Between Hello and Goodbye(94)

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice breaking. “Please forgive me.”

I held the urn a moment longer, my hands running over the surface, smooth and cool. I inhaled raggedly and continued.

“Thank you. Thank you, Morgan.”

I bent over the side of the boat and touched the urn to the water. My tears dropped beside it and were absorbed into the vast blue ocean.

“I love you,” I whispered and let the urn slide gently into the sea, to take its place beside Nalani’s.

It sank down, glowing bright blue as the salt caught the reflection of the light, and when I couldn’t see it anymore, I sat up and closed my eyes. I felt the warmth of the sun over my face while the waves rocked softly beneath me.

And I smiled because he was with her again and they were home .





Epilogue



Two years later…



I stared out over the Seattle skyline that was gray and heavy with rain. Behind me at the conference table, I heard low murmurs and the shuffling of paper. I smiled to myself. The Coffee Company people could pretend like they had something to talk about, but at the end of the day, they knew my campaign was the one they wanted.

“Ms. Benson.”

I turned and slipped my hands into the pockets of my Chanel suit. It was easier to surreptitiously touch the subtle curve of my belly that way.

“Gentlemen. You have thoughts?”

Mr. Galveston, the VP of Marketing, nodded. “We feel that your vision for our product is the most closely aligned with our vision.” He extended his hand. “Congratulations. I don’t recall that we’ve ever had a more invigorating or innovative approach to selling coffee than yours.”

I smiled broadly and had to refrain from glancing at my watch. “Kind of you to say. I’m just happy that you’re happy. Now, if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I will leave you in the capable hands of Jess Browning, our head of account management.” I gestured at my former assistant with a smile. “She’ll take care of wrapping up any details.”

I exited the conference room as fast as I could without appearing to be hurrying. My flight wasn’t until the following morning, but in my mind, I was already back in Kauai. Back home.

My hand slipped to my belly for the millionth time.

Not to mention, I need to share the latest developments with my husband, that sexy bastard.

Terrance fell in stride next to me. “Another home run, from what I hear.”

“Already?” I smiled. “Word travels fast in this joint.”

“It’s good to see your face, Faith. In person, I mean, as opposed to Zoom.”

“Don’t get used to it, Terry. You’re not going to be seeing me around these parts for a while.”

“Well, I’m glad you made it back for this meeting and a taste of the city. Tell me, do you miss us at all?”

“A little,” I said, although I was finding my desire for skyscrapers and sidewalks to be a lot less potent than it used to be. “Mostly I miss my best friend, Silas, and his husband, Max. And you of course, Terry.”

“Naturally,” he said with a grin. “I guess the next time I see you there’ll be a new Benson-Mackey in the family.”

“At least one,” I said and checked my watch. My pearl and diamond ring glinted in the light, and I paused to admire it. Again. Even years later, it still snagged my gaze, but what could I do? As I liked to tease Asher, when you have the World’s Most Beautiful Ball and Chain on your finger, you can’t help but admire it.

Terry gave me a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations, again. And don’t be a stranger now.” He started down the hall. “I’ll send you the specs for the new potentials.”

“I’m on the job.”

“Thank God for that,” he called.

Over the last two years, I hadn’t spent many more than a handful of days in Seattle. With Terry smoothing things over, we convinced Cynthia that I was perfectly capable of doing my job remotely. I set about proving that while Asher set about impregnating me as soon as humanly possible. The man was too potent for his own good and our daughter, Alani Grace, was born almost nine months to the day after our beach wedding.

I quickened my step, eager to get back to my little Peanut, and Kal who is growing like a weed, and my husband—my firefighter—who was on the verge of being made captain. I was proud of him beyond words, but that pride was edged with nerves. His job was dangerous, and that wasn’t ever going to change.

I had to trust.

That night, I had dinner with Max and Silas, and because if I didn’t share the news soon, I was going to burst, I told them about my “little development” in the baby department.

They were both overjoyed, with Silas shaking his head as Max teared up, the big softy.

“Does Asher know?” Silas asked.

“That he knocked me up again? Of course. But not about…”

“The bonus material?” Max put in with a grin.

Silas and I groaned together and tossed our napkins at him. We all dissolved into laughter that lasted well into the night and would have to keep me until next I saw my beloved best friend and his hubby, who had fast become my other best friend.

I left their penthouse in the wee hours filled up with gratitude to have so much love in my life. A family that I’d had to make when my own failed me but a real and true family, nonetheless.