Into the Storm (56 page)

I grimaced but nodded. “Let him leave, Adam.”

I held the phone away from my ear as he exploded in anger. He ranted on for a few minutes and then suddenly became silent. “Sorry, Joshua. This fucker just keeps catching all the breaks.”

“
I know. We need him to be gone, Adam.”

He sighed heavily.

“
Rabbit
needs this, Adam.”

“
Then it’s done.”

Suddenly, he chuckled darkly. “No charges, eh? Well, nothing saying I can’t go meet his plane and let him know what I think of his visit. In fact, his own lawyer is so riled up maybe the two of us will form a little welcoming committee for James and the Jackass. There is a lot I want to say to him. And, I will personally make sure he’s on that plane out of the country. Maybe I can’t press charges, but I can certainly stir up enough questions so I make sure his name comes up in the investigation with Dr. Hammond. Enough to ensure he will never return to this area for fear of actual charges filed. Once he is out of the country he won’t try coming back.”

I laughed bitterly. “I like the sound of that. Say it for all of us, Adam. Do whatever you have to do.”

“
Oh, I intend to, Joshua. Tell Lizzy he will never even consider coming near her again after I am done. I guarantee that. If he tries, I will happily forget I’m an officer of the court.”

The image of Adam staring down at James, his dark eyes threatening and angry, made me chuckle. When livid, he was fucking terrifying. Coward that he was, James most likely would shit his pants when he stepped onto the tarmac and saw what was waiting for him.

“
Have a good time, Adam,” I said mildly. “I expect a full report.”

I hung up and looked down at Rabbit. “Is Adam going to take care of it?” she asked sleepily.

I leaned down, kissing her again. “Most definitely.”

“
Joshua?”

“
Yes, my pretty girl?”

“
Where’s my ice cream?”

Fuck.

Chapter Forty-Four

Joshua

Two weeks later, the sun shone high in the late afternoon sky, its beams warming the inside of the new SUV we were sitting in. I grinned as I watched Rabbit checking out the interior of the vehicle. We both smiled at the car seats already installed in the back, just waiting for their passengers. I knew it was early to have put them in, but seeing them just helped make all this more real for me. Rabbit knew exactly what I was thinking when she first saw them and had simply kissed me with a smile on her face. “You like it, Rabbit?”

She looked at me. “Joshua, I swear this is more luxurious than most people’s homes. I think you went overboard.”

I shook my head. “It’s the safest SUV out there. The rest is just packaging. The safety rating was what decided it for me. For the babies.”

She snorted. “Uh huh. I know about boys and their toys, Joshua. I highly doubt the babies will care about a navigation system or a built-in cooler.”

I laughed. “Okay … maybe a few things were not totally necessary. But really … rather cool.”

She smiled. “Yes, Joshua, very cool.”

We were quiet for a moment, both looking at the building in front of us.

I looked over at Rabbit, smiling. “You ready to do this?”

Her answering smile was brilliant, but she only nodded in reply. I could see her hands beginning to fidget with the material of her soft yellow dress as her nerves got to her. I got out of the SUV and went around to her side and opened the door. “It’s just us, Rabbit, and the people we know. The only thing that changes today is your last name. And the fact I can happily tell the world you belong to me. Forever.”

She looked at up me, with the sweetest smile as her hands adjusted my tie.

“
You like that, don’t you?”

I grinned. “More than I can say. Now, are you ready to come inside and marry me?”

She held out her hand. “I am.”

I grinned and helped her out of the truck. I tucked her under my arm as we walked up the steps to the tiny chapel where a small group was waiting for our arrival.

“
Close, Rabbit. It’s ‘I do.’ Keep practicing. You have about ten minutes to get it down pat.” I leaned down and kissed her head. “But I’ll be right beside you if you need a reminder.”

She laughed softly. “As long as you’re beside me, Joshua, I’m good.”

I squeezed her gently.

“
Always, Rabbit.”

An hour later, I was standing off to one side in the warm private room in Rabbit’s favourite little restaurant in Huntsville. For a small town, there were several places to dine, but Rabbit liked the coziness of this place. I found it comfortable as well, and we often ate here when we were in town. I watched, smiling, as my wife moved around talking to people. The guest list for our wedding was small but meaningful.

