Page 122 of Day Break

“Those two were always idiots,” my father growled out.

“Well, we’ll leave you to your recovery,” the detective said. He motioned to the two officers.

“We just stopped by to see how you’re doing,” Officer Whitlock said. He motioned to my parents. “If you need anything…” He shook my hand then my father’s and left.

“When this is all over, we’re going to have to hang out,” Alex said, shaking my hand. “Now that you’ll be living on the island full time.” He winked at me. “Chloe.” He nodded at her, then left.

“What does he mean now that you’ll be living on the island full time?” my mother asked, tears streaming down her face.

I had no doubt my parents were happy that their daughter’s killers were caught. Still, part of me hated them for believing all these years that I’d done it. How they had treated my cousins, the real killers, so much better than their own innocent son… I was done with them. At least for now.

I pulled Chloe down next to me and held onto her hand.

“I’ve put the townhouse and the house on Beaker Street up for sale. Robert and Reba will have to find someplace else to squat,” I added with a smile. “Chloe and I are staying here. After a quick trip to Vegas to get married, followed by a longer trip to Napa for our honeymoon, we’re heading back here to open a restaurant and raise our first kid, who will be arriving in about eight months. Maybe we’ll add one or two more kids and dogs to the mix along the way. But one thing is for sure, we will live happily ever after.”

The entire time I was talking, my parents stared at us with open mouths.

They both started complaining at the same time until their voices were so loud, I almost had to cover my ears.

Suddenly, there was a loud whistle, and everyone turned towards Chloe, who stood up and placed her hands on her hips.

“I think you’re both mistaken. We’re not asking your permission,” Chloe said as she took my hand in hers. “We’re telling you and if you don’t like it, there’s the door.”

I smiled up at her, then pulled her down and kissed her. “You are my family,” I said.

She smiled back. “And you are mine.”

EPILOGUE

Chloe

I stood on the hill overlooking the green fields filled with long rows of grape vines with Bryon sitting at my feet, whining for attention. My mind was too occupied with the sheer beauty in front of me to break my gaze for the animal that I loved.

“Here,” Lane laughed and bent down to pick up the dog’s green ball and toss it a few feet away, sending Bryon scurrying off in play. Then Lane’s arms wrapped around me and I sighed, leaning into his chest. “Well?” He asked. “What do you think, Mrs. Robinson?”

I turned into him and leaned up on my toes to kiss him.

It was a dream come true. I had enjoyed the sights and sounds of Los Vegas, for a while. We had been married the second night we were there, in a small chapel on the main strip. Then, Lane had shown me around the city. He’d taken me everywhere. Spoiled me. After a week, however, I was ready for the quiet.

As we drove through the dessert, heading towards the vineyards, something settled deep inside me. That longing I’d always felt, the isolation, it was gone. Replaced with peace and so much love that when I thought about what I’d almost lost, it hurt.

“I think,” I smiled. “I’m going to never want to leave.” Lane chuckled. “Then you’ll miss out on your big day. In less than a month, New Hope will open it’s doors back on the island. Unless we go home, the doors will open without you.”

I smiled and then laughed. “Okay, you talked me into it. I’ll go home for that.”

Taking my hand, we started walking down the hill towards the little cottage that would be ours for the week. Bryon happily ran circles around us.

“Can this really be happening?” I asked when we stopped at the edge of the vineyard.

Lane kissed me. “It is real, and thank god too. I believe that I’m the luckiest person alive.”

“No,” I shook my head quickly. “I am.” I paused and laid a hand over my growing belly. “We are,” I corrected with a smile.