Page 92 of Lahaina Noon

She laughed, “You know, I’m pregnant, not sick.”

He smiled and touched her stomach tenderly. “I’m not taking any chances with the two most precious things in my hoard.”

Jack flopped down in a chair across from them, still wincing a little from his injuries. “Oh, so Papa Drake knows now, does he? Good, that was a helluva secret Bridge, you know I hate that.”

Vaughn’s gaze narrowed on him, “Yes, Jack, how is it that you knew?”

Jack rolled his eyes. “I was there when she was pregnant with Gabriel. I know her tells.”

Bridget laughed, “Yeah, that bag Jack gave me on the plane? It wasn’t just medicine. It was also gummy bears and a pregnancy test. I didn’t want to believe it at first, but I took it anyway to prove him wrong. He wasn’t. I craved gummy bears like crazy when I was pregnant with Gabe.” She looked around, “Speaking of.”

Vaughn looked panicked and started patting his pockets for his keys, ready to run out and buy a whole store’s worth if she wanted.

Jack laughed and said, “I got you covered.” He threw a bag to Bridget, who immediately tore into it. Just then, Jorrie walked into the room and stopped dead in her tracks.

“Bridget, are you okay?”

Her friend nodded, “Yeah, just a little worn out from all of the traveling.”

Jack waved his hand, “Hello! Injured over here, how about a little sympathy for me?”

Jorrie laughed and sat on Jack’s lap, kissing his cheek, “My handsome hero!” She looked over at Bridget, digging through the bag of candy and narrowed her eyes. “Damn, Bridge, I haven’t seen you tear into gummy bears like that since—”

Jack shouted, “Cover your ears!” just in time for Jorrie to jump up and squeal her signature eardrum-shattering shriek.

“Bridge!” her friend shouted. “No fucking way!” and wrapped her friend in a tight hug before jumping up and down and dancing.

Vaughn watched her in amusement and said, “Hey, watch your mouth. There are children present.”

They were still laughing when Gabe walked in, “Jeez, Aunt Jorrie, what the hell?”

They all smiled at him, and Bridget told him, “Well, baby, how do you feel about being a big brother.”

Gabe froze and looked at her, then Vaughn, who nodded and stood. Gabriel walked over and shook his hand, then wrapped him in a hug. “I’m going to be the best damn brother ever,” he whispered.

Later in the evening, Bridget smiled as she saw Jorrie and Liam sitting in the corner, making out like a couple of teenagers. Apparently, they were way past the scratching the itch phase.

Vaughn and Killian were making plans to help the families that had lost loved ones and set up services for them. They would need to get back in and find Dio and the other fallenfighters.

Siobhan and Lorenzo were sitting in another corner, laughing and talking in a way that made Bridget think there was a spark there. She looked for Marco and saw him leaning against a wall, watching Siobhan, sadness on his face. Well, not everyone got a happy ending, she thought.

She rubbed her stomach, amazed she was getting another chance at a larger family. She and Brian had tried and tried after Gabriel, but it seemed they were only destined for one. Then she’d lost Brian. She’d been so devastated she didn’t realize she was also mourning the loss of any future children.

Bridget eased out the front door and went up to the roof. She made it to the terrace area and sat in one of the chairs, watching the sun setting. Golden rays pierced the soft clouds drifting lazily across the horizon.

She heard the rustle of leaves and felt a cold breeze again, the same when she heard the call to come up here. She smiled, “Okay, Tar’n, I’m here. What do you want?”

He chuckled and sat across from her, his hood shaking with amusement. “Well done, my daughter, you succeeded where others would have failed. I am pleased with you.”

She sighed, “Cut the crap. Who are you really, and why do you keep calling me your daughter?”

He roared out a laugh and dropped his hood back from his face. Across from her was a startlingly young, handsome man with long golden hair and fair skin. He had bright blue eyes that sparkled, actually sparkled. Gone was the whispery, mysterious air, replaced by an impish grin and an air of power.

She stared. “What the fuck?”

He shook with laughter, “Shh!” he cautioned, “Your young lady is listening.”

She clasped her hands protectively over her stomach. “Itisa girl?” she asked breathlessly. “Vaughn said that, but I wasn’t sure. It’s still so early.”

---