Chapter 58

Epilogue

Frankie POV

"Why have you got that smirk on your face"

I hadn't realized that was the expression that I had, but goddamn it I was felling pleased with myself. Bella's eyes went wide so I was sure that she knew the cause for that smirk, she knew me too well.

"Tell me that you've finished it"

I wasn't going to make this easy for her so decided to tease her a little bit.

"Finished what, honey?"

I asked trying to look serious as I said it.

"Your book of course. I know how hard you've been working on it, so smartarse, is it finished?"

I couldn't resist her pout as she looked over to me, in fact I had a hard time resisting her at all.

"Yeah, I've written the last chapter"

Though I still wasn't sure if it was as climatic as I wanted it to be. It hadn't been easy to do that when most of the previous chapters had been filled with action, adventure, romance and mystery. I'd needed an ending though to tie everything together, I suppose to give some resolution to the future of the characters.

"So you'll let me read it now?"

I could see the pleading in her eyes as she asked me that, the same question that she'd been asking me ever since I first started it.

"Err, no. But maybe you can read the last chapter. You know give me a second opinion on how you think it portrays what happened to the characters"

To be honest I was worried that parts of the book would cause a relapse in how well she had healed. I didn't want her dwelling on those things from the past, reliving moments that I had included. The ghosts of her past were eventually being laid to rest and that was where I wanted them to stay. This last chapter though was different because it showed that people like her can move on and find the happiness that they deserved.

"The last chapter"

I heard the disappointment in her voice so went with a way to cheer her up, to have her focus on the ending because at the end of the day that was what was important now.

"Bella, you already know the story and probably the ending as well but to me it's important that we celebrate that ending. What's the saying, it isn't where you came from. It's where you're going that counts"

"Oh yeah, and who said that?"

"Ella Fitzgerald"

I quickly replied because I knew that she'd think that I'd just made that up for her. Her eyes rolled which to me meant that once again I'd been able to get her to see my way of thinking. As she began to walk toward me though I started to have second thoughts, she was up to something and usually it would be something that I wouldn't like. Yep, I was right, as her arms wrapped themselves around my neck and she brushed her mouth up my neck to nibble on my ear. Shit I'd probably do anything that she asked me if she kept that up.

"Okay, just the last chapter. But. You have to read it to me"

Read it to her? Why would she want me to do that?

"Won't you find it more interesting just to read it yourself?"

"Nope. I hate reading from a computer screen and besides if you read it to me then I'll get a better feel for what you're trying to get the reader to know"

She had me there and maybe by reading it I'd be aware of any small mistakes that I'd missed. Instead of answering her I pulled away from her and taking her hand led her into the room that we'd designated as my office. Picking up my laptop I continued walking feeling her resistance as though she thought that I was backing down from what she'd asked.

"Gazebo"

Was all that I said to have her pulling me along instead. That gazebo had become a special place for us. We'd moved into this small house three months after coming to Florida. I suppose that to those looking on, it was a very fast move, you know that whole living together thing. For us it was what we both wanted, needed, because that attraction between us had grown every day until we admitted to each other that we'd both found our soulmate. I loved her, it was as simple as that and living together had only made that love grow stronger.

As for money, well Bella sold her house and I had accumulated a lot of money from the time that I'd spent at Rangeman. I had no idea that I would receive a cut from the money paid by the FBI for the evidence we'd collected or subsequent arrest that we'd made. On top of that Manoso had also paid me a salary for my time working there and refused to let me pay any of it back. Hell, I'd never been so well off. I'd decided to do some freelancing for local newspapers which enabled me to decide what stories I'd cover. No more boss dictating what I wrote about or editing my story to suit their own needs. It was liberating.

Then I had an impulse to write a book but not just about any made up story. In a way I wanted to emphasize that there are brave, bold and selfless people amongst us who valiantly fight against the evil doers. Yeah, superheroes saving us from the villains. Yes, I used my own experiences and those from others who were involved but made it very clear from the outset that no names would be used, ensuring anonymity. Stephanie and Manoso had proof read each chapter, giving their ideas on some changes, but ultimately sanctioning the content.

So here I was with Bella laid on the seat in the gazebo with her head on my knee keen for me to read to her the ending to the story.

"Just remember that there are no names or places that you'll recognize"

"I know, but I may need you to tell me who is supposed to be who"

I agreed but I doubted that would be necessary. I rested the laptop next to me and with one hand on Bella's head began to nervously read.

Katy had a feeling of such relief rush through her as Simon drove the car into the garage. It was over. The people who could have destroyed their lives were either locked up with no possibility of being released or they were dead. It had been a rollercoaster of a ride with so many frightening lows and amazing highs. Now it was time to focus on herself and on the future between her and Simon. Simon was watching her, the woman who he saw as his savior. The woman who accepted him for who he was, who shone a light bright enough to invade into his darkness. Not so long ago he would have taken the incident tonight as another reason for him not to allow her to get close to him. But not now. Now he knew that he his whole existence depended on her being with him.

