times too.”
Elizabeth snorted. “He’s born three minutes, and we’re already discussing him breaking the law. Awesome.”
Callen cuddled his son and stared over at his brother. Without him, none of this would be possible. If Ethan hadn’t come home, forgiven him for betrayal, and shared the woman he loved then not a single second of this peace would exist.
“I want you to meet the best damn man in my life,” he said, and then realized he cursed. “Crap!”
Elizabeth laughed more that this time it wasn’t her that cursed first.
Callen carried his son to his brother; gently handing his beloved child to the man he loved with half of his heart. “This is the man you’re named after, EJ. This man is one of my best friends and brother. He’s the reason you’re here.”
Staring down at the little boy, he grinned. “You look just like CJ. I think you’re both going to be incredibly handsome men. The girls are going to be knocking down the door.”
Callen laughed. “History will repeat itself.”
Elizabeth spoke up. “Over my dead body.”
Ethan kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear. “I’ll protect you with my life and love you as my own until the day I die.”
Callen’s eyes filled with tears at the words. After it all, the promise he just made meant everything.
“Okay, we’ve talked about him getting arrested, girls wanting him and his father cursed already. Next?”
Blackhawk grinned. “We let the family have at him.”
She nodded. “Go get everyone. I want them to meet my other handsome son.”
He handed the baby to Elizabeth and dropped his arm across his brother’s shoulders. “Ready Dad?”
“I have my woman, my children and my brother by my side. I’m ready for anything.”
At the beginning, finding out he wasn’t the father hurt, but now it all seemed right.
“Honestly, Callen. So am I.”
Six weeks later
Tori stood in the shadows not far from where the ceremony was about to begin. At her side was Elizabeth, and they were admiring all their hard work.
Planning a wedding was difficult and stressful! Without her friend, she’d never have gotten it done. She owed the woman everything. She’d given birth six weeks ago, still managing to pull everything together to make this magical night happen.
Looking out towards where the ceremony would take place, they’d set up
the tables with the wedding to happen right in the middle of it all. That way their guests could sit and watch it all from the comfort of their dinner seats.
Everything was absolutely perfect. Each table was adorned with candles and vases of twinkling white lights. There were floating candles nearby in the lake, adding extra ambiance and illumination to the sun setting on the horizon. Leading the way to the ceremony site was a path of rose petals; they stopped inches from where Julian was standing.
God, he looked so handsome. His hair was loose, tucked behind his ears as normal. It was the sight of him in a tux that was staggering. He was beyond handsome and bordering on insanely gorgeous. At the mere thought that this man was going to be hers for the rest of her life, tears welled up and threatened to overflow. Walking up the isle were Justin and Connor, and they were coming to escort Elizabeth down to Julian. She’d only wanted one person to stand with her, and that was the woman that put her and Julian together. Walking through death, they’d forged love and friendship.
Tori’s focus was back on the men, as Elizabeth’s laughter filled the air. She knew exactly what the woman was giggling about. One brother wore a tux to match Julian’s and the other wore his dress Marine blues. Tonight was like a banquet of sexy men at this wedding.
She only had minutes. “Elizabeth, if I forget to tell you this, thank you. You made this special and if I could have a sister, I wish it could be you.”
Elizabeth hugged her. “I feel the same. I love you, Tori! You’re a gorgeous bride and you deserve this day.”
The women hugged and sniffled together, both overwhelmed with emotion.
“When you get down there after you say ‘I do’- look at the table to the right,” Elizabeth whispered, grinning at the surprise she had for her friend.
“What did you do?” Tori inquired.
Elizabeth simply ignored the question. “I see my Native escorts are here,” she looped an arm through each one of the brother’s arms and began the trip down the aisle.
The delicate twangs of the harp flooded the evening air, filling the night with sounds and love and emotion.
Darkness Of Truth (An FBI/Romance Thriller~ Book 6) Page 56
