Chasing Second Chances (19 page)

Chapter Twenty-five

Aspen, Colorado

One month later…

“Did you enjoy skiing today, Jack?” Kate asked as she ran her hand through Jack’s brown hair.

Jack nodded eagerly. “I fell a lot but it was still lots of fun.”

Kate smiled. “See, that’s the thing about falling, as long as you get up, then there’s still a chance you can do great things and have fun.”

“Can we go skiing again tomorrow?”

“We sure can, but you have to sleep now so you can have lots of energy.” She pulled the covers up to his chin and kissed him on the forehead. “Good night, Jack.”

He yawned. “Good night, Mommy.”

She gave him one last kiss, then dimmed the lamp and walked towards the door, stopping in the doorway so she could take a look at his sleeping form, which always brought her some sense of peace.

After the kidnapping, he had only had one nightmare, which she had been able to calm him down from within minutes, for which she was grateful. She wanted him to forget all about it, to enjoy the rest of his childhood and live a happy life.

After a few minutes, she left, gently closing the door, and went to Lena’s room. Lena was still awake, reading a book but as soon as she saw her, she set the book down on the nightstand, lying down.

“How’s my little girl?” Kate asked as she sat on the edge of the bed.

“Mommy, I’m not a little girl anymore.”

Kate smiled, stroking Lena’s cheek. “Right. You’re a brave, big girl.”

Each time she remembered all that Lena had done, how brave she had been in the hands of her kidnappers, she could not help but beam with pride. She had no doubt that Lena would grow up to be a fine woman, even stronger than she was.

“Are you and Bryan going to ski some more?” Lena asked.

“No, sweetheart, but we’re going to stay up a little bit,” she told her. “You, however, have to go to sleep now. Even big girls need lots of sleep.”

“Is Bryan going to be with us all the time now?”

She paused at the unexpected question, but decided to answer her truthfully. “Yes, darling. Bryan is going to be with us all the time.”

“And Daddy?”

“You’ll still see Daddy sometimes.”

“Okay.”

She looked at Lena, trying to figure out what she was thinking. “Are you sure it’s okay?”

“You like Bryan, don’t you, Mommy?” Lena asked.

“I do. Very much.”

“I think I’m starting to like him, too.”

Kate smiled. “That’s good. It would make me very happy if you and Jack got along with him very well.”

Lena nodded.

“Now, go to sleep.” Kate kissed the top of Lena’s head. “Sweet dreams.”

“Good night, Mommy.”

“Good night.”

Kate got up, turned off the light and left the room, giving one final wave at Lena before closing the door.

Outside the door, she paused for a moment, smiling. Until now, she still could not believe that her children were back, and she was grateful for each day that they were with her, trying to make the most of each that she could.

She continued down the hall and down the stairs, walking towards the living room where Bryan was waiting in front of the fireplace. Seeing her, he smiled. She, too, smiled at him, as she went over to him, sitting beside him and kissing him on the cheek before resting her head on his shoulder.

“So, have they gone to sleep?” Bryan asked her.

She nodded. “They’ve had a fun, tiring day.”

“That they did,” he agreed.

“Lena said she’s beginning to like you.”

“That’s good to hear, especially since I’ve liked them for a long time now.”

She grinned. “You sure you don’t really mind that I have kids?”

“You’re asking this now?” he teased.

She laughed.

“To tell you the truth, though, I really don’t mind. They’re a part of you, Kate. They’re part of what makes you amazing. Besides, I’ve always wanted to have kids of my own.”

At the memory of the daughter he had lost, she felt a tinge of sadness and she took his hand, entwining her fingers with his. “I know Jack and Lena aren’t your flesh and blood but I want you to know you can treat them like your own children.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Well, that’s good, because that’s exactly what I was planning to do, especially since I wasn’t planning on letting their mother go. Ever.”

“You were?”

He let go of her hand and then seconds later, placed something in it.

A small satin box.

Kate gasped, sitting up. “This isn’t what I think it is, is it?”

“Open it,” he encouraged.

She did so, feeling an indescribable joy surge through her as she saw the ring that was inside.

“Will you marry me, Kate Evans?” he asked her, looking into her eyes, his brown eyes gleaming in the firelight.

She nodded slowly. True, the proposal was sudden but she had known for some time now that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, feeling as if that was the way things were meant to be. “Yes, I will, Bryan Knowles.”

Smiling, he took the ring and slipped it on her finger, then kissed her hand and on her lips before speaking. “Then I need nothing more.”

She threw herself into his arms, at a loss of words, her heart pounding against her chest as she felt happier, more complete than she had ever been in her life now that she not only had her two children but a man who she knew she could count on, who would keep loving her in spite of anything.

The nightmare was truly over and now, a wonderful dream was about to begin.

Nothing could be more right with the world.