"Will Brian be okay?"

Asked Katy, the guilt coming to her as she realized that she hadn't asked.

"He's fine. His pride was hurt more when he realized what he'd allowed to happen"

Simon knew there was more to that question than just worrying about Brian. They'd missed their appointment and he knew how worried she'd been about it.

"He's already rearranged the appointment for tomorrow afternoon. This time we will make it"

He added as he slipped his arm around her waist. He knew that what had happened in the past when she'd been pregnant weighed heavily on her, but he was there to support with whatever happened and he wouldn't love her any less. Maybe he needed to take her mind off the events of the day.

Entering their apartment, she felt him pull her back to him, his mouth kissing and licking her neck. Shivers ran through her body as she responded to his touch with her head leaning back to give him better access. A low moan emanated from her throat as his hands came underneath her T-shirt and began to fondle her breasts.

"Err, Frankie. I hope you're not taking liberties with Steph and Carlos's love life"

I felt my cheeks warm up and was sure that I was blushing because that was exactly how I'd welcomed Bella home after she'd returned from visiting her parents.

"Not at all. I just leave the rest to the imagination of the reader. They are a very sensual couple, always touching and watching each other. Just like us my love"

I bent down and kissed her on the head before returning to reading, moving on to the next section of my chapter.

Waiting had never been one of Katy's strengths and now was no exception. That feeling of panic was like butterflies in her stomach as she realized just how worried she was.

"Darling, it will be okay. Whatever happens will be okay, but I know this time it will be different"

Simon saw how she looked at him, the worry and sadness so evident. He knew how much it had cost her when she'd miscarried before, but he also knew that Brian had spoken with the doctor. There were options to be considered. He looked over to the other side of the waiting room to where Brian was sat and noticed the man's attention going to the receptionist.

"Mrs. Murphy. The doctor's ready for you now"

Mrs. Murphy? Was all that stuck in Katy's head. Why had Brian booked her in under that name? This was more than embarrassing and Katy didn't dare look up at Simon.

"It was my suggestion, Darling. I want our baby and you to have my name"

Katy came to a stop after she heard him say that. Was that his way of proposing to her or his way of dealing with her. This wasn't the time or the place to be having that discussion so for now she ignored his comment and followed Brian in to see the doctor.

Shit, was all that Simon could think. What he'd said had come out all wrong and somehow, he'd upset her, but for now he needed to focus on what the doctor was saying.

"As you've already experienced two miscarriages early into the pregnancy, I'm going to prescribe progesterone treatment that will support your pregnancy, 400mg of progesterone to be taken twice daily taken up until sixteen weeks"

Maybe Katy was shocked that this doctor made it sound so simple. She really wasn't sure what to say. Okay, she'd done all of the tests and had even performed an internal scan showing that there was indeed a small little being taking up residence, so why wasn't Katy feeling happy about it? Simon's words, that was why.

Bella interupted me again and I realized that maybe she wouldn't know about Steph's previous miscarriages or why she'd been so worried.

"I didn't know that Steph had lost a baby. She never mentioned it when she told me that she thought that she was pregnant"

I remembered all too vividly when Steph's father had brought that box of Stephanie's things to Rangeman and how she'd reacted to finding that box. There was sadness there and still some regret even though she tried to make light of it.

"I spoke with Steph after she'd been to that appointment. She was so happy but so sad. She told me about Manoso's previous wife, how they'd married because she was pregnant. Steph was so worried that was what he'd implied. Marry her to give the child a name and then expect parental rights, something that he'd regretted doing with his daughter"

I looked down at Bella because Manoso being married before was something that I didn't know about and I wasn't aware that he already had a daughter. No wonder Steph had been upset by what he'd said and no wonder neither one of them wanted to explain Steph's mood when they returned to Rangeman. Brown had explained it away as just hormones.

"Don't you dare include that in this book. It's too personal to them and anyway they worked it out. Go to the next part and let's hear how you continued"

Katy was the happiest that she'd ever been. Their little being was growing quickly and she didn't even mind that she couldn't fasten up her jeans. Simon was, well after he admitted that he'd said the wrong thing at the doctors, he was so loving, constantly touching and kissing Katy's bump.

Simon was watching her as she swallowed the tablets prescribed by the doctor. He loved the way that her stomach was growing and the feel of it. Tomorrow he was going to ensure that they were never apart again.

"Are you okay?"

Katy asked him, concerned with how his mind seemed to be anywhere but in the present.

