Epilogue
Paige
I can’t believe my baby is graduating from law school today.” I straightened his tie.
“And at the top of his class.” Parker smiled, stepping into the room.
“Come on, you guys. Stop making a big deal. I’m smart. So what.”
“So what?” I cocked my head. “It’s a huge accomplishment. I’m so proud of you, baby.”
“So am I, son.” Parker hugged him.
“I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if it weren’t for you two. So, thank you.”
I couldn’t help but smile. It was hard to believe that time flew so fast. It felt like I was just sitting in the nursery, rocking him to sleep.
“Let’s go. We don’t want to be late,” Parker said.
We sat in the chairs in front of the stage. Our entire family was there rooting for Gabriel, except for Harrison. Sadly, he passed away from a heart attack three years ago.
“You know, Paige. You promised Gabriel you’d tell him about your past at some point.”
“He’s not thirty yet, is he?” My brow raised.
“No. But he’s been asking for years. He’s a man now and deserves to know the truth.”
“And he will. Just not yet.” I gripped Parker’s hand.
When Gabriel was called on stage and gave his speech, a feeling erupted inside me.
The words he spoke about us and his journey through life almost sounded like he knew.
Parker glanced over at me, and I at him.
He was our miracle baby because after him, I couldn’t get pregnant again.
We tried everything, including IVF. Parker and I accepted the fact that we were destined to have one child, and we were grateful for the son we had.
After the ceremony, we all went to dinner and then headed home. His graduation party was tomorrow, and there was still a lot to do.
“Your speech was wonderful, sweetheart,” I said to Gabriel.
“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you more.” I pinched his cheek. “I have to run to the store and pick up some things for the party tomorrow. Stay with your dad.”
“I will.” He smiled.
Parker
I grabbed two beers from the refrigerator and handed Gabriel one. Beach?” I asked.
“Beach it is.” He grinned.
We sat on the sand, by the shoreline, like we had since he was a child. It was our sacred place to talk.
“I know, Dad.”
“Know what, son?”
“About Mom’s past.”
I looked at him in disbelief.
“It wasn’t hard to figure out. I put the pieces together over the years when she’d be gone for a couple of days, or when she’d come home, and I’d noticed a spot of blood she missed.
Plus, I saw the room. She was in there one day, and went to the bathroom, and left the door open.
I started doing research but couldn’t find anything. It’s almost as if she never existed.”
“She technically didn’t.”
“How did you two meet? Because I know it wasn’t at Harrison’s like you two told me all these years.”
“We did meet at Harrison’s. We spent the night together, and she disappeared in the middle of the night. The following day, when I was leaving work, she stuck a gun in my back and told me that if I wanted to live, I had to go with her.”
“What? That’s crazy.”
“I know.” I breathed out a laugh. “Some bad people were after me because of a client. She protected me. She saved my life. The rest is history.” I smiled.
“So, she’s an assassin?”
“She was. Now, she serves up justice. Just like you will now that you’re a defense attorney.”
“And if someone comes after me?” he asked.
I hooked my arm around him. “You have nothing to worry about. Your mom will take care of it. That, I can promise you.”
“She’s quite the badass.” Gabriel smiled.
“She is, son. She truly is.”
Paige and I climbed into bed. We needed all the rest we could get before Gabriel’s graduation party tomorrow.
“Gabriel and I had quite a talk down at the beach while you were gone.”
“Oh yeah? About what?” Paige asked.
“You. He knows, Paige.”
“I know he does.”
“What a second? You know and couldn’t tell me?”
“I wasn’t one hundred percent sure, but I suspected.”
“But you told me at his graduation that you weren’t ready to tell him. But you already knew he knew.”
“I didn’t want to worry you. What did he say?”
“He said you’re a badass, and I agreed.”
“Was he upset?”
“No. I think he was kind of proud.” I smiled.
“Then after his party, I’ll talk to him and tell him everything.”
“We’ll tell him together.” I wrapped my arms around her. “I love you so much. We did good by him.”
“We sure did.” She smiled. “I love you more.” She leaned in and kissed my lips.
Two Months Later
Gabriel
I grabbed my briefcase and flew out of the building.
It was my first day in court, and I couldn’t let my dad down.
As much as I wanted him as second chair, he thought an associate would be best. He wanted me to do this on my own, and I was ready, for I’d watched him and my uncles in the courtroom over the years.
I dreamed of the day that I would be the one sitting behind the defendant’s table with my client, tearing up the courtroom as they did.
“All rise. Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Matthews is presiding,” the bailiff spoke.
“The People of the State of California vs. Harvey Hamlin. Counsel?”
“ADA Wallace for the people, Your Honor.”
I stood from my seat and buttoned my suit coat.
“Gabriel Hamilton, defense attorney for the defendant, Your Honor.”
“Hamilton? Any relation to The Hamilton Group?” the judge asked.
“Yes. Parker Hamilton is my father.”
The judge sighed and ran his hand down his face.
“Good to know, son. Good to know.”
As I was cross-examining a witness, I turned and saw my father sitting in the back of the courtroom.
He gave me a thumbs up with a smile, got up, and walked out.
It was all I needed to dismantle the witness’s testimony, prove the prosecution suppressed important evidence, and get the case thrown out of court.
It was my first win, and many more would follow, for I was a Hamilton, and a Hamilton never loses.
Thank you for reading Cause of Doubt.
I hope you enjoyed it!