EPILOGUE

NICOLE SAT ON THE PASSENGER side of the drop-top convertible. The wind was whipping through her hair, and she was going to chew her bottom lip off. Davis was driving and could see how nervous she was. He reached out and caressed her bottom lip with his thumb. “I love your lips. But, if you keep doing what you’re doing to them, I won’t have anything to nibble on.”

Nicole realized what she was doing and immediately stopped. “I’m so nervous. I haven’t seen my babies in three months.”

“No need to be nervous. They are just as excited to see you as you are them.”

“I just pray that my time away doesn’t leave lasting scars.”

“Your being away has made you a better woman. I can’t see how that doesn’t translate into motherhood. I know it’s had a great effect on me.”

“Thank you for that and for extending our stay here for another couple of weeks. I want DJ and Rayna to share in our happiness and the re-birth of our marriage.”

“I want that too.” Davis’s satellite phone rang. He answered it, and the voice came through the speakers of the car. “Davis.”

“Oh. My. Gawwd! Have you seen the news? Of course, you haven’t. Have you been online?”

Davis looked over at Nicole. She blushed. If it required getting out of bed, they hadn’t done much over the past couple of days. “Can’t say that I have. Why? What’s up?”

“Did any of your lawyers try to call you?”

“There are a couple of messages on my phone. I ignored them. Look, Jane, if it’s bad news, it can wait until we’re back stateside. Nicole and I are on our way to the airstrip to pick up the kids and Teena.”

Jane was bursting with excitement. “It’s not bad news at all. It’s freaking fantastic!”

“Okay, then spill it. We’re pulling up to the airfield. I don’t have much time.”

Jane sounded as if she was going to hyperventilate. “Okay . . . okay. The latest patent for your artillery technology was approved. It hit the news today with all kinds of glowing stories that you were working undercover with the US government to bring down one of the most heinous terrorist’s groups in modern history, The Liberation of Shebet! Chatham Industry stock is going through the roof!”

“What?” Davis was stunned. So was Nicole. “How is that possible?”

“I don’t know. I have no idea but before the crisis hit stock for the company was selling at $124 a share. Then it dropped all the way down to $12 a share. As of this phone call, it is selling at a whopping $209 a share!”

“You’re kidding.”

“No, I am not. And, I didn’t tell you this, but when it dropped to its lowest dollar value, I bought back more shares. I always had faith in you that one day Chatham would rise again. You are the majority shareholder of seventy-four percent of your company now!”

“I don’t believe it!”

“Believe it!” From her side of the call, Jane fanned herself.

Nicole joined in the conversation. “That’s incredible.”

“Isn’t it? I never thought I was a savvy businesswoman but filling in for Davis has me rethinking a few things. Wait my other line is ringing.”

“I just told my sister we were pulling up to the airstrip, and she put me on hold.”

“Yep. She did. But, c’mon. This is fabulous news!”

Jane’s voice popped back on the line. “Sorry. That was your attorney. Braylee said to tell you . . . the press was all her. She made a couple of calls, and, in lieu of a formal apology from our government, your patent was approved and that you’re welcome.”

“I’ll call her first thing tomorrow.”

“Okay guys, I’m heading off to a meeting. Enjoy your time away—you both deserve it.”

Davis hung up. He knew Nicole had left the conversation the moment the plane came into view. If she could have hopped out of the car as it rolled to a stop, she would have. However, he was grateful it was almost at a standstill before she opened the door and ran toward Rayna and DJ.

They were standing next to the plane when Rayna spotted Nicole. She took off in a sprint toward her mom. DJ probably would have too if Teena hadn’t been holding him on her hip. He was squirming and reaching out.

Nicole couldn’t get to her kids fast enough. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her. It was a short distance but seemed to take forever. Finally, she made contact. Nicole dropped down to Rayna’s level and hugged her tight. Rayna did the same. She wrapped her arms around her mother as they both cried in each other’s arms.

Nicole rained kisses all over Rayna’s face and cheeks. “I missed you so much.”

Through her tears, she responded. “I missed you too, mommy. I missed you so much.”

Nicole shook her head from side to side. “I promise I will never leave you like that again.”

Teena inched close enough for DJ’s short legs to run over too. “Mom . . . Ma!”

Nicole pulled back enough to pick DJ up and sit him on her lap without ever letting Rayna go. He was sandwiched in-between them. She rained kisses all over him as well. “I love you so much. I missed you even more.” There were tears . . . more tears . . . and hugs and kisses.

Davis stood back and watched his family. He must have been out of his mind to contemplate ever leaving them. He watched the reunion of his kids and wife before joining in. Davis wrapped his strong arms around them. Nicole looked up with watery eyes and smiled. He returned it. “This, Mrs. Chatham, our family, is the only thing that really matters. Thank you for teaching me that.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Eyes wet, Rayna looked at her parents. “I love you both.”

Davis tapped her on the nose. “Really?”

“Yes, daddy.”

Davis got to his feet. His throat thick. “Remember that promise I made to you, Rayna?” He helped Nicole to her feet because DJ was holding on to her for dear life.

Rayna looked confused. “I promised you pancakes.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re going to cook them?”

They walked back arm in arm toward the car. “Yep.”

“What kind?”

“I was thinking strawberry today, blueberry tomorrow, banana the day after that, and then we’ll have to get really creative.”

Nicole replied, “That’s a lot of pancakes.”

“I promised Rayna pancakes every day for the rest of her life, and a wise woman once told me not to miss too many moments. I plan to make up for the ones I missed and enjoy the ones to come. Each and every one of them.”