"Never better"

Simon had replied and knew that he wasn't lying to her. He'd made sure that tomorrow would be everything that Katy had dreamt of. Friends and some of their families there to celebrate their special day. Katy turned around to face Simon a smile on her face. She knew exactly what he'd been thinking about. Was she nervous? No, not one bit. She was feeling excited because this was what was meant to be. Not like that scumbag that she'd married so long ago. Not like her oldest friend either. Whenever he had mentioned kids and marriage she'd had a panic attack start, probably because in heart she knew that he wasn't the man for her.

Katy was thinking of the friends who would be there. The group of men that she now saw as her family and who'd all sworn to be the best uncles a child could ever want. Her oldest friend would be there but with a wife who he'd secretly loved for years. Katy was so pleased that their lifestyles had aligned to enable that to happen. Janice was a month ahead of Katy with her pregnancy and wanted to be that stay at home mum that Neil had yearned for. With Janice's father gone from the area, retired for sunnier climates she no longer carried the reputation that his name implied.

"That was a beautiful wedding. Trust Carlos to organize such a perfect day. It was so good to see some of the people who had helped both me and Steph. I couldn't believe it when Vito, Ramos and Dario turned up just for the ceremony"

Neither could anyone really. Hell, the men who were guarding the location at the beach nearly had a panic attack when they saw them walking down the path. It was really weird, as though they were there to literally pay their respects to Steph and Carlos as well as to congratulate them. I never did find out if Steph and Carlos had taken Ramos up on the offer of his yacht for their honeymoon. I just had this feeling that there was a secret that involved those three men that I never had been able to find out about. Steph's family were such a contradiction of people. I'd had a laugh with Edna and of course Lula had joined in. Mrs. Plum, well what could you say about her. She was so obviously out of her element with how relaxed the day had been planned but didn't dare voice her opinion. Instead, she seemed to drink a hell of a lot.

"So, get on with reading"

"Katy looked down at her new born son, tears running down her cheeks with emotional overload. She'd never ever imagined the feelings that would engulf her. Love, protectiveness came to mind and that sense of awe that only a woman can feel. Looking up at Simon she could see the same things in his eyes. Simon felt it in his heart, with his wife and son at his side the sense that karma had finally been restored. The end

"What? That can't be the end"

"They only had little Ricardo last week"

I argued back at Bella. I knew what she was thinking, that I hadn't included the two of us in the final chapter. I had done but I was only going to be adding it after I'd done one thing, and this was the moment that I was waiting for.

"Bella. I knew the moment that I saw you that there was something different about you. I'm sorry that it took me so long to fully get to know you. I know you now and know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

"Is that the actual ending?"

She asked trying to keep a straight face.

"Well it would be if you'd give me an answer"

Hell, I'd never considered that she wouldn't want to marry me. What would I do if she said no? I'd ask again and again until she was ready, yeah, that's what I'd do because she was my reason for living.

"Yes, Frankie. It will always be yes"

I bent down and this time gave her a long, slow passionate kiss as my hand fumbled through my pocket. Where the fuck had the ring gone?

"Frankie. What the hell are doing?"

I sighed a breath of relief as my fingers gripped the ring and then smiling held her hand and gently pushed it onto her finger.

"I love you Bella"

A few minutes later she lifted the laptop for me telling me that she wanted to know what the actual ending was. I was feeling more confident now with what I'd written so was happy to continue.

Jude was laid in the gazebo basking in the late summer sun. The jasmine infused the air with a fragrance as she sighed in contentment. Her finger rubbed over the diamond solitaire ring that Oscar had just proposed with. Everything felt right with the world now. She had Oscar laid down with her and that made her feel so happy and safe. Oscar had worked hard with his writing and she was sure that his book would be a success, though it did concern her what he would move onto next. I mean where would he find such riveting content to feed his imagination.

"Steph said that after the baby was born that she wouldn't be going back to her old job. That she wanted to work part time with Carlos and help by doing research for the FBI cases that Rangeman was chasing. She, err, suggested that maybe you'd want to work with her"

I listened to what Bella was saying and I suppose that I knew that she was right. Yes, I'd written this book though as much as I thought that it would be a success, I wasn't so sure. I had to admit that I had really enjoyed working with Steph and the team, the research and solving the puzzle.

"Nah. We're down here in Florida and I know how much you love living here. You have some referrals for work through your parents"

An argument that I put to her which was true and I knew that I'd always put her happiness before mine.

"Work remotely, use conference calls. Besides Miami Rangeman isn't that far away"

I considered what she was saying, obviously she'd been talking to Stephanie, and I was sure that between them they'd been plotting away. Maybe it was something to think about, maybe she was right. I'd always considered that investigative journalism was my forte and what better way than to base any future writing on real life.