Page 52 of One Last Night

The two children finally separate with a chaste kiss. Nathan puts his arm around his twin, and the two of them enter the Bellamys’ car. Sean blinks and says, “Crap. I forgot about our car. The tie rod’s snapped in half.”

“I’ll have it towed and repaired,” Robert says behind him. “It’s the least I can do after you saved my son’s life. I’ll have Horace take you two back home.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cartwright,” Sean replies. “That’s very kind of you.”

Robert chuckles. “I don’t know about that, but it’s a step in the right direction.” He looks at Kevin and smiles. “At least he turned out all right in spite of his father.”

“We all make mistakes,” I tell him. “Sometimes grave ones. But how we get up is more importantthan how we fall down.”

“Very wise words,” Robert agrees. “I hope we’ll have a chance to meet in better circumstances, Miss Mary.”

“Well, we’ll have to come back for the car,” Sean says. “We can have an ordinary dinner at a restaurant like friends instead of all the craziness. Could be nice for a change.”

Robert laughs, and even Kevin smiles. It’s nice to see that. “It’s a date.”

"I'll be staying on until winter break as well," I tell him. "The children must at least finish this semester before they have to adjust to a new governess. If the Bellamys will have me, that is."

“I’m sure they will after all you’ve done for them. For us.”

Horace arrives a moment later with the car. Sean and I don’t say anything as we return to the Bellamy estate, but as we pull out of the driveway, he reaches over and takes my hand into his.

I look to my right and smile at him. Behind him on the eastern horizon, the light of dawn is beginning to drive the darkness away, just as it always does, no matter how dark the night.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

The families are gathered in the great room, this time of the Bellamy estate. The adults stand, their faces taut with trepidation. The children sit together on the couch. Luann and Kevin are holding hands so tightly that their knuckles are white. Nathan sits near them, gripping his own hands with equal ferocity.

Robert moves to put his arm around Victoria, then catches himself and quickly pulls it away. Victoria reaches for his hand and grips it just as tightly as Luann holds Kevin’s hand.

Julian’s hands are steady as he opens the envelope, but his own fear is written on his face. This is the moment of truth. The results of the DNA test are in, and despite Julian’s insistence that it won’t change anything, we all know that it will.

Julian pulls the letter from the envelope and gives everyone a nervous smile that isn’t returned. His hands are finally shaking as he opens the letter. We all hold our breath. The only sound in the room is the ticking of the clock hanging above the fireplace.

After a small eternity, Julian looks up at Robert and grins. “Robert Cartwright, the results are in, and you arenotthe father!”

The rest of us breathe a collective sigh of relief. Victoria bursts into tears, and Nathan collapses back onto the couch. Luann and Kevin throw their arms around each other and kiss just barely on this side of appropriately. They separate quickly, red with embarrassment but grinning with joy at learning that they’re not related by blood.

“Thank God for that,” Robert says, wiping sweat from his brow. “What a mess that would’ve been.”

“I still insist that it wouldn’t have changed anything,” Julian said, “but I’m very glad that I don’t have to prove that.”

“Weallare,” Victoria says, wiping tears from her eyes. She gives Robert a slightly flirtatious look and says, “See? Nothing to worry about.”

Robert laughs. “Oh yes. Nothing at all.”

“Well, I don’t know about you guys,” Julian says, “But I feel like pizza for dinner.”

“You’ll have to contend with Beatrice,” Victoria replies. “I’m not going to be the one to tell her that the roast she planned isn’t happening anymore.”

“She can make dessert. She’s been waiting for an opportunity to show off something called Baked Alaska. Hell if I know what that is, but I’m sure it will taste delicious.”

“Watch your language,” Luann scolds.

I can’t resist lifting an eyebrow at that. “You’re one to talk.”

Kevin finds that hilarious and earns himself a slap on the shoulder.

***

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