Cecilia, Trevor, Daniel, Ellen, Adam, Heather and Frank were all in attendance. As a surprise, I had flown in Tracy, who was thrilled to be there. I felt she had played a significant part in Rabbit’s life, and especially in her escape and wanted her to be there to see Rabbit happy. Rabbit was overjoyed to see her and I noticed Frank seemed rather taken with her as well. He was noticeably close to her at all times, and from the glances she kept sending his way, the attraction seemed mutual. Also in attendance were Dave and his wife, as well as Trina, Anna and Dr. Sue and their respective partners. Rabbit had insisted that our pilot, John, and his wife join us since he was so instrumental in helping her come home.

I smiled as I looked around at our friends as they talked and laughed. I was still nervous away from the house, but today was an especially good day and I was managing well. I wanted today to be special for Rabbit. She had told me how sterile her wedding day with Brian had been and I wanted today to be nothing like that. I wanted it filled with love and laughter and good memories for her; for us. I had given Cecilia strict instructions that anything Rabbit mentioned or wanted, she was to have today. The only time I had stepped in was when Cecilia told me about a dress Rabbit had seen but bypassed due to the price. I told Cecilia to buy it and Rabbit’s excitement when she saw it overrode the lecture I’d been subjected to for canceling the ‘perfectly acceptable one’ she had decided on and ordering this much more expensive one. I smiled, remembering how her eyes had shone with tears when I told her ‘perfectly acceptable’ wasn’t good enough for her any longer as I kissed her into agreeing to keep the dress. But seeing how beautiful she was in it more than made up for the scolding. Cecilia had outdone herself, keeping things simple just as Rabbit wanted but still evoking a sense of occasion. The candles and flowers that filled the room were perfect. A photographer wandered around snapping pictures and, as per my instructions, made sure Rabbit was in most of the shots.

Rabbit’s lovely dress flowed and swirled around her, somehow managing to emphasize her baby bump, which I loved. Its soft yellow color reflected the light that shone from her eyes when she looked at me. Carrying the twins made her seem further along in her pregnancy than she actually was. Her glow was beautiful; her happiness evident. Her left hand now glittered with a bezel-set diamond eternity band. She hadn’t wanted a large engagement ring, but I did want her to have something stunning and her reaction to my offering had been nothing short of effusive. My own left hand carried a heavy, wide band of gold. Looking down I smiled as it glinted in the light. The symbolic gesture of our exchanging rings was so simple, yet so meaningful that it had taken my breath away. I looked up to see Trina standing beside me.

“
You are doing very well, Joshua,” she commented quietly.

I nodded. “I still find it easier when Rabbit is close,” I admitted.

She smiled. “It will get less stressful as time goes along. I’m proud of your determination. And your success.” She paused for a moment. “Maggie would be as well.”

The sudden lump in my throat made it impossible for me to answer right away. She leaned forward with a quick but warm hug. “Go and find your lovely wife. Congratulations, Joshua.”

I nodded silently and sought out Rabbit, needing her close. As I slipped my arm around her waist, I sighed in quiet relief at the feeling of her nestled into my side. My free hand immediately went to her bump, caressing the surface. I loved the feeling of her soft, full curves which changed and grew fuller with each passing week, and I smiled knowing our healthy children were the cause of them. Leaning closer, I checked to make sure she was okay. “Do you need to sit, my pretty wife?” I asked quietly.

She glanced up me. “I’m fine, Joshua.” Her brow furrowed slightly. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

I nodded, leaning down to steal a soft kiss. “Just an emotional day, Rabbit. A good one,” I assured her.

Her hand cupped my cheek. “A very good one. I love you, Joshua.”

My lips sought hers again, the kiss deeper this time. “I love you, Rabbit.”

Daniel appeared beside us. “Okay, my friends. Enough of that. Unless I’m mistaken, that is what got you in trouble in the first place.”

I chuckled as I felt Rabbit’s cheeks get warm. I adored her shy blushes.

“
Dinner is being served. Come join your guests. We have a lot to celebrate today.” He grinned at me. “What changes your life has seen in only a few months, Joshua.”

I smiled.

He was so right. The beginning of the year had seen me alone and trapped in a prison of my own making with no key to be found. Then a snowstorm had brought me my salvation. Now, with the snow long gone and late spring around us, I was married to the wonderful woman nestled into my side, two babies due to be born in the fall and surrounded by love and laughter. Rabbit was my key.

“
Lead the way, Daniel. I’m ready to celebrate.”

And proudly, I escorted my wife toward our friends who were waiting to celebrate with us.

A few days later, I was smiling so widely my face was beginning to hurt.

“
Really?” I looked at Dr. Sue, who was smiling back at both Rabbit and me, as she pointed to the monitor. I was seated beside Rabbit’s head since Dr. Sue refused to allow me to stand during the scans since my slight mishap. “A boy
and
a girl? One of each?”